FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 29, 2018

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Adriana Rodriguez
516-238-7565
arodriguez@desalesmedia.org

Carolyn Erstad
323-384-7098
cerstad@desalesmedia.org

 

HUNDREDS OF ITALIAN AMERICANS TO FILL THE STREETS OF BENSONHURST
TO MARK ONE OF CHRISTIANITY’S HOLIEST DAYS

On Friday, March 30 at 7:30 p.m., hundreds of Italian American Catholics will gather at St. Dominic Church, 2001 Bay Ridge Parkway, and begin a procession through the streets of Bensonhurst, Brooklyn. The faithful, led by the Most Reverend Nicholas DiMarzio, Bishop of Brooklyn, will carry crosses and statues, symbolizing Jesus’ walk to his Crucifixion. The procession is organized by the Italian Apostolate, and along the journey, participants will pray in Italian as they move through 14 stations. The walk will end at St. Athanasius Church, located at 2154 61st Street.

Participants in this procession are celebrating their faith as well as their Italian heritage. Bensonhurst, now a neighborhood in transition, was once an Italian enclave. In the 1960’s an influx of immigrants from southern Italy populated the area bringing this tradition from their homeland. In honor of their ancestors, Italian Americans from near and far gather here on Good Friday to keep the tradition alive.

In accordance with Brooklyn custom, families with ties to Mola di Bari, Italy enjoy the honor of carrying two statues–Our Lady of Sorrows and The Dead Christ. Other parishioners carry large crosses, while the remaining participants hold candles.

This is the 36th year that the parishes of St. Athanasius; St. Bernadette; St. Dominic; St. Finbar; St. Frances Cabrini; St. Mary, Mother of Jesus; Our Lady of Guadalupe; St. Rosalia-Regina Pacis; and Sts. Simon and Jude will join together for one unified event. All members of the public are invited to participate. All are asked to carry a candle.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 27, 2018

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Adriana Rodriguez
516-238-7565
arodriguez@desalesmedia.org

Carolyn Erstad
323-384-7098
cerstad@desalesmedia.org

BISHOP DIMARZIO TO CONSECRATE HOLY OILS AT MASS OF CHRISM

On Tuesday, March 27 at 7:30 p.m., the Most Reverend Nicholas DiMarzio, Bishop of Brooklyn, will celebrate the annual Mass of Chrism at the Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph, 856 Pacific Street, Brooklyn. During the Mass, the bishop will consecrate the oils to be used in the coming year for sacramental anointing. He will also lead hundreds of priests and deacons in renewing their promises of service to the Church. The clergy will enter the church in procession at 6:45 p.m.

The Mass of Chrism is one of the most solemn and significant liturgies of the Catholic Church. It is marked by the ceremonial blessing of the oil of catechumens, the oil of the sick, and consecration of the oil of chrism, which will be used in all churches of the Diocese of Brooklyn throughout the liturgical year. The oils are used to anoint the sick, baptize catechumens and infants, ordain priests, and anoint altars. This Mass is celebrated in dioceses around the world.

The Chrism Mass will be broadcast LIVE on NET TV at about 7:30 p.m. EST.

NET TV is a cable network featuring news and information with a Catholic point of view, which is available in the New York area on Spectrum, channel 97; Optimum, channel 30; and Verizon Fios, channel 48. Viewers can also watch the programming live on NET TV’s website at www.netny.tv/watchnow.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 26, 2018

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Adriana Rodriguez
516-238-7565
arodriguez@desalesmedia.org

Carolyn Erstad
323-384-7098
cerstad@desalesmedia.org

DIOCESE OF BROOKLYN MARKS HOLY WEEK WITH NUMEROUS SERVICES IN BROOKLYN AND QUEENS

The Most Reverend Nicholas DiMarzio, Bishop of Brooklyn, will lead the Catholics of Brooklyn and Queens in numerous services this Holy Week, to celebrate the essence of our faith – the passion, death, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

On Tuesday, March 27 at 7:30 p.m., the Mass of Chrism will be held at the Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph, 856 Pacific Street, Brooklyn. During the Mass of Chrism, Bishop DiMarzio will lead hundreds of priests and deacons in renewing their promises of service to the Church. He will also consecrate the oils to be used in the diocese for the sacraments during the coming year.

On Holy Thursday, Bishop DiMarzio will celebrate the Mass of the Lord’s Supper, which commemorates the institution of the Holy Eucharist and the priesthood. It will be held at Our Lady of Angels Church, 7320 4th Avenue, Brooklyn at 7 p.m.

On Good Friday, there will be several large events to commemorate the day Jesus Christ died on the cross. The apostolic group Communion and Liberation will sponsor an outdoor procession, “Way of the Cross Over the Brooklyn Bridge” that begins at 10 a.m. at the Cathedral Basilica of St. James, 250 Cathedral Place in Downtown Brooklyn. Timothy Cardinal Dolan and Bishop DiMarzio will offer the opening prayer and reflection. The group will then process over the Brooklyn Bridge to Ground Zero, symbolically walking the path of Jesus toward His crucifixion.  Along the way, the marchers will stop and pray the Stations of the Cross.

At 3:00 p.m. Bishop DiMarzio will preside over the Good Friday Service of the Lord’s Passion at St. Athanasius Church, 2154 61st Street, Brooklyn.

At 7:30 p.m., thousands of Catholics will gather at St. Dominic Church, 2001 Bay Ridge Parkway, and begin their procession through the streets of Bensonhurst, Brooklyn. The faithful, led by Bishop DiMarzio, will carry crosses and statues, symbolizing Jesus’ walk to Calvary. The procession is organized by the Italian Apostolate, and along the journey, participants will pray in Italian. The walk will end at St. Athanasius Church, located at 2154 61st Street.

On Holy Saturday the Church commemorates the time Jesus spent in the tomb. Then, after sunset, Easter Vigil Services throughout Brooklyn and Queens will celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. This is the most important liturgy of the year. Services will begin in the dark and dramatically light up to symbolize the Risen Lord. This year, Bishop DiMarzio will celebrate the Easter Vigil at 8 p.m. at St. Michael’s Church, 138-65 Barclay Avenue in Flushing, Queens. That is where 73 candidates will receive the Sacraments of Initiation; 60 will receive Baptism, Confirmation, and Communion; 13 will receive Confirmation and Communion.

On Easter Sunday, churches throughout Brooklyn and Queens will continue to celebrate the Resurrection. Bishop DiMarzio will preside over Mass at 11 a.m. at the Cathedral Basilica of St. James, 250 Cathedral Place in Downtown Brooklyn.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 20, 2018

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Adriana Rodriguez
516-238-7565
arodriguez@desalesmedia.org

Carolyn Erstad
323-384-7098
cerstad@desalesmedia.org

CHURCHES OPEN FOR CONFESSION ON RECONCILIATION MONDAY

The Most Reverend Nicholas DiMarzio, Bishop of Brooklyn, in partnership with Timothy Cardinal Dolan of the Archdiocese of New York, and Bishop John Barres of the Diocese of Rockville Centre, is reminding New York Catholics that March 26th, the Monday before Easter, is Reconciliation Monday.

From 3 p.m. to 9 p.m., parishes throughout the dioceses and archdiocese will be open for walk-in confessions. The goal of Reconciliation Monday is to encourage Catholics to receive the sacrament of Reconciliation in preparation for Easter Sunday. This day also allows the faithful to confess their sins in anonymity, by offering an opportunity for them to go to a parish other their own. “This enables people to confess their sins with confidence and completeness,” said Bishop DiMarzio.

To promote Reconciliation Monday, the Diocese of Brooklyn, Archdiocese of New York, and Diocese of Rockville Centre launched an ad campaign, in both English and Spanish.  The digital and print ads, created by DeSales Media Group, the communications arm of the Diocese of Brooklyn, read: “Lighten Up. Experience the power of forgiveness this Easter.” The idea behind the slogan is that sins can weigh you down, but through confession, your burdens will be lightened. In going to confession, we also experience the light of God.

Pope Francis tells us “Every time we go to confession, God embraces us.”

To find a parish near you, go to https://dioceseofbrooklyn.org/parishes/locator/

Reconciliation Monday English ad:

Reconciliation Monday Spanish ad:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 10, 2018

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Carolyn Erstad
323-384-7098
cerstad@desalesmedia.org

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

TWO CATHOLIC ACADEMIES IN QUEENS WILL CLOSE THEIR DOORS AT THE END OF THE SCHOOL YEAR

Our Lady of the Angelus Catholic Academy, located at 98-05 63rd Drive in Rego Park and Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Academy, located at 92-80 220th Street, Queens Village, will close in June. Declining enrollment at both K-8 schools has led to severe budget deficits. The declines are due to changing demographics.

At Our Lady of the Angelus, enrollment has dropped from 226 students in 2012 to 130 this school year. That nearly 50% drop has led to a budget deficit that will reach $444,299 by June.

The situation is similar at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Academy. Since 2012, enrollment has dropped from 302 students to 170 this year. For the current school year, the budget deficit is projected at $219,000. Unpaid tuition totals $120,000, and the school building needs repairs estimated at over $1.5 million.

Students at Our Lady of the Angelus are encouraged to enroll in nearby schools like Our Lady Queen of Martyrs, Resurrection/Ascension, and St. Leo. Students who enroll in those schools or any other Diocese of Brooklyn Catholic academy or school will automatically receive a $500 tuition assistance grant. There will also be an informational meeting next Wednesday, March 14th at 7:00 pm where administrators from the nearby schools and academies will present their programs and answer any questions.

Invitations to students of Our Lady of Lourdes have been extended by the communities of Incarnation, Saints Joachim and Anne, St. Gregory the Great, and Our Lady of the Snows. An informational meeting was held on March 8, for Our Lady of Lourdes parents.  These families will also be provided an automatic $500 tuition assistance grant if they transfer to an alternative Diocese of Brooklyn Catholic Academy or school. In order to register in a neighboring Catholic academy, families of Our Lady of Lourdes must meet all of their financial obligations.

 

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UPDATED: February 26, 2018 (5:17 PM)

UPDATE: POLICE HAVE ARRESTED A SUSPECT IN CONNECTION WITH VANDALISM AT AMERICAN MARTYRS CHURCH IN QUEENS. CONTACT THE NYPD FOR MORE INFORMATION.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 26, 2018

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Carolyn Erstad
323-384-7098
cerstad@desalesmedia.org

Adriana Rodriguez
516-238-7565
arodriguez@desalesmedia.org

HATE CRIME OFFICERS ARE INVESTIGATING VANDALISM AT QUEENS CHURCH

On Friday February 23, just after 6 p.m., surveillance cameras outside American Martyrs Church in Oakland Gardens, Queens captured a man vandalizing two religious statues. A Blessed Mother statue was dragged 25 feet from its base and smashed. The shell of a Sacred Heart of Jesus statue was thrown down a flight of steps leading to the rectory basement. NYPD officers were called to the scene and continue to investigate the incident as a hate crime.

This is not the first time American Martyrs Church, located at 79-43 Bell Blvd, has been targeted by vandals. In December, someone bent back the fingers of a statue of St. Isaac Jogues in the church’s prayer garden.  In October, damage to a Bingo sign was discovered.  In August, a man threw a brick through the windows of the church doors. That crime was also caught on camera and police arrested the alleged vandal.

An interview with the church’s pastor, surveillance video of the crime, and access to the damaged statues will be made available between 2:00 and 3:00pm. Media interested should contact Adriana Rodriguez at 516-238-7565.

 

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 20, 2017
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Carolyn Erstad
323-384-7098
cerstad@desalesmedia.org

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

 

EXPERIENCE THE MIRACLE OF CHRISTMAS AND A NIGHT OF HOLIDAY ENTERTAINMENT

On December 20, 2017, at 7:00 p.m, Most Reverend Nicholas DiMarzio, Bishop of Brooklyn, will join DeSales Media Group and the Co-Cathedral of Saint Joseph for a Christmas extravaganza filled with family entertainment, a live musical production and a visit by Santa. Bishop DiMarzio will give the opening blessing before the start of the festivities.

7:00 pm – Opening show, hosted by Liz Faublas, with special performances by actor Anthony Mangano; hip-hop/R&B artist Kei-Landa, performing her hit original Christmas song “Put Him on Your List“; 13-year-old soprano Diana Marie Paunetto and cabaret singer Charlie Romo.

7:30 pm – “Miracle of Christmas” live musical. The production, written and directed by Sister Maria Amador, tells the story of the birth of Jesus Christ and, this year, includes new original songs and choreography. The show stars Aaron Heaps who plays Joseph, and Jasmine Neil who plays Mary.

8:30 pm – Santa arrives at Church

8:45 pm – Good night blessing outside Church
Tree lighting and Christmas light show
Selfies with Santa, hot chocolate and cookies

Doors open at 6:30 pm at the Co-Cathedral of Saint Joseph located at 856 Pacific Street in Brooklyn.

For more information on tonight’s show please contact Adriana Rodriguez at arodriguez@desalesmedia.org or at
516-238-7565.

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