Hitting the road: The Bench and CNEWA visit Long Island

The past couple of days I found myself on a rare weekend away from my home parish, giving talks at Curé of Ars Catholic Church in Merrick, New York.  I was there with two of my colleagues from CNEWA, Norma Intriago and Chris Kennedy, to raise awareness about the plight of persecuted Christians and enlist support from folks in the pews. I served and preached at all five Masses. Somehow, I’m still standing.

It’s a beautiful church that feels bigger than it actually is; I’d guess it seats about 500-600 people.

It has many side chapels, devotional areas, statues, prayer gardens—it’s got something for everyone. It even has a Divine Mercy chapel, just behind the sanctuary, where they have adoration; it’s small enough that they use it frequently for marriage convalidations.

There’s a lot going on—among other things, they’re hosting a “living nativity” next Saturday, followed by a candlelight Mass that evening—and folks seem not only happy but energized. It’s a vibrant parish.

Fr. Charles Mangano, the pastor, is a powerhouse, and people there clearly love him.

It was great to spend time with so many generous and committed Catholics; several people came up to me after Mass to assure me that they pray often for our suffering brothers and sisters in Iraq. “I dedicate a rosary every day to those poor people,” one elderly man said as he clasped my hand.

Below, some images from the weekend. Thanks to Fr. Charles, his deacons Joe Zubrovich and Ron Federici and Fr. Zach, the retired priest in residence, for making me and all the CNEWA crew feel so welcome! Kudos, as well, to parishioner Joe Gioello, who put the whole weekend together; to Deb Johnson, who generously gave her time to assist us Saturday and Sunday; and to the invaluable “Ducky,” the rectory cook, who made us breakfast and kept us fortified for the long day. You guys rock.

I was impressed that every Mass included a Hail Mary at the end of the Prayer of the Faithful, with the specific intention of bringing an end to terrorism. The parish also prayed the St. Michael Prayer at the conclusion of each Mass. One of the volunteers told me they have a seminarian from the parish preparing to be ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Rockville Centre; he told me it’s the 20th vocation the parish has produced. Clearly, they are doing something right.

St. John Vianney,Curé of Ars, patron of parish priests, pray for us!