Chapel News

After rather ordinary Tuesday, on Wednesday there will be no Mass celebrated at Our Lady of the Skies. On that day, our Chapel will receive the Special Partner Award at the Port Authority Aviation Department’s Customer Care Awards Luncheon. This award is for our “assistance during the recent volcanic episode that stranded so many of Port Authority customers at JFK International Airport.” Our Chapel was “an integral part of the Port Authority’s customer care plan.” Although the space at the luncheon is limited and we can’t invite all who have helped us help others, we would like to receive this award on behalf of all these great people with whom it was a pleasure and honor to serve others.

 

On Thursday the Church celebrates the feast of Ascension of the Lord. This is a holy day of obligation. We will be celebrating Mass at 12:15 PM for all Members of the Catholic Guild. The Catholic Guild Board Members will have their meeting immediately after Mass at the Tri-Faith Museum.

 

On Friday, the Catholic Guild, our Chapel staff, Center for Disease Control/U.S. Public Health Service and many of us at JFK Community will celebrate the retirement of Margaret Becker, the Catholic Guild Board Member. In 2000, Margaret was selected by the Catholic Guild the Woman of the Year at Our Lady of the Skies Annual Luncheon. After 28 years of government service, Margaret has given all of us countless reasons to celebrate her presence, friendship and professionalism. We will truly miss her presence, yet we wish her very happy and blessed retirement.

 

God bless you all on your paths,

Fr. Chris Piasta, OFM

Chaplain

I am writing this to you after seeing the situation first hand at JFK:

The situation at many airports is serious and alarming. At JFK, there are hundreds of people traveling to you Europe, India and elsewhere, who are living literally at the airport. Some of them have something to sleep on, others are using cardboard, still others sleep on the top of their luggage. The airlines have been giving out some food vouchers, although legally they did not have to. By now, most, if not all the vouchers are gone. The Travelers Aid Office has been giving out some Granola bars and blankets, but those will not last long either. How long this situation is going to take? Nobody knows at this time for sure. With some optimism, some the travelers I spoke to, mentioned as the time of their departure Monday (Austria), others told me Wednesday (Switzerland), still others suspect Saturday (Germany). We, at Our Lady of the Skies Chapel, have heard or already worked with people from the Tri-State area, who are offering food and shelter. Some people, realizing the scope of the situation are opening their homes as far as Connecticut. The stranded passengers need to take shower, some are running out of their money, there are people with heart conditions, little children and so on. I heard that the authorities are trying to reopen Ramada, which has been under renovation and maybe even some schools in the area.

I am asking you to help as you can: open your homes, old convents, parish houses, rectories, schools, anything you think it may help. This is the time for us, Christians to show our love and help just as God has commended us. Jesus's question "do you love me?" wasn't only to Simon Peter; it is to each and every one of us: do you love Me in practice?

I will be more than happy to coordinate the efforts at JFK. I will be there on Sunday at 12 noon until the evening. And then of course the following days. You can reach me at my cell at 718-450-5452 or email me at  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  Check this website for more information.

God bless you,

Fr. Chris Piasta, OFM

Chaplain