The 200th anniversary of Father Félix Varela’s arrival in Manhattan is celebrated this year. His cause for sainthood is gathering momentum, with Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus Octavio Cisneros of Brooklyn serving as vice-postulator.
Author: Bill Miller
‘Reconnect’ Pivots to Teach English and Jobs Skills to Asylum-Seekers
Efrain Hernandez and his new friend, Antonio, are from different countries, but they both grew up in rough circumstances — on the streets.
Only in Print: Three African Popes Made Major Contributions to the Church
By the end of the 5th century, there had already been three popes who were considered African because they were born in — or had ethnic ties to — the Roman province of North Africa, with its capital at Carthage in modern-day Tunisia.
Belle Harbor Parish Honors Four Chaplains, Parishioner, Lost on the Dorchester
Each year, St. Francis de Sales Parish in Belle Harbor honors Pvt. Daniel O’Connor, an honor student from the parish’s Catholic academy. He died with more than 600 servicemen, including the famed “Four Chaplains,” in the sinking of the troop ship Dorchester during World War II. The parish will honor Pvt. O’Connor again at noon, Sunday, Feb. 5, during the parish’s annual Mass for the Dorchester’s dead.
Bishop Brennan Learns, Teaches During Catholic Schools Week Visits
During the second day of Catholic Schools Week, students ages 4 to 14 pressed Bishop Robert Brennan to reveal the mysteries of the man who leads the Diocese of Brooklyn, such as what it’s like to talk to Pope Francis, his thoughts about Major League Baseball, and even Italian cuisine.
Troop Ship’s Demise 80 Years Ago Sparked Story of Faith, Heroism
Eighty years ago, pandemonium seized the crew and passengers of the SS Dorchester when a German torpedo blew a hole in the troop ship as it carried 900 men and four U.S. Army chaplains.
Only in Print: ‘Four Chaplains’ Memorialized in Queens and Beyond
The legacy of the four chaplains who died in the 1943 sinking of the SS Dorchester troop ship inspired scores of memorials throughout the U.S., including plaques, namesake chapels, murals, monuments, and stained-glass windows.
New Transitional Deacon Wishes to Continue Work With Deaf Community
Samuel Mwiwawi spent his childhood in nearly every corner of his Kenyan homeland.
St. James Beams New Tower Lights, Adds Exclamation to Bicentennial Celebration
A few days after becoming pastor and rector of the Cathedral Basilica of St. James in June 2019, Father Bryan Patterson noticed something odd about the historic church. He had been in DUMBO running errands; his evening stroll back to the parish came after sundown. But as he approached the campus at Jay Street and Cathedral Place, the basilica itself was anything but glorious.
Cause for Father Capodanno Gets A Lift After Delay, Military Archbishop to Appoint Panel to Probe Sainthood Push
The cause for sainthood for Maryknoll Father Vincent Capodanno, a U.S. Navy chaplain killed ministering to wounded Marines on a Vietnam War battlefield, has moved slightly forward, say those advocating canonization for the man they called the “grunt padre.”