A Brooklyn Love Story: Emergency Used Candles - The Play

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A Brooklyn Love Story: Emergency Used Candles - The Play

Written & Performed by Chiara Montalto.

Critically acclaimed one woman show by Chiara Montalto, A Brooklyn Love Story: Emergency Used Candles is a tale about the profound effect a grandfather and a granddaughter have on each other as one's life is ending and the other's is just beginning. A Brooklyn Love Story: Emergency Used Candles is the highly acclaimed one-woman show by actress and writer Chiara Montalto. Based on Montalto's experi

ence living with her maternal grandfather for ten years in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn, it's equally funny and touching.

09/15/2020

Today, the feast of the Exaltation of the Cross, my beloved uncle has taken a turn on his journey. He is comfortable and aware and resting. I’m here, as I have been the last two weeks, tonight my mom, husband and Celia Deutsch are with me. He has been surrounded by love all day, and tonight the parishioners of St.Clare sang and prayed outside his window. He heard and was so happy. Please keep praying for him. .s_ocha

09/07/2020

Day 6 to St. rose of Lima for beloved uncle Andrew Struzzieri.

Thanks to all for the prayers and well wishes. I want to mention this morning’s Mass. It took such strength and determination for Uncle to be there this morning. My uncle lives for the Mass. His ministry. And his determination to participate in Mass despite his circumstances is the very definition of strength. Herculean if you ask me. He is the strongest, bravest human being I know.

Mom Gloria Montalto and I brought Sunday dinner. We had spinach linguine in marinara sauce, uncle’s favorite and his recipe - for Stuffed artichokes, chicken spiedini, sausage and peppers and then a peach cake I kinda just improvised. We had an AMAZING dinner. Uncle was so happy he even got up from his chair and sorta danced into the dining room. A lot of laughs and most important, a lot of love. I’m here in Rosedale with him. He’s the best, bravest, kindest most wonderful human. @ St. Clare Roman Catholic Church, Rosedale

09/05/2020

he rectory. He’s loving his noise cancelling headphones- used them to watch daily Mass, listen to music. We just need to find a decent app to listen to the Rosary.

Tonight a FEAST prepared by Chef Jacqui (Jacqueline Jones) and a visit from old seminary friend Msgr. Hoppe and the staff from St. Joan of Arc. Thanks to all for the prayers and good wishes, they’re most important and yes, of course he had two pieces of that cake. .s_ocha

09/04/2020

Day 3 to St. Rose of Lima for beloved Uncle Fr. Andrew Struzzieri

Uncle spent a great day with my mom and brother Franco Montalto and dear friends Celia Deutsch and Joseph Malagreca. Writing again tonight from Uncle’s room. He went down for dinner - AMAZING meal prepared by Jacqueline Jones. I’m here now and I’ll be staying over tonight. We’re currently vegging our watching HGTV.
Uncle and my mom have always had a knack for interior design. With uncle this has usually involved installing Baptismal pools in Churches he has been Pastor at. He does baptisms by fully immersing babies in the pool. It’s really one of the most magnificent things I have ever seen. And I know that Alonzo Cox also does it in this way. Though uncle baptized me, he didn’t have a baptismal pool at that time.

Anyway thanks to all for the prayers. They mean more than we can say.
Tonight’s photo - uncle doing what he does best. .s_ocha

09/03/2020

Day 2 to St. Rose of Lima for precious, beloved uncle Fr. Andrew Struzzieri

Writing tonight from Uncle’s room. I’ve been here all day. We had a laugh earlier when he remembered a childhood story. He was about 9 or 10 and decided he was going to run away. Well my grandmother got a pole, wrapped up some food and clothes in a bandana and tied it to the pole. She opened the door and sent him on his way. He got as far as Benson Ave. (the corner) before he decided he really didn’t want to run away. He described it as an “early lesson in humility”
He is resting, comfortable and eating well.
Tonight’s photos: a Corpus Christi procession in Flatbush, Brooklyn in the early 1990’s (Our Lady of Refuge)

@ Our Lady of Refuge Church

09/01/2020

Day 9 Novena to St. Anthony for previous, beloved uncle Fr. Andrew Struzzieri

We’ve reached the end of St. Anthony starting tomorrow St. Rose of Lima. Uncle is resting at the rectory. My parents were there all day. I’ll be there at some point this week. I don’t really have much more of a reflection than that.
Tonight’s photo- courtesy of . It was Uncle’s first Haloween at St. Clare. I love this photo cause he is hilarious and this photo sums up his great sense of humour. And another from when he came to see me perform.

So many people have reached to me to tell me how much my uncle has meant to them. Last night Leilosa sent me some photos of the trip to Poland, and of a time Uncle went into the city to support two youths who were performing at a cultural show at their school in Manhattan.
I’m remembering a time when we went with Fr. Victor to see Fela! On Broadway. My dear friend Rosa Pietanza was with us. And we danced!!
Most meaningful to me though, was how when I was performing — he was always there to support me. He came with so many St. Matt’s parishioners. A few years ago, I was pretty down about stuff walking in Manhattan. And a woman came running towards me across 23rd Street. “You’re Father Andy’s niece, “ she said. “He took me to see your play, and I never got to tell you, but I loved it. Tell Padre I love him.”
To my Unc —the one who has always been supportive of not only me but so many others, may he always be blessed @ St. Clare Roman Catholic Church, Rosedale

08/31/2020

At today’s Mass, Uncle received the Anointing of the Sick from Fr. Louis Mary Ocha. It was beautiful.

I sobbed. Knowing how loved he is means more than I can say. These photos are courtesy of dear Sister Karen Lademann.
Please keep praying for him, praying for each other. Thinking as well, of Chadwick Boseman and his example of walking through the fire with cancer and still doing such incredible work.
I don’t know, I don’t have much more than that tonight. Thank you for the prayers.
@ St. Clare Roman Catholic Church, Rosedale

08/24/2020

May your Sunday’s be full of macaroni, meatballs laughter and love. For updates on Uncle Fr. Andrew Struzzieri, please go to my Facebook. Currently doing a novena to St. Anthony for him. He’s okay at St. Clare, and he is as we all are, grateful for everyone’s support, texts and messages on this journey. Special thanks to the lovely and wonderful .s_ocha Fr. Louismary Ocha. @ St. Clare Roman Catholic Church, Rosedale

08/18/2020

This evening we took uncle on a walk on the boardwalk at Rockaway Beach. We sat for awhile just looking at the waves crashing and noticing the boats way out in the ocean. At one point two boats (big cargo ships) looked like they were about to crash. But it was just the perception from afar, they were fine. We talked about that, how sometimes things seem one way from afar but then as you grow closer they are not what you thought at all. Lots of things are like that in life, and the hope, the faith is that even if it seems like your off course and on a path towards calamity, you’re actually exactly where you’re meant to be. Uncle/niece ramblings from an evening by the sea. @ Rockaway Beach Surf Club

07/19/2020

❤️

06/30/2020

Day 5 Novena to St. Charbel for the healing of my Uncle Andrew Struzzieri.
Thinking a lot about family today. How lucky we are to have each other as we walk through this life. Thinking about my grandfather, Uncle's father, my Pop. Also - Andrew Struzzieri. He was the root and reason for so much. The reason why I am (we are, because the rest of us are the same way) organized. The reason why I make the bed first thing in the morning. He taught us - all of us. And he was so incredibly proud of his children (my mom and Uncle) and all of us. To me, he is my angel. I know he is watching out for me. I know he sent me Pierfrancesco Giannini because I hear his laugh when Pier makes me laugh. I pray that he too continues to watch us all, and protect and heal his son.
Today's pic -- us, somewhere back in the late 90's or early aughts.
Thanks to all for the prayers.
Fifth Day
Oh, saint Charbel, loved by God, enlighten me, help me and teach me how to please God. Hurry to my rescue. Oh affectionate Father, I beg of you to ask God for this grace (name the grace).Oh, Saint Charbel, friend of the crucified, intercede for me.Oh, God, hear my demand through Saint Charbel's intercession. Save my poor heart and give me peace. Calm the troubles of my soul. To be glory you till the end. Amen.
Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory be to the Father.

06/29/2020

Day 4 Novena to St. Sharbel for my beloved uncle Andrew Struzzieri.

Uncle celebrated Mass today. His homily was incredible.
Thanks to all for your prayers.
Pic is a screen grab from
Today.

Forth Day
Oh Saint Charbel, the affectionate, I resort to you. My confidence in you fills my heart. With the power of your intercession with God, I am waiting for the grace which I ask from you (name the grace). Show me your affection once more.Oh, Saint Charbel, orchard of virtue, intercede for me.Oh, God, you, who granted Saint Charbel, the grace of your resemblance, grant me the help to grow in the Christian virtues and have mercy on me to be able to praise you till the end. Amen.
Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory be to the Father

Address

137-35 Brookville Blvd
Queens, NY
11422-1722

Website

http://www.chiaramontalto.com/

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