O U R L A D Y o f G R A C E S O C I E T Y

E s t a b l i s h e d 1 9 4 7 i n M e m o r y o f P a p a s C i r o P i n o l a U n d e r t h e O m o p h o r o f t h e R o m a n C a t h o l i c A r c h b i s h o p o f N e w Y o r k

The Nursing Madonna

Official Icon of Our Lady of Grace Italo-Greek Catholic Mission & Society

Ecumenists Out of the House.

But inside It’s a Melee By Sandro Magister

Big smiles with Constantinople and Moscow. But a heavy hand with the Byzantine oasis in the West. The emblematic cases of the Italo/Albanian diocese and the monastery of Grottafertata

ROME, September 6, 2016-”Ad extra” ecumenism is never more on the crest of the wave, bolstered by gestures of re-spect from the pope for the Eastern Churches, from Constantinople to Moscow.

But at home ecumenism is not to be found. Blow after blow, the Vatican congregation for Oriental Churches does noth-ing but dissipate what remains of important dioceses and institutions of the Byzantine Catholic rite, instead their identi-ty.

The congregation is governed by Argentine cardinal Leonard Sandi and assisted by Jesuit Cyril Vasil and by the Domin-ican Lorenzo Lorusso , both canonists and members of two religious orders that have nothing Eastern about them.

And the effects can be seen. (Ed. Note: in a previous issue we mentioned the slap in the face inflicted by Rome on the Greek Orthodox Church by appointing as apostolic exarch of Athens Manuel Nin, a Catalan Benedictine monk who is a Latin in Byzantine clothing.) The former rector of the Pontifical College in Rome, which in the eyes of the Greeks is still the detested institution founded in 1577 to prepare Catholic missionaries to be sent to convert the Orthodox.

But now on this front and in the same direction there is much more on the way

In recent months the apostolic nuncio in Italy, Adriao Bernardini, sent to the bishops in question a letter from the con-gregation for Oriental Churches aimed at gauging the feasibility of erecting a metropolitan church “sui iuris” that would embrace all the faithful of the Byzantine rite living in Italy.

The plan stipulates the extension of the jurisdiction of the dioceses Of Piana degli Abanesi to the Byzantine faithful of all of Sicily, of the diocese of Lungro degli Albanese to the Byzantine faithful of all of the southern peninsula of Italy and to the monastery of Grottaferrata to the Byzantine faithful of south central Italy.

This would give rise to a sort of unified “Catholic Church of the Byzantines in Italy” which would bring together the faithful of Churches with their own traditions, with different calendars, some Georgian and some Julian, and even with different rites since in the eparch of Piana degli Albanesi there are also Latin rite priest and parishes.

No one wants this unification. The Ukrainians aspire to a jurisdiction of their own as in Germany, England and France and the Italo/Albanians don’t want to hear about anything that would destroy their identity. They are fewer in number than the Ukrainians of recent migration and fear that future bishops appointed by the pope will be Ukrainians and not Italo/Albanians.

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O U R L A D Y o f G R A C E G R E E K C AT H O L I C M I S S I O N A N D S O C I E T Y

OFFICERS

Rt. Rev. Archimandrite Paul G. Frechette. Associate

Rt. Rev Archimandrite Joseph Lee

Rev. Deacon Nicholas Daddona

Rev. Deacon Thomas Stadnik, Nomikos, Council

Patrizio Foley, President, Psalati, Choir Director

Salvatore Lagatutta, Vice President

Vincent Romano Secretary, Treasurer

Enola Romano, Clerical Assistant

Ron Montecalvo Editor OLOGS Newsletter

Rt. Rev. Dr. Archimandrite Janarius Izzo, Retired Emeritus

Very Rev. John F. DeMeis, Retired Emeritus

ADVISORY BOARD

Rev. Fr. Robert J. Aufieri, Director, Italian Apostolate

Rev. Fr. Augustine Sarafini

Rev. Archdeacon George Yany

Prof. Dr. Richard Baldi, PsyD

Prof. Thomas Bird

Prof. Richard Renoff

Prof.Joseph Varacalli

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A b o u t Ou r Mis s io n a n d S o c ie ty

Our Lady of Grace Italo-Greek Catholic Mission and Society is a Catholic Religious entity. We are Eastern Catholics in union with Pope Francis the successor of Saint Peter the Apostle.

Our purpose is the re-establishment of the Italo-Greek and Italo-Albanian rite in the United States. It is heir to a parish society of the Italo-Greek to have existed in North America

Our first pastor was the late Papas Ciro Pinnola who arrived in New York in 1903. Our Lady of Grace Chapel was begun on Pascha Sun-day, 1904. The society formed in 1947 a year after Papas Pinnola’s passing. “Memory Eternal.”

The patronal icon of our Mission & Society is Madonna delle Gratzie, the Nursing Madonna chosen by Papas Pinnola.

We are now under the omophor of the Archdioceses of New York. Bishops are in Italy and Greece

Our Lady of Grace Society Newsletter V o l . 3 6 / N o 4 D e c e m b e r 2 0 1 6 P a g e 2

Volume 36

Issue: 4

Newsletter Date: December 2016

I n s i d e t h i s i s s u e :

Ecumenist Out of The House

P. 1

Letters P 4

Bishop Gallaro’s Response

P 5

Questions

And Answers

P 6

Albanina Celebrates 38 Martryrs

P 7

Commision to Study Female Deacons

Albanian Culture

In Canada

P 8

Eastern Christian Stamp Album

P. 9

Look us up on the web

http//byzcath.org/ourladyofgrace

for information and links to additional Eastern Catholic Websites

EDITOR ’S DESK Ron Monteca lvo

I’m pleased and proud to have to have as a guest contributor to the Archdeacon’s door, Deacon George Yany from my home parish. This article is taken from “Short Homilies For All Occa-sions ”which he prepared as an anthology of the sermons presented over the years.

We also have a note from our own Deacon John thanking all for their prayers and thought during his incompasitation.

Dear Members and friends, I have received many letters and e-mails since I began

Dialyses treatment. To many to include in the N/L. I am getting used to the new regimen. Rita and me are in a new lifestyle, Doctors say it will take some time to get the hang of it. My sincere thanks from the bottom of my heart for all your prayers. Rev John Demeis

Ron

ARCHDEACON ’S DOOR

Our Lady of Grace Society Newsletter P a g e 3 V o l . 3 6 / N o 4 D e c e m b e r 2 0 1 6

HOW SHOULD WE CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS?

No one really knows the exact date of the birth of Jesus Christ, Our Savior. The western world has been Celebrating December 25th since 354 AD replacing the earlier date of January 6th, today known as little Christmas, the feast of the Epiphany. At that time Christians were being persecuted by the Pagan Romans who celebrated the feast of the son god on Dec 25th, which they ascertained at that time too be the shortest day of the tear. While the pagans celebrated the feast of the Sun God, the Christians took advantage to celebrate the feast of the birth of the Son of God.

Christmas is not the celebration of Santa Claus.(Saint Nicholas), whose feast day is celebrated on December 6th. It was not until the early 1800s when Clement Moore published this famous poem “The Night Before Christmas” that Santa Clause became one of the symbols of Christmas, com-peting with the birth of Christ.

Christmas is not the Christmas Tree whish was also a pagan custom of decorating the interior of homes with greens and a tree decorated with fruits and sweets ushering in the cold harsh winter.

Christmas in not the carols that we sing to put us in the mood of the season.

Christmas is not the cards that we send , not only to those who live at a distance, but also to the people next door who we see everyday, instead of telling them in person our sentiments.

Christmas is not the “Shopping till we drop” to buy something (anything) because it is expected, even though nothing may be needed.

Soon we will be celebrating Christmas. Instead of asking what are we getting for Christmas, we should be asking what are we giving for Christmas. I don’t mean giving gifts to our friends and family. I mean what are we giving to the “Birthday Boy”, the One whose birthday we are celebrating, Jesus Christ the Son of God, Our Savior.

This is the time….Christ is the reason for the season. It is time to renew our faith…. A time to give of ourselves and for our overabundance to those less fortunate. To thank God for the gift He has given to us...A savior who has showed us how to live and how to die. It is a celebration of our salvation….Christ is born….Glorify Him.

Rev. Archdeacon George Yany

Editor’s Note

Archdeacon Yany is the senior deacon at St. Basil’s Melkite Catholic Church, Lincoln, RI. His ordination to the dea-conate was on the Feast of St Thomas , April 29, 1973. Soon after the Latin Bishop of the Diocese of Providence asked him to help start a program to train Latin Deacons. Later he was again asked by the same bishop to accept the posi-tion of Catholic Chaplain at the Rhode Island State Prison and remained for 20 years. Married to his lovely wife Violet he is the father of five children, grand father of 11 and great grandfather of 2.

Joe DioGuardi Receives Vietnam Medal

Former Congressman Joe DioGuardi was among the New York residents who were among the Vietnam era War Veterans who received the Vietnam Commenda-tion Medal Kenseco Dam, Valhalla, NY on October 5, 2016. The former Congressman is a long time member of Our Lady of Grace Society. For the full story go to:

"https://www.youtube.com/embed/zbiG3DomYOY"

Our Lady of Grace Society Newsletter

LETTERS Received via Snail Mail and E-mail

Enclosed my $15 check for the past quarterly publi-cations received as I found them as an interesting read. I belong to St. Mary's Ruthenian Greek Cath-olic Church, in N.Y.C. and our Bishop resides in Pasiac, N.J. Thank you again an best regards. James Ferara Dear John, Thank you for the Newsletter. I do enjoy reading them! Especially liked the info about the first pray-er to Our Lady, I am sorry to learn that you have not been feeling well. I'm sure you are offering it all to Jesus through Mary and saving many souls. Please know that you are in my poor prayers, made worthy by the precious blood of our dear Jesus.I send you this little Rose petal, blessed and made for the sick. My check enclosed. My love to Rita. In Jesus and Mary Dorothy Armstrong Sunday, November 20, 2016 Dear Deacon Demeis, "Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever." ~ 1st Chronicles 16:34

Page 4 V o l . 3 6 / N o 4 D e c e m b e r 2 0 1 6

LETTERS cntd. Did your elementary school lessons on Thanksgiving delve into the deeper meaning of this holiday? The spiritual origins of the American Thanksgiving date back to the original Mayflower sojourners nearly 400 years ago. The purpose of the Pilgrims' three-day feast was to thank God for His provisions after a harsh first winter of famine and loss of life.

Our first president officially proclaimed a day of gratitude unto that “great and glorious Being who is the beneficent author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be" even while the cannons of the American Revolution fired. Eighty six years later, President Lincoln wrote a proclamation "to set apart and observe...a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens" in the midst of a bloody civil war. As our nation embarked on World War II, Congress permanently established Thanksgiving as a national holiday. Do you sense a theme here? Our faithful forefathers acknowledged God's favor even while enduring profound tribulation. There is so much to be grateful for; can we see it, can we feel it? Can we thank the Lord even when the out-look is bleak, or do we only say grace when the table is full? St. Paul tells the church in Thessalonica “In everything give thanks..."everything. Deacon Demeis, when you find yourself searching for words as you pray, simply express your gratitude. Once you start, you won't be able to stop, because the list is infinite and it begins with Christ's sacrifice. In the words of the medieval theologian Meister Eckart, "If the only prayer you ever say in your entire life is thank you, it will be enough."

Sincerely

Father Raymond J. Finch, M.M

Thanksgiving Day Prayer

O God of all to be thankful for, how much do we not need to discipline ourselves so as to know that the goodness we experience and the good things we are able to do come from Your powerful hand. We are eternally, hoping we get there, grateful for the good things that are more present to us than often we can see or imagine. Teach us the way of expressing gratitude by sharing the riches we have received now and always. This will enable us to be less cranky and to not complain when things don't go the way we would like them to happen. Your Spirit of Jesus would love us this way! Amen.

~ Father John P. Martin, M.M.

Our Lady of Grace Society Newsletter Page 5 V o l . 3 6 / N o 4 D e c e m b e r 2 0 1 6

Ecumenists Out of the House.

But inside It’s a Melee Contd from Page 1

Curiously, the very bishop whom Pope Francis installed in 2015 in the diocese of Piana degli Albanesi, Giorgio Gallaro is an active proponent of this change.

Sicilian, already of the Latin rite before emigrating to

America, ordained in the Byzantine Rite, he does not speak Albanian and is seeking to impose the use of Italian. Heed-less of the liturgical prescriptions, he also goes to celebrate in the Latin churches of the eparchy wearing Latin vest-ments.

Understandably protest is rising against him. The presby-teries council of the eparchy and the college of consultants has resigned almost in bloc. And a popular lay conference was scheduled in Piana degli Albanesi for the second half of September in defense of the Greek and Albanian lan-guages in the liturgy and in public institutions.

AS FOR THE ABBEY OF GROTTAFERRATA THE FUTURE IS MORE PROBLEMATIC

After accepting on November4, 2013 the resignation of the last archimandrite, the Basiliam monk Emiliano Fabbrica-tore, Pope Francis divided the office, appointing as superior of the monastery the Belgian Benedictine Michel Van Parys the former abbot of Chevetogne, and entrusting the diocesan jurisdiction to Marcello Semeraro, bishop of Albano, secre-tary of the council of nine cardinals for the reform of the Roman curia and the governance of the universal Church.

On that occasion, the French Catholic newspaper “La Croix” revealed the resignation had been imposed because of complaints nighttime coming and going at the abbey . Rome had also confirmed the invalidity of the ordination of some monks.

Then all of a sudden, on May 30, 2016 a joint statement signed by Semeraro and Van Parys announced the appoint-ment of the bishop of Albano as pontifical delegate of the Basilian order of Italy and as apostolic administrator of the monastery and cessation of Van Pary’s function. In sub-stance the monastic community is reduced to a few elderly elements and on this account destined to change in nature “in forms currently under study by the Holy See”.

Grottaferrata is not just a monastery. It was founded in 1004 a half century before the schism of 1054 between East and West by St. Nilus the Younger. On land of the ancient Roman villa granted to the monks by the feudal lord, Count Gregory 1 of Tusculum. It is the last of the numerous Byz-antine monasteries that existed in Italy until the middle of the 11th century. It withstood frequent attempts at Latini-zation and continues as and ecumenical symbol un- doutbed value.

But with the advent of the unified “Catholic Church of Byz-antine Italy” this identity would definitively be compro-mised

BISHOP

GALLARO’S

RESPONSE

October 20 2016

“The transfer of priests to Piana”, said bishop Gallaro,” is necessary to guarantee transpar-ency in economic ac-counting. There is a need for clarity in eco-

nomic management,” Ours is a rich eparchy where due to chaotic management money is wasted and which we wish to place in order. The translation of prayers from Albanian is to facilitate better understanding by the faithful”

Leandro Salvia-PIANA DEGLI ALBANESE-During the contested months, Bishop Gallaro has answered his ac-cusers,” In a hope-he said-to give clarification to an affair fueled by the discontent of some papas.”

Last October 100 of the faithful expressed a fear Eparchi-al Byzantine Rite has been “Latinized under the proposed episcopal seat. Their petition is against Pontifical Mass celebrated in Italian, the changes to some parts of Byzan-tine rite and the absence of compassion. The discontent began in August after the bishop’s decision to transfer some priests into the Eparch Piana Degli Abanese. “The cause of all of these protests,” said bishop Gallaro, “Is those priests who do not move from their posts and exa-terbated and exploited the good faith of the faithful in the name of alleged eastern identity”. “It is a shame,” noted the bishop,” that these are the same priests, who for years, have introduced Latinized devotional practices that not even the Latin accept.” The reference is to celebra-tions for Padre Pio and various pilgrimages.

Though the bishop is from the United States he was originialy from Pozzollo Sicily, explained what made the transfers necessary, “It is not conceivable that parish priests remain their whole life in the same parish. When I arrived I gathered all of the clergy asking for a little time to know and decide what changes were necessary”. The August 17th document on the transfers of clergy initiated the discontent, especially on the web where there is an active blog and Facebook group. The opposition is espe-cially focused against the decision to “Remove Greek Clergy from Piana Degli Albanese”.

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Our Lady of Grace Society Newsletter Page 6 V o l . 3 6 / N o 4 D e c e m b e r 2 0 1 6

BISHOP GALLARO’S RESPONSE

Contd from Page 5

But according to the bishop the reason for the new plan of the diocese would be the “need for trans-parency and clarity in economic management,’ “ours is a rich eparch,’ he states, “Where money is wasted which we want to put to an end.” Two Hundred thousand Euro are received every year from CEI to which are added the not well account-ed for proceeds from the parishes’. To those who accuse of Latinization, the Monsignor Responds that “That the identity of the Eparch is a compo-site with some of the faithful belong to the Latin rite and according to the Bull of Pope John XX the bishop has full authority to use both rites. They are to respect traditions but must adapt to the present. In that sense I have found an environment of a sort of ethnic closure also in the matter of the cate-chism notwithstanding the instructions given by the Synod of 2010 there is a certain lack of docu-mented material in the Italian language. From this came the choice to translate the Catechism of the Eastern Churches. It is useful to recall”, added Gallaro, “that the use of the Italian language in the readings of the Epistles and the Gospel was intro-duced before my arrival and there was an active liturgical reform. Also the translation of some prayers from Albanian responds to the needs of the thousands of people who participate the Holy Week rites to understand them.”

From Jam.it

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

Archdeacon John,

I'm told that the Byzantine Albanian Liturgy won’t be calibrated this year. Do you know why ? Robert L. Manhattan.

Last year was the first time the Greek Liturgy was Held at Precious Blood Church on Baxter Street since 1923. We were invited to attend. Some of our members and officers were there. Due to my health condition' I was not Able to go. Father Roman Russo was celebrant. I believe he was declared head of the Sts. Cosmas & Damien Albanian Society. He later submitted his retirement notice to the Archdiocese.

This year they will return to the New Order Mass.

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS Dear Rev. John,

We are having a discussion at our prayer group about the churches stance concerning cremation and suicide. Can you elaborate? Joe D. Long Island.

EDITOR’S NOTE: To provide a definitive response to Joe’s question we are using an excerpt from “Death and Funerals’ by Melkite Bishop Nicholas Samra which ap-peared in Sophia Summer 2015 The Journal of the Melkite Eparchy:

Cremation. In the ancient world, cremation was the “pagan” way of disposing of bodies. In addition bodies were often burned as a sign of vengeance, unrighteousness, or punishment of criminals. Indeed, for this reason, the Orthodox Church forbids the cremation of the body and considers it to be the deliberate desiccation and destruction of what God has made and ordained for us. However, by special concession the Catholic Church now permits cre-mation if the choice is not motivated by “reasons opposed to Christian Life”(Canon 876:3) and “provided that it does not demonstrate a denial faith in the resurrection of the body” (CCC 2301). Moreover, if cremation is chosen , tit remains the clear intention of the Church that the cremation take place only after the funeral service, so that the body of the decease may be present in the church for the funeral rites to be conducted over it . The celebration of the funer-al rites after cremation in the presence of the ashes of the deceases, is permitted only by exception.

In any case, it is imperative that the cremated remains be treated with the same respect and dignity one accords to the human body of the deceased. The ashes must be buried reverently in a grave or entombed in a mausoleum or col-umbarium. It is never permitted for the ashes to be scat-tered or kept at home or disposed of in any other way as this shows a lack of respect for the deceased.

Suicides: For centuries the Churches of the East and West forbade funeral services and burial in consecrated ground for suicide victims. Today most Churches recog-nize that though they commit such a drastic and irrevoca-ble act, do so “when the condition of their mind is dis-turbed.” Unless other circumstances warrant it, as suicide victim as such cannot be refused a funeral service.

MEMORY ETERNAL

Rev.Archim andrite Constantine Belaserius eternal memory

friend of our mission.

Our Lady of Grace Society Newsletter Page 7 V o l . 3 6 / N o 3 S e p t e m b e r 2 0 1 6

ALBANIA CELEBRATES 38 MARTYR’S BEATIFICATION

By Llazar Semini

AlbaniaThe Associated Press

SHKODER, Albania-Thousands gathered in prayer at a cathe-dral in Albania to celebrate the beatification of 38 Albanian Catholic martyrs executed or tortured to death during the for-mer communist regime.

In April, Pope Francis officially recognized as martyrs Archbishop Vincens Prenushi and 37 other priest who died in prison or were murder from 1945 to 1974 by the late communist dictator Enver Hoxh’s regime , which banned reli-gion and persecuted its believers. Up to 20,000 people attended a Mass at the Shen Shtjefni cathederal together with five cardinals and senior Albanian officials. The few thousand inside the cathedral were outnumbered by the many thousands surrounding it.

Those attending heard how the Albanian martyrs were tortured to death or executed, always praying for God and par-doning their killers. One female teacher died wrapped in a sack simply because the reminded her students of the pres-ence of Christ. All died shouting “long live Christ the King. Long Live Albania! We forgive those who will kill us.”

Among those who attended was the Rev. Ernest Simoni 88, named recently as a cardinal by Francis to honor his suf-fering in prison. During the service Cardinal Simoni held a box with the bones of 10 of the martyrs. Simoni was named a cardinal to honor his 18 years in prison where he was tortured and twice sentenced to death, reprieved and ultimately sent to forced labor for refusing to speak out against the Catholic Church.

Simoni brought Francis to tears two years ago when he recounted his life story in Tirana. After embracing Simony, Francis said, "Today I touched martyrs”.

The beatification ceremony was held in Shkoder, because here is where, just prior to the fall of the communist regime ,he first public Mass was held. The cathedral served as a sports hall during the banning of religion.

The Law and the Prophets bear witness, O Lord, that the Christ must suffer and so enter into

His glory. And now we see Your radiant splendor shining through Your humanity. Three tents,

one for You, one for Moses and one for Elijah will help us preserve eternity in time as we seek

to stay forever on Tabor's hallowed height. Yet we cannot remain here but must go back to

our daily life of work, sorrows and uncertainty. Lord, help us recognize You in valleys no less

than mountaintops. Fulfill Your promise to be with us always that wherever we go we may ex-

claim, "Lord, it is good for us to be here!" Amen.

~ Father Joseph R. Veneroso, M.M.

Our Lady of Grace Society Newsletter Page 8 V o l . 3 6 / N o 4 D e c e m b e r 2 0 1 6

Francis’s commission to study female deacons is meeting in Rome

Through a statement, the Vatican announced on Friday November 25, that the newly established commission for the study of the female diaconate was holding its first meeting at the offices of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.

The two-day meeting will be headed by Archbishop Luis Francisco Ladaria Ferrer, president of said com-mission set up by Pope Francis last August, following a May 12th meeting with participants at a plenary as-sembly of female religious superiors, who asked him about the possibility of restoring the permanent diaco-nate for women.

Ladaria also serves as Secretary of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.

According to the Vatican statement, during this week’s meeting, the 12 members- six men and six women, from 8 different countries- will study the situation of women deacons in the early centuries of Church histo-ry.

The members represent a wide variety of theological perspectives, with some openly in favor of female dea-cons, others against, and some undecided. Five of the members teach at pontifical universities in Rome, while four are members of the Vatican’s International Theological Commission.

Interestingly enough, there are no deacons in the mix.

Pope Francis’s position on the issue has been a matter of debate. On the one hand, he called for the matter to be studied- as his predecessor Benedict XVI had- but last June, on his way back from Armenia, he expressed surprise at the magnitude of the reaction to his deci-sion to create the group.

“The next day, it was as if the Church had opened the door to women deacons, but that’s not true,” he said, saying its primary role will be to ascertain the role of female deacons in the early Church.

“I believe this theme has been studied a lot, and it won’t be difficult to shed light,” the pope said.

More important, Francis said, is making sure the voic-es of women are heard in the decision-making process.

“Women think in a different way than us men, and you can’t make a good or correct decision without hearing women,” he said.

The pontiff also said he’s committed to trying to boost the role of women theologians in the Vatican.

Laura Albanese presenting the Albanian Heritage Month Act

November Declared Month of

Albanian (Abereshe) Culture in Canada

In Ontario, Canada the Association for the community of the Canadians/Albanians has organized a festive event that involved many high profile guests including a dele-gation of Arbereshe from Calabria to mark the month of November as the month of Albanian /cultural Heritage in the Province of Ontario.

Today more than 28,000 live in the province of Ontario and enjoy the right the right to promote and celebrate their culture after which the Legislative Assembly of Ontario proclaimed, “Albanian Heritage Month Act” proclaiming the month of November as the month of Albanian Heritage in the province.

The act was launched through an unitive on the part of honorary president of the Albanian-Canadian Communi-ty Association, Dr. Ruki Kondaj, and supported by the current president Ramazan Kellezi along with other as-sociation member in the city of Toronto.

Also participating at the event the Ontario Minister for Citizenship and Immigration , Laura Albanese, who originated from the Arbereshe Community. And stated that she is proud to speak and to have contributed to the approval of this important act that recognizes the Albani-an contribution to the social community of Canada. “It does not surprise me that I have been selected to present this Act, seeing the origins of my family.” She said in her interview.

The program consisted of popular Albanian dances, a paraded of traditional Albanian costumes from various regions, a theatrical performance of Doruntine, a play written by the famous writer Ismail Kadare inspired by the Albanian legend of Dortrune, and rational Albanian dishes contributed to the creation of an Albanian atmos-phere among the local Canadians.

from Jam.it

For more :

https://youtu.be/P_tVrTUyfxQ

RENEWAL NOTICE

It is not necessary to cut the renewal form if you keep the newsletters on file.

Just send a check to Our Lady of Grace Society

Our Lady of Grace Society Newsletter Page 9

Eastern Christian Stamp Album

From Vincent Romano

V o l . 3 6 / N o 3 S e p t e m b e r 2 0 1 6

Our friend and benefactor, Dr, Carnazzo has asked to make our readers aware of the work accomplished by the Institute of Catholic Culture. It is an adult cate-chetical organization, faithful the Magisterium of the Catholic Church. To this end, the Institute hosts educational seminars specifically designed to build bridg-es of understanding, teaching authentic Catholic history, philosophy and theolo-gy, reaching out to those who seek knowledge of the Truth.

In accord with the mission of the Institute and the Magdala Apostolate for wom-en, projects are offered to the public at no charge and relies on the charity of generous benefactors.

For more information and to donate:

Institute of Catholic Culture\

P.O. Box 10101

McLean Virginia 22102

E-mail;INSTITUTEOF CATHOLICCULTURE.ORG

(504) 635-7155

Sabatino Carnazzo Executive Director