FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 15, 2019

MEDIA CONTACTS:

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

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

CHURCHES OPEN FOR CONFESSION ON RECONCILIATION MONDAY

The Most Reverend Nicholas DiMarzio, Bishop of Brooklyn, in partnership with Timothy Cardinal Dolan of the Archdiocese of New York, is reminding all New York Catholics that tomorrow, December 16th, the Monday before Christmas, is Reconciliation Monday.

This year locally, the theme of Reconciliation Monday is “Prepare Your Heart for Christmas.”From 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., parishes throughout the diocese and archdiocese will be open for walk-in confessions. The goal of Reconciliation Monday is to encourage Catholics to receive the sacrament of Reconciliation in preparation for Christmas.

Reconciliation Monday also allows the faithful to confess their sins in anonymity. “One of the advantages is that you do not have to go to your own parish, as you can go to another Church and be unknown if there is some embarrassment in knowing the priest who will hear your confession. This is the time when the priest is merely an instrument of God’s grace and that the real absolver is Jesus Christ, Himself,” said Bishop DiMarzio.

To find a parish near you in Brooklyn or Queens, go to dioceseofbrooklyn.org/parishes/locator

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 12, 2019

MEDIA CONTACTS:

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

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

 

THOUSANDS OF CATHOLICS ATTEND MASS IN HONOR OF OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE

          The Diocese of Brooklyn officially marked the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe this afternoon at the Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph, located at 856 Pacific Street, in the Prospect Heights section of Brooklyn, followed by the traditional torch walk to 39 Catholic Churches throughout Brooklyn and Queens.

At noon, the Mass was celebrated in Spanish by the Most Reverend Nicholas DiMarzio, Bishop of Brooklyn, and concelebrated by Auxiliary Bishop Octavio Cisneros and more than 20 priests. Following Mass, Bishop DiMarzio blessed and lit 39 torches of the faithful.

More than 2,000 participants attended Mass and took part in pilgrimages to participating parishes throughout Brooklyn and Queens. The group of Catholics in attendance was representative of the Mexican-Catholic population of Brooklyn and Queens. There are more than 175,000 Mexicans living in the Diocese of Brooklyn. This event was organized by Reverend Jorge Ortiz-Garay, Director of the Mexican Apostolate.

Photos attached.

 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 5, 2019

MEDIA CONTACTS:

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

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

***VIDEO/STILLS UPDATE***
https://vimeo.com/377687158
Please courtesy: DeSales Media Group

 

17,000 RED LIGHTS TO SHINE ON GRAND ARMY PLAZA CHRISTMAS TREE TO BRING AWARENESS TO THE PERSECUTION OF CHRISTIANS

 

The DeSales Media Group, along with the Diocese of Brooklyn and Aid to the Church in Need, will officially light the 2019 Diocesan Christmas tree at a ceremony tomorrow, Thursday, December 5, 2019, at 5 p.m., in front of the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Arch located at 20 Grand Army Plaza in Brooklyn.

The ceremony will include spiritual reflection and song, a candle lighting vigil and moment of silence, and a special performance by the St. Saviour’s High School Gospel Choir.

Emmy-Award Winning TV News Journalist Kelly Wright will serve as the event’s Master of Ceremonies. Ben Harney, 1982 Tony-Award winner for his performance as Curtis Taylor, Jr. in Dream Girls, will recite Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s Christmas Bells poem.

The 32-foot Christmas tree has been decorated in approximately 17,000 red lights and 2,500 red bows to honor the memory of Christians who have been victimized for their beliefs.

According to Open Doors USA, in the top 50 World Watch List countries alone, 245 million Christians experience high levels of persecution for their choice to follow Christ. That is 1 in 9 Christians who are suffering for their beliefs.

The tree will remain lit throughout the Christmas season, bringing awareness to the plight of persecuted Christians throughout the world.

Members of the media are welcome to attend.

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 5, 2019

MEDIA CONTACTS:

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

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

IRISH TENORS “SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS CONCERT” TO BENEFIT CATHOLIC EDUCATION

The Diocese of Brooklyn has announced details of the 2019 Spirit of Christmas Concert, benefitting the Futures in Education scholarship fund, will feature the Irish Tenors, Ronan Tynan, Declan Kelly, and Anthony Kearns.

 

The concert will take place on Tuesday, December 17, at 8 p.m., in the Howard Gilman Opera House at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, located at 30 Lafayette Avenue in Fort Greene.

 

The goal of Futures in Education is to ensure the gift of Catholic education continues to be a viable option for current and future generations of deserving students in Brooklyn and Queens. Through the generosity of donors, the scholarship fund annually supports more than 4,500 of the neediest students enrolled in Catholic schools in Brooklyn and Queens.    

 

For more information on the event, and to purchase tickets, please call 718-965-7934 or visit https://futuresineducation.org/events/spiritofchristmas/

 

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A photo of the Irish Tenors is attached.

 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 3, 2019

MEDIA CONTACTS:

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

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

“KEEP CHRIST IN CHRISTMAS” STUDENT ART CONTEST SEEKS FAITH THROUGH ART IN BROOKLYN AND QUEENS

 

The Tablet, the newspaper of the Diocese of Brooklyn, along with the Archbishop John Hughes Council of the Knights of Columbus located in the Dyker Heights section of Brooklyn, again will sponsor the “Keep Christ in Christmas” art contest this year, for students in grades 1-12, residing in Brooklyn and Queens.

 

The 2019 contest is encouraging students to express their faith through art by connecting the “Keep Christ in Christmas” theme with Deuteronomy Chapter 10: Verses 17-19: “For the Lord, your God, is the God of gods, the Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who has no favorites, accepts no bribes, who executes justice for the orphan and the widow, and loves the resident alien, giving them food and clothing. So you too should love the resident alien, for that is what you were in the land of Egypt.”

 

There are no restrictions on size or art materials used, but the artwork must be presented in physical form. No video, audio, photocopy or email entry will be accepted. All entries must include the name, grade, school or parish, contact phone number and return mailing address (phone numbers and addresses will not be published). All information must be written on the back of the work or is securely attached to the work. Please do not use paper clips.

 

Entries are to be submitted to the: Keep Christ in Christmas Contest, 1712 Tenth Avenue, Brooklyn, New York 11215. The deadline is Wednesday, December 18 at 5 p.m. The winners will receive prizes and have their works published in The Tablet.

 

 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 26, 2019

MEDIA CONTACTS:

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

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

 

TWO CATHOLIC ACADEMY PRINCIPALS  OF THE DIOCESE OF BROOKLYN

EARN STATEWIDE RECOGNITION

The Office of the Superintendent of Catholic School Support Services for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn is recognizing two of their academy principals, recently honored with the 2019 “Lighting the Fire for Catholic Education Award” by the Catholic School Administrators Association of New York State.

 

Principals Margaret Tyndall of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Academy in Sunset Park and Joann Heppt of Resurrection Ascension Catholic Academy in Rego Park received their awards at an event in Albany earlier this month.

 

“Mrs. Heppt is a faith-filled educator who fosters a strong Catholic Identity. The children and their physical and emotional well-being have always been a priority to her. Mrs. Heppt works tirelessly to bring programs to enhance student learning experiences to the school,” said Superintendent Dr. Thomas Chadzutko.

 

“We are delighted that Mrs. Tyndall has been recognized in this way. Her commitment to Catholic education and to the development of our children has long been recognized by the parents, teachers, pastors and board members of OLPH Catholic Academy. We are grateful for her leadership, for the gifted faculty that are her colleagues, and for the vibrant and caring school community that they continue to nurture in Sunset Park,” said Ralph Nofi, Chair of the Board of Directors of OLPH Catholic Academy.

 

The “Lighting the Fire for Catholic Education Award” recognizes Catholic school leaders who display a commitment to excellence through curriculum programs designed to meet the spiritual, academic and social-emotional needs of all students and teachers. The nominations of both Mrs. Tyndall and Mrs. Heppt also detailed specific information about the outstanding leadership and the contributions each Principal has made to the students, faculty and their entire Catholic educational communities.

Photos attached.

#1- Margaret Tyndall of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Academy and Joann Heppt of Resurrection Ascension Catholic Academy, center, joined by their husbands and staff from the Office of the Superintendent~Catholic School Support Service at the CSAANY conference.

#2- Joann Heppt of Resurrection Ascension Catholic Academy and Margaret Tyndall of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Academy display their honors.

#3- Margaret Tyndall of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Academy along with her husband, Reynell, at the conference held in Albany.

 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 20, 2019

MEDIA CONTACTS:

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

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

 

ST. FRANCIS PREPARATORY SCHOOL HONORED FOR INTERNATIONAL SUPPORT OF FELLOW HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS

            The Diocese of Brooklyn is announcing special honors were bestowed upon St. Francis Preparatory School at the recent World Mission Sunday celebration, recognizing their support of, and contributions to a secondary school over 7,300 miles away in Kenya.

 

As part of Saint Francis Preparatory School’s continued support for international charities, the school was able to send a donation in the amount of $22,700 to the Franciscan Brothers of Galway. The funds were raised during the student body’s 2019 Lenten collection, with additional donations from parents and alumni. The Franciscan Brothers of Galway transferred the donation to their twin school, Saint Francis Secondary School in Lare, Kenya.

 

The funds have been used to provide tuition assistance, nutritional aid, construction of paved campus walkways, and the construction of a new basketball court. Additionally, two members of the St. Francis Prep alumni community, Dr. Joseph Pantaleo, ’03, and Dr. Kamica Lewis, ’99, coordinated teams of health professionals to provide dental and medical care for the Lare community for the third year in a row.

 

“As a Franciscan school, we do our best to remember our call to work in solidarity with our global brothers and sisters. I am so very proud of the contributions of our faculty, staff, students, and alumni who humbly walk with our Franciscan brothers and sisters in Kenya and live out the Gospel message every day,” said Patrick McLaughlin, Principal of St. Francis Preparatory School.

 

St. Francis Preparatory School is located at 6100 Francis Lewis Boulevard in the Fresh Meadows section of Queens. The attached photos are of the new basketball court and the recently paved walkways.