Immaculate Conception parish, Astoria, conducted its annual parish retreat, Sept. 22-24, at Immaculate Conception Seminary, Huntington, L.I. Now in its eighth year, the event had three separate tracts, designed for English-speaking adults, Spanish-speaking adults and youth. This year’s speakers included Fathers Declan Gibson, Noel Antonio Peguero and Liju Augustine. The theme of the retreat centered on “Adoration of the Eucharist and the Importance of Vocations.” (Photo courtesy Msgr. Fernando Ferrarese)
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October is Respect Life Month. The Helpers of God’s Precious Infants will hold its monthly pro-life Mass and prayer vigil at Presentation B.V.M., Jamaica, Oct. 28. Msgr. Philip Reilly, Helpers’ founder, will celebrate 7:30 a.m. Mass, followed by exposition.
Participants will then process to a local abortion clinic to peacefully pray the rosary for the conversion of hearts and salvation of souls before returning to church for benediction.
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The Life Center of New York, located in Bay Ridge, invites Tablet readers to attend its annual dinner at the Bay Ridge Manor on Oct. 22. The guest speaker will be Auxiliary Bishop Raymond Chappetto. Tickets are $70, and must be purchased in advance. Call 718-748-4992.
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Sample ethnic foods from countries around the world at an International Food Festival at Our Lady of the Angelus, Rego Park, Nov. 5. Save the date and call 718-897-4444 to reserve your seat.
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This week’s Tip of the Tablet TALK Top Hat goes to the line dancing committee at St. Bartholomew Church, Elmhurst, on its recent donation of $3,850 to the parish.
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Join Mercy Home for a fun-filled evening of Beer and Bites – and music – in Mercy Home’s Clinton Hill courtyard, Oct. 21. Sample tasty bites from Bonbite, Da Ciro, Ludwigs and Suede while enjoying beers and wines from Corkscrew Wines, Six Points Brewery and The Ivy. Music will be provided by DJ Sabine.
Proceeds benefit Mercy Home and its Gifted Artists program for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Tickets are limited and must be purchased in advance. Log onto mercyhomeny.org.
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St. Dominic’s Church, Bensonhurst, marks its 45th anniversary this year. A celebration will be held at Gargiulo’s Restaurant, Coney Island, on Sunday, Oct. 22. Tickets are $125 for adults, $40 for children, and include a cocktail hour, dinner and a live band. For tickets, call the rectory at 718-259-4636.
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The 36th Brooklyn Columbus Parade, sponsored annually by the Federation of Italian American Organizations (FIAO), will be Saturday, Oct. 7.
Festivities begin with 10:15 a.m. Mass at St. Athanasius Church, Bensonhurst. The parade then gets underway at 12 p.m. from the corner of 60th St. and 18th Ave., and end at Il Centro at the corner of Benson and 18th avenues.
The parade grand marshals are Councilman Mark Treyger, Deputy Inspector Anthony Sanseverino, Nick Pesce of LaBella Market Place and Francesca Novella LoCurcio, principal of PS/IS 209. For more details, call 718-259-2828.
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Franciscans from Kenya
Brother Leonard Conway, O.S.F., president of St. Francis Prep, Fresh Meadows, greets Brothers Gerald and Bernard, O.S.F. two Franciscans who work in Lare, Kenya, at St. Francis Secondary School. The school is run by the same order of brothers that founded St. Francis Prep in 1858. The Prep’s guests will be sharing thoughts about their Kenyan students and their school with their American counterparts. (Photo courtesy Robert Johnson)