Latest news with #St.Patrick'sChurch
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Vestal Police hosting Drug Take Back Day event
VESTAL, N.Y. (WIVT/WBGH) – Community members are encouraged to safely dispose of their expired and unused prescription medications on Saturday. The Vestal Police Department is participating in DEA National Drug Take Back Day on April 26. If you have old or unwanted prescription medication, you can drop it off at the Vestal Police Department to be safely disposed of. Needles and liquids will not be accepted. The event will take place from 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Vestal Police says if you cannot make it to the event, you can drop off your unwanted medication at the department's lobby and collection box which is accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. To find additional collection spots around the community, click here. Vestal Police hosting Drug Take Back Day event St. Patrick's Church holding mass in honor of Pope Francis Sunshine and warmer temperatures conditions continue today The Orchard at Chenango Commons open for the season Road crews filling potholes around Binghamton Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Latino Catholics in Spokane reflect on the legacy and loss of Pope Francis
Apr. 21—In June 2017, Lupita Gutierrez, resident of Spokane and active member of the St. Joseph Catholic Church, went to Rome for her 60th birthday, with members from the St. Patrick's Church in Pasco. They were standing among thousands in St. Peters Square, celebrating the descent of the Holy Spirit, also known as Pentecost, when all of a sudden she saw Pope Francis just a few feet away from her. "People were singing in different languages at the same time and then the Pope drove by saying hi to everybody," Gutierrez recalled. "It was so, so beautiful." That memory came floating back to her in Monday morning, after a member of the church told her the pope died; she was devastated. "I was impacted because I had been seeing the news about him every day. He has been getting better, going back to the people and trying to serve as he used to do, but obviously he couldn't," Gutierrez said. "I am so blessed that I got to see him in Rome and be 5 feet away." Gutierrez is among one of many Catholic Latinos across the state of Washington mourning the death of Pope Francis — a pope who, she said, not only spread the word of God but also taught the importance of unity and acceptance even if it came with criticism. According to a 2024 Pew Research Center report, one in 5 U.S. adults describe themselves as Catholic. Over a third (36%) of them are Latino. "He was seeing people as human beings, who sometimes make mistakes, but he wasn't judging or criticizing anybody," Gutierrez said. Harley Salazar, a deacon for St. Joseph Catholic Church, said although he knew this was coming, he was saddened to hear the news . "As a member of the church, I love the pope," Salazar said in Spanish. "I had been very attentive of what he would say all the time so, ultimately, I felt a lot of pain in me because he has been a great impact in my life." He said Pope Francis, as the first Latin American pontiff, will always be an important part of the Latino community. He noted a letter Pope Francis sent out to U.S. bishops earlier this year, where he criticized the criminalization of migrations and deportations. This helped Latinos, especially migrants, across the nation feel included and seen, Salazar said. " The act of deporting people who in many cases have left their own land for reasons of extreme poverty, insecurity, exploitation, persecution or serious deterioration of the environment, damages the dignity of many men and women, and of entire families, and places them in a state of particular vulnerability and defenselessness," the pope's letter states. Salazar also said Pope Francis had become a key figure in making Latinos find peace during a time of uncertainty. "He was humble. He was inclusive. He fought for Latinos who can't because of everything that is happening in the United States," Salazar said. "He's always been attentive to our community and that's why we feel so connected." Gutierrez said she feels "blessed" knowing that she was able to see him in person and have that memory of the pope. "He was always criticized especially by political people or his stance on abortions and transgender people, but I think he was one of the best. And not because he was Latino, but because he was teaching us how to accept," Gutierrez said.
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Local Parish Priest reflects on Pope Francis' death, legacy of compassion
ELMIRA, N.Y (WETM)— The churches within the Parish of the Most Holy Name of Jesus reflected on the life of Pope Francis and his impact on society on Monday, April 21. Pope Francis was the head of the Catholic Church from 2013 until he died on Monday, April 21, leaving a legacy for people worldwide. He was the first Jesuit and Latin American to lead the Catholic Church. There is one Catholic Parish in the city of Elmira, the Parish of the Most Holy Name of Jesus. Within the Parish, there are two churches, St. Patrick's Church and St. Mary's Church. 'What I loved about Pope Francis was his compassion and love for the poor and disadvantaged. I think that comes right out of the gospels,' said Scott Kubinski, Reverend at St. Mary's Church and St. Patrick's Church in Elmira. According to Reverend Scott Kubinski, Pope Francis promoted social justice and worked to promote inclusivity within the Church, and his influence reached beyond the Vatican. 'He believed that everyone is loved by God and deserves respect. That's how I see the world myself. Jesus spoke to the marginalized and treated women who were viewed as property at the time, as equal,' said Kubinski. Although Pope Francis has a legacy of social justice and advocacy for marginalized groups, some of his opinions sparked controversy. 'We live in such a divided world where people just don't agree. There is so much hate and distrust, but Francis was a light in our world because he had compassion and respected everyone,' said Scott. The Catholic Church is now going to have to choose a new leader after the funeral of Pope Francis. 'They will have a Conclave of the world's Cardinals, and anyone under 80 can vote. There are roughly 140 people who will meet in Rome to talk and decide. Once the votes are cast, the new Pope will be elected,' said Kubinski. The Parish of the Most Holy Name of Jesus plans to hold a precibus or Mass to honor the life of Pope Francis later this week. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
