by Justin Brannan When you’re a kid and life is about breaking the rules and questioning the answers, it’s not easy to appreciate being raised a Catholic. For me, it wasn’t until I grew up that the merits became apparent. And when it did hit me, it hit me like a ton of bricks. For […]
by Sister Mary Ann Walsh Sexual abuse of a minor is a sin and a crime, and no organization can become complacent about addressing it. The Catholic Church has certainly done more than any other international organization to face the problem, and it will continue to lead in doing so. In the U.S., the number […]
by Father John Cush Last weekend, on the feast of the Presentation, the Church celebrated the gift of consecrated life. It is a true gift that those who live the evangelical counsels of poverty, chastity and obedience in religious communities and other forms of vows (like those who have committed to be consecrated virgins or […]
Twenty six years ago, the Zion Lutheran Church on Fourth Avenue and 63rd Street, Bay Ridge, opened its doors to welcome guests coming for a meal. Joe Duerr from St. Andrew the Apostle Church and Jean De Gennaro from Lutheran Zion Church were aware of the needs of neighborhood people and, impelled by Christ’s instruction […]
by RoseAnne Cleary I am not a football fan. Yet, I probably haven’t missed many Super Bowl parties in the last 48 seasons. The annual mid-winter high point seemed a natural, and whether attending one or hosting, the date was circled on the new calendar as soon as it was hung. The sheer counts surrounding […]
by Glenn Smith “I’ve had problems with Paul,” the woman remarked. “But now I want to read his letters. I have a whole new appreciation of him.” This comment followed my one-man performance, “A Visit with St. Paul” at St. Paul’s Church, Cobble Hill, last April. Whenever I hear this kind of response, as I […]
by Cruz-Teresa Rosero “What did May 16, 2013 mean to you? What were your biggest struggles during the three years of study in the Lay Ministry Program? What did it mean to both of you to study as a couple?” I put these questions to Rita and Domingo Reyes, from the parish of St. Agatha, […]
by David H. Powell Carol and I enjoyed lessons and carol services this Advent in various diocesan settings. Lessons and carols were originally a purely Advent prayer service composed as preparation for Christmas, but over time, the format evolved into Christmas readings and carols. Usually such a service will begin with an Advent selection like […]
by Veronica Szczygiel Although autumn is my favorite season, the one thing I don’t love is how dark it is by the time I leave work to go home. It feels a bit eerie to see night ushered in so early, and I often long for the long light of summer days. I think I’m […]
by Father Anthony Raso I never expected to write this, due to the ongoing “macho” of a 12-year-old boy from Bay Ridge, even 50 years later. However, society has taken a decided turn for the wiser, and this was reflected on the last page of The Tablet (Nov. 16) in an article about “bullying.” I […]
