FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 13, 2021

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Adriana Rodriguez
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arodriguez@desalesmedia.org

John Quaglione 
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jquaglione@desalesmedia.org

DIOCESE OF BROOKLYN MARKS HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH

Celebration of Guatemalan Independence, Queens Parish Feast, Among Celebrations of Hispanic Faith and Heritage

The Diocese of Brooklyn will kick off Hispanic Heritage Month with two special celebrations of faith and community this week.

On Tuesday, September 14, 2021, at 7:30 p.m., the Most Reverend Nicholas DiMarzio, Bishop of Brooklyn, will celebrate a special Mass in honor of the 200^th Anniversary of Guatemalan Independence at St. Finbar Roman Catholic Church, located at the corner of Bay 20^th Street and Benson Avenue, in the Bath Beach section of Brooklyn.

The readings will be proclaimed in the native languages of Ki’Chee and Garifuna. The music at the Mass will include the traditional Marimba instrument. The Consul General of Guatemala in New York City, Nivia Rosemary Arauz Monzón, will be in attendance. Father Jose Henriquez is the Administrator of St. Finbar Parish.

On Wednesday, September 15, 2021, Our Lady of Sorrows Roman Catholic Church, located at 104-11 37^th Avenue in the Corona section of Queens, will celebrate the Feast Day of Our Lady of Sorrows and the 150^th Anniversary of the parish’s founding.

Prior to the Patronal Feast, a procession will be held beginning at 6:00 p.m. The Mass, which will be celebrated by the Most Reverend Kevin Sweeney, Bishop of the Diocese of Paterson, will begin at 7:00 p.m.  A community celebration will follow immediately after Mass in conjunction with the start of Hispanic Heritage Month.

Members of the media are invited to attend these special parish events and are asked to reply to this email to confirm their attendance.

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FOR PLANNING PURPOSES: September 13, 2021

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Adriana Rodriguez
646-241-9805
arodriguez@desalesmedia.org

John Quaglione 
718-576-9180
jquaglione@desalesmedia.org

DIOCESE OF BROOKLYN: THERE IS A REMOTE LEARNING OPTION IN NYC

Dr. Thomas Chadzutko, Superintendent of Catholic Schools for the Diocese in Brooklyn and Queens, which includes 70 schools and academies, today is reminding families and students that a remote learning elementary and middle school option is available in New York City.

St. Thomas Aquinas Online Catholic Academy is offering a fully online K-8 program as an option for those who want or need to continue in an online learning environment. The school offers the same Catholic education students are receiving in the classroom, only by means of a complete online learning environment.

“The Diocese of Brooklyn has worked hard to provide this opportunity to continue online learning for the students and families who wanted it to continue. We know there are people who remain uncomfortable with returning to in-person learning and want to continue learning online. They should have this option and St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Online Academy provides just that. As we all know, the COVID-19 pandemic has changed so much, including education. The St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Online Academy ensures our students do not miss the opportunity to learn regardless of pandemic concerns,” said Dr. Thomas Chadzutko, Superintendent of the Schools.

A majority of the more than 150 students currently enrolled in the online school are from the New York City area. St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Online Academy is chartered in New York State under the Diocese of Brooklyn’s Department of Education.

 “Online learning is here now. The educational visionaries in the Diocese of Brooklyn have committed resources and are determined to make this option available,” said Stephen Haessler, Principal of St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Online Academy.

Registration for the 2021-2022 academic year remains open. For more information on the St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Online Academy, or financial assistance, please visit the school‘s website at stacoa.org.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 7, 2021

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Adriana Rodriguez
646-241-9805
arodriguez@desalesmedia.org

John Quaglione 
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jquaglione@desalesmedia.org

HEALTH AND SAFETY REMINDER AS CATHOLIC SCHOOLS IN BROOKLYN AND QUEENS HEAD BACK TO SCHOOL WEDNESDAY

Dr. Thomas Chadzutko, Superintendent of Catholic Schools for the Diocese of Brooklyn, which includes 70 schools and academies throughout Brooklyn and Queens, today issued a reminder to ensure a safe return to school in advance of tomorrow’s first day of school.

In accordance with the New York State Department of Health mandate announced on August 27, 2021, all students, faculty, and staff members in Catholic Academies and Parish Schools in Brooklyn and Queens will be required to wear masks inside school buildings.

“As the new school year is set to begin tomorrow, it is important that we recommit to working together for the health and well-being of all, as we did so well last year. We want a return to normalcy in our classrooms as soon as reasonably possible, but as the Coronavirus and the Delta variant continue to persist among our population, our first priority is to keep our students, faculty, and staff safe,” said Superintendent Dr. Thomas Chadzutko.

“The Office of the Superintendent ~ Catholic Schools Support Services maintains our partnership and consistent communication with the NYC and NYS DOHMH. This collaboration with the city and state health agencies continues to ensure the health and safety of our school communities,” said Deputy Superintendent Joan McMaster.

School officials will continue to encourage vaccinations, while maintaining social distancing, hand washing and hand hygiene, and the rigorous daily cleaning and sanitizing of facilities as well as enhanced ventilation.

Parents will be reminded to keep their child home from school if they are sick, and their child will be required to receive medical clearance from a healthcare provider that they can safely return to in person instruction.  The Catholic Academies and Parish Schools will also continue to follow city and state guidelines regarding contact tracing, quarantine and isolation protocols.

Catholic schools in Brooklyn and Queens, in adherence to strict guidelines, opened on time for the 2020-2021 school year, and were able to offer five day a week instruction. Enrollment increased in nearly 40% of the schools last year in grades K-8. To learn more about Catholic Schools in Brooklyn and Queens, visit catholicschoolsbq.org.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 1, 2021

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Adriana Rodriguez
646-241-9805
arodriguez@desalesmedia.org

John Quaglione 
718-576-9180
jquaglione@desalesmedia.org

Statement by Brooklyn Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio 

            The Most Reverend Nicholas DiMarzio, Bishop of Brooklyn, today has released the following statement regarding the announcement of the results of the ‘Vos Estis Lux Mundi’ investigation into allegations made against him:

“I repeat what I have said from the beginning. There is no truth to these allegations. Throughout my more than 50-year ministry as a priest, I have never abused anyone.

As promised, I fully cooperated with this inquiry, because I know I did nothing wrong. I have prayed for a conclusion to this investigation, and these final results further verify, as I have consistently said, that these allegations have absolutely no merit.

I remain focused on leading the Diocese of Brooklyn as we are emerging from the darkness of the Coronavirus pandemic.  I ask for your prayers as I continue to fight against the lawsuits stemming from these two allegations, and as I now look forward to clearing my name in the New Jersey state courts.”

            Joseph A. Hayden, Jr. of Pashman Stein Walder Hayden in Hackensack, attorney for Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio stated:

“This decision by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith was rendered after an impartial and rigorous factual investigation conducted by former federal prosecutor John O’Donnell, partner at Herbert Smith Freehills, as well as the investigative firm founded by former FBI Director Louis Freeh. Both are former law enforcement officials with proven experience and impeccable integrity and the result of their investigation should leave no doubt. As the language of the decision stated, the allegations against Bishop DiMarzio have been found to have no semblance of truth.”

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 23, 2021

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Adriana Rodriguez
646-241-9805
arodriguez@desalesmedia.org

John Quaglione 
718-576-9180
jquaglione@desalesmedia.org

Diocese of Brooklyn Announces Passing of Bishop Guy Sansaricq

It is with sadness that the Diocese of Brooklyn announces the passing of the Most Reverend Guy A. Sansaricq (San-suh-reek), retired Auxiliary Bishop, who has ministered in the Diocese of Brooklyn since 1977. Bishop Sansaricq died at the rectory at St. Gregory the Great Church in Crown Heights, Brooklyn on Saturday, August 21, 2021. He was 86 years old.

“Bishop Sansaricq was the first Haitian American Bishop in the United States.  He was a symbol of the progress of the Haitian people here and, as someone who served as a bishop, gave the Haitian community some recognition and stature as immigrant people, a ministry he served very well,” said the Most Reverend Nicholas DiMarzio, Bishop of Brooklyn.

Bishop Sansaricq held numerous curial positions in the Diocese of Brooklyn. On June 6, 2006, he was appointed by His Holiness Pope Benedict as Auxiliary Bishop of Brooklyn and ordained on August 22, 2006. Bishop Sansaricq also served the Diocese as Pastor Emeritus of St. Gregory the Great, Brooklyn (2011-2021), Pastor of St. Gregory the Great, Brooklyn (2007-2011), Pastor of St. Jerome, Brooklyn (1993-2007) and as Parochial Vicar of Sacred Heart, Cambria Heights (1977-1993). During that time, he was appointed diocesan coordinator of the Haitian Apostolate. In 1987, he was selected by the U.S. bishops to head the National Haitian Apostolate. He was named a Prelate of Honor by Pope John Paul II in 1999.

“Bishop Sansaricq actually just sent an email out three days ago saying what he was going to do in organizing relief efforts at the National Haitian Apostolate. He had met the week before with the Archbishop of Port-au-Prince, so Bishop Sansaricq was very active right to the end,” said Bishop DiMarzio.

Bishop Sansaricq was born in Jérémie, Haiti, on October 6, 1934 into devout Catholic family. At the age of 13, he decided that he wanted to become a priest. He was ordained a Priest on June 29, 1960 for the Diocese of Les Cayes, Haiti. After a year, Father Sansaricq was assigned to serve as chaplain for Haitian immigrants in the Bahamas, ministering from the Benedictine Priory of St. Francis in Nassau. In seven years in that work, he became aware of the plight of immigrants, and especially undocumented immigrants. When he completed his work in the Bahamas, he was given a scholarship to study social sciences at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, where he received a master’s degree in 1971.

The arrangements are as follows:

 

WAKE:           Tuesday, August 31, 2021 – 3:00 PM to 9:00 PM

                         St. Jerome R.C. Church – 2900 Newkirk Avenue, Brooklyn NY

 

                         Wednesday, September 1, 2021 – 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM

                         St. Gregory the Great R.C. Church – 224 Brooklyn Avenue, Brooklyn, NY

 

VIGIL MASS: Wednesday, September 1, 2021 – 7:30 PM

                        St. Gregory the Great R.C. Church – 224 Brooklyn Avenue, Brooklyn, NY

 

FUNERAL:     Thursday, September 2, 2021 – 11:00 AM

                        Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph – 856 Pacific Street, Brooklyn, NY

BURIAL:         Bishop Chapel Crypt – Douglaston, NY

 

*** Masks will be required at all public services for Bishop Sansaricq***

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 19, 2021

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Adriana Rodriguez
646-241-9805
arodriguez@desalesmedia.org

John Quaglione 
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jquaglione@desalesmedia.org

BISHOP DIMARZIO URGES SUPPORT FOR VICTIMS OF EARTHQUAKE IN HAITI AMONG FAITHFUL OF BROOKLYN AND QUEENS

The Most Reverend Nicholas DiMarzio, Bishop of Brooklyn, announced today that he has asked all parishes in the Diocese of Brooklyn to schedule a special voluntary collection for victims of the recent earthquake in Haiti. Bishop DiMarzio has requested that parish administrators throughout Brooklyn and Queens take up this collection as soon as possible. Each parish will schedule a collection and notify their congregation of the date over the next two weekends.

“We have all seen the painful images of devastation and heard of the deaths caused by the most recent earthquake in Haiti. Our heartfelt prayers go out to all those affected by this terrible disaster. I ask the Lord to extend His blessings upon our brothers and sisters in Haiti during this difficult time,” said The Most Reverend Nicholas DiMarzio, Bishop of Brooklyn.

The Diocese of Brooklyn will send the money from this special collection to Haiti for distribution and direct assistance to those who have been affected. Checks for this collection should be made payable to the Compostela Fund of the RC Diocese of Brooklyn, with the notation “Haiti 2021” in the check’s memo section. Donations may also be sent via mail to: Compostela Fund c/o Diocesan Finance Office, 310 Prospect Park West, Brooklyn, NY 11215.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 12, 2021

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Adriana Rodriguez
646-241-9805
arodriguez@desalesmedia.org

John Quaglione 
718-576-9180
jquaglione@desalesmedia.org

BROOKLYN AND QUEENS CATHOLIC SCHOOLS ANNOUNCE BACK TO SCHOOL COVID-19 SAFETY PROTOCOLS

The Office of the Superintendent of Catholic Schools for the Diocese of Brooklyn, which includes 69 elementary schools in Brooklyn and Queens, today has announced the COVID-19 safety protocols that will be in place when school opens on Wednesday, September 8, 2021.

In the absence of a mandate, the New York State Department of Health recommends school districts adopt universal indoor masking for all based on guidance from the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Therefore, Catholic Academies and Parish Schools in Brooklyn and Queens will require all students, faculty, and staff members to wear masks beginning on the first day of school.

In addition, school officials will continue to encourage vaccinations, social distancing, hand washing and hand hygiene, while maintaining the rigorous daily cleaning and sanitizing of facilities as well as enhanced ventilation. Parents will be reminded to keep their child home from school if they are sick, and their child will be required to receive medical clearance from a healthcare provider that they can safely return to in-person instruction.

The Catholic Academies and Parish Schools will also continue to follow city and state guidelines regarding contact tracing, quarantine and isolation protocols.

“As the numbers of Coronavirus cases continue to spike in children, and the overall numbers of hospitalizations in New York City are on the rise, this is the most responsible approach to take when we begin the new school year. I know the return to these safety measures is not the situation parents, teachers or students were hoping to be the case in the 2021-2022 school year, but we cannot ignore the trends,” said Superintendent Dr. Thomas Chadzutko.

“Let us do our part from day one to prevent further increase of cases. If we are successful, as this academic year moves along, we will revisit these guidelines and adjust them accordingly. As much as we want a return to normalcy in our classrooms, we want our students, faculty, and staff to be safe,” continued Dr. Chadzutko.

“Looking at the trajectory of past pandemics, it seems that a virus such as this one does linger for some time even with the vaccination. I have received my vaccination and continue to encourage others to do so as well. It is our hope that the COVID-19 vaccines will help bring an end to this terrible virus that has controlled our lives for much of the past year and a half,” said The Most Reverend Nicholas DiMarzio, Bishop of Brooklyn.

Catholic schools in Brooklyn and Queens, in adherence to strict guidelines, opened on time for the 2020-2021 school year, and were able to offer five day a week instruction. Enrollment increased in nearly 40% of the schools last year in grades K-8. To learn more about Catholic Schools in Brooklyn and Queens, visit catholicschoolsbq.org.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 20, 2021

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Adriana Rodriguez
646-241-9805
arodriguez@desalesmedia.org

John Quaglione 
718-576-9180
jquaglione@desalesmedia.org

BISHOP DIMARZIO TO HONOR GOOD SAMARITAN FOR ACT OF BRAVERY IN SUBWAY THAT LIKELY SAVED A WOMAN’S LIFE

The Most Reverend Nicholas DiMarzio, Bishop of Brooklyn, this morning presented a medal on behalf of the Diocese of Brooklyn to honor local Catholic resident Sean Conaboy for his recent selfless act of courage in defense of a woman on a subway platform.

Mr. Conaboy was waiting for the train at the Union Square station on the evening of Wednesday, May 19, 2021, when a woman standing near him was repeatedly being stabbed on the platform. Conaboy immediately sprang into action, tackling the knife-wielding assailant and preventing the attack on the woman from continuing.

“It was an honor to be with Sean this morning and recognize him for his selfless sacrifice on behalf of his fellow New Yorker. Sean was the Good Samaritan here when he stopped the attack and put his faith into action. The medal presented to him with the inscription that reads in part the ‘Word was made flesh,’ is telling of how we reach God through the humanity given to us by God. Sean has done that by the rescue of this person,” said Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio.

Mr. Conaboy is a parishioner of St. Michael’s Roman Catholic Church in Sunset Park. Bishop DiMarzio was joined by the Most Reverend Kevin Sweeney, Bishop of the Diocese of Paterson, New Jersey, who previously served as Pastor of St. Michael’s.

“Sean saw someone in need and he responded. Sean’s Catholic upbringing nurtured him and made him ready for that moment, with the help of the Holy Spirit and with the protection of St. Michael, he stepped into that battle and saved someone who was being attacked. As a native New Yorker, it is great to see New Yorkers being who New Yorkers are; we respond when others are in need,” said Bishop Kevin Sweeney.

 “I am moved beyond words and say thank you to both Bishop DiMarzio and Bishop Sweeney. As honored as I am to be here, there is a victim in all of this, and it is not me. Kelli will have to find a way forward in her life, to heal emotionally and physically, and it is my sincere hope that she does. I think she deserves all of our prayers from this day forward,” said Sean Conaboy.

The photos attached are courtesy of the Diocese of Brooklyn.

Photo #1- Bishops Nicholas DiMarzio and Kevin Sweeney present recognition to subway hero and Good Samaritan Sean Conaboy at a press conference held at the Diocese of Brooklyn Chancery.

Photo #2 – Bishops Nicholas DiMarzio and Kevin Sweeney join Sean Conaboy’s proud family for a photo upon his receiving of the recognition.

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