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Bishop Robert J. Brennan, Bishop of Brooklyn, celebrated Mass and distributed ashes today at the Noon Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of St. James in Downtown Brooklyn.
“During the season of Lent, we focus in on spending this extra time with God, whether it be through your own Lenten practices or with this pilgrimage of faith, to allow God to speak to us. ‘Repent and Believe in the Good News,’ are words we hear as we receive our ashes. Believe that you are loved by God, believe that God wants your heart, and believe that the Lord is reaching out to you,” said Bishop Robert Brennan during his homily.
Today also marked the start of the 2024 Diocesan Lenten Pilgrimage in Brooklyn and Queens, where the faithful will have the opportunity to visit different churches over the next 40 days. Individual parishes will offer opportunities for Mass, prayer, and reflection during these visits. The complete schedule can be found online at lent.diobrook.org.
Ash Wednesday begins the Christian observance of the season of Lent. As is customary, the ashes used on Ash Wednesday are made by burning the blessed palms distributed the prior year on Palm Sunday. Lent ends with the celebration of the Sacred Triduum, the three holiest days of the year: Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and the Easter Vigil. Easter Sunday will be celebrated this year on March 31.
Bishop Robert Brennan distributing ashes today at the Cathedral Basilica of St. James in Downtown Brooklyn.Bishop Robert Brennan on Ash Wednesday, 2024, distributing ashes today at the Cathedral Basilica of St. James in Downtown Brooklyn.
Vimeo and photos are courtesy of John Quaglione/DeSales Media.
Bishop Robert J. Brennan, Bishop of Brooklyn, led a special Mass in honor of the start of Catholic Schools Week this morning at St. Brigid Roman Catholic Church, located in the Bushwick section of Brooklyn.
Bishop Brennan joined students, faculty, and families of St. Brigid-St. Francis Cabrini Catholic Academy at the Mass. Following the Mass, Bishop Brennan visited the academy for the ribbon cutting ceremony and blessed the recently renovated Kindergarten classroom. The school is working to renovate all the classrooms by September.
In his Homily, Bishop Brennan stated, “Our schools teach everything that you can learn in any other school, math, social studies, and language arts. But we also learn the truth of who we are, and the truth of who God is. We learn what it means to be a child of God who loves us very, very much. We learn to see how God blesses us in our lives to discover our talents and abilities, to share with one another.”
Since 1974, National Catholic Schools Week begins annually on the last Sunday of January and is a week dedicated to celebrating Catholic education. The theme this year for National Catholic Schools Week is “Catholic Schools: United in Faith and Community.”
This year marks the 50th Anniversary of National Catholic Schools Week. This week, Bishop Brennan is scheduled to visit schools throughout Brooklyn and Queens for a chance to meet students and faculty and catch a glimpse of the incredible education being offered in the Diocese each and every day.
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Bishop Brennan gives a Homily at the opening Mass for Catholic Schools Week at St. Brigid’s.Students from St. Brigid-St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Academy attended Mass as a school community to kick-off Catholic Schools Week.After Mass, Bishop Brennan greeted and blessed many who attended the special Mass dedicated to Catholic Schools Week.Bishop Robert Brennan visited and blessed the newly renovated Kindergarten classroom at St. Brigid-St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Academy.
BISHOP BRENNAN LEADS FUNERAL MASS FOR MONSIGNOR JOHN E. DELENDICK,
BELOVED PRIEST, FDNY CHAPLAIN
Bishop Robert Brennan, Bishop of Brooklyn, served as the main celebrant at the funeral Mass of Reverend Monsignor John E. Delendick, a retired priest of the Diocese of Brooklyn, today at the Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph, located at 856 Pacific Street in the Prospect Heights section of Brooklyn.
The funeral Mass was attended by hundreds of firefighters from the Fire Department of New York and other jurisdictions, dozens of priests, Brooklyn Bishop Emeritus Nicholas DiMarzio, and Archbishop Charles Balvo, the Apostolic Nuncio (Pope’s representative) to Australia and classmate of Monsignor Delendick.
FDNY Commissioner Laura Kavanaugh was among those who offered remarks about Monsignor Delendick’s service to the Department. FDNY Chief of Department John Hodgens, former Commissioners Daniel Nigro and Salvatore Cassano, were also in attendance. Monsignor Richard Ahlemeyer, Pastor of St. Camilius – St. Virgilius in the Rockaway Park section of Queens offered a moving tribute in his Homily.
74-year-old Monsignor John E. Delendick passed away on Thursday, November 23, 2023, after a long battle with 9/11 related cancer, due to his time at Ground Zero responding as a New York City Fire Department Chaplain in the wake of the terrorist attacks. Monsignor Delendick served as a Chaplain for the FDNY since 1996.
“Monsignor John Delendick led an incredible life of service to God and His people. Throughout his 40 years as a parish priest and administrator in the Diocese of Brooklyn, Monsignor Delendick brought the faith of God to the hearts and minds of countless individuals. He truly was a disciple of the Lord, caring, loving, and praying for the people he encountered in the best and worst of times. May he now receive his eternal reward for his goodness,” said Bishop Robert Brennan, Bishop of Brooklyn.
Born on September 4, 1949, Monsignor Delendick was ordained to the Priesthood on February 12, 1977. In his more than 40 years as a priest, he served the Diocese of Brooklyn as Pastor of the Shrine of Saint Jude (Brooklyn), and the Parishes of Saint Agnes and Sacred Heart Chapel (Brooklyn), and Saint Michael (Brooklyn).
Monsignor Delendick also served as Administrator of the Parishes of Saint Ann and Saint George (Brooklyn); and as Parochial Vicar of the Parishes of Good Shepherd (Brooklyn) and Saint Catherine of Genoa (Brooklyn). Monsignor Delendick was also a Diocesan Real Estate Board Member, Professor at the Cathedral Preparatory School and Seminary and was a member of the Priests’ Purgatorial Society.
On February 8, 2003, Monsignor Delendick was named Chaplain of His Holiness.
BISHOP BRENNAN MARKS ALL SOULS’ DAY AT HOLY CROSS CEMETERY, BLESSES MEMORIAL HONORING VETERANS
Bishop Robert Brennan of the Diocese of Brooklyn celebrated All Souls’ Day Mass this morning in The Chapel of the Resurrection at Holy Cross Cemetery, located at 3620 Tilden Avenue in the East Flatbush section of Brooklyn.
Immediately following the Mass, Bishop Brennan blessed a new memorial near the entrance of the cemetery which honors all Medal of Honor recipients buried on the sacred grounds. The memorial stone lists 18 Veterans who served in the U.S. military from the Civil War through the Spanish-American War.
The photos and video are courtesy of DeSales Media.
Bishop Robert Brennan offered Mass on All Souls’ Day at Holy Cross Cemetery.Bishop Brennan blessed a new monument at Holy Cross Cemetery on All Souls’ Day, honoring 18 Veterans buried on these sacred grounds who were awarded the Medal of Honor from the Civil War to the Spanish-American War.Bishop Brennan pictured with Michael Cusack of Bay Ridge who researched the Medal of Honor recipients, and Monsignor Michael Reid, the Chief Operating Officer of Catholic Cemeteries for the Diocese of Brooklyn.
NEARLY 110-YEAR-OLD STATUE OF THE BLESSED MOTHER DAMAGED BY VANDAL AT QUEENS CATHOLIC CHURCH
The Diocese of Brooklyn is announcing an attack on a statue of the Blessed Mother at St. Andrew Avellino parish located at 35-60 158th Street in the Flushing section of Queens, citing the parish’s determination to repair and return the statue of Mary to the Rosary Garden.
At some point late Monday night into Tuesday morning, the right hand of the statue of Mary was broken off the statue, and an attempt to remove the left hand was also made. The statue is nearly 110-years-old and has been part of the parish since 1914.
“The people of the parish of St. Andrew Avellino are saddened that events such as this are happening within our community and our city. We pray the individual who attacked our beloved statue of Mary in the Rosary Garden has a conversion of heart. The parish will get through this experience, and we are determined to put the Blessed Mother back in her rightful place,” said Father Gregory McIlhenney, the parish pastor.
The parish hosts a Rosary Rally on the first Saturday of every month at the Rosary Garden in front of the Blessed Mother statue. The Rosary Rally will go on as planned this Saturday, November 4, 2023, at 9 AM. All are invited to join in prayer.
The New York City Police Department’s 109th Precinct is investigating the incident. No parish video surveillance is available as the cameras were damaged in the recent storm. Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477).
Photos of the vandalized statue of the Blessed Mother at St. Andrew Avellino are attached, courtesy of St. Andrew Avellino Roman Catholic Church.
Bishop Robert Brennan of the Diocese of Brooklyn celebrated a special Mass this morning marking the 125th Anniversary of St. Francis of Assisi-St. Blaise Catholic Church, located in the Prospect-Lefferts Gardens section of Brooklyn.
“We celebrate in this anniversary, these 125 years, the goodness, the greatness of God, who has shown Himself amazingly in this part of Brooklyn. We come here just like the generations before us praying for peace, praying for justice, and praying for respect for the dignity of every single person create in God’s own image,” said Bishop Robert Brennan.
“We are living one of those milestones in the history of St. Francis of Assisi–St. Blaise Parish. We will go into the future together, meeting the new challenges, giving to God everything we have and everything we are, and discovering that He has given to us,” continued Bishop Brennan.
In his Homily, Bishop Brennan also reflected on the parish’s special relationship with the former pastor, Monsignor Paul Jervis, who passed away on September 5, 2023. Monsignor Jervis was the Diocesan Postulator of the Cause of the Beatification and Canonization of the Servant of God, Monsignor Bernard John Quinn.
Monsignor Quinn, a Brooklyn priest, established the first Black Catholic Church in Brooklyn consecrated to St. Peter Claver and fought against the evils of racial discrimination. He worked tirelessly to defend the rights and equality of all.
The first parish Mass was celebrated on January 16, 1898, in a house on Maple Street. The current Church building was dedicated on April 25, 1915. The parish of St. Blaise merged with St. Francis of Assisi in the spring of 1980.
St. Francis of Assisi – St. Blaise 125th Anniversary Mass.Bishop Brennan during the consecration of the Eucharist during the 125th Anniversary Mass of St. Francis of Assisi – St. Blaise.Bishop Brennan greeting parishioners following the 125th Anniversary Mass at St. Francis of Assisi – St. Blaise in Brooklyn.
BISHOP BRENNAN CELEBRATES MASS MARKING THE 120TH ANNIVERSARY OF OUR LADY OF CHARITY IN BROOKLYN
Bishop Robert Brennan of the Diocese of Brooklyn celebrated a special Mass marking the 120th Anniversary of Our Lady of Charity Roman Catholic Church, located in the Bedford-Stuyvesant section of Brooklyn, this morning, Sunday, October 8, 2023, at 10:00 a.m.
“We look today to our parish anniversary, to our celebration right here. We look at the growth and development of this community of faith, this people of faith. We remember the roots as an Italian parish, founded by an oppressed people which has grown and now represents this beautiful area of Brooklyn. The vineyard of the Lord is right here in Bedford-Stuyvesant comprised of the beautiful people in this community,” said Bishop Robert Brennan.
“This is the place where we can lay our fears at the foot of the Cross. Think about these 120 years of Our Lady of Charity, think of the different generations that have come here, through two world wars to pray for loved ones serving abroad. Through all kinds of racial strife and struggle, and the fight for Civil Rights, people came to this neighborhood church to turn to God for hope beyond all hope,” continued Bishop Brennan.
Our Lady of Charity first celebrated Mass in 1903 to accommodate the influx of Italian immigrants who settled in the community. Mass was originally celebrated in a converted animal stable. The parish was officially designated in 1908, and the present Church opened in 1914.
The NYPD’s 77th Precinct was outside after Mass as part of “National Faith & Blue Weekend” which strives to build safer communities by developing relationships between law enforcement officers and local residents by means of faith-based organizations.
Bishop Robert Brennan celebrated Mass tonight, Monday, September 11, 2023, with the Blessed Trinity Parish community at the 9/11 Memorial located at Rockaway Point Boulevard and Beach 218th Street in the Breezy Point section of Queens.
The Mass was dedicated to those killed in the September 11th terrorist attacks, the first responders, and those who have died from related diseases since.
“Tonight, I celebrated Mass with the parish of Blessed Trinity in Breezy Point. We prayed for the innocent people killed by hatred, and our first responders who knew they had to respond, a choice that would impact themselves and their families. In their honor, let us pledge to build up one another with love, never forgetting the sacrifices our first responders make every day, and those sick with Ground Zero related illness,” said Bishop Robert Brennan.
“Trusting in God, let us pray for the souls of the faithfully departed, whose shoulders we stand on, and the heroes living amongst us today,” continued Bishop Brennan.
The memorial is comprised of 29 glass etchings of each of the community members lost on September 11, 2001, and a cross-shaped piece of steel from the World Trade Center. Following the Mass, the names of the Breezy Point residents who died on 9/11/2001 were read aloud. Roses were placed at the memorial in remembrance of each victim, and a bell was rung after each name was read aloud.
The Breezy Point Catholic Club Pipes and Drums performed God Bless America to conclude the Mass and ceremony.
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The entranceway to the September 11th Memorial in Breezy Point.600 people attended the 9/11 Memorial Mass to commemorate the 22nd Anniversary of the attacks.Bishop Robert Brennan led the Mass, joined by Father Michael Gelfant, the Pastor of Blessed Trinity Parish.The names of those lost on September 11, 2001, from the Breezy Point community were read aloud.Roses were placed at the 9/11 Memorial in honor of each neighbor who lost their lives on 9/11/01.Breezy Point Catholic Club Pipes and Drums performed God Bless America at the end of the Mass.
The Diocese of Brooklyn has announced the passing of Monsignor Paul W. Jervis, who served as a priest for more than 40 years in parishes throughout Brooklyn and Queens.
Born in Guyana on December 1, 1953, Monsignor Paul Jervis immigrated to the United States at the age of 19. He was ordained to the Priesthood on May 21, 1983. On September 4, 2009, Pope Benedict XVI bestowed the title of Prelate of Honor to His Holiness upon Monsignor Jervis. He died Tuesday, September 5, 2023, at the age of 69.
For nearly 10 years, Monsignor Paul Jervis served as the postulator in the Cause for the Beatification and Canonization of the Servant of God Bernard Quinn. Through research and interviews, a case for the canonization of Monsignor Quinn was presented to the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints in 2019. The documents remain under review at the Vatican office.
“Monsignor Paul Jervis saw the dignity of every human being and worked tirelessly to open the eyes of all people to love one another. Much like Monsignor Bernard Quinn, Monsignor Jervis devoted his life to fostering peace in the face of hatred. He made a lasting impression on those he met, especially within our African American and Guyanese Catholic communities, and with his brother priests as well. His work will continue in the lives of those he inspired,” said Bishop Robert Brennan.
In 2005, Monsignor Jervis authored a book titled, Quintessential Priest: The Life of Monsignor Bernard J. Quinn. The book profiled the life of Monsignor Bernard Quinn who established the first church for Black Catholics in the Diocese of Brooklyn. Monsignor Quinn served as Pastor of the parish of St. Peter Claver, the patron saint of slaves, African missions, and interracial justice.
“Monsignor Paul Jervis was a vibrant pioneer for the Black Catholic community here in Brooklyn and Queens. His leadership inspired not only Black and Caribbean Catholics to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ, but also to share their culture with the entire Church of Brooklyn and Queens. Throughout his 40 years of priesthood, Monsignor Jervis made known his love for the Lord and His Church to the souls entrusted to his care,” said Father Alonzo Cox, Pastor of St. Peter Claver Church, and Director of the Brooklyn Vicariate Office of Black Catholic Concerns.
Monsignor Jervis served the Diocese of Brooklyn as Pastor of the Parishes of Saint Francis Assisi –Saint Blaise (Brooklyn), Saint Martin de Porres (Holy Rosary, Our Lady of Victory, and Saint Peter Claver in Brooklyn), and Saint Paul the Apostle (Corona). He also served as Administrator of the Parishes Saint Catherine of Genoa (Brooklyn), Holy Rosary (Brooklyn), Our Lady of Victory (Brooklyn), and Saint Peter Claver (Brooklyn); and as Parochial Vicar of the Parishes of Saint Clare (Rosedale), Saint Fortunata (Brooklyn), and Saint Peter Claver (Brooklyn).
Bishop Robert Brennan will preside at the funeral Mass for Monsignor Jervis on Tuesday, September 12, 2023, at 11 a.m. at St. Francis of Assisi-St. Blaise Church, located at 319 Maple Street in the Prospect-Lefferts Gardens section of Brooklyn.
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Msgr. Paul W. Jervis, a priest of the Diocese of Brooklyn, was born in Guyana and ordained to the priesthood on May 21, 1983. He died Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2023, at age 69.
BICENTENNIAL CELEBRATION OF ST. JAMES, THE FIRST CATHOLIC PARISH ON ALL OF LONG ISLAND, CONCLUDES WITH SPECIAL MASS
Bishop Robert Brennan, Bishop of Brooklyn, today joined with Father Bryan Patterson, Rector of the Cathedral Basilica of St. James, for a special Mass to conclude the Jubilee Year, the 200th Anniversary of the parish of St. James which was officially dedicated on August 28, 1823.
Prior to this church’s establishment, residents of the Village of Brooklyn had to take a ferry across the East River to attend Mass in Lower Manhattan. The faithful would go on to petition the Archbishop of New York to have a church opened in Brooklyn.
“They may have thought 200 years ago this day, wow we got the Church all built, but that was just the beginning. Here we are, along the way, continuing to build it up. The real building that took place 200 years ago continues today; it is joining the people of God in praise and worship, together with their priests and religious, together with their local bishop and together with the Universal Church and with our Holy Father,” said Bishop Brennan in his Homily this afternoon.
“Thanks to all those whose shoulders we stand, and now to you, I say thank you. Thank you for the way you come together to form the living body of Christ here in Brooklyn, and through your works of charity, your mutual love of each other, and your love of God. You proclaim with Peter and the whole Church, you are the Christ, you are the Son of the living God,” said Bishop Brennan prior to the final blessing.
The parish of St. James was founded in 1822, designated a cathedral in 1853, and was elevated to a minor Papal Basilica in 1982. The Cathedral Basilica of St. James is located at 250 Cathedral Place in Downtown Brooklyn.
The photos attached are from today’s Mass which took place at the St. James at Noon.
Bishop Brennan gives his Homily at the Mass concluding the celebration of the 200th Anniversary of the Cathedral Basilica of St. James.Procession at the conclusion of the 200th Anniversary Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of St. James.Father Paterson, Bishop Brennan, and Father Joshy Vazhappilly, Carmelites of Mary Immaculate, a visiting priest.
