April 7, 2014 – Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio will celebrate a special mass for young adults (ages 21-39) in the main chapel at the Diocesan offices on Tuesday, April 8, at 7:30PM.
The Diocesan offices are at 310 Prospect Park West in Brooklyn. For more information, e-mail Paul Morisi at pmorisi@diobrook.org, and you can tell us you’re coming on Facebook.
April 2, 2014 — Fr. James Martin, S.J., will give a presentation and sign copies of his new book, “Jesus: A Pilgrimage,” at Holy Name of Jesus Parish in Windsor Terrace on April 7 at 7:30PM.
The book is described on Amazon.com as inviting “believers and seekers alike to experience Jesus through Scripture, prayer and travel.” Holy Name of Jesus, which was recently restored, is at 245 Prospect Park West. The event will be held in Shepherd’s Hall; call (718) 768-3071 with questions.
March 27, 2014 — A mass to honor Msgr. Bernard John Quinn, who died in 1940 after a lifetime of serving the African-American population of New York, will be celebrated on Saturday, April 5, at 11AM at St. Brigid’s Church in Westbury, Long Island.
After the mass, there will be a visit to his grave in Holy Rood Cemetery. The day will be devoted to praying for his cause of canonization. Please contact 718-574-5772 for transportation from St. Peter Claver Church or 516-334-0021 for driving directions. For more on Msgr. Quinn’s life, see fatherquinn.org.
March 25, 2014 – Hundreds of individuals and families can get free legal advice and assistance in filling out naturalization applications on Saturday, April 5, at Immaculate Conception Parish in Astoria (see map).
The event, dubbed a “mega workshop,” is a major part of Cambia Tu Vida (“Change Your Life”), a campaign being promoted by Catholic Migration Services to promote naturalization and citizenship. If you have a green card and would like to make an appointment, call the Cambia Tu Vida hotline at 855-622-6242.
CMS is also bringing the campaign’s message to New York City through a series of public service announcements on local television stations, as well as in print and social media and through grassroots publicity efforts. You can watch the public service announcements below, and you can read the entire press release here.
Catholic Migration Services (CMS) will conduct a “mega workshop” on Saturday April 5,
2014 at Immaculate Conception Parish in Astoria to assist hundreds of eligible individuals
and families complete naturalization applications, a critical step toward becoming United
States citizens. This event is a major component of the recently announced Cambia Tu Vida
(“Change Your Life”) campaign through which CMS aims to promote naturalization and raise
awareness of the benefits of citizenship. To schedule an appointment and to be screened
for eligibility, green-card holders are encouraged to call the Cambia Tu Vida hotline at 855-
622-6242.
The event is also part of the New Americans Campaign (NAC), an unprecedented
nonpartisan national network of more than 80 organizations who have come together to
encourage and assist eligible legal permanent residents (LPRs) in becoming U.S. citizens.
Catholic Migration Services is bringing the NAC’s message to New York City through a
series of English and Spanish language public service announcements to air on local
television stations, print and social media and grassroots publicity efforts.
There are over 8 million legal permanent residents in the United States who are eligible to
become U.S. citizens. It is estimated that that more than half a million people in the New
York City area are eligible to naturalize. The myriad benefits of naturalization include an
increase in economic opportunity, access to full civic participation, ability to travel with a
U.S. passport and greater pathways to family reunification. It will also be noted that these
new citizens bring fresh talent pools and skills to the country’s workforce and enhance the
cultural richness of U.S. society.
Through its efforts in March and April, CMS aims to assist over one thousand eligible
individuals to complete and submit applications for naturalization. This assistance will be
provided in a series of “mega workshops” staffed by CMS attorneys, counselors and pro
bono volunteers. Adopting an innovative model of service provision developed by the NAC,
CMS hopes to aid immigrants in overcoming the barriers and confusion often experienced
by those who seek to apply for naturalization.
CMS is a non-profit affiliate of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn. For over forty
years, it has served the needs of immigrants and refugees in Brooklyn and Queens. For
more information, please contact CMS at 347-472-3500 (Queens), 718-236-3000 (Brooklyn)
or www.catholicmigration.org.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:
Robert McCreanor
347 472 3500 ext. 103
rmccreanor@catholicmigration.org
Thousands more can be helped by Education Tax Credit
NY Daily News endorses, Bronx legislator articulates need in NY Post op-ed
NYC Sanitation Workers Union joins growing list of supporters
For Immediate Release: March 24, 2014
Media Contact: Bob Bellafiore, bob@stanhope-ny.com, 518-928-8471
Lower-income Latino, Black and African-American children make up the overwhelming majority of students who receive scholarships from non-profit scholarship funds, and a tremendous unmet need can be addressed if the Education Investment Tax Credit is enacted in the new state budget, according to data released today.
In addition, one of New York City’s largest municipal unions today endorsed the legislation. The Uniformed Sanitationmen’s Association (Local 831 Teamsters), representing sanitation workers in New York City, joins 32BJ/SEIU and some 20 other labor unions in supporting the Education Investment Tax Credit.
“The Education Investment Tax Credit would help the children of working families get the quality education they need to prepare for their future, regardless of the school setting that best meets their needs and values. I stand with my colleagues in the labor movement to do the best we can for the children of working families,” said President Harry Nespoli, who also chairs the Municipal Labor Committee, an umbrella group representing 99 unions covering more than 300,000 New York City employees.
Some 78 labor unions, community groups, scholarship funds, educational organizations, Cardinal Dolan, Jewish and other faith leaders, and more have signed on to the bill (complete list at bottom). Read more
March 17, 2014 – The Frassati Fellowship of Young Adults will hold its spring retreat from April 11-13 at Villa Maria Guadalupe in Stamford, CT. Young adults in their 20s and 30s are invited to attend, and transportation will be available to and from the city.
The theme of the retreat is On the Way. You can register here, and you can learn more about the Frassati Fellowship at frassatiny.com. Don’t wait to register, as spaces fill up quickly. If regular tickets are not available, sign up for the waiting list. Priority will be given to those who have never attended a Frassati retreat.
