CSVF Blog

Take a look at these recent construction photos.  As you can see, the new copper roof is nearly completed.  And it seems that the masonry is cleaning up nicely. The stone carvings look brand new!

For those of you tired of the scaffolding, take heart.  The end is in sight.

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From the Cathedral of St. Patrick Young Adults:

Thursday, December 4, 2008 from 6:30pm-9:30pm
Cathedral Parish House, 14 East 51st Street

It is time to make a difference, once again!

This is our 5th annual Dear Santa Project. Over the years, we’ve helped random kids from all over NYC, victims of Katrina in Harahan, LA, the students of Our Lady of Sorrows on the Lower East Side, and Our Lady Queen of Angels in East Harlem.

This year, we are helping kids in a local Catholic school in Harlem again: St. Paul’s School.

Please come out this night for a party, pick a letter from one of these children, and answer their Christmas request. By trying to grant their request, you will be giving more than just a gift; you will be giving them hope and faith in the miracle of Christmas! Be a part of the miracle this year, as you all have in years past!

Please RSVP at info@cspya.org. Instructions will be provided this night as to how the gifts will be collected.

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Join young adults for a series of lectures at Metro 53 Bar and Restaurant, 307 East 53rd Street, between 2nd and 1st Avenues. The event is from 7pm-8:30pm. The final lecture of the Fall 2008 season is on November 17, 2008 by Angelo Mater, editor of Godpsy.com. His topic this night will be “Faith at the Edge: Living the Catholic life in a secular city” For more details, visit www.totnyc.org.

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From Sr. Therese Marie, SV, at the Visitation Mission (E. 66th Street):

I would like to invite you to become a coworker of life - to learn more click here: http://www.sistersoflife.org/vm.html 

Please consider coming to our next Co-worker training, Saturday, November 8th.  It will take place in Stamford, CT at our retreat center Villa Maria Guadalupe. Please invite those you know who would like to be involved in our mission to serve pregnant women with the heart of Christ. The training begins at 9am and ends at 6pm, followed by an optional dinner (there is an optional 7:15am Mass Saturday morning followed by 8am registration and breakfast.) Overnight rooms are available at no charge. There is no charge for anything this weekend. This is a day of training for those who will be working with us to serve pregnant women doing anything from going out for cup of tea to opening up your house to a woman (or all the things in the middle - driving her to appointments, helping to fill out forms, or just talking on the phone - all of this makes an incredible difference.)

The day of training will include:

• the morning is spent learning how to enter into the Sister’s of Life charism: the gift that the Holy Spirit has given us on how to serve pregnant women.                                                                   
• lunch is provided
• the afternoon is spent in learning communication skills and practicing those skills - so that you will feel more confident in what to say to a pregnant woman.

If you are interested in helping the Sisters of Life, please email visitation.mission (at) archny (dot) com.

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FRANCE:
In the Footsteps of the Dominicans

April 29 - May 8, 2009

I invite the parishioners of St. Vincent Ferrer and all friends of the Order of Preachers to join me on this pilgrimage to the great Dominican shrines of France. Beginning in Marseilles and ending in Paris, our travels will span several ages of the Church’s history. From St. Mary Magdalen in the first century to St. Vincent Ferrer in the fifteenth, we will meet the saints and visit the places instrumental to the foundation and growth of the Order of Preachers.

Our pilgrimage will include daily Mass, times for prayer, and visits with various Dominican communities. Of course, we will also experience the best of France’s history, architecture, and culture.

We dedicate this pilgrimage to Our Lady of the Rosary, whose maternal intercession has enlived the Dominican Order since its foundation. May St. Dominic and St. Vincent Ferrer, too, strengthen us with their prayers as we visit their shrines and trace their footsteps through France.

For more information, contact the me at the parish office (212-744-2080), or call Corporate Travel Service at 313-565-8888, ext. 121.

Itinerary

Day 1: New York/Marseille
Depart New York on transatlantic flight to Marseille.

Day 2: Marseille
Upon your arrival at Marseille airport you will be met by your professional escort and transferred to your hotel.  Celebrate Mass or Vespers at the Dominican Priory. Welcome Dinner hosted by your escort and overnight in Marseille.

Day 3: Marseille
After breakfast enjoy a guided panoramic tour of the town of Marseille. Celebrate Mass at St. Victor Abbey where Cassian founded two monasteries, one for men, the other for women. In the crypt of St. Victor lay formerly the remains of Cassian, also those of Saints Maurice, Marcellinus, and Peter, the body of one of the Holy Innocents, and Bishop St. Mauront. This afternoon visit Sainte Baume where tradition holds Mary Magdalen lived. Dinner and overnight in Marseille.

Day4: Marseille/Carcassonne/Toulouse
After breakfast depart for Toulouse. Stop en route at the medieval section of Carcassonne, where you will have some free time to tour the city. Celebrate Mass at Saint Michel Cathedral, parts of which stood during St. Dominic’s visits in the early thirteenth century. After ravaged by fire in 1849, Viollet-le-Duc launched major restoration work that lasted for almost 20 years. Continue to Toulouse with a stop in the country town of Castelnaudary, time permitting. Dinner and overnight in Toulouse.

Day5: Toulouse/Fanjeaux/Toulouse
This morning, tour St. Sernin Basilica, one of the biggest in the western world, housing a treasure trove of reliquaries including St. Saturnin, the martyred bishop of the city. Next visit Peter Seila’s house, the first home of the Dominicans in Toulouse. Celebrate Mass at Couvent des Jacobins over the relics of St. Thomas Aquinas (if special arrangements can be made). This afternoon travel to Fanjeaux, the center of St. Dominic’s preaching before he founded the Order. See the Church, St. Dominic’s house and the Prouille Monastery, the first monastery of women founded by St. Dominic. Overnight in Toulouse.

Day 6: Toulouse/Vannes
After breakfast depart for Vannes, a port on the Gulf of Morbihan, and a magical place where sea, land and sky mingle to form changing and exceptional landscapes. Stop en route in Bordeaux and experience its beautiful landscape. Also celebrate Mass en route. Dinner and overnight in Vannes. 

Day 7: Vannes
This morning take a guided visit and celebrate Mass at Saint Peter’s Cathedral, an essential monument in the walled town, dominating its surroundings from its site at the top of the Ménéhill. A reconstruction of the Roman Cathedral was conducted during the 15th century. The old cathedral had become too dilapidated and too small for the pilgrimages that had developed around the tomb of Saint Vincent Ferrer, who died in Vannes in 1419 and was buried under the chancel of the cathedral. During the Counter-Reformation, the church was provided with fresh religious furniture, such as the Baroque altarpiece dedicated toSaint-Vincent. Afternoon free. Overnight in Vannes.

Day 8 Vannes/Chartres/Paris
After breakfast, depart for Paris. Stop en route in Chartres to visit and celebrate Mass at the world famous Notre-Dame Cathedral of Chartres. Built and embellished between 1134 and 1260, it was inscribed on the UNESCO list of World Heritage sites and is considered to be one of the best examples of High Gothic Architecture. Continue to Paris for overnight stay. 

Day 9: Paris
After breakfast, visit the Cathedrale de Notre-Dame, as well as, Dominican Shrines such as the Church of St. Thomas Aquinas, St. Genevieve and the Priory of the Annunciation. Other visits as time permits: Rue de Bac (Miraculous medal of St. Catherine Labouré), the Carmelite Church, St. Denis. Farwell dinner at a local restaurant and overnight in Paris.

Day 10: Paris/USA
After breakfast, transfer to Paris airport and depart for New York.

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The 43rd Annual Opera Gala is a fundraising event for Padre Pio’s Charitable Works in NYC.  The event will  take place at 7:00 PM on Saturday, November 22, at St. Ignatius Loyola School/McKinnon Hall, 48 East 84th Street.   Semi-formal attire is required.  The event is for adults only.

The evening will consist of performances from the world of Broadway and opera. There will also be live music, dancing, raffle prizes, and hors d’oeuvres.

Tickets are on sale now at $30 per person. Please make checks payable to the “Office of the Devotees of Padre Pio” and mail them to Mario Bruschi at 245 East 63rd Street, #1205, NY, NY 10065.

For more information please email us at info(at)cspya(dot)org.

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A message from the Sisters of Life:

Join with the Sisters of Life - be part of a new generation building a culture of life.

Sat, Nov 1st - All Saints Day
8am Mass at Old St. Patrick’s Cathedral, NYC

Fr. Luke Sweeney will be the main celebrant. Come to all or part of the morning.

The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass begins our day in Old St. Patrick’s Cathedral (the Sisters of Life will provide a Schola), Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament follows, and people can either remain in the Church to adore our Lord or attend the rosary procession to the local abortion clinic.

Upon return from the clinic (approx 10:15am) we will have a social (complete with coffee and bagels) 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

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From our friends at the Crossroads Cultural Center:

Crossroads is proud to announce a new collaboration with the highly acclaimed Metro Chamber Orchestra. Led by their Artistic Director, Philip Nuzzo, and comprised of thirty extremely gifted players, the orchestra has, for the past 6 seasons, created a buzz based on their high standard of performance and unique programming. Above is information about their November 15th concert.

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Join young adults for a series of lectures at Metro 53 Bar and Restaurant, 307 East 53rd Street, between 2nd and 1st Avenues.  The event is from 7pm-8:30pm. The fourth lecture of the Fall 2008 season is on October 27 by Monsignor William Smith, professor of moral theology at St. Joseph’s Seminary.   His topic this night will be “What Does the Church Really Teach About Contraception: The 40th Anniversary of Humanae Vitae.”  For more details, visit www.totnyc.org.

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In its October 9th edition, the Catholic New York published front page coverage of the “Humanae Vitae at 40″ conference held here at St. Vincent’s two weeks ago.  Click here for the excellent article by John Woods.

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So many talks, so little time . . .

Yesterday I posted the announcement for next Monday’s health care lecture at St. Catherine’s.  It begins at 1:30.  

As it turns out, two other Dominican events will take place later in the day.  First, at 7:00 here at St. Vincent’s, we’ll have the second lecture of our new “Theology in the City” series.  The topic will be “The Meaning of Creation.”

And later in the evening up at Columbia University, the Columbia Catholic Ministry (run by Dominican friars from Poland) will hold its annual Merton Lecture.  This year’s speaker will be Dr. Eleonore Stump, an analytic Thomist philospher who teaches at St. Louis University.  Professor Stump will address “The Problem of Evil in the Thought of St. Thomas Aquinas.”  The lecture will begin at 8:30.

Let’s see . . . 1:30, 7:00, and 8:30.  Will anyone attend all three talks?

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Join young adults for a series of lectures at Metro 53 Bar and Restaurant, 307 East 53rd Street, between 2nd and 1st Avenues. The event is from 7pm-8:30pm.

The third lecture of the Fall 2008 season is on October 20 by Monsignor Kevin Sullivan, director of Catholic Charities for the Archdiocese of NY. His topic this night will be “God’s Plan for Your Life: Our Call to Charity” For more details, visit www.totnyc.org.

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On the occasion of the Feast of St. Therese of the Child Jesus, we invite you to attend the first presentation of “Crossroads on the Road.” The 75-minute theatrical production Maurice & Therese: A Story of a Love will be performed this Sunday, October 5, at 3 pm at St. John the Martyr Church in Manhattan. The performance is free of charge and open to the public. See below for more details.

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On Wednesday, October 15, the parish’s Hospitality Committee will lead a daylong excursion through Connecticut’s fall foliage country.  In the beautiful town of Essex (pictured above), participants will enjoy a steam train ride, a riverboat cruise, and lunch at the historic Griswold Inn.

The cost of the day trip is $115 a person.  The deadline for registration is Wednesday, October 1.  Please call the parish office for more information.

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This past week Zenit published an interview with a non-Catholic physician who champions the teachings of Humanae Vitae.  Among other things, he calls the document’s argument “compelling” and “prophetic.”

I first read “Humanae Vitae” in 1991 and several times since then. I think it is an inspired document. I think it captures fundamental aspects of human nature. He [Pope Paul VI] really hits the nail on the head regarding the dark side of contraception, sterilization and abortion and their effects on society.

Although I do not think divorce, promiscuity, teen pregnancy are exclusively the result of contraception, I also think these are not unrelated to contraception. I think contraception is a heavy part of the fuel behind the sexual revolution and many of the problems in society we are facing.

I think “Humanae Vitae” is basically a prophetic statement.

Click here for the full interview.

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Robert Bolt’s award-winning play A Man for All Seasons has returned to Broadway. Frank Langella stars as St. Thomas More.  Performances are scheduled to run through December.  For tickets and information, click here.

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A message from Sr. Lucy Marie, SV:

Join with the Sisters of Life - be part of a new generation building a culture of life. First Saturday ~~ Witness for Life 

Sat, Oct 4th / 8am Mass at Old St. Patrick’s Cathedral, NYC

Fr. William Elder will be the main celebrant.  Come to all or part of the morning.

Last month kicked off our First Saturday Witness for Life and about 65 people attended - here’s what one man who was there stated:

It was an honor to participate in this morning’s vigil. Most humbling of all was to see the commitment, sincerity, and holy energy of the young people of New York City, who love their Lord and their Church, and the unmistakable effect they have on history, here, today. I remain very moved by the whole experience. More than moved; uplifted, dignified, joyful. Thank you again for prodding me into the privilege of helping out in some small way.

The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass begins our day in Old St. Patrick’s Cathedral (the Sisters of Life will provide a Schola), Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament follows, and people can either remain in the Church to adore our Lord or attend the rosary procession to the local abortion clinic.

Upon return from the clinic (approx 10:15am) we will have a social (complete with coffee and bagels) with a short (15 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.

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The Archdiocese of New York is announcing a new “Come and See” program for women discerning religious life.  It will take place over the next five first Sundays.

Each Sunday program will be hosted by a different Religious Community and will consist of prayer, an introduction to the community’s life and mission through a study of its charism, and interaction with a sister from the community.  

Those interested must register before September 30.  For more information, please call Sr. Deanna Sabetta at 212-371-1011, ext. 2803, or email her at sr.deanna.sabetta@archny.org.

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On October 17-19, The Frassati Fellowship here in New York City will sponsor a weekend retreat for 20s and 30s young adults.  Held at Villa Maria Guadalupe Retreat Center in Stamford, CT, the retreat will be led by Fr. Gabriel of the Capuchin Friars of the Renewal.  The cost is $95 if you register before October 4 (scholarships available).

For more information, click franciscanfriars.com/events/frassati.htm, or email frassati@archny.org.

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The Cathedral of St. Patrick Young Adults are planning an apple picking excursion for Saturday, September 27.  They will leave from Grand Central Station at 9:30 AM and travel to Wright’s Apple Farm in Gardiner, NY.  Expenses will include $34.50 for the train ticket.

Email info@cspya.org if you plan to attend.

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The storm has passed, and recovery efforts are beginning.  Please consider assisting our brothers and sisters on the Texas coast by donating to Catholic Charities for the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston.

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