Sister Heleyda Guadalupe Saavedra O.S.B., former office manager and parishioner of Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Jamaica, professed her first monastic vows and received the black veil, Sept. 19. She is a Sister of the Benedictine Monastery of St. Walburga, located in Elizabeth, N.J. Pictured from left, Sister Mary Feehan O.S.B., prioress; Father Christopher M. O’Connor, celebrant and former pastor at Presentation B.V.M.; Sister Heleyda; Sister Marita Funke, O.S.B., novice director and Sister Sharon McHugh, O.S.B., former prioress and current scholastic director. (Photo courtesy Father Christopher O’Connor)
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Bishop Frank Caggiano of Bridgeport, Conn., will return to his native Brooklyn for the annual Rosary for Life Mass at Good Shepherd Church, Marine Park, Oct. 5. The rosary begins at 7 p.m. followed by the Mass at 7:30 p.m. Investiture in the brown scapular following the Mass.
This year’s honorees are Florence Maloney and Robert Murphy. For more information, contact Wyn Powers, 718-377-6920.
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Celebrate the feast of St. Francis by joining St. Boniface Oratory Church, Downtown Brooklyn, for a discussion on Pope Francis’ encyclical, “Laudato si’” (“On Care for Our Common Home”) with Father Joel Warden, C.O., Oct. 4 at 1 p.m. in the church.
Participants will begin to discuss the challenges the encyclical poses on secular academic, scientific and political debates worldwide. In the weeks following the presentation, small groups will convene to provide a forum for continued discussion, prayer and action. For more details, call 718-875-2096.
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Get your costumes ready for the 49th annual Children’s Ragamuffin Parade, set for Oct. 3 at 1 p.m. in Bay Ridge. The colorful march travels along Third Avenue from 76th Street to 92nd Street.
Bay Ridge civic leader Mary Ann Walsh will be the grand marshal, and Steven Oliver, who coaches basketball for Fontbonne Hall Academy, Bay Ridge, is the Ragamuffin Man of the Year. Children from Catholic parishes will also participate in addition to children from area public and private schools.
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SS. Simon and Jude Church, Gravesend, is proud to celebrate an NYPD Appreciation Mass next Tuesday, Sept. 29 at 7:30 p.m. The Mass is being held on the feast of St. Michael the Archangel, patron saint of law enforcement. All are welcome to attend. For further details, contact the rectory at 718-375-9600 or Pat Dellamura at dellamu9@aol.com.
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Cathedral Prep and Seminary, Elmhurst, will hold its 100th anniversary gala on Oct. 4 at 3 p.m. at Gargiulo’s Restaurant. For reservations, call Matthew Dybus, 718-592-6800, ext. 137.
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St. Anastasia’s Honors Clergy During Centenary
St. Anastasia Church, Douglaston, marks its 100th anniversary next month. As part of the centennial festivities, the parish held a Sept. 13 Mass honoring past and present clergy. On the altar, above, from left, Father Dariusz Strzelecki, parochial vicar; Msgr. Anthony Sherman, pastor; Father Edward Kachurka; Deacon Vincent Lino; Msgr. Michael Cantley, pastor emeritus; Msgr. George Ryan, pastor emeritus; Father William McLaughlin; Father Anthony Rucando, in residence; and Father Matteo Rizzo.
Upcoming events include an Oct. 17 dinner dance, and a centennial closing Mass, Oct. 18 at 12 p.m. with Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio as the main celebrant. Food, activities and fun will follow. For more details, call the rectory, 718-631-4454. (Photo courtesy Janylyn Merkur)