One group is trying to give 1 million roses to Mary by the end of the month. 

The Christian social network Hozana Association launched the campaign, inviting Catholics worldwide to pray a decade of the Rosary every day. 

Imagine the collective power of one million people, each offering a decade of the Rosary daily and logging it on their app “Rosario.” Together, we can place one million roses at the shrine to Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico.

The Hozana Association’s development manager, Cassandre Verhelst, explained the idea behind converting the prayers to flowers. 

Some 40,000 people are participating in the initiative, and you can join them.

Join us in this global prayer movement by downloading the user-friendly app ‘Rosario Pray the Rosary.’ 

It’s available in English, Spanish, and Portuguese, ensuring inclusivity for all.

Priestly fathers from near and far met in the Diocese of Brooklyn on Thursday, May 2, for a day of prayer and discussion.

The non-incardinated priests are clergy from all over the world, such as Argentina and Romania, who serve parishes across Brooklyn and Queens but are not part of the diocese.

The 70 men, representing the non-incardinated priests, gathered at the Immaculate Conception Center in Douglaston for a crucial meeting. The aim was to ensure their paperwork was in order and to stay informed about the latest developments across Brooklyn and Queens.

The meeting also provided a platform for the priests to share their unique experiences of working in the diocese, which is home to a vibrant immigrant community.

The Diocese of Brooklyn currently has priests from 25 different countries serving parishioners.

The three top countries the clergy hail from include Nigeria, Haiti, and Ghana.

By Jessica Easthope

When Gerri Cassone heads out of Mass at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Windsor Terrace and across the street to give communion to a homebound parishioner, it’s usually her first stop of many.

Then she’s off back to the church to pack and pack some more. As the director of the church’s food pantry, she makes deliveries to those who can’t pick their bags up.

“For 29 years, I am so blessed to have been part of this outreach program,” Cassone said.

The essentials are in the bags, but Cassone knows better than anyone what these people need beyond food. She used to be one of them.

“I remember having rice and raisins for dinner; they couldn’t afford to put meat on the table, so that was the best they could do,” Cassone said. “You could see the stress on my mother’s face because money was really low.”

For nearly 30 years, Cassone has run the very pantry her family was once a recipient of. As her life unfolded, she never forgot what it was like.

“One year, the bell rang, and it was the food pantry,” Cassone said. They came in with a basket of food, turkey and all. And I remember seeing the relief on my mother’s face. And it was the first time, one of the first times I really understood kindness.”

Today, the food pantry feeds hundreds yearly and helps sustain other local pantries. Cassone operates it the same way it was all those years ago, treating everyone she serves with dignity.

“They’ve had struggles throughout their life,” Cassone said. “Some of them have had addiction problems. So if I can just show someone a little love during the day, I’m going to do it.”

Her life has come full circle, and her deep faith has remained at its core.

“I live by the motto, the greatest exercise for the human heart is to reach down and lift someone,” Cassone said.

Eight years ago, when Cassone’s kidneys failed her, her son gave her a second chance.

“He said to me, ‘Ma, you gave me life; I’m going to give you life,'” Cassone said. “And I’ve been able to do eight additional years of service.”

She’s continued to see her life as a gift, one she never hesitates to share with others.

“I’m going to do it for as long as I can, and I know that God has a purpose,“ Cassone said. “There’s a reason I’m here.”

The need will always be there, so Cassone keeps packing. She knows she can only do so much. Someone else takes care of the rest.

The Diocese of Brooklyn prayed for cancer patients, holding a Mass on the feast day of St. Peregrine, the patron saint of those affiliated with cancer, on Wednesday, May 1.

Brooklyn Bishop Emeritus Nicholas DiMarzio, a respected figure in our community, personally anointed the sick while leading the Mass at Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Bayside, Queens.

During his homily, Bishop DiMarzio said there was nothing wrong with the people of faith praying for Saint Peregrine’s intercession to find a cure for cancer. He explains the 13th-century saint is here to help.

As a special privilege, those in attendance had the unique opportunity to venerate a first-class relic of St. Peregrine, a sacred fragment of his bone.

The faithful and their families fighting cancer will have another opportunity to ask St. Peregrine for intercession.

Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus and cancer survivor himself, Bishop Raymond Chappetto, will celebrate a Mass of healing on Tuesday, May 7, at St. Joseph Church in Astoria, 43-19 30th Ave. The Mass is expected to begin at 7:30 PM.

Kevin Adamar, a parishioner with an unwavering faith, serves as a beacon of commitment. He not only portrays Jesus in the Stations of the Cross but also fulfills crucial roles at St. Matthew Church in Crown Heights, inspiring us all with his dedication.

“It’s a nerve-racking process,” Adamar said. “It’s tiring to only imagine what Jesus went through. It’s painful, but it’s also a great way of remembering the sacrifice that was made for us.”

Adamar was born in St. Lucia but grew up in Brooklyn. His single mom raised him in this church, even though they never lived in Crown Heights.

“There was something there from the time I was young,” Adamar said. “Already attracted me to religion and faith, and as I got older, I started to understand more about it. I realize that it is the thing that keeps me grounded. I think that’s the reason why I’m so connected to my faith and my religion.”

On Good Friday and every other day of the year, Adamar is the head usher. Since his day job is in the finance industry, he’s also the treasurer of St. Matthew’s Group of Hope, the church’s homeless ministry.

Father Black says he’s an excellent example for other young Catholics.

“As he’s gotten more and more involved,” Father Black said. “He literally would reach out to younger men and women from the mass and say, hey, you have to be part of this, you have to be active in your church, and he’s become like a symbol for a lot of them. If he can do it, I can do it too.”

While Adamar’s church duties take up much of his time, he’ll be the first to tell you it’s time well spent.

“It re-energizes me, right? So this is sort of my break from the office and the job,” Adamar said. “This gives me the energy that I need on Monday morning to go back and sit through seven meetings and meet with all these clients, so I get to come here, I get to connect with friends, I get to connect with people I saw grow up in this community and it’s just a phenomenal time to be in the church.”

Kevin Adamar from St. Matthew Church makes up the Pulse of the Parish.