MORE GOOD NEWS

We Americans often take things for granted. Need groceries? Head to the supermarket and choose from thousands of items. Hungry? Go to one of the numerous restaurants or fast-food places. Not feeling well? You can visit a doctor of your choice, an urgent care facility or even a hospital. Much of it is covered by health insurance. Want to practice your faith? You can worship in a church, synagogue or mosque without fear of being arrested or persecuted.

Last Updated on May 9, 2025 by Editor At 104 years old, Antoinette LaPaglia is one of our longest living parishioners. She resides in Wylie Hall assisted living at the Masonic Care Community, where once a month she cooks for about 30 residents. It’s a nice place, but she still longs for her home. She’s […]

One of the things that brings blessings to most Catholic Christian communities of faith — in other words, parishes — is the diversity and mix of peoples with their various traditions, customs and languages, styles of prayer and devotions, their stories of good times and difficult times back in the “old country.” In most Catholic […]

ABOVE: The major basilicas of Rome, clockwise from upper left: St. Peter’s, St. Paul Outside the Walls, St. John Lateran and St. Mary Major. On Christmas Eve 2024, Pope Francis opened the “Holy Doors” of St. Peter’s Basilica signifying the beginning of a “Jubilee Year.” This tradition can be traced as far back as the […]

Last Updated on April 27, 2025 by Editor On Sunday, April 27, 2025, 15 children received their First Holy Communion with their families and friends in attendance. The children, under the guidance of Terri Panuccio, K-6 Faith Formation director, have been preparing for this day for months. The children’s last names are not published due […]

St. Mary of Mount Carmel / Blessed Sacrament is renowned around the region and diocese — and beyond — for its wonderful and meaningful liturgies, beautiful music, an energetic congregation and faith-filled parishioners. Beyond its religious foundation, however, there is another important aspect — the parish’s social community.

In full disclosure for those who don’t know, Vicki Perritano is the mother of the editor of this magazine, who interviewed her for this article. This is the 53rd edition of “More Good News,” and we felt after 13 years of publication it was time to feature one of the matriarchs of the parish. Vicki is 95 years old, still attends Mass and volunteered over the years in many parish ministries.

Steve Surace and Gina Reale met at a college event. Their friendship grew and turned into love. They raised two girls and now have a granddaughter. They built careers together and give back to the community — and to the parish they love.

In Catholic tradition, Lent (Quaresima in Italian) is a time for prayer, fasting and almsgiving. So, before the Lenten season begins on Ash Wednesday, March 5, Christians around the world will take time to party in diverse ways.

Last Updated on March 1, 2025 by Editor By FATHER JIM CESTA The social dimension of being a Catholic companion of the Lord Jesus starts with remembering that only three of the Ten Commandments deal with our relationship with God — the other seven have us consider our social relationship with other people. Sometimes, good […]