I now know what Jesus meant when he said, “Let the children come to me; do not prevent them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these” (Mark 10:14).

I feel joy and even some nervousness, but above all, I feel deep happiness in my soul knowing that I am close to becoming Catholic.

Seekers might accept an invitation to attend Mass with us. But anyone who is the least bit interested in music, or knows the singers performing, may attend a concert. It’s another way we can draw people to Christ and the Church. 

So you’ve fallen? That’s the acknowledgement of Lent. We’re all sinners. But the biggest gift of Lent is God’s overwhelming and enduring love for us. So welcome to the rest of Lent, which beckons with many graces.

As long as I have been involved in ministry, which is more than 50 years, there has been The Tablet newspaper. Even before I had my first choir or became a leader of song, The Tablet was visiting parishes around the Diocese of Brooklyn, reporting events to help us all feel more connected to one another.

It is important to attend to sacred marital vows because Satan and the ways of the world try to destroy everything that is holy. The evil one purposefully lays traps. Renewing vows gives us the courage to keep our union healthy, holy, and shining brightly as a witness to God’s unconditional love for us. 

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a popular and proven therapy created by Marsha Linehan, who emphasizes the importance of “mindfulness.” In mindfulness, according to DBT, we’re never the same person. We’re one person for our co-workers, another person for our partners, another for our friends. 

When my husband Arthur and I travelled to Iceland to visit our friend Father Damian Wyzkiewicz, he took us on a tour to show us the local sights. While we experienced many memorable things, the most profound part was finding Mary in the wilderness.

After recently retiring with 32 years of service at the Suffolk County Police Department (SCPD), I am grateful to God for all the dedicated priests, sisters, teachers, and coaches who provided faith-based education, guidance, and encouragement through my Catholic school years at St. Mary’s (Blessed Virgin Help of Christians School) in Woodside, Cathedral Preparatory High School in Elmhurst, and St. Joseph’s University in Brooklyn.

The Holiday Darty was not only an event, but a model, one that shows how intentional outreach can remind young people that the Church is not something they outgrow, but a community that begins with them and grows alongside them.