By Father Arlen Harris, O.F.M. Cap. The Church has fallen on hard times in recent history. We read of parish closings and mergers, clergy abuse scandals and a decline in vocations. We also wonder about what may appear to be the decline of the influence of Catholicism in our society. Despite the strong opposition of […]
by Father Frank Mann I was deeply saddened and stunned when I learned of the recent, sudden (yet perhaps not so unexpected) passing of Amy Winehouse. She was, without doubt, a gifted musician and one of my favorites. Winehouse, only 27 when she died, was a British singer and songwriter who was primarily known for […]
by Veronica Szczygiel The Polish-American parish of St. Stanislaus Kotska Church in Greenpoint has radically changed almost overnight. I have attended Masses there often in my childhood, and I currently teach second-grade CCD religious education classes. But never have I seen the parish so vibrant and alive as it is today. What was the cause […]
by Carmella Dearing Ministry is the key to serving God by enriching the lives of others in a particular way. Our call to service begins at our baptism when we are enlightened by Christ and the Holy Spirit. With the help of the Spirit and the angels associated with the Pastoral Institute’s Lay Ministry Program, […]
by John Goldstein New York State has just granted same-sex couples the legal right to marry. Apparently state officials believe that absent the right to marry, homosexuals are the victims of discrimination, and are confined to a status in society inferior to heterosexuals, and that the only remedy for this situation is to grant same-sex […]
by Gabrielle Mariano The air was heavy with heat, and the sky sunk down on to the crowded Brooklyn streets. It felt as though swimming would be the only means of travel through the sea of folks. The sun hung lazily against the thick curtains of blue and clarified the heavens with radiant light. It […]
by Msgr. Steven Ferrari “Excuse me, sir, do you have a wrench?” asked the slender, middle-aged blonde as I opened the trunk of my car. “I’ve been watering the flowers at my son’s grave and I can’t detach the hose from the spigot.” I, too, was visiting a grave at the central New Jersey Catholic […]
by Keri Harrison “Energy is the essence of life. Every day you decide how you’re going to use it by knowing what you want and what it takes to reach that goal, and by maintaining focus.” — Oprah Winfrey If there is any community that knows the meaning of setting and accomplishing goals, including the […]
by Stephanie Guzmán The college experience seemed daunting. This time last year I was preparing to walk across the stage and become a graduate of St. Joseph H.S., Downtown Brooklyn. I would be leaving the familiar hallways, friendly teachers and fellow students who knew my first and last names for a college of thousands. My […]
By Msgr. Walter Murphy The Fort Greene area and its Catholic parishes have undergone drastic change over the past 60 years, in particular Sacred Heart parish, now part of Mary of Nazareth parish. Through the years, Sacred Heart has always had its movers and shakers – laity, religious and clergy who moved the parish along, […]
