Parishioners Writing a Book About Visiting Every Church in Brooklyn, Preserving History From the Pews

By Jessica Easthope

There are about 50 people at the 8:30 AM Mass at Our Lady of Angels Church in Bay Ridge. Only two are there to preserve history.

“We’re not theologians, not artists, we’re not historians. We’re just two women who live in Brooklyn, and we go. And whatever we get from the Mass, that’s what we write about.”

Sitting beside Roseanne Seminara and Mary Whelehan are their notebooks and pens. As they participate in Mass, they write.

Their thoughts and observations will one day become a book.

“For me, it’s just a journey, which, you know, morphed into something more than that.”

The journey started in May of 2023 at Good Shepherd in Sheepshead Bay, Mary’s home parish. Since then, the two women have been on a mission to visit every church in Brooklyn—Our Lady of Angels is number 81.

The idea came from a conversation Roseanne had with her good friend Monsignor John Delendick, the fallen FDNY chaplain who died of 9/11-related cancer on Thanksgiving Day 2023.

“I was sitting having dinner with Monsignor, and he was telling me about the church in downtown Brooklyn that was under the wrecking ball. The next day, there was nothing left but green boards. Not a stone, and I felt more of an urgency to get moving, to document what we have.”

“I would joke with Monsignor Delendick and say, ‘Okay, can we condense the homily just a little bit more? You know, can you grab me in the first ten minutes?'”

The women were first brought together in 1983 by two of New York’s bravest—their husbands, who worked together at Ladder 111 in Bedford-Stuyvesant. A friendship formed, and the women went on to work together at Roseanne’s midwife practice.

Keeping their faith even on the darkest days—like when Mary’s husband Chris passed away in 2012.

“It keeps you going. Life happens. And if you don’t have a higher being, and for us, that’s God, I don’t think you could make it through your day.”

So they decided to have no regrets and instead put pen to paper, writing their book for not just Catholics, but anyone looking to appreciate what they have in the here and now.

“Whether it’s the church, whether it’s your family, whether it’s something good in your life, if you don’t take advantage of it when you have it, you may look back with regret.”

“Every church presented a lesson for me to learn, everybody was different, and everything was important for my journey.”

The lessons have been found in the old pews, or the faces of parishioners—a little piece of each place, kept alive with their words.

“I really felt I was called to do something—not successful financially, or prestigious, but to do something. And every time I accomplish another goal in my life, I always ask, ‘Was that the something?’ I think this is the something. I think this is it.”

Roseanne and Mary are hoping to make it to every church in Brooklyn by the end of this year and will work to nail down the pages of their book in 2025. We look forward to it.

Parishioners Honor Saint Peter Claver’s Legacy with Prayer and Reflection at Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph

Parishioners gathered at the Co-Cathedral of Saint Joseph on the feast day of Saint Peter Claver, the patron saint of African Americans.

The Spanish priest baptized 300,000 enslaved people in Colombia during the 17th century.

Vespers and Eucharistic adoration were held Monday evening to recognize his feast day.

There is usually a Mass, but the celebrant, Father Alonzo Cox, who is the Director of Liturgy for the Diocese, felt that in this Year of Eucharistic Revival, praying before the Blessed Sacrament was appropriate.

The Knights and Ladies Auxiliary of Saint Peter Claver, the oldest Black fraternal organization in the country, reflected on the work that the saint started.

The evening was also an opportunity to remember Monsignor Paul Jervis, who passed away in September 2023.

Monsignor Jervis spent nearly 24 years of his priesthood promoting the cause for canonization of Monsignor Bernard Quinn, who helped establish the Saint Peter Claver Church in Brooklyn for Black Catholics.

Holy Father Meets Children, Clergy and Celebrates Mass During Visit in East Timor

Some 700,000 people gathered to celebrate Mass with Pope Francis on his last stop in East Timor. That’s nearly half of the country’s population. Hundreds of singers made up the choir.

During his homily, the Holy Father applauded the culture of youth in East Timor. It’s one of the youngest countries in the world, with a median age of just 20 years old.

“This reality is beautiful in Timor-Leste, because there are so many children,” Pope Francis said. “You are a young country where life can be felt pulsating and buzzing in every corner… And the presence of so many young people and so many children is a gift, it is an immense gift.”

Earlier in the day, the Pope was welcomed by children with disabilities, who are taken care of by the nuns of the Alma Congregation. He thanked the sisters for what they do and also thanked the children.

“Because they teach us how we should let ourselves be cared for by God,” Pope Francis said.

After that meeting, the Pope went to the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Dili, where he met with bishops, priests, religious, and lay people committed to the work of evangelization in the country.

The Holy Father told them, we need to be a missionary Church, one that goes out of its comfort zone to evangelize.

“In the Gospel, the boundaries are the center,” Pope Francis said. “And a Church that has no capacity for boundaries and hides in the center is a very sick Church.”

Pope Francis heads to Singapore on Wednesday, Sept. 11, where he’s set to meet with members of the Society of Jesus, the president and prime minister, and host an inter-religious meeting with young people.

Catholic News Headlines for Tuesday 9/10/2024

Pope Francis continues his tour of Asia, making a significant stop in East Timor. During his visit, he spent time with children with disabilities. He also gathered with clergy and celebrated Mass with a crowd of 700,000 faithful.

The Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph celebrates the Feast of Saint Peter Claver with Eucharistic Adoration for the patron saint of African Americans.

Two women are on a dedicated mission to visit every Catholic church in Brooklyn. Their journey, which began last year, is a testament to their dedication and love for these sacred spaces. They hope to complete their pilgrimage by the end of the year, inspiring others in the local Catholic community.

Catholic Comedian Jim Gaffigan will host the Al Smith Dinner this year. Prominent Political Figures, including Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump, will attend the dinner in New York City on October 17th. The annual event raises money for charitable causes within the Archdiocese of New York.

Bishop Says Rededicated and Blessed Statue is a Testament to Parish’s Faith

There was a range of emotions as Bishop Robert Brennan blessed and rededicated the statue outside of Holy Family Church in Fresh Meadows on Sunday.

“It still kind of aches at our hearts that the damage was even done, that somebody would deliberately take upon themselves this act of violence, this act of destruction just to show hatred to the faith,” Bishop Brennan said.

A man was caught on video smashing the statue of Jesus back in June, which had stood for 42 years in front of this church.

But Bishop Brennan said that while there is sorrow, there is also resilience.

“The reconstruction of that statue is really a testament to that resilience and depth of faith and love that is here,” Bishop Brennan said.

The reconstruction was underway less than a month after the statue was desecrated, at a cost of around $3,000.

During a mass celebrated by the bishop, Holy Family’s pastor, Father Sean Suckiel, said he hopes the statue stands for another 42-plus years.

“Praise God our statue has been repaired and is looking beautiful,” Father Suckiel said.

Police arrested 44-year-old Jamshaid Choudhry less than two weeks after the statue was vandalized.

He’s been charged with a hate crime.

Staten Island Planned Parenthood Closes, Right To Life League Holds Last Prayer Group Outside Location

by Jessica Easthope

Staten Island’s Right to Life League said this is the power of prayer. After years of praying at this Planned Parenthood, Staten Island’s only location, it has officially closed.

Lee Canning, the vice president of Staten Island’s Right to Life League, said during his decades as a pro-life advocate, he’s been shocked many times by Planned Parenthood, but this was the first time it’s been positive.

“Bearing witness with our faith, prayer, and action,” Lee said. “I think that significantly contributed to the closure here at the stunning location of Planned Parenthood.”

Lee and his mother, Marietta Canning, the president of the organization, showed up to the Hyatt Street abortion provider Tuesday, ready to pray for life like they’ve done every week for years.

But this week, they found a lock on the front door. The location was slated to close later this fall due to financial challenges but did so early.

“We stay here in front of Planned Parenthood, we pray the Rosary for life, and we give out pamphlets where the girls can get help at any time,” Marietta said. “And now, we claim Planned Parenthood as our 12th abortionist to stop.”

The Right to Life League estimates the number of abortion providers on Staten Island has been cut in half in recent years, in part thanks to their steadfast prayers.

“You have to be in the spot. A certain amount of prayers must be said at the site,” Marietta said. “And believe me, God listens to you when you are one in this. And that’s the answer to unification. We all must be one in this.”

“A lot of people are going out of Staten Island to get their abortions, but at the same time, no matter where the killing is, we want abortion to end,” Lee said.

Canning said over the years, they’ve encountered only minor disturbances — on Tuesday during their last prayer, they engaged with a young woman who didn’t agree with their cause.

“We love the mothers, we pray for the abortionists and for their conversion, and we hope their God will bring them home too,” Lee said. “There’s no hate here. There’s all of it. But we need to stop this.”

As of early September, the location is no longer accepting clients. The Right to Life League says they plan to move their weekly Tuesday prayer to another abortion provider.

Bishop Welcomes New President at Cristo Rey Brooklyn HS During Mass of the Holy Spirit

Bishop Brennan was also on hand in Brooklyn, where he celebrated a Mass of the Holy Spirit at Cristo Rey Brooklyn High School.

The bishop welcomed the new president during the Mass at the East Flatbush Catholic high school.

Michael Motyl previously worked at a Catholic high school in South Texas.

Many said this Mass of the Holy Spirit, which helps kick off the academic year, was fitting.

The new president says he’s excited to work with the students in preparing them for college and a life full of faith.

Catholic News Headlines for Monday 9/9/2024

Bishop Robert Brennan re-dedicates a restored statue of Jesus at Holy Family Church in Queens, rekindling community spirit after vandalism.

Bishop Brennan also joined Cristo Rey High School in Brooklyn to welcome their new president, Michael Motyl, who is set to lead students toward college and faith.

Pope Francis continues his historic Southeast Asia tour, receiving a warm and enthusiastic welcome in East Timor, one of the most Catholic nations in the world, where 98% of the population is devoted to the faith.

In Staten Island, a branch of Planned Parenthood has closed its doors, with a pro-life group crediting the closure to the power of prayer.

Milestone Year for St. Clare Church in Rosedale and Long-Time Parishioner

by Katie Vasquez

For as long as Theodora Pyle could remember, faith had always come first.

“I don’t want to miss a Sunday as long as I can do it and anything involving the church I was always there,” said Pyle, a parishioner at St. Clare Church.

As a child growing up in Guyana she attended Mass regularly.

“We went to church. We had novenas for, before Christmas nine days and we had to go to those, wake up in the morning, 5:00.”

And even when she moved away from home, and developed other passions.

“I worked at this designer on Sixth Avenue and we made all the evening gowns,”

When she finally settled in New York in 1975, she found a permanent home in the church, specifically at St. Clare church in Rosedale.

“It reminded me a lot about home and the things that we did there,” Pyle said.

Since then she has been a staple at St. Clare.

“I look forward to it every Sunday because we had a beautiful choir and the singing and so it was nice,” Pyle said.

And when the church celebrated a milestone anniversary, she realized they had something in common.

“I never thought of the hundred years until this came up really, the hundred years of the church so everything came together and I realized wow 100 years is a long time,” Pyle said.

Theodora has been recognized previously for reaching her 100th birthday, even getting a proclamation from New York City.

But something that especially touched the centenarian was when she was given a special shout-out at St. Clare’s anniversary Mass with Brooklyn Bishop Robert Brennan.

And just like St. Clare has always been there for Theodora, she wants to be there for her parish family.

“They always see me with my rosary and praying and I say I pray for everybody and you gotta pray for others too and you pray for the world,” Pyle said.

Feast of Saint Teresa of Calcutta: Mass Remembers Her on Anniversary of Death

On the feast day of Saint Teresa of Calcutta, the faithful in Brooklyn gathered for a special Mass celebrated by Auxiliary Bishop Octavio Cisneros at Our Lady of Victory in Bedford-Stuyvesant.

Mother Teresa, known around the world for her work helping the poor in India, passed away 27 years ago on Sept. 5.

The church has a special connection to the nun who founded the religious order “Missionaries of Charity.” Saint Teresa visited the Church on Throop Avenue in 1992 to dedicate Queen of Hope, a convent mission house for the order.

Mother Teresa’s legacy lives on in the Diocese of Brooklyn as the convent mission house still helps pregnant women and mothers with young children with nowhere else to turn.