Paula Katinas

Austin Belizaire, a sixth grader at Incarnation Catholic Academy in Queens Village, sat at a desk in the computer lab on Nov. 22, checking out a new iPad. He was thoroughly impressed.

Bishop Robert Brennan smiles as he arrives to celebrate Mass during the Diocese of Brooklyn’s annual Catholic Youth Day at St. Thomas Aquinas Parish, Flatlands, Nov. 23. “Renewing Hope” was the theme of this year’s event. (Photo: Gregory A. Shemitz)

Construction of the Uganda Martyrs Church in Buseesa was completed and dedicated in 2022. (Photo: Courtesy of Sister Colette Theobald)

As a member of the Sisters of Notre Dame of the United States, Sister Colette Theobald said she spent some of the best years of her life serving with her congregation in Uganda from 2015 to 2022.

St. John’s legendary coach Lou Carnesecca, 99, passed away on Saturday Nov. 30. (Getty Images)

BOROUGH PARK — Churches aren’t hospitals and priests aren’t doctors, but Kenneth Gibbs, president and CEO of Maimonides Medical Center in Borough Park, said religious institutions play a vital role in health care, particularly with mental health.

JFK International Airport saw a quiet, solemn moment as the remains of Navy Lt. Commander Larry Ronald Kilpatrick were taken off the plane. Father Mark Bristol, a Navy chaplain, was joined by Delta Airlines workers in a salute to the fallen hero. (Photos: Courtesy of Father Mark Bristol)

Msgr. Edward Doran, a retired priest living at the Immaculate Conception Center (ICC) in Douglaston, visits the center’s chapel each morning to pray for active priests and his fellow retired clergymen.

Rose Diaz stood outside of an abortion clinic on DeKalb Avenue on Friday morning, Dec. 6, and prayed as she does almost every morning. Only this time, her prayers weren’t just for the unborn. She said her prayers were also dedicated to the late Msgr. Philip Reilly — her friend, mentor, and a pioneer of the national pro-life movement.

The toy shop distribution effort brought out several volunteers who helped the folks from Catholic Charities Brooklyn & Queens make the Christmas season brighter for financially struggling families. (Photo: Paula Katinas)