Month: May 2024

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

Posted on

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.”
StElizabeths7th8thGradeClass
Students from the 7th and 8th Grade at St. Elizabeth’s Catholic Academy pose for a group photo with Liza Wiemer.
IMG 5547
Students at Divine Mercy Catholic Academy also were visited by author Liza Wiemer to discuss respect and tolerance.
IMG 5562
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

Posted on

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.

###

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

Posted on

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

Posted on

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.

###