At the Sowing Seeds of Justice Celebration Sept. 19 in Manhattan, Jose Chapa and Rev. Richard Witt of the Rural & Migrant Ministry, present an award to state Senator Jessica Ramos, sponsor of the Farmworkers Fair Labor Practices Act.
Diocesan News
Pro Sanctity Movement in Diocese to Honor Founder, Local Clergy
The apostolic oblates and Pro-Sanctity Movement came to the Diocese of Brooklyn in the 1960s, when they established roots serving in different parishes.
Xaverian, Diocese Confront Teen Vaping Crisis
The danger of vaping is real. According to a Sept. 19 weekly report from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the number of people with a deadly vaping-related lung disease rose to 530 from 380 the week before (38 states and one U.S. territory report numbers). Officials have said half of those patients are under 25 years old and 16 percent are younger than 18. Nine deaths have been reported.
Dedication Mass Shows St. Michael’s Diversity
At the dedication Mass, readings were done in Tagalog, Spanish, English and Mandarin. The church has parishioners from almost 50 countries, according to pastor Father John Vesey, and has seven Masses every Sunday. Some services were cancelled on Sept. 22 to encourage parishioners to attend the dedication Mass.
New Yorkers Join Global Fight Against Climate Change
Global Climate Strike — a gathering of more than four million young people worldwide on Sept. 20 to call attention to the dangers of climate change — was a local event, too, as more than 60,000 rallied in lower Manhattan to voice their support for efforts to curb global warming.
Precious Infants Marchers Rally in Jackson Heights
Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio joined a group of about 50 pro-life activists on Sept. 21 for Mass and Holy Adoration at St. Joan of Arc Parish, Jackson Heights, followed by a rosary march to a local abortion clinic in the neighborhood, all part of the monthly rally organized by Helpers of God’s Precious Infants.
Suspect Arraigned in St. Gerard Majella Vandalism Case
Police arrested 69-year-old Nasra Alnadrahi at 10:30 a.m. Sunday on charges of cemetery desecration and criminal mischief connected to incidents at Shrine Church of St. Gerard Majella over the last few weeks.
Cardinal Dolan, Bishop DiMarzio Urge Closure of Rikers Jails
A proposal to close Rikers Islands’ jails by 2026 and replace them with smaller facilities in Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan and the Bronx awaits a City Council vote in October for final approval.
St. Gerard Majella’s Outdoor Prayer Garden Struck Third Time
After reportedly causing more than $10,000 worth of damage during two nighttime visits last week, the suspect returned to St. Gerard Majella, Hollis, on the night of Sept. 17 to try to damage the statue of the Blessed Mother that’s in the parish’s parking lot.
The 38th Great Irish Fair of New York
The 38th Great Irish Fair of New York, presented by the Irish American Building Society, is a family-friendly event celebrating faith, history and culture.