Thirty-five members of the Class of 1966 from St. Ephrem School, Dyker Heights, reunited to share memories and a good meal New Corner Restaurant, Bay Ridge, on June 17. Attendees talked about their grammar school days, the nuns who taught them and all of the fun times they had together. One thing that everyone agreed upon: attending St. Ephrem School made them better people. The reunion was coordinated by John Dunne, assisted by Kathie Addeo Bistreich, with the support of Father Robert Adamo, St. Ephrem’s pastor. (Photo courtesy Kathie Addeo Bistreich)
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Our Lady of Angels parish in Bay Ridge will kick-off its 125th anniversary year in September. Msgr. Kevin Noone, pastor, invites former parishioners and alumni from the former parish school to be part of the planning process and celebration. The parish is also looking for pictures featuring special occasions, clergy and important events.
To learn more, call Ann O’Brien, 718-748-6553, Pam Hume, 718-748-1384 or call the rectory, 718-836-7200.
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The Sisters of Charity of Nazareth, Ky., are collecting canceled stamps, especially commemorative and international postage to benefit their religious community. Bonus: Not only will you be helping Sisters in the Bluegrass State, but they will also remember you in their prayers. Send stamps to Sister Miriam Ann Walter, S.C.N., PO Box 3000, Nazareth, Ky. 40048-3000.
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Brooklyn will soon welcome a relic of St. Maximilian Kolbe. The relic will be enshrined at the San Damiano Mission, an outreach effort based at Holy Family Church, Greenpoint, July 18. An afternoon of events will culminate in a 7:30 p.m. healing Mass.
Canonized a martyr of charity by Pope St. John Paul II, St. Maximilian was a Polish Conventual Franciscan friar who volunteered to die in the place of a stranger in the Nazi concentration camp at Auschwitz during World War II. His feast day is Aug. 14.
Special events and Masses will continue July 19 and 20 in Polish and English. Visit www.missionbklyn.org.
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Haitians have cause for celebration. In late June, the New York City Council established Oct. 9 as NYC Haitian Day “in recognition of the historic contributions of the Haitian diaspora in the City of New York.” Brooklyn Councilman Mathieu Eugene, who is Haitian born, introduced the bill.
Among the city’s most notable Haitians is the Venerable Pierre Toussaint, a former slave who cared for orphans, the sick and poor. He is the first layman to be buried in the crypt at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Manhattan. Felisitasyon!
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The New York City Fire Department (FDNY) will hold a series of family-friendly block party events at firehouses this summer. Made possible by the FDNY Foundation, the events will feature demonstrations, free fire and life safety education, free CPR classes and a chance to register for free in-home smoke and carbon monoxide alarm installation.
In Brooklyn, the block party will be at Engine 231/ Ladder 120 at 107 Watkins St. in Brownsville, July 23. In Queens, head over to Engine 311/Ladder 158 at 145-30 Springfield Blvd. in Springfield Gardens, Aug. 20.
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Retired FDNY Chief Speaks To SAA Friendship Club
Ed Kilduff, who retired as chief of the NYC Fire Department in 2014 after 37 years of service, spoke to the St. Andrew Avellino (SAA) Friendship Club, Flushing. Kilduff, who is a lifelong parishioner, shared some highlights of his career and reminisced about attending St. Andrew Avellino School and growing up in the community. He is a former president of the Broadway-Flushing Homeowners Association and currently serves on the SAA Academy Board. Kilduff is pictured above, center, with Carol Hart, Friendship Club president, and Joe Brostek, vice president. (Photo courtesy Joe Brostek)
