Diocesan News

Announcement of Death – Reverend Frank Amato, S.A.C.

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Most Reverend Robert J. Brennan, Bishop of Brooklyn, regrets to inform you of the death of Reverend Frank Amato, S.A.C., a retired priest of the Society of the Catholic Apostolate (Pallottine Fathers) of the Immaculate Conception Province, who served in the Diocese of Brooklyn. Father Amato was born on September 26, 1941, was ordained to the priesthood on May 26, 1996, and died on Tuesday, January 31, 2023.

Father Amato served the Diocese of Brooklyn as Pastor of the Parish of Our Lady of the Rosary of Pompeii (Brooklyn).

The funeral arrangements are as follows:

WAKE:           Saint Finbar R.C. Church 138 Bay 20th Street Brooklyn, New York 11214 Tel: (718) 236-3312
                          Friday, February 3, 2023
                           1:00 PM – 7:00 PM

FUNERAL:         Saint Finbar R.C. Church 138 Bay 20th Street Brooklyn, New York 11214 Tel: (718) 236-3312
                               Saturday, February 4, 2023
                                 11:30 AM

BURIAL:          Green-Wood Cemetery
                              Brooklyn, 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 them to Reverend Peter Sticco, S.A.C., Our Lady of Grace R.C. Church, 395 Delano Place, Fairview, New Jersey 07022. 

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

Chancellor 

Announcement of Death – Reverend Coleman J. Costello

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Most Reverend Robert J. Brennan, Bishop of Brooklyn, regrets to inform you of the death of Reverend Coleman J. Costello, a retired priest of the Diocese of Brooklyn. Father Costello, was born on September 28, 1941, was ordained to the priesthood on May 27, 1967, and died Saturday, January 21, 2023. 

Father Costello served the Diocese of Brooklyn as Parochial Vicar of Saint Saviour (Brooklyn), Saint Francis de Sales (Belle Harbor), Saint Anthony of Padua (Brooklyn), Saint Vincent de Paul (Brooklyn), and Saint Andrew Avellino (Brooklyn). He also served as part-time chaplain of Holy Cross High School (Flushing). 

The arrangements are as follows:

WAKE:        Immaculate Conception Center 7200 Douglaston Parkway Douglaston, NY 11362
Tel: (718) 229-8001
Wednesday, January 25, 2023 – 9:00 AM -10:00 AM

FUNERAL:  Immaculate Conception Center 7200 Douglaston Parkway Douglaston, NY 11362
Tel: (718) 229-8001
Wednesday, January 25, 2023 – 10:30 AM

BURIAL:    Saint John Cemetery – Middle Village, New York

Father Costello 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 them to Reverend Monsignor Joseph J. Bracken, 

129-16 Rockway Beach Boulevard, Belle Harbor, New York 11694. 

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

Chancellor 

Memorial Mass for Deacon Joseph C. Denzler

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On Monday, December 12, 2022, our office sent out a notice regarding the  death of Deacon Joseph C. Denzler, a retired deacon of the Diocese of  Brooklyn who served at the Parish of Our Lady of Lourdes (Queens  Village). Deacon Denzler died Wednesday, December 7, 2022 in Texas. 

Our office has recently been informed of the following: 

A MEMORIAL MASS WILL BE CELEBRATED: 

Our Lady of Lourdes R.C. Church 
92-80 220th Street 
Queens Village, NY 11428 
Tel: (718) 479-5111 

Saturday, January 28, 2023 
10:45 AM 

All priests who plan to concelebrate, kindly notify the parish. 

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

BISHOP BRENNAN ORDAINS A NEW DEACON WITH SPECIAL DEVOTION TO THE DEAF COMMUNITY

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The Most Reverend Robert Brennan, Bishop of Brooklyn, ordained Mr. Samuel M. Mwiwawi to the transitional diaconate this past Saturday, January 7, 2023, at St. Bernard of Clairvaux Roman Catholic Church serving the Bergen Beach/Mill Basin area of Brooklyn.

Deacon Samuel M. Mwiwawi studied in Kenya and Uganda, attending St. Mary’s Junior Seminary and Kawanda Secondary.  He studied Philosophy and Theology at Christ the King Major Seminary in Kenya and later joined the Dominican Missionary Formation. Samuel then attended the Pope John XXIII National Seminary in Weston, Massachusetts, for one year, and began his service to the Diocese of Brooklyn in October 2018.

“Deacon Samuel’s love for sign language and the deaf community helps to foster a spirit of worship, that access to God who loves us so much. You proclaim the Good News, you lift the burdens, and you set people free. In the parish ministries, the school and religious education, in service to the elderly and to the deaf, it is Christ who you bring, not just social action,” said Bishop Brennan in his remarks addressing Samuel.

Monsignor Joseph Grimaldi vested Deacon Samuel for the first time during the Mass of Ordination, attended by hundreds of people. A reception followed in the school gym.

Upon ordination, permanent deacons may preach and administer the sacraments of baptism and marriage. Transitional deacons are granted these same faculties but continue their studies in anticipation of ordination to the priesthood. Deacon Samuel will be ordained a priest of the Diocese of Brooklyn in June.

The photos attached are courtesy of DeSales Media.

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Bishop Brennan presented the Holy Bible to Samuel M. Mwiwawi upon his ordination to the transitional diaconate.
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Monsignor Joseph Grimaldi, Bishop Robert Brennan and Deacon Samuel with members of the faculty of Pope John Paul XXIII outside the St. Bernard of Clairvaux Roman Catholic Church.
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Bishop Robert Brennan and Deacon Samuel Mwiwawi following the ordination.

BISHOP ROBERT BRENNAN’S STATEMENT ON THE DEATH OF POPE BENEDICT XVI

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The Most Reverend Robert J. Brennan, Bishop of Brooklyn, has issued the following statement on the death of Pope Benedict XVI:

“Please join me in prayer for the repose of the soul of Pope Benedict XVI. Joseph Ratzinger, the late Pope, was a man of tremendous intellect and holiness who deeply loved God and served the Church generously throughout his whole life, first serving in Germany and then the Universal Church.

He made tremendous contributions to the Second Vatican Council as a priest and theologian. Many of his contributions made their way into the documents of the Council, which charted the course for the Church in the modern era.

Pope Benedict XVI had a great mind, and his books have inspired me. He was a great teacher who helped us to understand and live our faith more profoundly.

On a personal note, ten years ago, in 2012, he appointed me an auxiliary bishop for the Diocese of Rockville Centre. Later that year, he received the newly ordained bishops. There was a genuine kindness and gentleness about him. He gave us his full attention and encouraged us in our ministry as bishops.

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him.  May he rest in peace.”

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Decree

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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 Thomas G. Pettei, Pastor of Resurrection-Ascension, located at 61-11 85th Street, Middle Village, New York 11379, and also Administrator of Our Lady of the Angelus, located at 63-93 98th Street, Rego Park, New York 11374, petitioned that they be canonically merged.

In keeping with the requirements of the Universal Law of the Church, the Presbyteral Council was consulted on December 1, 2022 (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 Resurrection-Ascension and Our Lady of the Angelus, both within the Diocese of Brooklyn, shall be merged to form one Parish.

  • This one Parish shall be named Resurrection Ascension-Our Lady of the Angelus parish, with the main Parish office to be located 61-11 85th Street, Middle Village, New York 11379.
  • Reverend Thomas Pettei 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 Resurrection-Ascension and Our Lady of the Angelus.
  • All assets and obligations currently belonging to aforementioned parishes are by this canonical merger, transferred to the Resurrection Ascension-Our Lady of the Angelus parish.
  • The parochial registers and the seals of the aforementioned parishes shall be kept at 61-1185th Street, Middle Village, New York 11379.
  • The Parish shall have two churches for worship: The Church of Resurrection- Ascension and Our Lady of the Angelus.

This merger shall take effect on January 1, 2023, at which time the public juridic persons of Resurrection Ascension-Our Lady of the Angelus 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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Announcement of Death – Deacon Joseph C. Denzler

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Most Reverend Robert J. Brennan, Bishop of Brooklyn, regrets to inform you of the death of Deacon Joseph C. Denzler, a retired deacon of the Diocese of Brooklyn who served at the Parish of Our Lady of Lourdes (Queens Village). Deacon Denzler was born on June 13, 1946, was ordained to the Diaconate on May 23, 2009, and died Wednesday, December 7, 2022 in Texas, where all arrangements are scheduled to take place.

A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at a later date.

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 wife, Mrs. Erlinda Denzler, 100 East Louise Drive, Unit #205, Beeville, Texas 78102.

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

Announcement of Death- Reverend Christopher T. Cashman

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Most Reverend Robert J. Brennan, Bishop of Brooklyn, regrets to inform you of the death of Reverend Christopher T. Cashman, a priest of the Diocese of Brooklyn ministering as Pastor of Saint Mary Star of the Sea, Brooklyn. Father Cashman, was born on March 15, 1958, was ordained to the priesthood on June 3, 1989, and died Friday, December 9, 2022.

Father Cashman served the Diocese of Brooklyn as Pastor of Saint Mary Star of the Sea (Brooklyn), Saint Aloysius (Ridgewood), and Parochial Vicar of Saint Bernadette (Brooklyn), Saint Sebastian (Woodside), Good Shepherd (Brooklyn), and Our Lady of Sorrows (Corona).

The arrangements are as follows:

WAKE:        Saint Mary Star of the Sea
467 Court Street
Brooklyn, New York 11231
Tel: (718) 625-2270
Tuesday, December 13, 2022
3:00 PM to 8:00 PM

FUNERAL:      Saint Mary Star of the Sea
467 Court Street
Brooklyn, New York 11231
Tel: (718) 625-2270
Wednesday, December 14, 2022
11:00 AM

BURIAL:       St. John Cemetery
Middle Village, New York

Father Cashman 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 William Cashman, 283 Avenue C, Apartment #5G, New York, New York 10009.

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

Announcement of Death – Reverend Monsignor Michael J. Cantley

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Most Reverend Robert J. Brennan, Bishop of Brooklyn, regrets to inform you of the death of Reverend Monsignor Michael J. Cantley, a retired priest of the Diocese of Brooklyn. Monsignor Cantley was born on February 8, 1929, was ordained to the priesthood on June 4, 1955, and died on Monday, November 28, 2022.

Monsignor Cantley served the Diocese of Brooklyn as Pastor of the Parish of Saint Anastasia (Douglaston) and was also Administrator of Saint John Vianney (Flushing). He also served as Parochial Vicar of the Parishes of Saint Michael (Brooklyn), Saint Benedict Joseph Labre (Richmond Hill), Blessed Sacrament (Jackson Heights). Monsignor Cantley was also a faculty member at the Immaculate Conception Seminary and at Saint John’s University.

On May 16, 1986, Monsignor Cantley was named Prelate of Honor to His Holiness.

The funeral arrangements are as follows:

WAKE:
Immaculate Conception Center
7200 Douglaston Parkway Douglaston, New York 11362 – Tel: (718) 229-8001
Saturday, December 3, 2022
9:00 AM – 9:45 AM

FUNERAL:
Immaculate Conception Center
7200 Douglaston Parkway Douglaston, New York 11362 – Tel: (718) 229-8001
Saturday, December 3, 2022
10:00 AM

BURIAL:
Saint Charles Cemetery
Farmingdale, 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 them to his niece, Ms. Catherine Clock, 7 Bohack Court, Sayville, New York 11782.

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

Announcement of Death – Reverend James J. Meszaros

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Most Reverend Robert J. Brennan, Bishop of Brooklyn, regrets to inform you of the death of Reverend James J. Meszaros, a retired priest of the Diocese of Brooklyn. Father Meszaros was born on March 18, 1939 in New Jersey, was ordained to the Priesthood on April 19, 1969 and died Tuesday, November 15, 2022.

Father Meszaros served the Diocese of Brooklyn as Pastor of the Parish of Saint Stanislaus Bishop and Martyr (Ozone Park), Temporary Administrator of the Parish of Saint Mary Star of the Sea (Far Rockaway), and Parochial Vicar of the Parish of Most Precious Blood (Brooklyn). He was in residence at the Parish of Sacred Heart of Jesus (Bayside), and Saint Josaphat (Bayside).

The arrangements are as follows:

WAKE: 

Sacred Heart of Jesus R.C Church
215-35 38th Avenue
Bayside, New York 11361
Tel: (718) 428-2200

Thursday, November 17, 2022
3:00 PM – 8:00 PM

FUNERAL:

Sacred Heart of Jesus R.C Church
215-35 38th Avenue
Bayside, New York 11361
Tel: (718) 428-2200

Friday, November 18, 2022
11:00 AM

INTERNMENT: Private

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 them to Reverend Monsignor Thomas C. Machalski, Sacred Heart of Jesus R.C Church, 215-35 38th Avenue, Bayside, New York 11361.

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