FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 14, 2021

MEDIA CONTACTS:

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

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

CRUCIFIX OF JESUS TOPPLED AND DAMAGED IN HATE CRIME AT BROOKLYN CATHOLIC CHURCH

            The Diocese of Brooklyn is announcing an act of vandalism that occurred in the early morning hours of today at St. Athanasius Roman Catholic Church, located in the Bensonhurst section of Brooklyn. The damaged Crucifix was discovered by the parish pastor, Monsignor David Cassato, around 8 a.m. on his walk from the rectory to the academy to greet the students.

The Crucifix displayed in the grass adjacent to the school, located at the corner of 61^st Street and Bay Parkway, was found toppled over and lying face down. The statue of Jesus, the cross, and the display were all damaged in what is being investigated by the NYPD as a hate crime.

“This was truly an act of hatred and today is the saddest day of my twenty years here at this parish,” said Monsignor David Cassato. “I went over and spoke to the students in the school about what happened, telling them that hate never wins.  We are, and must be, a community that continues to share the message of Easter, that which is of love, hope, and forgiveness.”

The Crucifix was installed at the parish in 2010 in memory of Monsignor Cassato’s mother. The parish plans to repair and reinstall the Crucifix in the same location.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-TIPS (8477).

###

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 4, 2021

MEDIA CONTACTS:

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

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

DIOCESE OF BROOKLYN RELEASES VIDEO OF STUDENTS SAYING THANK YOU TO THEIR TEACHERS ON THIS TEACHER APPRECIATION DAY

 

The Diocese of Brooklyn, on this Teacher Appreciation Day, is releasing a video compilation of students of Catholic schools and academies throughout Brooklyn and Queens, thanking their teachers for their continued efforts and dedication, especially throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

“On this Teacher Appreciation Day, I extend my thanks to Catholic school teachers in the Diocese of Brooklyn who have made learning possible in these times. We are blessed with incredible teachers who commit to teaching the love of Christ. Without them, our schools would not have been open and we owe a debt of gratitude to them. The sacrifices they made were over and beyond what they normally do. I am sure our children and their families appreciate everything as I do personally,” said The Most Reverend Nicholas DiMarzio, Bishop of Brooklyn.

The 69 Catholic elementary schools and academies in Brooklyn and Queens opened on time and have maintained safe and consistent in-person instruction from Nursery (PreK-3) through the 8^th grade. An innovative online program with live instruction was launched in September to offer those needing, or choosing, to keep their children at home. K-8 enrollment has increased at 40% of the elementary schools this year throughout the Diocese.

“Teachers have been so strong, dedicated, and present for their students. We opened fully in-person in September and while taking all of the necessary precautions, our teachers have supported our students as they adjusted and pushed forward in this new world. Saying thank you seems inadequate when one considers the ever-changing roles that teachers have had to step into during the 2020-2021 school year. Our gratitude and appreciation for our teachers is indescribable. Their influence on students, families, and school communities has been an inspiration,” said Dr. Thomas Chadzutko, Superintendent of Catholic School Support Services.

The Diocese of Brooklyn is planning to fully reopen all academies and schools in Brooklyn and Queens in September in compliance with the required COVID safety regulations. The St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Online Academy will also remain an option for those who want to continue distance learning in the 2021-2022 school year.

Teacher appreciation video: https://youtu.be/1FvjWbu-ZIQ

###

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 29, 2021

MEDIA CONTACTS:

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

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

***MEDIA ADVISORY***

 

ST. MARGARET CATHOLIC ACADEMY AND KIDS BACKING THE BLUE TO REMEMBER FALLEN OFFICERS 

            St. Margaret Catholic Academy and “Kids Backing The Blue” will host a May Remembrance Prayer Ceremony to honor the families of NYPD fallen officers, as well as from the Newark and Paterson Police Departments, this Saturday, May 1, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. outside the school located at 66-10 80^th Street in Middle Village, Queens.

At the event, comfort packages will be presented to representatives of the police agencies.  The baskets will include:

*Stuffed animals sponsored by the NYPD

*Memorial jewelry keepsakes sponsored by Glimmer of Stone

*Children’s Books: “Forever My Daddy My Hero” and “Forever My Mommy My Hero”

*Memorial keepsakes for surviving spouses and older children

*Dolls resembling the fallen hero parents sponsored by Hearts and Heroes U.S. (included in some of the comfort packages)

The school dedicated a dress-down day fundraiser in March to provide care packages for 21 families of fallen officers nationwide, including six NYPD officers killed in the line of duty and two from related illnesses.

The officers to be remembered include NYPD Chief of Transportation William Morris, Inspector Justin Lenz, Deputy Inspector Denis Mullaney, Detective Peter Gianfrancesco, and Police Officers Terence Connelly, Michael Geraldi, Angel Santiago, and Anastasios Tsakos.

City Councilman Robert Holden and Chief Jeffrey B. Maddrey of the NYPD Community Affairs Bureau are planning to attend the event. Kids Backing The Blue will present flags and Heavenly morning glory seeds to the school to plant as a thank you for their efforts.

Kids Backing The Blue, which supports all first responders, was founded in June 2020. KBTB sponsors other programs including a Bullying Awareness & Prevention Course for children of the fallen officers, a Pen Pal program matching children of fallen officers similar in age, and a “We Support You” program where volunteers send cards, letters, and pictures to police departments throughout the United States. For more information, visit their website at www.kidsbackingtheblue.com or find them on Facebook and Instagram.

Members of the media are encouraged to attend.

###

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 14, 2021

MEDIA CONTACTS:

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

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

DIOCESE OF BROOKLYN VICAR FOR COMMUNICATIONS

MONSIGNOR KIERAN HARRINGTON APPOINTED

NATIONAL DIRECTOR OF THE PONTIFICAL MISSION SOCIETIES

The Most Reverend Nicholas DiMarzio, Bishop of Brooklyn, is pleased to announce the appointment of the Reverend Monsignor Kieran E. Harrington, as the new national director of the Pontifical Mission Societies. The appointment was made by Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, Prefect of the Vatican Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples. The Pontifical Mission Societies are organizations under the direction of the Holy Father, Pope Francis. Their purpose is the promotion of a universal missionary spirit among all baptized Catholics.

“I have worked with Monsignor Harrington in many capacities for the past 17 plus years, five of which were spent living at the Bishop’s Residence, and I know his selection for this assignment is the absolute right choice. There has always been an extraordinary desire within him to bring the good news of Jesus Christ, and the Christian faith, to the people not only of his parish, but throughout the world. Monsignor Harrington will excel in this position because of this deep faith and motivation to evangelize. The Universal Church will benefit because of Msgr. Harrington’s devotion to Our Lord, and to the people the Catholic Church is called to serve,” said Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio.

“I am grateful to Bishop DiMarzio for his tutelage and the confidence he entrusted to me as Rector/pastor of the Co-Cathedral of Saint Joseph and Church of St. Teresa. Moreover, I am grateful for the opportunity to have served as Vicar for Communications for the Diocese of Brooklyn, and President and Chairman of DeSales Media,” said Monsignor Harrington. “I am also thankful to Cardinal Tagle for this opportunity to serve the Universal Church in this national ministry to re-awaken the missionary impulse in each of us, which is at the heart of our baptismal calling.”

Ordained a priest of the Diocese of Brooklyn in 2001, Monsignor Harrington, was appointed Vicar for Communications in 2006 and Rector of the Co-Cathedral of Saint Joseph in Prospect Heights, Brooklyn, in 2008. His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI elevated him to the rank of Papal Chaplain with the title of Reverend Monsignor on September 3, 2009. Since 2011, Monsignor Harrington has served as the President and Chairman of DeSales Media Group, the communications, and technology arm of the Diocese of Brooklyn. In this role, Monsignor Harrington has overseen the diocesan newspaper, The Tablet, NET, the cable station of the Diocese, and the diocesan public information and governmental affairs offices. From 2009 through 2018, Monsignor Harrington hosted ‘In The Arena,’ a weekly program on WOR radio, which featured world-renowned guests, intense debates, and compelling interviews on current topics from a Catholic cultural perspective.

“It has been a privilege over these last thirteen years to oversee the restoration and rebirth of the Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph.  During this tenure, I was delighted to witness a springtime of renewal in parochial life. Likewise, drawing together a faith-filled and talented team of professionals to face the myriad and complex challenges of communicating the Gospel message in a rapidly changing, secular, and sometimes hostile media environment has enabled me to grow spiritually and professionally.  I am indebted to colleagues and parishioners for helping me to grow in my faith and life as a Christian,” said Monsignor Harrington.

“Monsignor Kieran Harrington, while serving as Rector of the Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph, where he oversaw the beautiful restoration of the church, and Pastor of St. Teresa of Avila, was able to take on many of the great challenges facing our Diocese. Under his leadership with DeSales Media, he has led efforts to upgrade technology in our schools and churches, has significantly enhanced the digital and social media presence of the Diocese of Brooklyn, and has worked to grow the presence of our local Catholic media. I thank Monsignor Harrington for his years of service which have allowed him to share his many talents with us, as a true pastoral and communications leader. I ask the Lord to bless him as he takes this new role in the Church,” continued Bishop DiMarzio.

Monsignor Harrington graduated with honors from St. John’s University with a Bachelor’s degree in Philosophy. He holds a Masters of Divinity from the Seminary of the Immaculate Conception and an MBA from the New York University Stern School of Business.

Monsignor Harrington is a Knight of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre, a Knight of Columbus, and a member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians. He serves on the boards of the Futures in Education Foundation, the Catholic Technology Network, and Cristo Rey Brooklyn High School. He is the recipient of numerous awards and honors, including the Saint Thomas More Award of the Catholic Lawyers Guild, the Father Mychal Judge Award at the Great Irish Fair in Brooklyn, New York, and the John Paul II Distinguished Stewardship Award.

Monsignor Harrington succeeds Father Andrew Small, OMI, who is completing his second five-year term as director of the Pontifical Mission Societies. The four societies, the Society for the Propagation of the Faith, the Holy Childhood Association, the Society of St. Peter the Apostle, and the Missionary Union of Priests and Religious each received the title “pontifical” in 1922 to indicate their status as official instruments of the pope and of the universal Catholic Church. The national director heads the four societies in the United States and oversees the World Missions Sunday Collection, which is taken up on the third Sunday of October each year.

Photo of Reverend Monsignor Kieran E. Harrington is attached.

###