Passing of Rev. John A. McShane

Most Reverend Nicholas DiMarzio, Bishop of Brooklyn, regrets to inform you of the death of Reverend John A. McShane, a retired senior priest of the Diocese of Brooklyn, who was in residence at the Bishop Mugavero Residence. Father McShane was born on June 24, 1931, in New York City, was ordained to the Priesthood on June 1, 1957, and died Tuesday, September 27, 2016.

Father McShane served the Diocese of Brooklyn as Pastor of Holy Family (Flatlands) and Saint Patrick (Long Island City), as well as Parochial Vicar of Saint Joan of Arc (Jackson Heights), Saint Gregory (Bellerose), Saint Brigid (Brooklyn) and Saint Elizabeth (Ozone Park).

Father McShane also served as Chaplain of the United States Army Reserve. Read more »

Immaculate Conception Aquinas Society – Academy Events for September

The ICCA Aquinas Society has had a busy opening school month in September.

9/11 Visit1)On the first full day of school, Monday, September 12 they were invited to visit the 9\11 Museum. The Education Department at the Museum offered the ICCA Aquinas students the opportunity to participate in the first ever Webinar Event at the museum to commemorate the 15th anniversary of 9/11 that was broadcast across the United States.

The Special Guest at the webinar who greeted the students was Ada Dolch, the former principal at the Leadership & Public Service High School in Manhattan located three blocks south to the World Trade Center and displaced by the September 11 attacks. The day of the attack Principal Ada Dolch was on the street welcoming voters to the school’s polling booths and was on the street when the first plane hit. She suspected immediately that her sister, a Cantor Fitzgerald employee, very likely hadn’t survived the first attack and focused on evacuating students and teachers safely. Dolch evacuated the 14-story school building leading the students safely down to Battery Park.

samantha-beeMs. Dolch told the story of that day, filled with many harrowing details. She spoke about how her faith overcame so many of the tragedies of the day. The Aquinas students where offered an opportunity to ask questions along with other student from all 50 states. After the broadcast Ada stayed and talked with the ICCA students and communicated her great love and faith in people. It was for the adults present and for the students a life changing event.

2) On the evening of September 7, Mr. Ballenas, moderator of the ICCA Aquinas Society was the only teacher invited to speak at the 9\11 Benefit Gala at Cipriani on Wall Street. It was hosted by former Mayor Bloomburg and comedian Samantha Bee. Mr. Ballenas was very excited to be there and said they raised $3 million dollars that night, He was thrilled to meet Bon Jovi who was the musical guest.

Brooklyn Academy c-span-bus3) On September 28 the ICCA Aquinas students were invited by Brian Browne, the Vice President of Government Relations at Saint John University to board the 2016 C-SPAN Campaign bus. It was a great experience and they learned about the upcoming 2016 election.

4) On September 7 the world was able to see the premiere broadcast of the segment of City Of Churches about their parish, Immaculate Conception. They were the script writers for the segment.

C- Span by Carmela Lancelotti
Samantha Bee and Carl Ballenas by Jennifer Lagasse
Web by Jennifer Lagasse

Local Albanians/Albanian President to join Brooklyn Catholics in Honor of Mother Teresa

Local Albanians and Albanian President to join Brooklyn Catholics in Honor of Mother Teresa

“By blood, I am Albanian. By citizenship, an Indian. By faith, I am a Catholic nun. As to my calling, I belong to the world. As to my heart, I belong entirely to the Heart of Jesus. ” – Mother Saint Teresa

Members of the Albanian Community will join parishioners of Saint Athanasius Roman Catholic Church in Brooklyn this Sunday, September 25th, in honor of Mother Saint Teresa. The President of the Republic of Albania, Bujar Nishani, born a secular Muslim, will be among distinguished guests as a statue of Saint Teresa is dedicated and blessed. The interfaith and international event will reflect Mother Teresa’s boundless reach as it honors her elevation to Sainthood.
Read more »

Passing of Rev. Edward J. Kiernan

Most Reverend Nicholas DiMarzio, Bishop of Brooklyn, regrets to inform you of the death of Reverend Edward J. Kiernan, retired priest of the Diocese of Brooklyn. Reverend Kiernan was born on October 18, 1928 in Brooklyn, New York, was ordained to the Priesthood on May 29, 1954, and died Saturday, September 24, 2016, at the Westhampton Care Center.

Reverend Kiernan served the Diocese of Brooklyn as Pastor of St. Columba (Brooklyn), St. Andrew the Apostle (Brooklyn) and as Parochial Vicar of St. Joseph (Long Island City), St. Andrew (Flushing) and Holy Family (Flushing).  Read more »

‘Parishes Ready To RENEW The Faith

September 28th, 2016 – Excerpted from Put Out Into the Deep, Bishop DiMarzio’s column in The Tablet:

My dear brothers and sisters in the Lord,

Starting Oct. 2, parishioners throughout the Diocese of Brooklyn will experience a comprehensive process of evangelization and spiritual renewal through programs developed by RENEW International called “ARISE Together in Christ,” “LEVÁNTATE Unámonos en Cristo,” in Spanish, and LEVE KANPE ak Jezi Kri,” in Creole.” We see that this program will take place in the three major languages of Brooklyn and Queens, and also in Polish.

The New Evangelization tells us to find new methods where we can reach out, especially to those Catholics who are inactive, to those who are not practicing the faith. The purpose of this program is to lead Catholics to a deeper and richer understanding of their faith through the context of small faith-sharing groups. This method has been proven useful throughout the country. People do like to meet with one another and in small groups where they can share what is not possible to share in our large assemblies.

ARISE Together in Christ is one resource for parishes to use in achieving the goals of our diocesan four-year Evangelization and Renewal Plan called, “The Joy of Encountering Christ: The Family’s Hope.” This diocesan plan is now in its second year and in 2018 will be concluded.

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

Italian Procession and Mass To Remember Victims of Italian Earthquake

Diocese of Brooklyn Italian Procession and Mass
To Remember Victims of Italian Earthquake 

 SUNDAY, October 2, 2016
Procession – 3 PM
Beginning at Grand Army Plaza, Brooklyn
Procession down Vanderbilt Avenue to Pacific Street

 Mass – 4 PM
Co-Cathedral of Saint Joseph
856 Pacific Street
BETWEEN VANDERBILT AND UNDERHILL AVENUES
PROSPECT HEIGHTS, BROOKLYN

 On Sunday, October 2, 2016, Italian Catholics will gather together as one community in prayerful remembrance of all the victims of the earthquakes in Italy that took place one month ago. The Most Reverend Nicholas DiMarzio, Bishop of Brooklyn, will join over two thousand members of the Italian community living in Brooklyn and Queens for a procession and Mass. These community members represent Italian churches, religious clubs and social organizations, all under the umbrella of the Italian Apostolate, which is responsible for ensuring the spiritual needs of Italian immigrants living in Brooklyn and Queens. Read more »

‘We Celebrate Hispanic Presence’ by Bishop DiMarzio

September 21, 2016 – Excerpted from Put Out Into the Deep, Bishop DiMarzio’s column in The Tablet:

My dear brothers and sisters in the Lord,

For almost 20 years, the month from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15 has been called Hispanic Heritage Month. Almost 55 million Americans are from an Hispanic-speaking background who come from all of the countries of Latin America and even Spain.

It is important that people maintain their heritage, especially in the United States that allows what we call the “hyphenated-American.” Americans are not homogenized people; we are people with deep roots in our own culture which give us the wings necessary to participate in the rich culture of the United States of America. No one should ever forget their origins, because this helps us to be grounded, giving us a sense of strength and unity so that we can participate in the larger society.

In our own diocese here in Brooklyn and Queens, we are greatly blessed to have a large Hispanic population with 32 percent attending Spanish-language Masses. The word “Hispanic” is a term coined in the United Sates which covers those who speak Spanish. Some prefer the word “Latino” which refers to many, especially to those from Mexico. Whatever term we use, however, it is most important that we show respect for the many cultures that contribute to the American mosaic.

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

‘A Plan to Teach the Faith’ by Bishop DiMarzio

September 14, 2016 – Excerpted from Put Out Into the Deep, Bishop DiMarzio’s column in The Tablet

My dear brothers and sisters in the Lord,

This Sunday we will celebrate Catechetical Sunday. This year’s theme is “Prayer, the Faith Prayed.”

Catechetical Sunday is always celebrated at the beginning of the academic year because this is when our programs of catechesis begin in earnest. Several years ago, the Bishops of the United States published the National Catechetical Directory, which set out several tasks or goals for what catechesis should produce.

First, catechesis must promote knowledge of the faith. It goes without saying that unless we know our faith, we will not be able to live out our faith. Second, catechesis must promote knowledge of the meaning of the liturgy and the sacraments. This is because our faith as Catholics is tied to the sacramental system, which allows us to live our faith in worship.

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

Jesus Statue Damaged Outside Brooklyn Church

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
September 13, 2016

A “Sacred Heart of Jesus” statue was damaged outside of Saints Peter and Paul Rectory in Williamsburg. Video (click here) shows 3 people approach the statue after 4:30 am on Sunday, September 11, 2016. A man touches his hand to the statue’s hand and then pulls the statue forward, apparently trying to kiss its forehead. He and the group then run off. The police have been contacted.

This is the third time since 2012 that a “Sacred Heart of Jesus” statue outside Saints Peter and Paul rectory has been stolen and/or damaged. Read more »