Some church buildings in the Rockaways sustained water damage from Hurricane Sandy, but many parishioners’ lives were turned upside down when more than 100 homes burned to the ground in the oceanside community of Breezy Point. The storm knocked out power to huge swathes of the nation’s most densely populated region, swamped New York’s subway […]
by Antonina Zielinska Continuing their month-long celebration of Polish heritage, the priests and faithful of the Polish Apostolate came together at St. Matthias Church, Ridgewood, for their annual Mass with a guest bishop from their homeland. This year, it was Bishop Artur Mizinski, auxiliary of Lublin, who came to meet the Polish flock residing in […]
by Carol Zimmerman WASHINGTON (CNS) – When the U.S. Postal Service unveiled its new Christmas stamp Oct. 10 featuring an image of the Holy Family fleeing to Egypt, there was no uproar about religion in the public square, or in this case, rectangle. “We didn’t get a single phone call or e-mail from anyone who […]
by Francis X. Rocca VATICAN CITY (CNS) – On the subject of the Second Vatican Council, Ralph Martin is nothing if not an enthusiast. The theologian, who teaches at Sacred Heart Seminary in Detroit and served as an official expert at the October, 2012, world Synod of Bishops on the new evangelization, said the “wonderful […]
Pope Benedict XVI surprised pilgrims in St. Peter’s Square Oct. 24 by announcing he would create six new cardinals, including 63-year-old U.S. Archbishop James M. Harvey, prefect of the papal household, in late November. It will be the smallest group of cardinals created since the 1977 consistory when Pope Benedict, the then-Archbishop Joseph Ratzinger, received […]
by Francis X. Rocca VATICAN CITY (CNS) – Church teaching against abortion “requires absolute adherence” on the part of Catholic voters, who must “stand united” in opposition to the practice regardless of party affiliation, said Archbishop Charles J. Chaput of Philadelphia. “(Abortion) really is a big issue today, and I think what it requires of […]
Youth, Families Pray the Rosary at St. Mary, Mother of Jesus by Marie Elena Giossi Children had the opportunity to come together to pray the rosary at St. Mary, Mother of Jesus Church, Bensonhurst, Tuesday evening, Oct. 16. In honor of the opening of the Year of Faith, the diocesan Office of Faith Formation […]
by Marie Elena Giossi Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio held an awards reception Oct. 18 to honor local recipients of this year’s national Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD). Grant recipients were personally congratulated by the bishop as well as Msgr. Alfred LoPinto, diocesan vicar for human services; Robert Siebel, CEO of Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens […]
In order to promote Natural Family Planning (NFP) throughout the diocese, the diocesan Office of Faith Formation is offering training sessions in the Billings Ovulation Method for married couples in English and Spanish. NFP is a safe, natural and effective way to postpone, avoid or achieve pregnancy. It is 100% natural. English: Introductory Session, Nov. […]
by Antonina Zielinska Having served the parish of St. Agatha as pastor for 10 years, Auxiliary Bishop Paul Sanchez returned to the Sunset Park community to confer his first Confirmation upon 67 candidates. During his homily, the bishop reassured the candidates that like them, he, too, was scared of a new chapter in his life. […]
