FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 11, 2024

Bishop Robert J. Brennan, Bishop of Brooklyn, has issued the following statement in response to the New York City Fire Department’s announcement of the investigation into the cause of the Easter Sunday fire at Our Lady of the Rosary of Pompeii, which has officially been declared accidental, caused by a hot object and hot embers:

“I am exceptionally grateful to the men and women of the New York City Fire Department for the skill they showed in fighting this five-alarm fire at Our Lady of the Rosary of Pompeii on Easter Sunday. Their response prevented any loss of life, or major injuries, and saved the church building from the raging fire that engulfed the rectory and parish center. The respect and love for the Church shown by the members of the FDNY was amazing. 

As a result of this investigation by the FDNY Fire Marshals, the Diocese of Brooklyn plans to work with the FDNY to review fire safety and prevention measures. At all times during Mass, the safety of everyone in attendance is our priority.

This past Sunday, I joined the faithful of Our Lady of the Rosary of Pompeii for their regularly scheduled morning Mass held at their aligned church, All Saints.  As the property lost to fire has been safely secured and is pending demolition, all Masses for the foreseeable future will be held at All Saints.

I continue to pray for those who had to evacuate from their Easter Sunday Mass due to the smoke and flames. I do not doubt God was watching over them and the church.”

###

On Sunday, Bishop Brennan led Mass for the parishioners of Our Lady of the Rosary of Pompeii at their aligned parish, All Saints Church, where he asked for a round of applause to show the appreciation of the parish for the FDNY and all law enforcement who responded.

All Saints Roman Catholic Church merged with Our Lady of the Rosary of Pompeii officially as one parish on June 30, 2019.

Video from Sunday’s Mass can be found here: https://vimeo.com/931808803

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 7, 2024

BISHOP BRENNAN CELEBRATES MASS WITH THOSE FROM CHURCH AFFECTED BY EASTER SUNDAY FIRE

Bishop Robert Brennan celebrated Mass for the faithful of Our Lady of the Rosary of Pompeii this morning at All Saints Roman Catholic Church in the East Williamsburg section of Brooklyn, because of the damage caused by the Easter Sunday fire.

The 10:30 a.m. Mass is one of the regularly scheduled Sunday Masses at Our Lady of the Rosary of Pompeii, which has been moved to All Saints, since fire engulfed the parish center and rectory connected to the church. The two parishes were officially merged as one, All Saints-Our Lady of the Rosary of Pompeii Parish, in June 2019.

“There is something that nothing can destroy, not fire, sorrow, disappointment. That is the love of Jesus Christ. He is the Victor, He is the Conqueror, He is the one who brings joy out of sorrow, goodness out of evil,” said Bishop Robert Brennan.

“What happened 2000 years ago is happening right here. The power of the risen Lord is drawing us together and people have been so wonderful, so courageous, and so consoling to one another,” continued Bishop Brennan.

Before the final blessing, Bishop Brennan spoke to Father Romulo Marin, who was the celebrant of the Easter Sunday Mass that was underway when the fire broke out.  Bishop Brennan commended Father Romulo’s response which helped minimize the damage to the church and saved lives.

Bishop Brennan also praised the response of the Fire Department of New York and all the first responders, acknowledging the great respect and love they showed for the Church as they worked to put the fire out.

###

 VIMEO: https://vimeo.com/931808803

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 16, 2024

The Diocese of Brooklyn is announcing a blatant act of vandalism which occurred last Friday night, February 9, 2024, at St. Rita’s Church in Long Island City, Queens.

At about 8:45 p.m. the pastor, Father Jose Carlos da Silva, who was in the rectory, heard something smash in the church. Father da Silva saw a man in front of the chapel, who ran away after he called out to him from a window. There was a prayer group meeting inside the church at the time. No one was injured.

A stained-glass window was broken. A construction cone was thrown at a statue of the Blessed Mother which stands in front of the window. There was no damage to that statue. 

“It was very disturbing and unsettling to hear breaking glass as a prayer group was gathered in the church.  Luckily, no one was injured, and the suspect did not try to come in. I believe the orange construction cone that was thrown was intended to hit the Blessed Mother statue, but the vandal missed. Instead, it hit one of our original stained-glass windows behind it. This is a hate crime against the Catholic Church, and the perpetrator must understand that he has caused pain for the entire parish community of St. Rita’s,” said Father Jose Carlos da Silva, the parish pastor.

The cost of the damage to the 60-year-old-stained glass window is estimated at $10,000. The window was broken on the 11th street side of the church near the rectory entrance. Anyone with information on this incident is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477).

VIMEO Link: https://vimeo.com/913699351

For Immediate Release: February 15, 2024

Bishop Robert Brennan, Bishop of Brooklyn, led a bi-lingual Mass (English and Chinese) Sunday, February 11, 2024, in honor of the Lunar New Year at St. Michael’s Roman Catholic Church, in Flushing, Queens. This is the Year of the Dragon and symbolizes strength, power, good fortune, and success.

At the conclusion of the Mass, an Ancestors Veneration Ritual ceremony took place. It is a New Year’s tradition in which Chinese people give thanks to God and their ancestors. The rituals include nine bows to God, the offering of fruits, flowers and incense, and the exchange of New Year greetings among the faithful.

The celebration of the Lunar New Year featured cultural singing, dancing, and a special martial arts performance.

“We would be lost if we didn’t have you and we didn’t have all the gifts and the richness of the Chinese culture that you bring,” preached Bishop Brennan.

Father Vincentius Do is the Pastor of St. Michael’s Roman Catholic Church and serves as head of the Chinese Apostolate for the Diocese of Brooklyn.

###

For Immediate Release: February 14, 2024

Bishop Robert J. Brennan, Bishop of Brooklyn, celebrated Mass and distributed ashes today at the Noon Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of St. James in Downtown Brooklyn. 

“During the season of Lent, we focus in on spending this extra time with God, whether it be through your own Lenten practices or with this pilgrimage of faith, to allow God to speak to us. ‘Repent and Believe in the Good News,’ are words we hear as we receive our ashes. Believe that you are loved by God, believe that God wants your heart, and believe that the Lord is reaching out to you,” said Bishop Robert Brennan during his homily.

Today also marked the start of the 2024 Diocesan Lenten Pilgrimage in Brooklyn and Queens, where the faithful will have the opportunity to visit different churches over the next 40 days. Individual parishes will offer opportunities for Mass, prayer, and reflection during these visits. The complete schedule can be found online at lent.diobrook.org.

Ash Wednesday begins the Christian observance of the season of Lent. As is customary, the ashes used on Ash Wednesday are made by burning the blessed palms distributed the prior year on Palm Sunday. Lent ends with the celebration of the Sacred Triduum, the three holiest days of the year: Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and the Easter Vigil. Easter Sunday will be celebrated this year on March 31.

Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/913087064

Vimeo and photos are courtesy of John Quaglione/DeSales Media.

###