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Ozanam Hall Services

Ozanam Hall, a skilled nursing facility in Queens, New York, has operated since 1971. It primarily provides rehabilitation and geriatric care. The facility's rehabilitation services accommodate both short- and long-term stays, and patients can access physical, occupational, and speech therapy onsite. Ozanam Hall also runs clinics addressing dental, vision, and hearing issues. Its programs teach patients and their families to manage chronic conditions such as diabetes, and how to properly interpret and follow medication regimens and lifestyle changes.

In addition, Ozanam Hall staffs social workers, therapists, and interfaith personnel to fulfill residents’ psychological and spiritual needs. Each of the more than 430 residents receives a custom diet and a medical and psychological health plan supplemented with artistic activities to promote socialization. Ozanam Hall’s staff members are knowledgeable in specialized forms of care and can create plans centered on them. The staff is qualified to treat residents with dementia and administer palliative and end-of-life care.

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Exploring Casco Viejo’s Historic Churches in Panama City

Panama City’s most historic offering is the Casco Viejo, which looks out to the Pacific Ocean. Constructed as a religious and administrative center in 1673, it replaced Panama Viejo, the original walled Spanish settlement that the pirate Henry Morgan had destroyed two years earlier.

Today, Casco Viejo is a vibrant tourist district that combines crumbling and restored historic buildings with seven distinctive Catholic Churches of the 17th and 18th centuries. Overlooking a plaza, the Sacred Heart Cathedral is the centerpiece and held its first service in 1694. It features two white bell towers, once the city’s tallest structures. A World Heritage Site, it also houses Pope Leo XIII’s cross, which the faithful kiss while reciting the Lord’s Prayer. The cathedral also has seven limestone steps representing the seven deadly sins leading to its entrance. In early 2019, Pope Francis inaugurated the cathedral as it resumed services after an extensive restoration.

The San Felipe Neri Oratory first held services in 1688 and later served as a seminary, barracks, prison, and university headquarters. After being partially gutted by fire, it was transferred to the Saint Vincent of Paul Charity in 1875 and restored in 1913. Many original features were preserved, and the church is noted for its colonial pulpit and enamel glass depiction of the Stations of Cross.

The baroque Nuestro Senora de la Merced, the oldest of Casco Viejo’s churches, dates back to 1620 when it was stationed at the walled-gate entrance of the district. Moved to its current location in 1680, it encompasses a mausoleum, the Chapel of Our Lady of Mercy, and a museum. Offering daily public services, it is the only church of the seven that retains its original hewn-wood ceiling.

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The Outreach of the Narrows Community Theater

Narrows Community Theater (NCT) has offered acting and stagecraft lessons to Bay Ridge and Brooklyn, New York residents since 1962. NCT's first production was The Man Who Came to Dinner, a one-act play performed in a local church basement. The theater now produces two to four shows per year, usually musicals, across diverse genres and styles.

NCT personnel come from its acting, singing, and dance classes. The theater also teaches students about the economics and logistics of show business and the technology used in shows. NCT welcomes volunteers 18 years old and up and encourages intergenerational friendships to form between students. It prepares them to join NCT’s staff after a show wraps.

To nurture interest in the arts, NCT awards the annual Betty Kash Memorial Scholarship, named after a long-time organization member. NCT awards scholarships to eighth-grade students studying theater, dance, or performance. NCT chooses the winners in May and holds the award ceremony in June.

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Knights of Columbus Coats for Kids Program Reaches Historic Milestone

In November 2023, the Knights of Columbus reached a historic milestone when the Coats for Kids program distributed one million coats to underprivileged children since its launch in 2009. Supreme Knight Patrick Kelly made the announcement as the Coat for Kids distributed 1,000 coats to needy children in five Catholic schools in Denver. In addition to the coats, each of the five schools received a $10,000 donation on behalf of the K of C.

Supreme Knight Kelly commented in the statement that the Coats for Kids program reflects the organization's charity mission as Blessed Michael McGivney, its founder, envisioned when he founded the organization over 140 years ago. The historic milestone proves that “where there is a need, there is a Knight,” Supreme Knight Kelly added.

Coats for Kids has reached needy children in 49 US states and all 10 provinces of Canada. The program's donations help purchase coats for these children.

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A Brief History of Theology and Its Christian Origins

Theology, the study of the divine, has captivated humanity for millennia. While often associated with established religions, the concept itself stretches back to ancient Greece, where philosophers like Plato explored the nature of the gods. The term "theology" itself has Greek origins, derived from "theos" (god) and "logos" (reason). In ancient Greece, philosophers engaged in discourse about the divine in an attempt to understand the nature of the gods and their relationship to the world. This early exploration laid the groundwork for the systematic study of the divine that would emerge later.

Theology centers on specific themes within the Abrahamic religions. Such themes include the nature of God, the relationship between God, humanity, and the world, salvation (by achieving a right relationship with God), and eschatology (the study of the end times).

Theology is not a neutral study; it's rooted in faith and aims to explain religious beliefs. This differs from the history of religions, which studies religions objectively. Theology also has a complex relationship with philosophy. While both seek answers about existence, philosophy relies on reason alone, while theology often integrates faith.

Theology has a profound impact on various aspects of life, including ethics, societal structures, and cultural development. It has influenced art, literature, and even the concept of history. Theological questions, even in secular times, continue to shape our understanding of humanity's place in the universe.

Unlike many religions that center their theology around a historical founder, Christianity takes a unique path. It focuses on the singular "Christ of faith," - Jesus, who was respected by the earliest followers. The book of Acts offers a glimpse into this nascent Christian theology. Here, Peter's Pentecost sermon proclaims Jesus as the Messiah, the fulfillment of long-held Jewish prophecies. A pivotal figure emerges in the apostle Paul, a former persecutor who converted to Christianity. His writings become the earliest documented sources for theological reasoning about Jesus, establishing him as both Christ and the Son of God. Furthermore, Paul lays the groundwork for core doctrines such as salvation by faith and the transformative power of the Holy Spirit.

The Gospels – Matthew, Mark, and Luke – serve as the primary accounts of Jesus' life and ministry. These "synoptic gospels" share many similarities, each offering a nuanced perspective on Jesus' identity and mission. John's Gospel stands out, emphasizing Jesus' divinity through the concept of the Logos, the divine word made flesh. These Gospels became foundational texts for Christian theology by providing a portrait of Jesus as both fully human and fully divine.

Christianity's rich tapestry didn't emerge overnight. Early debates and disagreements on theological issues sowed the seeds of distinct denominations. For example, the Ebionites believed Jesus was a righteous man but not divine, while Gnostics viewed the physical world as evil and Christ as a spiritual redeemer. These contrasting views highlight the dynamic nature of early Christian theology, constantly grappling with profound questions about Christ, salvation, and the nature of God.

Doctrines serve as the cornerstones of Christian belief, outlining what Christians believe about God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. Orthodoxy refers to accepted doctrines, while heresies are deviations from these established teachings. Early churches relied on scripture and pronouncements from bishops to maintain doctrinal purity. Doctrinal controversies, like Montanism's emphasis on new prophecy, fueled the development of sophisticated theological discourse. Councils like Nicaea in 325 AD played a crucial role in establishing core doctrines like the Trinity, the belief in one God existing as three distinct persons: Father, Son (Jesus Christ), and Holy Spirit.

Reading and interpreting scripture played a pivotal role in shaping Christian theology. Early Christians explored how the Old Testament prophecies related to Jesus. Two key approaches emerged: typology, which saw Jesus as the fulfillment of Old Testament types, and allegory, which sought deeper spiritual meanings within scripture. These methods of interpretation significantly impacted Christian understanding of God's plan and Jesus' role as the Messiah.

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While Vatican City Prepares for Jubilee, City Prepares for Tourists

A January 2022 Vatican News article announced that Pope Francis had approved the theme for Vatican City’s 2025 Jubilee, Pilgrims of Hope. This year’s Jubilee, a profound gift of grace obtained through pilgrimages, faith testimonies, indulgences, or absolution of sins, is a pinnacle event in the Catholic Church. It is a testament to the enduring faith and cultural heritage of Vatican City, and preparations for this momentous occasion are in full swing.

The Jubilee, a pilgrimage that occurs every 25 years, is a centuries-old tradition steeped in history and faith. It is projected to attract 32 million pilgrims to the country in 2025. The first Jubilee, which took place in 1300, was not only an opportunity for pilgrims to visit Vatican City, but also a time to free slaves and forgive debts. This rich tradition continues to be a time for the church to receive indulgences from pilgrims, a testament to the enduring faith and cultural heritage of Vatican City.

At the same time, Romans are preparing for the good (tourism income) and the bad (tourism traffic) that coincides with Jubilee. Rome allocated 4 billion euros for the many public works projects to restore the city’s infrastructure, which has fallen into disrepair in some places.

A May 2024 AP News article reported that the city is deluged with around-the-clock construction work in preparation for 2025, culminating in the city rerouting drivers away from central boulevards and causing congestion on the smaller streets. Other aggravations include the Tiber Riverfront, which construction crews have blocked off to build new parks. The city is modernizing the Eternal City to be comparable to other capitals in Europe by repaving piazzas and bike paths and installing 5G cell technology. The construction is trying the patience of Roman residents already dealing with long-term projects on the Metro C line and the central Piazza Venezia-Imperial Forum-Colosseum project. If completed by next year, the city will have completed 231 projects. Only two of these projects were finished as of the May 2024 AP article.

Outside of the construction, Pope Francis presided over the first official ceremony related to the Jubilee in early May 2024. Cardinals, bishops, and followers attended the officious event that kickstarted the preparations for 2025. Held in St. Peter’s Basilica, Jubilee preparations began with the Pope reading the official proclamation (papal bull) outlining the Vatican’s vision for hope in 2025 that involved solidarity for the poor, prisoners, migrants, and Mother Nature. The Pope also announced that the Jubilee will begin on December 24, 2024 and end on January 6, 2026, with the Holy Doors opening on December 24. The Holy Doors are in the city’s main basilicas, including St. Peter’s Basilica, and are opened only during Jubilee years.

Joan Lewis, a Vatican Jubilee expert and a past attendee, said visitors should expect crowds, even if they travel during non-peak times. Furthermore, Lewis also stated that peak times will likely be at the opening and closing of the Holy Doors, in summer, and around the holidays. She recommended patience and a good pair of walking shoes to make the crowds bearable.

The Vatican has also made visiting Vatican City during the Jubilee year more convenient than in past years by providing visitors with a digital “pilgrim’s card.” With this card, visitors can gain access to significant sites related to the Holy Year. For a nominal fee, visitors can also get a service card, which enables discounts on transportation services, museums, and other venues.

The Vatican also made available a list of Jubilee celebrations around the city. This list contains the jubilees of families, artists, and seminarians. To see the complete list of all of the celebrations throughout 2025 in Vatican City, visit www.iubilaeum2025.va/en/pellegrinaggio/calendario-giubileo/GrandiEventi.html.

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Faculty Roles at St. John's University Department of Theology

Father Gerard Sauer is а Brooklyn-based priest and theology MA graduate from the Seminary of the Immaculate Conception. Father Sauer also served as an adjunct instructor in the Department of Theology аt St. John's University in Jamaica, New York, where he undertook several faculty duties over 17 years.

St. John's University, a private Roman Catholic institution established in 1870, provides undergraduate, graduate, and post-graduate degree programs. Within the liberal arts field, the university offers theology courses delving into religious traditions, promoting theoretical understanding, and encouraging academic achievement.

Drawing from the Catholic tradition, the faculty actively engages with diverse theological perspectives, fostering ecumenical dialogue and study and encouraging open and inclusive discussions among Christian denominations. The discussions promote understanding, cooperation, and the discovery of shared beliefs. Faculty members have extensive educational backgrounds from prestigious universities, both domestically and internationally, and are experts in interfaith studies, systematic theology, scriptures, and various other theological disciplines.

The faculty also collaborates with department leadership to establish curriculum standards and objectives. The collaboration helps create course outlines, design exams, and engage in active research and publication in the field of theology. Additionally, as experts, they hold leadership positions and offer advisory roles to the National Conference of Catholic Bishops.

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Virtual Pilgrimages for Christians as an Alternative

Father Gerard Sauer served as an adjunct instructor at St. John’s University, New York. As a priest, Father Gerard Sauer has assisted and coordinated faith-based international travel, including pilgrimages to the Holy Land of Israel and Jordan.

Many religions engage in pilgrimages, including Christianity. Pilgrimages act as spiritual rebirths and awakenings for many Believers. However, the travel requires an investment. Today, it's possible to participate in virtual expeditions for less.

Virtual pilgrimages link faithful across the internet. Plus, the virtual holy expeditions can become spiritual therapy. Others create the journeys, such as religious leaders. Thus, it becomes a curated experience. However, it's still possible to benefit from them, seeing the trip through a lens that someone else has created.

For instance, some can create virtual pilgrimages using Google Maps. Google Maps transports individuals from a starting airport to the desired pilgrimage site. Then, with the click of a mouse, Believers can see the places through webcams. When funding becomes available, the faithful can experience the real thing.

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Factors to Consider When Visiting Vatican City

Vatican City only has 800 inhabitants and 450 people with citizenship, but the city-state sees almost five million tourists yearly and 20,000 in one summer day. The city-state received its independence as a part of the Lateran Treaty in 1929, so it is a country in and of itself.

Considered the smallest country in the world, Vatican City is only 100 acres. The city is in a small area and home to the seat of the Catholic Church, the Vatican.

Long before Vatican City’s independence, the area where it now sits were Roman administrative buildings, expensive villas, and a circus belonging to the Roman emperor in the first century AD. After Rome burned down in 64 AD, Emperor Nero killed Christian scapegoats and St. Peter at the bottom of Vatican Hill and buried in a necropolis. The Vatican was a basilica built over St. Peter’s grave in the fourth century.

The area became famous as a commercial district and pilgrimage location until 1309, when the papal court relocated to France. In 1377, the papal court returned to Rome, and the church constructed the Apostolic Palace, a new St. Peter’s Basilica, and the Sistine Chapel, all famous landmarks today.

However, 300 cameras are installed around the city to protect the pope, even though most residents can see the pope daily. Visitors can also see the Pope on Wednesday for one-to-two hours. Furthermore, the city is a religious center and a revered historical site, so the authorities (Holy See) do not allow loud parties late in the evening.

The strict rules regarding security are only some of the things to be aware of when traveling to Vatican City. For one, the Holy See has a dress code for entering these landmarks. These rules dictate visitors must cover their shoulders, so they cannot wear tank tops, sleeveless tops, halter tops, and sundresses. Short sleeve t-shirts are permissible if the shoulders are not bare.

Furthermore, all visitors must cover their knees when visiting Vatican City, which prohibits wearing shorts, cutoffs, and short skirts. Visitors can wear convertible pants that allow the person to remove the lower part of the pants as an alternative to long pants, which can be uncomfortably hot during the summer. Also, women can wear skirts if they are knee level, and they can also wear tights.

Finally, the rules do not permit visitors to wear hats. Travel experts advise wearing a pair of comfortable walking shoes for walking across hard walking surfaces and standing in long lines.

To avoid long lines, travelers should consider pre-purchasing tickets for guided tours at sites such as Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel Skip-the-Ticket-Line Entry or the Vatican ticket office, book a group/private guided tour, or purchase a Roma Pass or Omnia Card to skip the lines and see more of the city.

Visitors can also visit St. Peter’s Basilica, an area considered one of the most mysterious places in Vatican City. According to historians, not only are St. Peter’s remains believed to lie under the basilica, but also, the area underneath the basilica has pagan origins. Some believe it is near Emperor Caligula’s (Nero’s) Circus. This mix of the pagan and the Christian is associated with the fact that Romans (who were pagans) buried the wealthy next to their servants, many of who were Christians.

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Three Tips to Prepare a Good Lecture Note

Gerard Sauer served as an adjunct instructor at St. John’s University in Jamaica, New York. He holds a master's degree in theology from the Seminary of the Immaculate Conception in Huntington, New York, where he participated in community events and wrote a master's thesis. At the completion of his studies and formation, Father was ordained a priest in 2001 . Gerard Sauer prepared course outlines, lecture notes, and examinations as an adjunct instructor.

A good lecture note is crucial to facilitate the process of learning. Here are some tips that educators recommend.

First, it is essential to state the objective of the lecture. It must be brief and contain a transparent declaration of skills and knowledge that learners must have gained at the end of the lecture.

Next, keep the lecture note as simple as possible. Students can quickly grab ideas and concepts and absorb information faster when the lecture note is in easy language. Simplicity is crucial for preparing a good lecture note to ensure easy readability. When a lecture note is easy to read, it facilitates a perfect learning experience boosting understanding and the ability to remember.

Finally, carefully plan the format of your lecture. Planning will help create an organized flow of information. It'll help highlight the key points, organize the sequence of information, and ensure that the core points are covered.

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Why the Dome in the Duomo Is Considered an Architectural Masterpiece

At the end of the 13th century, residents of Florence, Italy built a cathedral, reflecting the city's growing prominence. The Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, also known as the Cathedral of Florence or The Duomo, took over 140 years and a couple of architects to complete. Architectural experts consider this cathedral a masterpiece because of its dome.

The Duomo is Italy's third-largest church, measuring nearly 499 feet long and 295 feet wide. Construction began in 1380 but took so long to complete because of construction challenges, such as changing designs, especially in the nave and the eastern end of the cathedral.

Furthermore, the dome's construction posed problems as engineers and architects had to figure out how to construct the largest free-standing dome. Usually, flying buttresses would solve this problem, but Florence did not permit the construction of them, making building the dome challenging.

Moreover, Florence citizens wanted a church that was also a landmark symbolic of the city's importance, which meant building a grand structure. However, builders had problems securing enough timber for building the scaffolding needed to erect the church. For instance, the semi-circular apsis, completed in 1418, required 32 tree trunks, and the dome's construction they calculated to be 20 times the above amount.

In 1420, Filippo Brunelleschi won the competition to build the dome and finish the church. Ironically, the competition's winner never built any structure in his life, having only been a trained goldsmith. Some experts attribute him to being able to imagine the dome's design because of his expertise in joining aesthetics with practicality, something he might have done as a goldsmith.

Upon winning the award, the competition's judges also gave co-responsibility to Lorenzo Ghiberti to the ire of Brunelleschi, which made for more contention. Interestingly, the pairing up of these two architects made for drama, with Brunelleschi feigning ill, exposing Ghiberti's inability to complete the dome alone.

Eventually, Brunelleschi completed the dome in 1434, and nearly six centuries later, the Cathedral of Florence and its famous dome are one of the most visited places in Florence. Many in architecture circles consider the dome a masterpiece because of its innovative construction, which was groundbreaking.

The Duomo contains an inner and outer dome. The inner dome has brick lighter than stone constructed in a herringbone pattern, making the structure self-supporting. The dome's bricks become smaller, each supporting the one above it. Furthermore, support rings of wood and concrete reinforce the structure, preventing it from collapsing.

The outer dome contains sandstone buttresses connected to the lantern. Incidentally, Brunelleschi designed the lantern, but builders did not construct it until 1461. This part of the dome is covered in tiles, a lighter material, providing more support for the entire dome.

The marvel of Brunelleschi's dome is that he considered future maintenance on the structure when he made the plans. To prevent future architects from damaging the structure, Brunelleschi had the builders make holes in the dome for support poles, which would help future builders renovate or repair without bringing the entire structure down.

While the cathedral was completed in 1434, the church was inaugurated in 1436. Today, visitors worldwide tour the church to see the dome comprised of over four million bricks that weigh 40,000 tons and stand 10 feet high. To get perspective, the dome is half the size of a football field at its base. According to a December 2022 article in Culture Trip, The Duomo is the largest masonry dome worldwide.

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The Narrows Community Theater Betty Kash Memorial Scholarship Fund

Father Gerard Sauer, is a Catholic priest who taught theology at St. John’s University in Jamaica, New York. He has a long history of community service. In addition to his charitable and civic affiliations, Father Gerard Sauer has participated in volunteer work with Narrows Community Theater.

A nonprofit organization that has been serving the Brooklyn community since 1971, Narrows Community Theater (NCT) regularly produces shows that include summer youth theater and a lavish Christmas production. In addition to providing stage time and learning experiences to emerging local talent, NCT supports arts education through its Betty Kash Memorial Scholarship.

A long-time NCT member, Betty Kash is remembered for her joyful, bubbly energy and her devotion to theater work with children. After her passing in 2012, the NCT founded the Betty Kash Memorial Scholarship Fund to assist graduating eighth graders who are interested in the performing arts. Each year, the fund makes a financial contribution to support training in theater and other forms of stage performance.

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Three Ways to Organize an Interactive Lecture

Father Gerard sauer was ordained in 2001 and graduated from the Seminary of the Immaculate Conception. In 2006, Rev. Gerard Sauer became an adjunct instructor at St. John's University. He participated in adjunct factuality meetings and held lectures.

Lectures are invaluable tools used to transfer knowledge. However, when not properly executed, the purpose for which lectures exist might be defeated. Therefore, lecturers must be interactive and engaging to carry students along.

To achieve an interactive lecture, you have to adopt a lesson-planning process where you set the tone by encouraging the students to engage, ask questions, and make observations.

To ensure that each lecture is interactive, you should outline the order of activities to your students so they know what to expect from it. In addition, you should tell them when and why you will engage in these activities.

In the course of your lecture, while you could leave the students to figure out questions for themselves, you can write down questions that you intend to pose to your students. You could also give your students the time to ponder on the lecture and write down their questions and observations.