Press Releases

VIDEO AND PHOTOS: BISHOP BRENNAN TO BLESSES EASTER FOOD BASKETS WITH POLISH COMMUNITY

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BISHOP BRENNAN BLESSES EASTER FOOD BASKETS THIS HOLY SATURDAY

         The Most Reverend Robert Brennan, Bishop of Brooklyn, this morning joined the Polish community of Holy Cross Roman Catholic Church in Maspeth for the annual blessing of their Easter food baskets.  Bishop Brennan was joined by Auxiliary Bishop Witold Mroziewski.

“This blessing of the Easter baskets, and of all the foods, is so beautiful because it connects the family and the Church. It’s beautiful to see so many of you gathered as families, to see different generations of people here, coming together to the Church to ask for God’s blessing,” said Bishop Robert Brennan.

“We remember the works completed during this time of Lent. We thank God for the graces we have received through the season of prayer, fasting, and works of mercy.  Today connects us with the Joy of Easter when we will celebrate that Jesus Christ is risen from the dead,” continued Bishop Brennan.

This morning’s prayer service was attended by more than 300 people. Two children from the parish presented Bishop Brennan with an Easter food basket in appreciation of his visit. Holy Cross Roman Catholic Church is located at 61-21 56th Road in Queens.

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Vimeo link: https://vimeo.com/700054948

Photos attached.
The photos and video are courtesy of DeSales Media.

BISHOP BRENNAN TO MARK FIRST EASTER TRIDUUM AS BISHOP OF THE DIOCESE OF BROOKLYN

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 14, 2022

MEDIA CONTACTS:

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

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

BISHOP BRENNAN TO MARK FIRST EASTER TRIDUUM AS BISHOP OF THE DIOCESE OF BROOKLYN

            The Most Reverend Robert Brennan will mark his first Easter Triduum as the Bishop of Brooklyn with a number of Masses, prayer services and processions beginning tonight, Holy Thursday, April 14, 2022, and continuing through Easter Sunday, April 17, 2022.

Members of the media are invited to attend any of the following:

Thursday, April 14, 2022,

7:00 P.M. The Mass of the Lord’s Supper and the Washing of the Feet

Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph, 856 Pacific Street, Brooklyn

*This Mass will be live-streamed at: https://netny.tv/watch-now/

Good Friday, April 15, 2022

10:00 A.M. – The Way of the Cross Good Friday Procession

Starting at the Cathedral Basilica of St. James and continuing over the Brooklyn Bridge

3:00 P.M. – The Liturgy of the Lord’s Passion

Cathedral Basilica of St. James, 250 Cathedral Place, Downtown Brooklyn

Saturday, April 16, 2022

10:00 A.M. Blessing of Easter Food Baskets with the Polish community

Bishop Brennan will be joined by Auxiliary Bishop Witold Mroziewski

Holy Cross Roman Catholic Church, 61-21 56th Road, Queens

7:30 P.M. The Great Easter Vigil

The Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph, 856 Pacific Street, Brooklyn

*This Mass will be live-streamed at: https://netny.tv/watch-now/

Sunday, April 17, 2022

11:00 A.M. Easter Sunday Mass

Cathedral Basilica of St. James, 250 Cathedral Place, Brooklyn

*This Mass will be live-streamed at: https://netny.tv/watch-now/

*Arrangements can be made through the press office for media coverage of Easter Sunday Masses at parishes throughout Brooklyn and Queens.

BISHOP BRENNAN SPEAKS ON BROOKLYN SUBWAY ATTACK IN HOMILY DURING TONIGHT’S BROOKLYN DIOCESE CHRISM MASS

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BISHOP BRENNAN SPEAKS ON BROOKLYN SUBWAY ATTACK IN HOMILY DURING TONIGHT’S
BROOKLYN DIOCESE CHRISM MASS

The Most Reverend Robert Brennan, Bishop of Brooklyn, tonight celebrated the annual Diocese of Brooklyn Chrism Mass at the Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph, located in the Prospect Heights section of Brooklyn. During the Mass, the bishop consecrated the oils to be used in the coming year for sacramental anointing. He also led hundreds of priests and deacons in renewing their promises of service to the Church.

In his homily, Bishop Brennan spoke of this morning’s attack on the subway at 36th Street in the Sunset Park section of Brooklyn.

“We were shaken to our core this morning, right here in the borough of Brooklyn, when violence hit us at home. Tonight, we pray very earnestly for those who were injured, passengers on the train, and the police who went in. We pray for their healing and restoration of their health.  We pray for all of those out there every day watching over, protecting us, in so many ways,” said Bishop Robert Brennan.

“We see that sometimes evil prevails, but we know it is not the final answer. And always, this morning, no exception, do we see that when evil prevails the goodness of people becomes even stronger. The power of Jesus risen from the dead is always, always at work, reminding it is not the final answer,” continued Bishop Brennan.

The Chrism Mass 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 video is courtesy of DeSales Media.

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VIDEO: https://vimeo.com/698852180

:00 Bishop Brennan Homily quote from above

1:14 B-roll of Chrism Mass

1:46 Blessing of Oils and Consecration of the Chrism

VIDEO UPDATE-BISHOP BRENNAN LEADS PALM SUNDAY PROCESSION TO MARK START OF HOLY WEEK

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 9, 2022

MEDIA CONTACTS:

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

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

BISHOP BRENNAN LEADS PROCESSION THIS PALM SUNDAY IN BROOKLYN 

The Most Reverend Robert Brennan, Bishop of Brooklyn, began his first Holy Week as leader of the Diocese of Brooklyn with a special Palm Sunday procession which began at Noon at Grand Army Plaza in Brooklyn.

Hundreds of Catholics took part as Bishop Brennan began with an opening prayer before he blessed the palms. Then the faithful began to walk, pray, and sing down Vanderbilt Avenue, making their way to the Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph, located at 856 Pacific Street.

The procession commemorated the triumphant entrance of Jesus into Jerusalem, where those who greeted Jesus waved palms and set them on the ground along His path. Palms are recognized as a symbol of victory and peace.

“Here in Brooklyn we are commemorating that solemn entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem by walking with a procession down Vanderbilt Avenue. I am thrilled to be entering into Holy Week in such a dramatic way,” said Bishop Brennan.

He added, “It is important to live our faith publicly, what we believe. We are walking one with Jesus, on His road to Calvary. He came to walk with us and share our burdens to help us along the way and to guide us to the Resurrection, which we will celebrate next week.”

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VIDEO – Courtesy of DeSales Media:

https://vimeo.com/697957662

FROM ITALY TO BROOKLYN: RELIC OF FIRST POSSIBLE MILLENNIAL SAINT TO ARRIVE IN DIOCESE OF BROOKLYN FOR SPIRITUAL EVENTS NEXT WEEK

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Archbishop Domenico Sorrentino, Bishop of Assisi–Nocera Umbra–Gualdo Tadino and of Foligno in Italy will be welcomed to the Diocese of Brooklyn for two special spiritual events next week as part of his visit to the United States with a First-class relic of Blessed Carlo Acutis. Acutis is the first millennial to be considered for Sainthood in the Catholic Church.

The First-class relic of Blessed Carlo Acutis is a fragment of the pericardium, the membrane that surrounded and protected his heart.

The prayer and veneration events scheduled include:

Monday, April 4 – 7:00 p.m. 

Eucharistic Adoration and Holy Hour of Prayer

Our Lady of Mount Carmel

2325 Newtown Avenue, located in the Astoria section of Queens

Wednesday – April 6  – 12:00 p.m.

Diocese of Brooklyn High School Rally with Archbishop Sorrentino

Holy Family Roman Catholic Church

175-20 74th Avenue in the Fresh Meadows section of Queens

Last July, another First-class relic, strands of the hair of the Blessed Carlo Acutis, was received in the Diocese of Brooklyn at the request of then-Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio. Since then, the Diocese has brought that relic to schools and parishes for veneration, in an effort to inspire the youth to deepen their faith.

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

A photo of the relic is attached.

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ABOUT CARLO ACUTIS

Carlo Acutis passed away at the age of 15 in 2006 after his battle with Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Acutis, who attended Mass daily from the age of seven, designed a website listing “The Miracles of the Eucharist,” documenting every miracle throughout the world, associated with the bread and wine consecrated at Mass and transformed into the body and blood of Christ.  The website can be found at http://www.miracolieucaristici.org/.

Since his death, Pope Francis has attributed a miracle to Carlo Acutis, which healed a boy with a malformed pancreas after the child came in contact with one of his shirts. Carlo could become a saint if a second verified miracle is attributed to him and is recognized by the Pope.

First-class relic of Carlos Acutis
The First-class relic of Blessed Carlo Acutis is a fragment of the pericardium, the membrane that surrounded and protected his heart.

POPE FRANCIS ACCEPTS RETIREMENT OF DIOCESE OF BROOKLYN’S AUXILIARY BISHOP PAUL R. SANCHEZ

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The Holy Father, Pope Francis, has accepted the resignation of Diocese of Brooklyn’s Auxiliary Bishop Paul R. Sanchez. The resignation was publicized in Washington on March 30, 2022, 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 that they hold. It is then a determination of the Holy See as to when to accept the resignation. 

“Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus Paul Sanchez has faithfully served God and his people throughout his ministry. The Catholic community of Brooklyn and Queens is better because of Bishop Sanchez’s commitment to teaching the Good News of Jesus Christ. I am grateful for his guidance, and very much appreciate his will to remain as a spiritual leader here in our Diocese,” said the Most Reverend Robert J. Brennan, Bishop of Brooklyn.

“I give thanks to Almighty God for his abundant grace and mercy throughout my almost ten years as an auxiliary Bishop and my 50 years as a priest. I am grateful to Popes Benedict and Francis, and to Bishops DiMarzio and Brennan for their prayers and support. Countless priests, religious men and women, faithful parishioners and my beloved family have inspired and accompanied me in my journey of faith. For all that has been, I say, thank you God.  For all that will be, may God’s will be done,”  stated Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus Paul R. Sanchez.

The Most Reverend Paul Sanchez was born November 26, 1946, in Brooklyn. He earned a Bachelor of Arts from St. Bonaventure’s University, a Master of Arts from the University of Notre Dame, and a Licentiate of Sacred Theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome.

Paul R. Sanchez was ordained to the priesthood on December 17, 1971, at Saint Peter’s Basilica in Rome. Throughout his ministry, he was assigned to a number of parishes throughout the Diocese in both Brooklyn and Queens including Our Lady of Mercy in Forest Hills, St. Michael’s in Flushing, and St. Sebastian’s in Woodside. Then-Father Sanchez also served as pastor at St. Agatha’s in Brooklyn and at Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Astoria, while also serving as administrator of St. Margaret Mary’s in Long Island City.

Then-Father Sanchez was named Vicariate Coordinator for the diocesan Liturgical Commission in January 1975. He also served as a member of the Diocese of Brooklyn’s Presbyteral Council, a member of the diocesan team for ministry to priests, and a sub-committee member of the International Committee on English in the Liturgy.

In 1997, then-Father Sanchez was named a Prelate of Honor (Monsignor) by Saint John Paul II. On July 11, 2012, then-Monsignor Sanchez was ordained as an Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese of Brooklyn. He previously served as an adjunct professor at St. John’s University and at the Seminary of the Immaculate Conception.

Bishop Sanchez will remain Pastor of Our Lady Queen of Martyrs, Forest Hills, where he has served since 2012, and serve as an Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus of the Diocese of Brooklyn.

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Official Photo of Bishop Sanchez
Official Photo of Bishop Sanchez courtesy of DeSales Media.

BISHOP BRENNAN OFFERS PRAYERS FOR PEACE IN BROOKLYN, SPIRITUALLY UNITED WITH POPE FRANCIS IN ROME

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The Most Reverend Robert Brennan, Bishop of Brooklyn, led a Holy Hour of Prayer for Peace this morning, Friday, March 25, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. at the Cathedral Basilica of St. James located at 250 Cathedral Place in Downtown Brooklyn.

At Noon, Bishop Brennan consecrated Ukraine and Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Following the Act of Consecration, he celebrated Mass for the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord.

The Holy Father, Pope Francis, had asked all Bishops to join him spiritually in prayer today as he consecrated Ukraine and Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

In the Catholic Church, to consecrate something is to make it sacred or holy. In the consecration of Ukraine and Russia, the Church is appealing to God, through the intercession of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, to answer prayers for an end to the war in Ukraine.

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VIDEO AND PHOTOS: Courtesy: DeSales Media

https://vimeo.com/692352960

:38 Can you imagine that the whole world, everywhere in the world somebody is praying this prayer right now, begging God for peace, consecrating Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary and really asking God that we too might be transformed, consecrate our own lives to the will of God.

1:03 CONSECRATION: O Mary, Mother of God and our Mother, in this time of trial we turn to you.  As our Mother, you love us and know us: no concern of our hearts is hidden from you.  Mother of mercy, how often we have experienced your watchful care and your peaceful presence!  You never cease to guide us to Jesus, the Prince of Peace. Yet we have strayed from that path of peace.  We have forgotten the lesson learned from the tragedies of the last century, the sacrifice of the millions who fell in two world wars.  We have disregarded the commitments we made as a community of nations.  We have betrayed peoples’ dreams of peace and the hopes of the young.

2:12 CONSECRATION: We have forgotten our humanity and squandered the gift of peace.  We opened our hearts to violence and destructiveness. How greatly we need your maternal help! Therefore, O Mother, hear our prayer.
Star of the Sea, do not let us be shipwrecked in the tempest of war.
Ark of the New Covenant, inspire projects and paths of reconciliation.
Queen of Heaven, restore God’s peace to the world.
Eliminate hatred and the thirst for revenge, and teach us forgiveness.
Free us from war, protect our world from the menace of nuclear weapons.
Queen of the Rosary, make us realize our need to pray and to love.
Queen of the Human Family, show people the path of fraternity.
Queen of Peace, obtain peace for our world.

3:15 HOMILY: Here we did something a little bit different, we all stopped in place and joined together to be one, that sense of unity is part of the act of consecration, it’s not just one person offering prayer but of us all gathering together.”

3:38 HOMILY: Behold I come to do your will, that’s the consecration. You might say that is a little odd, we just did a worldwide prayer for peace, a nice gesture but what difference is it going to make? That’s an easy thing to think, nice thought, wouldn’t be great if it works, but no. We stopped with faith and we said, we really want this to happen, we want God’s will to reign, we want God’s will to come true. Well, you might say well nice but sounds kind of tough, but did you hear what the angel Gabriel said to Mary, his last words? He said nothing is impossible for God.”

Bishop Brennan Prays at the Cathedral Basilica of St. James for Peace.
Bishop Brennan prays for peace at the Cathedral Basilica of St. James.
Bishop Brennan Joins in the Consecration of Immaculate Heart of Mary to Ukraine and Russia asking for God's intercession to bring peace.
Bishop Brennan joins with Pope Francis and people throughout the world in the Consecration of Immaculate Heart of Mary to Ukraine and Russia, asking for God’s intercession and to bring peace.
Bishop Brennan delivers his homily at the Mass on the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord.
Bishop Brennan delivers his homily at the Mass on the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord.
Bishop Robert Brennan blessed a family who joined in praying for peace in Ukraine and Russia, and the Mass of the Feast of the Annunciation.
Bishop Robert Brennan blessed a family who joined in praying for peace in Ukraine and Russia and celebrated the Mass of the Feast of the Annunciation.

 

 

BROOKLYN’S NEW BISHOP CELEBRATES ST. PATRICK’S DAY MASS BEFORE NYC PARADE

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 17, 2022

MEDIA CONTACTS:

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

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

BROOKLYN’S NEW BISHOP, ROBERT BRENNAN, CELEBRATES
ST. PATRICK’S DAY MASS BEFORE NYC PARADE

         The Most Reverend Robert J. Brennan, Bishop of Brooklyn, celebrated St. Patrick’s Day Mass this morning at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Midtown Manhattan. The Bronx born, Long Island raised new Bishop of Brooklyn traces his Irish ancestry to his maternal grandfather, who arrived in New York in 1927 from County Sligo, located in the Ireland province of Connacht.

“St. Patrick’s work has come a long, long way.   Look right here in New York and think of your own parents and grandparents. Think of the religious sisters and of generations of priests and missionaries, joyfully proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ and promoting human dignity,” preached Bishop Brennan.

“So, it is a great day for a parade, maybe a little wet but a great day for the parade. Parades and processions are a literal expression of what you and I should be doing – and are doing – every single day: bringing our faith to the streets, into the community. We hold up St. Patrick.  We carry the Cross of Christ, and in a joyful, celebratory way, with pipes and drums, music and dance, the heart of what it is supposed to be about today is proclaiming Jesus Christ joyfully and effectively to the wider society, sharing the good news and the freedom that is found in Christ and in living His Gospel and seeing the dignity of every human person,” said Bishop Brennan.

Bishop Brennan was previously scheduled to deliver the Homily at today’s Mass. However, as a result of the absence of Cardinal Dolan due to his mother’s passing, Bishop Brennan was the main celebrant of the St. Patrick’s Day Mass.

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Mass livestream: www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3xqqceujuE

37:24 Homily quote 1 above

38:03 Homily quote 2 above

 

Photos & Video – Courtesy DeSales Media

PHOTO 1: Bishop Brennan delivers Homily

PHOTO 2: Bishop Brennan at the Altar

PHOTO 3: Bishop Brennan with NYPD Chaplains

PHOTO 4: Bishop Brennan with Xaverian HS Pipes & Drums Marchers

PHOTO 5 Mayor Eric Adams, NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell, Bishop Robert Brennan, Bishop Edmund Whalen

VIDEO: B-roll St. Patrick’s Day Mass

For the full text of the homily, please email arodriguez@desalesmedia.org

 

ABOUT BISHOP ROBERT J. BRENNAN

Bishop Brennan, who was born in the Bronx and raised on Long Island, was installed as the Eighth Bishop of Brooklyn on November 30, 2021.  A graduate of St. John’s University, Bishop Brennan holds a Bachelor’s of Science degree in mathematics and computer science.

He studied for the priesthood at the Seminary of the Immaculate Conception in Huntington, New York. He was ordained a priest in the Diocese of Rockville Centre in 1989, where he was first assigned to St. Patrick in Smithtown. He was ordained an Auxiliary Bishop for the Diocese of Rockville Centre on July 25, 2012. On March 29, 2019, Bishop Brennan was installed as the Bishop of the Diocese of Columbus.

More information about Bishop Brennan can be found at: https://dioceseofbrooklyn.org/bishops/bishop-robert-j-brennan/

 

TWO BROOKLYN CATHOLIC SCHOOLS BRING HOME TOP HONORS AT ROBOTICS CHAMPIONSHIP

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The Office of Catholic Schools for the Diocese of Brooklyn is excited to announce that two Brooklyn Catholic schools won top honors at this past weekend’s First Lego League City Championship, which featured STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) projects from 75 Catholic and public schools from across the five boroughs.

St. Saviour Catholic Academy, in Park Slope, took home the First Place trophy, and St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Academy, in Windsor Terrace, placed second in the contest.  The theme of the competition was “Cargo Connect,” with each team having to identify a problem and develop a program and robot to solve it.

The first-place winners, “The Demericorns,” from St. Saviour Catholic Academy’s Class 8A, will now be heading to the national competition in Texas this spring. The students’ project focused on mail delivery in medical facilities, looking to assist with the burden on medical staff and trying to limit potential contagion spread through the use of robots.

St. Saviour Catholic Academy Class 8B students, the “Car-Go Vroom” team, placed fourth in the First Lego League City Championship. These students designed a robot to help clean and care for cattle during the shipping process.

“A great big congratulations to our 8th grade First Lego League students and their coach, Mr. Christopher Demera, on their achievement! Yes, those 7:15 mornings paid off,” said Susan McCabe-Walsh, Principal of St. Saviour Catholic Academy.

St. Saviour Catholic Academy’s first-place winning team “The Demericorns” take a picture with their trophy.
St. Saviour Catholic Academy’s first-place winning team “The Demericorns” take a picture with their trophy.
The two winning teams from St. Saviour Catholic Academy; “The Demericorns” which placed first in the competition, and the students from the “Car-Go Vroom” team which placed fourth in the First Lego League City Championship.
The two winning teams from St. Saviour Catholic Academy; “The Demericorns” which placed first in the competition, and the students from the “Car-Go Vroom” team which placed fourth in the First Lego League City Championship.
Students from St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Academy with their project on display at the competition.
Students from St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Academy with their project on display at the competition.
The second place “Innovation Project Award” trophy presented to the St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Academy team.
The second-place “Innovation Project Award” trophy was presented to the St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Academy team.

Students of the St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Academy’s eighth-grade robotics team, under the leadership of robotics coach and teacher Lisa Nitzsche, tackled the issue of package theft. Their project created a QR scanner that would allow delivery personnel into a mailbox, or a locker, outside of a home.

“It really ties in with caring for others and thinking of others. A lot of the robotics skills they learned through this project, the teamwork, the problem solving and research, and the use of different technologies, has prepared them for their education going forward,” said teacher Lisa Nitzsche.

The FIRST LEGO League guides students through STEM learning and exploration.

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BROOKLYN CATHOLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS SEND LOVE AND PRAYERS TO THE CHILDREN OF THE UKRAINE

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BROOKLYN CATHOLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS SEND LOVE AND PRAYERS TO THE CHILDREN OF THE UKRAINE

Students of St. Mark’s Catholic Academy, located in the Sheepshead Bay section of Brooklyn, held a special dress-down fundraiser for the children of Ukraine on Monday, March 7, 2022.

The school raised over $2,000 for “Voices of Children,” which provides psychological and psychosocial support for children affected by war.

Photos attached are courtesy of the Diocese of Brooklyn/St. Mark’s Catholic Academy.

St. Mark’s Catholic Academy students participating in a dress-down fundraiser to benefit the children of Ukraine.
Students from St. Mark’s Catholic Academy send their prayers to the children of Ukraine.