Pope Francis Accepts Resignation of Brooklyn Diocese Auxiliary Bishop Neil Tiedemann

Posted on June 30, 2023

POPE FRANCIS ACCEPTS RESIGNATION OF BROOKLYN DIOCESE
AUXILIARY BISHOP NEIL TIEDEMANN

The Holy Father, Pope Francis, has accepted the resignation of the Most Reverend Neil Tiedemann, C.P., Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese of Brooklyn. The resignation was publicized earlier today in Washington, D.C., by Archbishop Christophe Pierre, apostolic nuncio to the United States.

As required by Canon (Church) law, at the age of 75, all bishops must submit a letter of resignation from the ecclesiastical office they hold. It is then a determination of the Holy See when to accept the resignation.

“I am grateful for Bishop Tiedemann’s many years of dedicated service here in Brooklyn and Queens. Bishop Tiedemann has had extraordinary experience beyond the boundaries of our Diocese and therefore was able to enrich us with his knowledge, passion, and dedication to the Church and its people,” said the Most Reverend Robert Brennan, Bishop of Brooklyn.

“Throughout my priesthood, I have been blessed, and I am so grateful. I thank Bishops DiMarzio and Brennan for their kindness, support, and encouragement. Of my 48 years as a priest, I have spent 21 here in the Brooklyn Diocese. I am thankful to my brother priests for their friendship. Most importantly, I have been blessed by the wonderful people of our diocese. They make you the priest that you are because they encourage and strengthen you. They teach you so much about life and actually become the face of God in your life,” said the Most Reverend Neil Tiedemann.

Bishop Tiedemann, born on March 5, 1948, in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, was raised in St. Catherine of Sienna Parish in Franklin Square, Long Island. He attended the Passionists’ Holy Cross High School Seminary in Dunkirk, New York, and Holy Family Seminary in West Hartford, Connecticut. In 1970, Tiedemann received a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from LaSalle University. In 1975 he earned two master’s degrees in Theology and Divinity from St. John’s University in Jamaica, Queens. As a seminarian, Tiedemann was involved in outreach efforts with Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens near St. Barbara Parish in Bushwick.

Bishop Tiedemann entered The Passionists, officially the Congregation of the Passion of Jesus Christ, in 1970 and professed perpetual vows on Aug. 22, 1974. He was ordained to the priesthood on May 16, 1975, in the Brooklyn Diocese by Bishop Francis J. Mugavero. The bishop’s first assignment was as a parochial vicar at Immaculate Conception Parish in Jamaica, Queens, from 1975-1982, where he continued his outreach work with Catholic Charities.

Bishop Tiedemann went on to serve at the largely Hispanic parishes of St. Joseph & Michael in Union City, New Jersey, and Blessed Sacrament in Springfield, Massachusetts. He also ministered in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, between 1987 and 1994, where he helped found an AIDS hospice called Casa Pasionista.

One of the joys of Tiedemann’s priesthood has been the opportunity to serve between 1998 and 2005 at Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church in Red Hook, Brooklyn, the parish where his grandparents were married. While he served there, he oversaw the 150th-anniversary celebration of the parish.

In 2006, Tiedemann was elected to the Provincial Council of the Passionist Congregation. Two years later, Pope Benedict XVI named him the third Bishop of Mandeville, Jamaica.

After eight years of serving on the island of Jamaica, Tiedemann returned home to Brooklyn. He was installed as auxiliary bishop for the Diocese of Brooklyn in August 2016. In 2020, he was named Episcopal Vicar of Brooklyn. Tiedemann currently serves as pastor of St. Matthias Parish in Ridgewood, Queens, and serves as the Director of the Diocese of Brooklyn Ministry to Caribbean and Black Catholics.

The Most Reverend Neil Tiedemann will now serve as an Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus of the Diocese of Brooklyn, effective immediately.

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Photo Courtesy: DeSales Media

USCCB Press Release: https://www.usccb.org/news/2023/pope-francis-accepts-resignation-auxiliary-bishop-neil-tiedemann-cp

BISHOP ROBERT BRENNAN JOINS THE KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS FOR THE 116TH ANNUAL BROOKLYN INDEPENDENCE DAY PARADE

Posted on June 26, 2023

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 25, 2023

***VIDEO/PHOTO RELEASE***

BISHOP ROBERT BRENNAN JOINS THE KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS FOR THE 116^TH ANNUAL BROOKLYN INDEPENDENCE DAY PARADE

The 116^th Annual Independence Day Parade, sponsored by the Knights of Columbus Long Island Assembly #703, marched down 5^th Avenue in Sunset Park this morning beginning outside Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, located at 60^th Street and 5^th Avenue and continued to 48^th Street, where it turned and concluded at St. Agatha Church.

Bishop Robert Brennan, Bishop of Brooklyn, was the main celebrant at Mass at Our Lady of Perpetual Help prior to the parade’s start. In his homily, Bishop Brennan spoke of our need to fulfill our responsibility as American citizens and participate in the process of self-governance. “Our faith informs us and encourages us to exercise those very responsibilities,” said Bishop Brennan.

Bishop Brennan joined the Knights of Columbus in presenting recognition to three parade honorees at the conclusion of the Mass. The bishop marched with the parade route with the honorees including:

2023 Parade Grand Marshal

Lieutenant Colonel Richard A. Szabo, Commander of the New York Military Entrance Processing Station at Fort Hamilton Army Base, Brooklyn

2023 Father John Brogan Community Service Award

Sir Knight Edward Thomas Peter Velinskie

2023 Pro-Patria Award

Reverend Father Michael L. Gelfant, Pastor, Blessed Trinity Parish, Breezy Point

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VIDEO: https://vimeo.com/839517298

Lt Colonel Richard Szabo GrandMarshal — 2023 Parade Grand Marshal, Lt. Colonel Richard A. Szabo, Commander of the New York Military Entrance Processing Station at Fort Hamilton Army Base honored by Bishop Brennan and the Knights of Columbus.

Edward Thomas VelinskieFrBroganAward — Bishop Brennan and representatives of the Knights of Columbus honor Sir Knight Edward Thomas Peter Velinskie with the 2023 Father John Brogan Community Service.

Father Michael Gelfant Pro Patria Award — Father Michael Gelfant, Pastor of Blessed Trinity Parish in Breezy Point, was honored with the 2023 Pro-Patria Award by the Knights of Columbus.

HonoreeswithBishopBrennan — Bishop Robert Brennan and the honorees assemble at the start of the Independence Day Parade sponsored by the Knights of Columbus.

NYPDMarchingBand — Members of the New York City Police Department band march in the 116th Annual Brooklyn Independence Day Parade.

BISHOP BRENNAN TO IMPLEMENT GOVERNANCE CHANGES FOR THE DIOCESE OF BROOKLYN

Posted on June 23, 2023June 23, 2023

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 23, 2023

The Most Reverend Robert Brennan, Bishop of Brooklyn, today announced the appointment of four Regional Episcopal Vicars and the restructuring of the 22 parish deaneries throughout Brooklyn and Queens. The new structure highlights Bishop Brennan’s commitment to enhancing the role of the deaneries and collaboration among parishes.

Reverend John J. Costello (Queens East), Reverend Joseph M. Hoffman (Brooklyn East), Most Reverend Witold Mroziewski (Brooklyn West), and Very Reverend Peter J. Purpura (Queens West) have each been selected as Regional Episcopal Vicars. We anticipate the celebration of a Mass of Installation at the Co-Cathedral of Saint Joseph in the fall.

“In an effort to increase the involvement of the Vicars at the parish and deanery level, I have decided to expand the number of such positions from two to four in the Diocese. I am asking a lot of these priests taking on this new role, all while remaining parish pastors, and so expanding the number of regional vicariates will make the responsibilities more manageable,” said Bishop Robert Brennan.

“We have been working hard during the last year to reinvigorate the deaneries, and I am very satisfied with the progress made towards a more proactive working relationship among parishes. As we move forward, aware of the changing demographics and with the reality of fewer priests, we must look in this direction as we plan for the continued vitality of the Church here in Brooklyn and Queens in the future,” continued Bishop Brennan.

The Regional Vicars will have a general delegation, permission to grant confessional faculties, and permission to dispense from matrimonial impediments within the confines of the Diocese of Brooklyn. The Regional Vicars will meet with Bishop Brennan regularly to report on and discuss matters within their vicariate. They will serve as an ex-officio member of the Presbyteral Council, will serve on the Diocesan Assignment Board, and represent Bishop Brennan at civic and religious functions as requested.

The Regional Vicars will attend deanery meetings and meet individually with the deans in their vicariate a minimum of four times per year. They will provide input and encouragement on Diocesan initiatives, install and assist new pastors in their region, provide investigation and reconciliation to concerns made to the Bishop, assume a key role in Diocesan Pastoral Planning, address parish communities when allegations are made related to the Dallas Charter and/or Adult allegations, and in situations involving priests or deacons, collaborate with the Vicar of Clergy and Consecrated Life to address the situation and determine a proper remedy.

“The bishop has established these four vicariates in order to facilitate and enhance future pastoral initiatives in the Diocese. These well-respected members of the presbyterate bring with them extensive service as parish leaders. Their efforts will help advance conversations and plans to best serve the Catholic community within their region of the Diocese,” said Monsignor Joseph Grimaldi, Vicar General of the Diocese of Brooklyn.

The current Territorial Vicars are Most Reverend Neil Tiedemann (Brooklyn) and Most Reverend Witold Mroziewski (Queens). Bishop Tiedemann, who turned 75 years old earlier this year, has submitted his letter of resignation to Pope Francis as Canon Law requires, and his retirement is pending. Upon the Holy Father’s acceptance of Bishop Tiedemann’s resignation, these appointments will become effective.

Biographical information and photos of the new Regional Episcopal Vicars, and the composition and leadership of the new deaneries follow. The previous Diocesan deanery map divided Brooklyn and Queens by north and south. Parishes will now be categorized as east and west within each borough.

Reverend John J. Costello

Reverend John J. Costello was ordained to the priesthood on June 24, 1989. Father Costello has served as a priest for more than 34 years, assigned as a Parochial Vicar at both Our Lady of Miracles and St. Athanasius, and as Pastor at Immaculate Heart of Mary, Holy Trinity, St. Kevin (Administrator), and presently as Pastor of St. Luke Roman Catholic Church. Father Costello served four years as the Director of Family Life for the Diocese of Brooklyn and then as the Director of Jubilee 2000. He has also served on the Diocesan Evangelization Commission, as Associate Vicar for Clergy, and as a mentor for the newly ordained.

Father Costello served at the Pontifical North American College in Rome, and later as the Vice Rector of the former Cathedral Seminary House of Formation in Douglaston. Father Costello is a former Spiritual Advisor to the Pro Sanctity Movement in Brooklyn, and a past member of the Holy Cross High School Board of Directors.

Reverend Joseph M. Hoffman

Reverend Joseph M. Hoffman was ordained to the priesthood in October 1979. Father Hoffman has served the Diocese of Brooklyn for nearly 44 years, initially assigned as a Parochial Vicar to St. Martin of Tours. He has also served as Pastor of St. Lucy-St. Patrick Parish, St. Martin of Tours (second assignment), and St. Bartholomew. He is the current Pastor of St. Barbara Roman Catholic Church.

Father Hoffman serves as a Chaplain for the Fire Department of the City of New York (FDNY). He is the former Chaplain of the Pope John II Family Academy in Bushwick.

Most Reverend Witold Mroziewski

Most Reverend Witold Mroziewski was ordained to the priesthood on June 29, 1991, in Poland, and was assigned to the Diocese of Brooklyn in 1992. Then-Father Mroziewski was assigned to Our Lady of Czestochowa–St. Casimir as a parochial vicar in 1993 and began his studies of Canon Law and administration at the Catholic University in Lublin in 1997.

Upon his return to the Brooklyn Diocese, Father Mroziewski was appointed as the administrator of Our Lady of Czestochowa–St. Casimir Parish, and in 2002, was named pastor. In 2013, Father Mroziewski was assigned to his current position as pastor at Holy Cross Church. On July 20, 2015, Father Witold Mroziewski was ordained an Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese of Brooklyn.

Bishop Witold Mroziewski holds a Doctorate in Canon Law and has served in the Diocese of Brooklyn Tribunal as an attorney and judge, working on marriage-related cases. He serves as the Vicar for Migrant and Ethnic Apostolates for the Brooklyn Diocese and serves on the USCCB Subcommittee on Asian and Pacific Island Affairs, and on the Aid to the Church in Central and Eastern Europe Subcommittee. Bishop Witold Mroziewski was named the Episcopal Vicar for Queens in March 2022.

MroziewskiWitold1 — Bishop Witold Mroziewski.

Reverend Peter J. Purpura

Reverend Peter J. Purpura was ordained to the priesthood to serve the Diocese of Brooklyn on June 30, 2007. Father Purpura has served as a Parochial Vicar at St. Bernard and Our Lady of Hope. In 2015, Father Purpura was named the Rector of the Cathedral Basilica of St. James, and presently serves as the Pastor of Our Lady of Hope.

Father Purpura holds a Licentiate of Canon Law degree and is a Vice-Chancellor of the Brooklyn Diocese. He previously served as an Associate Judicial Vicar for the Diocese. Father Purpura is a member of the Knights of the Holy Sepulchre and is a Chaplain to the Queensboro Chapter of UNICO (Unity, Neighborliness, Integrity, Charity, Opportunity) National.

June 2023 Diocesan Vicariate and Deanery Map

Listing of Vicariates and Deaneries including Parishes and Deans, June 2023

BISHOP BRENNAN LEADS NYPD MEMORIAL MASS REMEMBERING 132 FALLEN HEROES

Posted on June 15, 2023June 15, 2023

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 14, 2023

Bishop Robert Brennan of the Diocese of Brooklyn today served as the main celebrant at the NYPD Patrol Borough Brooklyn South Memorial Mass held at Our Lady of Guadalupe in the Bensonhurst section of Brooklyn.

The annual Mass is organized to honor and remember those who served Patrol Borough Brooklyn South and lost their lives in the line of duty. The names of 132 men and women of the NYPD were read aloud at the Mass.

“Every day that you put that uniform on, every day you step out, you take risks, and you make sacrifices. I have always noted how families of police officers make sacrifices, on a daily basis. They are the small sacrifices, dealing with the calendar, different tours, dealing with having to change plans and go to work, or stay beyond for overtime; because it’s part of the job, part of the territory,” said Bishop Robert Brennan during his homily.

“But there’s also that greater sacrifice, that the men and women we remember today, made on the day that they went home to God,” continued Bishop Brennan.

NYPD Assistant Chief Chaplain Monsignor Robert Romano, the Pastor of Our Lady of Guadalupe, concelebrated the Mass with Bishop Brennan.

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VIDEO: vimeo.com/836340509

NYPDHonorGuard2023PBBSMass — The New York City Police Department Honor Guard at the 2023 Patrol Borough Brooklyn South Annual Memorial Mass.

BishopRobertBrennanNYPDPBBS2023MemorialMass — Bishop Robert Brennan gives his homily, speaking of the sacrifice of police officers and their families.

2023MemorialMassNYPDPBBSGroupPhoto — Bishop Robert Brennan joins the families of NYPD members of service lost in the line of duty at the Memorial Mass.

BISHOP ROBERT BRENNAN RECONSECRATES CATHOLIC CHURCH DESECRATED EARLIER THIS WEEK IN ASTORIA

Posted on June 9, 2023

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 9, 2023

Bishop Robert Brennan today offered a Mass of Reparation at St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church in Astoria at Noon, following an act of religious desecration and vandalism that happened inside the church on Monday.

Bishop Brennan led the parish in prayers for the Penitential Rite and blessed the altar, the prayer chapel, the walls, and the faithful with Holy Water. The altar which remained bare since the incident was decorated during the Mass.

“We come here today with a sense of sorrow, with a sense of pain because of what happened at this Church, but also with a sense of hope. We pray that this man may be shown God’s mercy and find the help he needs,” said Bishop Robert Brennan.

“When some of these terrible things happen, God has a way of using them as an opportunity for renewal. Today’s Mass of Reparation was a chance for St. Joseph’s parish community to be renewed in the wake of such disrespect shown for Jesus Christ. God always brings good out of the evil things that occur,” continued Bishop Brennan.

The acts were serious and offensive enough to the sanctity of the church building that divine worship has not been permitted since Monday evening. The clergy, including the pastor, Father Vincent Chirichella, welcomed parishioners and students from St. Joseph Catholic Academy at the Mass.

St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church is located at 4319-30^th Avenue in the Astoria section of Queens.

The video can be found here: https://vimeo.com/834864824

The photos attached, and the video, are courtesy of John Quaglione/DeSales Media.

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BishopBrennanBlessingtheFaithful — Bishop Robert Brennan blessed the faithful with Holy Water at St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church.

BishopBrennanandMonstrance — Bishop Brennan blessed the congregation with the Blessed Sacrament at the Mass.

BishopBrennanGreetsFaithfulStJoseph2 — Bishop Brennan spoke with parishioners after Mass outside St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church in Astoria.

BishopBrennanGreetingFaithfulStJosephs — Bishop Robert Brennan greeting the faithful outside St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church following the Mass of Reparation.

Details of the desecration from Monday, June 5, 2023

At approximately 8 p.m., a 21-year-old man entered the church rectory through an open door, left open for access to the parish’s Adoration Chapel. The man destroyed framed photos of Pope Francis and Bishop Robert Brennan and continued to the basement where he spread paint thinner on the floor. He then re-entered the chapel sacristy and dressed in priestly vestments.

A parish priest found the man when he arrived to lock up the chapel. He was violently hitting himself in the head with a Monstrance, a religious vessel used to display the Blessed Sacrament, cutting himself and bleeding on the Monstrance and the vestment. He then ran into the main sanctuary, down the center aisle onto the altar, opening the Tabernacle and throwing the consecrated hosts onto the floor.

The pastor immediately called the police and officers from the 114^th Precinct responded quickly. The man was placed in handcuffs and removed by NYPD officers. He was released from police custody to Elmhurst Hospital where he underwent an evaluation.

“EGREGIOUS” ACT OF RELIGIOUS DESECRATION AT ST. JOSEPH’S CHURCH IN ASTORIA

Posted on June 7, 2023June 7, 2023

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 7, 2023

The Diocese of Brooklyn is cooperating with the New York City Police Department in response to an act of religious desecration and vandalism that took place Monday night at St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church located at 4319-30^th Avenue in the Astoria section of Queens.

The priest who found the man called the other parish clergy and seminarian in residence for help. The pastor immediately called the police and officers from the 114^th Precinct responded quickly. The man was placed in handcuffs and removed by NYPD officers. He was released from police custody to Elmhurst Hospital where he underwent an evaluation.

Father Vincent Chirichella, who called the act “egregious,” said he forgives the man and is praying for him. St. Joseph’s Catholic Church must now be reconsecrated by Bishop Robert Brennan, and prayers of reparation said before Mass can resume in the main sanctuary. This has been scheduled for Friday, June 9, 2023, at Noon.

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DamagedPopeFrancisFrame — A glass framed photo of Pope Francis was damaged during the vandalism at St. Joseph’s Church.

StJosephAstoriaNotice — A copy of the posted notice informing parishioners that Mass will be celebrated in the chapel until further notice.

StJosephAstoriaTabernacle — The Tabernacle at St. Joseph’s was slightly damaged by the perpetrator who opened it and desecrated the Eucharist.

BISHOP ROBERT BRENNAN ORDAINS FOUR MEN TO THE PRIESTHOOD

Posted on June 6, 2023June 6, 2023

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 3, 2023

The Most Reverend Robert Brennan, Bishop of Brooklyn today ordained four men as priests of the Diocese of Brooklyn during a Mass of Ordination, at the Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph, located at 856 Pacific Street in the Prospect Heights section of Brooklyn.

The new priests and their parish assignments are as follows:

Father Nnamdi Eusebius Eze, St. Gregory the Great in the Bellerose section of Queens

Father Ernesto Alonso-Aguila, St. Leo in the Corona section of Queens

Father Samuel Mwiwawi, Immaculate Conception in the Astoria section of Queens

Father Thimote Cherelus, St. Matthias in the Ridgewood section of Queens

“Indeed, the Church in Brooklyn and Queens, indeed the whole Church, rejoices in this magnificent gift. We give thanks to God for His grace and the courageous and generous response of these men about to be ordained. We rejoice and implore you to rely on God’s grace; let your friendship with Christ be at the very heart of everything that you do and more importantly, all that you are,” said Bishop Brennan in his remarks prior to ordaining the four new priests.

VIMEO: https://vimeo.com/832936783

Biographical information on each of the four new priests ordained to the Diocese of Brooklyn can be found below.

*Father Nnamdi Eusebius Eze

Nnamdi Eusebius Eze, born in Nigeria, graduated from the University of Nigeria in Nsukka with a degree in mechanical engineering. He has served the Catholic Church since becoming an altar server shortly after his First Holy Communion. In 2015, after the urging of his family, including an uncle who was serving as a priest in the Diocese of Brooklyn, he arrived in New York and entered St. Joseph’s Seminary in Dunwoodie. Since his ordination as a transitional deacon, he has served at Our Lady of Grace in Howard Beach.

*Father Ernesto Alonso-Aguila

Ernesto Alonso, born in Havana, Cuba, became a missionary serving in the rural areas of the country as a young adult. In 2007, he joined his father in Miami, and began a career as a chef upon earning an associate’s degree from Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts. After eight years as a restaurant chef in Miami, he moved to New York City. At the age of 29, while living in Astoria, Queens, Ernesto began to consider a vocation to the priesthood, enrolling in the Pope St. John XXIII National Seminary in Weston, Massachusetts. Since his ordination as a transitional deacon, he has served at Holy Redeemer in East Boston.

*Father Samuel Mwiwawi

Samuel Mwiwawi was born in Kenya and is fluent in American Sign Language which he began to learn to help teach the Gospel to the hearing-impaired among his community. Upon his arrival to the United States, Samuel joined the Dominican Missionaries for the Apostolates of the Deaf and Disabled and spent a summer in a program at Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C., dedicated to deaf and hard of hearing students. In 2018-2019, the Dominicans recommended him to Catholic Charities of Brooklyn and Queens to help interpret sign language. He completed his priestly studies at the Pope St. John XXIII National Seminary in Weston, Massachusetts, and has served as a Transitional Deacon at St. Bernard in Mill Basin.

*Father Thimote Cherelus

Thimote Cherelus was born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, and became fascinated with the priesthood at the early age of five. His pastor encouraged him to get involved in parish ministries. He attended Catholic primary and high school, was awarded a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from the University of Port-au-Prince, and began a career as a business owner. He then earned a second bachelor’s degree in philosophy on a scholarship from Divine World College in Epworth, Iowa. Thimote then came to the Diocese of Brooklyn and resided in the St. John Paul II House of Discernment for one year, during which time his vocation to the priesthood was confirmed for him. He entered St. Joseph’s Seminary in Dunwoodie where he completed his priestly studies. As a transitional deacon, he has served at Our Lady of Fatima in Jackson Heights.

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OrdinationMassCoCathedralStJoseph1 — 2023 Mass of Ordination for the Diocese of Brooklyn celebrated by Bishop Robert Brennan.

LayingProstateontheAltar — The four men ordained to the priesthood on Saturday, June 3, 2023 laying prostrate on the floor of the Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph in Brooklyn.

OrdinationMass2023ChurchPhoto — A large crowd gathered to celebrate the ordination of the new priests.

BishopBrennanandNewlyOrdained — The newly ordained Father Samuel Mwiwawi, Father Nnamdi Eusebius Eze (front l to r) and Father Ernesto Alonso, Bishop Robert Brennan, and Father Thimote Cherelus, on the steps of the Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph after Mass.

BISHOP ROBERT BRENNAN TO ORDAIN FOUR MEN TO THE PRIESTHOOD SATURDAY

Posted on June 1, 2023June 1, 2023

The Most Reverend Robert Brennan, Bishop of Brooklyn, will ordain four men as priests of the Diocese of Brooklyn during a Mass of Ordination, on Saturday, June 3, 2023, at 11:00 a.m., at the Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph, located at 856 Pacific Street in the Prospect Heights section of Brooklyn.

The four ordinands are:

*Rev. Mr. Nnamdi Eusebius Eze

*Rev. Mr. Ernesto Alonso

*Rev. Mr. Samuel Mwiwawi

Samuel Mwiwawi was born in Kenya and is fluent in American Sign Language which he began to learn to help teach the Gospel to the hearing-impaired among his community. Upon his arrival to the United States, Samuel joined the Dominican Missionaries for the Apostolates of the Deaf and Disabled, and spent a summer in a program at Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C., dedicated to deaf and hard of hearing students. In 2018-2019, the Dominicans recommended him to Catholic Charities of Brooklyn and Queens to help interpret sign language. He completed his priestly studies at the Pope St. John XXIII National Seminary in Weston, Massachusetts, and has served as a Transitional Deacon at St. Bernard in Mill Basin.

*Rev. Mr. Thimote Cherelus

Thimote Cherelus was born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti and became fascinated with the priesthood at the early age of five. His pastor encouraged him to get involved in parish ministries. He attended Catholic primary and high school, was awarded a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from the University of Port-au-Prince, and began a career as a business owner. He then earned a second bachelor’s degree in philosophy on a scholarship from Divine World College in Epworth, Iowa. Thimote then came to the Diocese of Brooklyn and resided in the St. John Paul II House of Discernment for one year, during which time his vocation to the priesthood was confirmed for him. He entered St. Joseph’s Seminary in Dunwoodie where he completed his priestly studies. As a transitional deacon, he has served at Our Lady of Fatima in Jackson Heights.

The Ordination Mass will air live on NET-TV, the cable channel of the Diocese of Brooklyn. NET-TV can be found on Spectrum channel 97; Optimum channel 30; and on FiOS Channel 548. The Mass will also be live-streamed at netny.tv/watch-now.

Members of the media are welcome and asked to confirm their attendance.

The attached photos of the four ordinands are courtesy of the Diocese of Brooklyn.

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BISHOP BRENNAN MARKS MEMORIAL DAY AT CEMETERY FIELD MASS

Posted on May 29, 2023June 6, 2023

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 29, 2023

Bishop Robert Brennan of the Diocese of Brooklyn this morning celebrated a Memorial Day Cemetery Field Mass at St. John Cemetery located in the Middle Village section of Queens.

“We pray for all those who have served and who are present here at this Mass. We remember many who have served honorably and are buried on these sacred grounds. We remember their service, their bravery, and their generosity,” said Bishop Brennan in his homily.

Before the final blessing, Monsignor Michael J. Reid, the CEO and Spiritual Moderator of Catholic Cemeteries of Brooklyn and Queens led those gathered in a Prayer for Our Country.

Memorial Day Cemetery Field Masses were held at all of the cemeteries owned and operated by Catholic Cemeteries of Brooklyn and Queens including Mount St. Mary Cemetery in Flushing, Holy Cross Cemetery in East Flatbush, and St. Charles/Resurrection Cemetery in Farmingdale.

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Video footage can be found here: https://vimeo.com/831279548

The photos and video are courtesy of DeSales Media.

BishopBrennanFieldMassHomily — Bishop Robert Brennan gives his homily at the 2023 Memorial Day Field Day Mass at St. John Cemetery.

BishopBrennanFieldMassMD2023 — Bishop Brennan celebrates the Eucharist during Mass.

BishopBrennanMD2023 — Bishop Brennan greets attendees of the 2023 Memorial Day Field Mass at St. John Cemetery in Middle Village.

BishopBrennanMDBlessing — Bishop Robert Brennan blesses one of the women who attended the Memorial Day Mass.

BISHOP BRENNAN CELEBRATES 150TH ANNIVERSARY OF ST. ELIZABETH’S CATHOLIC CHURCH

Posted on May 10, 2023

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 9, 2023

Bishop Robert Brennan of the Diocese of Brooklyn celebrated Mass this past weekend to mark the occasion of the 150^th Anniversary of St. Elizabeth’s parish in Ozone Park. The Mass was followed by a celebration in the school auditorium.

Prior to the establishment of the parish in 1873, Holy Mass was offered on Sundays by a local priest at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Peter Hermann on 97^th Avenue. The parish was originally known as St. Joseph’s until the first resident pastor, Father Aloys Steffen, legally changed the name to St. Elizabeth’s on February 8, 1888. Bishop Thomas Molloy formally dedicated the current church on February 8, 1931.

“The proclamation of the Gospel began here in the late 19^th Century. This community of faith formed with the arrival of German immigrants in this part of Queens, facing their own bit of persecution and struggle. This generation has inherited the hard work of the generations that came before us. Many of you here today have been an immensely important part of the building up of this parish. We have inherited a great legacy of faith and friendship with Jesus Christ,” said Bishop Robert Brennan.

“People in 1873 couldn’t imagine what would be here today. And I can’t begin to imagine what will be here in 50 years – God is always full of surprises,” continued Bishop Robert Brennan.

Following the Mass, a reception was held in the school hall which featured a number of musical performances by parishioners and students of St. Elizabeth Catholic Academy. Parishioners cooked and provided all the food served at the party.

Father Andrzej Klocek is the Pastor of St. Elizabeth Roman Catholic Church located at 94-20 85^th Street in the Ozone Park section of Queens.