PROSPECT HEIGHTS — When it comes to supporting the missions in foreign lands, St. Sebastian Catholic Academy, Woodside, and the faith formation program at St. Teresa of Avila-St. Anthony of Padua Parish, South Ozone Park, are the best.
The school and parish program were honored as the diocese’s top donors at the Mission Sunday Mass on Oct. 18 at the Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph in Prospect Heights.
Bishop Robert Brennan celebrated Mass to honor the 100th anniversary of World Mission Sunday, which was first observed in 1926 at Pope Pius XI’s request.
“It’s a great feeling to be able to give back to others,” said Michelle Picarello, principal of St. Sebastian Catholic Academy. “It’s what being a Catholic Academy is all about.”
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Picarello said the school holds monthly collections for the mission, dress-down days that benefit the missions, and mite boxes during Lent.
Bishop Brennan also recognized St. Bernadette Catholic Academy in Dyker Heights and the faith formation program at the Basilica of Regina Pacis in Bensonhurst as Brooklyn’s largest contributors. For St. Bernadette, it marked the 17th straight year it has led all Brooklyn schools. The diocese also presented a Banner Award to St. Joseph Catholic Academy in Astoria for contributing at least $1,000.
Bishop Brennan presented the awards and took photos with the groups after Mass, assisted by Father Thomas Ahern and Deacon Louis Panico, director and assistant director, respectively, of the diocesan Propagation of the Faith Office.
“The power of the Holy Spirit is what we share with the world today,” Bishop Brennan said. “We are asked to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with the whole world.”
He said all parishes are asked to be aware of the work of the missions and to pray and support them with material funds.
Bishop Brennan explained that he had visited the missions in Nigeria this past year, specifically schools built by Irish missionaries that have helped spread the faith in the region.
“Now Nigerians serve the world as missionaries around the world,” he noted, “even here in our diocese.”
Father Ahern asked all in attendance to pray for the beatification cause of Brooklyn missionary Bishop Francis X. Ford, who died in a Chinese prison camp in 1952.
Everyone in attendance received a Mission Sunday packet containing World Mission rosary beads, a copy of “Mission” magazine, a Propagation of the Faith pen, and various prayer cards, including one for Bishop’s Ford’s canonization.