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Pulse of The Parish: St. Bonaventure-St. Benedict The Moor

At one parish in Jamaica, the faithful have found unique and expressive ways to pray. 

For the past 25 years, they have been led by one dedicated parishioner in her vibrant Praise Dancing Ministry.

St. Bonaventure-St. Benedict the Moor, a merger of two separate churches, has a rich history of diverse congregations. Originally established in 1930 with mostly white parishioners, it later became home to black Catholics from Africa and the Caribbean due to the Great Migration.

Father Francis Asagba, former administrator of the parish, explains, “All of them bring their unique cultures to enrich the diversity of the parish.”

The culture of the congregation is deeply embedded in their faith, from the music during Mass to the dancing. Praise dancing has become a powerful form of worship for many parishioners, allowing them to express their feelings as part of praise.

Paulita DaCosta-Campbell, a parishioner with unwavering devotion, took a leap of faith 25 years ago when she started the Praise Dance Ministry at St. Bonaventure. However, this endeavor was met with mixed reactions. “There were some people that were really for it, loved it, wanted it – but there were some people who turned their face up – dancing in the Catholic church?! You know, like what is that?! We don’t do that here!” she recalls.

But Paulita emphasizes that praise dancing is not a performance; it’s a ministry. Dressed in their praise garments, the dancers tell stories through their movements, conveying the word of God and the message of the songs they dance to.

Paulita DaCosta-Campbell of St. Bonaventure-St. Benedict the Moor in Jamaica, Queens is The Pulse of The Parish.

Astoria Church Becomes Place of Hope For Cancer Survivors

By Katie Vasquez

St. Joseph’s church in Astoria has become a place of hope for those battling cancer.  The church has added three shrines, featuring Blessed Carlo Acutis, Saint Peregrine and Saint Sharbel.

All three of whom are connected to the deadly disease, according to Deacon Michael Chirichella of the healing ministry at St. Joseph’s church. 

“Blessed Carlo died from cancer at the age of 15, leukemia, Saint Peregrine is a cancer survivor, the patron saint of cancer and Saint Sharbel is the patron saint of any ailments body and soul,” said Chirichella. 

Deacon Michael has a personal tie to Saint Sharbel.  He was diagnosed with bladder cancer in January of last year, and credits oil from the saint, plus the dedicated work of his doctors for finally getting rid of the disease. 

He now works in the healing ministry at St. Joseph’s church.

When parishioner Deborah Lee heard his story, she was reminded of her own friends who have passed away from cancer. She was inspired to donate a statue of Saint Sharbel to the parish.  

“It gave me hope in the power of prayer and Saint Sharbel for healing. The women that I donated the statue to in honor of were very close to me, very important in my life and they died from cancer,” said parishioner Deborah Lee. 

Long-time parishioner Edward Esposti is grateful for the shrines. 

His wife, Vivian, had pancreatic cancer and fought it bravely for almost 2 years before finally returning to the lord last November. Her dying wish to her husband, to have a statue of Saint Peregrine dedicated in her memory.  

“She prayed consistently to Saint Peregrine because he was the cancer saint and unfortunately to no avail, she still passed away, but I have to admit the lord needed an angel, another angel,” said parishioner Edward Esposti.

Now as people venerate before the shrine, Edward and Deborah are both glad that those who are fighting the tough battle of cancer have a place of refuge inside their parish.

Catholic News Headlines for Wednesday 07/26/2023

 

In tonight’s “Pulse of the Parish, ” we take you inside St Bonaventure, St Benedict the Moor in Jamaica, and show you praise dancing and how it’s used to worship God.

Diocese of Brooklyn Bishop Robert Brennan celebrates the feast day of St James at the Cathedral Basilica of St James.

The heartfelt story behind a new shrine at Saint Joseph’s Church in Astoria that is a place of prayer for those battling cancer.

Pilgrims from St. Patrick’s Church Prepare for World Youth Day

By Jessica Easthope

Romeo Petric has it down to a science, what to bring and not bring to World Youth Day, this year’s pilgrimage to Lisbon, Portugal will be his sixth.

“Things I’ve learned from others, things I’ve passed on, what to pack what not to pack, nobody brings heels, if I see a pair of heels they come out of the suitcase,” he said.

He heads to the store with two of the pilgrims he’s bringing from St. Patrick’s Church in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, Nick Puglisi and Isabella Calvaruso. And as they grab the essentials – it starts to become real.

“Two or three days before when you start packing the trip really sets in and the excitement starts brewing,” said Nick.

Her attended World Youth Day 2019 in Panama, this year, he’s going with his two younger brothers.

“Our last experience was surreal almost, you can feel the energy of a bunch of people being together with one thing on their mind, I’m excited to show that to my youngest brother I think it will open some faith doors for him,” Nick said.

It’s Isabella’s first time, she can’t wait to connect with pilgrims from around the world and knows exactly how to approach it.

“I was hoping to be a little bit extra and bring a big bag of American candy to share with the other countries,” she said.

So as they pack and repack, they’re already making room in their hearts for an encounter with Christ.

“I was always taught in Catholic school to see God in every day things and that was always really hard for me, my experience in Panama completely changed that,” said Nick.

“I know certainly after this trip I’m going to be telling everyone about it and how it positively impacted me,” Isabella said.

But romeo knows no matter what they bring, they can’t prepare for what’s ahead, even after five pilgrimages he’s still surprised by it.

“I’m tearing up a little bit, that’s what gets me, being able to go to confession and having that conversation, and you feel good,” he said.

As items get checked off the list and the days count down – these pilgrims realize their faith is all they need.

Brooklyn Diocesan Priest Prepares for Pilgrimage to Portugal for World Youth Day

As thousands of pilgrims across the United States prepare for their pilgrimage to Portugal, U.S. bishops and other leaders are excited for the young people to encounter Jesus Christ and hear them express their faith.

Father James Kuroly, Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry in the Diocese of Brooklyn is one of those leaders.

He has been hard at work planning the pilgrimage for the youth of Brooklyn and Queens. 

He spoke with Currents News Jessica Easthope, about what the pilgrims have in store for them over in Lisbon. 

Be sure to tune in to Currents News and The Tablet for full coverage of everything world youth day in Lisbon, Portugal.

Catholic News Headlines for Tuesday 07/25/2023

 

Young people from the Diocese of Brooklyn are preparing for the trip of a lifetime to World Youth Day.

Currents News speaks with the priest who’s helping to organize the pilgrimage to Portugal for the Diocese of Brooklyn.

President Biden designates a national monument to honor Emmett Till.

Campers have stars in their eyes at Fontbonne Hall Academy in Brooklyn. They get a lesson from the Pope’s astronomer!

Bishop Brennan Excited for Youths’ Encounter with Jesus Christ at World Youth Day

One group of pilgrims from the Diocese of Brooklyn is already in Portugal, preparing for the World Youth Day event taking place next week. 

Bishop Robert Brennan will lead the remaining pilgrims to Lisbon. 

He joins Currents News’ Jessica Easthope to discuss what he’s looking forward to and what can be expected at the annual event.

Diocese of Brooklyn Pilgrims Receive Blessing Ahead of World Youth Day

Hundreds of young people gathered in prayer this Sunday, to prepare for a pilgrimage to Portugal.

The Bishop of Brooklyn, Robert Brennan, blessed the crowd at a send off mass at the Immaculate Conception Center in Douglaston, Queens.

In a week, he along with 340 pilgrims from across Brooklyn and Queens will go to Lisbon for World Youth Day.

The week-long event with Pope Francis is designed to bring the youth closer to the faith.

Bishop Brennan says he expects this year’s group will not only enrich their faith there, but help spread it to others.

“I have a great hope and confidence in the young people who are going now. They’ll bring their gift back right away and put those into action and hopefully be a witness to other people,” said Bishop Robert Brennan of the Diocese of Brooklyn.

Laura DeCastro can’t wait for the trip because she understands the power the pilgrimage has.

“You know, considering us being teens, and we may distance ourselves a little bit from our faith here at home because we’re so comfortable. When we’re there it’s going to be a whole other experience in my opinion. And we’re just going to be more connected to our faith and the lord,” DeCastro said.

Joshua Rivera is still in disbelief that he’s heading to World Youth Day. He distanced himself from the church for a decade after being confirmed. Now he’s prepared to share his faith with hundreds of thousands of young Catholics.

“Came back after around 10 years and now I’m like my foot is on the throttle, I’m ready to go,” said Rivera.

The director of youth and young adult ministry, Father James Kuroly, organized the pilgrimage to Portugal for the Diocese of Brooklyn pilgrims, working with the group Peter’s Way Tours.

He reminded the young people to pack comfortable shoes and an open heart.

“A beautiful sight to see these young people who have opened their hearts to go on pilgrimage, to have this experience,” said Kuroly.

The pilgrims plan to spend the next week getting all their necessary items packed away before they head out on the 30th.

Catholic News Headlines for Monday 07/24/2023

World Youth Day is just days away!

Hundreds of thousands of pilgrims are planning to attend the week-long pilgrimage to Portugal.

Around 340 young people will go from the Diocese of Brooklyn. Bishop Robert Brennan gave them a blessing before they leave!

The Bishop also spoke with Currents News ahead of the trip to share his hopes for the pilgrims and his favorite memories from World Youth Day.