Latest news with #ItalianCatholic
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Be a Tourist: Events around town May 30-June 1
In the spring of 1993, Costaki Economopoulos was doing graduate work at the University of Georgia. His off time was spent honing his stand-up skills in pizza joints and bars. When he had to turn down a couple of gigs to work on his thesis, it made his stomach hurt. He hung in there and, within a year, was a full-time comic on the road. For more information, click here. For the first time ever in the region, the Erie Zoo is lighting up the night with Glow Wild: The Chinese Lantern Festival, produced by HanArt Culture! From April 17 to June 15, the zoo will transform into a dazzling world of larger-than-life, handcrafted lantern displays, breathtaking cultural performances and a magical evening experience like no other. For more information, click here. National touring and award-winning barbecue rib cooking teams (as seen on the Food Network) compete for Best Ribs and Best Sauce. The festival also includes local and regional entertainment, works by artisans and craftsmen, additional festival foods and treats, specialty acts, beer and spirits and a fun zone for kids. For more information, click here. This two-day event will be held in beautiful downtown North East, May 31 and June 1. Enjoy local food trucks and specialty food vendors, along with wine, beer and craft beverages available by the glass. For more information, click here. What do you do to prepare for a visit from your parents? Plenty, when you're the daughter of strict Italian Catholic parents who expect to meet your female roommate, who is a guy. For more information, click here. Join park naturalists on an easy-riding bicycle tour around Presque Isle on May 31 from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The emphasis of this tour is the plants found in the park. Remember your water bottle and sunscreen! Meet at the Cookhouse Pavilion to start. For more information, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Boston Globe
19-05-2025
- Sport
- Boston Globe
Why Ron Darling considers himself ‘as New England as Denis Leary' and Ben Affleck
Advertisement 'I'm so proud to come from there,' he added. 'One of the reasons I became whatever I was as a ballplayer and whatever I am as a broadcaster is because of that inherent blue-collar mentality that I grew up with.' Pitcher Ron Darling of the New York Mets winds up to throw a pitch during the Mets 8-5 win over the Boston Red Sox in game 7 of the World Series at Shea Stadium in Flushing, New York, on Oct. 27, 1986. T.G. Higgins via AP Along with his three brothers, Darling was raised on the border of Worcester, 'within earshot of Holy Cross,' he said, noting that his parents have lived in the same house since 1965. He fell in love with baseball as a kid; the ''67 Red Sox were my team,' he explained, recalling how he'd watch Ken Coleman call Red Sox games on TV and listen to Curt Gowdy on the radio (Gowdy's son, Curt Gowdy Jr., was Darling's first boss at SNY). Advertisement Looking up to Boston greats like Carl Yastrzemski, Reggie Smith, Jim Lonborg, and Tony Conigliaro, Darling honed his skills through Little League, American Legion, and St. John's High School in Shrewsbury. And while he'd become a stud on the diamond, it wasn't always easy as one of the only Asian American kids in the area. 'I had spent most of my childhood growing up around Irish and Italian Catholic kids,' said Darling, whose mom is Hawaiian and Chinese. 'This happens in baseball as well: You're either in or you're out. And I always felt that when I grew up in Worcester, it would be easier to be in with the Irish, Italian Catholic environment than it would be to stand out.' Darling started feeling connected to his Asian roots after his family became friendly with a Japanese family from the other side of town, often going to their home for barbecues. Sports would also kindle his interest in his Asian heritage, with Darling remembering how his family would stop what they were doing to watch Hawaii-born, Japanese American ballplayer Mike Lum whenever he pinch hit in a game. Darling later found a community through an Asian American students association while attending Yale University, which he said had 'such a huge influence' on him. As a pioneer on the field and, now, as one of the few Asian American broadcasters in the sport, Darling is happy that his story has inspired a new generation of baseball professionals. 'The happiest I ever become is when I'm on the road... and I meet the head of PR for the Dodgers or Steven Kwan for the Guardians or others, and they come up and say, 'I just want you to know, thank you,'' Darling said. Advertisement 'As I've gotten older, really the most important thing to me has become where I come from, who my ancestors are, what they did,' he added. 'It really does take a village of family members to put you in your spot to have a chance. And I'll never forget them.' And while Darling would grow up to become a Gold Glove and All-Star pitcher — not to mention a World Series champion in 1986 ( 'I was the first person ever in the history of my family that ever went to college, so that's why it was so important,' Darling said, noting how his mom would cry whenever he had to leave home for New Haven. 'It reminded her that we had come all this way.' In addition to his memorable moments on the mound, Darling has carved out quite the career as a broadcaster. This year marks Darling's 20th season in the SNY booth with Gary Cohen and fellow former Mets star Keith Hernandez, colleagues he now considers as family. While he and his '86 teammates were treated as kings in the Big Apple back in the day for their World Series heroics, today, Darling is more often noticed by younger fans for his insightful analysis while calling games for SNY, as well as on national broadcasts for TBS. 'I was introduced to a young man the other day, and he knew me as a broadcaster and asked me how did I get my expertise in baseball,' Darling said. 'I was like, 'Well, your dad will tell you.'' Advertisement Ron Darling pitches against the Boston Red Sox in the first inning of Game 4 of the World Series at Fenway Park on Oct, 22, 1986. AP Photo/Elise Amendola Overall, Darling doesn't really think much about his legacy. Instead, he's focused on making the most of every day, and is grateful for the opportunities to live out his dreams. 'Only with wisdom and age do you get to a place where you have such gratitude to be on the Earth today, and how to max out today, that I really honestly never think about legacy,' Darling said. 'But if I were looking at my life as someone else looking on it, I would just hope I represent the people I come from with class and grace and hard work, and that's really all that matters to me.' Matt Juul can be reached at
Business Insider
03-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Business Insider
My husband and I are only in our 40s and healthy, but we're already planning our funerals. Our guests will not be wearing black.
Our last family gathering was so memorable because it was the kind of spring day you dream of. There wasn't a cloud in the striking blue sky and plump yellow daffodils were dancing in the breeze. We had chosen a pub with a large garden, and the laughter flowed as freely as the drinks. My sons, aged 6 and 2, ran from table to table, laughing uproariously as their cousins and uncles chased them across the grass. My mother-in-law and husband caught up with relatives and family friends they hadn't seen in a long time, with a soundtrack of classic 1960s and 70s rock humming in the background. On that gorgeous spring afternoon, my father-in-law was everywhere - in the music that he loved so much that he recreated it in the bands he formed with friends, in the photo collages dating back to the 1950s, in the friends that had traveled from across the world to pay tribute to him and in the stories about his knack for a joke and ability to bring people together. Sure, there had been plenty of tears at the chapel service that morning, but the mood at the pub quickly shifted to one of gratitude and nostalgic joy. "Thank you for the days", as the lyrics to one of his favorite songs by British rock band The Kinks went. My mother-in-law, who had barely sat down all afternoon as she went from guest to guest, commented that it was just like the parties she used to go to with my father-in-law, spending the whole time chatting separately with friends, only to reunite at the end of the evening. Except this time, the party was in honor of my father-in-law, who passed away in February, just a few months shy of his 73rd birthday. Unexpectedly, it also prompted my husband and I, who are in our 40s and with no reason otherwise to be thinking about death, to have an in-depth conversation about how we would like our funerals to pan out. We had conflicting views - but now we're on the same page As my husband and I took in the sunshine as we drove to the pub after the burial ceremony, we realized we had never asked each other about our funeral preferences, firstly, whether we wanted to be buried or cremated. My husband and I love to travel, plus we love the beach and have spent some of our happiest times covered in saltwater and sand. So naturally, I had thought that being cremated and having each of our ashes scattered at a beach of our choice, would be a poignant way of saying goodbye. It would be at odds with my own family's Italian Catholic preference of being entombed in a tiled cement grave above the ground. But it would be our choice and reflect our individual stories. Boy, was I wrong. "There's no way I'd be cremated," my husband told me. "I hate the thought of my body being burnt, and to be reduced to nothing but a pile of ashes." In seconds, my romantic notions of a sunset ocean ash scattering ceremony disappeared. But I was surprised by my lack of disappointment, as there is also something romantic about being buried together, as we agreed would be our preference. Indeed, my father-in-law joined his parents in the same plot, and that is where my mother-in-law will eventually be buried, too. While we were on the topic, it made sense to discuss what we wanted the day to look like. No black dress code, we agreed, and we wanted to emulate the garden party atmosphere of my father-in-law's wake, with personalized music and an open bar for all guests. There had also been a buffet of chicken wings and nachos, which we thought was so much more fun than a sad plate of cold, stale sandwiches. We want to move away from tradition My father-in-law's memorial service, while held in a chapel, was a non-religious ceremony, presided over by a civil celebrant. Humorous poems and speeches were read, but there was also the formality of the coffin arriving in a big, black, shiny hearse, followed by immediate family members in a black limousine. The funeral director was dressed in a black formal suit complete with tails and top hat, and he carried a large wooden cane. The attendants were also similarly dressed. While it suited this occasion, we agreed this British tradition was not for us, and that we would look for an alternate venue for a more casual service. This would be in keeping with how we have approached our other life milestones so far. After all, my husband and I were married in a civil ceremony on the beach in Australia, and held our wedding reception at the pub next to it. My gown was coral colored rather than white. We don't need to follow tradition. As the conversation with my husband gave us some clarity about what we do and don't want when the time comes, we thought it would be a good idea to formally write it all down, so that is something we are now doing. I'll admit, I was never aware of how much funerals cost, and after seeing the four-figure bill for my father-in-law's service, we have decided to reserve some of our savings to cover this cost for us, too. A more casual affair will, hopefully, cost less, but we still want our family and friends to have a good time and feel uplifted — so the free bar we want them to enjoy is non-negotiable. While the reason my husband and I have had the conversation about our funerals is a regrettable one, I'm so glad we have been open with each other about our thoughts and preferences. It's much better than spending the next three or four decades with completely different ideas about our funeral plans and being disappointed that we're not on the same page.
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Western New York Catholics attend Pope Francis' funeral
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — In a weekend marked by reverence and reflection, Catholics from around the world gathered in St. Peter's Square to bid farewell to Pope Francis, who died earlier this month at the age of 88. Among the hundreds of thousands in attendance were several dozen pilgrims from the Diocese of Buffalo, whose journey to the Vatican took a profoundly unexpected turn. Originally in Rome to witness the canonization of Blessed Carlo Acutis — poised to become the first millennial saint in the Catholic Church — the group found themselves instead participating in the funeral mass for the late pontiff. Despite the change in plans, members of the group described the experience as deeply moving and spiritually purposeful. 'We were pilgrims, not tourists,' said Father Leon Biernat of St. Gregory the Great Parish, who has been leading the group through Rome and surrounding cities. 'Pilgrims are meant to be here to experience this and that's exactly what happened.' The trip, planned since July, was organized around the life and legacy of Acutis, a young Italian Catholic known for his devotion to the Eucharist and use of technology to spread the faith. His canonization, originally expected to be presided over by Pope Francis this month, was postponed following the pope's death. 'A lot of the young church was really excited for this canonization,' said Kyle Lucey, one of the pilgrims. 'A lot of us look up to Carlo as a pillar in the young church.' Despite the shift in focus, group members said the spiritual depth of the experience was undeniable. Lucey and fellow pilgrim Gregory James recalled waking up before dawn on Saturday to secure a place in St. Peter's Square for the funeral Mass, joining over 250,000 others in a moment of global communion. 'One of the highlights was seeing 250,000 people partaking in the Eucharist together,' Lucey said. 'It was a beautiful thing.' 'The whole square went quiet, and you could sense that reverence,' James said. Just a day earlier, the group had walked through the Sistine Chapel — a poignant moment as the conclave to elect the next pope approaches. 'There was definitely a mix of emotions,' Lucey said. 'We were aware that soon, the heads of our church will gather in this space to choose the successor to the seat of Peter.' Despite their solemnity, the group described a sense of joy and unity throughout their time in Rome, pointing to public expressions of gratitude and hope from mourners. 'To be among the people who were present to pray our Holy Father into heaven — there was great joy in that,' James said. 'People were applauding, cheering, singing,' Biernat said. 'From balconies and buildings, banners were unfurled reading 'Grazie.' It felt like a celebration of a life well lived, people knew he had done what he was called to do.' The canonization of Acutis will be rescheduled following the election of the next pope. The papal conclave, during which cardinals from around the world will choose the new pontiff, is set to begin on May 7. Dillon Morello is a reporter from Pittsburgh who has been part of the News 4 team since September of 2023. See more of his work here and follow him on Twitter. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Irish Daily Mirror
28-04-2025
- Politics
- Irish Daily Mirror
William's 'secret move' that steered Trump and Zelensky's peace talks
It is claimed that Prince William made a subtle diplomatic gesture, allowing Donald Trump to engage in unplanned peace discussions with Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky during the Pope's funeral. As world leaders, including the Prince of Wales, gathered in St Peter's Square for the farewell ceremony for Pope Francis, a remarkable encounter took place where Trump and Zelensky had a face-to-face meeting in a secluded part of St Peter's Basilica. This was their first meeting since a tense confrontation at the White House in late February, and photographs showed them intensely discussing a potential end to the conflict in Ukraine, sparked by Russia's invasion. Shortly before this hastily arranged meeting, Trump and Zelensky were photographed alongside Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron. It appears that William's discreet decision to step away from the group was instrumental in facilitating this extraordinary meeting. The Prince of Wales was seen with the Prime Minister paying their respects at Francis' coffin, and as they walked away, they reportedly noticed Trump, Zelensky, and Macron. According to The Telegraph, William "respectfully peeled away" to allow the politicians to converse, demonstrating his ability to "read the room". There has been speculation about why William, who had never met Pope Francis, attended the funeral while his father, the King, was absent, despite the King having met the Pope just 12 days before his passing during a state visit to Italy. The decision that Prince William should represent the monarch at key events like funerals fits well with modern tradition, reports the Mirror. For instance, back in 2005, Charles, as the Prince of Wales, did the same for Pope John Paul II's funeral on behalf of his mother - the late Queen Elizabeth II. Kensington Palace noted the choice regarding William's presence at the Pope's funeral was aligned with Government recommendations. William, donned in a sombre suit, took his place among world leaders but was notably seated in the third row during the ceremony, keeping him apart from European royalty such as King Felipe and Queen Letizia of Spain, and Queen Mary of Denmark, who scored front-row seats alongside Trump and Melania. Nonetheless, it seems the international VIP seating chart for Pope Francis's funeral was a finely tuned diplomatic tango, leading to William being placed somewhat further back than some Royal contemporaries. Priority was given to Argentina due to the Pope hailing from there, with attendance including the outspoken Argentinian President Javier Milei, who had been critical of the Pope before becoming head of state. Italy followed next in pecking order given the Pope's status as bishop of Rome and head of the Italian Catholic bishops. Next were the reigning sovereigns, arranged "in alphabetical order, but in the French language", then heads of state, followed by heads of government such as the UK Prime Minister, and other official attendees. French got the nod for the seating arrangements at a high-profile diplomatic event as it's seen as the official language of diplomacy, flipping the expected English-speaking order on its head. This twist meant Trump snagged an upfront seat since America falls under "Etats-Unis d'Amerique,". Irish President Michael D Higgins trumped both Prince William and the British Government delegates taking a back seat. Cardinal Vincent Nichols, the head of the Catholic Church in England and Wales, termed the seating agenda a "master plan" crafted to manage the "big egos" among global chiefs. Before the grand event, Cardinal Nichols revealed to interviewers that the occasion was "without a doubt another masterpiece of stage management when you consider those state leaders who have high opinions of their importance". He went on to say: "In the past, I've seen it here over and over again that the combination of Rome and the Holy See, they actually are geniuses at dealing with these big events."
