Albanian roots organization donates statue of Mother St. Teresa to St. Athanasius Parish
“By blood, I am Albanian. By citizenship, an Indian. By faith, I am a Catholic nun. As to my calling, I belong to the world. As to my heart, I belong entirely to the Heart of Jesus. ”
These words from Mother Saint Teresa are emblazoned on a poster hanging from the side of St. Athanasius Church. Last Sunday, the prominent Bensonhurst parish hosted the Albanian president, along with local Albanians, to honor Mother St. Teresa with the unveiling of her statue. Monsignor David L. Cassato, Pastor of St. Athanasius Church, gave the blessing over the statue. Preceding the dedication ceremony were Mass and then musical and dance performances by the Alba Life School and local dance academies.
The Sept. 25 celebration had an interfaith bond as well. The President of the Republic of Albania, Bujar Nishani, was born a secular Muslim. Representatives from the Albanian Roots organization, which donated the statue, and State Sen. Martin J. Golden (R-C-I, Brooklyn) co-led the dedication ceremony starting at 12:30 p.m. outside St. Athanasius Catholic Academy at Bay Parkway and 61st Street.
Pope Francis on Sept. 4 had canonized the humanitarian worker and founder of the Missionaries of Charity. Mother Teresa is now known as St. Teresa of Calcutta.