FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 9, 2020

MEDIA CONTACTS:

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

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

VIDEO UPDATE: vimeo.com/436974359 / Courtesy DeSales Media
:00 Rev. Gabriel Ahiarakwem, NYC Health & Hospitals/Elmhurst
:17 Rev. Robert Ambalathingal, Long Island Jewish Medical Center-Northwell Health
:36 Rev. Patrick Nwachukwu, SDV, Sts. Joachim & Anne Nursing and Rehabilitation Center
1:01 Vincent LeVien, Director of External Affairs for DeSales Media & Emergency Task Force (ETF)
1:37 ETF group photo
1:41 Chaplains photo
1:46 Check presentation to Catholic Charities photo

25^th Annual Golf Outing Honors Front Line Heroes of Diocese, Proceeds To Support Catholic Charities of Brooklyn and Queens

DeSales Media Group, the communications and technology arm of the Diocese of Brooklyn, will host the 25^th Annual Bishop DiMarzio Golf Outing tomorrow, Thursday, July 9, 2020, at the North Hills Country Club in Manhasset, New York.  The proceeds of this year’s event will go to support Catholic Charities of Brooklyn and Queens (CCBQ) and their ongoing COVID-19 relief efforts. During the pandemic, CCBQ has served 500,000 meals at Emergency food distribution Pop-ups in addition to thousands of meals served at its 20 parish-based pantries.

The event will honor the work and spiritual support of 23 chaplains who serve in hospitals and nursing homes throughout Brooklyn and Queens. The DeSales Media Emergency Task Force, which operated for three months in numerous capacities to assist first responders and hospital workers, as well as Diocesan remote learning efforts, during the height of Coronavirus pandemic, will also be honored.

The chaplains have been providing front line support to thousands of Coronavirus patients and their families. DeSales Media is proud to be honoring the Diocese of Brooklyn hospital chaplains for their personal courage and service to this vital ministry. They comforted families of those suffering alone and administered Last Rites and the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick. A complete list of the chaplains follows at the end.

The event will also recognize the DeSales Media Emergency Task Force, established at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The ETF was led by Vincent LeVien, Director of External Affairs for DeSales Media, and included Dennis Fisin, Robert Lynch, David Morales, Rob Rich, Joseph Vega, and Wilfredo Vega, Jr.

The Emergency Task Force distributed more than 300,000 masks, nearly 100,000 bottles of hand sanitizer, and 40,000 pairs of gloves to emergency service personnel, hospitals, nursing homes, and more. The team also delivered more than 50,000 pizzas to more than 40 hospitals and medical centers, as well as to NYPD police precincts, FDNY stations, food banks and community organizations throughout the City. The Emergency Task Force also coordinated with the Catholic Telemedia Network (CTN) and the Diocesan Schools Office to deliver almost 1,000 iPads to 21 Catholic academies across Brooklyn and Queens.

The awards reception honoring the hospital chaplains and members of the Emergency Task Force is scheduled to begin at 4:30 p.m. The day begins with breakfast at 9:30 a.m. and a shotgun start kicks off Golf at 11:00 a.m. Members of the media are invited to attend and must confirm attendance via e-mail at jquaglione@desalesmedia.org or by calling (718) 517-3112.

The hospital chaplains being honored are:

Rev. Gabriel Ahiarakwem, NYC Health & Hospitals/Elmhurst
Rev. Enel Almeus, New York Presbyterian/Queens
Rev. Salvatore Amato, Ozanam Hall Nursing Home
Rev. Robert Ambalathingal, Long Island Jewish Medical Center-Northwell Health
Rev. Francisco Ares, Wyckoff Heights Medical Center
Rev. Bryan Carney, Flushing Hospital Medical Center
Rev. Andre F. St. Preux Dabel, SDB, Jamaica Hospital Medical Center
Rev. Augustine Emeh, NYU Langone Hospital-Brooklyn, New York Presbyterian-Brooklyn Methodist Hospital
Rev. Lorenzo Gomez, SDV, NYC Health & Hospitals/Coney Island
Rev. Souvenir Jean-Paul, Kings County Hospital Center
Rev. Evans Julce, Queen of Peace Nursing Home
Rev. Jean Laguerre, Mount Sinai Hospital of Queens
Rev. Isaie Jean Louis, CSSp, New York Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital and SUNY Downstate Hospital
Rev. Ernest Makata, New York Presbyterian/Queens
Rev. Dawit T. Moroda, St. John’s Episcopal Hospital
Rev. Johnson Nedungadan, Flushing Hospital Medical Center
Rev. Patrick Nwachukwu, SDV, Sts. Joachim & Anne Nursing and Rehabilitation Center
Rev. Francis Obu-Mends, Maimonides Medical Center, The Brooklyn Hospital Center Rev. Mintu G. Rozario, NYC Health & Hospitals/Elmhurst
Rev. Radu Titonea, Long Island Jewish Forest Hills-Northwell Health
Rev. Joseph Tharackal, Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, Kingsbrook Psychiatric Center, NYC Health & Hospitals/Woodhull
Rev. Kieran Udeze, Mount Sinai-Brooklyn, New York Community Hospital
Rev. Michael Ugbor, Long Island Jewish Medical Center-Northwell Health

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 9, 2020

MEDIA CONTACTS:

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

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

SIX CATHOLIC ACADEMIES IN BROOKLYN AND QUEENS WILL CLOSE DUE TO FINANCIAL STRAIN RESULTING FROM THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

The Diocese of Brooklyn Office of the Superintendent – Catholic School Support Services today announced six Catholic academies, located in Brooklyn and Queens, will permanently close, effective August 31, 2020. The devastating effects of the COVID-19 crisis on enrollment and finances, an issue faced by many Catholic schools in the region and across the country, made it impossible for them to reopen for the coming school year.

The following Catholic academies will not reopen:

• • Queen of the Rosary in Williamsburg, Brooklyn
  • St. Gregory the Great in Crown Heights/Flatbush, Brooklyn
  • Our Lady’s Catholic Academy in South Ozone Park, Queens
  • Our Lady of Grace in Howard Beach, Queens
  • Holy Trinity Catholic Academy in Whitestone, Queens
  • St. Mel’s Catholic Academy in Flushing, Queens

Collectively, these schools have seen a decline of enrollment over the last five years, but the registration totals for the upcoming school year are down significantly, largely due to the massive unemployment and loss of business that has resulted from the COVID-19 pandemic. More than $630,000 in tuition bills for the past school year (2019-2020) remains outstanding at these schools.

“This is an incredibly sad day for our Catholic community to have to close these schools, but the devastation caused by the coronavirus pandemic is insurmountable. The difficult decisions come after the intense analysis of the financial picture of each academy,” said Thomas Chadzutko, Ed.D., Superintendent of Schools. 

Every effort will be made to help transition affected students and families to nearby Catholic academies. To help the transition, the Diocese of Brooklyn, through the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Trust, will provide a one-time $500 financial grant for each child from a closed school enrolling and attending in a new Catholic elementary academy or school in Brooklyn or Queens this fall, as long as they have met all of their financial obligations. For those who meet the financial eligibility, tuition assistance is available through Futures in Education (www.futuresineducation.org). 

Online Information meetings will begin next week for parents at the academies scheduled to close. Administrators and personnel from neighboring Catholic academies will be available virtually to present their programs and answer any questions parents may have.

Despite the closures, there is great optimism about the future of Catholic education in Brooklyn and Queens. “Our smaller and caring community of schools has many advantages as witnessed by how quickly we adapted to remote learning this spring. In grades K-8, we were nearly one to one, students to devices with data plans, an incredible feat which allowed for distance learning success in our schools. The learning went on in our schools for six hours a day, so our children knew that even though they were separated, they were not alone. Our devoted teachers and staff supported every child with the tools they needed to continue their education. We will continue to improve on this so we can be ready to handle any challenge this coming fall,” said Dr. Chadzutko.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 8, 2020

MEDIA CONTACTS:

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

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

25^th Annual Golf Outing Honors Front Line Heroes of Diocese, Proceeds To Support Catholic Charities of Brooklyn and Queens

DeSales Media Group, the communications and technology arm of the Diocese of Brooklyn, will host the 25^th Annual Bishop DiMarzio Golf Outing tomorrow, Thursday, July 9, 2020, at the North Hills Country Club in Manhasset, New York.  The proceeds of this year’s event will go to support Catholic Charities of Brooklyn and Queens (CCBQ) and their ongoing COVID-19 relief efforts. During the pandemic, CCBQ has served 500,000 meals at Emergency food distribution Pop-ups in addition to thousands of meals served at its 20 parish-based pantries.

The event will honor the work and spiritual support of 23 chaplains who serve in hospitals and nursing homes throughout Brooklyn and Queens. The DeSales Media Emergency Task Force, which operated for three months in numerous capacities to assist first responders and hospital workers, as well as Diocesan remote learning efforts, during the height of Coronavirus pandemic, will also be honored.

The chaplains have been providing front line support to thousands of Coronavirus patients and their families. DeSales Media is proud to be honoring the Diocese of Brooklyn hospital chaplains for their personal courage and service to this vital ministry. They comforted families of those suffering alone and administered Last Rites and the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick. A complete list of the chaplains follows at the end.

The event will also recognize the DeSales Media Emergency Task Force, established at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The ETF was led by Vincent LeVien, Director of External Affairs for DeSales Media, and included Dennis Fisin, Robert Lynch, David Morales, Rob Rich, Joseph Vega, and Wilfredo Vega, Jr.

The Emergency Task Force distributed more than 300,000 masks, nearly 100,000 bottles of hand sanitizer, and 40,000 pairs of gloves to emergency service personnel, hospitals, nursing homes, and more. The team also delivered more than 50,000 pizzas to more than 40 hospitals and medical centers, as well as to NYPD police precincts, FDNY stations, food banks and community organizations throughout the City. The Emergency Task Force also coordinated with the Catholic Telemedia Network (CTN) and the Diocesan Schools Office to deliver almost 1,000 iPads to 21 Catholic academies across Brooklyn and Queens.

The awards reception honoring the hospital chaplains and members of the Emergency Task Force is scheduled to begin at 4:30 p.m. The day begins with breakfast at 9:30 a.m. and a shotgun start kicks off Golf at 11:00 a.m. Members of the media are invited to attend and must confirm attendance via e-mail at jquaglione@desalesmedia.org or by calling (718) 517-3112.

The hospital chaplains being honored are:

Rev. Gabriel Ahiarakwem, NYC Health & Hospitals/Elmhurst
Rev. Enel Almeus, New York Presbyterian/Queens
Rev. Salvatore Amato, Ozanam Hall Nursing Home
Rev. Robert Ambalathingal, Long Island Jewish Medical Center-Northwell Health
Rev. Francisco Ares, Wyckoff Heights Medical Center
Rev. Bryan Carney, Flushing Hospital Medical Center
Rev. Andre F. St. Preux Dabel, SDB, Jamaica Hospital Medical Center
Rev. Augustine Emeh, NYU Langone Hospital-Brooklyn, New York Presbyterian-Brooklyn Methodist Hospital
Rev. Lorenzo Gomez, SDV, NYC Health & Hospitals/Coney Island
Rev. Souvenir Jean-Paul, Kings County Hospital Center
Rev. Evans Julce, Queen of Peace Nursing Home
Rev. Jean Laguerre, Mount Sinai Hospital of Queens
Rev. Isaie Jean Louis, CSSp, New York Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital and SUNY Downstate Hospital
Rev. Ernest Makata, New York Presbyterian/Queens
Rev. Dawit T. Moroda, St. John’s Episcopal Hospital
Rev. Johnson Nedungadan, Flushing Hospital Medical Center
Rev. Patrick Nwachukwu, SDV, Sts. Joachim & Anne Nursing and Rehabilitation Center
Rev. Francis Obu-Mends, Maimonides Medical Center, The Brooklyn Hospital Center Rev. Mintu G. Rozario, NYC Health & Hospitals/Elmhurst
Rev. Radu Titonea, Long Island Jewish Forest Hills-Northwell Health
Rev. Joseph Tharackal, Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, Kingsbrook Psychiatric Center, NYC Health & Hospitals/Woodhull
Rev. Kieran Udeze, Mount Sinai-Brooklyn, New York Community Hospital
Rev. Michael Ugbor, Long Island Jewish Medical Center-Northwell Health

###

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 3, 2020

MEDIA CONTACTS:

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

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

Diocese of Brooklyn Churches Can Resume Saturday Vigil & Sunday Mass this Weekend

The celebration of Sunday Mass can begin this weekend in Brooklyn and Queens Churches with the Saturday Vigil Mass on July 4, 2020, and Sunday Mass on July 5, 2020. COVID-19 safety protocols will be in place, including the requirement that all who enter a church must bring and must wear their own mask during the entire Mass and maintain proper social distancing.

“In Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus speaks about how great it is to be able to praise God and give Him thanks. For those of us who are able to worship God together in Church this weekend and receive Him in the Holy Eucharist once again, we truly will praise Him and ask Him to strengthen us,” said the Most Reverend Nicholas DiMarzio, Bishop of Brooklyn.

In preparation for the resumption of Masses, DeSales Media Group, the communications and technology arm of the Diocese of Brooklyn, produced videos in seven languages to give multi-lingual Catholics in Brooklyn and Queens an understanding of the changes they will experience as a result of COVID-19 safety protocols designed to keep everyone healthy and safe.

The videos were made in English, Spanish, Italian, Polish, Chinese, Creole, and Korean.

Beyond the requirement that parishioners must bring and wear their own mask during Mass, churches can only be filled to 25% capacity to fulfill social distance requirements of six feet between congregants. Families who live in the same household will be able to sit together.

The reception of Communion will be different. It is strongly recommended the faithful receive Holy Communion in the hand and they must leave their mask on when they approach the priest at a six-foot distance. When the communicant receives the Sacred Host, they should move to the side and consume the Eucharist immediately. Communion will only be offered in one form; the Precious Blood will not be distributed to the faithful at this time.

Since each church and parish is unique, the faithful should check with their individual parishes, parish websites and social media pages for specifics about the resumption of Mass and the safety protocols in place.

The dispensation from the obligation to attend Mass remains in effect until further notice.  As such, the Diocese urges anyone who feels sick in any way to stay home. Mass will continue to be broadcast live on the Diocesan cable channel, NET-TV, and streamed online.  NET-TV is available in the New York City market on Spectrum, channel 97; Optimum, channel 30; and Fios by Verizon, channel 48.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 30, 2020

MEDIA CONTACTS:

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

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

BROOKLYN PRIEST TO BE INSTALLED AS BISHOP OF PATERSON WEDNESDAY

The Diocese of Brooklyn has announced that Bishop-elect Kevin Sweeney, currently the Pastor of St. Michael’s Roman Catholic Church in the Sunset Park section of Brooklyn, will be ordained and installed as the eighth Bishop of the Diocese of Paterson at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, 381 Grand Street in Paterson, New Jersey, on Wednesday, July 1, 2020, at 2 p.m.

The ordination/installation Mass will be televised live on NET-TV, the Diocese of Brooklyn’s cable channel, and online at www.netny.tv beginning at 1:40 p.m., with the procession to start at 1:45 p.m. tomorrow, Wednesday, July 1.

Cardinal Joseph Tobin, Metropolitan Archbishop of Newark will ordain Bishop-elect Sweeney to the Order of Bishops and install him as the new bishop of Paterson.  The Most Reverend Nicholas DiMarzio, Bishop of Brooklyn, will join retiring Bishop Arthur J. Serratelli as co-consecrating bishops.

Bishop-elect Sweeney is a native of Queens, New York, a graduate of Cathedral Prep High School, who went on to study at the Cathedral Seminary House of Formation in Douglaston. He then earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Philosophy from St. John’s University in 1992. Bishop-elect Kevin Sweeney also earned a Master’s Degree in Divinity from the Seminary of the Immaculate Conception in Huntington.

He was ordained a priest of the Diocese of Brooklyn on June 28, 1997, and was assigned to St. Nicholas of Tolentine in Jamaica and Our Lady of Sorrows in Corona. In 2004, Bishop DiMarzio appointed then-Father Sweeney as the Vocations Director for the Diocese of Brooklyn, and in January 2010, he was appointed Pastor of St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Sunset Park.

NET-TV can be seen in the New York City area on Spectrum-channel 97, Optimum-channel 30, and FIOS by Verizon-channel 48. Video footage must include a courtesy to NET-TV/DeSales Media.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 27, 2020

MEDIA CONTACTS:

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

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

PHOTO UPDATE: Photos attached – Courtesy: Ed Wilkinson/The Tablet

BISHOP NICHOLAS DIMARZIO TO ORDAIN FOUR MEN AS PRIESTS TO SERVE THE DIOCESE OF BROOKLYN

            The Most Reverend Nicholas DiMarzio, Bishop of Brooklyn, will ordain four men as priests during a Mass of Ordination, later this morning, Saturday, June 27, 2020, at 11:00 a.m., at the Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph, located at 856 Pacific Street in the Prospect Heights section of Brooklyn.

The four to be ordained include:

*Rev. Mr. Nestor Martinez, born in Colombia and raised on a farm outside the City of Molagavita, felt the calling to become a priest at the age of thirteen. Later on, after achieving his goal and starting in the Seminary in Antioquia, he decided he wanted to go to a place that didn’t have enough vocations, and traveled to the United States. Mr. Martinez completed his seminarian studies in Connecticut and service in the Diocese of Paterson, and will be ordained in the Diocese of Brooklyn.

*Rev. Mr. Peter Okajima, raised in a family that did not practice religion, is a late vocation who had a career in finance, was married with two children, divorced, and had his marriage annulled. Throughout his life, Mr. Okajima always felt in his heart that something was missing, which led him to the Church. Peter converted to Catholicism and soon thereafter, enrolled at the Pope St. John XXIII Seminary at the advice of Bishop DiMarzio. Peter’s father was a Japanese translator for General Douglas McArthur’s team during the surrender aboard the USS Missouri at the end of World War II. Peter’s mother was held in a Japanese internment camp during World War II.

*Rev. Mr. Gabriel Agudelo-Perdomo, who was raised in Bogota, Colombia, felt the calling to the priesthood at the end of high school.  However, the unrest in his hometown delayed his calling, but the drug-related violence in Colombia made his vocation certain. Deacon Agudelo-Perdomo’s brother, a priest in the Archdiocese of Miami, shared his brother’s wish to become a priest on a trip to New York City, and it was Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio who sent a priest in Colombia to interview him. Gabriel Agudelo-Perdomo was then accepted as a Seminarian of the Diocese of Brooklyn.

*Rev. Mr. Dragan Pusic, who was born in Bosnia, grew up under Communist rule. Despite the government’s dislike of religion, the Pusic family attended Church every Sunday, and Dragan served as an altar server from the age of 9 until he was 14. Mr. Pusic maintained a professional career, working in an industrial plant for over twenty years, until the company went bankrupt.  It was at this time that Dragan recognized that faith was playing less of a role in his life, and found his way back to God.  It was shortly thereafter that he arrived in the United States and began his studies at the Redemptoris Mater Seminary in Douglaston.

Members of the media are encouraged to attend.

###

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 26, 2020

MEDIA CONTACTS:

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

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

Diocese of Brooklyn Launches Videos in Seven Languages to Prepare Catholics
as Churches Can Re-open for Weekday Masses on Monday

Weekday Masses in the Diocese of Brooklyn, which includes Queens, can begin this Monday, June 29, 2020. The celebration of Sunday Mass can begin with the Saturday Vigil Mass on July 4, 2020, and on Sunday, July 5, 2020. COVID-19 safety protocols will be in place, including the requirement that all who enter a church must bring and must wear their own mask during the entire Mass and maintain proper social distancing.

“Catholics in Brooklyn and Queens have been longing for the celebration of Mass and to receive the Holy Eucharist. But our sacrifice and patience have borne fruit, and we did our part to flatten the curve of the terrible coronavirus pandemic. Soon we can come together to be nourished by the spiritual food we have been desperate for,” said the Most Reverend Nicholas DiMarzio, Bishop of Brooklyn.

In preparation for the joyous day when Mass will resume, DeSales Media Group, the communication, and technology arm of the Diocese of Brooklyn, has produced videos in seven languages to give multi-lingual Catholics in Brooklyn and Queens an understanding of the changes they will experience as a result of COVID-19 safety protocols designed to keep everyone healthy and safe.

The videos were made in English, Spanish, Italian, Polish, Chinese, Creole, and Korean.

Beyond the requirement that parishioners must bring and wear their own mask during Mass, churches can only be filled to 25% capacity to fulfill social distance requirements of six feet between congregants. Families who live in the same household will be able to sit together.

The reception of Communion will be different. It is strongly recommended the faithful receive Holy Communion in the hand and they must leave their mask on when they approach the priest at a six-foot distance. When the communicant receives the Sacred Host, they should move to the side and consume the Eucharist immediately. Communion will only be offered in one form; the Precious Blood will not be distributed to the faithful at this time.

Since each church and parish is unique, the faithful should check with their individual parishes, parish websites and social media pages for specifics about the resumption of Mass and the safety protocols in place.

The dispensation from the obligation to attend Mass remains in effect until further notice.  As such, the Diocese urges anyone who feels sick in any way to stay home. Mass will continue to be broadcast live on the Diocesan cable channel, NET-TV, and streamed online.  NET-TV is available in the New York City market on Spectrum, channel 97; Optimum, channel 30; and Fios by Verizon, channel 48.

“We have endured a period of great challenge, especially here in our Diocese in Brooklyn and Queens, but the Lord was with us all the way. Now in just over a week, we can come together and give thanks to Him, pray for the people we lost, and those still affected by the coronavirus. And rejoice in the celebration of the Liturgy. Thanks be to God,” concluded Bishop DiMarzio.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 25, 2020

MEDIA CONTACTS:

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

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

BISHOP NICHOLAS DIMARZIO TO ORDAIN FOUR MEN AS PRIESTS TO SERVE THE DIOCESE OF BROOKLYN

The Most Reverend Nicholas DiMarzio, Bishop of Brooklyn, will ordain four men as priests during a Mass of Ordination, to be held on Saturday, June 27, 2020, at 11:00 a.m., at the Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph, located at 856 Pacific Street in the Prospect Heights section of Brooklyn.

Those who will be ordained include: one from Colombia who sought to serve in the United States where vocations are low; another who practiced religion despite Communist opposition in Bosnia; a man who was married with two children, who later got divorced and had his marriage annulled, because in his heart he felt something was missing; and one who saw the troubles of drug-related violence in Colombia growing up which in part inspired him to want to become a priest.

The four ordinands are:

*Rev. Mr. Nestor Martinez, born in Colombia and raised on a farm outside the City of Molagavita, felt the calling to become a priest at the age of thirteen. Later on, after achieving his goal and starting in the Seminary in Antioquia, he decided he wanted to go to a place that didn’t have enough vocations, and traveled to the United States. Mr. Martinez completed his seminarian studies in Connecticut and service in the Diocese of Paterson, and will be ordained in the Diocese of Brooklyn.

*Rev. Mr. Peter Okajima, raised in a family that did not practice religion, is a late vocation who had a career in finance, was married with two children, divorced, and had his marriage annulled. Throughout his life, Mr. Okajima always felt in his heart that something was missing, which led him to the Church. Peter converted to Catholicism and soon thereafter, enrolled at the Pope St. John XXIII Seminary at the advice of Bishop DiMarzio.

Peter’s father was a Japanese translator for General Douglas McArthur’s team during the surrender aboard the USS Missouri at the end of World War II. Peter’s mother was held in a Japanese internment camp during World War II.

*Rev. Mr. Gabriel Agudelo-Perdomo, who was raised in Bogota, Colombia, felt the calling to the priesthood at the end of high school.  However, the unrest in his hometown delayed his calling, but the drug-related violence in Colombia made his vocation certain. Deacon Agudelo-Perdomo’s brother, a priest in the Archdiocese of Miami, shared his brother’s wish to become a priest on a trip to New York City, and it was Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio who sent a priest in Colombia to interview him. Gabriel Agudelo-Perdomo was then accepted as a Seminarian of the Diocese of Brooklyn.

*Rev. Mr. Dragan Pusic, who was born in Bosnia, grew up under Communist rule. Despite the government’s dislike of religion, the Pusic family attended Church every Sunday, and Dragan served as an altar server from the age of 9 until he was 14. Mr. Pusic maintained a professional career, working in an industrial plant for over twenty years, until the company went bankrupt.  It was at this time that Dragan recognized that faith was playing less of a role in his life, and found his way back to God.  It was shortly thereafter that he arrived in the United States and began his studies at the Redemptoris Mater Seminary in Douglaston.

The Diocese of Brooklyn Ordination Mass will air live on the Diocesan’s cable channel, NET-TV, which can be seen on Spectrum, channel 97; Optimum, channel 30; and Fios by Verizon, channel 48.

Members of the media are encouraged to attend the Mass. To RSVP, please email John Quaglione at jquaglione@desalesmedia.org.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 19, 2020

MEDIA CONTACTS:

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

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

Diocese of Brooklyn Churches Can Re-open for Weekday Masses on June 29
Celebrations of Sunday Mass Can Begin on the Weekend of July 4 & 5

 The Most Reverend Nicholas DiMarzio, Bishop of Brooklyn, is pleased to announce that churches in the Diocese of Brooklyn can re-open for Weekday Mass on Monday, June 29, 2020. The celebration of Sunday Mass can begin with the Saturday Vigil Mass on July 4, 2020, and on Sunday, July 5, 2020. COVID-19 safety protocols will be in place, including the requirement that all who enter a church must bring and must wear their own mask during the entire Mass and maintain proper social distancing.

“Catholics in Brooklyn and Queens have been longing for the celebration of Mass and to receive the Holy Eucharist. But our sacrifice and patience have borne fruit, and we did our part to flatten the curve of the terrible coronavirus pandemic. Soon we can come together to be nourished by the spiritual food we have been desperate for,” said Bishop DiMarzio.

In preparation for the joyous day when Mass will resume, the Diocese of Brooklyn is launching a video today in English and Spanish to give Catholics in Brooklyn and Queens an understanding of the changes they will experience as a result of COVID-19 safety protocols designed to keep everyone healthy and safe.

Beyond the requirement that parishioners must bring and must wear their own mask for Mass, churches can only be filled to 25% capacity to fulfill social distance requirements of six feet between congregants. Families who live in the same household though will be able to sit together.

The reception of Communion will be different. It is strongly recommended the faithful receive Holy Communion in the hand and they must leave their mask on when they approach the priest at a six-foot distance. When the communicant receives the Sacred Host, they should move to the side and consume the Eucharist immediately. Communion will only be offered in one form; the Precious Blood will not be distributed to the faithful at this time.

Since each church and parish is unique, the faithful should check with their individual parishes, parish websites and social media pages for specifics about the resumption of Mass and the safety protocols in place.

The dispensation from the obligation to attend Mass remains in effect until further notice.  As such, the Diocese urges anyone who feels sick in any way to stay home. Mass will continue to be broadcast live on the Diocesan cable channel, NET-TV, and streamed online.  NET-TV is available in the New York City market on Spectrum, channel 97; Optimum, channel 30; and Fios by Verizon, channel 48.

“We have endured a period of great challenge, especially here in our Diocese in Brooklyn and Queens, but the Lord was with us all the way. Now in just over a week, we can come together and give thanks to Him, pray for the people we lost, and those still affected by the coronavirus. And rejoice in the celebration of the Liturgy. Thanks be to God,” concluded Bishop DiMarzio.

###