UPDATED: February 26, 2018 (5:17 PM)

UPDATE: POLICE HAVE ARRESTED A SUSPECT IN CONNECTION WITH VANDALISM AT AMERICAN MARTYRS CHURCH IN QUEENS. CONTACT THE NYPD FOR MORE INFORMATION.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 26, 2018

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Carolyn Erstad
323-384-7098
cerstad@desalesmedia.org

Adriana Rodriguez
516-238-7565
arodriguez@desalesmedia.org

HATE CRIME OFFICERS ARE INVESTIGATING VANDALISM AT QUEENS CHURCH

On Friday February 23, just after 6 p.m., surveillance cameras outside American Martyrs Church in Oakland Gardens, Queens captured a man vandalizing two religious statues. A Blessed Mother statue was dragged 25 feet from its base and smashed. The shell of a Sacred Heart of Jesus statue was thrown down a flight of steps leading to the rectory basement. NYPD officers were called to the scene and continue to investigate the incident as a hate crime.

This is not the first time American Martyrs Church, located at 79-43 Bell Blvd, has been targeted by vandals. In December, someone bent back the fingers of a statue of St. Isaac Jogues in the church’s prayer garden.  In October, damage to a Bingo sign was discovered.  In August, a man threw a brick through the windows of the church doors. That crime was also caught on camera and police arrested the alleged vandal.

An interview with the church’s pastor, surveillance video of the crime, and access to the damaged statues will be made available between 2:00 and 3:00pm. Media interested should contact Adriana Rodriguez at 516-238-7565.

 

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 20, 2017
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Carolyn Erstad
323-384-7098
cerstad@desalesmedia.org

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

 

EXPERIENCE THE MIRACLE OF CHRISTMAS AND A NIGHT OF HOLIDAY ENTERTAINMENT

On December 20, 2017, at 7:00 p.m, Most Reverend Nicholas DiMarzio, Bishop of Brooklyn, will join DeSales Media Group and the Co-Cathedral of Saint Joseph for a Christmas extravaganza filled with family entertainment, a live musical production and a visit by Santa. Bishop DiMarzio will give the opening blessing before the start of the festivities.

7:00 pm – Opening show, hosted by Liz Faublas, with special performances by actor Anthony Mangano; hip-hop/R&B artist Kei-Landa, performing her hit original Christmas song “Put Him on Your List“; 13-year-old soprano Diana Marie Paunetto and cabaret singer Charlie Romo.

7:30 pm – “Miracle of Christmas” live musical. The production, written and directed by Sister Maria Amador, tells the story of the birth of Jesus Christ and, this year, includes new original songs and choreography. The show stars Aaron Heaps who plays Joseph, and Jasmine Neil who plays Mary.

8:30 pm – Santa arrives at Church

8:45 pm – Good night blessing outside Church
Tree lighting and Christmas light show
Selfies with Santa, hot chocolate and cookies

Doors open at 6:30 pm at the Co-Cathedral of Saint Joseph located at 856 Pacific Street in Brooklyn.

For more information on tonight’s show please contact Adriana Rodriguez at arodriguez@desalesmedia.org or at
516-238-7565.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 8, 2017
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Carolyn Erstad
323-384-7098
cerstad@desalesmedia.org
Adriana Rodriguez
718-408-6367
arodriguez@desalesmedia.org

THOUSANDS OF CATHOLICS EXPECTED TO MAKE
ANNUAL PILGRIMAGE IN HONOR OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE

On Tuesday, December 12, the Diocese of Brooklyn will celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe at the Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph, 856 Pacific Street, in Prospect Heights, followed by the traditional torch walk to 43 Catholic churches throughout Brooklyn and Queens.

The day’s events begin at 10 a.m. with Catechesis. At noon, Mass will be celebrated in Spanish by the Most Reverend Nicholas DiMarzio, Bishop of Brooklyn, and concelebrated by 25 priests as well as Auxiliary Bishop Octavio Cisneros, who will deliver the homily.

Following Mass, at 1:30 pm, Bishop DiMarzio will bless and light the 43 torches of the faithful. At 1:45 pm, 2,000 participants are expected to depart and make their pilgrimage to participating parishes. There are five routes, three will end in Queens, and two will terminate in Brooklyn. The complete routes are pictured below.

The group of pilgrims represents, in its vast majority, the Mexican-Catholic population of Brooklyn and Queens. According to the 2015 National Census, there are nearly 200,000 Mexicans living in Brooklyn and Queens.

This event is organized by Reverend Jorge Ortiz-Garay, Director of the Mexican Ministry. For more information, contact Adriana Rodriguez at (516) 238-7565 or at arodriguez@desalesmedia.org.

 

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 6, 2017

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Carolyn Erstad
323-384-7098
cerstad@desalesmedia.org

Adriana Rodriguez
718-408-6367
arodriguez@desalesmedia.org

 

BROOKLYN BISHOP JOINS NATIONWIDE CAMPAIGN TO PROTECT DREAMERS 

On Wednesday, December 6, the Most Reverend Nicholas DiMarzio, Bishop of Brooklyn, along with Catholic bishops from across the country, is taking part in the #iMarch campaign, a national day of action for immigration reform.

In a 40-second social media video and a 30-second radio spot, Bishop DiMarzio calls on Congress to act now to protect hundreds of thousands of young people from deportation. These young people, known as Dreamers, were children when their parents brought them to the United States. They now face deportation because the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program has been terminated.  The DACA program is set to expire in March 2018, unless Congress comes up with a legislative alternative.

The video message is being shared on Facebook and Twitter. The radio spot is airing on 1010 WINS, WOR, and 106.7 FM.

In his messages, Bishop DiMarzio says “America is a beacon of hope, and these innocent young people, have done nothing wrong and should not be punished.  They should not be forced to leave America which is their home. Congress must pass legislation that allows them to stay, study and work legally in the United States.”

The #iMarch campaign was launched by the New American Economy, a group of republican, democratic, and independent mayors and business leaders who support immigration reform that will help create jobs for Americans. Dreamers, along with faith, business, education, agricultural, and political leaders are being asked to participate.

The Wednesday, December 6 day of action will extend through Thursday, December 7, with a number of cities planning events on the second day.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 5, 2017

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Carolyn Erstad
323-384-7098
cerstad@desalesmedia.org
Adriana Rodriguez
516-238-7565
arodriguez@desalesmedia.org

 CHRISTMAS TREE AND LIFE-SIZED NATIVITY TO BE DELIVERED AT GRAND ARMY PLAZA

On Wednesday, December 6th at 8 a.m., The Diocese of Brooklyn and the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation will receive delivery of a 35 foot Balsam Fir Christmas tree at the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Memorial Arch at Grand Army Plaza, Prospect Park. The Diocese of Brooklyn’s tree will be the largest ever displayed in Prospect Park and will be decorated with thousands of colored lights to represent the diversity of Brooklyn. At 10 a.m. the life-sized Nativity crèche will be leaving the Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph, 856 Pacific Street, Brooklyn, under police escort and is scheduled to arrive at Grand Army Plaza at 10:15 a.m.

On Monday, December 11th at 4:00 p.m., Most Reverend Nicholas DiMarzio, Bishop of Brooklyn, will bless the Nativity crèche and light the Christmas tree along with parishioners from all over Brooklyn and Queens. The event will be hosted by actor Anthony Mangano and include performances by the St. Savior Gospel Choir and Charlie Romo.

The tree lighting and Nativity’s placement is made possible by DeSales Media Group, the communications, and technology arm of the Diocese of Brooklyn, the eighth largest diocese in the United States and the only entirely urban diocese in the nation, serving the boroughs of Brooklyn and Queens.

 

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 4, 2017

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Carolyn Erstad
323-384-7098
cerstad@desalesmedia.org

Adriana Rodriguez
516-238-7565
arodriguez@desalesmedia.org

For more information: www.PutHimOnYourList.org

Music video: https://youtu.be/TkFZv9wvMCQ

 

STATEWIDE CAMPAIGN REMINDS PEOPLE ABOUT THE TRUE MEANING OF CHRISTMAS

Churches from across New York State have joined the Diocese of Brooklyn in its annual campaign designed to remind people about the true meaning of Christmas during this busy season. The “Put Him on Your List” campaign encourages the faithful to put Jesus at the top of their Christmas list and to celebrate his birth by attending Mass.

This year, an original song, Put Him on Your List (This Christmas) is debuting. It was written by Christian hip-hop/R&B artist Kei-Landa. Kei-Landa was born and raised on Manhattan’s Lower East Side and combines her passion for music with her desire to walk with God and spread the Gospel. The song and music video can be seen/downloaded at www.PutHimOnYourList.org. Money raised from the downloads will go to helping hurricane victims in Puerto Rico.

The campaign also includes a TV commercial, digital and newspaper ads, and radio spots recorded by Most Reverend Nicholas DiMarzio, Bishop of Brooklyn.

The Archdiocese of New York and Dioceses of Rockville Centre, Albany, Rochester, Syracuse, Buffalo, and Ogdensburg have all joined in the Diocese of Brooklyn’s campaign.

To schedule an interview with Kei-Landa, contact Adriana Rodriguez at arodriguez@desalesmedia.org or 516-238-7565.

 

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 30, 2017

 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:

For Cardinal Dolan

Joseph Zwilling

646-794-2997

joseph.zwilling@archny.org

For Bishop DiMarzio

Carolyn Erstad

323-384-7098

cerstad@desalesmedia.org

 

UPDATE: Here are links to video and photos from Puerto Rico today.

Video: http://bit.ly/2z06FBB

Photos: http://bit.ly/2yZBjxf

MUST COURTESY: NET-TV/CURRENTS NEWS 

 

CARDINAL DOLAN AND BISHOP DIMARZIO TO VISIT PUERTO RICO

               Timothy Cardinal Dolan, Archbishop of New York, and Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio, Bishop of Brooklyn, will make a pastoral visit to San Juan, Puerto Rico on Monday, October 30, to express the support, solidarity, and love of Catholics in New York for those still struggling to recover from the devastation of Hurricane Maria.

Cardinal Dolan and Bishop DiMarzio will be visiting Archbishop Roberto Gonzalez, Archbishop of San Juan, who spent much of his early priesthood serving in the Bronx.  Archbishop Gonzalez is preparing their itinerary for the day which will include Mass at the San Juan Cathedral, a visit to Caritas Puerto Rico and to a convent for cloistered Carmelite nuns, which was affected by the hurricane.

Cardinal Dolan will present Archbishop Gonzalez with more than $700,000 in donations from the people of the archdiocese, and Bishop DiMarzio will bring an additional $115,000 from the people of the Brooklyn Diocese, to aid in recovery efforts.

Among those joining the Cardinal and the Bishop on the trip are Msgr. Kevin Sullivan, Executive Director of Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese, and Ms. Wanda Vasquez, Director of Hispanic Pastoral Ministry.  They expect to return to New York on Monday night.

 

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