The Canons participated in the Seventh Annual Blessing of the Christmas Crib in Glen Cove, a wonderful initiative started seven years ago by Sgt. Jack McDougal and his wife, Karen, to keep Christ in Christmas. A couple hundred of the faithful braved the chilly December weather to bear public witness to the importance of Christ in their lives and His significance for our country. Enjoy the photos.
Sgt. McDougal commences the ceremony.
The Canons sing with the St. Patrick's Children's Choir at the opening of the ceremony.
The St. Patrick's Children's Choir
Father Daniel preaches his shortest homily ever with the approval of his fellow canons, the mayor and the assembled faithful.
Father Daniel implores God's blessing on the Christmas Crib and those who devoutly visit it.
Father Daniel sprinkles the crib with holy water.
Father Daniel incensing the Christmas Crib.
On that same weekend, St. Leopold of Austria was welcomed into the Church of Saint Rocco to join the great company of God’s friends, the Saints, who have a home there. The Church of St. Rocco hosts over forty statues and images of Our Lady, Saint Rocco, Angels and Saints. Devotion to many of them originated back in the hometowns of the Italian immigrants, who in large part came from the provinces of Calabria and Campagna. Also, over the years, St. Rocco’s welcomed statues that were no longer welcome elsewhere, enriching our church and making it a refugee for statues from other parts of Italy.
Father Elias invites the children of the parish to witness the blessing of the statue of St. Leopold of Austria, the benefactor and patron of Stift Klosterneuburg, husband and father of many children.
Saint Leopold adds a new dimension. The first canonized Austrian saint, St. Leopold founded the abbey of Klosterneuburg in 1114. Now through his saintly intercession the Canons of Klosterneuburg, after nearly nine hundred years, have come to America. May he prove to be a great intercessor for the faithful of Glen Cove!
Welcome to the family, San Leopoldo.
