April 11, 2014 – On Good Friday, April 18th at 12 PM, join Bishop DiMarzio for Meditations on the 7 Last Words of Christ. Saint James Cathedral Basilica, 250 Cathedral Place in Brooklyn.

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April 9, 2014 – Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio has issued a statement on the “alleged visions” of Veronica Lueken, a resident of Bayside, Queens, who claimed that the Virgin Mary appeared to her numerous times between 1970 and her death in 1995.

Bishop DiMarzio said that Lueken’s followers have defied Bishop Francis Mugavero, who rejected Lueken’s claims in 1986, and were causing “confusion and division among a number of the faithful of Brooklyn and Queens and beyond.” Bishop DiMarzio went on to say that the “supposed visions completely lack credibility” and “contain serious theological errors.”

The complete statement is available here.

 

April 7, 2014 – The Diocese of Brooklyn announces the launch of a strategic partnership with My Catholic Faith Delivered to provide online resources for the more than 5,000 catechists and teachers in Brooklyn and Queens.

The new initiative, called the School of Evangelization Online Learning and Leadership Formation, will provide online courses that can be accessed anytime, anywhere.

“This new way of learning is accomplished by combining Catholic content with innovative technology,” said Theodore Musco, executive director of the School of Evangelization and director of the Office of Faith Formation. “It is the ideal program for a school, academy or parish catechist looking for resources and courses, as well as for a person, Catholic or not, who simply wants a better understanding of the faith.”

All locally offered courses, workshops, and events can be found on this site. In addition, courses and seminars offered by Catholic Distance University and the University of Notre Dame STEP program are available here as well. This one site will serve as a “headquarters” for all educational and formation opportunities.

The courses are designed to make learning convenient and fun. They feature engaging lessons, interactive activities, and real-time feedback. Visit bqonlineformation.org to learn more.

April 7, 2014 – Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio will celebrate a special mass for young adults (ages 21-39) in the main chapel at the Diocesan offices on Tuesday, April 8, at 7:30PM.

The Diocesan offices are at 310 Prospect Park West in Brooklyn. For more information, e-mail Paul Morisi at pmorisi@diobrook.org, and you can tell us you’re coming on Facebook.

April 2, 2014 — Fr. James Martin, S.J., will give a presentation and sign copies of his new book, “Jesus: A Pilgrimage,” at Holy Name of Jesus Parish in Windsor Terrace on April 7 at 7:30PM.

The book is described on Amazon.com as inviting “believers and seekers alike to experience Jesus through Scripture, prayer and travel.” Holy Name of Jesus, which was recently restored, is at 245 Prospect Park West. The event will be held in Shepherd’s Hall; call (718) 768-3071 with questions.

March 27, 2014 — A mass to honor Msgr. Bernard John Quinn, who died in 1940 after a lifetime of serving the African-American population of New York, will be celebrated on Saturday, April 5, at 11AM at St. Brigid’s Church in Westbury, Long Island.

After the mass, there will be a visit to his grave in Holy Rood Cemetery. The day will be devoted to praying for his cause of canonization. Please contact 718-574-5772 for transportation from St. Peter Claver Church or 516-334-0021 for driving directions. For more on Msgr. Quinn’s life, see fatherquinn.org.

 

March 25, 2014 – Hundreds of individuals and families can get free legal advice and assistance in filling out naturalization applications on Saturday, April 5, at Immaculate Conception Parish in Astoria (see map).

The event, dubbed a “mega workshop,” is a major part of Cambia Tu Vida (“Change Your Life”), a campaign being promoted by Catholic Migration Services to promote naturalization and citizenship. If you have a green card and would like to make an appointment, call the Cambia Tu Vida hotline at 855-622-6242.

CMS is also bringing the campaign’s message to New York City through a series of public service announcements on local television stations, as well as in print and social media and through grassroots publicity efforts. You can watch the public service announcements below, and you can read the entire press release here.

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March 17, 2014 – The Frassati Fellowship of Young Adults will hold its spring retreat from April 11-13 at Villa Maria Guadalupe in Stamford, CT. Young adults in their 20s and 30s are invited to attend, and transportation will be available to and from the city.

The theme of the retreat is On the Way. You can register here, and you can learn more about the Frassati Fellowship at frassatiny.com. Don’t wait to register, as spaces fill up quickly. If regular tickets are not available, sign up for the waiting list. Priority will be given to those who have never attended a Frassati retreat.

March 17, 2014 – The Catholic Moms Group of NYC helps to support and affirm women in the many roles they play in today’s busy world: mothers, wives, daughters, sisters, friends. The women in this ministry are bonded by their vocation and their Catholic faith. Moms of all ages and stages, as well as their children, are welcome to attend and share the struggles and joys of motherhood.

The group will meet this Thursday, March 20, from noon to 2PM at 1 Sylvan Terrace in Manhattan (see map). If you have any questions, please contact Kree Pena at 347-902-8966 or kreekenton@gmail.com.

March 13, 2014 – Excerpted from “Put Out Into the Deep,” Bishop DiMarzio’s column in The Tablet:

The 2014 Annual Catholic Appeal will be formally announced throughout our Diocese this weekend. When you support the Appeal, you are providing more than just material needs. Through strong, faith-based ministries, you are actually sharing your faith with others. Taken from Pope Francis’ encyclical, “Lumen Fidei,” we have chosen for our 2014 Appeal the theme, “When We Give, We Share The Light Of Faith.”

Each ministry is strongly rooted in and supports Catholic values every day. When our ministries serve those in need, our faith shines into the world like a strong and welcomed light. Your support allows Catholic ministries to help others and to respond to the Holy Father’s call to serve the least among us.

The Annual Catholic Appeal is an excellent way for us to improve the human existence for so many of our brothers and sisters right here in the Diocese of Brooklyn.