Upcoming Youth Events

There are three upcoming youth events in the Diocese of Brooklyn in early March, don’t miss them! On March 3rd, Donovan’s Pub of Woodside will host a Theology on Tap, with guest Brother Malachy Napier. There is a second Theology on Tap on March 10 at Donovan’s, featuring Fr. Gribowich. And catch Hours for the Lord at the Cathedral Basilica of St. James, at 9PM on March 4th.

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‘A Chance To Share The Gospel’ By Bishop DiMarzio

February 24, 2016 – Excerpted from Put Out Into The Deep, Bishop DiMarzio’s column in The Tablet:

My dear brothers and sisters in the Lord,

On behalf of everyone served throughout our Diocese in Brooklyn and Queens, we begin the 2016 Annual Catholic Appeal, “Share The Joy of the Gospel,” by thanking those who so generously responded to last year’s Catholic Appeal. If not for the commitment of our parishioners to this annual initiative, the basic services and ministries offered by the Diocese would not be possible.

This weekend, we begin the 2016 Annual Catholic Appeal in parishes that participated last year in our Generations of Faith capital campaign. The Generations of Faith capital campaign is helping to strengthen our parishes by not only providing security for our senior priests, but also investing in the Church’s future through our diocesan youth ministry initiative. The Annual Catholic Appeal continues to support the vital diocesan ministries that serve all of Brooklyn and Queens on a day-to-day basis. The theme of the 2016 Annual Catholic Appeal continues to be inspired by Pope Francis’ Encyclical “The Joy of the Gospel” which reminds us of the happiness we receive when we bring the Good News to others.

Pope Francis writes, “The joy of the gospel fills the hearts and the lives of those who encounter Jesus. Those who accept His offer of salvation are set free from sin, sorrow, bitter emptiness and loneliness. With Christ, joy is constantly born anew.”

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

Young Adult Holy Hour

Young adults of Williamsburg! On Thursday, February 25th at 6:45 PM, please join us at Divine Mercy Parish for our second Young Adult Holy Hour! Mother Revelacion, SSVM, will give a special meditation on chastity and Divine Mercy for the Holy Year of Mercy. Dinner at Carmine’s to follow. Hope you can join!

The details: St. Nicholas Church, 6:45, February 25th, L train to Grand Street, five minute walk.

For more information about Diocesan events, go to meetmein.church.

 

Our Lady of the Snows Teachers Receive 9/11 Tribute Award

2Ms. Claudia Preciado and Mrs. Remee Mallay, Spanish and 8th Grade Science Teachers from Our Lady of the Snows School, have recently been selected as recipients of the Tribute Center’s 2016 Teacher Awards.

This award was given because of, “the personal and meaningful manner in which [they] have engaged [their] students in exploring the history and lessons of September 11th.” Ms. Preciado and Mrs. Mallay, along with the principal, Mr. Joseph Venticinque, and two selected students will attend a special ceremony in February.

Ms. Preciado, Mrs. Mallay and Our Lady of the Snows’ Aquinas Club spent many hours over the summer and at the very beginning of the school year planning and working on a construction of a 9/11 Exhibit in the school’s library. The exhibit included a mural painted by the students, books, digital presentations, tri-folds, and more, each of which represented a different part of that day. They explained in great detail the events that transpired on 9/11 as our entire school visited the exhibit throughout the school day.

We are very proud of their hard work and eagerness to commemorate this event- an event which the students did not even live through. To view pictures of the exhibit please visit, https://olsschoolfp.org/911exhibit

 

’24th World Day Of The Sick’ By Bishop DiMarzio

February 17, 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, we celebrated the World Day of the Sick. This remembrance of the sick coincides with the February 11th Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes. In his message for this day, “Entrusting Oneself to the Merciful Jesus like Mary: ‘Do whatever He tells you’ (Jn 2:5),” our Holy Father, Pope Francis, uses the Gospel scene of the Wedding at Cana to remind us of the intercessory power of Mary. It was Mary at Cana who recognized that the wine was running short. She appealed to her Son, Jesus, to do something for the newly married couple, who would be in distress. After retreating from Jesus, Mary simply told the servants, “Do whatever He tells you.” Pope Francis tells us that if we can learn to obey these words of Mary, Jesus will change the water of our lives into precious wine.

Sometimes the reality of sickness and the suffering that it brings is hard for us to accept. Perhaps it is most difficult to understand when a child becomes ill. Parents often feel helpless when they see their child in pain. Many pray that they might suffer in their son or daughter’s place. Later in life, it is chronic illness that often plagues the elderly. This chronic illness can lead to depression or despair.

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

NEW YORK CATHOLICS ATTEND “VIEWING PARTY” IN QUEENS TO SEE POPE FRANCIS IN MEXICO CITY

Event: Pope “Viewing Party”
Time: Saturday, February 13th, at 5:30 pm.
Location: 88-19 Parsons Blvd, Jamaica, NY 11432

Queens, NY – On Saturday, hundreds of New York Catholics, many with Latin American roots, will gather at Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish in Jamaica, Queens, to watch Pope Francis celebrate Holy Mass LIVE from Mexico City. The Mass will be held at Mexico’s National Shrine, the Basilica of Guadalupe. The Pontiff’s 6-day visit to Mexico is part of his first Apostolic Trip of 2016.

“Presentation church is home to a big Hispanic community, welcoming a vast group of Mexican parishioners. With this special viewing, our Mexican brothers and sisters will have the opportunity to spiritually travel back to Mexico and witness the blessings of having our Holy Father in their homeland, as he blesses their land, their roots and their people,” said Father Manuel de Jesús Rodríguez, pastor of Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish.
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NEOYORQUINOS CATÓLICOS SE REUNIRÁN EN QUEENS PARA VER MISA PAPAL DESDE MÉXICO

Evento: Transmisión en vivo de misa papal
Día y hora: Sábado 13 de febrero, a las 5:30 pm.
Lugar: 88-19 Parsons Blvd, Jamaica, NY 11432

Queens, NY – Este sábado, hispanos católicos asistirán a la Parroquia de la Presentación de la Santísima Virgen María en Queens para ver en vivo la Santa Misa que celebrará el Papa Francisco desde Ciudad de México. El Sumo Pontífice presidirá la Misa en la Basílica de Santa María de Guadalupe en el marco de su visita apostólica de 6 días al país mexicano, la cual corresponde su primer viaje del 2016.

“La iglesia Presentación cuenta con una gran comunidad hispana, sirviendo especialmente a un gran grupo de feligreses mexicanos. Con esta transmisión en vivo nuestros hermanos mexicanos tendrán la oportunidad de volver espiritualmente a su país y presenciar la visita del Santo Padre, quien bendecirá su tierra, sus raíces y su pueblo”, dijo el padre Manuel de Jesús Rodríguez, pastor de la Parroquia de la Presentación de la Santísima Virgen María.
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‘Love and the Joy of Forgiveness’ by Bishop DiMarzio

February 10, 2016 – Excerpted from Put Out Into the Deep, Bishop DiMarzio’s column in The Tablet:

My dear brothers and sisters in the Lord,

February is the month for those in love. The Feast of St. Valentine has become a day that focuses on cards, candy, flowers and even diamond rings. However, the history of St. Valentine’s Day is not founded on material tokens of affection, but rather on St. Valentine, an early martyr of the Church, who gave his life as a witness to the love of Jesus Christ.

According to tradition, Valentine was imprisoned for marrying and ministering to Christians, during a time of persecution. While in confinement, he wrote to those who cared about him, always signing his letters, “Your Valentine.”

However the tradition began, it has become one of the most economically successful days of the year, next to Christmas and Halloween. It is interesting to see how these feasts days of the Church have generated secular interest and economic value, but it is important to remember and reflect on the traditions’ deeper meanings.

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

Bishop DiMarzio To Celebrate Ash Wednesday

On Wednesday, February 10th, hundreds of Catholics will come to Brooklyn’s historic Cathedral Basilica of St. James in observance of Ash Wednesday.

The Most Reverend Nicholas DiMarzio, Bishop of the Diocese of Brooklyn, will bless ashes and mark the foreheads of congregants as he celebrates a noon Mass at 250 Cathedral Place, Downtown Brooklyn.

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, a 40 day Christian observance in the liturgical year that ends with the celebration of the Sacred Triduum, the three holiest days of the year–HolyThursday, Good Friday, and the Easter Vigil–which lead to Easter Sunday.

As is customary, the ashes to be used on Ash Wednesday will come from the burning of the blessed branches used on Palm Sunday of the previous year. Palm Sunday, also known as PassionSunday, is the Sunday before Easter that commemorates Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. It also marks the beginning of Holy Week. This year, Easter Sunday will be celebrated on March 27.

‘Now Is The Time For Conversion’ By Bishop DiMarzio

February 3, 2016 – Excerpted from Put Out Into the Deep, Bishop DiMarzio’s column in The Tablet:

My dear brothers and sisters in the Lord,

As we prepare to begin Lent in this Jubilee Year of Mercy, we must be attentive to the “Message of His Holiness Pope Francis for Lent 2016.” Our Holy Father has chosen the theme, “The works of mercy on the road of the Jubilee,” citing the words that Jesus repeats in the Gospel of Matthew, the words of the Psalm, “I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.” (Mt 9:13).

In this Year of Mercy, our Holy Father reminds us of this in his new book, “The Name of God is Mercy.” We do not know God by any other attribute but one that is merciful. Pope Francis reminds us that the mystery of Divine Mercy is revealed in the history of the Covenant between God and the people of Israel. Time and time again, the people of Israel broke the Covenant relationship, but God was always faithful to the Covenant and redeemed His unfaithful children. Finally, it was in the New Covenant made in the blood of Jesus Christ that the boundless mercy of God is shown by making Christ “mercy incarnate.” Yes, Jesus Christ is for us the true face of mercy, the face of God who is so merciful to us, who are sinners.

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