Month: September 2024

BLESSED MOTHER STATUE ATTACKED OUTSIDE QUEENS CATHOLIC CHURCH

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 25, 2024

BLESSED MOTHER STATUE ATTACKED OUTSIDE QUEENS CATHOLIC CHURCH

The Diocese of Brooklyn is announcing a hateful act of vandalism that took place in the early morning hours of Tuesday, September 24, 2024, at the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church, located at 88-19 Parsons Boulevard in the Jamaica section of Queens.

In the incident, a vandal approached the statue of the Blessed Mother located in front of the rectory at approximately 3:15 a.m. The man picked up a rock from the parish garden and began to repeatedly strike the statue, causing damage to the face, side, and hands of the Blessed Mother statue. The hands, which were in a praying position, were found on the ground near the statue.

“Mary is a source of humility, charity, and love. Because there are people in this world who oppose these virtues, there are some who are bothered by them. It is necessary to pray for this man and for all those who are deceived by the evil one, that they may come to see the love of God. It is then that their anger against what is humble, charitable, and lovable, may come to an end,” said Father Victor M. Bolaños, Pastor of Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Parishioners are very saddened and frustrated because it is unclear at this time if the statue can be repaired. The statue was gifted to the parish by Mary Immaculate Hospital at the time of its closing in 2009. In a separate incident last year, the sword of the statue of St. Michael the Archangel was damaged and replaced at the parish.

Police officers from the NYPD’s 103rd Precinct are investigating. Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477).

Photos of the vandalism to the statue at Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary parish are attached. Video footage is available here: https://vimeo.com/1012986721.

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The Blessed Mother statue outside the rectory of Presentation of the Virgin Mary, which was damaged by a vandal on September 25, 2024.
BlessedMotherDamgePresentation
The praying hands of the Blessed Mother statue were vandalized and found on the ground next to the statue.
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The NYPD is looking for this man in connection with the vandalism. Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers.

Announcement of Death – Reverend Raymond F. Schmidt

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Most Reverend Robert J. Brennan, Bishop of Brooklyn, regrets to inform you of the death of Reverend Raymond F. Schmidt, a retired priest of the Diocese of Brooklyn. Father Schmidt was born on September 24, 1934 in New York, was ordained to the Priesthood on May 28, 1960 and died Tuesday, September 24, 2024.

Father Schmidt served the Diocese of Brooklyn as Pastor of the Parish of Saint Mary (Long Island City). He also served as Parochial Vicar of the Parishes of Sacred Heart (Bayside), Our Lady of Mount Carmel (Astoria), Saint Mark (Brooklyn), Saint Benedict Joseph Labre (Richmond Hill) and Saint Rita (Long Island City). He was in residence at the Bishop Mugavero Residence in Douglaston, New York. Father Schmidt served as Lieutenant, Colonel, and Chaplain of the U.S. Army.

The arrangements are as follows:

WAKE:
Immaculate Conception Center
7200 Douglaston Parkway Douglaston, New York 11362 Tel: (718) 229-8001

Friday, September 27, 2024
6:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Saturday, September 28, 2024
9:00 AM – 10:30 AM

FUNERAL MASS:
Immaculate Conception Center
7200 Douglaston Parkway Douglaston, New York 11362 Tel: (718) 229-8001
Saturday, September 28, 2024
11:00 AM

BURIAL:
Saint John Cemetery
Middle Village, New York

Father Schmidt 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. Patricia Schmidt, 440 Lewis Road, New Britain, Connecticut 06053; and to his nephew, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Schmidt, 27 Lee Avenue, Rockville Center, New York 11570.

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

Chancellor and Vicar for Canonical Affairs

MEDIA ADVISORY – WORLD WAR II HERO TO BE REMEMBERED: BISHOP CHAPPETTO TO PAY TRIBUTE TO HIS UNCLE KILLED IN ACTION 80 YEARS AGO

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 24, 2024

MEDIA CONTACTS:

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

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

WORLD WAR II HERO TO BE REMEMBERED: BISHOP CHAPPETTO TO PAY TRIBUTE TO HIS UNCLE
KILLED IN ACTION 80 YEARS AGO

Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus Raymond Chappetto of the Diocese of Brooklyn will participate in a memorial service to commemorate the 80th Anniversary of the death of his uncle, 2nd Lieutenant Peter Chappetto, on Thursday, September 26, 2024, at 5:30 p.m. at Chappetto Memorial Park located at the corner of Hoyt Avenue North and 23rd Streets in the Astoria section of Queens. This ceremony will mark the 75th Anniversary of the dedication of the park.

Peter Chappetto was born in Astoria in 1912, was a star athlete during high school and would later enlist in the United States Army in 1941. During the Battle of Angaur fought on the Palau Islands, 2nd Lieutenant Chappetto was seriously wounded, but still gave orders to his men to get them to safety. He would later die that same day, September 26, 1944, and was posthumously awarded a Purple Heart, Silver Star, and a presidential citation.

Following the memorial service, there will be a presentation by Dr. Erik D. Carlson, an Associate Professor of History at Florida Gulf Coast University. Professor Carlson is a World War II historian. The presentation will begin at 7 p.m. in the lower church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, located at 23-25 Newtown Avenue in Astoria.

Members of the media are invited to attend.

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BISHOP ROBERT BRENNAN JOINS FDNY IN REMEMBERING SEPTEMBER 11

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DOB

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 11, 2024

MEDIA CONTACTS:

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

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

 

BISHOP ROBERT BRENNAN JOINS FDNY IN REMEMBERING SEPTEMBER 11

 

Bishop Robert Brennan, Bishop of Brooklyn, was the main celebrant at a Mass in remembrance of the 23rd Anniversary of the attacks of September 11, 2001, dedicated to members of the New York City Fire Department, earlier today at the Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph.

 

“We saw how firefighters went into the crumbling towers, knowing that it was not only dangerous, but that certainly some would end up giving their lives. Yet all went in courageously to shine the light in the darkness. To save all of us, to save those in the building. Just to do what they could. The light shatters the darkness,” said Bishop Brennan.

 

Prior to the Mass, members of the FDNY’s Battalion 57 in Brooklyn led a procession from Manhattan over the Brooklyn Bridge to the Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph. The firefighters carried 25 flags, one American flag, and 24 FDNY flags to represent the 23 members of Battalion 57 who died that day, and a Battalion member’s brother who also lost his life in the attacks on the World Trade Center. Bishop Brennan joined the procession on the Brooklyn Bridge.

 

Battalion 57 consists of several fire stations and multiple fire companies including 4 Battalion Chiefs, Engine Companies 217, 219, 230 and 235, as well as Ladder Companies 102 and 105.

 

VIDEO: https://vimeo.com/1008601965

Photos attached are courtesy of John Quaglione/DeSales Media.

 

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