***MEDIA ADVISORY***BISHOP NICHOLAS DIMARZIO TO CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS MASS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 24, 2020

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Adriana Rodriguez
646-241-9805
arodriguez@desalesmedia.org

John Quaglione 
718-576-9180
jquaglione@desalesmedia.org

***MEDIA ADVISORY***

BISHOP NICHOLAS DIMARZIO TO CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS MASS

            The Most Reverend Nicholas DiMarzio, Bishop of Brooklyn, will celebrate Christmas Mass tomorrow, Friday, December 25, 2020, at 11:00 a.m. at the Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph located at 856 Pacific Street in the Prospect Heights section of Brooklyn.

The Mass will be broadcast live on NET-TV, the Diocese of Brooklyn’s cable channel.  NET-TV, New York’s Catholic Station, can be seen on Channel 97 on Spectrum, Channel 30 on Optimum, and on Channel 548 on Verizon by Fios.

Members of the media are invited to attend. Media outlets planning to attend are asked to e-mail jquaglione@desalesmedia.org.

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QUEENS CATHOLIC SCHOOL CHRISTMAS SHOW INCLUDES IN-PERSON AND REMOTE STUDENT PERFORMANCES

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 23, 2020

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Adriana Rodriguez
646-241-9805
arodriguez@desalesmedia.org

John Quaglione 
718-576-9180
jquaglione@desalesmedia.org

CATHOLIC SCHOOL CHRISTMAS SHOW COMBINES AT HOME AND IN-PERSON STUDENT PERFORMANCES TO SHOWCASE CHRISTMAS JOY

 

The Diocese of Brooklyn is releasing a video of the Incarnation Catholic Academy’s annual Christmas Show which is a compilation of in-person and remote performances.  The video blends the talent of the elementary school students singing Christmas songs from within both the school auditorium while maintaining social distancing and wearing masks, and others remotely from their homes.

The songs performed included: “Deck the Halls,” “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer,” “Feliz Navidad,”, “Jingle Bell Rock,” “O Come All Ye Faithful,” “We Three Kings,” “Joy To The World,” “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree,” “Little Drummer Boy,” “Silent Night,” “We Wish You A Merry Christmas,” and others.

“Thank you to all our students, parents and teachers, everyone that practiced at home, the children that practiced in school, and everyone that participated in this year’s show.  I think the students did a great job,” said Mary Bellone, Principal of Incarnation Catholic Academy.

“We enter 2021 full of hope that this virus will be destroyed and that we can come back to school all of us. As we do so, this year we are doing something very different with the concert because we can’t come together at the concert, but we can come together online. I hope you enjoy the activities of the kids that they put together to celebrate Christmas,” said Father Josephjude Gannon, Board Chair and Administrator of Incarnation Catholic Academy.

The full VIMEO show link can be found at https://vimeo.com/493916476/f059832830

Incarnation Catholic Academy is located at 89-15 Francis Lewis Boulevard in Queens Village.

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Encountering the Father’s Heart of Saint Joseph

By Christian Rada

In Pope Francis’ new apostolic letter Patris Corde, he expounds upon the qualities of Saint Joseph’s fatherhood and how his fatherhood was an icon of God, the Father’s heart for us, His children. During this Advent season and during this Year of St. Joseph, may our hearts be led to reflect upon the Father through the fatherhood of St. Joseph!

One of the most astounding and mind-boggling works of the Eternal Father was to send His Only Son Jesus, the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity, and to allow His Son to become a little Baby, who was vulnerable, weak and totally dependent upon a human mother and a human father, Mary and Saint Joseph. Indeed, Saint Joseph was and always will be the earthly father of Jesus! This was the will of the eternal Father for all eternity. And of course, Saint Joseph was the best of all earthly fathers. He is an example for all men, especially fathers.

Saint Joseph was a faithful son of the Eternal Father. God reveals in Saint Joseph that a father is a man who is obedient to God in an uncomplicated, sacrificial, and steadfast way. Saint Joseph was a faithful and loving spouse. Joseph trusted in the angel’s words to him and lovingly accepted Jesus as his own son. He provided a protective home for Mary and Jesus and accepted his call to be a husband to Mary and a father to the Son of God, even when he believed himself unworthy to do so. “Joseph’s attitude encourages us to accept and welcome others as they are, without exception, and to show special concern for the weak, for God chooses what is weak” (PC, 4).

Saint Joseph was present to his child and to his wife. God entrusted the Holy Family to Joseph and worked through his creative courage to guide and protect the Holy Family. “Arriving in Bethlehem and finding no lodging where Mary could give birth, Joseph took a stable and, best he could, turned it into a welcoming home for the Son of God come into the world” (PC, 5).

Saint Joseph was willing to sacrifice for his family. Work is a means of participating in the work of salvation. Joseph’s work as a carpenter provided a means for the Holy Family to thrive and to remain hidden in Bethlehem. Joseph taught this work to Jesus. “Saint Joseph’s work reminds us that God himself, in becoming man, did not disdain work” (PC, 6).

At the conclusion of Pope Francis’ letter, he added a prayer to St Joseph, which he encourages all of us to pray together. Let us pray for the grace to imitate his uprightness of life and his obedience to God’s commands

Hail, Guardian of the Redeemer,
Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
To you God entrusted his only Son;
in you Mary placed her trust;
with you Christ became man.

Blessed Joseph, to us too,
show yourself a father
and guide us in the path of life.
Obtain for us grace, mercy, and courage,
and defend us from every evil. Amen.

How Can I Increase My Knowledge of My Faith?

Have you ever been asked a specific detail of your faith and found yourself unsure of the answer? Does your understanding of Catholicism give you confidence to defend your faith or educate your children? For these reasons and possibly others, many have wondered how to learn more but unsure exactly where. The Diocesan Office of Faith Formation wants you to know that it’s not just for the Parish Religious Education programs, but they also offer help, guidance, and classes in the faith that range from those that want to become Catholic to those that just want to learn more.

The Living and Leading by Faith program has long been established as a faith formation program for adults seeking more knowledge, curiosity over catholic traditions, or wanting a way to get closer to Jesus Christ by knowing and understanding more. The program has evolved and has changed names, but in the end, the same course purpose still exists to evangelize and share the knowledge of our faith.

We have had an online course available since 2013, which grew at a slow pace over the years. It wasn’t until the Covid-19 pandemic that more people turned to online learning because we could not come together in a classroom. The core pillars of our faith, Creed, Life in Christ, Prayer, and Sacraments, are needed to understand our faith.

Go to bqonlineforamtion.org and skim through our various choices of online classes. The Initial component of Living and Leading by Faith starts with Creed, Life in Christ, Prayer, the Sacraments, Introduction to the Bible, and Ministry of Catechesis. Or you might choose to explore other courses like History of the Church or the Gospels. Our online classes have video, vocabulary, printed text, and it is in small manageable chapters. You can start and stop anytime and pick up right where you left off. We even have a collaboration with Catholic Distance University for FREE online classes.

The responsibility to expand what we know of our faith, grow closer to Jesus Christ, and do what He has asked, to go forth and evangelize. We hold those three things in our control. The Secretariat for Evangelization and Catechesis wants to help you on this path.

If you have any questions on where to start your journey, contact our office.

Young Adults can contact our Director of Adult Faith Formation, Joann Roa 718.965.7300, ext. 2440 or jroa@diobrook.org.

Couples and parents can contact our Director of Marriage, Family Formation, and Respect Life Education, Christian Rada 718.965.7300, ext. 5541 or crada@diobrook.org.

Brooklyn Post Office To Be Named In Honor of St. Frances Cabrini

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 21, 2020

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Adriana Rodriguez
646-241-9805
arodriguez@desalesmedia.org

John Quaglione
718-576-9180
jquaglione@desalesmedia.org

Mother Cabrini honored in designation of

Dyker Heights Post Office in a virtual press conference

The following press notification is being shared on behalf of the United States Post Office who will be hosting a virtual press conference tomorrow, Tuesday, December 22, 2020, at 11 a.m., to announce the renaming of the Dyker Heights Post Office in honor of Saint Frances Cabrini. Monsignor Thomas Caserta, Pastor of St. Bernadette Parish in Dyker Heights, will represent the Diocese of Brooklyn and offer remarks on the life and legacy of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini.

To request the Zoom link, please contact Amy Gibbs of the USPS Corporate Communications Office at Amy.N.Gibbs@usps.gov.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, December 21, 2020

Contact: Amy Gibbs, USPS Corporate Communications

Amy.N.Gibbs@usps.gov

Mother Cabrini honored in designation of Dyker Heights Post Office in virtual press conference

NEW YORK, NY – In the spirit of the giving season, on Tuesday, Dec. 22, the Postal Service joins local delegates and community leaders in honoring an Italian immigrant and fellow New Yorker who made a large dent in the history books of charity – Mother Frances Xavier Cabrini.

On December 3, 2020, legislation to designate the Post Office building located at 8320 13 Ave. in Brooklyn, NY, as the “Mother Frances Xavier Cabrini Post Office Building” was signed into law by the President. This legislation was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Representative Max Rose.

On Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2020, the day that is officially celebrated as the Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini’s Feast Day, the Postal Service will host a virtual press event celebrating this designation from 11 a.m. to 11:20 a.m.

“From looking out for the poor to helping immigrant families, Mother Cabrini exemplified the values that make New York City the greatest city in the world. Renaming the Dyker Heights Post Office in her honor is another part of ensuring her legacy and memory forever lives on. I was proud to work with my colleagues across New York to make this happen,” said Congressman Max Rose.

Where:  RSVP to Amy.n.gibbs@usps.gov to receive the Zoom link.  
When: Dec. 22, 2020 at 11 a.m.
What: A virtual celebration of the life of Mother Cabrini and designation of the Dyker Heights Post Office
Who: Congressman Max Rose, Monsignor Thomas Caserta, Pastor of the Shrine Church of St. Bernadette, and postal officials.
Duration: 20 mins
This event precedes the official onsite plaque unveiling to take place in the spring.

The plaque will read as follows:

THIS BUILDING IS NAMED

IN HONOR OF

MOTHER FRANCES XAVIER CABRINI

BY AN ACT OF CONGRESS

PUBLIC LAW

116-201

DECEMBER 3, 2020

BACKGROUND:

On March 31, 1889, a nun by the name of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini came to America, and more specifically New York City, on the advice of the Pope to help “the Italian immigrants who were flooding to that nation.” Cabrini came here with six other nuns and immediately set to work.

She obtained the archbishop’s permission to open the Sacred Heart Orphan Asylum in West Park, New York – later renamed to the Saint Cabrini Home.

Cabrini also organized catechism and education classes for the Italian immigrants and provided for the needs of the many orphans. She established schools and orphanages. She was resourceful, finding people who would donate what she needed in money, time, labor, and support.

In New York City, she founded Columbus Hospital, which merged with Italian Hospital to become Cabrini Medical Center in 1973 until its closure in 2008.

In 1950, St. Frances Xavier Cabrini was named the patron saint of immigrants.

Mother Cabrini died on Dec. 22. 1917 at the age of 67.

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OUR LADY OF SOLACE PARISH COMMUNITY UNITES TO REPLACE STATUE DAMAGED BY ACT OF VANDALISM

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 14, 2020

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Adriana Rodriguez
646-241-9805
arodriguez@desalesmedia.org

John Quaglione 
718-576-9180
jquaglione@desalesmedia.org

 

OUR LADY OF SOLACE PARISH COMMUNITY UNITES TO REPLACE STATUE DAMAGED BY ACT OF VANDALISM

            The Diocese of Brooklyn has announced that through the generous support of the Knights of Columbus and the contributions of the parishioners, a new statue honoring Our Lady of Guadalupe was dedicated in the Grotto of the Shrine Church of Our Lady of Solace in Coney Island this past Saturday evening, December 12, 2020.

Auxiliary Bishop Neil Tiedemann joined the parish community in dedicating the new statue which was unveiled on the Feast Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe. The event featured prayers and a musical performance by a Mariachi Band.

The statue was damaged on September 11th and the vandalism was caught on camera. The New York City Police Department soon after releasing the surveillance video made an arrest.  The Knights of Columbus donated $10,000 to replace the statue.

Our Lady of Solace is located at 2866 West 17th Street in the Coney Island section of Brooklyn. Father Javier Flores is the Pastor.

Photos attachedPhoto #1 is Auxiliary Bishop Neil Tiedemann, Photo #2 is the newly installed statue dedicated to Our Lady of Guadalupe, and Photo #3 is of the Mariachi Band who performed at the ceremony.

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CHURCH COMMUNITY UNITES TO REPLACE STATUE DAMAGED BY ACT OF VANDALISM

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 12, 2020

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Adriana Rodriguez
646-241-9805
arodriguez@desalesmedia.org

John Quaglione 
718-576-9180
jquaglione@desalesmedia.org

***MEDIA ADVISORY***

CHURCH COMMUNITY UNITES TO REPLACE STATUE DAMAGED BY ACT OF VANDALISM

            The Diocese of Brooklyn is announcing that through the generous support of the Knights of Columbus and parishioners, a new statue honoring Our Lady of Guadalupe will be dedicated in the Grotto of the Shrine Church of Our Lady of Solace in the Coney Island section of Brooklyn tonight, Saturday, December 12, 2020, at 5 p.m.

The statue was damaged on September 11 and the vandalism was caught on camera. The New York City Police Department, soon after releasing the surveillance video, made an arrest.  Today is the Feast Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

Our Lady of Solace is located at 2866 West 17th Street (Corner of West 17th Street and Mermaid Avenue).  Members of the media are invited to attend. To RSVP, please e-mail John Quaglione at jquaglione@desalesmedia.org

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***MEDIA ADVISORY***CHURCH UNITES TO REPLACE STATUE DAMAGED BY VANDALISM

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 8, 2020

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Adriana Rodriguez
646-241-9805
arodriguez@desalesmedia.org

John Quaglione 
718-576-9180
jquaglione@desalesmedia.org

***MEDIA ADVISORY***

CHURCH COMMUNITY UNITES TO REPLACE STATUE DAMAGED BY ACT OF VANDALISM

            The Diocese of Brooklyn is announcing that through the generous support of the Knights of Columbus and parishioners, a new statue honoring Our Lady of Guadalupe will be dedicated in the Grotto of the Shrine Church of Our Lady of Solace in the Coney Island section of Brooklyn, on Saturday, December 12, 2020, at 5 p.m.

The statue was damaged on September 11 and the vandalism was caught on camera. The New York City Police Department, soon after releasing the surveillance video, made an arrest.  December 12 is the Feast Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

Our Lady of Solace is located at 2866 West 17th Street (Corner of West 17th Street and Mermaid Avenue).  Members of the media are invited to attend. To RSVP, please e-mail John Quaglione at jquaglione@desalesmedia.org

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DIOCESIS DE BROOKLYN CELEBRA A NUESTRA SEÑORA DE GUADALUPE Y RINDE HOMENAJE AL PADRE JORGE ORTIZ-GARAY

PARA PUBLICACIÓN INMEDIATA: 10 de diciembre de 2020

CONTACTOS DE PRENSA:

Adriana Rodríguez
646-241-9805
arodriguez@desalesmedia.org

John Quaglione
718-517-3112
jquaglione@desalesmedia.org

DIOCESIS DE BROOKLYN CELEBRA A NUESTRA SEÑORA DE GUADALUPE

Y RINDE HOMENAJE AL PADRE JORGE ORTIZ-GARAY

La Diócesis de Brooklyn celebrará la fiesta de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe con una Misa especial que se oficiará el sábado 12 de diciembre de 2020 en la Concatedral de San José, ubicada en 856 Pacific Street, en el barrio Prospect Heights de Brooklyn.

Las actividades del día incluirán un homenaje especial al padre Jorge Ortiz-Garay, el queridísimo párroco de la Iglesia de Santa Brígida que falleció a causa del COVID-19 el 27 de marzo de 2020. El padre Jorge, quien al parecer ha sido el primer sacerdote católico en morir de coronavirus en Estados Unidos, dirigió durante 10 años el Ministerio Mexicano de la Diócesis de Brooklyn y era el responsable de coordinar año tras año la festividad de la Virgen Guadalupana.

“Los católicos de Brooklyn y Queens que adoraban al padre Jorge tendrán la oportunidad de estar unidos para honrar su vida y todo lo que hizo por nuestra Diócesis. A su vez, nosotros también nos sentiremos muy honrados de contar con la presencia de sus padres y hermanos. Seguramente será un tributo emotivo y sé que el padre Jorge nos acompañará en espíritu este sábado”, dijo Mons. Nicholas DiMarzio, obispo de Brooklyn.

El horario de la Fiesta de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe es el siguiente:

10 a.m. – Programa cultural que incluirá catequesis y bailes folclóricos.

11:30 a.m. – Homenaje al padre Jorge.

12:00 p.m. – Misa en español celebrada por el obispo DiMarzio y concelebrada por el obispo auxiliar retirado Octavio Cisneros.

Este año, debido al COVID-19 y las medidas de distanciamiento social vigentes, la asistencia al programa cultural y a la misa estará estrictamente limitada a tres feligreses por parroquia. No habrá Peregrinaje Anual de la antorcha por Brooklyn y Queens como en años pasados. Solo se encenderá una antorcha simbólica finalizada la misa, alrededor de la 1:00 p.m.

Se invita a participar a miembros de medios de comunicación. Para confirmar su asistencia, escriba un correo electrónico a Adriana Rodríguez a arodriguez@desalesmedia.org 

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DIOCESE OF BROOKLYN TO CELEBRATE OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 10, 2020

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Adriana Rodriguez
646-241-9805
arodriguez@desalesmedia.org

John Quaglione
718-576-9180
jquaglione@desalesmedia.org

DIOCESE OF BROOKLYN TO CELEBRATE OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE
AND PAY TRIBUTE TO FATHER JORGE ORTIZ-GARAY

           The Diocese of Brooklyn will mark the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe with a special Mass to be celebrated on Saturday, December 12, 2020, at the Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph, located at 856 Pacific Street, in the Prospect Heights section of Brooklyn.

The day’s events will include a special tribute to Father Jorge Ortiz-Garay, the beloved pastor at St. Brigid’s Church who died of COVID-19 on March 27, 2020. Father Jorge, believed to be the first Catholic priest to die of Coronavirus in the US, led the Diocese of Brooklyn’s Mexican Ministry for 10 years and was responsible for the coordination of the annual magnificent celebration of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

“Catholics from throughout Brooklyn and Queens who loved Father Jorge will have the opportunity to be together, to honor his life and all he did for our Diocese. It is very special that we will also be honored by the presence of his parents and siblings. It will for sure be an emotional tribute, and I know Father Jorge will be with us in spirit on Saturday,” said the Most Reverend Nicholas DiMarzio, Bishop of Brooklyn.

The schedule to mark the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe is as follows:

10 a.m. – Cultural program that will include catechesis and folkloric dances.

11:30 a.m. – Tribute to Father Jorge begins.

12 Noon – Mass will be celebrated in Spanish by Bishop DiMarzio and concelebrated by Retired Auxiliary Bishop Octavio Cisneros.

This year due to COVID-19 and social distancing rules in place, attendance at the cultural program and the Mass will be strictly limited to three people per parish. There will not be a torch-lit pilgrimage throughout Brooklyn and Queens as in years past. Only one symbolic torch will be lit after the Mass ends at about 1 p.m.

Members of the media are invited to attend. To RSVP, please e-mail Adriana Rodriguez at arodriguez@desalesmedia.org.

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