Announcement of Death – Reverend George R. Cowan

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Most Reverend Robert J. Brennan, Bishop of Brooklyn, regrets to inform you of the death of Reverend George R. Cowan, a retired priest of the Diocese of Brooklyn. Father Cowan was born on July 29, 1938 in New York, was ordained to the Priesthood on May 29, 1965 and died Sunday, October 6, 2024.

Father Cowan served the Diocese of Brooklyn as Pastor of the Parishes of Saint Mel (Flushing), and Saint Rose of Lima (Brooklyn). He served as Parochial Vicar of the Parishes of Our Lady of Miracles (Brooklyn), Nativity of our Blessed Lord (Brooklyn), Saint Joan of Arc (Jackson Heights), and Saints Peter and Paul (Brooklyn). He was in residence at the Parishes of Holy Innocents (Brooklyn), Immaculate Heart of Mary (Brooklyn), and Saint Laurence (Brooklyn). Father Cowan served as Chaplain of Saint Agnes Academy High School, Nazareth Regional High School, and Saint Brendan’s High School.

The arrangements are as follows:

WAKE:
Immaculate Conception Center
7200 Douglaston Parkway Douglaston, New York 11362 Tel: (718) 229-8001
Monday, October 14, 2024
2:00 PM – 7:30 PM

American Martyrs R.C. Church
79-43 Bell Boulevard Bayside, New York 11364 Tel: (718) 464-4582
Tuesday, October 15, 2024
9:30 AM – 10:30 AM

FUNERAL MASS:
American Martyrs R.C. Church
79-43 Bell Boulevard Bayside, New York 11364 Tel: (718) 464-4582
Tuesday, October 15, 2024
11:00 AM

BURIAL:
Calvary Cemetery
Woodside, New York

Please pray for the repose of his soul and for the consolation of his family and friends. May he rest in the peace of Christ, the Risen Lord.

If you wish to send condolences, please mail to his sister, Mrs. Peggy Truncellito, 54 Sunset Boulevard, Massapequa, New York 11758.

Reverend Monsignor Steven J. Aguggia, J.C.L.
Chancellor and Vicar for Canonical Affairs

Announcement of Death – Reverend Raymond F. Schmidt

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Most Reverend Robert J. Brennan, Bishop of Brooklyn, regrets to inform you of the death of Reverend Raymond F. Schmidt, a retired priest of the Diocese of Brooklyn. Father Schmidt was born on September 24, 1934 in New York, was ordained to the Priesthood on May 28, 1960 and died Tuesday, September 24, 2024.

Father Schmidt served the Diocese of Brooklyn as Pastor of the Parish of Saint Mary (Long Island City). He also served as Parochial Vicar of the Parishes of Sacred Heart (Bayside), Our Lady of Mount Carmel (Astoria), Saint Mark (Brooklyn), Saint Benedict Joseph Labre (Richmond Hill) and Saint Rita (Long Island City). He was in residence at the Bishop Mugavero Residence in Douglaston, New York. Father Schmidt served as Lieutenant, Colonel, and Chaplain of the U.S. Army.

The arrangements are as follows:

WAKE:
Immaculate Conception Center
7200 Douglaston Parkway Douglaston, New York 11362 Tel: (718) 229-8001

Friday, September 27, 2024
6:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Saturday, September 28, 2024
9:00 AM – 10:30 AM

FUNERAL MASS:
Immaculate Conception Center
7200 Douglaston Parkway Douglaston, New York 11362 Tel: (718) 229-8001
Saturday, September 28, 2024
11:00 AM

BURIAL:
Saint John Cemetery
Middle Village, New York

Father Schmidt was a member of the Priests’ Purgatorial Society.

Please pray for the repose of his soul and for the consolation of his family and friends. May he rest in the peace of Christ, the Risen Lord.

If you wish to send condolences, please mail to his sister, Ms. Patricia Schmidt, 440 Lewis Road, New Britain, Connecticut 06053; and to his nephew, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Schmidt, 27 Lee Avenue, Rockville Center, New York 11570.

Reverend Monsignor Steven J. Aguggia, J.C.L.

Chancellor and Vicar for Canonical Affairs

Announcement of Death – Reverend Gerald J. Fitzsimmons, S.M.M.

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The Diocese of Brooklyn has been informed of the death of Reverend Gerald J. Fitzsimmons, S.M.M., a priest of the Montfort Missionaries – U.S. Province, who served the Diocese of Brooklyn as Pastor of Saint Mary Gate of Heaven (Ozone Park).

Father Fitzsimmons died on Friday, July 19, 2024.

The funeral arrangements are as follows:

WAKE: Sacred Heart Chapel 1725 Brentwood Road Brentwood, New York 11717 Tel: (631) 273-1187

Tuesday, July 23, 2024 3:00 PM – 7:30 PM

FUNERAL MASS: Sacred Heart Chapel 1725 Brentwood Road Brentwood, New York 11717 Tel: (631) 273-1187

Wednesday, July 24, 2024 11:00 AM

Please pray for the repose of his soul and for the consolation of his family and friends. May he rest in the peace of Christ, the Risen Lord. If you wish to send condolences, please mail to the Montfort Missionaries, 26 South Saxon Avenue, Bay Shore, New York 11706.

Reverend Monsignor Steven Aguggia, J.C.L.

Announcement of Death – Reverend Peter D. Gillen

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Most Reverend Robert J. Brennan, Bishop of Brooklyn, regrets to inform you of the death of Reverend Peter D. Gillen, a priest of the Diocese of Brooklyn. Father Gillen was born on August 10, 1951 in New York, was ordained to the Priesthood on February 11, 1978 and died on Friday, July 19, 2024.

Father Gillen served the Diocese of Brooklyn as Pastor of the Parishes of Saint Brendan (Brooklyn), Corpus Christi (Woodside), and Saint Rose of Lima (Rockaway Beach). He also served as Parochial Vicar of the Parishes of Our Lady of Guadalupe (Brooklyn), Saint Francis of Assisi (Astoria), American Martyrs (Bayside), Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal (Ridgewood), and Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary & Saint Stephen (Brooklyn); as well as transitional Deacon at the Parish of Saints Simon and Jude (Brooklyn). Father Gillen also ministered as Director of Devotion to the Sacred Heart.

The arrangements are as follows:

WAKE: Saint Brendan R.C. Church 1525 East 12th Street Brooklyn, New York 11230 Tel: (718) 339-2828

Wednesday, July 24, 2024 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Thursday, July 25, 2024 2:00 PM – 6:30 PM

VIGIL MASS: Saint Brendan R.C. Church 1525 East 12th Street Brooklyn, New York 11230 Tel: (718) 339-2828

Thursday, July 25, 2024 7:00 PM

FUNERAL MASS: Saint Brendan R.C. Church 1525 East 12th Street Brooklyn, New York 11230 Tel: (718) 339-2828

Friday, July 26, 2024 11:00 AM

BURIAL: Saint John Cemetery Middle Village, New York Father Gillen was a member of the Priests’ Purgatorial Society. Please pray for the repose of his soul and for the consolation of his family and friends. May he rest in the peace of Christ, the Risen Lord. If you wish to send condolences, please mail to his sister, Ms. Marie Gillen, 72-28 66 Drive, Middle Village, New York 11379.

Reverend Monsignor Steven J. Aguggia, J.C.L. Chancellor and Vicar for Canonical Affairs

Parish Merger Decree – Saint Augustine – Saint Francis Xavier

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DECREE

Changes in the spiritual practices among the faithful, a decrease in available clergy and men and women in consecrated life, changes in the general population within our Diocese, as well as concerns regarding temporal matters have affected the means by which the Gospel of Jesus Christ has been proclaimed within the Diocese of Brooklyn. In an effort to respond in the best possible way to the gifts of the Holy Spirit generously given to us in our current situation, I have overseen a comprehensive pastoral plan, which included the whole of the Diocese of Brooklyn.

In an effort to evangelize more effectively the community in Brooklyn, as well to administrate the temporal goods of the faithful more efficiently, Reverend Frank C. Tumino, Pastor of Saint Augustine, located at 116 6th Avenue, Brooklyn, New York 11217, and also Pastor of Saint Francis Xavier, located at 225 6th Avenue, Brooklyn, New York 11215, petitioned that they be canonically merged.

In keeping with the requirements of the Universal Law of the Church, the Presbyteral Council was consulted on April 11, 2024 (Canon 515 § 2), and after having heard the reasons for the proposed merger its members expressed their support for this action. In addition, after having consulted the territorial Episcopal Vicars, clergy, pastoral ministers and other members of the faithful of the parishes involved, I, the undersigned Bishop of Brooklyn, hereby declare and decree that the Parishes of Saint Augustine and Saint Francis Xavier, both within the Diocese of Brooklyn, shall be merged to form one Parish.

  • This one Parish shall be named Saint Augustine – Saint Francis Xavier parish, with the main Parish office to be located 225 6th Avenue, Brooklyn, New York 11215.
  • Reverend Frank C. Tumino shall be the Pastor of the Parish.
  • The territorial boundaries of the new parish shall encompass all of the territory which, up until now, has constituted the territories of Saint Augustine and Saint Francis Xavier.
  • All assets and obligations currently belonging to aforementioned parishes are by this canonical merger, transferred to Saint Augustine – Saint Francis Xavier parish.
  • The parochial registers and the seals of the aforementioned parishes shall be kept at 225 6th Avenue, Brooklyn, New York 11215.
  • The Parish shall have two churches for worship: Saint Augustine and Saint Francis Xavier.

This merger shall take effect on July 1, 2024, at which time the public juridic persons of Saint Augustine – Saint Francis Xavier shall be merged. Recourse action may be sought according to the norms of Canons 1732 to 1739 of the 1983 Code of Canon Law.

 

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Merger Decree: Saint Augustine-Saint Francis Xavier parish

Parish Merger Decree – Christ the King-St. Mary Magdalene

 

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DECREE

Changes in the spiritual practices among the faithful, a decrease in available clergy and men and women in consecrated life, changes in the general population within our Diocese, as well as concerns regarding temporal matters have affected the means by which the Gospel of Jesus Christ has been proclaimed within the Diocese of Brooklyn. In an effort to respond in the best possible way to the gifts of the Holy Spirit generously given to us in our current situation, I have overseen a comprehensive pastoral plan, which included the whole of the Diocese of Brooklyn.

In an effort to evangelize more effectively the community in Queens, as well to administrate the temporal goods of the faithful more efficiently, Reverend Gordon P. Kusi, Pastor of Christ the King, located at 145-39 Farmers Boulevard, Springfield Gardens, New York 11434, and also Administrator of Saint Mary Magdalene, located at 218-12 136th Avenue, Springfield Gardens, New York 11413, petitioned that they be canonically merged.

In keeping with the requirements of the Universal Law of the Church, the Presbyteral Council was consulted on April 11, 2024 (Canon 515 § 2), and after having heard the reasons for the proposed merger its members expressed their support for this action. In addition, after having consulted the territorial Episcopal Vicars, clergy, pastoral ministers and other members of the faithful of the parishes involved, I, the undersigned Bishop of Brooklyn, hereby declare and decree that the Parishes of Christ the King and Saint Mary Magdalene, both within the Diocese of Brooklyn, shall be merged to form one Parish.

  • This one Parish shall be named Christ the King – Saint Mary Magdalene parish, with the main Parish office to be located 145-39 Farmers Boulevard, Springfield Gardens, New York 11434.
  • Reverend Gordon P. Kusi shall be the Pastor of the Parish.
  • The territorial boundaries of the new parish shall encompass all of the territory which, up until now, has constituted the territories of Christ the King and Saint Mary Magdalene.
  • All assets and obligations currently belonging to aforementioned parishes are by this canonical merger, transferred to Christ the King – Saint Mary Magdalene parish.
  • The parochial registers and the seals of the aforementioned parishes shall be kept at 145-39 Farmers Boulevard, Springfield Gardens, New York 11434.
  • The Parish shall have two churches for worship: Christ the King and Saint Mary Magdalene.

This merger shall take effect on July 1, 2024, at which time the public juridic persons of Christ the King – Saint Mary Magdalene shall be merged. Recourse action may be sought according to the norms of Canons 1732 to 1739 of the 1983 Code of Canon Law.

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Merger Decree: Christ the King-St. Mary Magdalene Parish 

Announcement of Death – Reverend Ralph J. Caputo

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Most Reverend Robert J. Brennan, Bishop of Brooklyn, regrets to inform you of the death of Reverend Ralph J. Caputo, a retired priest of the Diocese of Brooklyn. Father Caputo was born on June 29, 1949 in New York, was ordained to the Priesthood on May 3, 1975 and died Wednesday, June 12, 2024.

Father Caputo served the Diocese of Brooklyn as Pastor of the Parishes of Our Lady Help of Christians (Brooklyn), Saint Bernard (Brooklyn), and Queen of Peace (Kew Gardens). He also served as Parochial Vicar of the Parishes of Queen of Angels (Sunnyside) and Saint Vincent de Paul (Brooklyn). Father Caputo was in residence at the Parish of Our Lady Help of Christians (Brooklyn).

The arrangements are as follows:

WAKE: Saint Bernard R.C. Church
2055 East 69th Street
Brooklyn, New York 11234
Tel: (718) 763-5533

Monday, June 17, 2024
4:00 PM – 6:30 PM

Tuesday, June 18, 2024
9:30 AM – 10:00 AM

VIGIL MASS: Saint Bernard R.C. Church
2055 East 69th Street
Brooklyn, New York 11234
Tel: (718) 763-5533

Monday, June 17, 2024
7:00 PM

FUNERAL MASS: Saint Bernard R.C. Church
2055 East 69th Street
Brooklyn, New York 11234
Tel: (718) 763-5533

Tuesday, June 18, 2024
11:00 AM

BURIAL: Saint John Cemetery
Middle Village, New York

Father Caputo was a member of the Priests’ Purgatorial Society.

Please pray for the repose of his soul and for the consolation of his family and friends. May he rest in the peace of Christ, the Risen Lord.

If you wish to send condolences, please mail to his brother, Mr. Gerald Caputo, 6806 Madeline Court, Brooklyn, New York 11220.

Reverend Monsignor Steven J. Aguggia, J.C.L.

Chancellor and Vicar for Canonical Affairs

 

Announcement of Death-Reverend Monsignor Richard J. Ahlemeyer

Most Reverend Robert J. Brennan, Bishop of Brooklyn, regrets to inform you of the death of Reverend Monsignor Richard J. Ahlemeyer, a priest of the Diocese of Brooklyn. Monsignor Ahlemeyer was born on July 8, 1950, was ordained to the Priesthood on March 12, 1977, and died on Sunday, May 12, 2024.

Monsignor Ahlemeyer served the Diocese of Brooklyn as Pastor of the Parishes of Saint Camillus – Saint Virgilius (Rockaway Park) and Saint Pius V (Jamaica); as well as Temporary Administrator of Saint Rose of Lima (Rockaway Beach). He also served as Parochial Vicar of the Parishes of Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Jamaica) and Saint Mary (Long Island City). Monsignor Ahlemeyer was also Dean of the Queens 10 Deanery and a Faculty Member of the Cathedral Preparatory Seminary. On December 19, 2019, Monsignor Ahlemeyer was named Chaplain of His Holiness.

The arrangements are as follows:
WAKE: Saint Virgilius R.C. Church, 16 Noel Road, Broad Channel, New York 11693

Tuesday, May 14, 2024
2:00 PM – 5:00 PM and 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM

WAKE: Saint Camillus R.C. Church 99-15 Rockaway Beach Boulevard Rockaway Park, New York 11694
Wednesday, May 15, 2024, 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM

VIGIL: Saint Camillus R.C. Church 99-15 Rockaway Beach Boulevard, Rockaway Park, New York 11694
Wednesday, May 15, 2024, 7:30 PM

FUNERAL: Saint Camillus R.C. Church 99-15 Rockaway Beach Boulevard, Rockaway Park, New York 11694
Thursday, May 16, 2024, 11:00 AM

BURIAL: Saint John Cemetery, Middle Village, New York

Monsignor Ahlemeyer was a member of the Priests’ Purgatorial Society. Please pray for the repose of his soul and for the consolation of his family and friends. May he rest in the peace of Christ, the Risen Lord. If you wish to send condolences, please mail to The Ahlemeyer Family, c/o Saint Camillus R.C. Church, 99-15 Rockaway Beach Boulevard, Rockaway Park, New York 11694.

Reverend Monsignor Steven J. Aguggia, J.C.L.
Chancellor and Vicar for Canonical Affairs

Announcement of Death-Reverend Richard Zuk

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Most Reverend Robert J. Brennan, Bishop of Brooklyn, regrets to inform you of the death of Reverend Richard Zuk, a priest of the Diocese of Brooklyn who was released from Diocesan Assignment to serve as Prison Chaplain of the Federal Correctional Complex in Florida. Father Zuk was born on October 12, 1973, ordained to the Priesthood on June 4, 2005, and died on Wednesday, April 3, 2024.

Father Zuk served the Diocese of Brooklyn as Administrator of the Parishes of Saint Joseph (Jamaica), and Saint Clement Pope (South Ozone Park), while in residence at the Parish of Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Jamaica). He also served as Parochial Vicar of the Parishes of Blessed Sacrament (Jackson Heights), Saint Anastasia (Douglaston), and Saint Matthias (Ridgewood) ; and as Parochial Assistant of Saint Kevin (Flushing), and Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Ozone Park). Father Zuk also served as Prison Chaplain to the Metropolitan Detention Center (Brooklyn), United States Penitentiary Cannan (Philadelphia), and the Federal Correctional Institution (Otisville and Ray Brook).

The arrangements are as follows:

WAKE:  Michael’s Funeral Home Inc.
7922 Metropolitan Avenue Middle Village, New York 11379
Tel: (718) 894-5500
Sunday, April 14, 2024
3:00 PM – 8:00 PM

VIGIL: Holy Trinity R.C. Church
14-51 143rd Street Whitestone, New York 11357
Tel: (718) 746-7730
Monday, April 15, 2024
7:30 PM

FUNERAL: Immaculate Conception Center
7200 Douglaston Parkway Douglaston, New York 11362
Tel: (718) 229-8001
Tuesday, April 16, 2024
10:00 AM

BURIAL: Saint John Cemetery
Middle Village, New York

Father Zuk was a member of the Priests’ Purgatorial Society.

Please pray for the repose of his soul and for the consolation of his family and friends. May he rest in the peace of Christ, the Risen Lord.

If you wish to send condolences, please mail to Mr. James Dufek, 2719 Southwest 120th Terrace, Gainesville, Florida 32608.

Reverend Monsignor Steven J. Aguggia, J.C.L. Chancellor and Vicar for Canonical Affairs.

Announcement of Death – Reverend John J. Garkowski

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Most Reverend Robert J. Brennan, Bishop of Brooklyn, regrets to inform you of the death of Reverend John J. Garkowski, a retired priest of the Diocese of Brooklyn. Father Garkowski was born on January 18, 1939, was ordained to the priesthood on May 28, 1966, and died Saturday, March 23, 2024. 

Father Garkowski served the Diocese of Brooklyn as Parochial Vicar of the Parishes of Our Lady of Perpetual Help (South Ozone Park), Saint Pancras (Glendale), and Saint Bartholomew (Elmhurst). 

The arrangements are as follows: 

WAKE:
Our Lady of Perpetual Help R.C. Church
111-50 115th Street
South Ozone Park, New York 11420
Tel: (718) 843-1212
Monday, April 1, 2024  – 3:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Tuesday, April 2, 2024  – 9:15 AM – 10:45 AM 

FUNERAL:
Our Lady of Perpetual Help R.C. Church
111-50 115th Street
South Ozone Park, New York 11420
Tel: (718) 843-1212
Tuesday, April 2, 2024
11:00 AM 

BURIAL:
Saint John’s Cemetery
Middle Village, New York 

Father Garkowski was a member of the Priests’ Purgatorial Society. 

Please pray for the repose of his soul and for the consolation of his family and friends. May he rest in the peace of Christ, the Risen Lord. 

If you wish to send condolences, please mail to his brother, Mr. Gary Garkowski, c/o Our Lady of Perpetual Help R.C. Church, 111-50 115th Street, South Ozone Park, New York 11420. 

Reverend Monsignor Steven J. Aguggia, J.C.L. 

Chancellor and Vicar for Canonical Affairs