Father Vincent Chirichella has many friends who are priests that he considers part of his family. But he’s just as close to priests who really are his family. “We have a lot of vocations,” said Father Chirichella, pastor of St. Joseph’s Church, Astoria. “I’m one of four priests. There’s also my brother Michael, who answered God’s call to become a deacon. And we have a seminarian.”
Author: Paula Katinas
Resurrection Church Employee Assaulted; Teen Suspect Arrested
A church employee was the victim of an assault in which a teenage girl bit her on the chest during a confrontation outside the rectory on July 28, according to its pastor.
Singers Say Churches Are Hitting The High Note By Bringing Choirs Back
The reopening of churches in the Diocese of Brooklyn and the return to normalcy after COVID-19 means that choirs are back, too. And for many singers, it’s not a moment too soon.
New Redemptorist Priest Serves O.L.P.H.’s Immigrant Community
Father Song You, C.Ss.R.,was ordained by Auxiliary Bishop Bruce A. Lewandowski, C.Ss.R., of the Archdiocese of Baltimore at a Mass at the Basilica of Our Lady of Perpetual Help on July 24.
‘A Priest’s First Parish is Always His Most Loved’
Father Christopher Heanue recently served his final Masses as administrator of Holy Child Jesus Church, bidding farewell to hundreds of parishioners who came to wish him well. Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio recently announced a new assignment for him — rector-pastor of the Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph.
Bertha Newman’s Daughters Vow to Carry On Lord of Miracles Tradition
Bertha Newman died on July 3 at age 88, but her five daughters are determined to carry on the tradition she brought to the U.S. from her native Peru of the Lord of the Miracles procession. In recent years, St. Sebastian Church has been the starting point for the procession.
Samaritan’s Bravery Earns Him Medal From Bishop
Sean Conaboy, the St. Michael’s Church parishioner who tackled a suspect who was stabbing a woman at the Union Square station two months ago, received a medal from Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio at the Diocese of Brooklyn chancery on July 20.
Concert Pianist Recalls Terror, Healing After Anti-Asian Attack
Concert pianist Donna Weng Friedman knows first-hand the vicious anti-Asian hatred that erupted in the U.S. during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Adams Brings Varied Resume in Race to Become New York’s Next Mayor
Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams, the retired cop and former state senator who won the Democratic mayoral primary, has spent most of his life working law enforcement and politics and is hoping his ability to navigate both worlds will propel him into Gracie Mansion.
Relic of Blessed Carlo Acutis Arrives in Diocese of Brooklyn
On July 14, Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio officially accepted the first-degree relic of Blessed Carlo Acutis — tiny strands of his hair — that was brought to the U.S. from Italy.