Among the many traditions that Filipino parishioners have brought to the Parish of St. Ann is the “Misa de Gallo,” or “Rooster Mass.” This is a novena – a series of nine masses – that begin at 6 a.m. on each of the nine days leading up to Christmas.

The Norwood News’ arts and entertainment guide for our readers in the northwest Bronx.

A listing of events, programs and services for our readers in the northwest Bronx.

On World AIDS Day, Dec. 1, Miss Universe Dayana Mendoza of Venezuela spent the day in the northwest Bronx bringing good cheer. First, she visited Montefiore Medical Center’s Adolescent AIDS Program and then spent time with sick kids at Montefiore’s Children’s Hospital. Here, she’s switching roles with Marielys Ruiz, 20, who suffers from sickle cell anemia.

During a Monday afternoon game, Mt. St. Ursula Academy sophomore basketball player Samira Ahmed (pictured, fourth from left) collapsed on the court and later died after being rushed to the hospital.

A listing of public and community meetings for our readership in the northwest Bronx.

It is probable that only a small percentage of city residents can name their state legislators. But it’s hard to imagine that anyone in the northwest Bronx does not now – or won’t soon – know that their state senator is Pedro Espada.

After only seven murders during the first 10-and-a-half months of the year, the 52nd Precinct experienced three in one week in November, all of them within a four-block radius in North Fordham.

The city is trying once again to tack on another new and loathsome component to its already disastrous filtration plant project.

It proposes to snatch a chunk of parkland used by local kids to build a parking lot for the new golf course right next to Sachkerah Woods Playground, the only neighborhood benefit of what is shaping up to be the biggest boondoggle in Bronx history.

Because it’s technically for a park use, the city says it isn’t alienating additional parkland.

Maybe so, but after a litany of monumental screw-ups – not least of which is a tripling of the original price tag to around $3 billion – you’d think they’d shy from riling the community yet again and show a little sense.

And while golf is a recreational purpose, it is barely one that benefits this community enough to warrant slapping down more asphalt. After all, the parking lot is obviously for people who live far away from Norwood.

The city should stick to its original plan and keep the parking lot on the north side, where it is now and was originally slated for after the project’s completion.