The Lenten Season may appear to be sad, demanding or maybe even outdated. Not very easily or voluntarily do we engage in spiritual exercises and fasting practices. They appear to be unnecessary, too lengthy, burdensome and at the wrong time. The truth of the matter is that the Lenten Time is a perfect opportunity to focus on spiritual and personal issues that otherwise we would not address.

Read more: Lent in Our Chapel

I've become a New Yorker.

And I like to brag about the beauty and the virtue and the goodness that I see in the New York community.

I bristle and cringe when people who aren't New Yorkers caricature New Yorkers as cold and unfriendly and rude and almost atheistic and pagan.

I'm saying, wait a minute.

I've been honored to be a citizen of New York for three years and I find New York to be one of the most loving, welcoming and embracing communities around!

New Yorkers welcome people.

They welcomed me.

So the church cooperates with that in welcoming the immigrant, for example.

New Yorkers pitch in and help people in trouble.

Look what happened after 9/11.

So the church builds upon that with helping people who are out of jobs, helping people who are sick, helping people who are hungry, and having trouble paying their bills.

New Yorkers work for justice whether that be in labor or whether that be in civil rights.

So does the church work for justice when it comes to the rights of refugees, when it comes to the rights of the unemployed, when it comes to the rights of the unborn.

New Yorkers traditionally go in for the underdog. So does the Archdiocese. So does the Catholic Church go in for the underdog, whether they be homeless, or the baby in the womb or the person dying at Calvary Hospital.

The Church is able to cooperate hand in hand with New York.

The Catholic Church in New York is not looked upon as some outsider.

New York is a place where religion is welcome, where the contribution of the faith community is a cherished part.

That's the recipe that makes New York such a warm, vibrant, welcoming culture.

The Church in New York is looked upon as a neighbor, as somebody familiar walking down the street. And that's beautiful.

Jack the cat was FOUND last night by American Airlines! Jack is presently at a Queens Animal Hospital where he is in ICU. He's very dehydrated, thin and dirty, but overall, looks to be okay. Thanks to all for your interest, sympathy and prayers. We wish Karen and Jack many happy years together.

As many of our supporters are gathering to enjoy this year's Luncheon I would like present to you a brief summary of the Chapel's activities since October of 2010.

First and foremost, we have maintained daily presence at John F. Kennedy Airport and celebrating Masses six days a week. Every day we pray for all JFK employees, and for those whose itineraries lead through the airport.

Read more: Annual Report from Fr. Chris

SXC Trailer from Space Expedition Curacao on Vimeo.

Message of His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI

for the World Day of Migrants and Refugees 2012

Migration and the New Evangelization

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Proclaiming Jesus Christ the one Saviour of the world "constitutes the essential mission of the Church. It is a task and mission which the vast and profound changes of present-day society make all the more urgent" (Evangelii Nuntiandi, 14). Indeed, today we feel the urgent need to give a fresh impetus and new approaches to the work of evangelization in a world in which the breaking down of frontiers and the new processes of globalization are bringing individuals and peoples even closer. This is both because of the development of the means of social communication and because of the frequency and ease with which individuals and groups can move about today. In this new situation we must reawaken in each one of us the enthusiasm and courage that motivated the first Christian communities to be undaunted heralds of the Gospel's newness, making St Paul's words resonate in our hearts: "For if I preach the gospel, that gives me no ground for boasting. For necessity is laid upon me. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!" (1 Cor 9:16).

Read more: Message of Pope Benedict XVI for the World Day of Migrants and Refugees 2012

"The Way" is a powerful and inspirational story about family, friends, and the challenges we face while navigating this ever-changing and complicated world. Martin Sheen plays Tom, an American doctor who comes to St. Jean Pied de Port, France to collect the remains of his adult son (played by Emilio Estevez), killed in the Pyrenees in a storm while walking the Camino de Santiago - The Way of Saint James. More at www.theway-themovie.com

New Roman Missal for Middle School Youth - Word for Word by Life Teen from Life Teen on Vimeo.

After reviewing all 36 very competitive applications, the final decision about the 2011 Yolan J. DePhillips Memorial Scholarship has been made: the first recipient of the scholarship is CHRISTOPHER SCHNEIDER, who is currently attending Georgetown University and majoring in accounting and finances. The final decision made by an independent agent from the JFK community, states that "Christopher has clearly demonstrated an outstanding academic record in combination with a wide variety of athletic and artistic talents, a solid work ethic, extensive community service and social and personal maturity".

Christopher will officially receive the award on October 27 at 2011 Our Lady of the Skies Annual Luncheon at Russo's on the Bay in Howard Beach. Congratulations!

Our Lady of the Skies Chapel has engaged in a new and very important alliance with Maritime Piracy: a Humanitarian Response Program (MPHRP). Our role will be to become a safe harbor or a first responder in a sense, when it comes to seafarers traveling home via JFK after they have been released from hostage. One has to keep in mind that these seafarers have been held hostage for months, which has an enormous impact on their physical, mental, emotional and spiritual welfare. That is why it is extremely important that our Chapel is becoming a much needed link in a chain of help to these seafarers and their families.

Read more: New alliance - Maritime Piracy: a Humanitarian Response Program