Thank You, Father Davis, For the Pilgrimage
Dear Editor: I would like to thank Father Dwayne Davis for all the work he put into the “Pilgrimage of Hope” he led on Saturday, May 17, visiting six churches in the Diocese of Brooklyn.
Three buses filled with 150 men and women left St. Thomas Aquinas Church at 7:30 a.m. and headed first to the Shrine Church of St. Jude in Canarsie to begin our day with Mass, Eucharist, and a brief visit to the Adoration Chapel.
We were also given the opportunity to venerate the relic of St. Jude. From there, we headed to the Shrine Church of St. Gerard Majella, where we learned a brief history of the Church and viewed the many relics of saints kept there.
At noon, we arrived at Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Bayside, Queens. It was interesting to learn that this Church has been designated as the Shrine Church for the soon-to-be-saint, Carlo Acutis.
We learned a little bit about the brief life of Blessed Carlo and were able to touch one of his two relics kept there.
After that, we continued on our pilgrimage journey to Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Parish in Forest Hills, where we were welcomed and given a special blessing by Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus Paul Sanchez.
Here we were invited to participate in the living rosary, where 65 members of our group each led us in prayer. Here we also learned the history of the parish from its birth in 1912.
We were told that in 1939, each family was asked to donate $1 a week to build a new church. This was following the Depression. It is not a religious trip unless we spend some time in prayer, so at 3 p.m., we prayed the Divine Mercy Chaplet while heading to our next destination.
Arriving at the Cathedral Basilica of St. James, the mother church of our diocese, we all renewed our baptismal promises and were blessed with the Easter water of new life from the “springs of salvation.”
We all seemed to feel a bit stronger in our faith at that point.
Our last stop on this pilgrimage journey was the Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph. Here we were treated to a time for adoration and Benediction in thanksgiving for a beautiful day.
At 6:20 p.m., we all arrived home safely at St. Thomas Aquinas, where we enjoyed a nice meal together, renewed in our faith, and hopefully with peace in our hearts. It was truly a grace-filled day, and as Father quotes from Pope Francis, “Hope does not disappoint.”
Thank you again, Father Dwayne, for your gift to all of us and your continued service to the people of God.
Tina Moore
Mill Basin
Pope Leo XIV: A Spirit-Filled Choice
Dear Editor: I truly believe that the Holy Spirit was present and participated in the conclave that selected Pope Leo XIV.
He slipped into the position as if he were made for it.
How difficult must it be to accept the responsibility for billions of souls, an institution that is over 2,000 years old, with conflicts and the ever-present liberal vs. conservative views.
Yet, he looks calm, so humble. I was so moved by his humility. He talked about walking alongside people. He wants to be in touch with them to serve, not to be served.
What a beautiful message for any leader: to walk alongside his people, not above them. Pope Leo fits; he just looks very comfortable in his new role because that’s where he is supposed to be.
May God bless him and his papacy.
Maria Mastromarino
Manalapan, N.J.
Congratulations, Deacon Sanchez
Dear Editor: Congratulations Deacon Alvaro Morales Sanchez (“God Drove Him From Being a Mechanic To Priesthood,” May 31).
The Blessed Mother Mary is guiding your steps to the altar. Congratulations.
Natalina Rotatori
Staten Island