Announcement of Death – Reverend Gerald J. Fitzsimmons, S.M.M.

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The Diocese of Brooklyn has been informed of the death of Reverend Gerald J. Fitzsimmons, S.M.M., a priest of the Montfort Missionaries – U.S. Province, who served the Diocese of Brooklyn as Pastor of Saint Mary Gate of Heaven (Ozone Park).

Father Fitzsimmons died on Friday, July 19, 2024.

The funeral arrangements are as follows:

WAKE: Sacred Heart Chapel 1725 Brentwood Road Brentwood, New York 11717 Tel: (631) 273-1187

Tuesday, July 23, 2024 3:00 PM – 7:30 PM

FUNERAL MASS: Sacred Heart Chapel 1725 Brentwood Road Brentwood, New York 11717 Tel: (631) 273-1187

Wednesday, July 24, 2024 11:00 AM

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 Montfort Missionaries, 26 South Saxon Avenue, Bay Shore, New York 11706.

Reverend Monsignor Steven Aguggia, J.C.L.

Announcement of Death – Reverend Peter D. Gillen

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Most Reverend Robert J. Brennan, Bishop of Brooklyn, regrets to inform you of the death of Reverend Peter D. Gillen, a priest of the Diocese of Brooklyn. Father Gillen was born on August 10, 1951 in New York, was ordained to the Priesthood on February 11, 1978 and died on Friday, July 19, 2024.

Father Gillen served the Diocese of Brooklyn as Pastor of the Parishes of Saint Brendan (Brooklyn), Corpus Christi (Woodside), and Saint Rose of Lima (Rockaway Beach). He also served as Parochial Vicar of the Parishes of Our Lady of Guadalupe (Brooklyn), Saint Francis of Assisi (Astoria), American Martyrs (Bayside), Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal (Ridgewood), and Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary & Saint Stephen (Brooklyn); as well as transitional Deacon at the Parish of Saints Simon and Jude (Brooklyn). Father Gillen also ministered as Director of Devotion to the Sacred Heart.

The arrangements are as follows:

WAKE: Saint Brendan R.C. Church 1525 East 12th Street Brooklyn, New York 11230 Tel: (718) 339-2828

Wednesday, July 24, 2024 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Thursday, July 25, 2024 2:00 PM – 6:30 PM

VIGIL MASS: Saint Brendan R.C. Church 1525 East 12th Street Brooklyn, New York 11230 Tel: (718) 339-2828

Thursday, July 25, 2024 7:00 PM

FUNERAL MASS: Saint Brendan R.C. Church 1525 East 12th Street Brooklyn, New York 11230 Tel: (718) 339-2828

Friday, July 26, 2024 11:00 AM

BURIAL: Saint John Cemetery Middle Village, New York Father Gillen 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, Ms. Marie Gillen, 72-28 66 Drive, Middle Village, New York 11379.

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

Brooklyn Bishop Brennan Statement on President Trump Assassination Attempt

BISHOP ROBERT BRENNAN STATEMENT ON THE ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT ON FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP

Bishop Robert Brennan, Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn, has issued the following video statement following the assassination attempt against former President Trump:

“I’m at Our Lady of Solace Church in Coney Island for regular Sunday Mass on this July Sunday morning. But how appropriate that I’m here in the Church of Our Lady of Solace.

We call on Our Lady of Solace in this moment when our Nation is in shock at the assassination attempt against former President Trump while he was on the campaign trail. Thank God he is okay, although we mourn the loss of a citizen who was present at the rally, and we pray for those who were injured in that shooting.

What a terrible, terrible act of violence. We have to condemn violence in every form, violence that afflicts our Nation in so many ways. At the same time, we have to condemn the divisions and the rhetoric that raises the level of hatred.

Indeed, we are people of differing viewpoints, and our democratic process is such a gift that we can debate things openly and then place our votes.

Let’s pray for this Nation during this campaign season. Let’s pray for those who govern our Nation. Let’s pray for all peoples of the United States that we will draw together in unity for the common good, seeking always the common good, respect for all life, respect for life at every moment along the way.

And that we will be a Nation that seeks and asks God’s blessings. Our Lady of Solace, pray for us.”

 

VIDEO STATEMENT: vimeo.com/Statement on Pres Trump
COURTESY: DeSales Media

Parish Merger Decree – Saint Augustine – Saint Francis Xavier

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DECREE

Changes in the spiritual practices among the faithful, a decrease in available clergy and men and women in consecrated life, changes in the general population within our Diocese, as well as concerns regarding temporal matters have affected the means by which the Gospel of Jesus Christ has been proclaimed within the Diocese of Brooklyn. In an effort to respond in the best possible way to the gifts of the Holy Spirit generously given to us in our current situation, I have overseen a comprehensive pastoral plan, which included the whole of the Diocese of Brooklyn.

In an effort to evangelize more effectively the community in Brooklyn, as well to administrate the temporal goods of the faithful more efficiently, Reverend Frank C. Tumino, Pastor of Saint Augustine, located at 116 6th Avenue, Brooklyn, New York 11217, and also Pastor of Saint Francis Xavier, located at 225 6th Avenue, Brooklyn, New York 11215, petitioned that they be canonically merged.

In keeping with the requirements of the Universal Law of the Church, the Presbyteral Council was consulted on April 11, 2024 (Canon 515 § 2), and after having heard the reasons for the proposed merger its members expressed their support for this action. In addition, after having consulted the territorial Episcopal Vicars, clergy, pastoral ministers and other members of the faithful of the parishes involved, I, the undersigned Bishop of Brooklyn, hereby declare and decree that the Parishes of Saint Augustine and Saint Francis Xavier, both within the Diocese of Brooklyn, shall be merged to form one Parish.

  • This one Parish shall be named Saint Augustine – Saint Francis Xavier parish, with the main Parish office to be located 225 6th Avenue, Brooklyn, New York 11215.
  • Reverend Frank C. Tumino shall be the Pastor of the Parish.
  • The territorial boundaries of the new parish shall encompass all of the territory which, up until now, has constituted the territories of Saint Augustine and Saint Francis Xavier.
  • All assets and obligations currently belonging to aforementioned parishes are by this canonical merger, transferred to Saint Augustine – Saint Francis Xavier parish.
  • The parochial registers and the seals of the aforementioned parishes shall be kept at 225 6th Avenue, Brooklyn, New York 11215.
  • The Parish shall have two churches for worship: Saint Augustine and Saint Francis Xavier.

This merger shall take effect on July 1, 2024, at which time the public juridic persons of Saint Augustine – Saint Francis Xavier shall be merged. Recourse action may be sought according to the norms of Canons 1732 to 1739 of the 1983 Code of Canon Law.

 

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Merger Decree: Saint Augustine-Saint Francis Xavier parish

Parish Merger Decree – Christ the King-St. Mary Magdalene

 

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DECREE

Changes in the spiritual practices among the faithful, a decrease in available clergy and men and women in consecrated life, changes in the general population within our Diocese, as well as concerns regarding temporal matters have affected the means by which the Gospel of Jesus Christ has been proclaimed within the Diocese of Brooklyn. In an effort to respond in the best possible way to the gifts of the Holy Spirit generously given to us in our current situation, I have overseen a comprehensive pastoral plan, which included the whole of the Diocese of Brooklyn.

In an effort to evangelize more effectively the community in Queens, as well to administrate the temporal goods of the faithful more efficiently, Reverend Gordon P. Kusi, Pastor of Christ the King, located at 145-39 Farmers Boulevard, Springfield Gardens, New York 11434, and also Administrator of Saint Mary Magdalene, located at 218-12 136th Avenue, Springfield Gardens, New York 11413, petitioned that they be canonically merged.

In keeping with the requirements of the Universal Law of the Church, the Presbyteral Council was consulted on April 11, 2024 (Canon 515 § 2), and after having heard the reasons for the proposed merger its members expressed their support for this action. In addition, after having consulted the territorial Episcopal Vicars, clergy, pastoral ministers and other members of the faithful of the parishes involved, I, the undersigned Bishop of Brooklyn, hereby declare and decree that the Parishes of Christ the King and Saint Mary Magdalene, both within the Diocese of Brooklyn, shall be merged to form one Parish.

  • This one Parish shall be named Christ the King – Saint Mary Magdalene parish, with the main Parish office to be located 145-39 Farmers Boulevard, Springfield Gardens, New York 11434.
  • Reverend Gordon P. Kusi shall be the Pastor of the Parish.
  • The territorial boundaries of the new parish shall encompass all of the territory which, up until now, has constituted the territories of Christ the King and Saint Mary Magdalene.
  • All assets and obligations currently belonging to aforementioned parishes are by this canonical merger, transferred to Christ the King – Saint Mary Magdalene parish.
  • The parochial registers and the seals of the aforementioned parishes shall be kept at 145-39 Farmers Boulevard, Springfield Gardens, New York 11434.
  • The Parish shall have two churches for worship: Christ the King and Saint Mary Magdalene.

This merger shall take effect on July 1, 2024, at which time the public juridic persons of Christ the King – Saint Mary Magdalene shall be merged. Recourse action may be sought according to the norms of Canons 1732 to 1739 of the 1983 Code of Canon Law.

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Merger Decree: Christ the King-St. Mary Magdalene Parish 

VANDALISM AT A QUEENS CATHOLIC CHURCH RULED A HATE CRIME

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 1, 2024

DISTURBING ATTACK ON STATUE AT QUEENS CATHOLIC CHURCH

The Diocese of Brooklyn is announcing a hateful act of vandalism that took place yesterday, Sunday, June 30, 2024, at Holy Family Roman Catholic Church, located in the Flushing section of Queens.

At 5:30 a.m. yesterday, video shows a vandal park his NYC Taxi SUV vehicle across the street from the church. He then walked directly towards the Holy Family statue and proceeded to decapitate the Child Jesus. The white marble head of the Child Jesus was found on the ground near the statue. The damage is estimated at $20,000 and the parish is looking to repair the statue.

The statue has been part of the parish for more than 42 years. The statues of Mary and Joseph, which stand with the Child Jesus, were unsuccessfully targeted and not damaged.

“The Holy Family is the foundation of our faith community, and this statue holds special meaning to so many in our parish. This is a very unsettling incident, and those who attended Mass yesterday were shocked and horrified to find out this happened. We must pray for an increase in religious tolerance throughout our city,” said Father Sean Suckiel, the parish Pastor.

Police officers from the 107th Precinct responded and classified the incident as a hate crime. Anyone with information is asked to call NYPD Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477).

Photos of the vandalism to the statue at Holy Family Church are attached.

Video footage can be found here: https://vimeo.com/973479443

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On Sunday, June 30, 2024, this statue of the Holy Family was damaged by a vandal. The NYPD has ruled it a hate crime.
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The vandal damaged the Holy Family statue, decapitating Child Jesus, at Holy Family Parish in Flushing.