Month: May 2024

BISHOP ROBERT BRENNAN TO ORDAIN FOUR MEN TO THE PRIESTHOOD INCLUDING FIRST AMERICAN-BORN VIETNAMESE PRIEST IN THE DIOCESE

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***MEDIA ADVISORY***

BISHOP ROBERT BRENNAN TO ORDAIN FOUR MEN TO THE PRIESTHOOD INCLUDING FIRST AMERICAN-BORN VIETNAMESE PRIEST IN THE DIOCESE

            The Most Reverend Robert Brennan, Bishop of Brooklyn, will ordain four men as priests of the Diocese of Brooklyn during a Mass of Ordination, on Saturday, June 1, 2024, 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 four ordinands are:


Deacon Caetano Moura de Oliveira
Caetano Moura de Oliveira, 31, was born in the city of Jundiaí, about 60 miles from São Paulo, Brazil. He was raised in a devout Catholic family, who would pray as a family on Sundays at home before attending Mass. However, he also describes his youth as full of rock and roll concerts and mosh pits.  In 2012 on a youth pilgrimage in Brasilia, Brazil, Deacon de Oliveira heard the call of Jesus Christ to follow Him and become a priest.

Deacon de Oliveira attended the Redemptoris Mater Seminary in the Archdiocese of Newark, New Jersey and completed his studies at the Redemptoris Mater Seminary in the Diocese of Brooklyn.

Deacon Luis Marquez
Luis Marquez, 38, was born in Medellin, Colombia, and immigrated with his family to the United States in 2002, settling in New Jersey. Luis would go on to earn a degree in foreign languages and became a Spanish teacher in Englewood, New Jersey, prior to answering the call to the priesthood. His father, also named Luis, had considered the priesthood as a young man, and strongly encouraged him to become a priest.  He attended Pope St. John XXIII National Seminary in Weston, Massachusetts. He is excited to serve in the Diocese of Brooklyn where he will be surrounded by different cultures, languages, and communities.

Deacon Randy Thanh Nguyen
Randy Thanh Nguyen, 38, was born in Minnesota to Vietnamese parents, who brought their family to Elmhurst, Queens. Deacon Randy made his sacraments of first Holy Communion and Confirmation at his home parish of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Astoria, Queens. Deacon Nguyen is a graduate of Hunter College and speaks three languages: Vietnamese, Spanish and English. He completed his theological studies at St. Vincent’s Seminary in Latrobe, Pennsylvania. Deacon Randy pursued a medical degree for a short time prior to pursuing his vocation to the priesthood.

Deacon Tobechkwu Jude Offiah
Tobechkwu Jude Offiah, 37, was born in Lagos, the former capital city of Nigeria. Faith was always important in his family, and as an incentive to attend Mass, his mom always treated him and his siblings to ice cream after Mass. He earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Nigeria. Soon after, he first entered the seminary in the Diocese of Akwa in 2011 but would later follow his family to the United States in 2016.  In 2019, Deacon Offiah entered St. Joseph’s Seminary and College in New York, and he became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 2022.

 

The Ordination Mass will be broadcast live on NET-TV, the cable channel of the Diocese of Brooklyn. NET-TV can be found on Spectrum channel 97; Optimum channel 30; and on FiOS Channel 548. The Mass will also be live-streamed at netny.tv/watch-now.

Members of the media are welcome and asked to confirm their attendance.

The attached photos of the four ordinands are courtesy of the Diocese of Brooklyn.

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Deacon Caetano Moura de Oliveira

Deacon Caetano Moura de Oliveira

Deacon Luis Marquez

Deacon Luis Alfredo Marquez

Deacon Randy Thanh Nguyen

Deacon Randy Nguyen

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Deacon Tobechkwu Jude Offiah

Deacon Tobechukwu Offiah

AUTHOR SPEAKS TO STUDENTS ABOUT USING THEIR VOICE IN A POSITIVE WAY – “WE ARE MISSING INFORMED SPEECH”

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The Catholic Telemedia Network (CTN) today hosted international bestselling and award-winning novelist Liza Wiemer, author of “The Assignment” at several Catholic academies in Queens including St. Elizabeth, Divine Mercy, and Our Lady of the Snows.

The book “The Assignment” is based on an actual 2017 event involving two teenagers in Oswego, New York. The students refused a controversial assignment to participate in debating the pros and cons of Hitler’s Final Solution.

Ms. Wiemer led the seventh and eighth-grade students in an important lesson on speaking up against all forms of hatred, bigotry, and injustice. She discussed how her novel helps connect the history of the Holocaust with society today. Ms. Wiemer also talked about the impact of popular culture and social media on all forms of hatred.

Ms. Wiemer’s tour throughout the Diocese of Brooklyn included visits to 10 Catholic schools and academies in Brooklyn and Queens. Each student received a copy of the book.

Catholic Telemedia Network is a service of DeSales Media, which provides technology and communications for the Diocese of Brooklyn and beyond. CTN is collaborating with The New York Education Initiative with the support of The Jewish Education Project.

VIMEO: https://vimeo.com/946741224

Photos attached are from St. Elizabeth and Divine Mercy Catholic Academy.

 

IMG 5510
Liza Wiemer, author of “The Assignment,” talking with students at St. Elizabeth Catholic Academy.
TheAssignmentAuthorwithBook
Students join Principal Jeanne Shannon and author Liza Wiemer for a photo with the award winning book “The Assignment.”
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Students from the 7th and 8th Grade at St. Elizabeth’s Catholic Academy pose for a group photo with Liza Wiemer.
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Students at Divine Mercy Catholic Academy also were visited by author Liza Wiemer to discuss respect and tolerance.
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Author Liza Wiemer shows a graphic to the students of how two people made a global difference, and they can be a part of the change they want to see in the world.

AUTHOR TO HOST WORKSHOP ENCOURAGING STUDENTS TO STAND AGAINST HATRED AND INJUSTICE

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The Catholic Telemedia Network (CTN) will host international bestselling and award-winning novelist Liza Wiemer, author of “The Assignment” tomorrow, Wednesday, May 15, 2024, at 9:30 a.m. at St. Elizabeth Catholic Academy located at 94-01 85th Street in the Ozone Park section of Queens.

“The Assignment” is based on an actual event involving two teenagers who refused to participate in a controversial assignment; debating the pros and cons of Hitler’s Final Solution. Each student will receive a copy of the book.

Ms. Wiemer will present a workshop for seventh and eighth-grade students on speaking up against all forms of hatred, bigotry, and injustice. Ms. Wiemer will discuss behind-the-scenes information, research, and how her novel helps connect the history of the Holocaust to society today. She will also share how popular culture and social media impact all forms of hatred.

Members of the media are invited to attend and are asked to reply to this email to confirm their attendance.

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Catholic Telemedia Network is a service of DeSales Media, which provides technology and communications for the Diocese of Brooklyn and beyond.

CTN is collaborating with The New York Education Initiative with the support of The Jewish Education Project. Ms. Wiemer’s tour throughout the Diocese of Brooklyn includes visits to 10 Catholic schools and academies in Brooklyn and Queens.

The cover of Liza Wiemer's book "The Assignment."
The cover of Liza Wiemer’s book “The Assignment.”

Announcement of Death-Reverend Monsignor Richard J. Ahlemeyer

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Most Reverend Robert J. Brennan, Bishop of Brooklyn, regrets to inform you of the death of Reverend Monsignor Richard J. Ahlemeyer, a priest of the Diocese of Brooklyn. Monsignor Ahlemeyer was born on July 8, 1950, was ordained to the Priesthood on March 12, 1977, and died on Sunday, May 12, 2024.

Monsignor Ahlemeyer served the Diocese of Brooklyn as Pastor of the Parishes of Saint Camillus – Saint Virgilius (Rockaway Park) and Saint Pius V (Jamaica); as well as Temporary Administrator of Saint Rose of Lima (Rockaway Beach). He also served as Parochial Vicar of the Parishes of Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Jamaica) and Saint Mary (Long Island City). Monsignor Ahlemeyer was also Dean of the Queens 10 Deanery and a Faculty Member of the Cathedral Preparatory Seminary. On December 19, 2019, Monsignor Ahlemeyer was named Chaplain of His Holiness.

The arrangements are as follows:
WAKE: Saint Virgilius R.C. Church, 16 Noel Road, Broad Channel, New York 11693

Tuesday, May 14, 2024
2:00 PM – 5:00 PM and 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM

WAKE: Saint Camillus R.C. Church 99-15 Rockaway Beach Boulevard Rockaway Park, New York 11694
Wednesday, May 15, 2024, 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM

VIGIL: Saint Camillus R.C. Church 99-15 Rockaway Beach Boulevard, Rockaway Park, New York 11694
Wednesday, May 15, 2024, 7:30 PM

FUNERAL: Saint Camillus R.C. Church 99-15 Rockaway Beach Boulevard, Rockaway Park, New York 11694
Thursday, May 16, 2024, 11:00 AM

BURIAL: Saint John Cemetery, Middle Village, New York

Monsignor Ahlemeyer 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 The Ahlemeyer Family, c/o Saint Camillus R.C. Church, 99-15 Rockaway Beach Boulevard, Rockaway Park, New York 11694.

Reverend Monsignor Steven J. Aguggia, J.C.L.
Chancellor and Vicar for Canonical Affairs

THREE CATHOLIC ACADEMIES IN THE DIOCESE OF BROOKLYN TO CLOSE AT THE END OF THE SCHOOL YEAR

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 2, 2024

The Diocese of Brooklyn’s Office of the Superintendent – Catholic School Support Services today announced three Catholic academies, two in Brooklyn and one in Queens, will permanently close at the end of this current school year. The decision to close each of these schools was based on unsustainable trends in enrollment and finances over the last five years.

 The following Catholic academies will not reopen in September:

St. Matthias Catholic Academy in Ridgewood, Queens

Salve Regina Catholic Academy in East New York, Brooklyn

St. Catherine of Genoa ~ St. Therese of Lisieux in Flatbush, Brooklyn

“The difficult decisions to close these schools were reached after a thorough review of the pattern of student enrollment and the financial condition of each academy,” said Deacon Kevin McCormack, Superintendent of Schools. “These three schools, in the midst of this most difficult time, will focus on celebrating their students and preparing them for the next chapter of their education.”

To help students and families affected by these closures transition to nearby Catholic academies, the Diocesan Schools Office has created the following informational website: https://catholicschoolsbq.org/schooltransitioninformation/.

The website provides information regarding upcoming open houses at neighboring schools, information regarding transferring Futures in Education scholarship assistance, and provides contact information to answer questions and address concerns.

All activities and events will continue as planned through the end of this school year. The schools will officially close on August 31, 2024.

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