After a two-year absence, the Kujenga Youth Retreat returned this year with many firsts and a focus on Jesus’ words from Luke 9:20: “Who do you say I am?” A total of 80 young people attended this year’s retreat, hosted by the diocesan Vicariate of Black Catholic Concerns, July 27-29, at the Seminary of the Immaculate Conception in Huntington, L.I.
Four generations of Vinny Raymond’s family have been part of the Society of St. Mary of the Snow in Williamsburg, and he’s proud to carry on that legacy.
It’s August and that could only mean one thing for the Mazza family on Conselyea St. in Williamsburg: time to make preparations for the annual feast of their beloved Italian saint, San Donato or St. Donato of Arezzo.
“Yes, there is a vocation crisis, but we have to realize student loans are a substantial inhibitor to our vocations and the people wanting to give their lives,” said Norvilia Etienne, a college student in her final year of study at Queens College.
I have one general rule when it comes to writing this weekly sports column: When Auxiliary Bishop Ray Chappetto speaks, you listen.
For the parishioners of St. Bernard Church, there is a summertime tradition that everyone looks forward to – the annual Our Lady of Mount Carmel feast for the entire Mill Basin community.
“So often I forget how blessed and fortunate I am to live in America,” says Nia Mendonca. “It seems easy to complain about little things when I forget all that God has given me. Coming to Africa has changed my perspective on life.”
In the midst of all the noise surrounding teenagers – from the virtual world of cellphones and technology, as noted by Pope Francis, to even the physical, saturated noise within the confines of New York City – the Steubenville NYC youth conference made its way once again to St. John’s University, Jamaica, July 20-22. Carnesecca Arena was filled to near-capacity with thousands of high school students from the tri-state area.
Visionary and inspiring women have shaped the diverse history of New York City – and now, the city wants to celebrate these trailblazers with a public monument.
The closing Mass for the feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel took place at its namesake parish in Williamsburg July 16 during the peak of summer, but July’s rising temperatures couldn’t take away from an overflowing congregation – mostly first-generation Italian-Americans and Haitian immigrants from around the diocese. They came to honor their Blessed Mother as a devotion that traces throughout cultural and family traditions.
