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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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 16, 2021

MEDIA CONTACTS:

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

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

***MEDIA ADVISORY***

BISHOP DIMARZIO TO CELEBRATE ASH WEDNESDAY MASS IN BROOKLYN

            The Most Reverend Nicholas DiMarzio, Bishop of Brooklyn, will join Father Bryan Patterson, Pastor of St. James Cathedral Basilica, for Ash Wednesday Mass and the distribution of ashes tomorrow, February 17, 2021, at Noon.

Due to the Coronavirus pandemic, changes have been made to the distribution of ashes this year so to limit physical contact. The Church will follow an ancient custom, widely used in Europe, in which the imposition of ashes will be done by sprinkling them on one’s head.

All Coronavirus safety regulations remain in effect including requiring masks to be worn at all times during Mass, social distancing within the church pews, distributing Holy Communion in the hand, and not exchanging the sign of peace by shaking hands.

The Cathedral Basilica of St. James located at 250 Cathedral Place (at Jay Street and Cathedral Place) in Brooklyn. Members of the media are welcome to attend and should email John Quaglione at jquaglione@desalesmedia.org to confirm attendance.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 12, 2021

MEDIA CONTACTS:

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

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

ST. MICHAEL’S CATHOLIC ACADEMY CELEBRATES CHINESE NEW YEAR AS PART OF THEIR CELEBRATION OF CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK

The students at St. Michael’s Catholic Academy in Queens, this week celebrated both Catholic Schools Week and Chinese New Year.  A variety of age-appropriate lessons and activities were incorporated into their curriculum including studying Chinese artwork, the twelve Chinese zodiac animals, and cultural and food traditions, as well as crafting lanterns and making dumplings.

“This year St. Michael’s continues to celebrate the richness the Chinese culture brings to our academy. Although our activities are centered in each separate cohort due to COVID restrictions, the teachers and students showed much enthusiasm in preparing for the New Year. We look to celebrate as a whole community next year,” said Maureen Rogone, Principal of St. Michael’s Catholic Academy.

The student body of the school is approximately 70% Asian and since 2013, has offered instruction in the Mandarin language to all students from Pre-K through the 8^th grade. St. Michael’s Catholic Academy is located at 136-58 41^st Avenue in the Flushing section of Queens.

Photos attached.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 12, 2021

MEDIA CONTACTS:

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

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

 

BROOKLYN CATHOLIC SCHOOL HOSTS “HEROS FOR HEROES” EVENT TO RECOGNIZE PARENT FIRST RESPONDERS

            The Bay Ridge Catholic Academy community, as part of their Catholic Schools Week celebration, hosted a special lunchtime event billed as “Heros for Heroes.” The school recognized first responder parents with a certificate and a sandwich to express their appreciation for their service to the City of New York.

Members of the FDNY and NYPD, nurses and other front line workers, were among those who took part in the event held in the parish parking lot.

Bay Ridge Catholic Academy is located at 365-83^rd Street in Brooklyn.  Kevin Flanagan is the Principal.

  The photos attached are courtesy of Bay Ridge Catholic Academy.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 11, 2021

MEDIA CONTACTS:

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

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

ST. MICHAEL CATHOLIC ACADEMY TO CELEBRATE CHINESE NEW YEAR AS PART OF THEIR CELEBRATION OF CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK

WHO: St. Michael’s Catholic Academy School Community

WHAT: Chinese New Year Celebration as part of Catholic Schools Week

   Classes throughout the building PKA through Grade 8 will celebrate the Chinese culture on this day. This year is the Year of the Ox.

WHERE: St. Michael’s Catholic Academy, 136-58 41^st Avenue, Flushing, New York

WHEN: Friday, February 12, 2021, 10:00 A.M.

Background:

For 170 years, St. Michael’s has welcomed immigrant families in the heart of downtown Flushing. Our immigrant population has shifted from predominantly European/Hispanic, to Asian, primarily Chinese. The school’s most recent census indicates that it student body is almost 70% Asian while maintaining a significant Hispanic population slightly under 30%.

In 2012 the academy applied for admission and was accepted to the TWIN-CS (Two Way Immersion Network for Catholic Schools) with the Roche Center for Catholic Education at Boston College. Since 2013, the school has offered a language immersion program with Mandarin. Presently all grades kindergarten through grade 8 offers instruction in the Mandarin language. PKA students are introduced to basic concepts in Mandarin.

The school is following all the health guidelines, and restrictions for social distancing, and therefore, celebrations will be within each grade level cohort and not a group assembly as in previous years.  The teachers have been creative in their choice of grade-appropriate activities.

Here are the class activities as scheduled for presentation tomorrow:

PKA has focused on Chinese artwork.

Kindergarten and Grade 1 learned about the importance of the Chinese zodiac animals and will perform a traditional Chinese New Year Song.

Grade 2 has learned about the Chinese culture and the importance of food in relation to the geographic regions, as well as the importance of family gatherings and eating together.  The class also learned how to make dumplings.

Grade 3 made lanterns and compared American New Year with the Chinese New Year.

Grade 6-8 infused the Chinese culture in their academic studies-the Silk Road in China, and interpreting how Confucius’ wisdom can be applied to their lives.

Students are encouraged to wear red on Friday or other Chinese clothing to celebrate the New Year.  Members of the media interested in attending must RSVP to jquaglione@desalesmedia.org.

All photography will be taken from outside each classroom to maintain the safety of the school community.

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