The Rockaway community suffered much as a result of the Sept. 11 attacks and Superstorm Sandy’s wrath, and received an outpouring of love and support from across the country.
And this week, St. Camillus Catholic Academy’s faculty and students were happy to give back and help their neighbors in Texas.
In observance of Patriot Day (Sept. 11), the school community prayed for those who lost their lives on that tragic day 16 years ago. They prayed for victims’ families, first responders and all who are sick or have died as a result of aiding in rescue and recovery efforts.
The school also held a “red, white and blue” dress down fundraiser with all proceeds going to the 41 Catholic schools and parishes in the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, that were damaged by Hurricane Harvey.
And thanks to Principal Sheila Smith Gonzalez’s efforts reaching out to Debra Haney, interim superintendent of Catholic schools in Houston, St. Camillus students were able to send handwritten cards and letters to boys and girls in Houston Catholic schools affected by the storm.
(Photo courtesy Sheila Smith Gonzalez)
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“Bridges to Peace” is a new initiative of the South East Queens Deanery. It is a month-long effort, running Sept. 10 to Oct. 8, that invites the entire deanery – 10 parishes, two academies and 200,000 people living in the area – to meet for spiritual, communal and social events. Among the offerings are a study series on Biblical women, a migration forum, health fair, concert and youth events. For a complete listing and more details, visit seqdeanery.org.
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Brooklyn native and acclaimed jazz vocalist Tulivu-Donna Cumberbatch will be performing at Our Lady of Victory Church this fall. Our Lady of Victory, a worship site of St. Martin de Porres parish, is celebrating 150 years as a beacon of Catholic faith in Bedford-Stuyvesant.
As part of the anniversary events, the parish music ministry will host a Jazz Cafe, featuring Cumberbatch, on Oct. 28 at 7:30 p.m. in the newly refurbished McGuinness Hall. For tickets and details, call 718-574-5772.
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In honor of the feast of St. Padre Pio, St. Pancras Church, Glendale, will host a St. Padre Pio Mass and street procession on Sunday, Sept. 24 at 4 p.m. Auxiliary Bishop Raymond Chappetto will be the main celebrant of the 4 p.m. bilingual Mass in English and Italian. The concelebrants include Father Francis Hughes, pastor; Msgr. Steven Aguggia, and Father Fred Marano.
After Mass, the faithful will share their devotion by walking through the neighborhood streets. Refreshments will follow in Pfeifer Hall. All are welcome.
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Pablo Castro Music Ministry and Adonai Music Ministry will be featured in a free concert at St. Josaphat Church in Bayside on Sept. 24.
Sponsored by the parish’s Spanish Catholic Charismatic Renewal Group, the concert will get underway after noon Mass. For details, call 516-451-5460.
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In celebration of their shared commitment to excellence in academics and discernment of one’s vocation, the alumni of three high school seminaries are having a joint reunion.
Alumni from Cathedral Prep’s Brooklyn and Queens Alumni Association, St. Pius X Prep Alumni Association and the Cathedral Prep New York Alumni Association are invited to meet at The Players Club in Gramercy Park on Thursday, Sept. 21 at 6 p.m.
Enjoy an open bar and hors d’oeuvres. The cost is $40 per person. To register, visit cathedralprep.org/alumni/players or call 718-592-6800 ext. 120.
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Join the Life Center of NY for its annual dinner at the Bay Ridge Manor on Sunday, Oct. 22. The speaker will be Auxiliary Bishop Raymond Chappetto. Tickets are $70, and must be purchased in advance. Call 718-748-4992.
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If you are struggling with the loss of a loved one and need help moving forward, the Bereavement Ministry at St. Francis de Sales parish, Belle Harbor, can help.
This fall, the ministry will be hosting a special program, “Working Our Way Through Grief: A Journey from Grief to Healing for People Coping with the Loss of a Loved One,” on seven Tuesdays, Sept. 26 to Nov. 14, from 7:30 to 9 p.m.
For registration information, call Eileen, 917-855-0517 or Virginia, 718-474-2308.
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Alumni of Nativity B.V.M. School, Ozone Park, will have their annual reunion luncheon at Bruno’s Restaurant in Howard Beach on Oct. 21 at noon. Tickets are $35, in advance only. Proceeds benefit retired Ursuline Sisters. Contact Annette Curran at 718-843-1046 or nativitybvmalumni@yahoo.com for tickets and further details.
