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St. Francis Prep students play major roles in the feast day Mass at their school, including leading the opening procession and serving as lectors. (Photo: Paula Katinas) FRESH MEADOWS — Students at St. Francis Preparatory School are celebrating the Franciscan Jubilee Year by taking part in an eight-week challenge designed to bring them closer to the ir faith by having them follow their patron saint’s example of service and sacrifice. Bishop Robert Brennan highlighted the challenge during a Mass celebrated in the school auditorium to mark the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi. The school held the Mass two days early, while the kids were in school, because the Oct. 4 feast fell on a Sunday this year. The Franciscan Jubilee Challenge, set to beg in on Oct. 4 , asks students to perform one special act each week — a prayerful act, an act of kindness , or an act of service — for eight weeks and document their activities. The school is named in honor of St. Francis of Assisi, who died in 1226. In honor of the 800 th anniv e rsary of his death , Pope Leo XIV declared 2026 to be a Franciscan Jubilee Year . Senior Fabriana Ferrazzoli said she cannot wait to get started on the challenge . “ I’m very excited about that, yes. I hope I can reflect and learn from it and just grow in faith,” she told The Tablet . RELATED: St. Francis Prep Grads Get A Sweet Sendoff to College Brother Damian Novello , O SF, superior general of the Franciscan Brothers of Brooklyn , who addressed the students f

The Carmelite sisters in Cuba bake Communion hosts for Catholic churches across the island, but ongoing blackouts and other struggles have made their work increasingly difficult. Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus Octavio Cisneros says helping them is important “because the Eucharist is the nourishment we all seek.” (Photo: Unsplash) PROSPECT HEIGHTS — The deteriorating condition of the electrical power grid in Cuba is preventing a group of Discalced Carmelite nuns in that country from fulfilling their mission of baking Communion hosts for the nation’s Catholic churches, according to members of the New York State Knights of Columbus, who are raising funds to help the sisters. The Knights started a fundraising effort to help purchase and install solar panels at the Monastery of Santa Teresa and San Jose, which will give the Discalced Carmelite Sisters of Havana consistent electricity so they can bake Communion hosts in their electric-powered ovens. The Knights, who began the drive in September, have already raised most of the $35,000 goal, according to Father Michael Gelfant, pastor of Blessed Trinity Parish in Breezy Point and chaplain of the New York State Knights. “The project has already started because of the urgency of getting the solar panels in place,” he explained. “So, the equipment has already been ordered. We’re waiting for it to get in. Then, it will be installed.” The solar panels are needed because Cuba’s aging electrical grid has left much of the island facing frequent

Archbishop Ronald Hicks receives a first-class relic of Blessed Fulton Sheen from Bishop Louis Tylka of the Diocese of Peoria at St. Patrick’s Cathedral Oct. 1. The relic, a bone from Blessed Sheen’s hand, will permanently reside at the cathedral. (Photos: Jessica Meditz) MIDTOWN — One week after his beatification , a first-class relic of Blessed Fulton J. Sheen was received at St. Patrick’s Cathedral on Oct. 1, marking what Archbishop Ronald Hicks called a “homecoming” for the famed Catholic evangelist and former New York auxiliary bishop. The relic, a bone from Archbishop Sheen’s hand, was brought to New York by Bishop Louis Tylka of the Diocese of Peoria, Illinois (Archbishop Sheen’s home diocese) and placed near the cathedral’s altar for public veneration. It will permanently reside at St. Patrick’s Cathedral’s Altar of the Holy Face but will travel with Archbishop Hicks as he visits deaneries throughout the Archdiocese of New York through Thanksgiving, giving Catholics across the archdiocese an opportunity to venerate it. Archbishop Hicks recalled that Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle had described Archbishop Sheen as a son of Illinois, a son of the United States, and a son of the world during his beatification homily. “I agree with all of those,” Archbishop Hicks told The Tablet. “I’d like to add today, as we’re gathered here in New York, he’s also a son of New York. He spent a lot of time here. He evangelized here. “He called this home, and he was an auxiliary bishop here,

Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen, center, celebrates Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Newark, N.J., on March 6, 1977. Blessed Fulton Sheen’s beatification took place Sept. 24, 2026, in St. Louis. (Photo: OSV News/courtesy Archdiocese of Newark) by John Touhey / Jersey Catholic, OSV News NEWARK, N.J. (OSV News) — Nearly 50 years after Blessed Fulton J. Sheen celebrated a Lenten Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Newark, a man who made a special audio recording of it recently shared a digital copy of it with Father Matthew Gonzalez, the cathedral’s current rector. Then-Archbishop Sheen was living in retirement in New York City at the time. He came across the Hudson River to Newark at the invitation of its shepherd, Archbishop Peter L. Gerety, to celebrate Mass on March 6, 1977, which was the second Sunday of Lent. He sat in the cathedra, or bishop’s chair, at the invitation of Archbishop Gerety and also delivered the homily. “I had no idea that Archbishop Sheen had visited the cathedral before I received the recording,” Father Gonzalez told Jersey Catholic, the news outlet of the Archdiocese of Newark. Father Matthew Gonzalez, rector of the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Newark, N.J., is pictured in an undated photo next to a chasuble worn by Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen when he celebrated Mass on March 6, 1977, at the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Newark. The chasuble was on display at the cathedral Sept. 19-Oct. 4, 2026.

FLATBUSH — From the outside, 2401 Glenwood Road in Brooklyn looks like just an ordinary, two-story house. But inside, s omething special is happening , according to Kayla DeWitt. DeWitt is the Catholic campus minister at Brooklyn College , where t he Glenwood Road house serves as the headquarters of the college’s Newman Center, which is undergoing a revival she and other campus leaders hope will att ract new members . “ There’s a lot of different things that we’re going to have throughout the semester , and I think it’s going to be a fun time for students to experience that, “ De Witt said. Named for St. John Henry Newman (1801-1890) — the British writer, philosopher , and theologian — Newman Centers are Catholic organizations on secular college campuses nationwide that offer students a place to gather to share faith and fellowship. According to the Newman Connection, 585 centers currently exist on college campuses . Located two blocks from the Brooklyn College campus, the Newman Center on Glenwood Road offers Mass on Tuesday s and Thursdays, Bible st udy on Mondays, and is open most days for pray er and contemplation. The center also hosts C ath olic-themed parties, like the All Saints ‘ Day get-together scheduled for November. This semester, the center has been averaging about 20 students a week, DeWitt said. RELATED: Newman Center at Queens College Adds Chapel for Student Prayer Brooklyn College has had a Newman Center for many years, but it ha d recently become too secula

Architect Riccardo Vicenzino says he always keeps the same goal in mind when designing projects – respect for the surroundings. He won the Bernini Award for the monastery he is currently working on. (Image: Courtesy of Riccardo Vicenzino) Brooklyn-born architect Riccardo Vicenzino began his career designing luxury apartment buildings, but somewhere along the way decided he’d rather fill his portfolio with more religious projects. “I felt a calling for ecclesiastical architecture,” Vicenzino, a Catholic, recalled. That calling has now led him to the pinnacle of his profession and national recognition. Vicenzino, 57, principal of Riccardo S. Vicenzino Architect, PLLC, a Manhattan-based firm, won the inaugural Bernini Award in the Churches, Shrines, and Ecclesiastical Buildings category from the Catholic Art Institute. He was presented with the award in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 19. The institute says its mission is “to restore a culture of truth, beauty, and goodness” and to “empower artists to use their gifts to glorify God and captivate souls through beauty.” The award is named for Gian Lorenzo Bernini, a 17th-century Italian architect who designed numerous marble sculptures and fountains gracing the streets and art galleries of Rome. Vicenzino, whose work was selected from 94 entries, was recognized for his design of the Carmelite Monastery of Jesus, Mary and Joseph in Fairfield, Pennsylvania, which is the abbey of the Carmel of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, a religious community

The portrait that Yvonne Sfogliano gave to her pastor, Father Vincent Chirichella, isn’t the only reminder of St. Thérèse of Lisieux in his office. A portrait of the saint’s family hangs on the wall. (Photo: Paula Katinas) ASTORIA — One of the Catholic Church’s most beloved saints is fostering a special spiritual connection between a Queens pastor and one of his parishioners . Father Vincent Chirichella, pastor of St. Joseph Church in Astoria, has been devoted to St. Thérèse of Lisieux for many years , dating back to when he was discerning for the priesthood . Yvonne Sfogliano, a Eucharistic minister at the church , is also devoted to the saint , and her attachment to the “Little Flower” dates back to her childhood. Each prays for St. Thérèse of Lisieux’s intercession for different reasons , but their loyalty to her binds them in friendship. Sfogliano, 79, recently cemented their bond by bestowing on Father Chirichella one of her most prized possessions — a tiny portrait of St. Thérèse of Lisieux surrounded by a crocheted border — that one of the Sisters of St. Joseph gave her when she was 6 . “I wanted Father Vincent to have it because I knew he would cherish it and take good care of i t, ” she said. Touched by the gesture, Father Chirichella keeps the portrait , which is encased in a metal frame, o n his desk. St. Joseph Church marked the feast day of St. Thérèse of Lisieux (Oct. 1) with a t riduum on Sept. 29, 30 , and Oct.1 , during which parishioners gathered to pray and

The Catholic Schools Brooklyn & Queens 2026 Fall Conference brought together Catholic school leaders from across the diocese on Sept. 29 for what the diocese described as “a celebration of our schools and the leaders that embody boldness, joy, and unapologetic faith.” (Photos: Alexandra Moyen) HILLCREST — Bishop Robert Brennan joined education leaders from across the Diocese of Brooklyn at St. John’s University on Sept. 29 for the Catholic Schools Brooklyn & Queens 2026 Fall Conference. The theme of the fifth annual conference was “Bold. Joyful. Unapologetic.” “We don’t have to apologize for our faith,” Bishop Brennan told The Tablet. “We want to proclaim it very boldly. It’s a witness to the world. It’s good news.” Brooklyn Bishop Robert Brennan shares a laugh with Lauren McCormack, director of Mission Advancement at the Catholic Foundation for Brooklyn and Queens following his remarks at the Catholic Schools Brooklyn & Queens 2026 Fall Conference on Sept. 29. According to Deacon Kevin McCormack, superintendent of Catholic schools and academies in the diocese, about 160 “decision makers” attended the gathering, which the diocese described as a celebration of Catholic schools, their leaders, and “the progress we’ve made, and the growth we have yet to make” — as well as “a reminder of who we do it for, and why it matters so much.” “It’s good for us to get together informally, have a nice meal and enjoy the company, but do it with a way of seeing how next year is going to be di

Maria Laterza — a former high school, college, and professional basketball player from Brooklyn — has returned to her roots to become the new athletic director at Fontbonne Hall Academy in Bay Ridge. (Photo: Courtesy of Maria Laterza) A sports journey that began in Brooklyn has fittingly returned to Brooklyn. Maria Laterza, a Bensonhurst native who went on to play professional basketball in Europe, is the new athletic director at Fontbonne Hall Academy, Bay Ridge. She brings years of valuable experience to help set a positive example for the student-athletes at the all-girls school. It all started at St. Athanasius, right in the neighborhood where Laterza’s first experienced competitive hoops with the diocesan Catholic Youth Organization (CYO). From there, she stayed in Bensonhurst at Bishop Kearney H.S., which permanently closed in 2019. RELATED: Fontbonne Star Keeps Adding to All-Time Record Scoring Total For the Tigers, she turned in a stellar four-year career as a center. She earned All-City honors, scored more than 1,000 career points, and guided her team to an appearance in the CHSAA state semifinals. The 2007 Kearney graduate then earned a full athletic scholarship to Marist University in Poughkeepsie, New York. In her four years there, Laterza played in the women’s NCAA Tournament each year and during her senior year was captain of the winningest team in program history. While visiting family in Italy the summer before her senior season, she made an impact playing aga

by Father James Rodriguez Eight hundred years ago yesterday, a man nicknamed Francesco died. Unremarkable in the ways that don’t really matter, this simple man renounced wealth and influence during the prime of his youth. He found the pearl of great price and never looked back. There are many stories, miracles, and quotes attributed to him, but his life as a whole has captivated people for exactly eight centuries, and today we join the universal Church in honoring St. Francis of Assisi. Most will be celebrating the 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time, but the significance of this 800th anniversary led Bishop Robert Brennan to allow us the option to celebrate this great saint’s feast day with Sunday prayers and readings. To that end, we will look at Micah 6:6-8, Psalm 16, Galatians 6:14-18, and Matthew 11:25-30. The prophet Micah offers us a glimpse into God’s heart with breathtaking simplicity. We often look up to the saints for the marvels they perform, and rightly so, but what look like peaks to our untrained eyes are really punctuation marks on humble lives built on love of God and neighbor. These remarkable people made the daily choice to love, which led them to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with the King of humility, the Lord whom they allowed to shape their lives. The humility of St. Francis was not merely external, his tattered robes and renunciation of earthly wealth, but interior. He is well known for his love of nature, but his greatest love was the supe

Route 132 along the north shore of Québec’s Gaspé Peninsula offers one of the most scenic vistas in North America. To one’s left, the extraordinary St. Lawrence River can create the illusion of driving along the seashore, for the width of the riverine estuary is such that the opposite shoreline, also in Québec, is often beyond the horizon. But does any seaside drive offer the Gaspé Extra: jagged cliffs to one’s right, beyond which are dense forests and crystalline mini lakes? Looking for a whale traversing the estuary en route to the Atlantic adds a further touch of adventure on a trip to the town of Gaspé or a ferry ride across the river. For the Catholic visitor, the Gaspé Peninsula is also noteworthy for the names of the villages along the river and estuary, the great majority of which are in honor of the saints: Notre-Dame-du-Portage, Notre-Dame-des-Neiges, Saint-Simon,Saint-Fabien-sur-Mer, Sainte-Flavie,Saint-Joseph-de-Lepage, Saint Ulric, Sainte-Félicité, Sainte-Anne-des-Monts, and so forth. The most prominent feature in many of these coastal villages is a stone church with a high steeple and a shimmering tin roof, mute testimony to the fact that Québec was once — and not all that long ago — one of the most intensely Catholic parts of the continent. I say “mute” testimony, because it is difficult to find one of those churches that is open. A typical example is the Church of Saint-Roch in the village of Saint-Roch-des-Aulnaies, the twin spires of which invite one into th

by Laura Kelly Fanucci Today I have planned to write about artificial intelligence and family life. I have a gripping story to start. I have citations from Pope Leo’s encyclical “Magnifica humanitas.” I have perspectives from Scripture, prayerful reflections, and practical ways to engage the questions I’ll raise. Suddenly a text flashes on my phone: “Please check your email for an urgent update regarding the threat at school.” Heart in my throat, I drop the phone and pull up my email, pulse thrumming in my ears. Quick as a flash, I scan the words. Credible threat. Evacuating students. Police investigating. Continue to monitor. I sit back, flooded with — what exactly? Relief that it’s the neighboring high school, not my child’s middle school? Fear that it will become more than a threat and someone will be hurt (or worse)? Anxiety that the next target could be one of my kids’ schools? Numbness that such events are now commonplace in the country where we live? All of it. All my words run dry. I stare out the window and pray. God, save us from ourselves. God, keep all your children safe. Artificial intelligence matters, sure; I’ll write about it soon. But today is not a day for anything artificial. Whenever your community is threatened — and sadly, we all know this experience — the scales fall from your eyes. Suddenly only life’s basics matter. Safety. Peace. Protection. Health. The ones you love. Every time I watch the heartbreaking footage of parents and children reuniting afte