Sister Alma Ahead of Her Time

Dear Editor: I would like to honor the late Sister Mary Alma Frary, R.S.M., (1925-92), who served in the Diocese of Brooklyn as teacher in both parish schools and Catherine McAuley H.S., East Flatbush, as principal, Secretary General of the Sisters of Mercy and administrator of the Convent of Mercy, Brooklyn.

Father Hesburgh’s Legacy

Dear Editor: I am sure that the recent passing of the longest-serving president of the University of Notre Dame, Father Theodore B. Hesburgh, touched many in the Catholic collegiate world. Although I am a graduate (1951) of St. Francis College, Brooklyn, I was deeply impressed by one of his comments that I quoted periodically in my high school teaching career, as well as my catechetical stint at St. Pius X, Rosedale.

A Memory of Cardinal Egan

Dear Editor: I would like to share some thoughts on the late Edward Cardinal Egan, a real friend. I met the cardinal at Sacred Heart Chapel in Manhattan about five years ago. A short time after our meeting, he called me at home since he heard of my upcoming surgery.

Msgr. Sivillo Already Missed

Dear Editor: We have lost one of the jewels in the Brooklyn-Queens diocesan crown. The death of Msgr. Nicholas W. Sivillo is a devastating loss for all who knew and loved him. As a parishioner at Our Lady of Hope from 1993 to 2009, I had the privilege of witnessing his pastorship and benefiting from his ministry. His experience, wisdom and spiritual guidance were invaluable. He was a kind, gentle, caring man, who always supported and encouraged his flock.

Two More Favorite Homilists

Dear Editor: I have enjoyed reading about the true impressions and affection that Massgoers have for the varied priests and deacons who give homilies in our diocese.

Bridge to Life Around the World

Dear Editor: Recently at Bridge to Life, we received a first time visit from Pakistani refugees. They are Catholic and left their country because the Christians there are being persecuted. They lost their first baby boy at 12 hours after he was born because of lack of good health care. Their baby daughter is only one week old. What a tremendous story they have to tell.

Today’s Mission Territory

Dear Editor: Victor Enemuo wrote a profound response (April 4) to George Weigel’s column on the decline of European Christianity. He might have added that the European Enlightenment ended at Auschwitz together with Christendom.

Environmental Priorities

Dear Editor: The past month’s onslaught of I’m-a-Republican-so-I-despise-environmentalism letters have been as embarrassing to Catholic morality as they are ironic that these people use the term “conservative.” Recent ones have used logic so twisted that Keystone development is a solution to save “society’s soul” and cure our “love of greed, lust and power”.

Symphony Space in Queens

Dear Editor: What a treat! It was Lincoln Center without the travel. I am talking about the recent (March 22) debut performance of the Queensboro Symphony Orchestra in the sanctuary of historic Mary’s Nativity Church in Flushing. It was a wonderful evening for music lovers and especially meaningful for me since I served on the […]

More Wonderful Homilists

Dear Editor: We are blessed at St. Patrick’s, Bay Ridge. All of our priests are great, but Msgr. Michael Hardiman and the newly ordained young priest Father Greg McIlhenney give wonderful sermons. A joy to listen to them.