SNL and Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn share laughs

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 17, 2013

New York, NY – Apparently Converse’s “Chuck Taylor” sneakers are a favorite choice of footwear of both the Pope and Jesus Christ. And why shouldn’t they be? They are comfortable, colorful, and according to Seth Meyers in his SNL Weekend Update, are why more Catholics are returning to church.
Ok, maybe Seth’s comments are a little aggrandized. But the reference is appropriately suggestive of a major problem in the Church today: that most Catholics see the church as archaic and not relevant, nor valuable, to their everyday lives.
Catholics yearn for a Church they can relate to. That is what Seth Meyers was jokingly referencing, and that is what the Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn’s new “All Faces, Everyday Understanding” marketing campaign is trying to achieve.
Launched on April 1, 2013, this campaign is geared towards reaching a younger, more diverse demographic by showing the cooler and more welcoming side of the Catholic Church. And one of the main creative pieces is “The Original Hipster.”
Who would of guessed that the Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn and SNL had similar senses of humor. Whatever the case, imitation is the best form of flattery and the Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn is thrilled that SNL can help spread its message.
“If you have faith there is never a need to take yourself too seriously; life is so much easier when you have a sense of humor. Sure we are poking fun at ourselves, but also making clear that in Catholic Churches in Brooklyn & Queens everyone is welcome.”
– Monsignor Kieran Harrington
Keep an eye out for the “All Faces, Everyday Understanding” campaign in Brooklyn and Queens. The ads are creative, funny, and suggestive of the renewed and relatable atmosphere you can find at one of the more than 230 Churches in Brooklyn and Queens.


All Faces.  Everyday Understanding Landing Page: https://dioceseofbrooklyn.com/allfaces

SS. JOSEPH & DOMINIC CATHOLIC ACADEMY SET TO CLOSE AT END OF 2012-13 ACADEMIC SCHOOL YEAR

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 16, 2013

Faced with declining enrollment and increased operating costs, SS. Joseph & Dominic Catholic Academy will close in June.

Statistics indicate that enrollment has declined from 247 students in September 2011 to 165 students in September 2012. The uncollected tuition as of March 31, 2013, is $148,527. Paid re-registration as of April 8, 2013, is 35 students. The school was established in 2005, following the merger of six schools of the neighboring parishes that were formerly served by the Sisters of St. Dominic and the Sisters of St. Joseph.

“We are saddened that the academy is closing after many efforts to save it, including marketing approaches to increase enrollment and outreach to the local community,” said Sister Kieran Nduagbo, DDL, principal.

IMMIGRATION REFORM TO BE ADDRESSED AT MIGRATION MASS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 12, 2013

Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio will celebrate the annual Catholic Migration Mass on Sunday, April 14th at 3 p.m. at the Cathedral Basilica of St. James, Jay Street and Cathedral Place, in Downtown Brooklyn. Senator Charles Schumer is expected to attend, alongside city, state and federal legislators.
“America is a nation of immigrants and nowhere is this more true than here in the great Diocese of Brooklyn, under the leadership of immigration advocate second-to none, Bishop DiMarzio,” said Senator Schumer. “I am hard at work with my bi-partisan allies putting the finishing touches on a comprehensive immigration reform bill that will bring 11 million people out of the shadows and onto the path to citizenship. With your help, and your prayers, I hope that we will succeed in passing this vital legislation.”
Catholics from 28 ethnic groups will gather; many will be dressed in the traditional garb of their homelands. The opening procession, historically a colorful line of costumes and banners proclaiming international backgrounds, will begin at the opening of the Mass.
Father Patrick J. Keating, CEO of Catholic Migration Services, will speak on immigration reform. “We live in a great nation, we live in a great city,” he said. “Where would we be without immigrants? Let us support immigration reform that will keep families together, let us support immigration reform that will respect and honor the legacy of the immigrants that have come before us.”
Mass is celebrated regularly in 32 different languages in the 194 parishes of Brooklyn and Queens.
Catholic Migration Services has helped over 100,000 immigrants and their families since its creation in 1971. Included within its vast scope of services is the Immigrant Tenant Advocacy Program (ITAP) which improves the living conditions of low-income immigrant tenants by fighting for dignified and affordable housing, as well as the Immigrant Workers’ Rights Program, which represents workers in disputes over wage and hour violations, unsafe working conditions, and other workplace abuses commonly suffered by immigrants in New York City. For more information on Catholic Migration Services, visit www.catholicmigration.org.

April 11th, 2013, Common Core Assessments in Catholic School

“Without professional development, we would never be 21st century schools,” commenced Dr. Thomas Chadzutko, Superintendent of Schools at the St. John Neumann Principal Professional Development Day at Our Lady of Trust Catholic Academy on April 11th, 2013.

“The day was very informative and offered principals many suggestions regarding Common Core assessments and the rigor and instructional shifts needed in order to ensure academic achievement for all students,” stated Diane Phelan, Associate Superintendent for Evaluation of Programs and Students. Read more »