Author: geonyayyad

Passing of Msgr. Patrick F. O’Toole

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Most Reverend Nicholas DiMarzio, Bishop of Brooklyn, regrets to inform you of the death of Reverend Monsignor Patrick F. O’Toole, retired senior priest of the Diocese of Brooklyn, who was in private residence in Florida. Monsignor O’Toole was born on January 15, 1937 in Galway, Ireland, was ordained to the Priesthood on June 19, 1960, and died Wednesday, March 8, 2017, at NYU Medical Center.

Monsignor O’Toole served the Diocese of Brooklyn as Pastor of Saint Cecilia (Brooklyn), Saint Patrick (Brooklyn), Saint Ann (Brooklyn), and as Parochial Vicar of Saint Kevin (Flushing) and Saint Saviour (Brooklyn). On May 16, 1986, he was named Prelate of Honor to His Holiness.

The arrangements are as follows: Read more »

‘Ensuring The Future Of The Diocese’ by Bishop DiMarzio

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March 8, 2017 – Excerpted from Put Out Into the Deep, Bishop DiMarzio’s column in The Tablet:

My dear brothers and sisters in the Lord,

On behalf of the people who are served throughout our Diocese in Brooklyn and Queens, we begin the 2017 Annual Catholic Appeal, “Live in Faith – Give in Love,” by thanking those who generously responded to the 2016 Annual Catholic Appeal and the Generations of Faith capital campaign.

While the Generations of Faith capital campaign is helping to strengthen our parishes, provide for our senior priests and secure the future of the Church through our diocesan youth ministry initiative, the Annual Catholic Appeal continues to support the vital diocesan ministries that serve the people of Brooklyn and Queens on a day-to-day basis. If it were not for the commitment of parishioners throughout the Diocese to the Annual Catholic Appeal each year, the responsibility to provide the basic services and ministries of the Diocese of Brooklyn would be impossible.

The 2017 Annual Catholic Appeal, “Live in Faith – Give in Love,” reminds us that the work of the Church is shared by all believers in response to the gifts of faith and love. By supporting the works of the Diocese and the mission of the Church through a commitment to the Annual Catholic Appeal, you will inspire others in your parish and our diocese to join us as we answer God’s call to love and to serve our neighbors. Those who are without shelter, malnourished, those without access to Catholic education, men discerning the priesthood and those who are ill and dying – all depend upon our generosity.

Read the full text of the Bishop’s column on The Tablet website.

The Passing of Rev. William R. Dulaney

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Most Reverend Nicholas DiMarzio, Bishop of Brooklyn, regrets to inform you of the death of Reverend William R. Dulaney, a priest of the Diocese of Brooklyn, who was ministering as Parochial Vicar of Saint Gregory the Great (Bellerose), as well as Part-time Chaplain of Saint Edmund Preparatory High School (Brooklyn). Father Dulaney was born on February 15, 1948 in Queens, was ordained to the Priesthood on May 26, 1973, and died Friday, February 10, 2017 at Northshore University Hospital, Manhasset.

Father Dulaney served the Diocese of Brooklyn as Pastor of Mary Queen of Heaven (Brooklyn) as well as Parochial Vicar of Saint Thomas the Apostle (Flatlands), Saint Sebastian (Woodside), Saint Margaret (Middle Village), Saint Anselm (Brooklyn), and Saint Mel (Flushing). In addition, Father Dulaney also served as Vice-Rector, Spiritual Director and teacher at Cathedral Preparatory School and Seminary.

The arrangements are as follows: Read more »

Passing of Rev. Msgr. Gerard J. Arella

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Most Reverend Nicholas DiMarzio, Bishop of Brooklyn, regrets to inform you of the death of Reverend Monsignor Gerard J. Arella, retired senior priest of the Diocese of Brooklyn, who was in residence at the Bishop Mugavero Residence. Monsignor Arella was born on September 21, 1928 in Manhattan, New York, was ordained to the Priesthood on May 29, 1954, and died Tuesday, January 31, 2017.

Monsignor Arella served the Diocese of Brooklyn as Pastor of St. Mark (Brooklyn), Parochial Vicar of St. Clement Pope (South Ozone Park) and in residence at Our Lady of Victory (Brooklyn), St. Augustine (Brooklyn) and Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Brooklyn). He was appointed Defender of the Bond and Associate Presiding Judge of the Diocesan Tribunal Office. On September 11, 1989, he was named Prelate of Honor to His Holiness.

The arrangements are as follows: Read more »

Passing of Rev. Msgr. Austin P. Bennet

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Most Reverend Nicholas DiMarzio, Bishop of Brooklyn, regrets to inform you of the death of Reverend Monsignor Austin P. Bennett, J.C.D., K.G.C.H.S., P.A., an active senior priest of the Diocese of Brooklyn. Monsignor Bennett was born on February 26, 1923 in Brooklyn, New York, was ordained to the Priesthood on June 11, 1949, and died Tuesday, January 31, 2017.

Among his many responsibilities in the Diocese of Brooklyn, Monsignor Bennett served as Parochial Vicar of Saint Saviour (Brooklyn), was appointed to the Diocesan Curia, Director of Parish Service Corporation, Director of Finances, Administrator of the Pension Office, Vicar for Administration, Executive Director Emeritus of the Confraternity of the Precious Blood and Special Assistant to the Bishop. On August 21, 1981, he was named Prelate of Honor to His Holiness and on February 23, 1997 he was named Protonotary Apostolic Supernumerary.

The arrangements are as follows: Read more »

Passing of Rev. Joseph F. Wiseman

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Most Reverend Nicholas DiMarzio, Bishop of Brooklyn, regrets to inform you of the death of Reverend Joseph F. Wiseman, a retired senior priest of the Diocese of Brooklyn, who was in residence at Mary’s Nativity-St. Ann, in Flushing. Father Wiseman was born on October 13, 1923, in Brooklyn, was ordained to the Priesthood on June 7, 1952, and died Sunday, January 29, 2017, at Flushing Hospital Medical Center.

Father Wiseman served the Diocese of Brooklyn as Parochial Vicar of Immaculate Conception (Long Island City), Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Brooklyn), Saint Jerome (Brooklyn) and Holy Family (Flushing).

The arrangements are as follows: Read more »

‘A Season of Prayer, Fasting, Almsgiving’ by Bishop DiMarzio

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March 1, 2017 – Excerpted from Put Out Into the Deep, Bishop DiMarzio’s column in The Tablet:

My dear brothers and sisters in the Lord, since Lent has now begun, I call attention to the Message of His Holiness Pope Francis for Lent 2017 entitled “The Word is a gift. Other persons are a gift.”

The Word of God is a gift to us. In the Sacred Scripture, Jesus the Word Incarnate gives us the direction for Lent in works of fasting, prayer and almsgiving. To illustrate his point that “other persons” are also a gift, the Holy Father chooses to reflect on the parable of Lazarus. From the very beginning, we understand that Lazarus is a person whose name literally means, “God helps.” In fact, it is not a name; it just means a special person. The person in need was Lazarus who stood at the door of the house of a rich man begging for scraps, which came from his table. The rich man, totally unaware of the presence of Lazarus, ignored him for he was not a person to the rich man.

Our Holy Father tells us the essence of the parable, which shows that the rich man’s greed made him vain, when he says, “The lowest rung of this moral degradation is pride. The rich man dresses like a king and acts like a god, forgetting that he is merely mortal.”

Read the full text of the Bishop’s column on The Tablet website.

‘Baby Steps on the March For Life’ by Bishop DiMarzio

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January 18, 2017 – Excerpted from Put Out Into the Deep, Bishop DiMarzio’s column in The Tablet:

My dear brothers and sisters in the Lord,

Each year on January 22, the Catholic Church in the United States, along with many others, recognizes the anniversary of the flawed Supreme Court decision entitled Roe v Wade. The decision was flawed because it was made on the basis of false information. Two women brought the lawsuit, and later recanted their claims. One said that she was never pregnant, and the other said her pregnancy was not a result of rape as we were previously told. On the basis of false facts, we have seen the massive abortion of over 50 million unborn children since 1973. There was one other flawed Supreme Court decision that fortunately was overturned which was the support of slavery in the United States in the Dred Scott decision.

But why do we commemorate tragic events? Well, it becomes a reminder to us that these events, especially the legalization of abortion in the United States, are injustices that must be overturned. This may not happen all at once. However, any attempt to limit the number of abortions is a step in the right direction. Notwithstanding the present political climate, which might lend some hope to future curtailment of abortion, it is our responsibility as Catholic Christians to work for the elimination of this stain on our national conscience.

Read the full text of the Bishop’s column on The Tablet website.

Statement on Arrest of Rafael Diaz

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On Saturday, January 14, 2017, Rafael Diaz was arrested by the NYPD for the alleged sexual assault of a parishioner who attends Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Queens. The church was not aware that Diaz, who was the musical director at the church, was hired by the alleged victim’s parents to give their child private music lessons at their home.  On Thursday, January 12, 2017, the alleged victim’s father came to the church and reported that Mr. Diaz had sexually abused his daughter during private lessons. Diocesan officials immediately contacted the NYPD and are cooperating with authorities during the investigation. Mr. Diaz’s employment was terminated upon his arrest. The Diocese of Brooklyn takes the protection of children very seriously. It performs criminal background checks on every employee and volunteer. It also requires them, as well as minors, to complete ongoing training for the prevention of sexual abuse.