Press Releases

MEDIA ADVISORY: EAST NEW YORK CATHOLIC COMMUNITY TO CELEBRATE BLACK HISTORY MONTH

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 24, 2022

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Adriana Rodriguez
646-241-9805
arodriguez@desalesmedia.org

John Quaglione 
718-576-9180
jquaglione@desalesmedia.org

***MEDIA ADVISORY***
CATHOLIC CHURCH AND ACADEMY TO CELEBRATE
BLACK HISTORY MONTH SUNDAY

            The parish of St. Michael-St. Malachy located in the East New York section of Brooklyn, with Salve Regina Catholic Academy, will host a special Mass and celebration to mark the conclusion of Black History Month this Sunday, February 27, 2022, beginning at 9 a.m.

            The entrance procession of the Mass will feature the image of Blessed Pierre Toussaint, which will be displayed in the front of the Church, along with the images of three saints;  Sister Thea Bowman, St. Josephine Bakhita, and Charles Lwanga.  Every Sunday during Black History Month, the parish highlighted a different extraordinary Black Catholic. The images will be later permanently installed in the Church.

            Following the Mass, beginning at 10:15 a.m., students from the parish will join Salve Regina Catholic Academy students in the school gym for a special presentation of dance, poetry, art, fashion and music.  The celebration will also include cultural food from Nigeria, Haiti, Jamaica, and other countries.

            St. Michael-St. Malachy is located at 225 Jerome Street in Brooklyn. Salve Regina Catholic Academy is located at 237 Jerome Street in Brooklyn.

            Father Brendan Buckley is the Pastor of St. Michael-St. Malachy. Michelle Donato is the Principal of Salve Regina Catholic Academy. Brandon Morel, the parish Youth Minister, is the coordinator of Sunday’s event.  The event flyer is attached.

            Members of the media are invited to attend and should respond to this email to confirm their attendance.

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Brooklyn Bishop Robert Brennan Prays for Peace in Ukraine

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 24, 2022

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Adriana Rodriguez
646-241-9805
arodriguez@desalesmedia.org

John Quaglione 
718-576-9180
jquaglione@desalesmedia.org

Brooklyn Bishop Robert Brennan Prays for Peace in Ukraine

Bishop Robert Brennan prayed for Peace in Ukraine at this morning’s 8am Mass at the Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph in Prospect Heights, Brooklyn:

“We join with our Holy Father, we join with people all around the world, as much of us woke to the shocking news, not necessarily surprising, but the shocking news of the invasion of Ukraine. We pray indeed for the people of Ukraine; we pray for people from our own Diocese here in Brooklyn from the Ukrainian community. We join with them in prayers for the nation of Ukraine, but we also pray for the larger Peace of the world. We turn to the Lord in our moment of need. We ask the Lord to watch over and protect those who are in harm’s way, and also, we pray that it does not escalate.

Our Holy Father, Pope Francis, has asked that we turn our attention on Ash Wednesday, March 2, 2022, a day of prayer and fasting, that we make it a day of prayer and fasting particularly for those in Ukraine and for Peace in our world. Certainly, we join him in that effort, but even now, we just intensify our prayers because quite honestly, that’s who we are; we turn to the Lord, and we show that dependence as a light in the world, as a salt of the earth.”

You can watch to this morning’s Mass courtesy of NET TV: https://youtu.be/n7Nwos2AFL4

Bishop Brennan’s first statement is at 9:14; the second statement is at 30:45.

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VIDEO UPDATE: CELEBRATING BLACK HISTORY MONTH WITH A HISTORY MAKER: WILTON CARDINAL GREGORY, THE FIRST BLACK CARDINAL IN AMERICA

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 20, 2022

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Adriana Rodriguez
646-241-9805
arodriguez@desalesmedia.org

John Quaglione 
718-576-9180
jquaglione@desalesmedia.org

BLACK HISTORY MONTH CELEBRATION AND MASS FEATURED
WILTON CARDINAL GREGORY, THE FIRST BLACK CARDINAL IN AMERICA

The Most Reverend Robert J. Brennan, Bishop of Brooklyn and the Most Reverend John O. Barres, Bishop of Rockville Centre, welcomed His Eminence, Wilton Cardinal Gregory, Archbishop of Washington, D.C., to a Black History Month Celebration and Mass of Thanksgiving earlier today, at the Immaculate Conception Monastery Church located at 86-45 Edgerton Boulevard in the Jamaica Estates section of Queens.

Wilton Cardinal Gregory is the first African-American bishop to be elevated to the College of Cardinals within the Catholic Church. Cardinal Gregory was the principal celebrant and homilist at the Mass. Bishop Brennan, Bishop Barres and Auxiliary Bishops and priests of both the Dioceses of Brooklyn and Rockville Centre, concelebrated the Mass.

“Black History Month is an opportunity for our entire country to recognize the blessings that People of Color have offered and continue to impart to these United States. We are a gift to this country,” Cardinal Gregory preached during his homily.

“Today we celebrate in prayer the contributions of Black People to our homeland. However, this is also a moment for all Americans from every culture and race to appreciate the gifts that Black People have offered to our nation.” Cardinal Gregory continued, “It is also a time for nation-building and for strengthening the bonds that tie us together as one people. Americans everywhere should rejoice this African-American Heritage Month in a legacy of unity that promises a better tomorrow for everyone who claims this land as their home. It is an occasion for us not only to thank God for the gifts of people of color but to thank God for the possibility that we have become one people, Amen.”

Black History Month cultural festivities, sponsored by The Brooklyn Vicariate for Black Catholic Concerns and The Office of Multicultural Diversity for the Diocese of Rockville Centre, took place before the Mass of Thanksgiving.

Wilton Cardinal Gregory was appointed by Pope Francis as the seventh Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Washington on April 4, 2019, and was installed on May 21, 2019. Cardinal Gregory is the Chancellor of The Catholic University of America, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees for The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, and previously has served as the Chairman of the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops.

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VIDEO – Courtesy DeSales Media

https://vimeo.com/679840549

***MEDIA ADVISORY***CELEBRATING BLACK HISTORY MONTH WITH A HISTORY MAKER: WILTON CARDINAL GREGORY, THE FIRST BLACK CARDINAL IN AMERICA

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 17, 2022

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Adriana Rodriguez
646-241-9805
arodriguez@desalesmedia.org

John Quaglione 
718-576-9180
jquaglione@desalesmedia.org

***MEDIA ADVISORY***

BLACK HISTORY MONTH CELEBRATION AND MASS TO FEATURE
WILTON CARDINAL GREGORY, THE FIRST BLACK CARDINAL IN AMERICA

The Most Reverend Robert J. Brennan, Bishop of Brooklyn and the Most Reverend John O. Barres, Bishop of Rockville Centre, will welcome His Eminence Wilton Cardinal Gregory, Archbishop of Washington, D.C., to a Black History Month Celebration and Mass of Thanksgiving on Sunday, February 20, 2022 beginning at 4:00 p.m. at The Immaculate Conception Monastery Church, located at 86-45 Edgerton Boulevard in the Jamaica Estates section of Queens.

Black History Month cultural festivities, sponsored by The Brooklyn Vicariate for Black Catholic Concerns and The Office of Multicultural Diversity for the Diocese of Rockville Centre, will begin at 4:00 p.m. The Mass of Thanksgiving will begin at 4:30 p.m.

Wilton Cardinal Gregory is the first African-American bishop to be elevated to the College of Cardinals within the Catholic Church. Cardinal Gregory will be the principal celebrant and homilist at the Mass. Bishop Brennan, Bishop Barres and Auxiliary Bishops and priests of both the Dioceses of Brooklyn and Rockville Centre, will concelebrate the Mass.

Wilton Cardinal Gregory was appointed by Pope Francis as the seventh Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Washington on April 4, 2019 and was installed on May 21, 2019. Cardinal Gregory is the Chancellor of The Catholic University of America, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees for The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, and previously has served as the Chairman of the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops.

He was ordained a priest of the Archdiocese of Chicago on May 9, 1973 and was ordained an Auxiliary Bishop of Chicago in 1983. On February 10, 1994, he was installed as the seventh bishop of the Diocese of Belleville, Illinois, and on January 17, 2005, he was installed as the sixth archbishop of the Archdiocese of Atlanta.

Members of the media are invited to attend and are asked to reply to this e-mail to confirm their attendance.  The Mass will be live-streamed via the Brooklyn Diocesan cable network NET-TV and online at netny.tv

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DIOCESE OF BROOKLYN’S MONSIGNOR JAMIE GIGANTIELLO NAMED CHAPLAIN OF THE NEW YORK CITY FIRE DEPARTMENT

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 16, 2022

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Adriana Rodriguez
646-241-9805
arodriguez@desalesmedia.org

John Quaglione 
718-576-9180
jquaglione@desalesmedia.org

DIOCESE OF BROOKLYN’S MONSIGNOR JAMIE GIGANTIELLO NAMED
CHAPLAIN OF THE NEW YORK CITY FIRE DEPARTMENT

The Diocese of Brooklyn is proud to announce Monsignor Jamie Gigantiello, Pastor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel – Annunciation Parish in Williamsburg, has been named a Chaplain for the New York City Fire Department. Deputy Fire Chief Gigantiello was sworn in Monday at FDNY headquarters.

“I am very honored and humbled to be part of one of the greatest fire departments in the country. The fires I will put out will not be the fires that destroy buildings and take lives, they will be the fires of suffering and loss,” said Msgr. Gigantiello. “Right now, we may be a divided city but when it comes to tragedy we are so united, we come together as a city and we come together as a church because we all believe in one God and we let them know they are not alone.”

FDNY Commissioner Daniel A. Nigro presided over the swearing-in ceremony on Monday.

“They are with us on our good days and on our most dark days, they are with the families to tell them that God will remain with them and I could not picture the department existing without chaplains,” Nigro told Currents News, the Diocese of Brooklyn’s nightly news program.

https://netny.tv/episodes/currents/monsignor-jamie-gigantiello-sworn-in-as-fdny-chaplain/

Monsignor Gigantiello was ordained in 1995. He has served as parochial vicar at St. Patrick’s Parish, Bay Ridge, and Mary Queen of Heaven Parish in Old Mill Basin, where he installed as pastor in 2002 and served until 2013. He then served as Pastor of St. Bernard in the Mill Basin/Bergen Beach section of Brooklyn until 2017, when he was appointed at Our Lady of Mount Carmel.

Prior to studying for the priesthood, Monsignor Gigantiello received a Business Degree from Baruch College and graduated from The Culinary Institute of America. For ten years, he worked in New York City’s hotel industry in various managerial positions before entering Immaculate Conception Seminary in Huntington.

Monsignor Gigantiello is the Director of the Office of Parish Giving and Vicar for Development for the Diocese of Brooklyn. He has served on a variety of civic and not-for-profit boards, including the Board of Directors of MERCY FIRST. Following the attacks on the World Trade Center on September 11th, the New York City Police Department made him an Honorary Chaplain in recognition of his work at Ground Zero.

Monsignor Gigantiello ministers as Chaplain to the NYC Taxi and Limousine Commission and the NYC Transit & Corrections Officers. He also serves as Spiritual Moderator for the Equestrian Order of the Knights and Ladies of the Holy Sepulchre and Chaplain to local chapters of the Knights of Columbus, the Columbiettes and Lions Club.

Monsignor Gigantiello joins seven other chaplains serving the FDNY.

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Photo 1: Msgr. Gigantiello being sworn in with his sister, Toniann Martello, holding the Bible.


Photo 2: FDNY Commissioner Daniel Nigro, Toniann Martello, Msgr. Gigantiello, Anthony Gigantiello (Msgr. Gigantiello’s brother)

STUDENTS SENDING LOVE TO VETERANS TO BRIGHTEN THEIR VALENTINE’S DAY

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The students at St. Gregory the Great Catholic Academy in the Bellerose section of Queens, for the eighth year in a row, have participated in a schoolwide campaign, “Valentine’s for Veterans.” Each year, special notes and handmade cards are sent to different Veteran Administration medical centers. This year, the students of St. Gregory the Great Catholic Academy made nearly 200 cards.

“My first experience was working with another teacher who had Veterans in her family. She made Valentine’s with her class every year and brought them to the VA Hospital.  Since then I have heard stories of how some Veterans were victims of neglect and I thought that I wanted to make a difference,” said teacher Michele Morano who organizes the project.

“Being a member of the military is definitely a calling, just as teaching is. So, I decided after that first encounter with my co-worker, that I would make Valentine’s for Veterans every year. It is something so small and simple that has such a huge human impact. Over the years I have had students, brownie & Girl Scout troops, and religion classes contribute to this project as well,” continued Morano.

Fourth-grade students commented on the project upon its completion saying:

“I think they will be happy because sometimes they’re all alone and this will make them happy,” said Bryce.

“They would feel happy to know we are thinking about how they risked their lives for us, and giving them something in return lets them know they are loved,” said Quinn.

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St. Gregory the Great Catholic Academy students making Valentine's Day cards for Veterans.
St. Gregory the Great Catholic Academy students making Valentine’s Day cards for Veterans.
A Kindergarten student making a Valentine's Day card to be sent to Veteran.
A Kindergarten student making a Valentine’s Day card to be sent to Veteran.

ST. FRANCIS COLLEGE AND BAY RIDGE CATHOLIC ACADEMY LAUNCH EDUCATIONAL PARTNERSHIP

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Dr. Miguel Martinez-Saenz, President of St. Francis College, made a special visit to Bay Ridge Catholic Academy this morning to officially launch a new partnership between the college and elementary academy. This collaborative opportunity has been designed to enrich the academic programs at both schools.

Dr. Martinez-Saenz joined Bay Ridge Catholic Academy Principal Gary Williams, and St. Francis College Assistant Vice President Robert Oliva in visiting classrooms from Pre-K through the eighth grade. Dr. Saenz also met with Monsignor John Maloney, Pastor of St. Anselm Roman Catholic Church, Father Kevin Abels, Pastor of Our Lady of Angels, and members of the Bay Ridge Catholic Academy Board including Chair Vincent Iannelli and member George Prezioso.

“I know this will be a flourishing experience and I know the students at Bay Ridge Catholic Academy will benefit immensely. I am proud to say that this is the only such grammar school partnership with Saint Francis College. We are eager to embark on this distinguished alliance to advance the educational opportunities at our school,” said Dr. Gary Williams, Principal of Bay Ridge Catholic Academy.

“Building these kinds of relationships is important and it is never too early to engage students.  It is never too early to inspire people to dream and get them focused on the importance of service to others. It was inspiring to see the future right in front of us, and I think we have an obligation to get that future orientated in a positive way. The students at St. Francis College will have the opportunity to come in and be role models for these young folks. This is what we are committed to; this is our values in action,” stated Dr. Miguel Martinez-Saenz, President of St. Francis College.

The partnership will include student teachers from St. Francis College, as well as student volunteers assisting at Bay Ridge Catholic Academy in their field of study. There will also be tutorials in subject areas, class trips to the science and communication arts labs at the college, and a foreign language after-school program.  The collaborative summer program will feature a science program, CPR training, and E-Boot camp.

“St. Francis College is a college of opportunity and we are constantly seeking opportunities for our students to go out into the community to make a difference in the world.  This partnership allows us to do that, whether by student teachers, mentors, tutors, or simply having Bay Ridge Catholic Academy students experience a day in the life of a college student.  We are providing opportunities for our young people in our Diocese,” Robert Oliva, Assistant Vice President of St. Francis College.

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Dr. Miguel Martinez-Saenz, President of St. Francis College, visiting an eighth-grade class at Bay Ridge Catholic Academy.
Dr. Miguel Martinez-Saenz, Bay Ridge Catholic Academy Board Chairman Vincent Iannelli, Robert Oliva, Assistant Vice President at St. Francis College, and Gary Williams, Principal of Bay Ridge Catholic Academy.
St. Francis College President Dr. Miguel Martinez-Saenz took a photo with the fourth-graders at Bay Ridge Catholic Academy after sharing some inspiring words.
Monsignor John Maloney, Pastor of St. Anselm Roman Catholic Church, Father Kevin Abels, Pastor of Our Lady of Angels, Bay Ridge Catholic Academy Board member George Prezioso, join Dr. Miguel Martinez-Saenz, Robert Oliva, and Principal Gary Williams for a photo.
Bay Ridge Catholic Academy Principal Gary Williams, with Dr. Martinez-Saenz, visiting the eighth-grade students.

QUEENS CATHOLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS TO HOST FUNDRAISER FOR FAMILIES OF FALLEN OFFICERS RIVERA AND MORA

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 9, 2022

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Adriana Rodriguez
646-241-9805
arodriguez@desalesmedia.org

John Quaglione 
718-576-9180
jquaglione@desalesmedia.org

STUDENTS AT QUEENS CATHOLIC SCHOOL TO HOST FUNDRAISER FOR
FAMILIES OF FALLEN OFFICERS RIVERA AND MORA

            The students of Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Catholic Academy, located in the Bayside section of Queens, will host a Police Appreciation Day later today, Wednesday, February 9, 2022, in honor of the New York City Police Department and slain NYPD Officers Jason Rivera and Wilbert Mora. A ceremony will take place outside the school, located at 34-45 202nd Street in Queens, at 1 p.m.

For a $5 donation, students will be able to dress in blue tomorrow to show their support for the NYPD. All donations will be sent to the Rivera and Mora families. An anonymous donor has agreed to match all donations up to $1,000.

City Councilwoman Vickie Paladino (District 19), members of the New York City Police Department, and school families are expected to attend the ceremony.

Members of the media are invited to attend and encouraged to confirm their attendance.

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***MEDIA ADVISORY***A PARTNERSHIP FOR ALL GRADES: ST. FRANCIS COLLEGE AND BAY RIDGE CATHOLIC ACADEMY TO LAUNCH EDUCATIONAL ALLIANCE

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 8, 2022

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Adriana Rodriguez
646-241-9805
arodriguez@desalesmedia.org

John Quaglione 
718-576-9180
jquaglione@desalesmedia.org

***MEDIA ADVISORY***

A PARTNERSHIP FOR ALL GRADES: ST. FRANCIS COLLEGE AND BAY RIDGE CATHOLIC ACADEMY TO LAUNCH EDUCATIONAL ALLIANCE

            Dr. Miguel Martinez-Saenz, the President of St. Francis College, will be visiting Bay Ridge Catholic Academy, located at 365-83rd Street in Brooklyn, to officially launch a new partnership between the college and elementary academy, on Wednesday, February 9, 2022, at 9:30 a.m. Dr. Martinez-Saenz will join Bay Ridge Catholic Academy Principal Gary Williams, and St. Francis College Assistant Vice President Robert Oliva in visiting classrooms for one hour.

 

At 10:30 a.m., the details of the partnership, which will include learning trips for Bay Ridge Catholic Academy students to the labs at St. Francis College, student teachers from the college assigned to Academy teachers, the creation of a foreign language after school program, a summer program and more, will be announced.

 

Members of the media are invited to attend and asked to respond to this e-mail to confirm their attendance. All media personnel must adhere to COVID-19 protocols, including wearing a face mask, while in the school building.

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PHOTOS-MAYOR ADAMS MAKES SPECIAL CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK VISIT

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 7, 2022

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Adriana Rodriguez
646-241-9805
arodriguez@desalesmedia.org

John Quaglione 
718-576-9180
jquaglione@desalesmedia.org

MAYOR ADAMS MAKES SPECIAL CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK VISIT

         Mayor Eric Adams visited a Brooklyn Catholic school Friday as part of last week’s national celebration of Catholic Schools Week.

The mayor met with students at St. Brigid-St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Academy in Bushwick. Student representatives from kindergarten to 8th grade presented his honor with a plaque, cards, photos and handwritten personal letters. The students wrote about their favorite subjects in school and many said they would pray for him. Mayor Adams shared with the students the fact that he prays every day, in the morning to start the day and before bed.

Mayor Adams also spoke at a school assembly, telling the students that Catholic education has always been a great foundation for inner city young people, while acknowledging their good fortune in being able to receive a solid educational foundation in faith and academics.

Since 1974, National Catholic Schools Week is a time dedicated each year to the celebration of Catholic education in the United States. The theme for National Catholic Schools Week 2022 is “Catholic Schools: Faith. Excellence. Service.”

Schools in Brooklyn and Queens commemorated the week with Masses, open houses and other activities for students, families, parishioners and community members. These events allow schools to focus on the value of a Catholic education and its contribution to our Church, our communities and our nation.

PHOTOS: Courtesy Greg Shemitz

Mayor Adams with Pastor Rev Carlos Velasquez & Principal Marcia Soria at St. Brigid-St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Academy

 

Mayor Adams greets student

 

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Mayor Adams greets student

 

Student photo with Mayor Adams

 

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Assembly at St. Brigid-St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Academy for Mayor Adams

 

Mayor Adams speaks to students

 

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Students clap at Assembly

 

Mayor Adams leaves St. Brigid-St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Academy