by Msgr. Joseph Calise If you were to ask most people in my age group who they considered to be the greatest mystery writer of all time, no doubt most of us would answer, “Alfred Hitchcock.” We would be able to support our answer with such movies as Psycho, North by Northwest, The Birds, or […]
Author: settinger
Reclaim Advent!
Each Advent, exhortations come from Christian pulpits to “slow down.” Just when every other force and fury around us is screaming, “hurry up!” the Church is out there being its counter-cultural self, ever the “sign of contradiction” in the world. And with good reason. Our message is one of liberation, freedom from what ties us […]
It’s a Joy to be Part of St. Sebastian’s Parish
by Father Frank Mann Recently, Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio assigned me to residence at St. Sebastian’s, Woodside. From the day of my arrival, Msgr. Michael Hardiman, pastor, has been hospitable. The pastor has unpretentiously gone out of his way to make my stay both warm and inviting, albeit quite exciting as well. Likewise, all the priests […]
Chinese Prelate from Vatican Visits Queens
by Ed Wilkinson A high-ranking Vatican official from China says he doesn’t expect much to change in church-state relations with the new Chinese government. Archbishop Savio Hon Tai-Fai, S.D.B., said that “I don’t think there will be a big change in the immediate future for the religious policy in China. It’s not one of the […]
Bishops Dealt with Economy, Penance and Communications
BALTIMORE (CNS) – During their annual fall general assembly in Baltimore Nov. 12-15, the U.S. bishops voted down a document on the troubled U.S. economy, passed documents on penance and better preaching, approved a reorganization of their Communications Department and endorsed the sainthood cause of Dorothy Day. On the assembly’s opening day, the bishops discussed […]
Regina Pacis Designated as A Basilica
Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio was informed Nov. 19 by Pope Benedict XVI of the decision to designate Regina Pacis Church, 1230 65th St., Bensonhurst, a minor basilica. Last year, Bishop DiMarzio submitted a petition to the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments of the Vatican, requesting the honor. “This Thanksgiving, the Diocese […]
Life Organization Files Suit Against HHS Mandate
WASHINGTON (CNS) – Americans United for Life filed a brief Nov. 13 in Nebraska v. Health and Human Services, a case initiated by the state of Nebraska and six other states challenging the HHS mandate requiring most employers, including religious employers, to provide free coverage of contraceptives. The Washington-based group filed the brief on behalf […]
Bishop Pleas For Peace in Middle East
by Judith Sudilovsky JERUSALEM (CNS) – The Israeli government and leaders of Hamas must make courageous decisions to end the violence that has once again forced residents of Southern Israel into their bomb shelters and residents of the Gaza Strip into their homes, said Auxiliary Bishop William Shomali of Jerusalem. “We are sad for this […]
Engrossing Profile of Abraham Lincoln
by John Mulderig WITH THE UNSURPRISING exception of Jesus Christ, more books are said to have been written about President Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865) than about any other person in history. As for the screen, our most fascinating – and arguably greatest – chief executive has been portrayed by such Hollywood luminaries as Walter Huston (“Abraham […]
‘Catholic’ Makes a Difference
A few years ago, “Come Home for Christmas” campaigns became popular in some dioceses. The initiative was well-intentioned, meant to be welcoming. Its message was simple enough: No matter where you’ve been in relationship with the Church, we want you back for Mass on Christmas Day and, while you’re at it, make a good Advent […]