Homily – Fr Cristiano Pinheiro – Dec 29th, 2024 – Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, C
Sir 3:2-6, 12-14; Ps 128:1-2, 3, 4-5; 1 Jn 3:1-2, 21-24; Lk 2:41-52 The Book of Sirach, from which today’s First Reading is taken, is one of the so-called ‘wisdom books’ in the Bible. It’s packed with practical advice for living a virtuous life—with guidelines that lead those who read to a life that’s fruitful, virtuous, and holy. And today, it encourages us to honor our mom and dad, even when they fall short sometimes. ‘My son, take care of your father… Even if his mind fail, be considerate of him.’ It’s likea lesson about love—free, unconditional love. The truth is, many times, we didn’t receive from our parents what we truly needed. No matter how good they were in ...

Homily: Christmas Day – Fr Cristiano Pinheiro – December 25th, 2024
Isaiah 52:7-10; Psalm 98; Hebrews 1:1-6; Jn 1:1-18 “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who announces peace, bearing good news of salvation.” We can say that the first image we get from the readings today is of a Pilgrim from Heaven—a messenger of Good News with beautiful feet! You know, the lowest and dirtiest part of a pilgrim’s body is his feet, which are probably calloused, bruised, and covered in blisters, right? But here’s a paradox: those same ‘pilgrim’s feet’ stand out for their beauty. Right away, we can picture the tiny feet of a newborn baby, which ‘melt our hearts’ when we see them. In their frailty and smallness -and beauty- they bring good news ...

World Day of the Poor 2024 is warmly celebrated in Brooklyn as a Festival of Free Things
Helping Our Friends in Need On a recent chilly Saturday morning ShalomNYC and members of the community organized an annual Friendsgiving event in commemoration of World Day of the Poor, Nov. 17. Volunteers from all different parts of the tristate area donated clothing jackets, foods, hygienic products and their time to give back to those in need around Brooklyn. The community organized four mission trips, where vans were loaded with pre-packed goods to deliver to those on the streets looking for work and those at shelters who have the constant uncertainty of what tomorrow will bring. One of the missions I went on was to a Home Depot, where men were lined along the entrance waiting to be picked up ...

Life in the Spirit Seminar and the power of God manifested in the life of participants
My name is Rosaria, and my ties to the Catholic faith run profound and deep. I am overwhelmed with humility, gratitude, and a lingering sense of wonder as I recount a journey that has deeply impacted my life. The bond I share with San Damiano Mission Retreat – the Life in the Spirit Seminar – serves as the catalyst for an experience that has forever altered my being. It all commenced with a serendipitous encounter over a year ago, when fate led me to cross paths with Barbara, whose warm embrace welcomed both myself and my sister. In that moment, it felt as though divine intervention was at play. Little did I realize, this encounter would set me on a ...

Acamp’s North America 2023 – Fall Edition
Shalom Catholic Community is hosting the second edition of Acamp’s North America, a multi-day event to encounter God, make new friends, and have a life-changing experience. For the first time, you’ll be experiencing Acamp’s in the Fall. The beauty of the autumn landscape will lead us beyond. It’s time to put off the old and embrace the new! What happens during Acamp’s Festival? Acamp’s combines the contemplation of a retreat with the excitement of a concert or sporting event! Specifically, it includes moments of prayer and meditation to encounter God, as well as countless moments of fellowship, outdoor activities and sports, music and arts, international experiences, and so much more!  Why should I go to Acamp’s? To have a new ...

Homily – April 9th, 2023 – Easter Sunday, The Resurrection of the Lord
Homily – April 9th, 2023 – Easter Sunday, The Resurrection of the Lord Acts 10:34,37-43; Ps 118; Col 3,1-4; Jn 20:1-9   Yesterday, on the Easter Vigil we saw the darkness of the night being flooded with Light, all around. But it’s intriguing that the Gospel today starts off by saying that ‘Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early in the morning, while it was still dark.’   It was dark! The stone that had rolled away from the tomb wasn’t yet speaking of ‘resurrection and life’. Mary thinks that someone had taken her Lord away from there, which would’ve been a further outrageous crime, after everything that had happened. She still sees things as everybody else does. She doesn’t ...

Homily – April 8th, 2023 – The Easter Vigil in the Holy Night
Homily – April 8th, 2023 – The Easter Vigil in the Holy Night Rm 6:3-11; Mt 28:1-10   That violent darkness that has come upon us and surrounded the Crucifixion of the Lord gave way to the joyful, peaceful and intense light of the Resurrection. It’s impressive to move from the darkness of the night into a ‘flame-glittering church’, at the beginning of the Easter Vigil. We really get to see and experience this ‘crossing’ from darkness to light.   Everything seemed to be over but, actually, it is just the beginning. How many times in our lives do we have the feeling that everything is over, that there is no more hope, but as a Christian people, as a Church, it is precisely in those moments that we need to remember that the source of our lives is this very Holy Night, when Light conquers darkness and Life conquers ...