A parishioner receives ashes from Bishop Robert Brennan. (Photo: Alicia Venter) DOWNTOWN BROOKLYN — Prayer. Fasting. Almsgiving. These are the three pillars of Lent. For many, that involves sacrificing something simple, such as giving up coffee or junk food. But for Bishop Robert Brennan, the 40-day season is also a time to take on a […]
Author: Alicia Venter
Their Love for Each Other, and Their Faith in God, Is Always With Them
Patty Harold knew the man she was going to marry at first sight. It was the fall of 1971, she was 22 years old, and was interviewing for a job opening at a bank.
Queens Pastor Seeks to Remake His Church Into ‘a Center of Black Catholicism’
When Father Chris Piasta became the pastor at St. Bonaventure-St. Benedict the Moor six months ago, he knew the parish’s financial situation was dire.
New Arrival is Ready to Vie for a National Chess Championship
The chess players taking on 12-year-old Mariangel Vargas in weekly competitions at a Midtown church would never guess that she knew nothing about the game until a little more than a year ago.
Mass of Remembrance Supports Families Who Suffered Premature Death of Their Child
At about midnight on Feb. 3, 2023, Erika Cerni felt her daughter rapidly moving in her womb. Only 31 weeks pregnant, she thought the feeling was Braxton Hicks, or “false labor,” contractions, or maybe the girl was just hungry.
St. Brigid Principal Encourages His Students to Build Relationships With Christ
The calling toward apostolic discipleship has always been the guiding principle of Israel Rodriguez’s life — even before he had any choice. When he was 9 years old, his parents felt compelled by the words of Pope John Paul II to become missionaries, and traveled from Spain to Newark in 1988 as part of the Neocatechumenal Way.
Queens Catholic School Uses Microphones to Help Students Cope With Progressing Hearing Loss
Jace Hili’s school day starts a little differently from that of his classmates at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Academy. He gets to hear from his teacher before any of the rest of his second grade class, even when she is nowhere in sight.
Diocese of Brooklyn Makes Strides Supporting Students with IESPs and Learning Challenges
For Kristen Gittens, sitting down to do homework with her 6-year-old daughter used to be a guaranteed disaster. Throughout her early education and first grade, Janessa Gittens struggled to pick up subjects like reading or spelling, and her anxiety coupled with frustration would lead her to break down into tears. She was terrified to get answers wrong, and it would completely overwhelm her.
Queens Parish Community Rallied to Support Catholic Couple After Stillbirth
At about midnight on Feb. 3, 2023, Erika Cerni felt her daughter rapidly moving in her stomach. Only 31 weeks pregnant, she thought the feeling was Braxton Hicks, or “false labor,” contractions, or maybe the girl was just hungry.
Bishop Brennan Blesses St. Brigid’s Renovations to Kickoff Catholic Schools Week
Alyssa Rivera, the kindergarten teacher at St. Brigid-St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Academy, had a surprise for her students when they returned from winter break: A shiny, modernized classroom.