FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 20, 2020

MEDIA CONTACTS:

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

John Quaglione 
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jquaglione@desalesmedia.org

DeSales Media Expands Broadcast Schedule of Masses in the Diocese of Brooklyn

Masses to be Live-Streamed in Seven Languages Beginning Sunday

 

DeSales Media Group, the communications and technology arm of the Diocese of Brooklyn, is announcing an expanded broadcast schedule of 14 Masses per week, celebrated in seven languages, beginning this Sunday, March 22, 2020. The Masses can be viewed live on the Diocese of Brooklyn’s cable channel, NET-TV, or online on the diocese’s website, dioceseofbrooklyn.org/masses.

The Sunday schedule, between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m., includes the broadcast of seven Masses celebrated in the following languages: English, Spanish, Polish, Chinese, Korean, Creole and Italian.

The weekday schedule, between 8 a.m. and noon includes seven Masses celebrated in English, Spanish, Polish, Chinese, Korean, Creole and Italian.

“The celebration of Mass in so many languages reflects the diversity of our city and a reminder that even during a time of social distancing, Christ and His Church are very close to us,” said Reverend Monsignor Kieran E. Harrington, President & Chairman of DeSales Media Group and Vicar for Communications for the Diocese of Brooklyn.

NET-TV can be seen in the New York City area on Spectrum (Channel 97), Optimum (Channel 30), and FIOS (Channel 48).  A graphic of the Mass schedule is below and attached.

“DeSales Media immediately recognized the need for the faithful to have the opportunity to have the celebration of the Eucharist continue as part of their life, and that is why we have enhanced our schedule in these uncertain times caused by the Coronavirus. This extensive schedule allows many to hear the Word of God in their native tongue, uniting us as a Diocese in prayer for our individual intentions, for those who have fallen ill and who have perished from the Coronavirus, and for the brave doctors, nurses, law enforcement personnel, and caregivers on the front lines,” said Harrington.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 18, 2020

MEDIA CONTACTS:

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

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

 

DIOCESE OF BROOKLYN CORONAVIRUS UPDATE 3-18-20

 

As a follow-up to the directive to suspend all Public Masses until further notice, the Most Reverend Nicholas DiMarzio, Bishop of Brooklyn, has issued a number of additional guidelines, governing the practice of the faith as a result of the Coronavirus outbreak, to all parishes throughout Brooklyn and Queens.

To comply with the government recommendation to avoid gatherings of 10 or more people, the following has been implemented in the Diocese of Brooklyn effective immediately:

 

PALM SUNDAY AND HOLY WEEK SERVICES

• There will be no Masses open to the public on Palm Sunday. Priests throughout Brooklyn and Queens will bless palms and will be asked to leave them on tables in the back of the Church for pickup.
• Reconciliation Monday, a special time devoted to confession at the start of Holy Week, has been canceled.  However, Priests will be available for individual confessions throughout the remainder of the Lenten season and during this period of crisis.
• The Chrism Mass will not be celebrated publicly. The Bishop will celebrate the Mass from the Cathedral and the oils will be available for distribution at designated sites around the diocese. Further information will be released at a later date.
• The Mass of the Lord’s Supper (Holy Thursday), the Liturgy of the Lord’s Passion (Good Friday) the Easter Vigil and Easter Sunday, will not be celebrated publicly. A broadcast schedule of the services with no congregation, to air on NET-TV, the cable channel of the Diocese of Brooklyn, will be announced at a later date.

 

CONFIRMATIONS/FIRST COMMUNIONS

• All Confirmations and Communions have been postponed until May 15, 2020.

MASS INTENTIONS

• All intentions will be satisfied in private Masses.

ANOINTING OF THE SICK

• The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick may be administered to individuals as needed, with Priests visiting those with COVID-19 taking extra precautions.

COMMUNION

• Priests will try to make Communion calls, adhering to necessary health precautions.

PARISH SERVICES

• Parish food pantries may remain open, but those in need are asked to contact their specific parish for schedule and procedural updates.
• Alcoholics Anonymous groups will continue to meet but only with less than 10 people and adhering to the social distancing practice.
• Churches may remain open for silent adoration but in adherence to capacity guidelines.
• All parish meetings and parish events will be canceled.
• Bulletins will be posted on parish websites.

ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES

• The Diocese of Brooklyn’s administrative offices will be closed to the public due to the Coronavirus beginning Wednesday, March 18, 2020, for an undisclosed amount of time. The diocesan staff will be working remotely. You can reach the Diocese by calling 718-965-7300.

“In the days and weeks ahead, let us ask God to watch over the people of our Diocese and all of His people; those who are sick, those who will fall ill, and those who are caring for them,” said Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 17, 2020

MEDIA CONTACTS:

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

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

SEVEN CORONAVIRUS CASES CONFIRMED AT TWO QUEENS CATHOLIC CHURCHES

 

The Diocese of Brooklyn today is announcing they have learned of a combined seven confirmed cases of the Coronavirus within the parish communities of Corpus Christi Roman Catholic Church in Woodside and St. Gabriel’s Catholic Church in East Elmhurst.

At St. Gabriel’s Church, there are six confirmed cases emanating from three gatherings of a church community group on Tuesday, March 3, Saturday, March 7 and Tuesday, March 10, 2020.

At Corpus Christi, there is one confirmed case. The individual last attended Mass on Saturday, February 29, 2020. The individual is a Eucharistic Minister and last participated in the distribution of Holy Communion on Ash Wednesday, February 26, 2020.

As a result of this information, both parish Churches are undergoing a deep cleaning and sanitization, with approved disinfectants, following guidelines issued by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

Anyone who was at the above Churches during the noted times should contact their doctor if they exhibit any Coronavirus symptoms like fever or cough.

The Diocese of Brooklyn has canceled all Masses, as of yesterday Monday, March 16, 2020, until further notice. Churches will be open for private prayer but the faithful are being asked to contact their church’s rectory regarding parish scheduled hours.

As a reminder, the Celebration of the Eucharist within the Diocese of Brooklyn can be seen on NET-TV, the 24/7 cable channel of the Diocese. The Mass schedule is as follows:

Weekdays:

• 8 am Live from Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph in Prospect Heights (English)
• 9 am Live from Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph in Prospect Heights (Spanish)
• Noon Live from St. James Cathedral in Downtown Brooklyn (English)
• 5 pm Replay of the Noon Mass from St. James Cathedral in Downtown Brooklyn (English)
• 6:30 pm Pre-recorded Mass from St. Patrick’s Cathedral

 

Weekends:

• 6 pm Saturday Vigil Pre-recorded Passionate Mass from Immaculate Conception Church in Jamaica (English)
• 11 am Sunday Live from St. James Cathedral in Downtown Brooklyn (English)
• 1:30 pm Sunday Pre-recorded from Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph in Prospect Heights (Spanish)

NET-TV can be seen in the New York City area on Spectrum (Channel 97), Optimum (Channel 30), and FIOS (Channel 48). Viewers can also tune in online at www.netny.tv.

At all times, but especially now, the safety and well-being of our faith community is our primary concern. The Diocese of Brooklyn will continue to deliver important information in a timely manner.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 15, 2020

MEDIA CONTACTS:

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

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

CORONAVIRUS CASE CONFIRMED AT QUEENS CHURCH; ALL CATHOLIC MASSES CANCELED IN BROOKLYN AND QUEENS UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE

The Diocese of Brooklyn late yesterday, Saturday, March 14, 2020, learned of a confirmed case of the Coronavirus within the parish community at Incarnation Roman Catholic Church, located in the Queens Village section of Queens.

The individual attended the Noon Mass last Sunday, March 8, 2020.

As a result of this information, Incarnation Church is closed and undergoing a deep cleaning and sanitization, with approved disinfectants, following guidelines issued by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Masses today have been held in the Auditorium.

Effective Monday, March 16, 2020, the Diocese of Brooklyn has canceled all Masses until further notice. However, Churches will be open for private prayer, but Catholics are urged to check with parish rectories regarding a specific parish’s schedule.

The Celebration of the Eucharist within the Diocese of Brooklyn can be seen on NET-TV, the 24/7 cable channel of the Diocese. The Mass schedule is as follows:

Weekdays:

• 8 am Live from Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph in Prospect Heights (English)
• 9 am Live from Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph in Prospect Heights (Spanish)
• Noon Live from St. James Cathedral in Downtown Brooklyn (English)
• 5 pm Replay of the Noon Mass from St. James Cathedral in Downtown Brooklyn (English)
• 6:30 pm Pre-recorded Mass from St. Patrick’s Cathedral

Weekends:

• 6 pm Saturday Vigil Pre-recorded Passionate Mass from Immaculate Conception Church in   Jamaica (English)
• 11 am Sunday Live from St. James Cathedral in Downtown Brooklyn (English)
• 1:30 pm Sunday Pre-recorded from Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph in Prospect Heights (Spanish)

NET-TV can be seen in the New York City area on Spectrum (Channel 97), Optimum (Channel 30), and FIOS (Channel 48). Viewers can also tune in online at www.netny.tv.

At all times, but especially now, the safety and well-being of our faith community is our primary concern. The Diocese of Brooklyn will continue to deliver important information in a timely manner.

Let us pray for all those who have been diagnosed with Coronavirus and those who have died here in our country and around the world.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 15, 2020

MEDIA CONTACTS:

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

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

URGENT UPDATE FROM THE DIOCESE OF BROOKLYN

 

Given the continuing and growing concern about the spread of the COVID-19 virus, Bishop DiMarzio has determined that all public masses be canceled in the Diocese of Brooklyn beginning Monday, March 16^th, until further notice. This includes weekday masses as well as Sunday.

Funerals and Weddings will be permitted but should be limited to family members only. Confirmations should be celebrated with the Rite of Confirmation without Mass if need be, and in consultation with the Bishop scheduled to celebrate the Confirmation.

The faithful of the diocese are reminded that the Bishop has already issued a dispensation from the obligation to attend Mass on Sunday. The obligation to keep the Lord’s Day holy can be fulfilled by maintaining a prayerful attitude and through personal and family prayer.

The faithful are urged to watch the celebration of the Eucharist on TV, as well.

The celebrations are scheduled as follows:

• Saturday at 6 pm: Vigil pre-recorded from Immaculate Conception in Jamaica (English)
• Sunday at 11 am: Live from St. James Cathedral in Downtown Brooklyn (English)
• Sunday at 1:30 pm: Pre-recorded from Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph in Prospect Heights (Spanish)

NET-TV can be seen in the New York City area on Spectrum (Channel 97), Optimum (Channel 30) and FIOS (Channel 48). Viewers can also tune in online at www.netny.tv.

In light of the continuing crisis, the situation is being monitored carefully and updates will follow. Let us continue to pray, especially through the intercession of Our Lady of Guadalupe, for those who are sick, for medical personnel and for all people who confront this challenge.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 13, 2020

MEDIA CONTACTS:

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

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

BROOKLYN BISHOP NICHOLAS DIMARZIO DISPENSES THE FAITHFUL FROM MASS OBLIGATION UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE

 

In an effort to be proactive in our response to the spread of the Coronavirus, the Most Reverend Nicholas DiMarzio, Bishop of Brooklyn, has dispensed the faithful from the obligation to attend Sunday Mass until further notice for Catholics of Brooklyn and Queens.

Sunday Public Masses will still be celebrated; however, the faithful are urged to exercise caution if they are to attend. The Diocese of Brooklyn will comply with the State’s regulations about large public gatherings. This dispensation remains in effect until further notice. 

Additionally, weekday masses will continue as usual with the normal precautions people should take when gathering in public places. Other celebrations (such as weddings and funerals) may take place but attendance should be limited. In these extremely difficult and challenging times, it is the primary duty of the Diocese to keep the faithful safe and healthy.

When gathering, the faithful are urged to take the necessary precautions, including remaining at a safe distance from others and receiving Holy Communion in the hand. The distribution of the Precious Blood has previously been suspended as well as the Sign of Peace with a handshake. Holy Water Fonts may also be emptied in Churches as a precaution.

Those who do not attend Mass can tune in to the Celebration of the Eucharist within the Diocese of Brooklyn on NET-TV, the 24/7 cable channel of the Diocese. The Mass schedule is as follows:

• Saturday – 6 pm Vigil Pre-recorded from Immaculate Conception Church in Jamaica (English)
• Sunday – 11 am Live from St. James Cathedral in Downtown Brooklyn (English)
• Sunday – 1:30 pm Pre-recorded from Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph in Prospect Heights (Spanish)

 

NET-TV can be seen in the New York City area on Spectrum (Channel 97), Optimum (Channel 30), and FIOS (Channel 48). Viewers can also tune in online at www.netny.tv.

Additionally, all in-person parish religious education classes, all youth ministry classes, group meetings, CYO activities, and adult faith formation sessions will be canceled until further notice.

The health of all the faithful of the Diocese is of utmost concern, and the Diocese of Brooklyn joins in prayer to the Lord who is a healer, to protect us and to quickly bring about an end to this current public health crisis.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 12, 2020

MEDIA CONTACTS:

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

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

 

STATEMENT BY THE MOST REVEREND NICHOLAS DIMARZIO, BISHOP OF BROOKLYN

ON THE APOSTOLIC EXHORTATION BY POPE FRANCIS: “QUERIDA AMAZONIA”

Today, Pope Francis has brought the plight of the people, the struggles facing the Catholic faith, and the destruction of the environment in the Amazon to the forefront of the world’s conversation.

The Holy Father’s Apostolic Exhortation, Querida Amazonia, or Beloved Amazon, is a sensitive document that vividly describes the cultural and ecological challenges of the Amazon. It is poetic at times, yet it makes powerful statements about the problems the indigenous and the environment face in today’s world.

This pastoral exhortation challenges us all to recognize that we have a collective responsibility to improve the situation for the poor and oppressed and protect the land and the environment.

Pope Francis acknowledges the unique contribution women have made in the region. Without any titles, they have been critical in preserving the faith for decades. He points out that while lay ecclesiastical ministries might not feel empowered without ordination, the Church sees their contribution no less worthy. In fact, he goes on to say “without women, the Church breaks down.”

He gave further credence to the important role of women in the region by releasing his Exhortation on the 15^th anniversary of the assassination in Brazil of American Sister Dorothy Stang, a missionary who defended the poor and the environment.

 

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