FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 31, 2021

MEDIA CONTACTS:

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

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

STATEMENT BY BISHOP NICHOLAS DIMARZIO ON THE LEGALIZATION OF MARIJUANA IN NEW YORK STATE

            The Most Reverend Nicholas DiMarzio, Bishop of Brooklyn, has issued the following statement in response to the New York State Legislature’s approval of a bill legalizing marijuana in New York State, which has been signed into law by Governor Andrew Cuomo. The Bishop has consistently voiced his opposition to the legalization of marijuana as part of this current debate and during previous attempts by New York lawmakers.

“It is extremely disappointing that recreational marijuana will soon be legal in the State of New York. The science is clear, and we are ignoring it. Marijuana is a gateway drug that is not good for your health and has the same carcinogenic effects that cigarettes do. With this law, more young people will start to use marijuana because they think they are invincible and nothing will affect them.

This is not a good thing for our society in New York or anywhere else. Recreational marijuana also deadens the senses and does not allow us to perform at our peak. Our faith says we should not do anything to endanger our health and our lives. So clearly, this is a law that would put many Catholics at odds with their moral obligations.

I pray for all New Yorkers, but especially our children and young people, who we are putting in harm’s way with the adoption of this terrible law.”

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 31, 2021

MEDIA CONTACTS:

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

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

STATEMENT BY BISHOP NICHOLAS DIMARZIO ON THE LEGALIZATION OF MARIJUANA IN NEW YORK STATE

            The Most Reverend Nicholas DiMarzio, Bishop of Brooklyn, has issued the following statement in response to the New York State Legislature’s approval of a bill legalizing marijuana in New York State, which has been signed into law by Governor Andrew Cuomo. The Bishop has consistently voiced his opposition to the legalization of marijuana as part of this current debate and during previous attempts by New York lawmakers.

“It is extremely disappointing that recreational marijuana will soon be legal in the State of New York. The science is clear, and we are ignoring it. Marijuana is a gateway drug that is not good for your health and has the same carcinogenic effects that cigarettes do. With this law, more young people will start to use marijuana because they think they are invincible and nothing will affect them.

This is not a good thing for our society in New York or anywhere else. Recreational marijuana also deadens the senses and does not allow us to perform at our peak. Our faith says we should not do anything to endanger our health and our lives. So clearly, this is a law that would put many Catholics at odds with their moral obligations.

I pray for all New Yorkers, but especially our children and young people, who we are putting in harm’s way with the adoption of this terrible law.”

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 29, 2021

MEDIA CONTACTS:

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

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

CATHOLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS LEARN BRAILLE AS PART OF WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH PROJECT

            This year, to mark Women’s History Month at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Academy in Gravesend, Brooklyn, the fourth-grade students focused on learning about the life and legacy of Helen Keller. To complete the educational experience, teacher Christine Latona introduced the Braille alphabet to the students. The 19 students were then assigned a project to write their first and last names in Braille using green pigeon peas.

“The objective of teaching students about Helen Keller was to highlight the challenges Helen Keller suffered because of her disabilities. The students learned how difficult it is to communicate and write in Braille. They also learned that no matter how difficult their life is, anything can be accomplished with hard work, dedication and perseverance,” said Ms. Latona.

In addition to the Braille name card projects, currently on display in the hallway outside of the classroom, students were asked to prepare reports “All About Helen Keller.” Through their research, students had to explain why Helen Keller is an important historical figure, the obstacles she faced, the impact she had on the world, and identify interesting facts and characteristic traits about her.

“When my teacher told me we were going to learn about Helen Keller, I became very excited and interested. Her life was fascinating. I couldn’t imagine being like her. We learned that Helen used Braille to read and write, so when we did a project on Braille, it gave me a little experience of what it was like. Helen Keller is an inspiration and interesting person to learn about,” said fourth-grader Isabella Vizcarrondo.

Members of the media are invited to visit Our Lady of Grace Catholic Academy to view the student work and for interviews. Attached is a photo of the Helen Keller bulletin board displaying the students’ Braille projects. On-site and virtual interviews can be arranged.

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OR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 26, 2021

MEDIA CONTACTS:

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

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

BISHOP DIMARZIO TO LEAD MEMORIAL MASS IN REMEMBRANCE OF FATHER JORGE ORTIZ-GARAY

 

Ortiz-Garay was the first Catholic priest to die of COVID-19 in the United States 

Brooklyn – The Most Reverend Nicholas DiMarzio, Bishop of Brooklyn, will be the main celebrant at a Mass tomorrow, Saturday, March 27, 2021, at 11 a.m., marking the first anniversary of the death of Father Jorge Ortiz-Garay. Fr. Jorge, as he was called, was the first Catholic priest to have died from the Coronavirus in the United States. He was 49 years old.

Bishop DiMarzio will celebrate the Mass at St. Brigid Church, located at 409 Linden Boulevard in Bushwick, Brooklyn, where Father Jorge served as Pastor at the time of his death. Father Jorge was also the Diocesan Coordinator of the Ministry to Mexican immigrants. He was ordained to the Priesthood on May 29, 2004, in the Archdiocese of Newark, and was assigned to the Diocese of Brooklyn in 2009, where he served until he passed away.

At the time of his death, Bishop DiMarzio offered reflection saying “Father Jorge was a great missionary among us, especially in establishing the Mexican Apostolate. It is a terrible loss; it is hard to believe. He was so young, so vibrant.”

There will be three additional Masses offered in memory of Fr. Jorge’s life and service to the Church at St. Brigid’s tomorrow. The four Masses were scheduled to accommodate the many people expected to join in remembering Father Jorge while allowing for the necessary social distancing. Originally from Mexico, a Mass will also be said for Father Jorge at Our Lady of Mercy parish in Mexico City tomorrow.

Members of the media are invited to attend and are asked to confirm their attendance. Masks must be worn at all times inside of the Church and social distancing guidelines must be followed.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 24, 2021

MEDIA CONTACTS:

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

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

***MEDIA ADVISORY***

STUDENTS TO BUILD PROSTHETIC HANDS AS PART OF BIONIC CHEF INSPIRED LESSON

            The students at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Academy, located at 5902-6^th Avenue in the Sunset Park section of Brooklyn, will have a chance to construct a prosthetic hand that simulates the movement of fingers tomorrow, Thursday, March 25, 2021, at 10:15 a.m.

The lesson is part of The Flying Classroom STEM supplemental curriculum recently incorporated in schools within the Diocese of Brooklyn. Students will create an adaptive device prototype, from the materials provided by the program, including toothpicks, a ruler, index cards, craft sticks, string, straws, tape, and a pair of scissors.

The students have already been introduced to Captain Barrington Irving’s Bionic Chef Expedition with Eduardo Garcia, who while hiking in Montana, was electrocuted when his knife hit 2400 volts of live power. As a result of the injuries Mr. Garcia suffered, his left arm was amputated and he was then fitted with a five-finger articulated moving hand. In spite of his challenges, Mr. Garcia did not let his injury deter him from his dream of being a professional chef, and has used the prosthesis as part of his skill set.

Kindergarten, First and Second Grade students will be participating in class to complete the project. Captain Irving, the first Black person to pilot a plane around the world solo, and at the time the youngest, is the founder of The Flying Classroom program.

Members of the media are invited to attend and are asked to send an e-mail to jquaglione@desalesmedia.org to confirm attendance.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 17, 2021

MEDIA CONTACTS:

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

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

T.J. McCormack (Archdiocese of New York)

(347) 931-4943

TJ.McCormack@archny.org

 

GAME CLOCK IS TICKING ON CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS AS CITY FAILS TO RESPOND TO REQUESTS TO RESUME PLAY

            Dr. Thomas Chadzutko, Superintendent of Schools for the Diocese of Brooklyn, and Michael Deegan, Superintendent of Schools for the Archdiocese of New York, have sent the attached letter to New York City Health Commissioner Dr. David Chokshi calling for guidelines to be issued in order for Catholic high school high-risk sports to commence immediately.

The letter follows an announcement of a timetable for the resumption of play for the Public School Athletic League, without a clear path forward for the Catholic High School Athletic Association.

In the letter, Superintendents Chadzutko and Deegan highlight the uninterrupted operation of Catholic high schools since September which has allowed student-athletes to undergo the necessary conditioning and training to begin play. The letter requests the guidelines be fast-tracked, with an accelerated timeline for the Catholic High School Athletic Association (CHSAA) season, compared to that of the Public School Athletic League (PSAL).

The Catholic High School Athletic Associations have made numerous unsuccessful attempts to receive approval from the Mayor’s office, the Department of Health, and the New York City Council Health Committee, to start the high-risk sports season according to safety guidelines. The three area counties including Nassau, Suffolk, and Westchester, which New York City’s CHSAA teams compete against, resumed play earlier this month.

The letter is attached here.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 24, 2021

MEDIA CONTACTS:

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

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

***MEDIA ADVISORY***

CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS LEADERS TO ANNOUNCE LATEST EFFORTS TO START HIGH-RISK SPORTS SEASON

            Brooklyn – Dominick Vulpis, Executive Director of the Catholic High School Athletic Association for the Diocese of Brooklyn, along with CHSAA officials of the Archdiocese of New York, will announce the latest efforts in their pursuit to safely reinstate high-risk high school sports competition, including football and volleyball, in New York City this school year, at a press conference to be held via Zoom tomorrow, Thursday, February 25, 2021, at Noon.

To date, Mayor Bill DeBlasio and Health Commissioner Dr. David Chokshi have been unresponsive to requests seeking approval to begin the NYC sports season that was slated to begin on March 1. The surrounding counties of Nassau, Suffolk, and Westchester, with whom New York City Catholic high schools compete, have received the necessary permission to begin their seasons.

Members of the media interested in receiving the Zoom link should email John Quaglione at jquaglione@desalesmedia.org.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 24, 2021

MEDIA CONTACTS:

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

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

CATHOLIC STUDENTS CELEBRATE BLACK HISTORY MONTH THROUGH LEARNING

Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Academy in Brooklyn this morning continued their celebration of Black History Month this morning with a series of student presentations about the lives of prominent Black figures.

The event highlighted individuals recognized as champions in areas of social justice, sports, aviation, politics, and the arts. New York State Assemblyman Peter Abbate made a special visit to the school and spoke to the students regarding their Black History Month projects.

Muhammad Ali, Charles H. Alston, Maya Angelou, Ella Baker, Bessie Coleman, Nelson Mandela, Michelle Obama, and Jesse Owens were among those spotlighted by students of Grades 5 through 8. In adherence to social distancing requirements, two students from each grade joined together in one classroom to present on Zoom for all middle school students to watch live.

Our Lady of Perpetual Help is located at 5902-6^th Avenue in the Sunset Park section of Brooklyn. Margaret Tyndall is the Principal.

Photos attached.

#1 and #-2 – New York State Assemblyman Peter Abbate and Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Academy teacher Francesca Binanti with the students presenting on Black History Month.

#3-  Sofia McFarland of Grade 6 can be seen speaking about track and field U.S. Olympic gold medalist Jesse Owens.

#4-7th Grade student Alyssa Osorio selected famed American poet and civil rights activist Maya Angelou to research.

#5- Saira Johnnie of Grade 7 talking about the life of human rights activist Ella Baker.

#6- 5th Grader Edwin Vasquez talks about the accomplishments and career of boxing great Muhammad Ali.

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