by Carol Glatz VATICAN CITY (CNS) – The war in Syria is like a factory churning out nothing but death, destruction and suffering, said Archbishop Mario Zenari, Vatican nuncio to Syria. Even though the Vatican was unable to confirm July 30 news reports that a Jesuit priest had been kidnapped in Syria, the nuncio said […]
by Antonina Zielinska RIO DE JANEIRO – Following Pope Francis’ footsteps, Father Ray Roden, spiritual director at the Cathedral House of Formation, Douglaston, took two local seminarians to the Varginha “favela,” or slum neighborhood. “It wasn’t cardboard houses or anything, but the standard of living was low,” said seminarian Mike Plona. “They were so cramped.” […]
For 46 years, the Father Edward Troike Summer Leadership Program at Cathedral Prep Seminary, Elmhurst, has been molding young boys into men. But this year, those young men have been further evolving into the heroes of the future. The theme of this year’s summer program, which lasted four weeks from July 1-26, was “The World […]
by Patricia Zapor WASHINGTON (CNS) – Despite weeks of testimony and evidence and 17 months of national debate about what factors led to the shooting death of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin in Sanford, Fla., at the end of the trial July 13, it became apparent that broader issues would not go away with the verdict of […]
Lumen Fidei 1. The light of Faith: this is how the Church’s tradition speaks of the great gift brought by Jesus. In John’s Gospel, Christ says of himself: “I have come as light into the world, that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness” (Jn 12:46). St. Paul uses the same image: “God […]
For 12 days and nights, the streets surrounding Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, Williamsburg, were alive with the traditions and spirituality of the ancestors of immigrants from Nola, Italy. The 126th annual festival in honor of the parish patroness and St. Paulinus, a fourth century Bishop of Nola, was held to the delight of […]
In the final week before departing for World Youth Day in Rio de Janeiro, Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio called together all the diocesan pilgrims to gather in prayer and preparation. He reminded them that even though the pilgrimage should be fun, it is not meant to be a vacation. “We are going because we are pilgrims,” […]
by Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) – Before saying a word publicly, Pope Francis made the sign of the cross and tossed a wreath of white and yellow flowers into the Mediterranean Sea in memory of the estimated 20,000 African immigrants who have died in the past 25 years trying to reach a new life […]
Parishioners from St. Athanasius parish, Bensonhurst, joined their pastor, Msgr. David Cassato, and newly-ordained Father Paul Kim on a pilgrimage to the tomb of St. Athanasius in Venice to commemorate the parish’s 100th anniversary. Above, they are shown at the tomb following Mass at St. Zachariah Church. At left, Father Kim and Msgr. Cassato concelebrate […]
by Francis X. Rocca VATICAN CITY (CNS) – Pope Francis’ first encyclical, “Lumen Fidei” (“The Light of Faith”), is a celebration of Christian faith as the guiding light of a “successful and fruitful life,” inspiring social action as well as devotion to God, and illuminating “every aspect of human existence,” including philosophy and the natural […]
