This month we are celebrating Hispanic heritage. Perhaps we in the Diocese of Brooklyn have memories of the Reverend Msgr. Perfecto C. Vasquez. Msgr. Vasquez was the first Hispanic Msgr. in the diocese and was a beloved pastor.

In this issue of The Tablet, we celebrate children returning to school and extol the virtues and many benefits of a Catholic education. Across the Diocese of Brooklyn, 65 Catholic elementary schools and academies and 15 Catholic high schools began a new academic year. 

Throughout September, The Tablet will be writing and reporting on National Recovery Month to help raise awareness and understanding of mental and substance use disorders. The goal of the observation is to reduce stigma, promote education, and provide support to individuals and families affected by addiction.

As the Democratic National Convention closed Thursday, Aug. 22, astonishment came across the minds of many Catholics in the United States. Even before the gavel came down to open the nomination convention, Planned Parenthood had set up mobile vans outside the arena to offer free chemical abortions to the public. 

Last week, the Catholic faith celebrated two important dates in the religious calendar. The first was the Feast of the Assumption, marking the day Mother Mary’s body and soul was assumed into heavenly glory to be reunited with her Son. The second was the celebration of the feast day for Blessed Michael McGivney — the founder of the Knights of Columbus. 

The Book of Genesis explains God created the universe by his word alone, speaking the world into existence. As we read in the first chapter of Genesis, “God said, ‘Let there be …’ ” And as God reflected on the six days of creation, He looked upon his work and “found it very good.” 

These hazy, lazy days of summer are known for relaxation, vacation, and enjoying the good life. In the Church, we are in the Ordinary Time that follows our celebration of the Easter miracle and Pentecost. But these are more than ordinary times when it comes to our faith. 

As the National Eucharistic Congress comes to an end, there is a growing chorus of Church leaders calling for us to take up a eucharistic missionary life. 

This past week, the U.S. National Eucharistic Revival’s Congress in Indianapolis started, and a surprising study’s results came to light.

New Yorkers couldn’t even get through the long holiday weekend without discovering some Christian bashing in the pages of The New York Times.