Divine Mercy Sunday

March 30, the Sunday after Easter, was Divine Mercy Sunday. There were celebrations of the Divine Mercy devotion in parishes around Long Island, including Our Lady of Ostrabama in Cutchogue with Bishop Libasci. Additional Photos

TLIC photo/Gregory A. Shemitz

Rally planned to prepare youth for Pope’s visit
By Mary Gorry Staff Reporter

Rockville Centre — To share in the “excitement and enthusiasm” surrounding Pope Benedict XVI’s trip to New York, the Diocese of Rockville Centre and Bishop Peter Libasci will be hosting young people from all over Long Island as well as from other dioceses at a pre-papal youth rally on Friday, April 18 at the St. Agnes Cathedral Parish Center here. Full Story

Popemobile shipped to U.S., scheduled to arrive in early April
By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service

Vatican City (CNS) — While Pope Benedict XVI probably has not begun packing his bags for his April 15-20 trip to the United States, one big Vatican package was prepared just after Easter.
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Papal skateboard? Pope Benedict will take home unusual gift
CNS

New York (CNS) — When Pope Benedict XVI returns to the Vatican, he’ll be toting a gift not generally associated with an 81-year-old pontiff. He’ll take home the “official papal skateboard,” a gift from the youths of New York.
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Religious life is ‘proof of the presence of God.’ Interested?
By Mary Iapalucci Staff Reporter

Amityville — Do you want to be part of the development of an innovative way of life full of exciting challenges and surprises? You might find it by joining a religious community, suggests Dominican Sister Ancilla Keinberger, vocations/formation minister for the Dominican Sisters of Amityville.
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Stepping into their world
By Sarah Heins

Parish’s program a ‘holy ground’ for teens
By Victoria Belinsky

I’m a senior at Manhasset High School, but every Monday night for the past four years I’ve been attending the St. Mary’s adolescent faith formation classes, which are part of our youth ministry program. My public school doesn’t touch upon my religious beliefs.
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Baseball inspires Lenten ‘spring training’ in Florida parishes
By Victoria Belinsky

Orlando, Fla. (CNS) — With the spring training field for Major League Baseball’s newest team right across the street, it’s no wonder the sport would find its way into a homily at St. John the Evangelist Parish in Viera, Florida.
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Candidate is excited about the possibilities of her vocation
By Mary Iapalucci Staff Reporter

Commack — “Faith life is a journey, not a destination,” said Suzanne Richards, who earlier this month started down a new path when she was formally welcomed as a candidate for the Amityville congregation of the Sisters of St. Dominic.
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Finding the spiritual side to living with physical challenges
By Pete Sheehan Senior Reporter

Manhasset — As he sat in his wheelchair reflecting on the accident that left him a quadriplegic, Deacon Frank Bice expressed no regrets.
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Young adult Catholics are interested in Church ministry
CNS

Washington (CNS) — Although many young adult Catholics are interested in Church ministry, they find it difficult to connect their career plans or talents with available ministries, according to a survey released this year.
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Kellenberg H.S. to take part in ‘Sunday Mass’

Kellenberg Memorial H.S., Uniondale, will participate in “The Sunday Mass” on April 6. Father Thomas Cardone, S.M., chaplain, will be the celebrant; Lindsay Christel will be the lector. The Gregorian Consortium will provide the music, while the congregation will be composed of Kellenberg students. “The Sunday Mass” is broadcast Sundays at 5:30 a.m. on Channel 5 WNYW-TV and at 9 a.m. on Channel 55 WLNY-TV, as well as some cable stations. Check your local listings for broadcast times and channels.

Pastoral Formation Institute schedules spring information sessions

Rockville Centre — The diocesan Pastoral Formation Institute (PFI) offers an integrated approach to discipleship through instruction, prayer, faith sharing and the development of leadership skills.
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K of C survey:
Pope will find a spiritual nation during U.S. visit
CNS

Washington (CNS) — Pope Benedict XVI will find a spiritual nation when he visits the United States in April, according to a new national survey commissioned by the Knights of Columbus.
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Schedule of Virtus training sessions, April-August

As part of its ongoing, proactive effort to protect children from becoming victims of sexual abuse, the diocese offers training programs throughout the year at various locations in Nassau and Suffolk.
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50 Years as a Diocese

Please click here for articles
from this special edition of our newspaper.

Beginning after the new year, Msgr. Francis Maniscalco will offer a monthly Question and Answer column in TLIC designed to respond to inquiries from readers about Church teachings, practices and various aspects of the Catholic faith. Currently director of the diocesan Respect Life Office, Msgr. Maniscalco is a former editor of The Long Island Catholic and former director of communications for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

We invite readers to submit your questions to Msgr. Maniscalco c/o The Long Island Catholic, P.O. Box 9000, Roosevelt, NY 11575. You may also fax them to us at 516-594-1092. Or you may e-mail your questions to editor@licatholic.org.