Rockville Centre, New York, October 4, 2006 – In response to Pope John Paul II’s call for the Gospel to be in dialogue with culture, the Diocese of Rockville Centre will sponsor an event based on Catholic Undergroundã, a growing trend originated by members of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal in the Bronx.

The event will be held on Saturday, October 21, 2006, from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. at St. Thomas the Apostle Mission Chapel in West Hempstead, which is located on Hempstead Avenue and Nassau Boulevard. The band “Revelation,” who plays at Maria Regina Parish in Seaford, will be the evening’s performer.

A Catholic Undergroundã evening has two components: prayer and performance. Prayer is in the context of Eucharistic Adoration. The prayers performed include Vespers (evening prayer), Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, and Compline (night prayer), which ends the night. The performance element includes coffee and conversation among participants after Eucharistic Adoration, which then leads into performances that are meant to showcase different methods for new evangelization. Music is frequently the performance of choice, but arts such as film, poetry, and drama are performed in an effort to couple the Gospel with our modern culture.

For more information please contact Alexandra Bastien, Coordinator of the Young Adult Apostolate, at (516) 678-5800 x616 or youngadults@drvc.org.

To get to St. Thomas Mission Chapel take the Southern State Parkway to exit 17N. Go 3-4 blocks and the chapel will be on the right side.



# # #

About The Diocese of Rockville Centre
The Diocese of Rockville Centre (www.drvc.org <http://www.drvc.org>) was formed in 1957 and covers 1,222 square miles in Nassau and Suffolk Counties. The diocese serves approximately 1.4 million Catholics (total population in both counties is approximately 3.3 million). There are 134 parishes in 115 towns. Last year over 20,000 baptisms, 18,000 confirmations, 20,000 first communions and 5,000 marriages took place in the diocese. There are 2,137 students in Catholic kindergarten, 23,825 in primary or elementary school, 12,628 in secondary school and 3,300 in higher institutions. There are 76 Catholic elementary and high schools and one Catholic college in the diocese. Catholic Health Services of Long Island consists of five hospitals, three nursing homes, two home-care agencies, two senior housing complexes, a community-based home for those with special needs and a hospice. Last year, Catholic Charities assisted more than 80,000 individuals who are poor, vulnerable and disadvantaged on Long Island.

For more information:
Sean P. Dolan
sdolan@drvc.org
516-678-5800, ext. 625
Cell: 516-313-8215

* * * * *

Click here to go back