There will be a Latin Mass on October 28th at 7pm (the feast of St. Jude) at the Church of St. Athanasius in Brooklyn, N.Y. The church is located on Bay Parkway and 61st Street. Father James Miara will be the celebrant.

For All Souls Day, November 2nd, there will be a Solemn Pontifical Requiem Mass at 6:30 PM at the Church of the Holy Innocents in Manhattan (37th St. and Broadway). His excellency, James C. Timlin, Bishop Emeritus of Scranton will celebrate the Mass from the Faldstool. The Rite of Absolution with catafalque will follow the Mass.

The schola will sing the Ordinary of the Mass from Victoria’s Requiem Mass setting and chant the Propers of the Mass (including the sequence, “Dies Irae”).

You may enroll the names of the faithful departed to be included in the intention of this Mass at the Parish Office of the Church of the Holy Innocents.

Please note that those who devoutly visit a church or an oratory on All Souls Day and recite there the Lord’s Prayer and the Creed may gain a plenary indulgence but only for a soul in purgatory. (Handbook on Indulgences, pg. 48).

If you have questions about this Mass, please call (212) 569-1252.

The tomb of Christopher Columbus, Seville Cathedral.

Fr. Markey, during his homily on the Votive Mass to the Blessed Virgin Mary on Columbus Day at St. Mary Church, Norwalk:

“It is popular to critique Christopher Columbus today. Like many great men in history he had his faults. Yet the settling of the New World by Spain has two stories: one story is the story of the sword, and the other is the story of the cross. The conquistadors came with the sword and may have won the native’s obedience, but the priests came with the cross, and they won the native’s hearts.
In the end the cross was victorious over the sword. The proof of this is that the last Spanish flag has long since been hauled down, but the Catholic Faith reigns in the hearts of the people from Santo Domingo and Mexico, to the Southern tip of Argentina. This is why we celebrate Columbus Day: because he brought a love of Our Lady and the Catholic Faith for the good of the salvation of souls.”

Miss Veronica Harris, 8th Grade All Saints School. Winner of the 2009 Christopher Columbus Essay Contest: “Why is Chrisopher Columbus important for us as Catholics?”

Christopher Columbus’ wonderful, courageous voyage is one of the greatest events in man’s history. It’s amazing that not only the discovery of America but another important result was bringing Catholicism to the new world.
To show Columbus’ own dedication and love of Catholicism, we have to look at history, records of his voyages, the notes he took and how he lived. All Americans as well as Catholic Americans should be thankful that this hero of explorers brought us Christianity and for us Catholics, the beauty of our religious faith.
Christopher Columbus was an active devoted strong Roman Catholic. Queen Isabel recognized his goodness and honesty and gave him her support. All during his voyages, Columbus kept a log of his journeys often ending “with the help of Our Lord”. He believed he was chosen by God to bring the Gospel and convert the people he found on the islands. He thought that was his main purpose and wrote about it in his log book written on Nov. 6 when he explored Cuba.
The American Indians also benefited from Columbus’ discovery. The traditions of human sacrifices and even cannibalism were ended and many Indians converted. When the Franciscans came in 1500, thousands more turned to the religion of Jesus before the end of the century.
Christopher Columbus was a Franciscan Tertiary who followed St. Francis’ idea that the world should be converted to Christianity by prayer, preaching and peaceful means.
In Columbus’ journal from Aug. 3rd to Oct. 12th 1492, day after day he calls on Jesus for divine help. He asked Our Lord for the knowledge and endurance he would need to know what God wanted him to do. He accomplished the mission of bringing the love of Jesus and Mary to all the people who had not heard of them and the salvation now given to them.
Christopher Columbus has done lots of great things for our country because he not only discovered the continent of North America but brought his faith with him and converted many people.

(See photos of this event below)

On this pleasant, chilly Columbus Day, parishioners of St. Mary Norwalk processed down West Avenue to the staute of Christopher Columbus in Thomas C. O’Connor park, praying the rosary, in thanksgiving for Columbus’s bringing the Catholic faith to the New World.

The day began with a Solemn Votive Mass to the Blessed Virgin Mary.


Fittingly the Knights of Columbus were part of the procession





Fr. Markey addresses the crowd at Thomas O’Connor Park.


The Handmaids of Mary, a girls’ soldality in the parish, displayed the banners they had created for the procession.

Choirmaster David Hughes conducts the children’s Schola Cantorum.

The winner of Fr. Markey’s essay contest, a student at All Saints School, reads her essay on Christopher Columbus.

The procession ends with a blessing, back at the church.

A plentiful reception follows

See an excerpt from Fr. Markey’s Sermon and the entire winning essay on Columbus: link

Fr. Richard Cipolla will be presenting a six week Latin course at St. Mary Church in Norwalk. It will begin on Monday, October 26 at 7:45 pm and will continue to November 30. This course in NOT intended to be a high powered course in Latin grammar and translation. It has as its aim to make Catholics familiar with the language that is still the official language of the Catholic Church and of the Liturgy.
The course will include some instruction in the Latin language itself, looking at the Ordinary parts of the Mass, examining some of the Collects, refreshing our memories for basic prayers in the Latin like the Hail Mary, and importantly, looking at the translations in English and comparing them to what the Latin actually says.
This course is not for experts; it is for the ordinary Catholic who wants to deepen his or her understanding of the faith through the language that lies at the very heart of Catholic worship and culture.

There will be a Missa Cantata (Extraordinary Form) for the Feast of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary this Wednesday, October 7th at 6:15 pm at Church of the Holy Innocents, 128 W 37thStreet, New York, NY 10018, Fr. Thomas Kallumady, Pastor.

The Latin Mass at St. Margaret of Cortona in the Riverdale section of the Bronx will now be offered on the first Sunday of the month at 3 o’clock. It was previously offered on the last Sunday of the month. Also, there has been a change of celebrant. The Rev. Brendan Fitzgerald, Vicar, will now offer the Mass. It remains a Low Mass. There is ample free parking in a lot adjoining the church. The address of the church is 6000 Riverdale Avenue at West 260th Street. The Rectory telephone number is (718) 549 – 8053. The Rev. Brian McCarthy is the Rector.

On Columbus Day, Monday October 12th at 9:30am, there will be a votive Mass in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary at St. Mary Church, Norwalk. It will be a Solemn Mass in the Extraordinary Form, followed by a procession to the statue of Christopher Columbus in the Thomas C. O’Connor Park on West Avenue. Refreshments will follow in the parish hall afterwards.

In connection with this event, St. Mary’s Church is sponsoring an essay contest open to 7th and 8th graders: “Why Is Christopher Columbus Important For Us As Catholics?” Father Markey, pastor of Saint Mary Church, will give $500 to a student winner towards his or her Catholic School tuition, or religious education tuition. RULES OF COMPETITION:Essay must be HAND-WRITTEN by a 7th or 8th grader. Essay must be 3 or 4 paragraphs, (near 300 words).
Deadline for submission:5:00 PM, Thursday, October 8, 2009. Mail or drop off at St. Mary Parish Rectory 669 West Avenue, Norwalk CT 06850 Tel: (203) 866-5546.

Winner will be asked to read his or her essay on Columbus Day, October 12 at the foot of the Christopher Columbus statue and receive $500 tuition scholarship. (The winner is not required to be present October 12th)

If you have any questions, please call St. Mary’s at (203) 866-5546.

Last Saturday, the fourteenth annual Pilgrimage for the Restoration concluded with a Solemn High Mass at the Shrine of the North American Martyrs at Auriesville New York. For many marchers, this day was the culmination of a 65-mile march from Lake George to Auriesville. Others join the march at this time for the final 7 miles from the shrine of Bl. Kateri Tekakwitha at Fonda to Auriesville.

Over the last 14 years, the march has evolved. Whereas ten years ago some 225 Lake George marchers would be met by as many as 800 additional participants for the final day, last Saturday several hundred 65 – mile marchers were joined by only 50-100 additional pilgrims. The Mass, although celebrated with great dignity and care, was less elaborate in some respects ( the sermon, the music) than prior concluding liturgies.

On the other hand, what the march has lost in numbers it has gained in cohesiveness and organization. Participants are now overwhelmingly young people and young families with many children. It is the “long distance” pilgrims – some limping from various sprains and wounds- who now set the tone for the final day. The organization, too, is much more elaborate than in the past and more closely resembles that of the Chartres Pentecost March – the inspiration for the Pilgrimage for the Restoration. The pilgrims are grouped in various “brigades” (like the chapters in France) led by “field marshal.” Water, snacks, security, medical care and sanitary facilities are now provided in a very professional way along the final 7-mile stretch. As is usual for us on this side of the Atlantic, it is hard to resist the temptation to err on the side of over-organization: one could have done with fewer shouted orders and repetitive instructions on the obvious. That is, however, a quibble. Congratulations are due to the National Coalition of Clergy & Laity under the leadership of Mr. Gregory Lloyd for the successful organization of this event.

It is a shame that more Traditionalist Catholics do not join the pilgrimage at least for the last day. Perhaps it is understandable that they nowadays feel less of a need to travel to the wilds of Upstate New York to participate in a Solemn High Mass when such liturgies are now readily available – at the least in the greater New York area. More than ever, however, Traditionalists must seek out every opportunity to demonstrate the growing vitality of the movement. Perhaps if a Pontifical Mass concluded the pilgrimage…..

Early Saturday thick fog blanketed the area – it later lifted so the final stretch of the pilgrimage enjoyed almost perfect weather.

A pilgrim prays in the most mysterious and sacred part of the shrine – the Ravine where St. Isaac Jogues buried the body of his martyred companion, St. Rene Goupil.

The Auriesville shrine is a vast complex of buildings and statues ranging from the horrendous to earlier structures and statues which exist in harmony with the surrounding natural beauty.

The pilgrims – including many of the walking wounded – set out for the final seven miles.

This brigade illustrates the youth of most of the pilgrims and the presence of many religious sisters and priests as well.

Headcoverings for the women are now strongly advised. That and the prohibition of shorts distinguish this pilgrimage from its French model.

Fr. Andreas Hellmann of the Institute of Christ the King, celebrant.

On Friday, Oct. 2nd at 6:30pm, Fr. Eric Flood, District Superior for North America of the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter, will celebrate a Solemn Mass for the Feast of the Holy Guardian Angels at the Church of the Guardian Angel in Manhattan. Fr. Flood will be assisted by Fr. Gregory Pendergraft and Fr. Justin Nolan of the FSSP. As always, Mass will begin at 6:30pm. There will be a convivium with refreshments (small cover charge). Fr. Flood will make a presentation about the FSSP and answer questions. There will also be an opportunity to see some pictures of the FSSP’s Seminary Chapel construction of which is nearing completion. This Mass is sponsored by the Confraternity of the Sacred Heart. The church address: 193 10th Avenue (at 21st Street), New York.