Author: Isreal Ochoa

Small Faith Sharing

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Photo: Courtesy of RENEW INTERNATIONAL.

 

RENEW INTERNATIONAL has helped many parishes establish small faith-sharing groups in many of the parishes in the Diocese of Brooklyn and Queens. Single or married sharing your faith with others is another way to stay connected during this pandemic time. Many parishes are encouraging reaching out to groups in order to stay connected to the community at large while expanding your knowledge.

If you are interested in belonging to a group or even what to start a group. Register for the webinar and then speak to your pastor. All formation sessions are online. Learn how to stay virtually connected with the goal in mind is sharing your faith.

 

Winter Formation Workshop I: WHAT ARE WE CELEBRATING?

 

The Formation Workshop:

  • Offers an overview of Sessions 1-6 in Celebrate in preparations for Lent 2021 small groups. Provides an overview of liturgy and the liturgical seasons.
  • Draws participants into an understanding of sacraments as doors to the sacred, events to be celebrated, and living encounters with Christ in the Church community.
  • Provides an overview of the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Eucharist, Confirmation)

 

Audience:

Why Catholic? parish team, small community leaders and their community members, and all interested adults.

 

Formation Sessions are Online! Download the Schedule and Zoom Channels.

 

For questions:

English Sessions: Sr. Janet Schaeffler, RENEW representative, janets@renewintl.org

Spanish Sessions: Sr. Ruth Bolarte, RENEW representative, ruthb@renewintl.org

 

Or for more information, please contact:

Christine Georgi at cgeorgi@diobrook.org or (718) 281-9544

Young Adults Unite for Youth

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November is known as the month of coming together with family and friends to break bread and give thanks. It provides the opportunity to pause and remember all that we are grateful for. For the youth of Brooklyn and Queens, November also brought along Virtual Fall Youth Day.

The first Virtual Brooklyn Queens Catholic Youth Day (BQCYD) took place in May 2020 amidst the pandemic NYC is all too familiar with. It was such a success the young adults who created it for the youth decided to hold a Fall one. Lucia Morales, the Catholic Youth Ministry Specialist, created a committee of youth ministers from Brooklyn and Queens to help this new tradition stay alive. The committee consisted of Brandon Morel, youth minister at St. Michael-St. Malachy (Brooklyn), Lauren Gentry, youth minister at Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Queens), Joseph Fortunat, youth minister at St. John Vianney (Queens), German Medina, youth minister at St. Laurence-Holy Family (Brooklyn), & Angelica Taveras, youth minister at St. Laurence (Queens.)

While contemplating on themes for the Fall 2020 BCQYD, the committee looked at the current state of not only the city but the world. It seemed there were lots of division within the political world, the health world, and even amongst Catholics. The committee turned to prayer and scripture as they sought guidance and came across John 17:11 “That they may be one just as we are.” The committee decided to focus on unity and oneness for the teens. They enlisted Fr. Joseph Espaillat as the keynote speaker, Si7 for worship and music, Fr. James Kuroly to bring adoration to all watching. To help run the show, Brandon and Lauren from the committee were the co-hosts. The remaining committee members controlled the YouTube Chat, making sure to engage teens through YouTube and answer any questions they may have throughout the event.

All the young adults involved in the Youth Event have an already packed schedule, filled with schoolwork, family, parenthood, ministry, and of course, their own spiritual lives. Yet, despite the challenges, time constraints, busy schedules, they each said yes to the calling God placed in front of them in order to ensure the teens of Brooklyn and Queens were not left alone as NYC faced yet another potential lock-down.

As we prepare for Advent and the birth of our Savior, may we keep in mind our mission of bringing Jesus to those around us the same way these young adults did.

Read The Tablet coverage here.

Advent Reflection 2020

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Photo on the right: Jacob Bentzinger, Unsplash.

In past years we had our Annual Advent Reflection that was held in person. The small event of 100 people per session, would consist of an evening prayer often led by one of our auxiliary Bishops, a presentation, a dinner, and then a repeat for a second group. This always “sold out” quickly. This event drew catechetical leaders, teachers, catechists, and even diocesan employees. Dinner was a great way to share a meal, socialize with others that we knew or just met. There was no “work” involved, it was a way to bring the participants a moment of reflection and fellowship. If the Covid-19 pandemic had not sent us all into social distancing, restrictions on the number of those gathering, and mask-wearing, we would have had our Advent Reflection as normal, but these are not normal times.

Being led by the Vicar for the Secretariat for Evangelization and Catechesis, the Very Rev. Joseph Gibino called us all to re-think, re-imagine, and re-shape the Advent Reflection. We started with keeping the previously planned date of December 1, 2020. While the youths of our diocese can make videos, conference, and stitch together videos into something seamless, this was a challenge for us. We wanted something that would attract young adults, older adults, and people of various languages.

We started with the things we could do and decided on the languages we wanted to blend into this event. English, Spanish, Creole, Polish, and Chinese are the languages that were chosen. The locations for shooting the various parts were chosen and we were on our way.
The celebrant for the Mass will be Very Rev. Joseph Gibino.

Photo below: James Coleman, Unsplash.

We are blessed to have the homilies given by Deacon Chris Wagner (English), Deacon Jorge Gonzalez (Spanish), Deacon Emmanuel Coty (Creole), Deacon Andrzej Lewandowski (Polish), and Deacon Stanley Tam (Chinese).

The presentations will be given by Sr. Maryann Seton Lopiccolo (English), Ana Taveras (Spanish), Fr. Hugues Berrette (Creole), Fr. Janusz Dymek (Polish) and Fr. Vincentius Do (Chinese).
The Holy Hour celebrant will be Rev. Elias Gil and we will pray an international rosary reciting the decades in the same languages of English, Spanish, Creole, Polish and Chinese offered for the homilies.

The event is pre-recorded, and we pray that it will have a memorable effect on all those that see it. We look forward to events in the future that we will work towards making them live-stream in multiple languages as well.

The video will be posted on our YouTube Channel: Sec Evangelization Catechesis on December 1, 2020, at 4:00 PM. We would love to hear your thoughts. Remember to subscribe and post your comments.

All Youth and Families are welcomed to the BCYD 2020

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The Youth Ministry Committee of the Secretariat of Evangelization and Catechesis would like to encourage all students to make a short video that will be transmitted on the upcoming Brooklyn & Queens Catholic Youth Day on November 21, 2020.

There are 2 theme options, (you are encouraged to do both if preferred):

  1. A 30 to 60-second video max where they say the phrase “I am a child of God” and “I am a daughter/son of God”. There needs to be a 3-5 second gap in between each phrase.
  2. A video where you show your talent/gifts such as reciting poetry, dance, playing an instrument, etc.

To send the videos or form more questions please email Lucia Morales at lmorales@diobrook.org

 

 

 

 

 

 

Click the image to download the flyer of the event.

My Daddy Is Going To Change The World

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On March 15th, 2020, my world changed when the pastor of our parish announced that it was our last Mass, and that all church programs and activities were suspended indefinitely.  One could see the concern on his face. It felt like a tsunami wave had just rolled over us. Did Father just say that the church would be closing? Not the church! This is God’s House; this is where we come when bad things are happening so we can be assured that everything is going to be all right. This is our port in a storm. “September 11” immediately came to mind.  The church is where everyone ran to, but this was different. The church was shutting us out. Then, an overwhelming feeling of fear, emptiness, and sadness came over me. The pandemic (COVID-19) had come to our doors and shut us down. It seems like I was in a time warp something out of the movie “Star Trek.”  What followed was one nightmare after another.

There was a quietness in this City that was haunting. Then came a wave of haunting sounds, screaming ambulance sirens, one after another; nonstop; all day, and all night. There were so many it was heartbreaking. This got to me; I could feel death. At one point, I began to count them, but I lost track; and instead, I would whisper a prayer; “Dear God let that one makes it”.

Our lives changed forever. All the things we took for granted were taken away in one day. New York came to a stop. We were told to shelter in place-stay indoors.  The images coming from our television sets were mind-boggling. Death had surrounded us and taken over our City. The numbers each day were unbelievable.  This was a war zone. The fight the first responders put up was incredible. There was so much anxiety in the voices of our Governor and our Mayor as they tried to reassure and guide the residents of New York through this unmatchable monster, COVID-19.

Then, out of nowhere another wave hit us, May 25th. This time it was the entire country that was under siege. This wave had a name of hate and it came to the forefront in the tragic event of the death of George Floyd. The whole world was watching. I could not believe what I was seeing then the tears began to flow. Within days, all the “monsters” were loose and there were no superheroes to save us. What followed was paralyzing; the ugly demon of hate took its stand and this country, and others across the world, were ablaze. There was so much pain, properties were burning, there were looting, and hundreds of thousands of angry people in the streets marching for justice. A little girl on her dad’s shoulder saying, “My daddy is going to change the world”, was shown over and over again on television and seen around the world.  Little did she know how powerful those words were.

The week before our lives were turned upside down, the sixth season of “Why Catholic?” ended. Since our next season would not begin until October 4th, 2020, almost seven months, the group suggested that we find a spiritual bridge to tide us over until then. The closing of the church and the events of the past few days left us downhearted. We needed something to lift us up as our faith was being tested. In times of doubt, fear, and uncertainty, where do we go? For me it is to the foot of the Cross; you see, there is where our Father Changed the World.   The Spirit led me to call our Parish coordinator, who suggested that we explore the book “Rediscover the Saints” by Matthew Kelly from Dynamic Catholic.

The first Saint of which I knew nothing about, left me most humbled after reading the prologue. His story was a heartbreaker. Abandoned and left to fend for himself when he was only five years old; Dismas turned to a life of crime, stealing, breaking the law, and hurting people.  He never liked doing these things, but that was the only way he could live. Even when he was old enough to work, no one would hire him.  Meeting Jesus’ eyes he felt love and compassion such as he had never felt before from any human being, and there on that hill, on the cross, Jesus Changed His World. You see he was the thief that was granted forgiveness, and a place in God’s Kingdom, Saint Dismas, Amazing Possibilities!

Rediscovering the Saints had several other amazing stories that helped us to realize that saints are ordinary people too.  I always thought them to be mysterious, pious, and godly. After reading with the group and all the discussions that went on, I do believe that there are many saints still to be discovered. We will continue to read about the saints and hopefully, on our journey recognize and discover some saints in our community.

Submitted by: Daisy Frankson, Kevin & Debbie Williams, Collin & Bernice Retemeyer, Patrick and Cynthia Bernadine, Jean Morris, Joan Williams (Parish of St Vincent Ferrer)

A Call to Personal Accompaniment in the Family Through the Lens of Catechesis

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by Christian Rada

The theme of pastoral accompaniment has been extensively discussed in the life of the church for several years. In Evangelii Gaudium, Pope Francis points out to the personal accompaniment in the process of growth. He writes, “ordained ministers and other pastoral workers can make present the fragrance of Christ’s closeness and his personal gaze. The Church will have to initiate everyone – priests, religious and laity – into this “art of accompaniment” which teaches us to remove our sandals before the sacred ground of the other (cf. Ex 3:5). The pace of this accompaniment must be steady and reassuring, reflecting our closeness and our compassionate gaze which also heals, liberates, and encourages growth in the Christian life.” (EG 169) What does this mean to the family life and how does this accompaniment play out in the family’s daily life?

The COVID pandemic has affected many families in a unique way like never before. Families have learned to navigate technology and distance learning.  They have also been relying on technology, including video chatting, to stay connected with grandparents and friends. This has directed families to become more creative in their ways of sharing and teaching the gospel message. We have seen many families develop new ways and activities to foster a dynamic approach to family formation and catechesis. Nevertheless, their focus has never changed. These creative ways of view at the center of the family is Christ himself.

By way of catechesis, the family has turned from viewing catechesis as not just passing on information, but as formation which leads to transformation. The aim of family catechesis is that parents become so strong in their own faith and knowledge that they naturally shared it with their children. In other words, parents and guardians become not just teachers of the faith but more importantly witnesses of the faith.

How does becoming a witness of the faith lead us to personal accompaniment? The premise of religious education for a child, especially in the home, is to know that the child is loved by God and is part of the family. The child experiences that love through the actions that are expressed by the family as a whole. It is the responsibility of the family to be examples of authentic love that a child will see and experience.

What are some ways that families can develop and foster a personal family catechesis? First, understanding your roles as parents and guardians in the faith. Parents need to know the faith in order to share. How can a person give what they do not first have? How are you help your family members “meet Jesus”? How are they growing in “grace and wisdom” (Lk. 2:52) during the years you have them under your roof? Do your children see you taking the time to pray and grow in your faith? The habits and attitudes you model are the most important ones in your child’s life and make the most impact especially in matters of religion. Second, what is your attitude to faith? Your attitude can make a world of difference to your children. Weekly class attendance, family discussions about what was covered in class, and general attitudes on going to Mass, praying together, and involvement in the parish have an effect on your child. Third, pray daily for holiness in your family and for the spiritual needs of your parish community. Intercessory prayer is a lost tradition in the family life. Making time to intentionally praying for one other as a family can provide key moments of encountering Christ at a personal level and at a familial level.

A Night to Remember

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RENEW International invite you to join them on THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2020 at 7 PM to their 21st Annual Gala, an online Gala program. It will be a night to remember

“At this year’s annual gala, we will honor four dedicated Catholics who live their faith in their homes, parishes, and workplaces,” said Sr. Terry Rickard, O.P., RENEW International’s president and executive director. “Each of our honorees—Jeanette Walton and John Clark Walton; Bobby Gregory, and Theodore Musco—are models of Catholic values in their personal and professional lives.”

The President’s Award will be given to John Clark Walton and his wife, Jeanette Walton. They are champions of Catholic education who support schools and students affected by poverty and volunteer their expertise and finance skills with the inner-city Catholic schools of the Archdiocese of Newark and the Diocese of Brooklyn.

Bobby Gregory will receive the Spirit of RENEW Award. He is a faithful Catholic, an avid citizen, and a supporter of community life. The president of New Jersey Tin and Galvanizing, he has generously shared his leadership skills, supporting youth activities and sports teams, and serves as a board member of several nonprofits.

RENEW will present the Msgr. Thomas Kleissler Award to Theodore Musco. Ted is a lifelong professional lay minister, a leader in Catholic education, and evangelization. He is secretary for evangelization and catechesis in the Diocese of Brooklyn. Working in one of the most diverse areas of the country, Ted has used digital-learning technology to provide contemporary adult education and formation for teachers and catechists.  

RENEW International’s gala raises funds each year to support the organization’s mission of renewing personal faith and revitalizing parishes through small-group faith sharing.

 

Visit renewgala2020.givesmart.com for all the details on how to: Register/ Sponsor /Donate; Bid on auction Items, and Purchase Super 50/50 tickets

For more information contact Mary Beth Howath at 908.769.5400 x114 gala@renewintl.org

www.renewintl.org

 

Catechetical Sunday

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Each year in September, Catholics all over the United States gather to celebrate “Catechetical Sunday”. Many may ask what is this all about? The answer is very simple: the Word of God! The ministry of the Word is the major element of evangelization through all its stages because it involves the proclamation of Jesus Christ, the eternal Word of God: “The word of God nourishes both evangelizers and those who are being evangelized so that each one may continue to grow in his or her Christian life” (National Directory for Catechesis). So Catechetical Sunday recognizes those volunteer Evangelizers who proclaim the Word of God to children, teens, young adults, and adults in all of our parish faith formation programs.

This yearly celebration began in 1935 when the Vatican published On the Better Care and Promotion of Catechetical Education, a document that asks every country to acknowledge the importance of the Church’s teaching ministry and to honor those who serve the Christian community as catechists. Many Catholics have used the word “catechism” for years, and they know it has something to do with the Church’s teachings. The root word, “catechesis,” is from a Greek word meaning “to echo or resound.” Catechesis is the act of resounding or bringing the Church’s teachings to the world. A catechist is one who teaches in the name of the Church. It is an extremely important ministry in today’s world.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church states, “Catechesis is intimately bound up with the whole of the Church’s life . . . her inner growth and correspondence with God’s plan depend essentially on catechesis” (no. 7). This ministry of teaching in the name of the Church has a profound dignity, which is why catechists are formally commissioned by the Church. It is only fitting that we set aside a day to highlight this ministry and invite the entire parish community to think about our responsibility to share our faith with others. Faith sharing is crucial to the continued growth of par-ish life. All members of the parish, from the youngest to the oldest, must use words to express the deepest longing of our hearts: knowledge and love of Jesus Christ. This celebration also gives us the opportunity to highlight the domestic church.

Parents and guardians are truly the primary catechists of their children. They prepare the soil and plant the first seeds of faith. On Catechetical Sunday, we not only highlight the work of catechists in parishes and schools, but we also commend parents and guardians and encourage them to take seriously their role of making their Catholic households a place where faith is passed on to the next generation. This is why the rite of blessing of catechists used on Catechetical Sunday includes a blessing of parents and guardians. Pope Francis, at the latest World Meeting of Families, said: “That is why our families, our homes, are true domestic churches. They are the right place for faith to become life, and life to become faith.” The 2020 Catechetical Sunday theme is taken from St. Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians, “I received from the Lord what I also Handed on to You.” The theme focuses on the primary substance of catechesis, which is an invitation to a whole new life given by Christ Himself. It emphasizes that living faith necessitates movement, inspiring all those who hear the Word to share it as witnesses of the true and living God.

Throughout this week as we begin our religious education year, let us pray for our Catechists: Loving God, Creator of all things, you call us to be in relationship with you and others. Thank you for calling our parish catechists, for the opportunity to share with others what you have them. May all those with whom they share the gift of faith discover how you are present in all things. May they come to know you, the one true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. May the grace of the Holy Spirit guide their hearts and lips, so that they may remain constant in loving and praising you. May they be witnesses to the Gospel and a minister of your truth. May all their words and actions reflect your love. Amen.

Silence

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Photo by Scott Umstattd on Unsplash

Photo by Scott Umstattd on Unsplash
“The fruit of silence is prayer, the fruit of prayer is faith, the fruit of faith is love, the fruit of love is service, and the fruit of service is peace.” –St. Theresa of Calcutta

By: Department of Adult Faith Formation, Diocese of Brooklyn

Silence is a word that we often find contrary to our society. It is perhaps no longer something that we would define as doing as much as being. How do we accomplish this in a world that is so technologically “noisy”? We are bombarded by texts, social media notifications, and emails at the very least. Yet during this new era of social distancing, a group of parishioners was moved to have a virtual retreat mostly filled with silence. They began the day with a song and followed that with a talk based on the passage of Jesus walking on water from Matthew’s gospel (Mt 14:22-33).

At the beginning of the scriptural text, we know that Jesus “went up into the hills to pray” alone. This is in fact what a retreat does for us – it draws us away from the cares of this world and into the silence of being alone with God. It is an opportunity to be rejuvenated in our relationship with Christ so that we can listen to him speak to each one of us in a still small voice.

Photo by Chris Montgomery on Unsplash

In his book on The Power of Silence, Cardinal Sarah reminds us that “In silence, not in the turmoil and noise, God enters into the innermost depths of our being.” (pg. 59) Indeed, how necessary it is for us to spend time with the Lord recollected in silent prayer. The parishioners from Blessed Sacrament Parish in Queens set apart an entire day to accompany one another, support one another and be in prayerful silence together. The pandemic has made some individuals feel confused, depressed, unable to pray, feeling distracted in prayer or simply not feeling anything at all. For others, it has given birth to the creativity in using social media and meeting platforms to reach out to one another. For these parishioners this retreat was born out of the sheer necessity to have an encounter with Christ, to renew the calling for each one of us to love and serve the Lord, and to discern how one can grow in intimacy with Christ.

St. Theresa of Calcutta once said that the “fruit of silence is prayer, the fruit of prayer is faith, the fruit of faith is love, the fruit of love is service, and the fruit of service is peace.” Thus, everything stems forth from being silent and spending time with God. As we honor the Blessed Virgin Mary in this month of August, let us remember her example to each of us, she who “ponder(ed) all these things in her heart” (Lk 2:51).  May we, through her intercession, continue on our spiritual journey with an increased desire to accompany Jesus ‘up into the hills’ in prayer.

Spotlight: Bridge to Life

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The Bridge to Life is a nonprofit that depends on donations. It is trying to help save the lives of the unborn.

As the Coronavirus swept through the world, our country stood still in fear and anxiety. The outbreak hit New York City with such force, declaring Queens as the epicenter. People were quarantined, businesses shut down. Yet, The Bridge to Life, a pregnancy crisis center located in Flushing Queens, stood firm in considering our operations as an essential service. And it continued helping families in need. The center persevered and implemented a continuance of operations plans without disruption. Bridge to Life would meet with families by appointment only. Families would receive baby clothes and supplies through curbside pick-up.  The center has helped pregnant women and new moms in an effort to help women avoid abortion and keep their babies. It provides counseling and referrals for medical services like sonograms as well as clothes and baby supplies — all for free.

 

Francesca Yellico, Bridge to Life’s executive director, said “Three babies are alive today because we were opened during this time!” She pointed out that, from March 16, 2020, to the present day, Bridge to Life helped approximately 500 mothers and children as they faced many unprecedented difficulties during the pandemic.” With major stores closed during the pandemic, women could not get the basic needs for their babies. Francesca noticed the looks of appreciation and gratitude from the women (even though a facemask). “We are here for anyone who needs our help. This is truly a ministry to the people in need.” This ministry has helped alleviate some of the stress, fears, burdens, and financial difficulties brought on by this unexpected outbreak.

 

The Bridge to Life is a nonprofit that depends on donations. It is trying to help save the lives of the unborn

If you wish to donate by visiting our website:

www.thebridgetolife.org Or sending their donation to:

The Bridge to Life

147-32 Sanford Ave. 2nd Floor

Flushing, NY 11355