FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 10, 2020

MEDIA CONTACTS:

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

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

DIOCESE OF BROOKLYN TO CELEBRATE OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE
AND PAY TRIBUTE TO FATHER JORGE ORTIZ-GARAY

           The Diocese of Brooklyn will mark the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe with a special Mass to be celebrated on Saturday, December 12, 2020, at the Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph, located at 856 Pacific Street, in the Prospect Heights section of Brooklyn.

The day’s events will include a special tribute to Father Jorge Ortiz-Garay, the beloved pastor at St. Brigid’s Church who died of COVID-19 on March 27, 2020. Father Jorge, believed to be the first Catholic priest to die of Coronavirus in the US, led the Diocese of Brooklyn’s Mexican Ministry for 10 years and was responsible for the coordination of the annual magnificent celebration of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

“Catholics from throughout Brooklyn and Queens who loved Father Jorge will have the opportunity to be together, to honor his life and all he did for our Diocese. It is very special that we will also be honored by the presence of his parents and siblings. It will for sure be an emotional tribute, and I know Father Jorge will be with us in spirit on Saturday,” said the Most Reverend Nicholas DiMarzio, Bishop of Brooklyn.

The schedule to mark the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe is as follows:

10 a.m. – Cultural program that will include catechesis and folkloric dances.

11:30 a.m. – Tribute to Father Jorge begins.

12 Noon – Mass will be celebrated in Spanish by Bishop DiMarzio and concelebrated by Retired Auxiliary Bishop Octavio Cisneros.

This year due to COVID-19 and social distancing rules in place, attendance at the cultural program and the Mass will be strictly limited to three people per parish. There will not be a torch-lit pilgrimage throughout Brooklyn and Queens as in years past. Only one symbolic torch will be lit after the Mass ends at about 1 p.m.

Members of the media are invited to attend. To RSVP, please e-mail Adriana Rodriguez at arodriguez@desalesmedia.org.

###

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 8, 2020

MEDIA CONTACTS:

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

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

***VIDEO & PHOTO UPDATE***

BROOKLYN BISHOP DIMARZIO TO UNVEIL ANGELS UNAWARES SCULPTURE HONORING MIGRANTS AS PART OF CHRISTMAS DISPLAY

The Diocese of Brooklyn and DeSales Media Group will light a 35-foot Christmas tree in more than 14,000 lights tonight, Tuesday, December 8, 2020, at 5 p.m., in front of the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Arch located at 20 Grand Army Plaza in Brooklyn.

Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio will also officially unveil and bless a replica of the Angels Unawares sculpture, designed by Canadian artist Timothy Schmalz. The reproduction depicts a raft packed with migrants and refugees representing diverse cultures and different times in history.

 The 20-foot-long, 12-foot-high, and 3.8-ton reproduction has arrived in Brooklyn as part of its tour of the United States. The bronze sculpture has made stops in San Antonio, Texas, South Bend, Indiana, and Boston College. Through the support of local benefactors, Angels Unawares will be on display at Grand Army Plaza until January 3. It will be permanently installed next year at the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.

Those represented among the 140 figures include a Jewish person fleeing Nazi Germany, a Syrian escaping that country’s civil war, a Polish woman running from the communist regime, a Cherokee on the Trail of Tears, an Irish boy escaping the potato famine, and the Holy Family of Nazareth. Mother Cabrini, the Patron Saint of Immigrants, is also depicted in the sculpture. Angel wings are visible at the center, a symbol of the sacredness of the migrant and refugee.

The original sculpture was permanently dedicated at the Vatican in St. Peter’s Square in September 2019 to mark the 105^th World Day of Refugees and Migrants. For more information on Angels Unawares, visit www.https://dioceseofbrooklyn.org/angels-unawares/

Members of the media are encouraged to attend.

Video & Photos Courtesy: DeSales Media

https://vimeo.com/488741496

:00    Grand Army Plaza / Brooklyn
:59    Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio/Diocese of Brooklyn
1:46  Mayor Bill De Blasio
2:21  Msgr. Jamie Gigantiello/Catholic Foundation for Brooklyn and Queens

###

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 8, 2020

MEDIA CONTACTS:

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

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

***MEDIA ADVISORY***

BROOKLYN BISHOP DIMARZIO TO UNVEIL ANGELS UNAWARES SCULPTURE HONORING MIGRANTS AS PART OF CHRISTMAS DISPLAY

The Diocese of Brooklyn and DeSales Media Group will light a 35-foot Christmas tree in more than 14,000 lights tonight, Tuesday, December 8, 2020, at 5 p.m., in front of the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Arch located at 20 Grand Army Plaza in Brooklyn.

Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio will also officially unveil and bless a replica of the Angels Unawares sculpture, designed by Canadian artist Timothy Schmalz. The reproduction depicts a raft packed with migrants and refugees representing diverse cultures and different times in history.

 The 20-foot-long, 12-foot-high, and 3.8-ton reproduction has arrived in Brooklyn as part of its tour of the United States. The bronze sculpture has made stops in San Antonio, Texas, South Bend, Indiana, and Boston College. Through the support of local benefactors, Angels Unawares will be on display at Grand Army Plaza until January 3. It will be permanently installed next year at the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.

Those represented among the 140 figures include a Jewish person fleeing Nazi Germany, a Syrian escaping that country’s civil war, a Polish woman running from the communist regime, a Cherokee on the Trail of Tears, an Irish boy escaping the potato famine, and the Holy Family of Nazareth. Mother Cabrini, the Patron Saint of Immigrants, is also depicted in the sculpture. Angel wings are visible at the center, a symbol of the sacredness of the migrant and refugee.

The original sculpture was permanently dedicated at the Vatican in St. Peter’s Square in September 2019 to mark the 105^th World Day of Refugees and Migrants. For more information on Angels Unawares, visit www.https://dioceseofbrooklyn.org/angels-unawares/

Members of the media are encouraged to attend.

###

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 7, 2020

MEDIA CONTACTS:

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

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

CHRISTMAS TREE TO LIGHT UP GRAND ARMY PLAZA ALONGSIDE ANGELS UNAWARES SCULPTURE HONORING MIGRANTS

The Diocese of Brooklyn and DeSales Media Group will host the 2020 Diocesan Christmas tree lighting ceremony on Tuesday, December 8, 2020, at 5 p.m., in front of the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Arch located at 20 Grand Army Plaza in Brooklyn. The 35-foot Christmas tree shines bright in approximately 14,000 Christmas lights.

In addition to the tree lighting, Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio will officially bless a replica of the Angels Unawares sculpture, designed by Canadian artist Timothy Schmalz. The original sculpture was permanently dedicated at the Vatican in St. Peter’s Square in September 2019 to mark the 105^th World Day of Refugees and Migrants.

 The 20-foot-long, 12-foot-high, and 3.8-ton reproduction has arrived in Brooklyn as part of its tour of the United States. The bronze sculpture has made stops in San Antonio, Texas, South Bend, Indiana, and Boston College. Through the support of local benefactors, Angels Unawares will be on display at Grand Army Plaza until January 3. It will be permanently installed next year at Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.

The reproduction depicts a raft packed with migrants and refugees representing diverse cultures and different times in history. Those represented among the 140 figures include a Jewish person fleeing Nazi Germany, a Syrian escaping that country’s civil war, a Polish woman running from the communist regime, a Cherokee on the Trail of Tears, an Irish boy escaping the potato famine, and the Holy Family of Nazareth. Mother Cabrini, the Patron Saint of Immigrants, is also depicted in the sculpture. Angel wings are visible at the center, a symbol of the sacredness of the migrant and refugee.

“The Diocese of Brooklyn was offered the opportunity to display Angels Unawares because we indeed are a Diocese of Immigrants. Truly this is a unique sculpture. Because we may not be able to view this in person due to the pandemic, we have dedicated a part of our website to the sculpture so that many of the faithful of Brooklyn and Queens may have an opportunity to view this work of art online during this Christmas season,” said the Most Reverend Nicholas DiMarzio, Bishop of Brooklyn.

For more information on Angels Unawares, visit www. https://dioceseofbrooklyn.org/angels-unawares/

Members of the media are welcome to attend Tuesday’s tree lighting and sculpture unveiling.

###

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 26, 2020

MEDIA CONTACTS:

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

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

U.S. SUPREME COURT GRANTS EMERGENCY RELIEF IN RELIGIOUS FREEDOM CASE FILED BY THE ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF BROOKLYN

AGAINST GOVERNOR CUOMO

 

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn today announced the United States Supreme Court has issued an emergency writ of injunction in their case brought against New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo, in which the Diocese alleges that the COVID-19 restrictions on church attendance in “red” and “orange” zones violate the Diocese’s fundamental right to the free exercise of religion, protected by the United States Constitution.

“I am gratified by the decision of the Justices of the United States Supreme Court, who have recognized the clear First Amendment violation and urgent need for relief in this case. I am proud to be leading the Diocese of Brooklyn and fighting for our sacred and constitutional right to worship,” said The Most Reverend Nicholas DiMarzio, Bishop of Brooklyn.

This decision by the highest court in the land marks a major turning point in this legal journey, which began in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York in early October. On October 16, the district court denied the Diocese’s motion for a preliminary injunction. Following a 2-1 decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit denying the Diocese’s motion to enjoin the restrictions pending the Diocese’s appeal, the Diocese filed an emergency application in the Supreme Court on November 9, 2020.

“I have said from the beginning the restrictions imposed by Governor Cuomo were an overreach that did not take into account the size of our churches or the safety protocols that have kept parishioners safe. Catholics in Brooklyn and Queens have adhered to all COVID-19 safety protocols to attend Mass and receive the Eucharist. Our churches have not been the cause of any outbreaks. We have taken our legal battle this far because we should be considered essential, for what could be more essential than safely gathering in prayer in a time of pandemic. Now, with the benefit of the Supreme Court’s ruling, we look forward to continuing the fight in the lower courts to ensure that these unconstitutional restrictions are permanently enjoined once and for all,” continued Bishop DiMarzio.

The Diocese of Brooklyn is being represented by litigation attorney Randy M. Mastro, a partner in the New York office of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP.  “We are extremely grateful that the Supreme Court has acted so swiftly and decisively to protect one of our most fundamental constitutional rights — the free exercise of religion. Bishop DiMarzio has been a profile in courage, committed to reopening Brooklyn’s churches, safely, and keeping them open. So this is a great victory for the Diocese’s churches, but it is also a victory for all people of faith whose rights have now been vindicated,” Mr. Mastro said.

The appeal of the district court’s earlier decision denying preliminary injunctive relief is ongoing in the Second Circuit, with oral argument scheduled for Friday, December 18.

 

###

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 18, 2020

MEDIA CONTACTS:

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

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

BROOKLYN AND QUEENS CATHOLIC SCHOOLS AND ACADEMIES TO CONTINUE IN-PERSON LEARNING

Dr. Thomas Chadzutko, the Superintendent of Catholic Schools for Brooklyn and Queens, has announced that all 69 schools and academies will remain open and continue to provide in-person learning, in spite of the decision made to close New York City public schools indefinitely starting tomorrow.

“I am frustrated that the Mayor’s announcement was made as Catholic schools and academies throughout Brooklyn and Queens were dismissing our students. I want to make it clear to parents, teachers, staff, and students that the Mayor’s announcement only pertains to New York City public schools, and our schools will be open tomorrow. We have worked tirelessly to ensure that our school community remains safe for everyone, and we will continue to ensure strict compliance with all health and safety protocols,” said Dr. Thomas Chadzutko, Superintendent of Catholic Schools ~ Office of Support Services.

Catholic schools in the Diocese in Brooklyn and Queens have provided safe, five days a week in-person learning since beginning this school year, as scheduled, on September 9. The Superintendent, along with the Superintendent of the Archdiocese of New York, has received confirmation from the New York City Department of Education’s Office of Non-Public Schools that they will maintain entitled services for Catholic school students, including school nurses, transportation, and food.

Catholic Academies and Parish Schools within the Diocese of Brooklyn have successfully operated for more than two months due to the strict adherence to the important “Core Four” actions to prevent COVID-19 transmission, including maintaining physical distance, wearing a face covering, practicing healthy hand hygiene, and staying home if sick. The schools and academies of the Diocese of Brooklyn continue to work with New York State and City Department of Health officials on a regular basis to maintain the safety of all of our students, faculty, and staff.

For a listing and more information about Catholic Schools in Brooklyn and Queens, please visit catholicschoolsbq.org.

 

###

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 16, 2020

MEDIA CONTACTS:

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

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

The following press notification is being shared on behalf of our colleagues at Catholic Charities of Brooklyn and Queens regarding tomorrow’s Annual Turkey Giveaway in Brooklyn where 900 turkeys and food vouchers will be distributed. Members of the media are encouraged to attend. For further information on the event, please contact Lucy Garrido-Mota of Catholic Charities of Brooklyn and Queens at (347) 786-2846 or Lucy.gmota@ccbq.org, or the Brooklyn Diocese Press Office.

###

Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens to Distribute 900 Turkeys and Food Vouchers to Families in Need in Brooklyn and Queens during the Annual Turkey Giveaway this Thanksgiving Holiday

 

WHEN:          Tuesday, November 17, 2020

10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. – Rain or Shine

WHERE:       St. Francis of Assisi – St. Blaise Parish Parking Lot

400 Lincoln Road, Brooklyn, NY 11225

 

WHAT:       Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens will distribute 900 Thanksgiving turkeys and food vouchers to families and individuals in need in Brooklyn and Queens during the Annual Turkey Giveaway this Thanksgiving Holiday. The distribution of the 12-14 lbs. turkeys is co-sponsored by the offices of NYS Senator Zellnor Myrie and Assemblywoman Diana Richardson

The turkeys will be donated by Alphonse & Maria Catanese and family in honor of their parents, the offices of NYS Senator Zellnor Myrie and Assemblywoman Diana Richardson, and EJ Electric. The Farmers to Families Box program will also be providing food locally sourced in New York to the families.

Food vouchers for turkey dinner fixings will be provided and distributed by Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens in increments of $25.00 for a total of $25,000.

Distribution of the Thanksgiving Holiday turkey and vouchers is on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Photo opportunities:

• Lines of individuals waiting to pick up turkeys
• Volunteers unloading a truck of frozen turkeys
• Volunteers packing and distributing frozen turkeys and food vouchers

The official media advisory for this event is attached.

###

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 15, 2020

MEDIA CONTACTS:

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

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

Catholic Schools in Brooklyn and Queens Will Remain Open

The Superintendent of Catholic Schools for Brooklyn and Queens today has announced that all 69 schools and academies will remain open and continue to provide in-person learning, irrespective of any impending decision pertaining to the status of New York City public schools.

Catholic schools in the Diocese in Brooklyn and Queens have provided safe, five days a week in-person learning since beginning this school year, as scheduled, on September 9. The Superintendent has also requested the Department of Education’s Office of Non-Public Schools continue to provide services for Catholic school students, which they are entitled to, including school nurses, transportation, and food, if public schools are to close.

“Every member of our school community has truly dedicated themselves to keeping our schools as safe as possible in the wake of this Coronavirus pandemic, and the results prove these efforts have worked.  For more than eight weeks, we have been able to maintain in-person learning for our students, mostly five days a week, and we intend to keep doing so going forward this school year. We know how critical it is for the development of our students to keep our schools open. Our children want to be in the classroom and we want them to be there for as long as safely possible,” said Dr. Thomas Chadzutko, Superintendent of Catholic Schools ~ Office of Support Services.

Diocesan schools have successfully operated for more than two months due to the strict adherence to the important “Core Four” actions to prevent COVID-19 transmission, including maintaining physical distance, wearing a face covering, practicing healthy hand hygiene, and staying home if sick. The schools and academies of the Diocese of Brooklyn continue to work with New York State and City Department of Health officials on a regular basis to maintain the safety of all of our students, faculty, and staff.

For a listing and more information about Catholic Schools in Brooklyn and Queens, please visit catholicschoolsbq.org.

 

###

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 30, 2020

MEDIA CONTACTS:

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

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

Statement on the Retirement of Auxiliary Bishop Octavio Cisneros

 

The Diocese of Brooklyn announces that today, our Holy Father, Pope Francis, has accepted the resignation of Octavio Cisneros from the office of auxiliary bishop for the Diocese of Brooklyn.

“I am grateful to Bishop Cisneros for his willingness to serve and was honored to ordain him and consecrate him as an auxiliary Bishop on June 6, 2006.  He will remain as pastor at the Church of the Holy Child Jesus & St. Benedict Joseph Labre in Richmond Hill, Queens, and will continue to serve as Vicar for Hispanic Concerns. We thank Bishop Cisneros for his years of Diocesan leadership and are grateful he will continue to serve the Diocese in Brooklyn and Queens,” said the Most Reverend Nicholas DiMarzio, Bishop of Brooklyn.

As required by Canon (Church) law, upon turning 75, all bishops must submit a letter of resignation from the ecclesiastical office that they hold. It is up to the Holy See to determine when to accept that resignation. In the case of auxiliary bishops, the acceptance of a resignation typically occurs shortly after turning 75.

“I am most grateful to Pope Benedict and Bishop DiMarzio for giving me the fullness of the priesthood in 2006 so that I can help minister as auxiliary bishop, which has been rewarding and fulfilling for me. I am thankful to Pope Francis for his continued support of our bishops. He is an inspiration for all of us. I have lived a very happy priesthood in the Diocese of Brooklyn for 49 years and look forward to continuing my priestly ministry,” said Octavio Cisneros, Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus of Brooklyn.

Bishop Cisneros was born in Las Villas, a province of Cuba, on July 19, 1945. In October 1961, while a high school student, he came to the United States as a political refugee as part of Operation Peter Pan, a Catholic humanitarian effort that brought 14,000 unaccompanied minors to the U.S. from Cuba.

He was ordained a priest of the Brooklyn Diocese on May 29, 1971, and has been pastor at the Church of the Holy Child Jesus & St. Benedict Joseph Labre since 2007. He has also served at St. Michael’s Church and as pastor of Our Lady of Sorrows Church in Corona.

Throughout his priesthood, he has been appointed as an Episcopal, or Territorial, Vicar in the Brooklyn East Vicariate, and as rector of Cathedral Seminary Residence in Douglaston. He was named a Prelate of Honor by Pope John Paul II in 1988.

Bishop Cisneros has also been involved with the Northeast Catholic Center for Hispanics, the “Instituto Nacional Hispano de Liturgia,” the Bishop’s Committee on the Liturgy and the Pastors’ Advisory Committee. He has served on the Board of Governors of Immaculate Conception Seminary and as past President of the Conference of Diocesan Directors for the Spanish Apostolate.

Attached is a photo of Bishop Cisneros.

Press release issued by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops:

https://www.usccb.org/news/2020/pope-francis-accepts-resignation-auxiliary-bishop-octavio-cisneros-brooklyn

 

###

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 16, 2020

MEDIA CONTACTS:

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

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

STATEMENT FROM BISHOP NICHOLAS DIMARZIO ON FEDERAL LAWSUIT COURT DECISION

 

The Diocese of Brooklyn is extremely disappointed by today’s ruling, as we believe we presented a strong case in support of our right to worship. It is a shame our parishioners in the red zones cannot return to Mass when the judge acknowledged we have done everything right. We are now considering our appellate options.

There is nothing more important than the safety of our parishioners. That is why we have worked diligently to implement strict COVID-19 safety rules that go above and beyond state requirements. We will continue to require masks to be worn in order to participate in all our services. We will continue to voluntarily limit capacity in all buildings to 25% occupancy, and we will abide by social distancing guidelines as required.  The proof of our compliance is the fact that we have not had any COVID outbreaks or significant cases in either our churches or schools. We continue to evaluate our procedures to build upon the safety we have so far achieved.

It is unfortunate the court has ruled against us, and as we will abide by these restrictions, the churches in the red zones are closed until further notice. The Mass attendance limits of 10 people are extremely difficult to implement because we never want to turn away worshippers. It is unfortunate that our inalienable constitutional right to worship is still impeded despite the efforts we have made.

Despite this loss, we will continue to press our leaders for policies that consider the individual circumstances of houses of worship. We will also continue to advocate for places of worship to be classified as essential, for there is nothing more necessary today than a community of believers, united in prayer, asking the Lord to end this pandemic.

 

###