FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 6, 2021

MEDIA CONTACTS:

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

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

BISHOP DIMARZIO DENOUNCES VANDALISM OF STATUE IN MCCARREN PARK DEDICATED TO POLISH PRIEST WHO FOUGHT FOR FREEDOM

 

The Most Reverend Nicholas DiMarzio, Bishop of Brooklyn, is releasing the following statement in response to the vandalism discovered late Tuesday in Brooklyn’s McCarren Park, to the statue of Father Jerzy Popieluszko, a Polish priest killed for his resistance to communism:

“It is disheartening to learn the statue of Father Jerzy Popieluszko, a man who devoted his life to the advancement of freedom and liberty, has been vandalized once again.  This statue has long stood in Greenpoint’s McCarren Park in tribute to a Polish priest who is revered by Catholics, and the Polish community, for his courage and leadership in championing peaceful resistance to Communism.  I definitely consider this despicable act to be a hate crime and would encourage the NYPD to classify it as such,” said Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio.

Father Jerzy Popieluszko was ordained a priest at the age of 24.  He was captured on October 19, 1984, beat to death with a rock and thrown into the Vistula River at the age of 37. Father Popieluszko utilized Radio Free Europe to spread his message of nonviolence in the wake of the Communist movement. He also served as a chaplain to the Solidarity movement and trade union which opposed the ideas of a Communist government.

During a period of martial law declared by the Communist Party,  Father Jerzy celebrated monthly “Masses for the Homeland,” which advocated for human rights and attracted large crowds. Father Popieluszko was declared a martyr of the Catholic Church by Pope Benedict XVI in 2009 and was beatified on June 6, 2010. An investigation is ongoing into a miracle that took place in France through the intercession of Father Popieluszko.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the NYPD Crime Stoppers at 1-877-577-8477 or you can submit a tip through the NYPD website.

 

###

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 15, 2020

MEDIA CONTACTS:

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

John Quaglione 
718-517-3112
jquaglione@desalesmedia.org

Catholic Schools in Brooklyn and Queens Will Remain Open

The Superintendent of Catholic Schools for Brooklyn and Queens today has announced that all 69 schools and academies will remain open and continue to provide in-person learning, irrespective of any impending decision pertaining to the status of New York City public schools.

Catholic schools in the Diocese in Brooklyn and Queens have provided safe, five days a week in-person learning since beginning this school year, as scheduled, on September 9. The Superintendent has also requested the Department of Education’s Office of Non-Public Schools continue to provide services for Catholic school students, which they are entitled to, including school nurses, transportation, and food, if public schools are to close.

“Every member of our school community has truly dedicated themselves to keeping our schools as safe as possible in the wake of this Coronavirus pandemic, and the results prove these efforts have worked.  For more than eight weeks, we have been able to maintain in-person learning for our students, mostly five days a week, and we intend to keep doing so going forward this school year. We know how critical it is for the development of our students to keep our schools open. Our children want to be in the classroom and we want them to be there for as long as safely possible,” said Dr. Thomas Chadzutko, Superintendent of Catholic Schools ~ Office of Support Services.

Diocesan schools have successfully operated for more than two months due to the strict adherence to the important “Core Four” actions to prevent COVID-19 transmission, including maintaining physical distance, wearing a face covering, practicing healthy hand hygiene, and staying home if sick. The schools and academies of the Diocese of Brooklyn continue to work with New York State and City Department of Health officials on a regular basis to maintain the safety of all of our students, faculty, and staff.

For a listing and more information about Catholic Schools in Brooklyn and Queens, please visit catholicschoolsbq.org.

 

###

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 8, 2020

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Adriana Rodriguez
718-517-3143
arodriguez@desalesmedia.org

John Quaglione 
718-517-3112
jquaglione@desalesmedia.org

CATHOLIC SCHOOLS IN BROOKLYN AND QUEENS SET TO START NEW SCHOOL YEAR

The Diocese of Brooklyn and the Office of the Superintendent ~ Catholic School Support Services will welcome back students to the 66 Catholic Schools and Academies throughout Brooklyn and Queens tomorrow, Wednesday, September 9, 2020, to officially start the 2020-2021 academic year, with staggered arrivals through Friday, September 11, 2020.

In accordance with all Coronavirus safety guidelines, 90% of the schools will be offering full-time in-person learning, and 10% of the schools will offer a hybrid model due to capacity. The Superintendent’s office has worked with each individual school throughout the planning for a safe return to school.

Additionally, over 2,400 students have enrolled in the Diocese’s full remote learning St. Thomas Aquinas Program, created to give parents concerned about in-person learning an option to continue to give their children a Catholic education. This program begins on September 16^th.

“We look forward to welcoming our students back to school. Principals, board members, teachers, and the entire school staff at our Catholic Academies and Parish Schools have worked tirelessly this summer to ensure a safe and healthy learning environment is in place for all. Our re-opening plans are in compliance with the current mandates and guidance from government and health officials, and we will continue to update them as necessary throughout the school year,” said Dr. Thomas Chadzutko, Superintendent of Schools.

The Office of the Superintendent ~ Catholic School Support Services has been working with the New York City Department of Education to ensure that the City fulfills its obligations to the Catholic Academies and Parish Schools throughout Brooklyn and Queens. According to New York City Education Law, the Department of Education must provide essential services such as nurses, transportation, meals, and special education and related services.

Additionally, services such as school security and crossing guards will be provided through other agencies. The NYC Pre-K for All programs, offered at our Catholic Academies and Parish Schools, will start at each site as individually scheduled.

###

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 29, 2020

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Adriana Rodriguez
718-517-3143
arodriguez@desalesmedia.org

John Quaglione 
718-517-3112
jquaglione@desalesmedia.org

Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio Urges Special Collection in Brooklyn and Queens Churches to Assist the People of Lebanon

The Most Reverend Nicholas DiMarzio, Bishop of Brooklyn, is announcing his request for a special voluntary collection to take place starting this weekend, August 29 and 30, at parishes throughout the Diocese of Brooklyn and Queens for victims of the recent explosion in the port in Beirut, Lebanon.

“We have all seen the painful images of devastation and heard of the deaths caused by the explosion in Beirut, Lebanon. Our hearts and prayers go out to all those affected by this terrible disaster, especially the Christian community which has been struggling,” said Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio.

The August 4^th explosion killed 180 people, injured thousands, and has displaced more than 300,000 people from their homes. The money collected will be sent by the Diocese of Brooklyn for distribution and direct assistance to the Christian community of Lebanon.

Checks to support this collection should be made payable to the Compostela Fund and mailed to: Compostela Fund c/o Diocesan Finance Office, 310 Prospect Park West, Brooklyn, NY 11215. Please write Lebanon in the check’s memo section.

 

###

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 18, 2020

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Adriana Rodriguez
718-517-3143
arodriguez@desalesmedia.org

John Quaglione 
718-517-3112
jquaglione@desalesmedia.org

DIOCESE OF BROOKLYN CATHOLIC ACADEMIES AND PARISH SCHOOLS PREPARE TO REOPEN WITH IN-CLASS INSTRUCTION AND SAFETY PROTOCOLS IN PLACE

 

The Diocese of Brooklyn is announcing each of its 66 Catholic Academies and Parish Schools have submitted their 2020-2021 Reopening Plans to the New York State Department of Education. The majority of proposals call for the reopening of Catholic schools in Brooklyn and Queens with five day a week, 100% in-class instruction.

“We are pleased with the Governor’s recent announcement regarding the re-opening of schools.  This is a great first step in the right direction to helping our children safely return to the classroom,” said Thomas Chadzutko, Ed. D., Superintendent of Schools.

The plans submitted by each school/academy to New York State presented one of the following three options:

Plan A – 100% In-Person Model with the following requirements:

• Social Distancing in the classrooms and throughout the school building
• Mandatory Face Coverings while in school with mask breaks
• Hand and Respiratory Hygiene guidance and enforcement
• Signage throughout building promoting hygiene, illness, mask and distance requirement
• Daily health screening of all who enter building per NYS guidelines, including temperature checks
• Procedures in place if positive COVID case detected
• Testing and Tracing policies in place per Department of Health guidelines

Plan B – Hybrid Model with the following requirements:

• Same requirements noted above for in-school instruction
• Hybrid model could be 3/2 – three days in school and two days of remote learning from home. Hybrid models vary by school
• Remote learning with a combination of synchronous and asynchronous with instruction sessions led by teachers of the students’ Catholic Academy or Parish School

Plan C – 100% Distance Learning – Saint Thomas Aquinas Distance Learning Catholic Program

A new Diocesan-wide distance learning program created with a faculty focused exclusively on the development of an academically rigorous, Christ-centered remote learning program. This is an additional option to ensure instructional equity for those who choose 100% remote learning.

Of the plans submitted, a majority of the 66 Diocesan schools and academies aim to open for instruction under Plan A, with the flexibility to adopt Plan B or Plan C quickly if COVID-19 cases arise.

“Our Principals, teachers, Boards and administrators have been hard at work to ensure all the health and safety protocols will be met at all our Catholic Academies and Parish Schools.  We are prepared and excited for a full reopening in September.  This may be slightly different school by school given the building footprint and student population.  Some schools will need to use a hybrid model if they cannot meet the social distancing standards,” added Dr. Thomas Chadzutko, Superintendent of Schools.

The health of the students, faculty and staff, remains the top priority, so enhanced cleaning, disinfecting and sanitizing protocols will be in place at all school buildings.

The Re-Opening Plans for each school can be found on the individual school website. Additionally, parent meetings will take place this week, via ZOOM, to review and discuss the Re-Opening Plans.

 

###

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 6, 2020

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Adriana Rodriguez
718-517-3143
arodriguez@desalesmedia.org

John Quaglione 
718-517-3112
jquaglione@desalesmedia.org

QUEENS PRIEST RAISES $20,000 FOR FOOD PANTRY ON 100-MILE BIKE RIDE

            The Diocese of Brooklyn is announcing that Father Christopher Heanue, Administrator at Holy Child Jesus Roman Catholic Church, last week completed the “100 Miles of Hope” fundraiser to support the parish food pantry. The bike ride from the church in Richmond Hill, Queens to East Hampton, Long Island, has raised over $20,000.

 

Father Heanue was joined by two parishioners on the journey, Paul Cerni and Tom Chiafolo. The day started with a special 5 a.m. Mass celebrated by Father Heanue. The total bike time for the journey was 7 hours and 45 minutes, and the entire trip was completed over the course of more than 10 hours.

 

“The prayers and generous support of all helped to motivate and make our “100 miles of Hope” a true success.  If this served as an inspiration for any, then all glory be to God. This is needed now, more than ever. With this help, we can continue the good work of our food pantry and other initiatives,” said Father Heanue.

 

Donations are still being accepted through the Go Fund Me Page at www.gofundme.com/f/100-miles-of-hope or by texting ‘miles’ to 718-550-6525.

 

Photos attached.

 

Photo #1- Tom Chiafolo, Father Chis Heanue, and Paul Cerni met in advance of the bike ride for this photo.

 

Photo #2 – Father Chris Heanue, Tom Chiafolo, and Paul Cerni, outside of Holy Child Jesus Roman Catholic Church in Queens, prior to the start of the of their “100 Miles for Hope” bike ride.

 

Photo #3-Father Chris Heanue is greeted upon his arrival at Most Holy Trinity Church in East Hampton, Long Island.

 

Photo #4 – Tom Chiafolo, Paul Cerni, and Father Chris Heanue posed for a photo upon their arrival in East Hampton.

 

###