Energized by messages of encouragement and pride, St. John’s University celebrated its 145th commencement weekend, May 16-17, with ceremonies on its Staten Island and Queens campuses. More than 2,700 students crossed the stage in front of family, friends and faculty to receive their degrees.
From left, graduates Maggie Jacobsen, Alexander DeMarchena, Ada Lee and Michael DeBenedetto. All are dean’s list students, president’s society members and wear Vincentian Torch of Service badges, acknowledging their commitment to service beyond graduation. (Photo courtesy St. John’s University)
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A date has been set for the renaming of 74th Avenue and Utopia Parkway in Fresh Meadows in honor of the late Auxiliary Bishop Ignatius Catanello, former pastor of Holy Family Church, who died in March, 2013. The unveiling of the street sign will be June 7, following the 12 p.m. Mass. All are welcome to attend.
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Auxiliary Bishop-elect James Massa will be the celebrant of a Solemn High Mass for Christians Persecuted in the Middle East on June 19, at 7 p.m. at Holy Name of Jesus Church, Park Slope. All are welcome to attend.
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Join members of the Padre Pio Prayer Group from the Immaculate Conception Passionist Monastery in Jamaica as they venerate the incorrupt remains of St. Padre Pio on a pilgrimage to Italy, Oct. 6-13. The cost is $2,999 per person. For details or to register, call Nick Papallo, 718-739-6502 ext. 340.
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Father August “Augie” Iantosca has been warmly received as the new chaplain of Queen of Peace Residence, Queens Village, where he has become a familiar face celebrating daily Mass and providing spiritual guidance to residents and their families.
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This week’s Tip of the Tablet TALK Top Hat goes to David Garcia, an eighth grader at Brooklyn Jesuit Prep, Crown Heights, who has been accepted to Regis H.S., Manhattan, this fall.
Garcia, a parishioner at the Church of the Nativity on Manhattan’s Lower East Side, is proud to have been admitted into this all-scholarship Jesuit high school for talented and gifted Catholic young men.
Congratulations and best wishes!
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If you’ve always wanted to visit the Holy Land, Father Anthony Chanan of St. Joan of Arc parish, Jackson Heights, is leading a pilgrimage, Nov. 10-20. Call 718-533-9519 for details.
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Follow the Yellow Brick Road to Flushing
The Andrean Players completed a six-performance run of “The Wizard of Oz” at St. Andrew Avellino parish, Flushing, earlier this month. Known for performing Broadway-quality productions, the cast lived up to all expectations, much to the delight of nearly 1,000 theatre-lovers. The group, which has included generations of parishioners, parish schoolchildren and many community members, has been performing for over 50 years. (Photo courtesy Charles McKay)