Queens Faithful Credit Christ’s Body with Personal Blessings after Visiting Woodside Adoration Chapel

By Jessica Easthope

Victoria Chacho has newfound peace, it came after years of struggle and sadness.

“My husband was an alcoholic during our whole marriage. We started living separately for a couple of years, but I came because I wanted to put my marriage in Christ’s hands,” she said through her 21-year-old son Mike who was translating from Spanish.

Her marriage was on the brink of broken, but the time she spent at the St. Philomena adoration chapel at Corpus Christi Church in Woodside, Queens brought it back.

“I showed people that you can persevere even through the darkest times. By February, my husband looked at me and decided to make a change now he doesn’t drink anymore. He completely cut out alcohol and we are happily together ever since,” she said.

The people on the pages of the chapel’s sign-in book come day and night to be in front of the blessed sacrament. Monsignor Jonas Achacoso, pastor of Corpus Christi has heard of many personal miracles over the 15 years since the chapel opened. The national eucharistic revival has drawn more people in.

“With the convocation of the National Eucharistic Revival, yes, we have seen we have seen more people coming it’s with the same fervor, but a lot more people,” he said.

People come and go but the chapel is never empty.

“Pre-pandemic it was the only adoration chapel in Queens, and people are coming 24 hours a day, seven days a week,” he said.

It has guardians, people who are assigned times to be in adoration. It’s a job Anna Morales takes very seriously.

“You say your problems to him. I feel like he’s my friend because he listens to me. I never leave alone God, so I have to be sure the next adoration people come before I leave,” she said.

Anna has been coming to the chapel for 14 years, she started when her four-year-old daughter, Elizabeth was diagnosed with epilepsy. She says the blessed sacrament is to thank, Elizabeth is now a healthy 18-year-old who needs no medication.

And most recently, Anna’s niece, who was pregnant with twins, lost one baby in utero. Her doctors pressured her to abort the second, saying she would die soon after birth. Anna once again turned to the eucharist, her grandniece, Mia is now four months old and thriving.

“I come into here the adoration chapel and pray to God and I say you are the God of life please take care my niece and the baby so thank God the baby’s born okay. And they say she has only 10 percent of having a good life, but the baby don’t have any problem,” said Anna.

Monsignor Jonas can only explain what happens here, with a quote by Blessed Carlo Acutis.

“He said if you expose yourself to the sun you get tanned but if you expose yourself to the source of holiness to the real presence of our Lord, you become holy,” he said.

Adorers say all who doubt his presence should come and see for themselves, the chapel is open 24-7.

Catholic News Headlines for Thursday 4/18/2024

All of the planning and coordination are about to pay off. The Diocese of Brooklyn’s Eucharistic Revival will be held on April 20 at Louis Armstrong Stadium in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park. Free tickets are still available.

Anticipate the convergence of thousands of faithful at Queens Park, eager to be part of this spiritual gathering. Among them will be the esteemed Bishop Robert Brennan, who will lead the prayers at the Diocese’s Eucharistic Revival.

Representatives from The Tablet newspaper will cover the event and distribute special newspapers to attendees. Be sure to grab a copy to follow along and learn more about the Diocese’s Eucharistic Revival.

The Tablet is also celebrating some very talented artists in our Catholic schools; this week’s paper features the winners of The Tablet’s Easter Art Contest. Check out some of the fantastic artwork.

Praying Before the Blessed Sacrament Led Priest to Vocation, Answering God’s Call

A priest of the Diocese of Brooklyn believes that praying before the Body of Christ led him to the priesthood.

Father James Rodriguez, pastor of Saint Rose of Lima Church in Rockaway Beach, remembers when he answered God’s call.

He started praying quietly before the Blessed Sacrament 25 years ago, asking the Lord for help determining his vocation.

Then, in a moment of divine intervention, a random older woman, also immersed in prayer, turned to him and uttered the unexpected words, ‘You should become a priest.’

Father Rodriguez initially shrugged it off until he realized it was the answer he’d been waiting for.

Now, as a pastor, Father Rodriguez encourages other Catholics to spend time in a chapel or church, praying before the Body of Christ, just like he did.

Cardinal Dolan: Families of Israeli Hostages “Will Not Give Up On Peace”

New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan said in his latest post online that he met with the families of Israeli hostages during his mission trip to the Holy Land.

Cardinal Dolan is visiting the Holy Land as chair of the Papal agency, the Catholic Near East Welfare Association, or CNEWA.

He’s also visiting different religious representatives and checking on current humanitarian efforts.

NYPD, MTA Working to Ensure Safe Pilgrimage to Diocese of Brooklyn’s Eucharistic Revival

By Jessica Easthope

Matthew McKeon-Slattery is part of a team coordinating every step of the journey to a once-in-a-lifetime faith experience. They’re driving every street and walking every set of subway stairs, all to ensure that thousands of people arrive safely at the Diocese of Brooklyn’s Eucharistic Revival.

“We put together a map, we gave it to the pastors,” said McKeon-Slattery, Deputy Director of External Affairs for DeSales Media Group, the communications and technology arm of the Diocese of Brooklyn that operates NET-TV. “But we just want to make sure and go through it ourselves to see if there’s anything that could be dangerous along the way; even though it’s been approved by the NYPD, we have to see it for ourselves.”

“If everything goes the way that we want it to, they won’t even know that we were there or had anything to do with it at all because that’s the point of doing logistics like this,” McKeon-Slattery said. “It’s to make sure everything goes smoothly on the day of the actual event.”

DeSales’ External Affairs team, along with the NYPD and MTA, is responsible for the logistics of thousands of people on two different pilgrimages.

Pilgrims from Our Lady of Sorrows and St. Leo’s Parishes in Corona and St. Michael’s Church in Flushing will walk to Louis Armstrong Stadium. Meanwhile, thousands of others will take the 7 train. Bishop Robert Brennan will ride the rails, too, getting on at Court Square and ending at Citi Field, the stadium stop. Parishioners are encouraged to join him at any of these five stops.

“We looked at all of the subway stations in Queens and figured out which were the ones that most people could access,” McKeon-Slattery said. “We’re going to have some of our staff so the parishioners, congregations who are wanting to do it this way will know where to go. We’ll know where to stand, and they’ll make sure they get on the same seven train as Bishop Brennan.”

Wil Vega, DeSales Media’s police liaison, says keeping the crowd together and separate from the public is essential for a safe and accessible pilgrimage.

“Every place has a police precinct, which has a community affairs office, and this is who we coordinate with just to get a feel of what the neighborhood is, who the people are,” Vega said. “Also, we know what their needs are and how to move forward to help.”

Though there are many moving parts, there’s only one goal: to bring the faithful together to encounter Christ.

“It’s been truly an honor, just to serve as a Catholic myself, the church, in its capacity on how it helps different communities and people and just the fact that knowing that we’re just helping people, in general, is something that I hold dear to my heart,” Vega said.

The team’s preparation has been months in the making. They say that come April 20th, they’ll be prepared for anything.

Retired Priest Devoted to The Eucharist for More than 50 Years

by Katie Vasquez

At 8 a.m. on the dot, retired priest Father Edward Cassar opens the chapel at St Joseph’s Church in Astoria, exposing the blessed sacrament for people to worship. He started this routine 55 years ago before he was ordained.

“In the seminary, we had a small chapel,” said Father Cassar. “Every day, I used to go there. And then, when I was ordained a priest, I continued the tradition that I went every day and spent an hour before the blessed sacrament.”

As a young man, he became a capuchin and was doing missionary work in countries like Ethiopia.

During this time, the eucharist was the only constant in his life.

“When you are in the missions, you feel so lonely,” said Father Cassar. “Sometimes you don’t speak the language, you have an interpreter with you, and when the interpreter goes, your whole world is closed. But when you have devotion to Jesus, you never feel alone.”

The pastor of St Joseph, Father Vincent Chirichella, says the chapel is Father Cassar’s “baby.”

His dedication is unwavering.

“The next morning, after having his finger injured, a severe injury to his finger. He was here opening up the chapel,” said Father Chirichella. “So he is tough and doesn’t miss any day.”

And parishioners like Vera Walker admire the 80-year-old priest’s commitment to the sacred space.

“I saw him every single day in the morning,” said Walker. “Sometimes I come here because I come after five or six. He’s so sweet. He’s a blessed man.”

As the Diocese of Brooklyn prepares for the Eucharistic Revival on April 20th, Father Cassar hopes others will experience the same sense of peace that he does in the chapel, praying before the body of Christ.

“They can have a good position in life,” said Father Cassar. “They can have fame. But still, there is an emptiness in the heart that is a spot that only God and only God himself can fill it. Okay, so people, if nobody in the world, they are feeling the need of god in their lives. it is one of the best way, you know, that he can be 1 to 1 with Jesus.”

As he closes in the evening, he offers benediction, allowing people to worship the lord and the blessed sacrament.

Catholic News Headlines for Wednesday 4/17/2024

The Diocese of Brooklyn’s Eucharistic revival is just days away. Due to Saturday’s big event, DeSales Media’s external affairs team has been working with the NYPD and MTA to ensure everyone arrives safely.

The Eucharist holds a profound place in every Catholic’s life, but for one retired priest in Queens, it’s not just a part of his life; it’s his entire devotion, a testament to his unwavering faith.

April 17 is Giovanni da Verrazzano Day in New York City. The Italian explorer was the first European to enter what would become known as New York Harbor on April 17, 1524

Those who attended the diocesan women’s conference on Saturday at the Immaculate Conception Center in Douglaston described it as a spiritually fulfilling day. Learn more about this incredible day filled with prayer and community.

Diversity of Voices to Perform at Diocese of Brooklyn’s Eucharistic Revival

by Katie Vasquez

United in song and faith, this ensemble includes parishioners from across Brooklyn and Queens, representing the many cultures of the diocese of immigrants. They will perform for upwards of 10,000 faithful at the Diocese of Brooklyn’s Eucharistic revival on April 20th. The choir comprises volunteers who responded to an online call for singers strongly connected to their faith.

For Briana Mason, a parishioner at St. Benedict the Moor-St. Bonaventure Parish, being part of the Mass is more than a religious obligation. It’s a deeply personal connection to her faith.

“I don’t feel right if I’m not in the Mass as part of it,” she shares. “It always feels good to be part of it; it’s very sacred.” Her sentiment echoes the dedication and devotion of the entire choir, each member driven by their own unique connection to their faith.

The ensemble director, Joseph Murray, says Brooklyn Bishop Robert Brennan requested that the group represent the cultural diversity of a diocese where Masses are celebrated in 26 different languages.

As the ensemble director, Murray proudly states, the choir is a vibrant and diverse community, spiritually and culturally. They represent multiple countries and languages, a testament to the diocese’s commitment to inclusivity.

“We have the ability to celebrate liturgy in ways that a lot of other dioceses in the country do not,” Murray affirms.

“This unique ability not only reflects the choir’s diversity but also ensures that every parishioner, regardless of their language, feels respected and valued in the celebration of their faith. “

Elizabeth Simpson, the cantor of the Shrine Church of St. Gerard Majella, was motivated by the opportunity to sing in a language like Mandarin, Polish, or Creole.

“I have sung in just about every language there is, so that is not something that would stop me from wanting to participate in this,” said Simpson. “It actually makes me want to do this.”

Translation App Will Offer Interpretation of Prayers in Five Languages

By Katie Vasquez

Everything will be preserved in translation at the Diocese of Brooklyn’s Eucharistic Revival on Saturday. The app Interprefy will be available to all, translating five languages for patrons in real time. Len Camporeale, the director of Marketing at NET TV’s parent company, DeSales Media, said they expect about a third of the 10,000 faithful in attendance to use it.

In the more than 35 apostolates, the five most common languages are Spanish, Haitian Creole, Polish, Mandarin Chinese, and Korean.

So, how does the app work? Live interpreters from around the globe will be listening in and interpreting in real-time. That’s ten translators who will be available for the 7-hour revival event.

“The interpreters do a wonderful job, and they usually alternate every 20 to 30 minutes,” said Kate Accetti, a sales and account manager at Interprefy. “So there are multiple reasons, just in terms of excellence and delivery, making sure no degradation of content is lost, and also just to give the interpreters a backup.”

The process for parishioners couldn’t be more simple. Before the event, users can download the app at the Apple Store or Google Play Store, click on Interprefy, and then Connect. Attendees will be given a code at the event, which they can use. Afterward, users can simply select their language.

The idea of using translators came to the Diocese of Brooklyn during the Synod process. They often heard that language was a barrier in multilingual events.

“We wanted to be able to have everybody come to the stadium and hear the reflections and prayers in their native language and the language there that they use to worship in,” Camporeale said.

The need to pray together as one diocese is something that Interprefy, a global provider of language access, understands all too well.

“Nelson Mandela, I think, said it best,” Accetti said. “You know, when you speak to a man in a language that he understands, it goes to his head. But when you speak to a man in his native language, it goes to his heart, and as a second language learner for me, I can attest to that because we feel things more impactful. I think when you’re talking about things like faith, something so deeply personal like this, you really want to have a true impact on somebody.”

The diocese hopes to expand the app’s use within the next 18 to 24 months, ensuring that everyone hears the word of the Lord in their native tongue.

NY Attorney General Reaches Agreement With Diocese of Brooklyn on Its Handling of Clergy Sex Abuse Claims

Results of an investigation issued by New York Attorney General Letitia James highlights both shortcomings and positive initiatives taken by the Diocese of Brooklyn in its handling of clergy sexual abuse allegations over the past 22 years.

The 75-page document, published on April 16, focuses on allegations since 2002, when the Catholic Church first set up a comprehensive set of procedures, still in place today, called the “Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People.”

It found that the diocese, on multiple occasions, did not always complete investigations in a timely manner, properly monitor clergy with credible abuse allegations against them, or be transparent with parishioners about a priest’s status.