‘No Easy Answers To Racial Divide’ by Bishop DiMarzio

July 20, 2016 – Excerpted from Put Out Into the Deep, Bishop DiMarzio’s column in The Tablet:

My dear brothers and sisters in the Lord,

Last week, under the leadership of the communication office of the Diocese of Brooklyn, a solidarity rally was held at Grand Army Plaza in Park Slope, where we brought together the community, especially the New York City Police Department and our African-American members, in an effort to pray together for peace and calm in the present situation.

The ecumenical ceremony brought together representatives of the major religions: Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Buddhist, Sikh and Islamic. Prayer in times of crisis is always important, not only as we petition God for peace and calm, but also as we come to better understand our own feelings and motivations so that we can act with the calm and peace necessary for a peaceful society.

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

NET TV AND THE TABLET REPORTING FROM WORLD YOUTH DAY AND NATIONAL CONVENTIONS

NET TV AND THE TABLET REPORTING FROM WORLD YOUTH DAY AND NATIONAL CONVENTIONS 

New Evangelization Television (NET TV) and The Tablet will have journalists on the ground in Krakow, Poland delivering in-depth reports for World Youth Day 2016.Currents news correspondent Michelle Powers and The Tablet reporter Maria-Pia Negro Chin will be embedded with nearly one million teenagers and young adults as they convene with Pope Francis for seven days of prayer, music, and cultural exchanges. In addition to in-depth reports broadcast nightly on Currents and published in the The Tablet’s weekly edition, reporters will be sharing pictures and video on social media including on Currents’ Facebook and Twitter pages and on The Tablet’s Facebook and Twitter pages with #WYDOB. NET TV will also broadcast Pope Francis’ Masses and other World Youth Day events in their entirety. For a complete schedule of live and taped broadcasts click here.

Special coverage of World Youth Day begins on Wednesday July 20th and ends Monday August 1st. Reports will air every evening on Currents, NET TV’s nightly news program, which airs at 7:30 pm Monday through Friday, with encores at 11:30pm and 6:30am the following day. You can follow all coverage at www.netny.tv/wyd2016 and www.thetablet.org/wyd2016.

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‘A Lesson In Passing On The Faith’ by Bishop DiMarzio

July 13, 2016 – Excerpted from Put Out Into the Deep, Bishop DiMarzio’s column in The Tablet:

My dear brothers and sisters in the Lord,

On July 16, we celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel. Personally, I have a very special devotion to Our Lady of Mt. Carmel and the feast is also so much a part of the life of our diocese, especially at the parish of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel in Williamsburg. It has been my tradition to celebrate one of the Feast Day Masses and join in one of the two processions on that day through the neighborhood.

Several years ago while walking in the procession, I noticed two young people carrying a small child walking in front of me. It was a very warm day and, in fact, the tar from the streets stuck to my shoes. These two tattooed people wearing short shorts and sleeveless shirts were walking barefoot. My curiosity got the best of me and I asked them simply, “Why are you walking without shoes on this hot day?” Without hesitation the woman responded, “I am doing this for my grandmother.”

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

WORLD YOUTH DAY 2016: DIOCESE OF BROOKLYN SENDS HUNDREDS OF YOUNG PEOPLE TO PRAY WITH POPE IN POLAND

400 pilgrims from the Diocese of Brooklyn will head to Krakow Poland from July 25th to the 31st for a once-in-a lifetime chance to encounter and pray with Pope Francis during World Youth Day 2016. They will join nearly a million young people from around the globe during the 7 day event of prayer, teaching sessions with bishops, cultural exchanges, and music. The crowd is expected to grow to 2.5 million on the event’s final day when the Holy Father celebrates Mass.

The Diocese of Brooklyn, which includes186 parishes in Brooklyn and Queens, is sending the country’s largest diocesan group to World Youth Day.  Preparations for the journey, which began 3 years ago, have included fundraisers, community service, meditation, and prayer.

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Brooklyn’s Borough President And Bishop Invite NYPD Officers And Community Members To Join Candlelight Vigil

WHO: Community members, local police officers, NYPD Deputy Chief Chaplain Robert J. Romano, NYPD Chaplain Monsignor David L. Cassato, Rev. A.R. Bernard, Dr. Uma Mysorekar of the Hindu Temple Society, Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams, and The Most Reverend Nicholas DiMarzio, Bishop of Brooklyn

WHAT: Candlelight vigil for 2 men fatally shot by police in Louisiana and Minnesota as well as 5 Dallas officers subsequently killed during a protest of the police-involved shootings.

WHEN: Monday July 11, 2016 at 7:30pm

WHERE: Grand Army Plaza, Brooklyn, NY 11217

WHY: To mourn the lives lost and pray for an end to violence and the healing of police-community relations across the country.

WTH_VIGIL_July11 FINAL

A Valedictorian’s Speech to his Fellow Graduates

Marc Louis is the Class of 2016’s Valedictorian at SCG- SLT. This honor is based on his grade point average. Marc came to us as a sixth grader from public school. He told us that while he was smart in school, he would get into fights with other students. His parents wanted Marc to excel academically and become a person with a strong moral character. Marc has shown us and his parents that he values the strong Catholic education he received at St. Catherine of Genoa-St. Therese of Lisieux Catholic Academy. We are so very proud of him! We hope you enjoy reading his speech. 

“Good Afternoon parents, teachers, administrators, priests, board members, family and friends, and of course, graduates of 2016.

Before I begin, I would like to thank our wonderful staff and Sisters for dealing with our unique class. Two years ago I could have never imagined standing before you today. As I stand here before you and see all these faces, they bring out emotions and memories of all sorts. We leave here with a sense of happiness to see how far we have come as a whole, but also with a sense of passion as we end a chapter in our lives. SCG~ STL has given me the opportunity to learn and become better as a whole, and to experience new fields and make friends who have changed my life for the better. Before coming to this school, I had never realized the importance of a Catholic education or even how to be a true follower of Christ. However, now I know. I have experienced the feeling of being able to help younger kids, welcoming new friends, and most importantly, giving back to the community. With the uplifting spirits and support of everyone, I was able to become a better person. This school has been a second home to me, teaching me so many lessons, everything from not forgetting my signs (thanks, Mr. Sickora!) to guiding me on the right path as a Catholic (thank you, Sr. Lynn!).

The memories I’ve made here are unforgettable and will be cherished forever. I was given chances like seeing the Pope, being part of extra-curricular and representing what my school stands for. This school has given me these wonderful experiences, and I can’t imagine what my life would have been like without them. Having that intimate relationship with the teachers, sharing many laughs, viewing the incredible Spring and Christmas shows, attending the trips, and seeing Mr. Sickora attempt to sing not only brought laughter and joy but also a sense of belonging.

Now, as I conclude my speech, I look back and think, this school has given us all such an amazing opportunity and has made us strive to do our best. We came in as children when we first entered those doors, and look at us now, young men and women who will conquer the world. A lot of us here have been here our whole lives, but this school and the people in it have given us the key of success to open the door to the future.

My friends, acquaintances, we have made our mark on this school and we have just begun our journey. So I say to you graduates, Godspeed. We, the class of 2016, are the future of innovation and creativity. We will push boundaries and do both ordinary, as well as great, things with extraordinary love. This is the gift this school has given us, and with that I say thank you.

Lastly, I would like to give thanks to the people who have gotten me this far in my life: my parents, siblings, friends and amazing teachers. It is with much gratitude that I am able to publicly thank you for the immense role you have played in my life.
Congratulations Class of 2016!”

If you’d like to find out more about SCG-STL please visit their website at: https://scgstl.org/