The Future of Catholic Schools: Preserving the Vision Calls for Transition to Academies

by Gail Donovan This is the first in a series of articles about the future of Catholic schools in Brooklyn and Queens. Too often the news about Catholic schools is negative – dwindling enrollments, strapped finances, school closings. What the average person isn’t seeing, however, are the green shoots of hope, partnerships, collaborations, dedicated educators […]

St. James Parish Begins 190th Year

by Ed Wilkinson St. James Cathedral Parish, the first Catholic parish established on Long Island, marked the 190th anniversary of its founding on Jan. 1 with a Mass celebrated by Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio. The faith community was formed in response to a formal petition drawn up on Jan. 1, 1822 by a group of 70 laypeople […]

Procession of Gifts

Children dressed as the Three Kings bring forward the offertory gifts to Pope Benedict XVI during his celebration of Mass on the feast of Mary, Mother of God, in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican Jan. 1. Christians should look toward the New Year with hope and a commitment to working for justice and peace, […]

On Independence Day, Haitians Have Homeland on Their Minds (with slide show)

by Antonin Zielinska Continuing their tradition of gathering around the Eucharist to celebrate their nation’s independence, Haitians from throughout the diocese joined Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio and retired Auxiliary Bishop Guy Sansaricq for Mass Jan. 1 at St. Teresa of Avila Church, Prospect Heights. “Today, it’s a great day for all of you,” said Bishop DiMarzio […]

Buses for March for Life

UPDATED 13 January 2012 Several groups around the diocese are organizing buses for those wishing to participate in the annual March for Life in Washington, D.C., on Monday, Jan. 23. The diocese’s Government Affairs Office is organizing two buses that will pick up people in Brooklyn and Queens: The Brooklyn bus will begin at 6:30 […]

Pope Benedict Visits Nativity Scene

Pope Benedict XVI arrives in the popemobile to visit the Nativity scene in St. Peter’s Square after leading vespers in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican on Saturday, Dec. 31.

Tests May Give More Credibility to Shroud

by Carol Glatz VATICAN CITY (CNS) – Using high-tech lasers shooting pulses of ultraviolet light, Italy’s national research agency succeeded in reproducing on linen cloth colorations similar to those seen on the Shroud of Turin. The enormous technical difficulty in achieving the positive results also makes it highly unlikely that the shroud is a fake […]

Nuns’ Message to Pols: Welcome Immigrants

by Barb Arland-Fye DAVENPORT, Iowa (CNS) – In anticipation of this past week’s Iowa caucuses, 10 communities of women religious in Iowa and nearby states bought billboards throughout Iowa to deliver a call for comprehensive immigration reform. Quoting chapter 25, verse 35 of the Gospel of Matthew, the billboards read: “I was a stranger and […]

Pope to Meet Cuban, Mexican Presidents

by Carol Glatz VATICAN CITY (CNS) – Pope Benedict XVI will meet with Cuban President Raul Castro, Mexican President Felipe Calderon and bishops and Catholics from the region when he visits Mexico and Cuba March 23-28. He will also deliver a message to the bishops of Latin America and the Caribbean as well as pray […]

Pope Looks to New Year With Hopes for Peace

by Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Christians should look toward the New Year with hope and a commitment to working for justice and peace, Pope Benedict XVI said. “God is love, he is just and peaceable, and anyone wishing to honor him must first of all act like a child following his father’s example,” […]