At the start of Catholic Schools Week, students and faculty at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Academy in Rockaway Beach honored four saints who were instrumental in Catholic education: St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, St. Angela Merici, St. John Bosco and St. Thomas Aquinas, portrayed above by Elizabeth Gajovczyk, Isabella Mena, Fabian Castilla and Aidan Anchundia, respectively. (Photo courtesy St. Rose of Lima Catholic Academy)
• • •
February is Black History Month and the Family Life Committee of St. Clare’s Church, Rosedale, is presenting two events: A Celebration of African American History with programs, music and refreshments on Feb. 20 at 6:30 p.m. in the school auditorium; and African American History Through Quilting, a presentation by Geraldine Hazel, Feb. 21 at 12:30 p.m. For more information, call 718-341-1018.
• • •
If you have suffered the loss of a spouse through death, divorce or separation – and are looking to achieve a sense of peace and hope for the future – you are invited to a grace-filled weekend with the Beginning Experience, a Catholic-based ministry.
Spaces are still available for an upcoming Feb. 26-28 retreat at the Montfort Spiritual Center in Bayshore, L.I. To learn more, or to register, call Mary at 516-413-6209 or Jim at 718-474-3779.
• • •
Have you participated in any Year of Mercy events yet? Here are two opportunities:
“Mercy and Forgiveness” will be the theme of a three-day retreat conducted by Father Jack Replogle, S.J., and Father Rick Beuther, pastor of St. Bartholomew Church, Elmhurst, at the Seminary of the Immaculate Conception, Huntington, L.I., April 4-6. The cost is $225, and it includes round-trip transportation, a private room and meals. Call 718-424-5400 for reservations.
Incarnation Church in Queens Village is offering a Lenten Vesper Series with the theme “Merciful Like the Father” every Wednesday during Lent at 7:30 p.m. Call 718-465-8534.
• • •
Join Our Lady of Mt. Carmel parish and Msgr. Sean Ogle, pastor, on a Jubilee Pilgrimage to Italy.
The Astoria parish is marking its 175th anniversary year with a pilgrimage to Venice, Padua, Florence, Assisi, Rome and Vatican City, Nov. 9-19. Pilgrims will also attend a papal audience. For full details, call 718-278-1834 or email: pilgrimage@mountcarmelastoria.org.
• • •
On the five Sundays of Lent, Feb. 14 – March 13, St. Teresa Church, Woodside, will be tuning into “Catholicism,” a DVD series by Bishop Robert Barron on what it means to be a Catholic and some unique elements of the faith.
All are welcome to attend. There is no charge for this series, which will be presented in the auditorium. Each session lasts about two hours. Call 718-784-2123.
• • •
The Class of 1966 from St. Saviour H.S., Park Slope, is planning a reunion to celebrate the 50th anniversary of its graduation on Saturday, June 4, at Da Nonna Rosa restaurant in Brooklyn. All members of the class are invited to attend. For details, contact Pat Skelly Groarke at patgroarke@gmail.com or 516-835-4663.
• • •
Locals Explore Mt. Tabor
Nearly three dozen diocesan pilgrims experienced the history and beauty of the Holy Land on a pilgrimage last fall. Among the sites they explored was Mount Tabor, the mount of the Transfiguration.
The group is pictured following a Mass celebrated by their spiritual guide, Father Thaddeus J. Abraham, parochial vicar of St. Sebastian Church, Woodside. (Photo courtesy Belinda Sebastian)