St. John’s Prep in Astoria has a Bollywood Dance Team bringing an Indian flavor to the school. Students learn a variety of dance steps — traditional and modern — and add to the school’s cultural diversity, the moderator, Debra Befumo, said.
Author: Paula Katinas
MLK Mass Shines Spotlight on Youth as ‘Future Leaders, Agents of Change’
Nearly 58 years after Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s funeral, parishioners in Brooklyn gathered to reflect on his enduring message of peace, justice, and equality.
Remembering ‘Forgotten Souls’: The Chinese Immigrants Who Faced Discrimination in Death
Chinese immigrants who came to the U.S. in hopes of building a better life worked hard at low-wage jobs in restaurants and factories. When they died, many cemeteries refused to bury them or buried them in out-of-the-way spots. Father Andrew Tsui calls them the “Forgotten Souls,” and he is determined to remember them.
Students Rally to Help Ridgewood Families Impacted by 5-Alarm Blaze
Students from Notre Dame Catholic Academy in Ridgewood pitched in to help families displaced by a five-alarm fire in the neighborhood. The students worked with Assistant Principal Lisa Leistmman to collect food, clothing and emergency supplies for the victims.
Mamdani’s Executive Orders on Antisemitism Stir Anxiety Among Religious Leaders
An executive order issued by Mayor Zohran Mamdani, which revoked the definition of antisemitism established under the previous administration and whether city agencies can boycott Israel, is causing concern in New York’s Jewish communities, religious and secular leaders said.
Noah’s Ark Comes to Life at LI Catholic High School
At Kellenberg Memorial High School in Uniondale, Long Island, students don’t have to read the Old Testament to understand the meaning of Noah’s Ark, because the school is an animal sanctuary where dogs and peacocks roam free.
Diocesan Youth Look to Carry Spirit of Jubilee 2025 Forward
Energized by their pilgrimage to Rome last summer, the diocese’s youth are determined to keep the spirit of Jubilee 2025 alive in their communities going forward. Scores gathered at the Cathedral Basilica of St. James on Jan. 9 for a Holy Hour to close out the diocese’s celebration of Jubilee Year.
Star Power: Young Girl Meets Singer Sarah Kroger, Who Helped Her Through Recovery
When 9-year-old Cecilia Gilson was diagnosed with a rare neurological condition, her parents relied on their faith and the power of prayer. But they also got an assist from another source — a famous singer-songwriter.
Large Families Disappear From New York As Parents Have Fewer Children, But One Catholic Couple Bucks Trends in Brooklyn
Rachel and Patrick Contino, parishioners of St. Bernard of Clairvaux Church in Bergen Beach, are the parents of three children. This makes them something of a rarity in New York City.
Ozanam Hall Dedicates Bridget’s Hall, a Unit for Dementia Patients
Ozanam Hall of Queens Nursing Home is getting ready to welcome dozens of new residents, thanks to the completion of a renovation project that saw the fourth floor converted into a unit dedicated to the care of patients with dementia.