Pope Benedict XVI Visits the United States
Photo slideshow highlighting Pope Benedict XVI's trip
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'Do This in Memory of Me' - Bishop Murphy has issued a Pastoral Letter concerning the celebration of the Eucharist and distribution of Holy Communion.
Please click here to download a PDF copy of this letter

Bishop issues pastoral letter on celebration of Eucharist, distribution of Communion
By Rick Hinshaw TLIC editor

Stressing the “inherent connection” between the holy Sacrifice of the Mass and reception of the Eucharist, Bishop William Murphy has instructed that weekday Communion services outside of Mass not be conducted in the Diocese of Rockville Centre.
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Communion services
By Father Joseph DeGrocco

In his most recent Pastoral Letter, “Do This in Memory of Me,” Bishop Murphy has declared that as of July 1, 2008, there are to be no more weekday Celebrations of the Word with the distribution of Holy Communion, or “Communion services,” as they are often called.
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Bienvenido Espiritu Santo
By Mary Gorry Staff Reporter

Brentwood — It was a sea of red and white as members of Long Island’s Hispanic community and Spanish-speaking renewal prayer groups filled St. Luke’s Church here to overflowing to celebrate the vigil of Pentecost May 10.
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Called to serve ... Bishop to ordain 13 to permanent diaconate
By Mary Gorry Staff Reporter

Rockville Centre — Bishop William Murphy will ordain 13 men as deacons on May 17 at the 11:30 a.m. Mass at St. Agnes Cathedral here.
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INNspiring: feeding hungry Long Islanders for 25 years
By Lena Pennino

Uniondale — It seemed like a wedding. There was a cocktail hour, fancy dinner and 550 guests at the Long Island Marriott Hotel here, but instead of celebrating the union of two, guests were celebrating the union of thousands.
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Parishes surpass CMA goals
By Mary Iapalucci Staff Reporter

Forty-nine parishes have met or exceeded their goals for the 2008 Catholic Ministries Appeal (CMA), which funds the diocese’s efforts to serve the people of Long Island. The CMA provides funds for Catholic Charities, education and faith formation, pastoral outreach and parish support.
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Pacing the pope: Benedict’s seclusion is prudence, not disappearing act
CNS

Vatican City (CNS) — Every pontificate has its rhythm, and sometimes Pope Benedict XVI’s seems to have more than one.
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Helping parents, children post-divorce
By Mary Gorry Staff Reporter

Valley Stream — Getting as much support as possible when it comes to parenting is essential because being a parent is “the toughest job there is,” observed one participant in the Stepping Stones program, one way the diocesan Office of Faith Forma-tion’s family ministry is trying to help families around the diocese.
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Priests to celebrate jubilees

Three priests of the diocese are celebrating jubilees this weekend.

Msgr. Peter Chiara, pastor emeritus of St. Mary’s Church in East Islip, will celebrate his 60th anniversary as a priest at the 12:15 p.m. Mass on May 18 at St. Mary’s.

Ordained May 22, 1948, Msgr. Chiara’s previous assignments include associate pastor of St. Rocco’s Church, Glen Cove, and St. Pius X Church, Plainview, the faculty of St. Pius X Preparatory Seminary, spiritual director of the Seminary of the Immaculate Conception, and pastor of St. Sylvester’s Church, Medford.
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50 Years of Faith
By Elise Melconian

Through the past, we stayed strong
Through natural disasters,
and things done wrong
From darkness to light,
Sing joyfully and bright.
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My Catholic School Experience
Gertrude Mullin

Our son John is a 1993 graduate of St. John the Baptist DHS. As products of Catholic education, we were happy with our son’s choice of St. John’s as his high school.
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Helen Alvare, CUA professor, named consultor to Pontifical Council for the Laity
CNS

WASHINGTON (CNS) — Helen Alvare, an associate professor of law at The Catholic University of America, has been appointed as a consultor to the Pontifical Council for the Laity by Pope Benedict XVI.
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50 Years as a Diocese

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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.