To emphasize the joy and importance of reading, Our Lady of Guadalupe School, Dyker Heights, celebrated the 18th annual “Read Across America” Day, an effort of the National Education Association, to honor the birthday of the iconic Dr. Seuss and recognizing that reading is fundamental. Tablets and iPads were left behind as class reading partners paired up to share a beach towel on the gym floor, where older students read books to their younger partners. The twosomes then made Dr. Seuss Cat-in-the-Hat replicas for each other to celebrate the birthday of the beloved children’s author. (Photos courtesy Marian Skabeikis)
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Healing of Families, a prayer seminar to cleanse and heal families, is coming to St. Sebastian Church, Woodside, later this month. Father Yozefu (Joseph) B. Ssemakula from the Diocese of Pensacola, Fla., will conduct the three-day event, April 22-24.
The schedule includes the conference, Mass and healing services on April 22, 5-10 p.m., and April 23-24, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m., in Our Lady of Woodside Chapel. A healing Mass will then be celebrated April 25 at 7:30 p.m. in church. It is being sponsored by the parish’s Charismatic Prayer Community.
For more details, call Father Rodnev Lapommeray, parochial vicar, at 718-429-4442, or Dr. Conrado Ponio at 718-381-4419.
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In honor of this Year of Mercy, an evening of art and music is being planned at St. Francis Xavier Church, Park Slope, on Monday, April 25 at 7:30 p.m. Art historian Dr. Francis Greene, professor emeritus at St. Francis College, Brooklyn Heights, discusses the theme of mercy in paintings, while the choir, under the direction of Dr. Michael Kaminski, sings works based on mercy. For more information, call 718-638-1880.
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Christian music pioneer, best-selling author and evangelist John Michael Talbot is coming to Queens and Brooklyn. He will bring his “All Things Are Possible” ministry event to American Martyrs Church in Bayside, April 20-22. Sessions begin at 7:30 p.m. No tickets are needed, but a love offering will be collected.
If you can’t get to Bayside, Brooklyn is your next best option. Talbot will be at St. Brendan Church, Midwood, May 12-13, also at 7:30 p.m. each evening.
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The Class of 1966 from St. Saviour H.S., Park Slope, is planning a 50th anniversary reunion on Saturday, June 4 in Brooklyn. All members of the class are invited to attend. Contact Pat Skelly Groarke at patgroarke@gmail.com or 516-835-4663.
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Join the Oratory Church of St. Boniface, Downtown Brooklyn, for “Breaking the Silence: Confronting Race, Power and Privilege,” a daylong retreat, May 7. Pre-registration is requested. To register, email adultfaithformation@oratory-church.org.
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The Queensboro Symphony Orchestra returns to Mary’s Nativity Church, Flushing, this Sunday, April 17 at 7 p.m. to perform legendary music by Schubert and Brahms from the Romantic period. For more details, call 718-359-5996.
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Wedding Wishes
Congratulations to DeSales Media Group’s Natasha Bisbal who married Sammy Venegas at St. Matthew Church, Crown Heights, on the eve of Divine Mercy Sunday at the hour of Divine Mercy in this Jubilee Year of Mercy.
Father Frank Black, pastor, officiated over the exchange of vows, which was followed by a reception for close family and friends. The happy couple is honeymooning in Florida. (Photo © Robert Longo)
(click photo to enlarge to full size)