October 10, 2023 Statement from Bishop John O. Barres
Statement from the New York State Catholic Conference
The Bishops of NYS strongly condemn the unprecedented terrorist attack on Israel by Hamas. We stand with our Jewish brothers and sisters in praying fervently for the safety of all hostages and for a lasting peace in the Holy Land.
The New York State Catholic Conference represents the Bishops of the state in working with government to shape laws and policies that pursue social justice, respect for life, and the common good. The NYSCC provides a unified voice for the eight dioceses of the state to speak on such issues as education, poverty, family life, abortion, assisted suicide and euthanasia, social services, health care, criminal justice, and the environment. The NYSCC applies the principles of Catholic social teaching to critical issues of the day and encourages citizen involvement in the legislative process.
Mass for Health Care Professionals
Bioethics Conference
Holy Hour for Vocations
New York State Eucharistic Congress
Mass to Honor St. Gerard Majella
Sundays at the Seminary of the Immaculate Conception
Michael L. Bower, Concert Organist – Opening of the Music Series Sunday, October 22, 7:30 PM
Since completing his undergraduate studies from Westminster Choir College, Princeton, Mr. Bower has made St. Agnes Cathedral and the Diocese of Rockville Centre, New York his homebase for a shining career of Sacred Music, including the further development of the various Cathedral Choirs and the birth of a number of new semi-professional groups. At the heart of his ministry is the playing of the Cathedral pipe organs, and this will be an opportunity for the community to hear the organ in all of its glory in a dazzling solo recital!
Bower has concertized in Europe as well as the East Coast, the Mid-West, and the West Coast of the United States. He received his master’s degree in Organ Performance at Manhattan School of Music with honors, where he studied with John Walker and performed on the organ at Riverside Church. Michael has performed several times at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, the Princeton University Chapel, Westminster Abbey, and Notre Dame, Paris. More recently, he performed at St. Paul’s Cathedral, Pittsburgh (the famous German pipe organ), and St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican City, Italy. He continues to mount the challenge of the major organ concerto repertoire with the South Shore Symphony and is featured prominently on various recordings of the Cathedral Choirs, showcasing the organ in solo and symphonic repertoire.
This concert will feature some of his favorite recital works. Suggested donation is $15 & $10.
Te Deum Dinner at Seminary honors Rev. Msgr. Frank J. Caldwell ’81 with the Immaculate Conception Medal
Black Catholic History Mass Set
Sister Maria Carmel Wirsching, O.P.
Early on the morning of October 3, 2023, Sister Maria Carmel Wirsching, OP (born Eleanor Catherine) joined St. Therese of Lisieux as she sang before the God she served for the last 73 years. As St. Therese lived her “little way,” so did Sister Carmel.
Eleanor was born on July 16, 1929. She was the second daughter of Joseph Wirsching and Frances Wieland Wirsching. Eleanor had a big sister named Anna Maria. Both of her parents were from Germany. They settled in Ridgewood, New York, and were members of Saint Pancras Parish where the girls went to elementary school. Eleanor went to Bishop Mc Donnell High School. Having Dominican Sisters in both elementary and high school, it was not surprising that Eleanor wanted to become one of them!
Eleanor entered the Novitiate on September 6, 1948, and received her habit and the name, Sister Maria Carmel on August 4, 1949. After taking first vows on August 5, 1950, she was on the road to her first mission, St. Martin School and Convent in Amityville. Maria Carmel taught in a few Brooklyn and Queens schools and served as Principal in All Saints, Brooklyn and St. Martin, Amityville. She moved to Secondary Education at Bishop Mc Donnell High School, Maria Regina High School, and Dominican Commercial High School. During the years that Sister was teaching she was also learning. She earned a Bachelor of Science at Fordham University, a Master of Arts at Middlebury College, Vermont, and a Master of Arts at St Michael College, Vermont. Sister Maria Carmel was a wonderful German language teacher. Sister also taught as an adjunct instructor at Molloy College (now University) in Rockville Centre.
Sr. Maria Carmel was interred in St. Dominic’s Cemetery on the Motherhouse grounds.
