The fourth and fifth grade “Little Docs” at St. Athanasius School, Benshonhurst, conducted yet another successful blood drive during Catholic Schools Week. This is the eighth year they have participated in the Little Doctors Programs, sponsored by the New York Blood Center. Students directed potential donors to donation stations, offered moral support and provided beverages, snacks and handmade cards to every donor. Coordinating their efforts were fourth-grade teacher Maria MacCormack, back row, far right, and fifth-grade teacher Kathryn Somma, back row, far left. (Photo courtesy Maria MacCormack)
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On Feb. 22, Fordham University welcomes Father Bryan Massingale to present his talk, “Beyond Authentically Black and Truly Catholic” on the Lincoln Center Campus in Manhattan.
The talk begins at 6 p.m. in the E. Gerald Corrigan Conference Center.
Father Massingale, a theology professor at Marquette University, Milwaukee, Wisc., and will examine black Catholic identity in light of challenges facing black people in 21st-century America and will advocate for a more prophetic understanding of black witness within the Catholic faith community.
His talk is part of Fordham’s Black Catholic Cultures in the United States Lecture Series. For more information, contact The Curran Center for American Catholic Studies at 718-817-0662 or cacs@fordham.edu.
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In this Holy Year of Mercy, consider making a pilgrimage to the national Shrine of the Divine Mercy in Stockbridge, Mass.
Join pilgrims from Our Lady of the Angelus Church, Rego Park, on Divine Mercy Sunday, April 3, for a one-day pilgrimage to the shrine, sponsored by the parish’s Servants of the Holy Spirit Prayer Community.
The cost is $45 per adult and $22.50 per child. To reserve your seat, contact Barbara at 718-592-9329, or the rectory at 718-897-4444.
Or make the Holy Year more locally by visiting the parish of St. Bartholomew, Elmhurst, for Divine Mercy prayers every day at 3 p.m. Bilingual prayers on weekdays. For more details, call 718-424-5400.
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Augustinian Father Michael Sullivan will preach a Lenten Parish Mission at St. Kevin Church, Flushing, at all weekend Masses on March 5-6, and will conduct the mission from Sunday, March 6 to Wednesday, March 9 at 7:30 p.m. All are welcome! Call 718-357-8888.
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This week’s Tip of the Tablet TALK Top Hat goes to the local nonprofit Handcrafting Justice, which closed its doors after 20 years of service on Jan. 31.
A ministry of the Sisters of the Good Shepherd, Handcrafting Justice was created to develop a fair trade marketplace for handmade goods produced by women in developing countries.
An important facet of this ministry was raising awareness about the root causes of poverty, gender inequality and social issues. Sisters worked to promote human dignity and create networks of empowerment, hope and justice for all peoples.
The Sisters have left the artisans in good hands. They will continue to be supported by The International Good Shepherd Foundation and its mission development office (fondazionebuonpastore.org).
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The Marianist Family Retreat Center is offering a special Retreat for Caregivers, April 1-3 in Cape May Point, N.J. The cost is $135. For details, call 609-884-3829.
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Emerald Society Supports CCBQ
The Emerald Society of Long Island was proud to present a $20,000 check to Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens earlier this year.
Msgr. Alfred LoPinto, Charities’ CEO, center, accepted the check from Brendan Gallagher and John Clare, Emerald Society chairman and president, respectively. The funds, raised at the society’s 2015 Emerald Ball, will be used to benefit the many programs and services of Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens.
The 177th annual Emerald Ball is coming up on March 11 at the Roosevelt Hotel, Manhattan. For more information, or tickets, call John Clare at 516-816-8928.
(Photo courtesy Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens)
