Are You Ready to Go the Distance?

by Father James Rodriguez Today, tens of thousands of people from all over the world will flood the streets of our diocese in one of the most famous footraces on earth. The N.Y.C. Marathon is a major annual event, not only for runners but for spectators at home and on the streets who cheer for […]

The Importance of Humility

by Father William R. Dulaney When you speak, tell a story, or communicate in any way, you believe you have something important to say; hope your audience understands your message; and want your message to have an impact on and make a difference in your listeners’ lives. In speaking about the Bible, Vatican II said, “the […]

Prayer Is a Struggle; Embrace It

by Father William R. Dulaney Even though you’re not perfect, I hope you think of yourself as a good person. Isn’t it ironic many good people are apprehensive or filled with frustration and guilt because of prayer – something we hope will strengthen us and bring us peace? Throughout my priesthood, I’ve been approached by […]

Healing, Conversion and Salvation Are Within Our Reach

by Father William R. Dulaney It happens to most of us. It can be gradual or sudden, but once it happens, our lives are never the same. You might remember when it happened to you – when you underwent a conversion that involved a profound change of heart that signaled a major turning point in […]

Called to Even Greater Service

by Father William R. Dulaney HAVE I REACTED angrily or judged rashly before hearing the whole story, getting the full picture or thinking through a situation? Any one of us whose honest answer to this question is “yes” would be wise to approach today’s Scriptures with an open mind, giving their message a chance to […]

Opening Our Hearts to Hear The Subtle Cry for Love

by Msgr. Joseph Calise ALTHOUGH THE EXACT facts are not completely clear, the date March 13, 1964 will always be a black mark on New York’s reputation. It was on that night that Winston Moseley attacked and killed Catherine “Kitty” Genovese. The early reports, which were later contested, said that her screams were heard by […]

Make Friends for Yourself with Dishonest Wealth

by Msgr. Joseph Calise IT WAS DURING my first year on the teaching faculty at Cathedral Preparatory Seminary that O.J. Simpson was accused of the murder of his wife, Nicole. As an explosive news story that involved a former football hero, the students, as well as the rest of the country, were engrossed in the […]

Valuable Strangers in Our Midst

by Msgr. Joseph Calise I LIVE IN Williamsburg, which is an exciting neighborhood. As pastor of the Shrine Church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel and administrator of the Church of the Annunciation, I have the opportunity to watch the incredible merge of cultures that is taking place daily. Of course, there is the old […]

Who to Give the Self-Gift to?

by Msgr. Joseph Calise Several years ago while I was ministering as one of the part-time chaplains at the Newman Center of Queensborough College, I received a call from a former altar boy who asked if I was available to meet him for a while. As is the case on many campuses, there was a […]

Expectations Are Dangerous

by Msgr. Joseph Calise In 1955, Jock MacGregor played the character Morris Fink. If that makes sense to you, you must be a genuine Honeymooners fan. Morris Fink was the Grand High Exalted Mystic Ruler of Ralph Kramden’s Lodge, the Raccoons (or, as Norton would call him, the “Emperor of all Raccoondom.”) In one particular […]