“Racial Divide Still Plagues Us” by Bishop DiMarzio

January 28, 2015 – Excerpted from “Put Out Into the Deep,” Bishop DiMarzio’s column in The Tablet:

My dear brothers and sisters in the Lord,

The current situation in our country, especially in the City of New York, brings to mind the question of racial and class divide in our society. I am grateful to my brother Bishop Edward Braxton, of Belleville, Ill., for his reflection on “The Racial Divide in the United States: A Reflection for the World Day of Peace 2015.”

In a past article, I commented on our Holy Father’s message for World Day of Peace where Pope Francis reflected on the theme, “No Longer Slaves, But Brothers and Sisters.” The Holy Father reminded us that besides the obvious enslavement of people which, unfortunately, still happens in the world, there are other types of enslavement which are just as heinous. Bishop Braxton, in his reflection, writes a very personal and poignant pastoral letter on a new awareness of the racial divide and the obvious need for a call to dialogue.

There has been a series of unrelated acts of violence against African-American men that has brought to our attention a continuing racial divide; first, Trayvon Martin, then Michael Brown and finally, in our own city, Eric Garner. Bishop Braxton brings to our attention three other cases to which I was totally unaware. As we reflect on the feelings of our fellow Americans we recognize that even the terms we use are divisive. Why should we speak of someone as an African-American or as black. Does color divide us? Does it make a difference? Or are our national origins divisive? Or are we “all” Americans?

Read the full text of the Bishop’s column on The Tablet website.

World Marriage Day 2015

World Marriage Day is right around the corner! This special day, dedicated to honoring husband and wife as the foundation of the family, the basic unit of society. It salutes the beauty of their faithfulness, sacrifice and joy in daily married life. The theme for this iteration of WMD is “Love One Another.” This phrase is the commandment given us by Jesus in John 15:12. It speaks to us in a simple but challenging way of how our Father wishes us to live. Loving one another is a daily decision, simple but challenging.

World Marriage Day will be celebrated on Sunday, February 8, 2015.

Please click on the following link for resources that can be used by your parish/school/academy. You are encouraged to select one or more of the suggested resources to assist in making this day a special occasion in your community. These resources can also be adapted for use in your parish program of religious education, school, or academy.

wmd.wwme.org

Note that these are important resources that will assist in the implementation of our newly announced Diocesan Evangelization and Renewal Springboard: The Joy of Encountering Christ–The Family’s Hope, especially as we prepare to celebrate the World Meeting of Families in September in Philadelphia with Pope Francis.

Performing arts program offered at Catholic schools across Queens

aaltamirano@queenscourier.com

Students at Catholic schools across Queens and Brooklyn are learning that all the world is a stage.

For the past few years, the Diocese of Brooklyn has been partnering with the nonprofit theater company Stages on the Sound Inc. to offer the Performing Arts Residency Program to almost 16,000 children every week at academies and schools throughout both boroughs.

Through this program, students from the fourth, sixth, and eighth grades at each school take part in one-hour-long weekly classes for 15 weeks taught by professionally trained actors and teachers….

Read Full Story at the Queens Courier

“The Gospel of The Family” by Bishop DiMarzio

January 21, 2015 – Excerpted from Put Out Into the Deep, Bishop DiMarzio’s column in The Tablet:

My dear brothers and sisters in the Lord,

The Final Report of the Extraordinary Synod of Bishops on the Family, which will serve as a preliminary document for next fall’s Synod on the Family, gives us much thought for consideration. I would like to focus my attention in this column on the proclamation on the Gospel of the Family.

The Gospel of the Family can only be proclaimed when we look upon Christ who initially gave the Good News of salvation to the world. The Divine Pedagogy was meant to bring the family, and especially marriage, to a higher and more perfect order recognizing the gradual preparation in God’s revelation regarding marriage and the family.

We begin in the Book of Genesis where it is proclaimed that God made male and female, “A man leaves his father and mother and cleaves to his wife and the two become one flesh.” (Gn 2:24) Throughout the Old Testament, we see a gradual development in the understanding of family. In Jesus’ revelation, we recognize that He goes beyond the law of Moses which allowed divorce for certain reasons. In Christ’s teaching, marriage was brought to a new level where it truly cannot be dissolved for any reason.

Read the full text of the Bishop’s column on The Tablet website.

Diocese of Brooklyn To Support Annual March For Life

On Thursday, January 22nd, the Diocese of Brooklyn will join the 42nd Annual March for Life Rally in Washington, D.C.

DeSales Media Group, the communications arm of the diocese, is sponsoring 11 buses that will travel from different points of Brooklyn and Queens to the National Mall in Washington, D.C., where the rally will start at noon. At their full capacities, these buses will bring some 550 parishioners, students, youth ministry groups, and clergy to march at the pro-life demonstration.

Read more »

Education Investment Tax Credit

This Wednesday, January 21, 2015, Governor Andrew Cuomo will deliver his State of the State address in Albany. Here, he is expected to call for the inclusion of some form of the Education Investment Tax Credit in this year’s budget. This flyer calls upon Catholic parents and parishioners to call Governor Cuomo’s office to encourage him to fully advocate for the Education Investment Tax Credit. 

Read more »

Nine Days For Life

“9 Days for Life,” a period of prayer, penance and pilgrimage marking the anniversary of Roe v. Wade, will take place from Saturday, January 17 – Sunday, January 25.

Each day’s content (available in both English and Spanish) includes a different prayer intention, short reflection, supplementary article, and suggested actions. Download an app or printable version of the novena, or sign up for email or text messages at www.9daysforlife.com. Content will also be shared via a Facebook event and other social media with the hashtags #9daysforlife and#9díasporlavida.

Catholics are also encouraged to host or participate in local events such as Masses, blessings for pro-life pilgrims, or a parish holy hour for reparation and healing for all affected by abortion.
Bilingual “9 Days for Life” leader resources and additional resources for observing January 22, the Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children are also available.

Please consider participating in, implementing and spreading the word about this wonderful plan of action.

“A Comprehensive Pro-Life Agenda” by Bishop DiMarzio

January 14, 2015 – Excerpted from “Put Out Into the Deep,” Bishop DiMarzio’s column in The Tablet:

My dear brothers and sisters in the Lord,

Each year, the Pro-Life movement has united at the March for Life in Washington, D.C. This year, it will be held on Thursday, Jan. 22. This event provides an opportunity for us to gather in our Nation’s capital and march down Constitution Avenue, ending at the Supreme Court, where the decision to make abortion legal in the United States has set a destructive path and human life has been reduced to a choice. It is unfortunate that there is a fundamental misunderstanding of the beginning of human life, its innate dignity and the possibility of terminating life.

Our Holy Father, Pope Francis, in his message for Day for Life, said, “Even the weakest and most vulnerable, the sick, the old, the unborn and the poor, are masterpieces of God’s creation, made in his own image, destined to live forever, and deserving of the utmost reverence and respect.”

Yes, we are masterpieces of God’s creation. To destroy a masterpiece is truly a sin against nature.

Read the full text of the Bishop’s column on the new The Tablet website.