Archbishop Domenico Sorrentino, Bishop of Assisi–Nocera Umbra–Gualdo Tadino and of Foligno in Italy will be welcomed to the Diocese of Brooklyn for two special spiritual events next week as part of his visit to the United States with a First-class relic of Blessed Carlo Acutis. Acutis is the first millennial to be considered for Sainthood in the Catholic Church.

The First-class relic of Blessed Carlo Acutis is a fragment of the pericardium, the membrane that surrounded and protected his heart.

The prayer and veneration events scheduled include:

Monday, April 4 – 7:00 p.m. 

Eucharistic Adoration and Holy Hour of Prayer

Our Lady of Mount Carmel

2325 Newtown Avenue, located in the Astoria section of Queens

Wednesday – April 6  – 12:00 p.m.

Diocese of Brooklyn High School Rally with Archbishop Sorrentino

Holy Family Roman Catholic Church

175-20 74^th Avenue in the Fresh Meadows section of Queens

Last July, another First-class relic, strands of the hair of the Blessed Carlo Acutis, was received in the Diocese of Brooklyn at the request of then-Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio. Since then, the Diocese has brought that relic to schools and parishes for veneration, in an effort to inspire the youth to deepen their faith.

Members of the media are invited to attend and are asked to respond to this email to confirm their attendance.

A photo of the relic is attached.

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ABOUT CARLO ACUTIS

Carlo Acutis passed away at the age of 15 in 2006 after his battle with Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Acutis, who attended Mass daily from the age of seven, designed a website listing “The Miracles of the Eucharist,” documenting every miracle throughout the world, associated with the bread and wine consecrated at Mass and transformed into the body and blood of Christ.  The website can be found at http://www.miracolieucaristici.org/.

Since his death, Pope Francis has attributed a miracle to Carlo Acutis, which healed a boy with a malformed pancreas after the child came in contact with one of his shirts. Carlo could become a saint if a second verified miracle is attributed to him and is recognized by the Pope.

The Holy Father, Pope Francis, has accepted the resignation of Diocese of Brooklyn’s Auxiliary Bishop Paul R. Sanchez. The resignation was publicized in Washington on March 30, 2022, by Archbishop Christophe Pierre, Apostolic Nuncio to the United States.

As required by Canon (Church) law, at the age of 75, all bishops must submit a letter of resignation from the ecclesiastical office that they hold. It is then a determination of the Holy See as to when to accept the resignation. 

“Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus Paul Sanchez has faithfully served God and his people throughout his ministry. The Catholic community of Brooklyn and Queens is better because of Bishop Sanchez’s commitment to teaching the Good News of Jesus Christ. I am grateful for his guidance, and very much appreciate his will to remain as a spiritual leader here in our Diocese,” said the Most Reverend Robert J. Brennan, Bishop of Brooklyn.

“I give thanks to Almighty God for his abundant grace and mercy throughout my almost ten years as an auxiliary Bishop and my 50 years as a priest. I am grateful to Popes Benedict and Francis, and to Bishops DiMarzio and Brennan for their prayers and support. Countless priests, religious men and women, faithful parishioners and my beloved family have inspired and accompanied me in my journey of faith. For all that has been, I say, thank you God.  For all that will be, may God’s will be done,”  stated Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus Paul R. Sanchez.

The Most Reverend Paul Sanchez was born November 26, 1946, in Brooklyn. He earned a Bachelor of Arts from St. Bonaventure’s University, a Master of Arts from the University of Notre Dame, and a Licentiate of Sacred Theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome.

Paul R. Sanchez was ordained to the priesthood on December 17, 1971, at Saint Peter’s Basilica in Rome. Throughout his ministry, he was assigned to a number of parishes throughout the Diocese in both Brooklyn and Queens including Our Lady of Mercy in Forest Hills, St. Michael’s in Flushing, and St. Sebastian’s in Woodside. Then-Father Sanchez also served as pastor at St. Agatha’s in Brooklyn and at Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Astoria, while also serving as administrator of St. Margaret Mary’s in Long Island City.

Then-Father Sanchez was named Vicariate Coordinator for the diocesan Liturgical Commission in January 1975. He also served as a member of the Diocese of Brooklyn’s Presbyteral Council, a member of the diocesan team for ministry to priests, and a sub-committee member of the International Committee on English in the Liturgy.

In 1997, then-Father Sanchez was named a Prelate of Honor (Monsignor) by Saint John Paul II. On July 11, 2012, then-Monsignor Sanchez was ordained as an Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese of Brooklyn. He previously served as an adjunct professor at St. John’s University and at the Seminary of the Immaculate Conception.

Bishop Sanchez will remain Pastor of Our Lady Queen of Martyrs, Forest Hills, where he has served since 2012, and serve as an Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus of the Diocese of Brooklyn.

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BROOKLYN CATHOLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS SEND LOVE AND PRAYERS TO THE CHILDREN OF THE UKRAINE

Students of St. Mark’s Catholic Academy, located in the Sheepshead Bay section of Brooklyn, held a special dress-down fundraiser for the children of Ukraine on Monday, March 7, 2022.

The school raised over $2,000 for “Voices of Children,” which provides psychological and psychosocial support for children affected by war.

Photos attached are courtesy of the Diocese of Brooklyn/St. Mark’s Catholic Academy.

POPE FRANCIS ACCEPTS RETIREMENT OF DIOCESE OF BROOKLYN’S AUXILIARY BISHOP RAYMOND F. CHAPPETTO

The Holy Father, Pope Francis, has accepted the resignation of Diocese of Brooklyn’s Auxiliary Bishop Raymond F. Chappetto. The resignation was publicized in Washington on March 7, 2022, by Archbishop Christophe Pierre, apostolic nuncio to the United States.

As required by Canon (Church) law, at the age of 75, all bishops must submit a letter of resignation from the ecclesiastical office that they hold. It is then a determination of the Holy See as to when to accept the resignation.

“I share the appreciation of so many in the diocese for Bishop Chappetto’s many years of dedicated service here in Brooklyn and Queens.  Personally, I thank him for staying on beyond the retirement age to assist with the transition, and to Pope Francis for allowing that,” said The Most Reverend Robert Brennan, Bishop of Brooklyn.

“It has been an honor and a privilege for me to serve for 51 years as a priest, 10 of those years as a Bishop, for the great Diocese of Brooklyn. I am grateful to our Holy Father, Pope Francis, and to Bishops DiMarzio and Brennan, for their support of my ministry,” stated Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus Raymond F. Chappetto.

The Most Reverend Raymond F. Chappetto, D.D., was born on August 20, 1945, in Astoria. He studied at Cathedral College in Brooklyn and was awarded a Master of Divinity from Our Lady of Angels Seminary in Albany. Bishop Chappetto also holds a Master of Arts in Religious Education from St. John’s University and is certified in Pastoral Counseling.

Raymond F. Chappetto was ordained to the priesthood on May 29, 1971. Throughout his ministry, he has served in numerous parishes in Brooklyn and Queens, and as an Episcopal Vicar for Brooklyn West. In 1997, then-Father Chappetto was named a Prelate of Honor (Monsignor) by Saint John Paul II.

In 2008, while assigned as Pastor of Our Lady of Snows in Floral Park, then-Monsignor Chappetto was named Pastor of the Year by the National Catholic Education Association. During his ministry at Our Lady of Snows, he was named Minister for Priests. In 2009, he was named Vicar for Clergy and Consecrated Life, a position held until 2021.

On July 11, 2012, then-Monsignor Chappetto was ordained as an Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese of Brooklyn. In September 2013, Bishop Chappetto was named Diocese of Brooklyn’s Vicar General.

The Most Reverend Raymond F. Chappetto will now serve as an Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus of the Diocese of Brooklyn effective immediately.

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