As unsettled times leave many on the move, they may be joining new parish communities. In those sad situations where long-standing parishes have closed, leaving parishioners spiritually homeless, they may be seeking the embrace of a new family under a cloud of deep loss. As newcomers settle into our parishes, what do they find when they arrive?

The canonizations of St. Carlo Acutis and St. Pier Giorgio Frassati, which I was privileged to attend, taught me that becoming a saint means growing in holiness, which means staying close to Jesus, especially Jesus in the Eucharist.

In my nearly 20 years of teaching at St. John’s University, I have seen how much my students have come to embrace computers and cellphones. It’s their window to the world. The influence of the internet, and more broadly, social media, is enormous. It offers a seemingly endless resource of material, but is also loaded with the dangers of misinformation and worse.

As I work to fulfill the Church’s mission in my role at the Catholic Foundation and Futures in Education, I join my siblings in prayer for the strength and wisdom to be able to pass on the faith to our family. Mom, well done, good and faithful servant. Rest assured that your legacy of faith lives on!

I got to check out the “Manhood Unscripted” panel on Aug. 8 at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Queens Village, and, honestly, it was an eye-opening experience. 

The Church of the Ascension in Elmhurst, Queens, is a compact space of worship, with its length from entrance to altar approximately that of the width of many other churches in the diocese. However, on July 19, that small space witnessed a big and unique event — a spirit-filled song competition to honor the centennial of Ascension’s founding in 1926.

Remembering St. Maximilian Kolbe, who gave his life at Auschwitz out of love for another — a powerful witness of faith, martyrdom, and Marian devotion.