Author: Len Camporeale

CATHOLIC CEMETERIES OF BROOKLYN MAINTAIN VISITING HOURS THROUGHOUT COVID-19 PANDEMIC; WILL BE OPEN ON MOTHER’S DAY

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 7, 2020

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Adriana Rodriguez
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arodriguez@desalesmedia.org

John Quaglione 
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jquaglione@desalesmedia.org

CATHOLIC CEMETERIES OF BROOKLYN MAINTAIN VISITING HOURS THROUGHOUT COVID-19 PANDEMIC; WILL BE OPEN ON MOTHER’S DAY

 

Catholic Cemeteries of the Diocese of Brooklyn are continuing their policy of remaining open for visitation throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and will maintain visiting hours on Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 10, 2020.

 

Since the onset of the Coronavirus, the Catholic Cemeteries of Brooklyn have maintained the following visiting hours; indoor community mausoleums from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and cemetery gates are open daily for outdoor grave visits from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

 

Catholic Cemeteries of the Diocese of Brooklyn own and operate the following: St. John Cemetery (Middle Village, Queens), St. Charles/Resurrection Cemeteries (Farmingdale), Mt. Saint Mary Cemetery (Flushing, Queens), and Holy Cross Cemetery (East Flatbush, Brooklyn). The hours of operation also apply to the parish cemeteries managed by Catholic Cemeteries of the Diocese of Brooklyn including St. Mary Star of the Sea (Lawrence), Most Holy Trinity (Brooklyn), and Trinity (Amityville) cemeteries.

 

All Masses, communion, and prayer services have been suspended. Cemetery offices are closed to the general public and visitor access but can be contacted on weekdays from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and on Saturdays between 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. For more information, visit www.ccbklyn.org.

 

BISHOP DIMARZIO ON NATIONAL NURSES DAY: “NURSES ARE CARING PEOPLE”

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 6, 2020

MEDIA CONTACTS:

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

John Quaglione 
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jquaglione@desalesmedia.org

BISHOP DIMARZIO ON NATIONAL NURSES DAY: “NURSES ARE CARING PEOPLE”

 

The Most Reverend Nicholas DiMarzio, Bishop of Brooklyn, is releasing a video message in recognition of today’s celebration of “National Nurses Day,” and in a special way, is acknowledging those on the front lines caring for Coronavirus patients. In his message, Bishop DiMarzio calls nurses “caring people” who through their service show “love just for the sake of loving other people.”

 

“What a time to appreciate nurses, of all the difficult times nurses may have found in the last century, this has been one of the most difficult ones, to be on the front lines, to be a first responder at this time,” says Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio.

 

In the video message, Bishop DiMarzio mentions his sister’s service as a nurse for over 40 years which has given him an understanding of the psychology of nurses.

 

“Nurses are caring people. They give of themselves to others very, very readily because this is their psychology, their nature, the vocation that they have followed out. They have taken risks, but they have done it certainly with the same attitude that the Lord himself, when he took risk for our part. That kind of love that has no exception but also has no equal, when we do love just for the sake of loving other people. Nurses are capable of that and they have done it,” concludes Bishop DiMarzio.

 

Bishop DiMarzio’s video message can be found here: https://vimeo.com/415494856

 

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BISHOP DIMARZIO AND THE DIOCESE OF BROOKLYN HONOR EDUCATORS ON TEACHER APPRECIATION DAY

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 5, 2020

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Adriana Rodriguez
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John Quaglione 
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jquaglione@desalesmedia.org

BISHOP DIMARZIO AND THE DIOCESE OF BROOKLYN HONOR EDUCATORS ON TEACHER APPRECIATION DAY

The Most Reverend Nicholas DiMarzio, Bishop of Brooklyn, today is releasing a video message in celebration of “Teacher Appreciation Day.”  In his message, Bishop DiMarzio calls teachers “special people” who “give of themselves to their students,” while acknowledging the many challenges that teachers have had to face in the wake of the Coronavirus.

“We want to thank our teachers for what they do, for the sacrifices they make and for all the special sacrifices they have made during this time of the pandemic. We tip our hats to them because we know that their work will have an effect and our students will not fall behind. This learning experience perhaps teaches us that even when it’s difficult to learn, we perhaps sometimes learn better,” states Bishop DiMarzio.

Teachers of Diocese of Brooklyn academies and schools have risen to the challenge of teaching full-time in a virtual environment. By the first week of remote learning, 85% of our 3rd to 8th grade students were successfully transitioned to distance learning. By the end of March, close to 100% of them were learning online and digitally, thanks in part to the partnership with DeSales Media Group, which has provided diocesan academies with 11,000 Chromebooks and iPads.

“When the COVID-19 outbreak hit New York, we knew that our teachers would be challenged in ways they never were before, both professionally and spiritually. Although it wasn’t easy for them, I am extremely proud to say, our Catholic school teachers have risen to the occasion with great distinction,” said Dr. Thomas Chadzutko, Superintendent of Schools for the Diocese of Brooklyn, which includes all elementary Catholic academies and schools in Brooklyn and Queens.

 The Diocese of Brooklyn is grateful for the dedication of all its Catholic School teachers every day, but especially on National Teacher Appreciation Day. Being a Catholic school teacher is a vocation and not just a profession. In everyday life, our teachers have an essential role in a child’s Catholic education as they are our children’s trusted role models.

Bishop DiMarzio’s video message can be found on vimeo.com/414837749.

A tribute to teachers can be found on twitter.com/catholicschlsbq.

Teachers and students would be available for interviews.

 

Father Jorge Ortiz-Garay Begins Journey Home To His Final Resting Place in Mexico

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 4, 2020

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Adriana Rodriguez
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John Quaglione 
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UPDATE: The body of Fr Jorge Ortiz-Garay is now expected to arrive in Mexico on Wednesday due to issues with international travel as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

Father Jorge Ortiz-Garay Begins Journey Home To His Final Resting Place in Mexico

 

The casket carrying the body of Father Jorge Ortiz-Garay, believed to be the first Catholic priest to have died from complications of the coronavirus in the U.S., is on a Delta Airlines flight bound for Mexico. Earlier today, the hearse carrying Fr. Jorge’s body left the Scotto Funeral Home in Brooklyn for the trip to John F. Kennedy International Airport. His body will arrive in Mexico City Monday afternoon after a layover in Atlanta. (UPDATED)

Fr. Jorge, 49, was the pastor of St. Brigid’s Roman Catholic Church in the Bushwick section of Brooklyn, when he died on Friday, March 27, 2020. He had been serving in the Diocese since 2009, first at St. Joseph’s in Prospect Heights, then at St. Brigid’s. Fr. Jorge was ordained to the Priesthood at the Archdiocese of Newark as a member of the Neocatechumenal Way on May 29, 2004.

“Today is Good Shepherd Sunday, and we sent home a good shepherd to Mexico, a son of Our Lady of Guadalupe,” said Monsignor Kieran Harrington, Vicar for Communications of the Brooklyn Diocese. Msgr. Harrington gave Fr. Jorge a final blessing before the hearse was closed.

The Diocese of Brooklyn is grateful to United States Senator Charles Schumer and his staff, Governor Andrew Cuomo and his staff as well as members of Mayor Bill DeBlasio’s administration, the New York City Police Department, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and their Police Department, for their assistance in making it possible to get Father Jorge’s body back to his native Mexico. The arrangements were handled by Funeral Director John Heyer of Scotto Funeral Home and transportation logistics were arranged by Vincent LeVien, Director of External Affairs for DeSales Media Group and the Diocese of Brooklyn Emergency Task Force.

“We pray for the repose of his soul and for the consolation of his family, friends, and all those to whom he ministered to in the Diocese of Brooklyn. May he rest in the peace of Christ, the Risen Lord,” concluded Monsignor Harrington.

A Memorial Mass will be celebrated in honor of Father Jorge Ortiz-Garay in the Diocese of Brooklyn at a later date.

Photos attached; Courtesy: Rob Rich

 

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El padre Jorge Ortiz-Garay emprende viaje de regreso a casa para su eterno reposo

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 3, 2020

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Adriana Rodriguez
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arodriguez@desalesmedia.org

John Quaglione 
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El padre Jorge Ortiz-Garay emprende viaje de regreso a casa para su eterno reposo

 

El ataúd con los restos mortales del padre Jorge Ortiz-Garay, quien se cree que fue el primer sacerdote católico víctima del coronavirus en los Estados Unidos, está siendo trasladado en un vuelo de Delta Airlines con destino a México. La mañana del domingo, a primera hora, el coche fúnebre que transportara el cadáver del padre Jorge partió de la Funeraria Scotto, en Brooklyn, rumbo al aeropuerto internacional John F. Kennedy. Su cuerpo llegará a la Ciudad de México el lunes por la tarde, después de hacer una escala en Atlanta.

 

El padre Jorge, de 49 años, era el párroco de la Iglesia Santa Brígida, en el barrio de Bushwick, en Brooklyn, cuando murió el viernes 27 de marzo de 2020. Desde el año 2009 había estado sirviendo en la Diócesis, primero en la Concatedral de San José, en Prospect Heights, y luego en Santa Brígida. El padre Jorge fue ordenado sacerdote en la Arquidiócesis de Newark, como miembro del Camino Neocatecumenal el 29 de mayo de 2004.

 

“Hoy es domingo del Buen Pastor, y enviamos a su casa en México a un buen pastor, a un hijo de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe”, dijo Mons. Kieran Harrington, Vicario de Comunicaciones de la Diócesis de Brooklyn. Mons. Harrington le dio la bendición final al padre Jorge antes de que se cerrara el coche fúnebre.

 

La Diócesis de Brooklyn agradece al Senador de los Estados Unidos Charles Schumer y su equipo, al Gobernador Andrew Cuomo y su equipo, así como a los miembros de la administración del Alcalde Bill DeBlasio, el Departamento de Policía de la Ciudad de Nueva York, las Autoridades Portuarias de Nueva York y New Jersey, y sus Departamentos de Policía, por toda la ayuda para que sea posible trasladar el cuerpo del padre Jorge a su México natal. Los arreglos fueron gestionados por John Heyer, Director de la Funeraria Scotto, y la logística del transporte fue gestionada por Vincent LeVien, Director de relaciones exteriores de DeSales Media Group y del Grupo operativo de emergencia (Emergency Task Force) de la Diócesis de Brooklyn.

 

“Oramos por el descanso de su alma y por el consuelo de su familia, amigos y todos aquellos a quienes sirvió en la Diócesis de Brooklyn. Que descanse en la paz de Cristo, el Señor resucitado”, concluyó Monseñor Harrington.

 

Más adelante, en la Diócesis de Brooklyn se celebrará una misa conmemorativa en honor del padre Jorge Ortiz-Garay.

 

Fotos adjuntas: Cortesía de Rob Rich.

 

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To the Faithful of the Diocese in Brooklyn & Queens on the Feast of St. Joseph the Worker

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May 1, 2020
St. Joseph the Worker

To the Faithful of the Diocese in Brooklyn & Queens:

As you read this letter, we are in the midst of the Easter Season. We rejoice in the risen Jesus and in what that Resurrection means for us who are members of His Body. By His Cross and Resurrection, Christ has set us free.

Yet, as much as we believe and rejoice in that Paschal mystery, we are celebrating in a very difficult and challenging time. Our observance of Lent this year was marked by unexpected and unwelcome penances for which we did not ask. Easter is marred by the same. We always trust in Jesus and His promise to be with us always and His command to us not to fear.

The pandemic we are experiencing has done many things. It has, first of all, taken from us some of our loved ones. Many of us have experienced the suffering of so many sick people.

At the same time we have also seen the strength and resilience of many of our first responders, doctors, nurses and other medical personnel, and so many more who are considered to be essential workers. This has moved us to feel and express a gratitude which we perhaps should have expressed previously. So we mourn our beloved dead, we continue to pray for the sick among us and we thank those who help bravely.

Our spiritual lives have changed, too. We have experienced the closure of our churches. How painful this is to us, who feel that the Church is a “second home” in so many ways. We have been unable to receive the sacraments. I am thinking most especially of the Sacrament of Penance and Eucharist.

Please allow me to reflect on that for a moment. The sacraments are indeed the way that Jesus chose to remain in our lives and the way that we continue to experience His presence and work among us. Nothing can replace that for us. It is most especially true in the Eucharist where Jesus is truly and substantially present to us that we experience Him in a unique and irreplaceable way. However, this experience has also taught us that Jesus cannot be limited.

He cannot be contained. We can and do experience Him in many different ways. A sincere Act of Contrition and a Spiritual Communion, while not replacements for the sacraments, are ways to allow Jesus into our lives. We have even been unable to mourn our dead in the ways we are accustomed to doing. While this is heart breaking, we know that God’s mercy is overwhelming and we can pray for our loved ones at all times.

The closing of our churches has been unavoidable, as Brooklyn and Queens has had nearly 60% of all cases of Covid-19 in New York City. Though there are many who doubt and even publicly speak out against the decisions made to close churches and maintain social distancing, please know that decisions like these have not been taken lightly, especially in this Diocese where Brooklyn and Queens are literally at the epicenter of the crisis in New York City, which is the epicenter of the United States. We have had to resort to these desperate measures to prevent the further loss of life and spread of disease. Life is God’s great gift and we must protect it.

That is why our churches will remain closed until it is safe to reopen them, a decision that will be made by Diocese of Brooklyn with the assistance of Mr. Joseph Esposito (former Commissioner of the Office of Emergency Management for New York City) in conjunction with public health authorities. When our churches do reopen, unfortunately, we will not be able to resume church life as we enjoyed it before. There will be changes to keep everyone healthy and safe. We will respond as always, as faithful People of God, to the challenges placed before us. I ask that we all strive to understand, to adapt and to rise up to these challenges. I want to thank our priests and deacons who have learned new ways to minister to you: for streamed Masses and retreats, homilies and talks, and various other engaging events on line which all help us remain close as the parish families we are and keep our spirits lifted as joy- filled Christians.

We continue to pray for our beloved dead, may they rest in peace; and we pray for the sick that they will experience the presence of Christ the Healer; for our governmental leaders; for our dedicated first responders, doctors, nurses, medical personnel, funeral directors, and essential workers; for the clergy and religious of our Diocese and for us all. May the Lord, who is Mercy Itself, lead us out of this difficult time and into a time of good health and new life.

The month of May is dedicated in a particular way to our Blessed Mother. Our Holy Father, Pope Francis, has asked us to pray the Rosary most fervently this month for an end to this pandemic. We place our trust in the intercession of Mary and of her blessed spouse St. Joseph whose feast we celebrate today, May 1st. Mary, Mother of the Church, pray for us! St. Joseph, Patron of the Universal Church, pray for us!

With an assurance of my continued remembrance of you in prayer, I am Sincerely in Christ,

Most Reverend Nicholas DiMarzio, Ph.D., D.D.
Bishop of Brooklyn

 

1 de mayo de 2020
San José el Trabajador

A los fieles de la Diócesis en Brooklyn y Queens:

El leer esta carta, nosotros estamos en medio de la celebración de la Pascua. Nos regocijamos en Jesús resucitado y en lo que esa resurrección significa para nosotros quienes somos miembros de su cuerpo.

Por su cruz y resurrección, Cristo nos ha liberado. Sin embargo, por mucho que creamos y nos regocijemos en ese misterio pascual, estamos celebrando en un momento muy difícil y desafiante. Nuestra observación de la Cuaresma este año estuvo marcada por penitencias inesperadas y desagradables que no solicitamos. La Pascua se ve empañada de la misma forma. Siempre confiamos en Jesús y en su promesa de estar con nosotros siempre y en su mandato a nosotros de no temer.

La pandemia que estamos experimentando ha hecho muchas cosas. En primer lugar, nos ha quitado algunos de nuestros seres queridos. Muchos de nosotros hemos experimentado el sufrimiento de tantas personas enfermas. Al mismo tiempo, también hemos visto la fuerza y la resistencia de muchos de nuestros equipos de primeros auxilios, médicos, enfermeras y otro personal médico, y muchos más que consideramos trabajadores esenciales. Esto nos ha llevado a sentir y expresar una gratitud que quizás deberíamos haber expresado previamente. Lloramos a nuestros seres queridos, seguimos rezando por los enfermos entre nosotros y agradecemos a quienes nos ayudan con valentía.

Nuestras vidas espirituales también han cambiado. Hemos experimentado el cierre de nuestras iglesias. Qué doloroso es esto para nosotros, que sentimos que la Iglesia es un “segundo hogar” en muchos sentidos. No hemos podido recibir los sacramentos. Estoy pensando especialmente en el Sacramento de la Penitencia y la Eucaristía.

Permítame reflexionar sobre esto por un momento. Los sacramentos son, de hecho, la forma en la cual Jesús eligió permanecer en nuestras vidas y la forma como continuamos experimentando su presencia y su trabajo entre nosotros. Nada puede reemplazar eso para nosotros. Esto es especialmente cierto en la Eucaristía, donde Jesús está presente de manera real y sustancial para
nosotros, lo experimentamos de una manera única e insustituible. Sin embargo, esta experiencia también nos ha enseñado que Jesús no puede ser limitado. No puede ser contenido. Podemos y lo experimentamos de muchas maneras diferentes. Un acto de contrición sincero y una comunión espiritual, aunque no reemplazan a los Sacramentos, son formas de permitir que Jesús entre en nuestras vidas. Incluso no hemos podido llorar a nuestros difuntos de la forma en que estamos acostumbrados a hacerlo. Si bien esto es desgarrador, sabemos que la misericordia de Dios es contundente y podemos orar por nuestros seres queridos en todo momento.

El cierre de nuestras Iglesias ha sido inevitable, ya que Brooklyn y Queens han tenido cerca del 60% de todos los casos en la ciudad de Nueva York. Aunque hay muchos que dudan e incluso hablan públicamente en contra de las decisiones tomadas para cerrar Iglesias y mantener el distanciamiento social, sepan que decisiones como estas no se han tomado a la ligera, especialmente en esta Diócesis donde Brooklyn y Queens están literalmente en el epicentro de la crisis en la ciudad de Nueva York,
que es el epicentro de los Estados Unidos. Hemos tenido que recurrir a estas medidas desesperadas para evitar una mayor pérdida de vidas y la propagación de enfermedades. La vida es el gran regalo de Dios y debemos protegerla.

Esta es la razón por la cual nuestras iglesias permanecerán cerradas hasta que sea seguro reabrirlas, una decisión que será tomada por la Diócesis de Brooklyn, con la ayuda del señor Joseph Esposito (ex comisionado de la Oficina de Emergencias de la ciudad de Nueva York) y junto con las autoridades de salud pública. Cuando nuestras iglesias vuelvan a abrir, en el futuro cercano, desafortunadamente no podremos reanudar la vida de la Iglesia como la vivíamos antes. Habrá cambios para mantener a todos saludables y protegidos. Responderemos como siempre, como pueblo fiel de Dios, a los desafíos que se nos presenten. Pido que todos nos esforcemos por comprender, adaptarnos y hacer frente a estos desafíos. Quiero agradecer a nuestros sacerdotes y diáconos que han aprendido nuevas formas de servirle a ustedes: con Misas y retiros, homilías y charlas, y varios otros eventos interesantes transmitidos en las redes, que nos ayudan a permanecer unidos como familias parroquiales y mantener nuestros espíritus levantados como cristianos llenos de alegría.

Continuamos orando por nuestros seres queridos que han fallecido y le pedimos a Dios que descansen en su eterna gloria; por nuestra familia, amigos, sacerdotes, diáconos y religiosos y por los enfermos para que experimenten la presencia de Cristo el Sanador; por nuestros trabajadores esenciales y líderes gubernamentales; por nuestros líderes religiosos y por todos nosotros. Que el Señor, quien es la misericordia misma, nos guíe fuera de este momento difícil y hacia un tiempo de buena salud y vida
nueva.

El mes de mayo está dedicado de manera particular a nuestra Santísima Madre. Nuestro Santo Padre, el Papa Francisco, nos ha pedido rezar el Rosario más fervientemente este mes para poner fin a esta pandemia. Confiamos en la intercesión de María y de su bendito esposo San José, cuya fiesta celebramos hoy, 1 de mayo. María, Madre de la Iglesia, ruega por nosotros. San José, Patrono de la Iglesia Universal, ¡ruega por nosotros!

Con la promesa de mi continuo recuerdo de ustedes en oración,

Sinceramente en Cristo

Most Reverend Nicholas DiMarzio,
Obispo de Brooklyn

Statement by Superintendent of Brooklyn and Queens Catholic Schools Regarding Remainder of 2019-2020 School Year

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 1, 2020

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Adriana Rodriguez
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arodriguez@desalesmedia.org

John Quaglione 
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Statement by Superintendent of Brooklyn and Queens Catholic Schools Regarding Remainder of 2019-2020 School Year

 

Dr. Thomas Chadzutko, Superintendent of Schools for the Diocese of Brooklyn, which includes all elementary Catholic academies and schools in Brooklyn and Queens, has issued the following statement following Governor Cuomo’s school closure announcement:

“We just learned of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s decision that all elementary and secondary schools shall remain closed for the duration of the current 2019-2020 school year, as New York continues efforts to prevent the spread of Coronavirus. As such, the Catholic academies and parish schools within the Diocese of Brooklyn, which includes Queens, will remain closed through the end of June. The distance and digital learning platforms in place will serve as the instructional program for our schools for the remainder of this academic year.

I am very proud of our schools and academies, who were successfully able to transition to a distance and digital learning platform almost immediately upon our school buildings being shut down. This would not have been possible without the hard work of our teachers and the leadership of our dedicated principals, who rose to this enormous challenge. Our Catholic schools and academies have continued to provide each of our students with a faith-based academic program, ensuring that they are being challenged to learn every day. Our parents have also contributed immeasurably to the success of this new digital learning environment.

We will be working with our principals and teachers to ensure that our milestone celebrations (graduations, step-up ceremonies, and other achievements) will be honored and recognized. As we have done so far during this pandemic, we will continue to assemble and share resources for our families as we confront this challenging end to the school year.

The Coronavirus statistics indicate that both Brooklyn and Queens have been the hardest-hit areas in New York City and State. As a Catholic school community in the epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic, we continue to pray for everyone’s health and safety. Our faith, love, and hope remain central to all we do now and in the future.”

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Papa Francisco nombra al Padre Kevin Sweeney, Sacerdote de la Diócesis de Brooklyn, Obispo de Paterson, New Jersey

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PARA SU PUBLICACIÓN INMEDIATA: 15 de abril de 2020

 

CONTACTOS EN LOS MEDIOS:

 

Adriana Rodriguez

718-517-3143

arodriguez@desalesmedia.org

 

John Quaglione

718-517-3112

jquaglione@desalesmedia.org

 

Papa Francisco nombra al Padre Kevin Sweeney, Sacerdote de la Diócesis de Brooklyn,

Obispo de Paterson, New Jersey

 

Brooklyn, Nueva York (15 de abril de 2020) — El papa Francisco anunció hoy el nombramiento del padre Kevin Sweeney, párroco de la Iglesia Católica de St. Michael, en Sunset Park, como octavo obispo de la Diócesis Católica de Paterson, en Nueva Jersey. El nuevo obispo sucederá a Mons. Arthur Serratelli, cuya renuncia fue aceptada hoy por el Santo Padre. Se espera que el obispo electo Sweeney, de 50 años, comience su ministerio en la Diócesis de Paterson a finales del año en curso.

 

“Felicito al obispo elegido, el padre Kevin Sweeney, por el nombramiento del Santo Padre para servir a los católicos de la Diócesis de Paterson”, declaró Mons. Nicholas DiMarzio, obispo de Brooklyn. “No podría imaginar una mejor elección. El obispo elegido ha servido a la Diócesis de Brooklyn durante 22 años y es un excelente ejemplo de sacerdote. Sé que es un hombre de oración y un apasionado promotor de las vocaciones a la vida sacerdotal”.

 

El obispo recién nombrado, Sweeney, originario de Queens, New York, nació el 10 de enero de 1970, hijo de James Sweeney y Agnes (de soltera Blewitt) Sweeney. Tiene una hermana, Marie Shanahan, un cuñado Kevin, un hermano, Brendan, una cuñada Tara y cinco sobrinas y sobrinos. El nuevo obispo se formó en la parroquia de St. Luke, en Whitestone.

 

Entre 1984 y 1988, asistió a la escuela Cathedral Prep y fue jugador estrella en el equipo de béisbol del colegio seminario, sobresaliendo como jugador de cuadro, jardinero y lanzador. Aunque nunca logró materializar su sueño de jugar béisbol profesional, fue incluido en el Salón de la Fama de la escuela en 2013.

 

Después de graduarse de la escuela secundaria, el obispo Sweeney ingresó a la Casa de Formación del Seminario de la Catedral, en Douglaston, y estudió en la Universidad de St. John, donde obtuvo una Licenciatura en Filosofía en 1992. Luego entró al Seminario de la Inmaculada Concepción en Huntington y fue galardonado con una Maestría en Divinidad (Master of Divinity) en Teología. Mientras estudiaba en el Seminario en Huntington, el obispo Sweeney hizo un año pastoral en St. Agatha, en Brooklyn.

 

El 28 de junio de 1997, Mons. Thomas Daily lo ordenó sacerdote de la Diócesis de Brooklyn. Su primer destino fue como vicario parroquial de St. Nicholas of Tolentine en Jamaica, de 1997 a 2003, y luego en Our Lady of Sorrows, en Corona, de 2003 a 2004.

 

En 2004, Mons. DiMarzio lo nombró Director de Vocaciones de la Diócesis de Brooklyn, un puesto que ocupó hasta al año 2010. Durante este tiempo, también se desempeñó como primer Director de la Casa de Discernimiento (san) papa Juan Pablo II.

 

En enero de 2010, el obispo electo Sweeney fue nombrado para su asignación actual, como párroco de la iglesia de St. Michael, en Sunset Park, Brooklyn. El nuevo obispo habla español con fluidez, tras haber estudiado el idioma en programas intensivos en República Dominicana y Costa Rica.

 

“Este es un día memorable para la Diócesis de Brooklyn pues el Santo Padre ha elegido a uno de nuestros sacerdotes para ser obispo de una de las diócesis del área tri-estatal”, expresó Mons. DiMarzio.

 

El nuevo obispo Sweeney estará disponible para una conferencia de prensa remota, vía Zoom, a las 10:30 a.m. Solo se admitirán aquellos cuyo nombre esté claramente indicado en su identificación de Zoom y el medio de prensa al que están afiliados.

 

Fotos adjuntas.

Video de Mons. Serratelli y el obispo elegido Sweeney durante el anuncio del nombramiento: https://vimeo.com/407833935

 

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Foto formal con clériman: Cortesía de DeSales Media Group

Padre Kevin Sweeney durante una ordenación: Cortesía de The Tablet

Padre Kevin Sweeney con la chaqueta de los New York Yankees: Cortesía de The Tablet

 

CATHOLIC STUDENTS IN BROOKLYN AND QUEENS PAY SPECIAL TRIBUTE TO OUR BLESSED MOTHER, AS OUR NATION IS REDEDICATED TO HER

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 1, 2020

MEDIA CONTACTS:

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

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

CATHOLIC STUDENTS IN BROOKLYN AND QUEENS PAY SPECIAL TRIBUTE TO OUR BLESSED MOTHER, AS OUR NATION IS REDEDICATED TO HER

 

Archbishop José Gomez, president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and archbishop of Los Angeles, this afternoon led our Nation in the re-consecration of the United States to Mary, the Mother of the Church, on this first day of May, the month dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary.  The prayer service was broadcast live on the Diocese of Brooklyn’s cable channel NET-TV and was streamed live on the Diocese of Brooklyn Facebook page.

 

Prior to the broadcast, NET-TV aired a special 3-minute video showing Catholic school students from throughout Brooklyn and Queens paying tribute to the Blessed Mother. The video which begins with a student singing “Hail Mary – Gentle Woman,” features photos of students crowning statues of Mary at their homes, and continues with a compilation of students praying the Hail Mary. The video can be found here: https://vimeo.com/414045179

 

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops joined the bishops and faithful in Canada who today also consecrated their country to Mary. This moment of unified prayer served as a powerful reminder to pray the Rosary during this time at home, either in isolation or with our families. During this pandemic, we pray to Mary, the Mother of God, asking for peace and blessings upon those who are sick and those who have died, those who are risking their lives for others, and those working to find a cure for COVID-19.

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Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens Brings Food To Elmhurst Residents In Need

Posted on

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 1, 2020

MEDIA CONTACTS:

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

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

Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens Brings Food To Elmhurst Residents In Need

Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens assisted more than 1,382 residents and their families at an Emergency Pop-Up Food Distribution event held today at St. Bartholomew Catholic Church located in the Elmhurst section of Queens, a community severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Throughout the course of the four-hour event grab-and-go style event, 1,220 meal bags containing three meals each for a family of three, were given out for a total of 10,980 meals. An additional 162 families received bags of produce and $25 supermarket gift cards.

At the conclusion of today’s event, Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens has now surpassed 40,000 meals provided at emergency Pop-Up Food Distribution sites over the past three and a half weeks. These events are organized and funded by Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens as a direct response to neighbors in need in both boroughs. To help, donate to Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens at www.ccbq.org.

Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens is also offering access to supportive services via their call center, and assistance with behavioral health services via tele-health.

Photos attached.