Just as Pope Francis’ visit to the U.S. and the World Meeting of Families had come to an end and the Ordinary Synod of Bishops on the Family was about to begin, families from Brooklyn and Queens came together for a Diocesan Family Day at Xaverian H.S., Bay Ridge.
The Oct. 4 event included family prayer, a cooking demonstration, Catholic Youth Organization games and exhibits from various local groups. However, Ted Musco, executive director of the diocesan School of Evangelization, sponsor of the event, said the most important aspect of the day was to come together.
“We encounter Christ in each other,” he said. “We get to know the face of Christ when we meet other people.”
Among those who attended were retired Auxiliary Bishop Guy Sansaricq and Auxiliary Bishop James Massa. Bishop Sansaricq came to support the people of the diocese and especially a family whose mother and daughter he baptized.
Bishop Massa led a family rosary organized by Sister Alice Michael, S.U.S.C. Sixty people were given a colored rose. They were then asked to stand in formation of a rosary as the families prayed together the joyous mysteries. Bishop Massa offered reflections for the mysteries and connected them with the World Mission Rosary, a form of prayer for missions in each of the continents denoted by beads of distinct colors. He spoke of the importance for praying for families all over the world, and asking the mother to intercede for them.
“Mary is our mother not just Jesus’ mother,” he said.
Bishop Massa also praised the Jornada Movement, whose choir sang praise to God.
Junior high school students from the Genesis program at Xaverian were also on hand to engage young children in a coloring activity.
Msgr. Jaime Gigantiello wowed his audience with a special culinary demonstration by cooking a full veal meal in the school library and offered those present a piece of the dessert he prepared.
“When it comes to food that’s when family gets together,” said Deacon Alberto Cruz who came to the event with his wife, Janet, and two teenage children, Marie Elena and Isaias. “In our house, we all cook.”
Marie Elena said she was happy to have come because she enjoys sharing her faith with her family and spending time together. Her brother agreed, adding that it was nice to see his fellow Jornadistas on stage.
“It really gives you the thought of how God is present,” he said. He can be seen in song, food or friends, Isaias explained.
When nine-year-old Anabel Cahuana brought home a flyer explaining Diocesan Family Day, her whole family decided to attend: her sister Bernabed, 16, her brother Edison, 18, and their parents Ana and José.
“I like coming to church,” Bernabed said. Coming to an event full of fun activities with her family, was a plus.
Edison said he was touched by the Rosary and was thankful for the image that each person can be a prayer on the Rosary. During the rosary, Bishop Massa said that, from his vantage point on stage, the people holding flowers were making a laurel for Mary, a beautiful gift of prayers for the mother of humanity.
Ana Cahuana said she was happy to spend time with her family in prayer and was also thankful for the opportunity to learn new things that she would hopefully be able to share with others.
“As a parent, I realize that I can’t give my children faith, I can only show it to them,” said John Angotti, who sang and played religious music at the Family Day. “It’s like love; you can’t make your kids love you, you can only show them love.”
Angotti was sponsored by RCL-Benziger to come share his musical faith.
The School of Evangelization invites all families to check out the website, meetmein.church to see upcoming events and news about next year’s Diocesan Family Day.
