Diocesan News

‘How to Encourage Religious Vocations’ by Bishop DiMarzio

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April 6, 2016 – Excerpted from Put Out Into the Deep, Bishop DiMarzio’s column in The Tablet:

My dear brothers and sisters in the Lord,

The phrase, “Pray to the Lord of the Harvest so that He may send out laborers into His harvest,” is not the suggestion of a priest, bishop or even a pope. Rather, it is the command of the Lord Jesus, Himself, that if we are to have sufficient laborers in the vineyard of the Kingdom of God, we need to pray.

The 53rd World Day of Prayer for Vocations called this year by our Holy Father, Pope Francis, has a theme, “The Church, Mother of Vocations.” The Holy Father begins his message by quoting his own motto, Miserando atque eligendo – by having mercy and by choosing – which describes the call of St. Matthew by Jesus.

He called Matthew from a life of defrauding others to be an apostle. In our own day, it seems that we are calling young people from lives that are incompatible with the Gospel at times, to be ministers of the Gospel. They, themselves, know that this is a problem and feel that somehow it disqualifies them from following the Lord’s call, even though they feel the call. This is one of the major obstacles to vocations that we must overcome in developing a pastoral approach to vocation recruitment for the priesthood and religious life.

Read the full text of the Bishop’s column on The Tablet website.

‘Developing A Sacramental Spirituality’ by Bishop DiMarzio

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March 30, 2016 – Excerpted from Put Out Into the Deep, Bishop DiMarzio’s column in The Tablet:

This is the full text of Bishop DiMarzio’s homily from the Chrism Mass celebrated at St. Joseph’s Co-Cathedral, Prospect Heights, on Tuesday, March 22.

As we com­e to the Chrism Mass this Holy Week during the Year of Mercy, we recognize that living the Paschal Mystery gives us an opportunity to set our sights on our future Christian lives; that after this Lent, during this Holy Year, our conversion process will have taken a step forward.

Tonight, I wish to speak about our sacramental spirituality as bishops, priests, deacons and laity. When priests are questioned in surveys about their spirituality and asked what is their greatest support or incentive to lead a holy life, they always say, the laity are those who inspire me. Then some say, my fellow priests. It always seems to follow that order. Hardly anyone mentions bishops. I hope I am not an obstacle to your priestly spirituality, or for deacons and the laity, and, hopefully, tonight, sharing some thoughts together, we might make progress in becoming more like the Father – the Father of Mercy as Jesus told us, “To be perfect as our Heavenly Father is perfect.”

Read the full text of the Bishop’s column on The Tablet website.

‘Jesus Is Risen’ by Bishop DiMarzio

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March 23, 2016 – Excerpted from Put Out Into the Deep, Bishop DiMarzio’s column in The Tablet:

My dear brothers and sisters in The Lord,

This Easter, we have the unique opportunity to see the recently released movie called Risen. Unfortunately, the movie has been much criticized. It is an attempt to portray the death, resurrection and post resurrection appearances of our Lord, Jesus. Biblical events are present in the movie, however, as we know, even the eyewitness accounts, which we have in the Scripture, do not do justice to the real events.

One interesting thing about this movie is that there is a supposed objective bystander, Clavius, a skeptical Roman Commander, who was sent by Pontius Pilate to investigate the so-called resurrection. He was ordered to find the body of Jesus and, if still alive, to kill Him. There have been many attempts to depict both modern and ancient interpretations of Clavius. What is different in the movie Risen, however, is that Clavius becomes a believer as he witnesses the interaction of the risen Christ with His followers.

Read the full text of the Bishop’s column on The Tablet website.

Upcoming Youth Events March – April

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Below are the upcoming youth events in the Diocese of Brooklyn:

April 8th: LIFT and BEER GARDEN

Join the Young Adult Community of St. Joan of Arc for an evening of prayer, praise and worship, and fellowship. Topic for the evening is “Catholic in the World, but Not of the World.” Doors open at 7pm. St. Joan of Arc 82-00 35th Ave Jackson Heights, NY 11372. Music Provided by Lift Ministry. For more events and info: www.LivingInFaithTogether.net

April 9th: Young Adult Year of Mercy Service and Fellowship

Join Young adults from all of the Diocese for this Year of Mercy Event. Walk through the Holy Doors of O.L. of Mount Carmel 23-25 Newtown Ave, Astoria, New York 11102, into Adoration with an opportunity for the Sacrament for Reconciliation. Following the Holy Hour we will go to a nearby bar/restaurant for fellowship. Want more info? Contact Paul Morisi at pmorisi@diobrook.org

April 18th: Theology On Tap

Join Msgr. Sean Ogle for his Theology on Tap at Mojave NYC 22-36 31st St, Astoria, New York 11105. Doors open at 7pm. Topic: April Fools and Easter Joys. https://www.facebook.com/groups/DOBTOT/

May 13th: LIFT and BEER GARDEN

Join the Young Adult Community of St. Joan of Arc for an evening of prayer, praise and worship, and fellowship. Topic for the evening is “Filled.” Doors open at 7pm. St. Joan of Arc 82-00 35th Ave Jackson Heights, NY 11372. Music provided by Scott and Donna Tran and LIFT Ministry. For more events and info: www.LivingInFaithTogether.net

You can see all the upcoming events at meetmein.church.

‘Healing the Wounds of Sexual Abuse’ by Bishop DiMarzio

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March 16, 2016 – Excerpted from Put Out Into the Deep, Bishop DiMarzio’s column in The Tablet:

My dear brothers and sisters in the Lord,

This week we celebrate the Feast of St. Joseph, protector of the Child Jesus and model for the Church in the protection of children. The sexual abuse crisis in the Church was highlighted, especially, at this year’s Academy Awards with the Oscar for Best Picture going to the movie “Spotlight.” The movie chronicled the investigative journalism work of the Boston Globe’s “Spotlight” unit which identified the depth of the sexual abuse crisis in the Archdiocese of Boston and precipitated a review of all dioceses.

In 2002, the Bishops of the United States met in Dallas, Texas and signed what is now known as the Dallas Charter. This Charter has guided the Church in the last almost 15 years to redouble its efforts in creating a safe environment for children within the Church. The issue of sexual abuse by clergy and other employees of the Church is a page in our history that we must not forget, since it causes us to see the harm and pain which has been caused as well as drives us to make sure that such a situation will never happen in the future.

Read the full text of the Bishop’s column on The Tablet website.

BISHOP DIMARZIO TO BLESS HOLY OILS AND PRESIDE OVER RENEWAL OF PRIESTLY VOWS AT CHRISM MASS

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On Tuesday, March 22nd at 8 p.m., the Most Reverend Nicholas DiMarzio, Bishop of Brooklyn, will celebrate the annual Mass of the Chrism at the Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph, 856 Pacific Street, Brooklyn, NY. During the Mass, the bishop will bless the oils used for sacramental anointing. He will also preside over the renewal of promises made by priests serving the diocese in Brooklyn and Queens. Read more »

DIOCESE OF BROOKLYN LAUNCHES ANNUAL AD CAMPAIGN PROMOTING THE SACRAMENT OF CONFESSION

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The Diocese of Brooklyn, in partnership with the Archdiocese of New York and the Diocese of Rockville Centre, is launching its annual Lenten campaign to promote the Sacrament of Confession. On the Monday of Holy Week, which falls on March 21 this year, churches in the greater New York City area, New York’s upper counties and on Long Island will be open for confession from 3 p.m. through 9 p.m. This initiative, known as Reconciliation Monday, has become an annual event in the participating dioceses.

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5 FOR-BROOKLYN: FIVE FATHERS TO PERFORM ORGAN RECITAL IN CELEBRATION OF THE FEAST OF ST. JOSEPH

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Who: 5 For Brooklyn: The Five Fathers Organ Recital with:
Fr. Jeremy Canna from Our Lady of the Snows Church, Floral Park
Fr. Gerald Dumont from the Church of the Holy Innocents, Brooklyn
Fr. Stephen Giulietti from the Shrine Church of St. Bernadette, Brooklyn
Fr. Carlos Velasquez of St. Sebastian Church, Woodside
Fr. Joel Warden from Oratory Church of St. Boniface, Brooklyn
What: Performing 5 musical pieces on organ before a solemn vespers service with Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio.
When: Friday, March 18th, at 7pm.
Where: The Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph, 856 Pacific Street, Brooklyn, NY 11238
Why: To celebrate the Feast of St. Joseph

In celebration of the Feast of St. Joseph, five priests from the Diocese of Brooklyn will join musical talents for a live organ recital at the Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph. Beginning at 7 p.m. on Friday, March 18th, fathers Jeremy Canna, Gerald Dumont, Steven Giuletti, Carlos Velasquez and Joel Warden will play five pieces on the co-cathedral’s newly restored antique organ. The Moller organ, with 3000 pipes and 13 ranks, is more than 100 years old.

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Upcoming Youth Events

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There are three upcoming youth events in the Diocese of Brooklyn in early March, don’t miss them! On March 3rd, Donovan’s Pub of Woodside will host a Theology on Tap, with guest Brother Malachy Napier. There is a second Theology on Tap on March 10 at Donovan’s, featuring Fr. Gribowich. And catch Hours for the Lord at the Cathedral Basilica of St. James, at 9PM on March 4th.

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