What a momentous day for Harlem, the nation, and the world.
Enjoy our gospel podcast while you review the schedule and learn more about the school.
Our podcast
The schedule
Source: Pope Francis’ U.S. Visit Schedule – The New York Times
The school
Our Lady Queen of Angels school, an institution that has been providing grade school level education to the East Harlem community for over 120 years. The student body is 70% Hispanic and 22% African American.
According to Wall Street Journal, the pontiff will spend time in a third-grade classroom with students. Timothy McNiff, superintendent of schools for the archdiocese told WSJ.com that the visit will likely include a lesson demonstrating how the school is teaching kids about the importance of caring for the environment.
The WSJ writes:
“Our Lady Queen of Angels school is physically connected to a Roman Catholic parish that was closed by the archdiocese some eight years ago
Zaida Rodriguez, a former parishioner, is among a handful of the faithful who still gather for weekly services at park benches across the street from the now boarded-up church building.
On Tuesday, Ms. Rodriguez said she felt the papal visit was an acknowledgment that there are vibrant Catholic schools in her East Harlem neighborhood, even though other schools have closed, other parishes have merged—or closed altogether—and there are other nicer, bigger schools in Manhattan.
“Maybe somebody will get a chance to talk to him and see the problems we have here,” Ms. Rodriguez said. “I found it interesting and odd that they picked that particular school. We’ll see what happens.” “
