November 19 — Parents, students, and teachers rallied in White Plains today to support New York’s proposed Education Investment Tax Credit. This bill would boost contributions to public school programs and scholarships for students who seek to attend parochial and other private schools.

The new donations for scholarships would make private and parochial education a reality for families seeking new quality educational opportunities and assist those already enrolled who are struggling to afford tuition at the schools that best meet their needs.

The “Invest in Education Rally” was co-sponsored by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York, the Orthodox Union Advocacy Center, the NYS Coalition or Independent & Religious Schools, the Business Council of Westchester, the Children’s Scholarship Fund, The Jewish Education Project, Lutheran Schools Association, and the Archdiocese of New York Catholic Schools.

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November 15, 2013 – On Sunday, November 17th at 4 p.m., the Filipino Apostolate of the Diocese of Brooklyn, along with the Filipino Apostolate of St. Michael’s Church, 138-25 Barclay Avenue in Flushing, will host a Mass of Healing and Hope following the tragedy of Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda).

“We are taking this opportunity to pray as a community for those who have been affected by the Typhoon not just in the Philippines but those living here in the United States,” said Father Patrick Longalong, coordinator for the Filipino Apostolate of the Diocese of Brooklyn. “Many of ourkababayans have already heard good news that their family are alive but some received heart breaking news of the death of their loved ones. However, there are still those who are anxiously waiting for news. We are also coming together to support some of our brethren who might not be able to travel back to the Philippines and attend religious services for their loved ones because of immigration issues.”

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November 12, 2013 – Catholic Relief Services is mobilizing resources with partners and the government to help the areas most affected by the November 10 typhoon.

Learn more about the relief efforts here, or go to the Catholic Relief Services page for Super Typhoon Haiyan to donate online, by phone or by check.

November 12, 2013 – The Young Adult Mass takes place tonight at 7:30 PM in the main chapel at the Diocesan Offices (310 Prospect Park West in Brooklyn).

Young adults ages 21-39 are invited to celebrate liturgy together, then gather at a local bar for fellowship.

Before mass begins, the group will be collecting new and gently used winter coats and blankets for Midnight Run, a consortium of synagogues, schools and civic groups that distributes food, clothing and blankets to the homeless poor of New York City.
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November 12, 2013 – As Bishop of Brooklyn, it was with great sadness and reluctance that the Diocese was left with no other option than to initiate a lawsuit against Christ the King High School. I wish to personally assure each and every student, faculty member, and parent of Christ the King High School that the Diocese of Brooklyn has no intent or desire to seek the closing of your High School. It is also necessary for me to correct a number of unfortunate misstatements that have been reported in the press this past week concerning the lawsuit.

The lawsuit was commenced on November 4, 2013, after two years of futile and disappointing negotiations with the Board of Trustees of the High School. The Diocese had requested that the Board of Trustees reaffirm the 1976 agreement which established the parameters for the conveyance of the property to the High School some 37 years ago. Included in the 1976 agreement was a binding commitment on the part of the High School that if the Board of Trustees no longer maintained and operated a Catholic high school, that the property would be returned to the Diocese.
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November 8, 2013 – Excerpted from “Put Out Into the Deep,” Bishop DiMarzio’s column in The Tablet:

“As I reflect upon the New Evangelization, I also contemplate the various roles and ministries embraced within it. Catholic schools and academies certainly remain a vital component. One may recall the words of Blessed John Paul II: “Catholic schools are at once places of evangelization, of complete formation, of inculturation, of apprenticeship in a lively dialogue between young people of different religions and social backgrounds.”

It is with this profound vision of Catholic education that the Diocese of Brooklyn launched the Preserving the Vision Strategic Plan for its elementary schools in 2008. Developed together by clergy, lay people, educators and professionals of various fields, Preserving the Vision is, most simply, a strategic planning process to ensure the success and vitality of Catholic education within our diocese. With numerous goals and strategies, it is an ongoing initiative taking place in every Catholic school and academy. It is a living process that continuously grows and develops.
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November 8, 2013 – Maronite Catholics and friends from the greater New York area will gather on Thursday, November 21, at the Archdiocese of New York Building (1011 First Avenue) for the Fourth Annual Benefit Dinner for the Eparchy of Saint Maron of Brooklyn.

Proceeds from the Benefit Dinner will be used to educate seminarians, support poorer parishes and missions, make structural repairs to the Cathedral and assist retired priests. Bishop Gregory John Mansour stated, “I invite all of the faithful of the Eparchy, and every person of good will, to attend or support this year’s Benefit Dinner in Manhattan.”

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November 6, 2013 – After two years of futile negotiations, the Diocese of Brooklyn was reluctantly left with no other recourse but to sue Christ the King High School for refusing to re-affirm a longstanding covenant to return the school property to the Diocese under certain limited circumstances and for conducting, without the prior consent of the Diocese, various enterprises unrelated to a Catholic high school.

It remains the Diocese’s fervent and prayerful hope that each of the Catholic high schools, including Christ the King, will continue to prosper and serve the children of Brooklyn and Queens.
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November 5, 2013 – On November 7th, Catholic Migration Services will hold their Annual Fall Benefit from 6-8 PM at One Time Warner Center. The Benefit will feature live music and light refreshments.

Hosted by Time Warner, the event provides an opportunity for guests to network with staff and learn more about how CMS is improving the immigrant experience in Brooklyn and Queens.

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November 4, 2013 – Young adults ages 21-39 are invited to celebrate Mass and enjoy fellowship on Tuesday, November 12 at 7:30 PM. Mass will be held at the main chapel at the diocesan offices, 310 Prospect Park, in Brooklyn.

Contact Paul Morisi with any questions at 718-965-7300 x 5556 or pmorisi@diobrook.org.

For more information about young adult programs, visit the Faith Formation section of the Diocese website.