With the background of electric trains, and the sparkle of lights flooding the manger scene, the students of the religious education program at St. Mary’s Church in Long Island City shared their gifts of music, acting and singing to Baby Jesus at the Christmas Family Mass. Parishioners smiled in delight as children sang hymns in English, Italian and Spanish. One 8-year-old child lead the students in two pieces: “Away in the Manger” and “Joy to the World.” (Photo courtesy St. Mary’s Church)
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The wait is over in Bath Beach. After nearly 50 years, St. Frances Cabrini Church has finally begun work on an upper church. Father Guy Sbordone, pastor, made the announcement at Christmas Masses.
Stained-glass windows have already been removed from the lower church and put in storage while construction is underway. The lower church is still in use for Masses, but will eventually become a parish center.
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Auxiliary Bishop Neil Tiedemann will be back in Red Hook this weekend for the Feast of the Epiphany. He will return to his former parish, Visitation B.V.M., to celebrate the 5 p.m. Mass on Jan. 7. Light refreshments will follow.
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Holy Trinity parish in Whitestone recently released its first album: “Christmas at Holy Trinity.” This collection of religious Christmas carols was two years in the making and features the combined talents of the parish choirs, ministers, parishioners and academy faculty and students. Standout tracks include “O Come All Ye Faithful” and “Merry Christmas from Holy Trinity.”
CDs may be purchased at a cost of $20 online or at the rectory. Visit holytrinityrcparish.org or call 718-746-7730.
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Do you feel called to serve God in your parish community? If so, a diocesan training workshop for new lectors and extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion is scheduled for April 29. To register or for more information, speak to your pastor or call your parish rectory.
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Treat your family to a night of dinner and dancing for a good cause. The Msgr. Francis J. Dillon Council of the Knights of Columbus is hosting a fundraising dinner dance for The Bridge to Life on Jan. 17 at Holy Trinity Catholic Academy, Whitestone. The Bridge to Life is a Queens-based nonprofit that provides assistance and resources to help pregnant women and mothers in caring for their children.
Dinner dance tickets are $25 per adult, and $7 for children ages 4-12. Children under age 4 are free. For reservations, call Antonio Belviso at 917-378-3663.
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Do you know someone who is carrying the grief of a past abortion? The pain and sorrow need not endure for a lifetime. Help and hope are available. Experience the love and mercy of God during a “Day of Prayer and Healing” with the Sisters of Life. Open to women of all faiths, the next gathering is set for Jan. 14 for English speakers, and Feb. 4 for Spanish speakers. For locations and confidential registration, call the Sisters of Life at 866-575-0075 (toll free) or email hopeandhealing@sistersoflife.org. Days of Prayer and Healing are also available for men. For details, call 877-586-4621 or email Lumina@postabortionhelp.org.
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Cathedral Seminary House of Formation, Douglaston, is gearing up for its next Jeremiah Project, Feb. 3-4. The Jeremiah Project is an overnight experience of Christ for high school men discerning their call to the priesthood through fraternity and prayer. To register, or for more information, contact Father Sean Suckiel or Melanie Feliciano at the diocesan Vocations Office by phone 718-827-2454 or email vocations@diobrook.org.
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This week’s Tip of the Tablet TALK Top Hat goes to Christ the King H.S., Middle Village, for bringing Christmas smiles to pediatric cancer patients. Students, faculty and members of the school community donated dozens of toys to the youngsters at Cohen Children’s Medical Center, formerly Schneider’s Children Hospital at North Shore-LIJ. Way to go!
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The St. Sebastian’s Sports Council, Woodside, will hold its 26th annual Super Saturday Dance on Jan. 28. The evening begins at 7:30 p.m. and will feature sandwiches, snacks, beer and the music of Eternal Sounds DJs. For details and tickets, call Harry Connor at 718-672-8989.
