Press Releases

Statement of Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio on the Passing of Cardinal Egan

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Cardinal_EganThe Diocese of Brooklyn joins all New Yorkers in extending our condolences to Cardinal Timothy Dolan and the Clergy, religious and lay faithful of the Archdiocese of New York on the passing of Edward Cardinal Egan, Archbishop Emeritus of New York. The Cardinal was a good friend of the Diocese of Brooklyn. The boroughs of Brooklyn and Queens are in the shadow of Manhattan. Yet, Cardinal Egan always was sensitive and respectful of the dignity of the Diocese and the Catholic Community here in the outer boroughs. He never failed to make the time to be present with us at pivotal moments in the life of the Diocese. Moreover, he both advocated for and celebrated the life of the church in Brooklyn and Queens.

He will be missed.

The Diocese of Brooklyn Launches Survey In Anticipation of Synod of the Family

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In preparation for the General Synod of Bishops on the Family, due to take place this year in Rome from October 4th through October 25th, the Diocese of Brooklyn launched a survey on marriage and family life, to reflect the views and concerns of the faithful of Brooklyn and Queens.

“This survey is our response to and support of Pope Francis’ desire for a welcoming Church. In order to better attend our spiritual needs and desires, the Church wants to listen to and understand its people, especially in one of the most important matters: the family,” said the Most Reverend Nicholas DiMarzio, Bishop of the Diocese of Brooklyn.

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Bishop DiMarzio To Celebrate Ash Wednesday

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On Wednesday, February 18th, the Most Reverend Nicholas DiMarzio, Bishop of the Diocese of Brooklyn, will celebrate Ash Wednesday Mass at noon at the Cathedral Basilica of St. James, 250 Cathedral Place, Downtown Brooklyn.

To mark the beginning of the Lenten Season, Bishop DiMarzio will bless and distribute ashes on the foreheads of congregants during the Mass. “The season of Lent is the time when we are asked to firm up our faith, when we are to give special attention to training our will so that we can love God all the more,” said Bishop DiMarzio.

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, a 40 day Christian observance in the liturgical year that ends with the celebration of the Sacred Triduum, the three holiest days of the year that lead to Easter Sunday: Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and the Easter Vigil.

As is customary, the ashes to be used on Ash Wednesday will come from the burning of the blessed branches used on Palm Sunday of the previous year. Palm Sunday, also known as Passion Sunday, is the Sunday before Easter that commemorates Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. It also marks the beginning of Holy Week. This year, Easter Sunday will be celebrated on April 5.

Brooklyn Catholics to be Featured in Local PBS Series About Italian American Heritage

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As part of the National Public Broadcast Service (PBS) Series “The Italian Americans,” Channel THIRTEEN, WLIW21 and NJTV will present “Italian Americans of New York and New Jersey,” a documentary that spotlights the lives, achievements and rich culture of Italian Americans in the Metro Area.

The two-part series focuses on the largest Italian American population in the Nation, featuring interviews with historians and prominent local Italian Americans, including New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, the late former Governor of New York Mario Cuomo, singer Tony Bennett, actress Susan Lucci, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, and many others.

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Diocese of Brooklyn To Support Annual March For Life

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On Thursday, January 22nd, the Diocese of Brooklyn will join the 42nd Annual March for Life Rally in Washington, D.C.

DeSales Media Group, the communications arm of the diocese, is sponsoring 11 buses that will travel from different points of Brooklyn and Queens to the National Mall in Washington, D.C., where the rally will start at noon. At their full capacities, these buses will bring some 550 parishioners, students, youth ministry groups, and clergy to march at the pro-life demonstration.

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NET TV’s Mission of Love

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Today, New Evangelization Television (NET TV) announced it’s new upcoming original program Mission of Love, based on the catechesis for the 2015 World Meeting of Families.

Premiering Sunday, January 18 at 7:30 p.m., Mission of Love takes an authentic look into the lives of couples and families: their ups and downs, struggles and joys, laughter and tears. The series explores the mystery of marriage and family life with humor, insight and profundity.

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Most Precious Blood in Astoria to Close School

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Faced with declining enrollment and costly structural repairs, Most Precious Blood School will close at the end of the 2014-15 academic year.

“Most Precious Blood School has been the heart of the parish since 1957,” said Father William Krlis, pastor. “The simple fact is, the building is in need of costly structural repair. Enrollment has dropped precipitously over the past five years. From Kindergarten through Eighth Grade, enrollment is 191 students, which has dropped 20 students since last year alone.”

Currently, structural repairs are needed in Most Precious Blood School, and also in Most Precious Blood Church. Repairs are estimated at $5.5 million, inclusive of both the school and the church buildings. “We do not have the funds to complete this work,” said Father Krlis.

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Statement on Fire At Our Lady Of Sorrows

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Tragedy struck the heart of the Diocese of Brooklyn this past weekend as Our Lady of Sorrows Church in Corona suffered a devastating fire. The Diocese of Brooklyn is fully committed to helping this church rebuild so that it may continue serving its faithful community as it has been doing since 1872. All of our shrines, churches, and cathedrals are sacred and special in their own individual ways. What makes Our Lady of Sorrows stand out is that it is a parish of immigrants in the Diocese of Immigrants, with 12,000-13,000 overall parishioners in attendance each weekend.

This vibrant parish has played host to several immigration-related events these past two years, including: a September 2013 Mass with Most Reverend Nicholas DiMarzio, Bishop of Brooklyn; a March 2014 press conference for Catholic Migration Services with U.S. Senator Charles Schumer, Congresswoman Grace Meng, Assemblyman Francisco P. Moya, Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito, Councilwoman Julissa Ferreras, and Councilman Carlos Menchaca; and a November 2014 bills signing with Mayor Bill de Blasio of Intro. 486-A and Intro. 487-A, to protect undocumented immigrants.

As we celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany, let us pray for our fellow parishioners in Corona during this time of rebuilding.

Statement of Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio On the Murder of Two NYPD Officers

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The Catholic Community in Brooklyn and Queens joins me in praying for the repose of souls of Police Officer Wenjian Liu and Police Officer Rafael Ramos. We offer our sincere condolences to the families of our fallen Police Officers and pray earnestly for their consolation. Each day, 35,000 of our fellow citizens put on blue uniforms and patrol the streets of our city to keep us safe. Each deserves our prayers and gratitude. These finest of men and women will undoubtedly continue to patrol and keep us safe by the strength of their service.

As we face monstrous evil, it sometimes seems as though the light has been extinguished for our world. As people of faith, we believe that it is precisely into this unexplainable situation that God comes to make His home. Emmanuel, “God is with us,” and so we are convinced that a “light shines in the darkness and the darkness shall not overcome it.” Saint Michael the Archangel, patron of our Police Officers, pray for us.

NET TV Announces Special Christmas Programming

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Today, New Evangelization Television (NET TV), announced its special programming for the Christmas Season.

On Saturday, December 20th, A Christmas Variety Special will bring all the fun and entertainment of the season in one hour of holiday cheer. Premiering at 8 p.m, with encores throughout the week, the program will be hosted by actor Anthony Mangano, from the award winning series City of Churches, and co-hosted by comedian Joe Manno, from CBS-TV’s Emmy Award winning Afternoon Special: All In One. A Christmas Variety Special is a family oriented program that features a unique concept in holiday entertainment that is rarely seen on television anymore. Not only does it include popular holiday tunes and humorous comedy sketches, but also traditional religious themes and carols. Guest stars include Lenny Venito from ABC-TV’s hit show The Neighbors, Lou Martini Jr. from HBO’s Boardwalk Empire, Jimmy Palumbo from HBO’s The Sopranos, Joe D’Onofrio from the TBS sitcom Are We There Yet?, Mario Bosco from ABC-TV’s Jimmy Kimmel Live, plus a special appearance by Santa Claus.

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