POPE FRANCIS ACCEPTS RETIREMENT OF DIOCESE OF BROOKLYN’S AUXILIARY BISHOP RAYMOND F. CHAPPETTO

Posted on March 7, 2022March 7, 2022

POPE FRANCIS ACCEPTS RETIREMENT OF DIOCESE OF BROOKLYN’S AUXILIARY BISHOP RAYMOND F. CHAPPETTO

The Holy Father, Pope Francis, has accepted the resignation of Diocese of Brooklyn’s Auxiliary Bishop Raymond F. Chappetto. The resignation was publicized in Washington on March 7, 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.

“I share the appreciation of so many in the diocese for Bishop Chappetto’s many years of dedicated service here in Brooklyn and Queens. Personally, I thank him for staying on beyond the retirement age to assist with the transition, and to Pope Francis for allowing that,” said The Most Reverend Robert Brennan, Bishop of Brooklyn.

“It has been an honor and a privilege for me to serve for 51 years as a priest, 10 of those years as a Bishop, for the great Diocese of Brooklyn. I am grateful to our Holy Father, Pope Francis, and to Bishops DiMarzio and Brennan, for their support of my ministry,” stated Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus Raymond F. Chappetto.

The Most Reverend Raymond F. Chappetto, D.D., was born on August 20, 1945, in Astoria. He studied at Cathedral College in Brooklyn and was awarded a Master of Divinity from Our Lady of Angels Seminary in Albany. Bishop Chappetto also holds a Master of Arts in Religious Education from St. John’s University and is certified in Pastoral Counseling.

Raymond F. Chappetto was ordained to the priesthood on May 29, 1971. Throughout his ministry, he has served in numerous parishes in Brooklyn and Queens, and as an Episcopal Vicar for Brooklyn West. In 1997, then-Father Chappetto was named a Prelate of Honor (Monsignor) by Saint John Paul II.

In 2008, while assigned as Pastor of Our Lady of Snows in Floral Park, then-Monsignor Chappetto was named Pastor of the Year by the National Catholic Education Association. During his ministry at Our Lady of Snows, he was named Minister for Priests. In 2009, he was named Vicar for Clergy and Consecrated Life, a position held until 2021.

On July 11, 2012, then-Monsignor Chappetto was ordained as an Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese of Brooklyn. In September 2013, Bishop Chappetto was named Diocese of Brooklyn’s Vicar General.

The Most Reverend Raymond F. Chappetto will now serve as an Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus of the Diocese of Brooklyn effective immediately.

Bishop Chappetto Photo — Photo of Bishop Raymond Chappetto courtesy of DeSales Media.

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SPECIAL WEEK PLANNED TO CELEBRATE READING IN BROOKLYN AND QUEENS CATHOLIC SCHOOLS

Posted on March 4, 2022

Catholic Telemedia Network (CTN), a service of DeSales Media Group, will host the 4^th Annual Great Diocesan Read Aloud next week, March 7-11, 2022, with 80 classes from 40 Catholic schools and academies throughout Brooklyn and Queens participating.

This year, 30 authors from around the world will be reading their published work including award-winning authors Laura James, Jennie Englund, and Derek Keilty. The Most Reverend Robert J. Brennan, Bishop of Brooklyn, and Dr. Thomas Chadzutko, Superintendent of Schools, will be among the special guest readers. Congresswoman Grace Meng and Laurie Windsor, representing Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis, will also be featured guest readers.

“The Great Diocesan Read Aloud is an opportunity for students to share an experience through a story, and in many cases, to have the unique opportunity of hearing the words read by the person who crafted them. We are thrilled with the increased participation of children’s authors from many genres, and the eagerness of our guest readers to ‘step’ into our classrooms,” said Gina Krainchich, Director of Educational Media Services for CTN.

The goal of the Great Diocesan Read Aloud is to encourage school participation in National Reading Month. Guests will be virtually welcomed into classrooms to read their favorite children’s books throughout the week. The program aims to inspire students to enhance their love of reading by showcasing books they may not have selected to read on their own.

The Great Diocesan Read Aloud highlights the integration of technology and literacy to expand the world of reading beyond the classroom doors. During each 30-minute classroom “visit,” students will have the opportunity to ask questions to their guest readers and better foster a relationship between reading and curiosity.

DeSales Media is the communications and technology arms of the Diocese of Brooklyn.

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Video/Update-Brooklyn Bishop Robert Brennan Prays with Ukrainian Community

Posted on March 3, 2022

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 27, 2022

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Adriana Rodriguez
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John Quaglione
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Brooklyn Bishop Robert Brennan Joins the Ukrainian Community in Prayer

The Most Reverend Robert Brennan, Bishop of Brooklyn, and Most Reverend Witold Mroziewski, Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese of Brooklyn, joined the Ukrainian community at a special Mass Saturday evening to pray for the people suffering in their homeland. The Mass celebrated in the Ukrainian language was held at Guardian Angel Roman Catholic Church, 2978 Ocean Parkway in the Brighton Beach section of Brooklyn.

“I am sorry that we are gathered here with fear, worry, and concern for those who are at home, especially for your own family members. Bishop Witold and I wanted to be here tonight in a very special way because we are doing tonight what we, as Catholics, do in times of tribulation. We gather to pray; we pray, we pour out our hearts to God, we ask for His protection over the country of Ukraine, over all the people and especially over all your family members, we pray,” Bishop Brennan told the faithful.

He added, “May God bless you for your faith, your hope, and your love. My heart breaks with your heart, but we are filled with that same sense of hope, and that hope comes to us because of Jesus Christ, who faced evil right in the eyes and rose over sin and death. May God bless you tonight, may God bless all your families in the days to come.”

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VIDEO – Courtesy DeSales Media: https://vimeo.com/682403995

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

Posted on February 25, 2022June 10, 2024

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 24, 2022

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Adriana Rodriguez
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John Quaglione
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jquaglione@desalesmedia.org

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Brooklyn Bishop Robert Brennan Prays for Peace in Ukraine

Posted on February 24, 2022February 24, 2022

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 24, 2022

MEDIA CONTACTS:

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

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

Brooklyn Bishop Robert Brennan Prays for Peace in Ukraine

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

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

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

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

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

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

Posted on February 20, 2022February 20, 2022

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 20, 2022

MEDIA CONTACTS:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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VIDEO – Courtesy DeSales Media

https://vimeo.com/679840549

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

Posted on February 18, 2022February 18, 2022

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 17, 2022

MEDIA CONTACTS:

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

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

***MEDIA ADVISORY***

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Posted on February 16, 2022

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 16, 2022

MEDIA CONTACTS:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Monsignor Gigantiello joins seven other chaplains serving the FDNY.

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

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

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

Posted on February 14, 2022

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

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

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

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

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

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

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St. Gregory the Great Catholic Academy students making Valentine's Day cards for Veterans. — St. Gregory the Great Catholic Academy students making Valentine’s Day cards for Veterans.

A Kindergarten student making a Valentine's Day card to be sent to Veteran. — A Kindergarten student making a Valentine’s Day card to be sent to Veteran.

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

Posted on February 9, 2022

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

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

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

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

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

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

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