FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 9, 2019

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Adriana Rodriguez
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John Quaglione
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PEACE LIGHT ARRIVES IN NEW YORK CITY FROM BETHLEHEM

The Catholic Committee on Scouting of the Diocese of Brooklyn and Queens hosted the Peace Light Arrival Ceremony & First Transfer in the USA at Our Lady of the Skies Chapel, located in Terminal 4 of JFK International Airport, this weekend. The Peace Light arrived on Austrian Airlines Flight #87.

The Peace Light was first brought to Ground Zero in New York in 2001 by Canadian Scouts. In 2002, DHL delivered the Peace Light as a gift from Belgian Scouts and Guides to the Boy Scouts of America in NY. In 2003 the light didn’t make it to the U.S., however, members of the Brooklyn Diocesan Scouting Committee had kept the 2002 Peace Light burning and spread that around the diocese. Since then, Austrian Airlines has continued to bring the Peace Light to the United States each year since.

The Peace Light flies from Vienna in two explosion-proof, British mining lamps, fueled by smokeless paraffin oil. Representatives from many Boy Scout and Girl Scout councils from across the tri-state area and the country were on hand for the service. The candles lit by the Peace Candle will now be brought to houses of worship, hospital, senior citizen homes, homeless shelters, prisons, and other locations in many different cities and towns.

Each year, a Scout from Upper Austria fetches the light from the grotto in Bethlehem where Jesus was born. The light is then flown to Austria and from there it is distributed at a Service of Dedication to delegations who take it back, with a message of peace, to their own countries for use at ecumenical services.

Photos attached.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 4, 2019

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Adriana Rodriguez
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John Quaglione 
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Bishop DiMarzio Statement on his Apostolic Visitation in Buffalo

The Bishop of Brooklyn, Most Reverend Nicholas DiMarzio, released this statement in response to his Apostolic Visitation to the Diocese of Buffalo:

“This has been a difficult period in the life of the Church in Buffalo.  Throughout this process, the lay faithful, religious, and clergy were in my prayers.

As part of this Apostolic Visitation to the Buffalo Diocese, we spoke with more than 80 people over a period of several weeks to gather information for this administrative review. It was conducted with urgency as the Holy See directed that this visitation be thorough with the foremost consideration being the good of the people of the Diocese of Buffalo.

What I found are many deeply devoted Catholics who love their Church. I pray this moment of suffering and pain will lead to a birth of new faith.  With the appointment of the Most Reverend Edward Scharfenberger, Bishop of Albany, to oversee the Buffalo Diocese, I am confident that Buffalo Catholics are in good hands.

I hope that now Catholics in Buffalo can begin the process of moving forward, healing, and helping the diocese in all of its ministries. We extend a promise of prayer for Bishop Richard Malone, as he moves into the retirement phase of his Episcopal ministry, and for the faithful of Buffalo.”

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 15, 2019

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Adriana Rodriguez
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John Quaglione 
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MASPETH FEDERAL SAVINGS BANK MAKES STREAM DREAMS COME TRUE AT CATHOLIC SCHOOL

St. Stanislaus Kostka Catholic Academy earlier this week hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony for their new state-of-the-art STREAM Lab at the school located in the Maspeth section of Queens.

The new STREAM (Science, Technology, Religion, Engineering, Art and Math) Lab was made possible through the generosity of Maspeth Federal Savings Bank, who was represented at the event by President Tom Rudzewick.

Monsignor Joseph Calise, the Pastor of St. Stanislaus Kostka Catholic Church, offered a special blessing of the lab. The event was held on November 13 which is the Feast Day of St. Stanislaus Kostka. Students and faculty attended a special mass prior to the celebration of the new STREAM Lab.

PHOTOS ATTACHED

#1- Maspeth Federal Savings Bank President Tom Rudzewick leads the ribbon-cutting ceremony of the new STREAM Lab.

#2 Monsignor Joseph Calise blessing the new STREAM Lab.

#3- The school community checking out the sites and sounds of the new STREAM LAB.

#4- Students are all smiles at the STREAM Lab grand opening.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 7, 2019

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Adriana Rodriguez
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DIOCESE OF BROOKLYN ANNOUNCES NEW MODEL FOR
CATHOLIC EDUCATION IN BAY RIDGE

Bay Ridge Catholic Academy, new K-8 school, will focus
on engineering and the arts

The Diocese of Brooklyn today announced the creation of a new Catholic School named Bay Ridge Catholic Academy, a new model for the community that will be focused on faith, arts, and engineering. The school will open in September 2020 and be centered around teaching students the skills they will need to succeed in the 21^st Century workforce.

“Creating Bay Ridge Catholic is a proud moment for the Diocese,” said Diocese District Superintendent, Roxanna Elder. “We think that the focus on engineering and the arts reaches the standards our current and future students deserve.”

Catholic schools around the country have been facing declining enrollment and difficult financial situations, and the Diocese of Brooklyn is no exception. Rather than simply closing more Catholic schools, the Diocese decided to embark upon a new model to serve the Bay Ridge community. Bay Ridge Catholic was created through the merger of St. Anselm and Holy Angels academies and will serve the entire Bay Ridge community.

Bay Ridge Catholic will be located at the current St. Anselm building. The interior of the building will receive upgrades, and the curriculum will be redesigned from the ground up. The Diocese has reached out to the community to solicit parent input into the academic offerings and other aspects of the new academy. Further details of the school’s offerings will be released in the coming months.

For more information, visit www.BayRidgeCatholic.org or email information@BayRidgeCatholic.org.

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 31, 2019

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Adriana Rodriguez
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John Quaglione 
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Bishop DiMarzio Concludes Apostolic Visitation in Buffalo

 

Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio of Brooklyn has just concluded an Apostolic Visitation of the Diocese of Buffalo.

The Bishop made three trips; a total of seven days. He met with and interviewed close to 80 individuals; both clergy and laypeople, including members of the Presbyteral Council, Diocesan Consultors, Diocesan Finance Council, Diocesan Pastoral Council, Territorial Vicars, and Senior Priests. He also spoke with representatives of outside groups such as the Movement to Restore Trust, college presidents, and other interested parties.

This Apostolic Visitation was requested by the Holy See earlier this month.

Now that Bishop DiMarzio has finished his interviews, he will compile the information and prepare a report which will be submitted to the Holy See.

No additional information will be shared beyond this statement at this time.

 

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 31, 2019

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Adriana Rodriguez
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arodriguez@desalesmedia.org

John Quaglione 
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jquaglione@desalesmedia.org

QUEENS CATHOLIC SCHOOL PRESENTS “SAINTS BE ALIVE” AND MODEL WAX MUSEUM

            The Diocese of Brooklyn today announced that a special event marking the Feast of All Saints, will take place tomorrow, Friday, November 1, 2019, featuring the students of St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Academy. The celebration begins with an All Saints Day Mass at the St. Thomas the Apostle Church, located at 8719-88^th Avenue in the Woodhaven section of Queens, at 9:00 am.

Following the Mass, the students dressed as Saints, will process to the school’s Mulz Hall, adjacent to the church. Students of grades 1, 2 and 3 will be part of the “Saints Be Alive” presentation and model wax museum.  The students of grades 4 and 5 will be presenting a performance of the beatitudes.

Members of the media are invited to attend.  To RSVP, please email jquaglione@desalesmedia.org.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 25, 2019

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Adriana Rodriguez
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John Quaglione 
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NEW PASTOR INSTALLED AT HOLY FAMILY CATHOLIC CHURCH IN QUEENS

            The Most Reverend Nicholas DiMarzio, Bishop of Brooklyn, last weekend officially installed Father Sean Suckiel as the 7^th Pastor of Holy Family Roman Catholic Church, located in the Fresh Meadows section of Queens.

“I pray that my time as Pastor of Holy Family, be a time of Invasion of Grace, Hope, and Love for all our parishioners,” said Father Sean Suckiel.

Photos of the installation are attached.

Photo #1 features Father Sean and Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio along with Mr. and Mrs. Suckiel, the proud parents of the new Pastor.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 24, 2019

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Adriana Rodriguez
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John Quaglione 
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CATHOLIC SCHOOL “CARNAVAL” TO MARK HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH
Students also to wear jeans as “Denim Day” raises funds for Breast Cancer Research

The Diocese of Brooklyn today is announcing that St. Nicholas of Tolentine Catholic Academy will host a “Carnaval” to mark National Hispanic Heritage Month at the school tomorrow, Friday, October 25, 2019, beginning at 10:00 a.m., located at 80-22 Parsons Boulevard, in the Jamaica section of Queens.

Parents have volunteered to donate food, to create a school food festival for the students, representing cuisines from various Hispanic countries. There will also be brief presentations made to teach the students about the different cultures through lessons about countries including Mexico, Peru, Argentina and Colombia, as well as lessons about a specific dish and dances of Hispanic origin. There will also be student artwork on display which celebrating the Hispanic culture.

Additionally, the school will host “Denim Day” tomorrow, where students will wear jeans and raise money for breast cancer research.  Mr. Robert Lowenberg is the Principal of St. Nicholas of Tolentine Catholic Academy.

Members of the media are invited to attend.  To confirm your attendance, please send an email to jquaglione@desalesmedia.org.