FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 17, 2021

MEDIA CONTACTS:

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

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

 

VANDALISM DISCOVERED ON GROUNDS OF THE OFFICES OF DIOCESE OF BROOKLYN

            The Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn is announcing that a statue depicting the Blessed Virgin Mary holding her son Jesus, was vandalized over the weekend on the grounds of the Diocesan administrative offices, located at 310 Prospect Park West in the Windsor Terrace section of Brooklyn.

Jesus, held in the arms of His Mother Mary, was decapitated. The destruction was discovered by a facilities manager and immediately reported to the New York City Police Department. The crime is currently being investigated as a hate crime. The Diocese is already working towards repairing the statue to its original form.

This is the second incident in a matter of three days. During the early morning hours of Friday, May 14, a Crucifix was toppled and damaged, and an American Flag burned, at St. Athanasius Roman Catholic Church in Bensonhurst. Parishioners gathered Friday evening in prayer.

“We are definitely concerned that there is a pattern of hate crimes against Catholics. There was a hate crime at a Bensonhurst parish on Friday morning and now, just a few days later, this is act of hatred has been discovered at the Diocesan offices. The Diocese will be notifying our churches to be on alert, and we are asking the NYPD to increase patrols in and around the area of our churches. Hatred and intolerance of the Catholic faith, and for that matter any faith, has no place here,” said Monsignor Anthony M. Hernandez, Moderator of the Curia for the Diocese of Brooklyn.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-TIPS (8477).  A photo of the damaged statue is attached.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 14, 2021

MEDIA CONTACTS:

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

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

CRUCIFIX OF JESUS TOPPLED AND DAMAGED IN HATE CRIME AT BROOKLYN CATHOLIC CHURCH

            The Diocese of Brooklyn is announcing an act of vandalism that occurred in the early morning hours of today at St. Athanasius Roman Catholic Church, located in the Bensonhurst section of Brooklyn. The damaged Crucifix was discovered by the parish pastor, Monsignor David Cassato, around 8 a.m. on his walk from the rectory to the academy to greet the students.

The Crucifix displayed in the grass adjacent to the school, located at the corner of 61^st Street and Bay Parkway, was found toppled over and lying face down. The statue of Jesus, the cross, and the display were all damaged in what is being investigated by the NYPD as a hate crime.

“This was truly an act of hatred and today is the saddest day of my twenty years here at this parish,” said Monsignor David Cassato. “I went over and spoke to the students in the school about what happened, telling them that hate never wins.  We are, and must be, a community that continues to share the message of Easter, that which is of love, hope, and forgiveness.”

The Crucifix was installed at the parish in 2010 in memory of Monsignor Cassato’s mother. The parish plans to repair and reinstall the Crucifix in the same location.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-TIPS (8477).

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 6, 2021

MEDIA CONTACTS:

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

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

BISHOP DIMARZIO DENOUNCES VANDALISM OF STATUE IN MCCARREN PARK DEDICATED TO POLISH PRIEST WHO FOUGHT FOR FREEDOM

 

The Most Reverend Nicholas DiMarzio, Bishop of Brooklyn, is releasing the following statement in response to the vandalism discovered late Tuesday in Brooklyn’s McCarren Park, to the statue of Father Jerzy Popieluszko, a Polish priest killed for his resistance to communism:

“It is disheartening to learn the statue of Father Jerzy Popieluszko, a man who devoted his life to the advancement of freedom and liberty, has been vandalized once again.  This statue has long stood in Greenpoint’s McCarren Park in tribute to a Polish priest who is revered by Catholics, and the Polish community, for his courage and leadership in championing peaceful resistance to Communism.  I definitely consider this despicable act to be a hate crime and would encourage the NYPD to classify it as such,” said Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio.

Father Jerzy Popieluszko was ordained a priest at the age of 24.  He was captured on October 19, 1984, beat to death with a rock and thrown into the Vistula River at the age of 37. Father Popieluszko utilized Radio Free Europe to spread his message of nonviolence in the wake of the Communist movement. He also served as a chaplain to the Solidarity movement and trade union which opposed the ideas of a Communist government.

During a period of martial law declared by the Communist Party,  Father Jerzy celebrated monthly “Masses for the Homeland,” which advocated for human rights and attracted large crowds. Father Popieluszko was declared a martyr of the Catholic Church by Pope Benedict XVI in 2009 and was beatified on June 6, 2010. An investigation is ongoing into a miracle that took place in France through the intercession of Father Popieluszko.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the NYPD Crime Stoppers at 1-877-577-8477 or you can submit a tip through the NYPD website.

 

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 4, 2021

MEDIA CONTACTS:

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

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

DIOCESE OF BROOKLYN RELEASES VIDEO OF STUDENTS SAYING THANK YOU TO THEIR TEACHERS ON THIS TEACHER APPRECIATION DAY

 

The Diocese of Brooklyn, on this Teacher Appreciation Day, is releasing a video compilation of students of Catholic schools and academies throughout Brooklyn and Queens, thanking their teachers for their continued efforts and dedication, especially throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

“On this Teacher Appreciation Day, I extend my thanks to Catholic school teachers in the Diocese of Brooklyn who have made learning possible in these times. We are blessed with incredible teachers who commit to teaching the love of Christ. Without them, our schools would not have been open and we owe a debt of gratitude to them. The sacrifices they made were over and beyond what they normally do. I am sure our children and their families appreciate everything as I do personally,” said The Most Reverend Nicholas DiMarzio, Bishop of Brooklyn.

The 69 Catholic elementary schools and academies in Brooklyn and Queens opened on time and have maintained safe and consistent in-person instruction from Nursery (PreK-3) through the 8^th grade. An innovative online program with live instruction was launched in September to offer those needing, or choosing, to keep their children at home. K-8 enrollment has increased at 40% of the elementary schools this year throughout the Diocese.

“Teachers have been so strong, dedicated, and present for their students. We opened fully in-person in September and while taking all of the necessary precautions, our teachers have supported our students as they adjusted and pushed forward in this new world. Saying thank you seems inadequate when one considers the ever-changing roles that teachers have had to step into during the 2020-2021 school year. Our gratitude and appreciation for our teachers is indescribable. Their influence on students, families, and school communities has been an inspiration,” said Dr. Thomas Chadzutko, Superintendent of Catholic School Support Services.

The Diocese of Brooklyn is planning to fully reopen all academies and schools in Brooklyn and Queens in September in compliance with the required COVID safety regulations. The St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Online Academy will also remain an option for those who want to continue distance learning in the 2021-2022 school year.

Teacher appreciation video: https://youtu.be/1FvjWbu-ZIQ

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 29, 2021

MEDIA CONTACTS:

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

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

***MEDIA ADVISORY***

 

ST. MARGARET CATHOLIC ACADEMY AND KIDS BACKING THE BLUE TO REMEMBER FALLEN OFFICERS 

            St. Margaret Catholic Academy and “Kids Backing The Blue” will host a May Remembrance Prayer Ceremony to honor the families of NYPD fallen officers, as well as from the Newark and Paterson Police Departments, this Saturday, May 1, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. outside the school located at 66-10 80^th Street in Middle Village, Queens.

At the event, comfort packages will be presented to representatives of the police agencies.  The baskets will include:

*Stuffed animals sponsored by the NYPD

*Memorial jewelry keepsakes sponsored by Glimmer of Stone

*Children’s Books: “Forever My Daddy My Hero” and “Forever My Mommy My Hero”

*Memorial keepsakes for surviving spouses and older children

*Dolls resembling the fallen hero parents sponsored by Hearts and Heroes U.S. (included in some of the comfort packages)

The school dedicated a dress-down day fundraiser in March to provide care packages for 21 families of fallen officers nationwide, including six NYPD officers killed in the line of duty and two from related illnesses.

The officers to be remembered include NYPD Chief of Transportation William Morris, Inspector Justin Lenz, Deputy Inspector Denis Mullaney, Detective Peter Gianfrancesco, and Police Officers Terence Connelly, Michael Geraldi, Angel Santiago, and Anastasios Tsakos.

City Councilman Robert Holden and Chief Jeffrey B. Maddrey of the NYPD Community Affairs Bureau are planning to attend the event. Kids Backing The Blue will present flags and Heavenly morning glory seeds to the school to plant as a thank you for their efforts.

Kids Backing The Blue, which supports all first responders, was founded in June 2020. KBTB sponsors other programs including a Bullying Awareness & Prevention Course for children of the fallen officers, a Pen Pal program matching children of fallen officers similar in age, and a “We Support You” program where volunteers send cards, letters, and pictures to police departments throughout the United States. For more information, visit their website at www.kidsbackingtheblue.com or find them on Facebook and Instagram.

Members of the media are encouraged to attend.

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