BISHOP ROBERT BRENNAN MARKS FIRST YEAR AS BISHOP OF BROOKLYN AND QUEENS

The Most Reverend Robert Brennan, Bishop of Brooklyn, celebrated Mass this morning at the Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph, where one year ago today, he was installed as the eighth Bishop of Brooklyn. The Co-Cathedral is located at 856 Pacific Street in the Prospect Heights section of Brooklyn.

“Today marks a complete year of our time being together as the Church of Brooklyn here in Brooklyn and Queens. It was a year ago today the co-cathedral was filled with people from all over the diocese as we celebrated our unity in faith. Your beautiful welcome to me lifted me up,” preached Bishop Brennan.

“Having met so many of you through the course of this year, I am constantly inspired and lifted up. I thank you for helping me to know Jesus Christ better and to be more convinced of His love on fire and to share that with one another. I thank God for the gift of being here in Brooklyn and Queens and I thank God for the rich vibrant church he has brought together,” continued Bishop Brennan.

In the first year of his ministry, Bishop Robert Brennan visited 127 parishes throughout Brooklyn and Queens, celebrated 25 Confirmations, and visited 25 schools.  In June, Bishop Brennan ordained three priests to serve in the Diocese of Brooklyn, and earlier this month, ordained six transitional deacons on the path to the priesthood; three for the Diocese of Brooklyn, two for the Archdiocese of New York, and one for the Diocese of Rockville Centre. 

Earlier this year, Bishop Brennan also launched a weekly podcast, “Big City Catholics,” to communicate with the faithful.  Big City Catholics is available on popular podcast platforms, including Apple, Spotify, and YouTube, or on the Diocese of Brooklyn website, podcast.dioceseofbrooklyn.org

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ABOUT BISHOP BRENNAN:

On November 30, 2021, Bishop Robert Brennan was installed as the Eighth Bishop of the Diocese of Brooklyn, serving the people of Brooklyn and Queens. Born in the Bronx and raised in Lindenhurst, Long Island, Bishop Brennan attended St. John’s University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics and computer science. He then studied for the priesthood at the Seminary of the Immaculate Conception in Huntington, New York.

Bishop Brennan was ordained a priest of the Diocese of Rockville Centre on May 27, 1989.  He was later ordained as an Auxiliary Bishop of Rockville Centre on July 25, 2012. On January 31, 2019, Pope Francis announced his selection of Bishop Brennan as the 12th Bishop of the Diocese of Columbus, Ohio. He was installed as the Bishop of Columbus on March 29, 2019.

On a national level, Bishop Brennan serves on the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Committee on Pro-Life Activities. He serves as a member of the Board of Trustees for The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.

VIMEO LINK OF TODAY’S MASS:

vimeo.com/776718651

:00 Quotes above from homily

1:05 b-roll from Mass

PHOTOS:

#1-4 are from the Bishop’s installation on November 30, 2021.

#5 and #6 are from the Mass today celebrating the Bishop’s one-year anniversary

.BishopBrennan DayOne BishopBrennanInstallation BrennanKissingTheAltar Bishop Brennan Scroll Announcement
Bishop Brennan preaching todayBishop Brennan Consecration today

 

Announcement of Death – Reverend Monsignor Michael J. Cantley


Most Reverend Robert J. Brennan, Bishop of Brooklyn, regrets to inform you of the death of Reverend Monsignor Michael J. Cantley, a retired priest of the Diocese of Brooklyn. Monsignor Cantley was born on February 8, 1929, was ordained to the priesthood on June 4, 1955, and died on Monday, November 28, 2022.

Monsignor Cantley served the Diocese of Brooklyn as Pastor of the Parish of Saint Anastasia (Douglaston) and was also Administrator of Saint John Vianney (Flushing). He also served as Parochial Vicar of the Parishes of Saint Michael (Brooklyn), Saint Benedict Joseph Labre (Richmond Hill), Blessed Sacrament (Jackson Heights). Monsignor Cantley was also a faculty member at the Immaculate Conception Seminary and at Saint John’s University.

On May 16, 1986, Monsignor Cantley was named Prelate of Honor to His Holiness.

The funeral arrangements are as follows:

WAKE:
Immaculate Conception Center
7200 Douglaston Parkway Douglaston, New York 11362 – Tel: (718) 229-8001
Saturday, December 3, 2022
9:00 AM – 9:45 AM

FUNERAL:
Immaculate Conception Center
7200 Douglaston Parkway Douglaston, New York 11362 – Tel: (718) 229-8001
Saturday, December 3, 2022
10:00 AM

BURIAL:
Saint Charles Cemetery
Farmingdale, New York

Please pray for the repose of his soul and for the consolation of his family and friends. May he rest in the peace of Christ, the Risen Lord.

If you wish to send condolences, please mail them to his niece, Ms. Catherine Clock, 7 Bohack Court, Sayville, New York 11782.

Reverend Monsignor Steven J. Aguggia, J.C.L.
Chancellor

Announcement of Death – Reverend James J. Meszaros

Most Reverend Robert J. Brennan, Bishop of Brooklyn, regrets to inform you of the death of Reverend James J. Meszaros, a retired priest of the Diocese of Brooklyn. Father Meszaros was born on March 18, 1939 in New Jersey, was ordained to the Priesthood on April 19, 1969 and died Tuesday, November 15, 2022.

Father Meszaros served the Diocese of Brooklyn as Pastor of the Parish of Saint Stanislaus Bishop and Martyr (Ozone Park), Temporary Administrator of the Parish of Saint Mary Star of the Sea (Far Rockaway), and Parochial Vicar of the Parish of Most Precious Blood (Brooklyn). He was in residence at the Parish of Sacred Heart of Jesus (Bayside), and Saint Josaphat (Bayside).

The arrangements are as follows:

WAKE: 

Sacred Heart of Jesus R.C Church
215-35 38th Avenue
Bayside, New York 11361
Tel: (718) 428-2200

Thursday, November 17, 2022
3:00 PM – 8:00 PM

FUNERAL:

Sacred Heart of Jesus R.C Church
215-35 38th Avenue
Bayside, New York 11361
Tel: (718) 428-2200

Friday, November 18, 2022
11:00 AM

INTERNMENT: Private

Please pray for the repose of his soul and for the consolation of his family and friends. May he rest in the peace of Christ, the Risen Lord.

If you wish to send condolences, please mail them to Reverend Monsignor Thomas C. Machalski, Sacred Heart of Jesus R.C Church, 215-35 38th Avenue, Bayside, New York 11361.

Reverend Monsignor Steven J. Aguggia, J.C.L.
Chancellor

TWO RETIRED NYPD VETERANS AMONG NEWEST MEMBERS OF DIOCESAN REVIEW BOARD

The Most Reverend Robert J. Brennan, Bishop of Brooklyn, has announced the selection of Robert Boyce, a retired 35-year veteran of the New York City Police Department, who most recently served as Chief of Detectives, as the new Chair of the Diocesan Review Board. Boyce held numerous positions within the NYPD throughout his career and has experience in a magnitude of criminal investigations, including sex and cyber crimes. His appointment became effective last month.

“I am grateful Chief Boyce has answered this call to serve in such a critical position which aligns with his life’s work of seeing justice served.  I have every confidence in his ability to manage the investigations based on complaints or lawsuits brought against Diocesan personnel.  The Diocesan Review Board will be well served by the leadership and integrity of Chief Robert Boyce,” said Bishop Robert Brennan.

Boyce replaces Joseph Esposito, a 45-year veteran of the NYPD, who served as Chair of the Diocesan Review Board since 2013. Esposito also previously served as the Commissioner of the New York City Office of Emergency Management from 2014 through 2018 and was recently named the Deputy Commissioner of Enforcement for the NYC Department of Buildings.

“I am grateful for the voluntary service and dedication of Chief Esposito to the Diocese of Brooklyn. For nearly a decade, Joe was a consummate professional who strived to achieve the true mission of the Diocesan Review Board. As we turn the page on the leadership of this Board, Joe Esposito’s impact will continue to play a role in its operation,” continued Bishop Brennan. 

The DRB is comprised of lay independent professionals: former law enforcement officers, lawyers with experience in family law and child abuse, and mental health professionals. The work of the board, mandated by the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, is primarily responsible for:

Advising the Bishop in his assessment of allegations of sexual abuse of minors and his determination of the accused clergy member’s suitability for ministry

Reviewing diocesan policies for dealing with sexual abuse of minors

Offering advice on all aspects of these cases, whether retrospectively or prospectively, upon request

Bishop Brennan has also announced the appointment of Joseph Fox to the Diocesan Review Board. Fox served over 37 years with the NYPD, 21 as a Chief. He retired after serving six years as Chief of Transit, leading a team of 2,600 men and women who patrolled the New York City subway system. Chief Fox holds a Bachelor of Science in Security Management from John Jay College of Criminal Justice and is a graduate of the Police Management Institute at Columbia University. He is currently a practicing life coach and trains executive leaders.

Gena Diacomanolis, who earned her Juris Doctorate from Seton Hall University’s School of Law, has also been named to the Diocesan Review Board. Since 2006 she has been involved in investigations of criminal child abuse cases and the assistance of victims of family violence. She previously served on the Advisory Council of the New York State Office of Victim Services as well as a Board Member of the New York State Children’s Alliance.

Father James Rodriguez, Pastor of St. Rose of Lima in the Rockaways, has also been appointed to the Diocesan Review Board as the clergy representative. He holds a Master of Science in Education in Mental Health Counseling from St. John’s University. Fr. Rodriguez replaces Monsignor John Maloney, who retired earlier this year.

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Death of Reverend Richard M. Lewkiewicz

 

Most Reverend Robert J. Brennan, Bishop of Brooklyn, regrets to inform you of the death of Reverend Richard M. Lewkiewicz, a retired priest of the Diocese of Brooklyn. Father Lewkiewicz was born on August 17, 1942, was ordained to the Priesthood on June 1, 1968, and died Wednesday, November 2, 2022.

Father Lewkiewicz served the Diocese of Brooklyn as Parochial Vicar of the parishes of Our Lady
of Angels (Brooklyn), Good Shepherd (Brooklyn), Saint Camillus (Rockaway Park), and Blessed
Sacrament (Brooklyn).

The arrangements are as follows:

WAKE:
Immaculate Conception Center
7200 Douglaston Parkway
Douglaston, New York 11362
Tel: (718) 229-8001
Wednesday, November 9, 2022
2:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Thursday, November 10, 2022
9:00 AM – 10:30 AM

FUNERAL:
Immaculate Conception Center
7200 Douglaston Parkway
Douglaston, New York 11362
Tel: (718) 229-8001
Thursday, November 10, 2022
11:00 AM

BURIAL:
Calvary Cemetery
Woodside, New York

Father Lewkiewicz was a member of the Priests’ Purgatorial Society. Please pray for the repose of his soul and for the consolation of his family and friends. May he rest in the peace of Christ, the Risen Lord.

If you wish to send condolences, please mail to Deacon Matthew Oellinger, Immaculate Conception Center, 7200 Douglaston Parkway, Douglaston, New York 11362.

NEW YORK CITY REGIONAL BISHOPS PURSUE NEW PATH IN PRIESTLY FORMATION

Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan, Archbishop of New York, Bishop Robert J. Brennan of Brooklyn, and Bishop John O. Barres of Rockville Centre today announced the launching of new programs at St. Joseph’s Seminary in Yonkers, to enhance seminary training beginning next fall as part of their implementation of a new model of priestly formation in the United States.

That model, released earlier this year in the sixth edition of the Program for Priestly Formation, aligns with the 2016 document of the Holy See, Ratio Fundamentalis Institutiones Sacerdotalis, where priestly formation seeks to form “missionary disciples who are ‘in love’ with the Master…” To this end, candidates for the priesthood will journey through four stages accompanied by a community of formators: Propaedeutic, Discipleship, Configuration, and Vocational Synthesis.

“Demands on the priesthood today require a deep friendship with Jesus and a team of mentors willing to journey with the priests of tomorrow, particularly during these years of formation,” said Cardinal Dolan.

St. Joseph’s Seminary in Yonkers (Dunwoodie) will be the new site for the recently created Propaedeutic Year for intensive human and spiritual formation as well as for the study of graduate-level philosophy. The Propaedeutic Stage will seek to give priesthood candidates a firm foundation in prayer, discernment, and personal growth. The Dunwoodie campus will provide a dedicated space in a reflective atmosphere and allow for the engagement of an experienced faculty.

For what is now called the Discipleship Stage, seminarians pursuing their Master’s in Catholic philosophy will be moving from the Immaculate Conception Center of the Diocese of Brooklyn in Douglaston to the Yonkers campus. Undergraduate seminarians will study philosophy and complete this stage of formation at one of the pre-existing programs out of state.

The Configuration Stage, with the study of theology, will continue at Dunwoodie. The Vocational Synthesis Stage will take place upon the completion of the study of theology and ordination to the Diaconate. During this stage, a transitional deacon will serve in a parish in his respective diocese under the direction of a mentor priest. 

Since 2011, the three Diocesan Bishops have worked together in the formation of priests, deacons, and lay leaders for service in the church. This collaboration, known as the St. Charles Borromeo Partnership, has allowed for sharing personnel and governance at each level of priestly formation and theological education.

 “Our priority in the implementation of the new Program for Priestly Formation is to assure a high quality of formation for candidates for the priesthood in the twenty-first century,” said Bishop Robert Brennan.

“This new paradigm of priestly formation centered at St. Joseph’s Seminary will help cultivate shepherds who will embrace the creative approaches needed today to bring people to the Heart of Christ,” said Bishop John Barres of the Diocese of Rockville Centre.

The Cathedral Seminary House of Formation at the Douglaston facility will no longer host seminarians but the Center will continue to offer graduate-level theology courses for candidates for the Permanent Diaconate and lay faithful at the Douglaston campus and serve other offices and programs for the Diocese of Brooklyn, including the Bishop Mugavero Residence for senior priests.

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Announcement of Death-Reverend James T. Devine

 

Most Reverend Robert J. Brennan, Bishop of Brooklyn, regrets to inform you of the death of Reverend James T. Devine, a retired priest of the Diocese of Brooklyn. Father Devine was born on May 13, 1934, was ordained to the priesthood on May 28, 1960, and died Tuesday, November 1, 2022.

Father Devine served the Diocese of Brooklyn as Administrator-Chaplain of the Chapel of Our Lady of the Skies (Jamaica), and Pastor of Saint Rose of Lima (Rockaway Beach). He also served as Parochial Vicar of the Parishes of Mary Queen of Heaven (Brooklyn), Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament (Bayside), and Saint Gertrude (Edgemere). Father Devine was a member of the Diocesan Priest Senate and ministered at Catholic Charities as Director of Catholic Youth Organization.

The arrangements are as follows:

WAKE:

Immaculate Conception Center
7200 Douglaston Parkway
Douglaston, New York 11362
718-229-8001
Friday, November 4, 2022
9:00 AM – 10:30 AM

FUNERAL:

Immaculate Conception Center
7200 Douglaston Parkway
Douglaston, New York 11362
718-229-8001
Friday, November 4, 2022
11:00 AM

BURIAL:

Mount Saint Mary
Flushing, New York

Father Devine was a member of the Priests’ Purgatorial Society Please pray for the repose of his soul and for the consolation of his family and friends. May he rest in the peace of Christ, the Risen Lord.

If you wish to send condolences, please mail to his sister Nancy Riley, 254 New Castle Court Unit A, Ridge New York 11961.

Reverend Monsignor Steven J. Aguggia, J.C.L.
Chancellor