The Sheen Center for Thought & Culture, like the rest of the New York arts community, had to reinvent its programming after closing to the public on March 12.
New York News
Judge Rules in Favor of Catholic Schools in Archdiocese’s Case Against DOE
On Nov. 23, Judge Wayne Ozzi of the New York State Supreme Court — Richmond County granted COVID-19 testing relief sought by Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of New York. The Archdiocese filed a lawsuit last month against the City’s Department of Education (DOE), stating that the DOE should legally provide the same health and testing resources for its students as it does for public school students (as required under Section 912 of the State Education Law).
Basilica’s Catacombs Tour Called Historic, Sacred, Inspiring
Since 2017, New York residents and tourists have hired Tommy’s New York to show them around the catacombs at the Basilica of St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral in Lower Manhattan. This underground area is the resting place for many legendary characters of New York City’s earliest history.
New York State Asks SCOTUS Not to Take Up Diocese of Brooklyn Case
The State of New York has responded to the petition filed by the Diocese of Brooklyn with the U.S. Supreme Court over the diocese’s religious freedom case.
Justice Alito: COVID-19 Causing ‘Unimaginable’ Restrictions on Individual Liberty
In what could offer a preview of how he might vote if the Supreme Court takes up the Diocese of Brooklyn’s case against Gov. Andrew Cuomo, Justice Samuel Alito said that the pandemic has led government officials to impose “unimaginable” restrictions on individual liberty.
Red and Orange Zone Schools Must Have Mass COVID-19 Testing, Prior to Reopening, Governor Says
On Oct. 30, Governor Andrew Cuomo released new guidelines for schools in red and orange zones that would allow them to reopen for in-person learning. The guidelines state that mandatory mass testing in schools must be conducted before they can reopen, followed by daily symptom and exposure screenings.
Only in Print: Actors’ Chapel in Times Square Feels Effects of Broadway Hiatus
Down the block from Broadway’s longest-running American musical, Chicago, is St. Malachy’s-The Actors’ Chapel. Built in 1902, since 1920 the Actors’ Chapel has been a second home to Broadway performers and other entertainment industry artists.
Cardinal Dolan Calls for ‘The Shield of Faith’ to Protect Armenian Christians
Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan of New York called for “the shield of faith” to protect Armenian Christians caught in the conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia. The “Ecumenical Service for Peace and Justice in Armenia, Artsakh and the World” also included remarks by Greek Orthodox Archbishop Elpidophoros and Bishop David of the Coptic Orthodox Diocese of New York AND New England.
Outdoor Opera About Voting Rights’ Activist Fannie Lou Hamer Workshopped in Brooklyn
On Oct. 10, three scenes from the new opera “This Little Light of Mine” were privately workshopped and filmed outdoors on the historic oil tanker Mary A. Whalen. The work, commissioned by the Santa Fe Opera, is part of the Opera for All Voices program and portrays key events in the life of voting rights activist Fannie Lou Hamer, who rose to national prominence at the 1964 Democratic National Convention.
Only in Print: Going Remote in the ‘Red Zone’, From Educators’ Points of View
On Oct. 6, Governor Andrew Cuomo established three color-coded zones — red, orange, and yellow — to identify areas with increasing numbers of coronavirus cases. Public and private schools in the red and orange zones were temporarily closed, beginning Oct. 6 and Oct. 9, respectively, and must remain closed for at least two weeks.