November is Black Catholic History Month
During this month we look forward to highlighting the lives of many holy men and women of African Ancestry through the Diocese of Rockville Centre page on Facebook.
Here are three men and women we have and will be highlighting this month:
We also invite you to join us at St. Agnes Cathedral for the Black Catholic History Month Mass on Sunday, November 19 at 12:30 p.m.
Bishop Dedicates New Chapel at Queen of Peace Cemetery in Westbury
The Dedication of Queen of Peace Chapel
The dedication of the Queen of Peace Chapel, at the Queen of Peace Cemetery in Old Westbury, New York took place on Sunday, November 5th, 2023. The Most Reverend John O. Barres, Bishop of Rockville Centre, was the Celebrant of the Mass of Consecration.
This historic day was the culmination of many years of planning, design and construction. The ground was broken for the 250-seat chapel in September 2020 and final elements were installed in October 2023.
More than 200 Long Island faithful attended and celebrated this special and rare dedication and consecration mass. Attendees included the Board of Directors of Catholic Cemeteries of Long Island led by Chairman of the Board Richard J.J. Sullivan. The Management of Catholic Cemeteries of Long Island, CEO Richard Bie and CFO John F. Kennedy, welcomed the Bishop and presented him with a book documenting the different stages of design and construction. Also in attendance were the Architects and key contractors who designed and built the Chapel and other structures on the cemetery property over the past three years.
Concelebrating with Bishop Barres in performing the blessing and consecration was Father Eric Fasano, Father John J. McCartney, Father Michael Duffy, Father Brandon O’Brien, Father Alessandro da Luz and Rev. Msgr. John Bracken. Also assisting at Mass was: Deacon Christopher P. Quinn, 5 seminarians as well as several Catholic Cemeteries of Long Island staff. Both Father Fasano and Father McCartney were the Liturgical Consultants for the project. Father Alessandro da Luz was the Liturgical Master of Ceremonies for the Dedication Mass.
The consecration rites began with Bishop Barres sprinkling holy water on the walls of the chapel, the congregation and the altar.
It is customary that Catholic churches have a holy relic of a martyred Saint enshrined in the Altar where the Eucharist is consecrated. At Queen of Peace Chapel, a relic with a fragment of bone from St. Maria Goretti was placed in the altar table and then sealed. This was followed by the anointing of the walls and all the candles in the chapel by Bishop Barres and Fathers Fasano and McCartney.
Bishop Barres then anointed the altar table by spreading holy oils across its surface. This was then followed by the incensing of the altar of the chapel by igniting incense on fire in five locations. The entire chapel was then blessed again with incense. Following the blessing, 3 deacons then proceeded to clean the altar table which was then prepared for consecration of the Eucharist by Bishop Barres.
Music for the services was performed by a quartet led by Mary Rose Gallipeau.
At the conclusion of the Mass of Consecration, the Bishop and the concelebrants greeted guests.
Queen of Peace Chapel is the center piece of the new Queen of Peace Cemetery, which opened in 2020. The chapel includes artwork, stained glass, altar, pews, brass doors and other liturgical items rescued from churches, chapels, convents and other locations across the metropolitan area.
Bishop Barres Ordains Two Men to Transitional Diaconate
On Saturday, November 4, Bishop John Barres ordained two men to the transitional Diaconate at St. Joseph’s Seminary, Dunwoodie.
Catholic Truths Seminar today
Sundays at the Seminary of the Immaculate Conception
Lectio Divina with Bishop Andrzej
