CSVF Blog

Today is the feast day of the Little Flower, Thérèse of Lisieux. Many are the things that could be said about her little way of sanctity. For tragic reasons, one event of her life in particular stands out for me today.

Before entering Carmel, St. Thérèse experienced something of an awakening around Christmas of 1887. Around that time, she had heard of the story of Henri Pranzini, the cold-blooded killer of two ladies and a child. Immediately, St. Thérèse decided to adopt him as her own and pray for conversion. As the newspapers recounted the days leading up to the murderer’s execution, however, he refused the priest on every occasion.

But just before being beheaded, Pranzini seized a crucifix and kissed it three times, which the Little Flower took as her spiritual victory for his repentant soul.

***

Around January of this year, Dominicans from around the province received word that there had been a parking lot murder in one of our parishes in Ohio. The elderly woman killed, apparently for her pocketbook, was a daily communicant, as she had been for some sixty-plus years. The morning of January 23rd was to be her Viaticum. (I sent in a reflection to the city’s paper, as the parish holds a special place in my heart.)

Just last week, we were told that another couple from that same Church of St. Dominic in Youngstown, OH was shot, this time, while driving home from church.

St. Dominic’s Saturday morning receptionist has survived, but her husband was killed.

***

The city of Youngstown has been especially besieged by violence and murder in recent years (having been ranked the 15th most dangerous city in the nation).

Let us pray for the restoration of order and justice in Youngstown, and for the safety and healing of our brothers and sisters at St. Dominic’s.

And, inspired by the Little Flower, St. Thérèse of Lisieux, let us also pray for the conversion of killers.

2 Comments »

No Comments »

Eucharistic adoration has been cancelled for Wednesday, May 26th.

The parish’s weekly holy hours will resume on Wednesday, June 2nd.

No Comments »

No Comments »

No Comments »

An invitation from the Gianna Center:

Hello Everyone,

Please join the physicians and staff of The Gianna Center for Women this Monday, May 17 at 6:30 pm for a special Mass, offered for the intentions of couples struggling with infertility and pregnancy-related miscarriages.

The Mass will be followed by a talk by Pierluigi Molla, the living son of St. Gianna Beretta and an opportunity to view and venerate her relics.

Location: St. Catherine of Sienna Church, 411 East 68th Street, NY (between 1st Ave and York)

Schedule of Events

6:30 PM Mass, offered for the intentions of couples suffering from infertility, recurrent miscarriage and difficult pregnancies

7:30 PM Talk by Pierluigi Molla, son of St. Gianna

8:15 PM Blessing with St. Gianna’s relics

8:30 PM Light reception and book signing

Physicians from The Gianna Center in midtown Manhattan, which offers a highly effective, ethically-sound approach to treating infertility, will also be present to answer questions and offer support.

Hope to see you there.

God bless,

Anne Mielnik, MD
Gianna — The Catholic Healthcare Center for Women
15 East 40th Street, Suite 101
New York, NY 10016
(212) 481-1219
www.giannahealth.org

No Comments »

No Comments »

From Sr. Lucy at the archdiocesan Family Life Office:

Witness for Life
Saturday, May 1st
8:00 AM Mass at Old St. Patrick’s Cathedral, NYC

Come to all or part of the morning.

The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass begins our day in Old St. Patrick’s Cathedral. The main celebrant will be Fr. Emile Frische.

Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament follows, then people can either remain in the Church to adore Our Lord or attend the rosary procession to the local abortion clinic (two blocks away – Planned Parenthood).

Upon return from the clinic (approx 10:15) we will have a social (complete with coffee and donuts) with a short (10 min.) presentation by the Sisters of Life. You will hear of concrete ways to be of service, as Co-Workers, helping vulnerable pregnant women that are currently being served by the Sisters.

Promote this to your friends and keep the spiritual success of this effort for Life in your prayers.

God bless.

Sr. Lucy Marie
Respect Life Coordinator
Archdiocese of New York
1011 First Ave., 7th Floor
New York, NY 10022
212-371-1011 X3192

No Comments »

No Comments »

No Comments »

The Portsmouth Institute at Portsmouth Abbey School, on the shores of beautiful Narragansett Bay, will convene a conference on NEWMAN AND THE INTELLECTUAL TRADITION June 10-13, just months before Cardinal Newman’s beatification in September by Pope Benedict XVI.

Speakers include Fr. George Rutler, Fr. Ian Ker, Peter Kreeft, Paul Griffiths, and Edward Short.

Register at www.portsmouthinstitute.org or by calling Cindy Waterman at (401) 643-1244.

No Comments »

The Cathedral of St. Patrick Young Adults will host a Gospel In Art Seminar on May 6 at Cathedral Parish House (14 East 51st Street, between Madison and Fifth Avenues) from 6:30pm-8:30pm.

CSPYA is bringing back this popular seminar in which we look at a famous religious works of art and discuss their spiritual significance. On May 6, we will be examining two works of Marian art: “Immaculate Conception” by Bartoleme Esteban Murillo, and “Our Lady of Light” by Natalia Tsarkova.

Please email to RSVP.

No Comments »

No Comments »

1 Comment »

No Comments »

Theology on Tap-NYC presents “Answering God’s Call…Should I let It Go to Voicemail?” on April 26 at Metro 53 Bar, 307 East 53rd Street from 7pm to 9pm.

Father Stephen Challman will end this season with a talk about his vocation story and how we should listen to God’s calling for us…whatever that may be! This final session of the season is a fitting way to pay tribute to the Year of the Priest.

Please visit us at www.totnyc.org.

No Comments »

No Comments »

Before it closes in early June, be sure to see the Met’s special exhibition entitled “The Art of Illumination.”  It features all of images contained in the Belles Heures of Jean de France, which is one of the finest illuminated manuscripts to come down to us from the Middle Ages.  Click below for a video presentation detailing the exhibit.

No Comments »

On Monday, April 26, the Church of St. Thomas More (65 East 89th Street – between Park and Madison Avenues) will host a panel discussion entitled: “A Priest Forever According to the Order of Melchizedek: What Does This Mean — For the Priest and for the Laity?” The discussion will begin at 7:00 PM in the parish’s Rochester Room.

The evening’s speakers will be: Fr. Aquinas Guilbeau, O.P. (Church of St. Vincent Ferrer, NYC); Fr. Gerald Murray (Church of St. Vincent de Paul, NYC); and Fr. Luke Sweeney (Vocations Director for the Archdiocese of New York).  Attendees will be able to meet with the speakers and enjoy light refreshments after the discussion.

For more information, call the St. Thomas More Parish Office at 212-876-7719.

No Comments »

Fr. Carleton P. Jones, O.P.,
Pastor of the Church of St. Vincent Ferrer
invites you to a

SPRING BRUNCH

on Sunday, April 25
at 1:00 PM
in the Parish Hall.

With the price of a ticket comes a full buffet, Mimosas and Champagne, music by David Belt, and a chance at door prizes.

Advanced tickets are $25 per person. Tickets will be $30 at the door. Children under 12 are free.

Tickets are on sale now in the Parish Office. You can also purchase them after all Sunday Masses leading up to the brunch.

No Comments »

From Patrick Langrell, the archdiocesan Director of Young Adult Outreach:

Dear friends,

This Friday, from 9am – 6:30pm, Advocates for Life (a division of Americans United for Life) and Columbia University’s Law Students for Life are presenting a daylong legal symposium which will dissect some of the most dynamic and evolving areas of abortion law to offer an in-depth look on how current controversies fit into pro-life jurisprudence and how their resolution will impact the pro-life movement.

The symposium, “Looking Back, Looking Forward: Pro-life Strategy & Jurisprudence for the 21st Century” is drawing some very impressive speakers, including Clarke Forsythe, William Saunders, Piero Tozzi, Teresa Collet and many, many more.

Entry is free for all students (must bring ID) and is $15 for everyone who receives these CatholicNYC emails (discounted from the normal $35 fee). For advance registration, please visit ovationtix.com.

You can see the full schedule and speaker lineup on the facebook event here.

7pm-10pm: After the Symposium, there will be a Closing Reception, with the keynote address given by special guest, Dr. Charmaine Yoest, President and CEO of Americans United for Life.

You can RSVP by email or by calling Kellie Fiedorek at 202-905-6197.

Your friend in Christ,

Patrick Langrell

Director of Young Adult Outreach
Archdiocese of New York
1011 First Avenue
New York, N.Y. 10022

No Comments »

From Mario at CSPYA:

Cathedral of St Patrick Young Adults (a young adult apostolate for those in their 20s and 30s) will present a Movie Night in Honor of the Year of the Priest on April 22 at Cathedral Parish House, 14 East 51st Street (between Madison and 5th Avenue) from 6:30pm-9pm.

During the last few months of the Year of the Priest, the priesthood and the Holy Father are being attacked due to the recent sexual abuse findings. On this night, we will show and discuss the film, “I Confess” which is about a priest falsely accused of murder, even though he heard the confession of the murderer himself. The film portrays the courage of this priest and we hope to show you all that the priesthood is still the most heroic vocation today.

Click here to RSVP.

No Comments »

Theology on Tap-NYC presents “Can God Be Trusted?” on April 19 at Metro 53 Bar, 307 East 53rd Street at 7pm-9pm.

Father Thomas Williams, LC, will explore the most common obstacles that prevent people from trusting God, including personal betrayals, unfulfilled expectations, and seemingly unanswered prayers. He will also explain what is reasonable to expect from God and offers practical tips for ways to grow in trust.

Please visit us at www.totnyc.org.

No Comments »

CONFESSIONS

Saturday, March 27: 4:30-5:30 PM
Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, March 29-31: 11:30-12:00 Noon, 4:30-5:30 PM
Saturday, April 2: 4:00-6:00 PM

PALM SUNDAY, March 28

5:30 PM Saturday Vigil Mass, with music
8:00 AM Mass
10:00 AM Mass, with music
12:00 PM Solemn Mass, with choir
5:30 PM Mass

HOLY THURSDAY, April 1

The church will open at 7:30 AM.
8:00 AM Mass for those who cannot attend the Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper
7:30 PM Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper, followed by Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament until 11:00 PM

GOOD FRIDAY, April 2

The church will open at 7:30 AM.
9:00 AM Office of Readings and Morning Prayer
1:00 PM Music and Reflections on the Lord’s Passion
3:00 PM Solemn Liturgy of the Lord’s Passion
5:00 PM Stations of the Cross

HOLY SATURDAY, April 3

The church will open at 7:30 AM.
9:00 AM Office of Readings and Morning Prayer
4:00-6:00 PM Confessions
8:00 PM Solemn Vigil of Easter

EASTER SUNDAY, April 4

8:00 AM Mass
10:00 AM Mass, with music
12:00 Noon Solemn Mass, with choir
There will be no 5:30 PM Mass on Easter Sunday afternoon.

1 Comment »

If you’re a young adult/young professional living, studying, or working in New York or are new to the city and to the Catholic scene here, stay connected and get involved in all the great events, activities, and happenings by checking out CatholicNYC.com. Send an email to Patrick Langrell, and he’ll keep you up to speed regularly on all the young adult events taking place all over the city.

No Comments »

No Comments »

No Comments »

The Church of St. Vincent Ferrer
cordially invites you to a

THREE-DAY MINI-RETREAT

Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday
March 29, 30, and 31
after the 5:30 PM Mass

On each day, the Mass will be followed by a short reflection and a time for prayer.

On Wednesday, the last day of the retreat, a Lenten Soup Supper will be held in the Church Hall immediately following the Mass.

All are invited!

A free will offering will be taken.

(Catering provided by Hale and Hearty Soups, Lexington Avenue)

No Comments »

For the second year in a row, the Church of St. Vincent Ferrer will participate in “24 Hours of Confessions,” a Lenten initiative of the Cathedral of St. Patrick Young Adults.  Running from 7:00 AM on Friday, March 5, to 7:00 AM on Saturday, March 6, the day of reconciliation will be observed by over 30 New York parishes.  St. Vincent Ferrer will have priests hearing confessions from 12:30 to 5:30 on Friday afternoon.

Spread the word!  Let your families and friends know that there is no excuse not to go to Confession this Lent.  Priests will be available for the sacrament all over the city.  Click here for a full list of participating parishes and their times.

No Comments »

From Sr. Lucy, the archdiocesan Respect Life coordinator:

Witness for Life
Saturday, March 6th
8:00 AM Mass at Old St. Patrick’s Cathedral, NYC
Come to all or part of the morning

The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass (8:00 AM) begins our day in Old St. Patrick’s Cathedral.

Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament follows, then people can either remain in the Church to adore Our Lord or attend the rosary procession to the local abortion clinic (2 blocks away – Planned Parenthood).

Upon return from the clinic (approx 10:15am) we will have a social (complete with coffee and donuts) with a short (10 mins) presentation by the Sisters of Life. You will hear of concrete ways to be of service, as Co-Workers, helping vulnerable pregnant women that are currently being served by the Sisters.

Promote this to your friends and keep the spiritual success of this effort for Life in your daily prayers.

God bless you.

Sr. Lucy Marie
Respect Life Coordinator
Archdiocese of New York
1011 First Ave., 7th Floor
New York, NY 10022
212-371-1011 X3192

No Comments »