In order to enhance his pilgrims’ World Youth Day experience, Father Josephjude Gannon took his parish group from Queens on a Rio de Janeiro adventure to experience Catholicism Brazilian style. Father Gannon, the administrator of St. Gerard Majella parish, Hollis, referred to his World Youth Day iPhone app to see what events would best suit […]
Author: Antonina Zielinska
Prayer Coins from B’klyn Travel Around the World
by Antonina Zielinska RIO DE JANEIRO – All through the week of World Youth Day, pilgrims from Brooklyn and Queens had Pray for the Pope coins at the ready. They gave them away as gifts and exchanged them for souvenirs. “The coins for me are all about seeing people’s excited faces when we explain them,” […]
Seminarians Walk in the Footsteps of Pope Francis
by Antonina Zielinska RIO DE JANEIRO – Following Pope Francis’ footsteps, Father Ray Roden, spiritual director at the Cathedral House of Formation, Douglaston, took two local seminarians to the Varginha “favela,” or slum neighborhood. “It wasn’t cardboard houses or anything, but the standard of living was low,” said seminarian Mike Plona. “They were so cramped.” […]
Diocesan Pilgrims Excited To Be in Rio with Pope
by Antonina Zielinska Rio De Janeiro – After an overnight flight riddled with delays, pilgrims from the Brooklyn Diocese landed Monday morning July 22 in Rio de Janeiro, ready to start a full day of their World Youth Day pilgrimage. “We are finally here, 224 strong!” exclaimed Auxiliary Bishop Frank Caggiano during the welcoming Mass […]
Fundraising Pays Off For Youth Day Pilgrims
by Antonina Zielinska When Edward F. Clancy first presented his idea of bringing pilgrims from Holy Family-St. Thomas Aquinas parish, Park Slope, to World Youth Day he ran into many obstacles. He had to convince the parish not only that it was possible to raise the funds for World Youth Day but also that it […]
Music, Laser Light Show and Free Food At St. Athanasius
As St. Athanasius parish, Bensonhurst, celebrates its 100th anniversary, Msgr. David Cassato, pastor, hosted an event to encourage youth participation. The parish youth rally featured live music, celebrities, games, rides, food and a laser light show – all free. “The point is that the church is open to all people,” the pastor said. “I want […]
Colombian Cardinal Makes Pastoral Visit to Elmhurst
by Antonina Zielinska Colombia continues to work toward peace, the aisles at St. Bartholomew Church, Elmhurst, were packed full of people wanting to hear a message from Cardinal Rubén Salazar Gómez. The archbishop of Bogota, Colombia, told the mostly Colombian congregation that peace can be obtained through Christ. “We, in this church, have to ask […]
Bishop Participates In a Polish Tradition
Antonina Zielinska Poles filled St. Frances de Chantal Church for Mass and procession with the Blessed Sacrament in the streets of Borough Park on the Feast of Corpus Christi. “We want to show the whole world what we believe,” Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio said during his homily. He was the main celebrant and carried the monstrance […]
Spring Concert Showcases Fontbonne Talent
From Baroque to Broadway, from Hollywood to Hammerstein with a touch of hard-shoe dancing in Celtic or modern stylings, there was something for every musical taste at the Fontbonne Hall Academy’s annual Spring Concert in Bay Ridge. Fontbonne’s choral groups, the Vocal Ensemble and the Select Chorus, presented well-loved selections from such Broadway favorites as […]
Two Poles Ordained Deacons On Their Way to Priesthood
by Antonina Zielinska The Diocese of Brooklyn welcomed two Polish seminarians, who left their former lives behind and crossed the Atlantic Ocean to answer the call of Jesus. Cezar Jastrzebski and Marcin Chilczuk were ordained May 12 as transitional deacons on the path to priesthood by Auxiliary Bishop Paul Sanchez at Our Lady of the […]