Talk Bronx New York

A Bronx Detour Could Prove Edifying For Benedict

Strung across the front of the St. Rita of Cascia Church rectory in the Mott Haven section of the Bronx this week is a banner with Pope Benedict XVI’s image superimposed over a photo of the church’s squat, one-story sanctuary.

Behind the pope’s raised arms are immaculate white-washed walls and a red-tiled roof, which could give the impression he is visiting a church in one of the Latin American countries that St. Rita’s mostly Hispanic parishioners call home, not an especially rough corner of what may be the most impoverished congressional district in the nation.

The banner reflects the wishful thinking of the church’s priest that the pope might make a detour this Sunday on his way to Yankee Stadium a few blocks away, as his predecessor, Pope John Paul II, did during a trip to the Bronx in the 1970s. But with security concerns now at an all-time high and because of the neighborhood’s particularly negative reputation for violence and drug crime, the Reverend Jose Gutierrez and his parishioners realize their dream is unlikely to be fulfilled — no matter that St. Rita is the patron of the impossible.

If Benedict were able to venture out to see St. Rita’s on his trip to meet his American flock for the first time, he would find a parish whose struggles have come to reflect some of the larger problems confronting the Catholic Church as a whole.

He might also discover the key to the Catholic Church’s continued hope and vibrancy even as it faces challenges.

“It’s a poor parish, but this doesn’t impede us,” Rev. Gutierrez said.

SOURCE: NYSun.com Read more..

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Pope’s Visit To New York Could Aid Businesses 

During Pope Benedict XVI’s visit to New York, thousands will converge on city streets, outside churches and the hallowed stadium home of the Bronx Bombers, creating both logistical challenges and economic benefits.

The gathering will create security issues and traffic snarls but also inject millions into the city’s anemic economy, said Helana Natt, executive director of the Greater New York Chamber of Commerce.

“The economy is tight right now,” she said. “So it’s a great opportunity when you have tourists and people in the metro-New York area coming to see the pope, who are going to turn around and spend money in the city.”

While the visit will help generate business, it may come at a cost to the city. Some agencies, including the police and sanitation departments, will have to pay costly overtime pay.

“It will cost a significant amount of money but we don’t have a final estimate,” Police Commissioner Ray Kelly said last week after revealing thousands of officers will work overtime on the pope’s security.

Tuesday, police officials didn’t return calls.

Department of Sanitation workers, who typically aren’t scheduled to collect garbage Sundays, will earn overtime for cleanup after the Mass at Yankee Stadium, an agency spokesman said, adding that the exact cost hasn’t been tallied.

Benedict arrived in Washington, D.C., yesterday. He touches down Friday at Kennedy Airport. While here, Benedict will visit Ground Zero and hold Mass at Yankee Stadium on Sunday.

Bronx Borough President Adolfo Carrion Jr. said Benedict holding Mass at Yankee Stadium is a fitting send-off to the closing ballpark.

“I can’t think of a better way to mark the final year at Yankee Stadium than with a visit from Pope Benedict,” he said.

Eateries like the Heidelberg Restaurant, at 1648 Second Ave., are ready for an expected crush of customers after Benedict attends services at St. Joseph’s Church at East 87th Street, a few blocks away.

“I’m sure people will be coming by for a beer and Weisswurst,” said Eva Matischak, the restaurant owner.

Matischak said rumor has it that Weisswurst — veal sausage — is the pope’s favorite. She tried but failed to stock up on Papst-Bier, or Pope Beer, which features the pontiff on the bottle’s label.

Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer said having the pope visit the city outweighs any possible problems. That includes possible protests over the clergy sex abuse scandal or picketing Catholic school teachers seeking better pay and health benefits, he said. “If there wasn’t a protest, we’d be in the wrong city,” he said. “A major leader is coming to our city — we should get ready.”

 SOURCE: NewsDay.com Read more..

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