PEACE LIGHT ARRIVES IN NEW YORK CITY FROM BETHLEHEM

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 9, 2019

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Adriana Rodriguez
718-517-3143
arodriguez@desalesmedia.org

John Quaglione
718-517-3112
jquaglione@desalesmedia.org

 

PEACE LIGHT ARRIVES IN NEW YORK CITY FROM BETHLEHEM

The Catholic Committee on Scouting of the Diocese of Brooklyn and Queens hosted the Peace Light Arrival Ceremony & First Transfer in the USA at Our Lady of the Skies Chapel, located in Terminal 4 of JFK International Airport, this weekend. The Peace Light arrived on Austrian Airlines Flight #87.

The Peace Light was first brought to Ground Zero in New York in 2001 by Canadian Scouts. In 2002, DHL delivered the Peace Light as a gift from Belgian Scouts and Guides to the Boy Scouts of America in NY. In 2003 the light didn’t make it to the U.S., however, members of the Brooklyn Diocesan Scouting Committee had kept the 2002 Peace Light burning and spread that around the diocese. Since then, Austrian Airlines has continued to bring the Peace Light to the United States each year since.

The Peace Light flies from Vienna in two explosion-proof, British mining lamps, fueled by smokeless paraffin oil. Representatives from many Boy Scout and Girl Scout councils from across the tri-state area and the country were on hand for the service. The candles lit by the Peace Candle will now be brought to houses of worship, hospital, senior citizen homes, homeless shelters, prisons, and other locations in many different cities and towns.

Each year, a Scout from Upper Austria fetches the light from the grotto in Bethlehem where Jesus was born. The light is then flown to Austria and from there it is distributed at a Service of Dedication to delegations who take it back, with a message of peace, to their own countries for use at ecumenical services.

Photos attached.

Peace Light 2020Peace Light 2020 BlessingCollection of Lanterns

###

IRISH TENORS “SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS CONCERT” TO BENEFIT CATHOLIC EDUCATION

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 5, 2019

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Adriana Rodriguez
718-517-3143
arodriguez@desalesmedia.org

John Quaglione 
718-517-3112
jquaglione@desalesmedia.org

IRISH TENORS “SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS CONCERT” TO BENEFIT CATHOLIC EDUCATION

The Diocese of Brooklyn has announced details of the 2019 Spirit of Christmas Concert, benefitting the Futures in Education scholarship fund, will feature the Irish Tenors, Ronan Tynan, Declan Kelly, and Anthony Kearns.

 

The concert will take place on Tuesday, December 17, at 8 p.m., in the Howard Gilman Opera House at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, located at 30 Lafayette Avenue in Fort Greene.

 

The goal of Futures in Education is to ensure the gift of Catholic education continues to be a viable option for current and future generations of deserving students in Brooklyn and Queens. Through the generosity of donors, the scholarship fund annually supports more than 4,500 of the neediest students enrolled in Catholic schools in Brooklyn and Queens.    

 

For more information on the event, and to purchase tickets, please call 718-965-7934 or visit https://futuresineducation.org/events/spiritofchristmas/

 

###

A photo of the Irish Tenors is attached.

 

“KEEP CHRIST IN CHRISTMAS” STUDENT ART CONTEST SEEKS FAITH THROUGH ART IN BROOKLYN AND QUEENS

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 3, 2019

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Adriana Rodriguez
718-517-3143
arodriguez@desalesmedia.org

John Quaglione 
718-517-3112
jquaglione@desalesmedia.org

“KEEP CHRIST IN CHRISTMAS” STUDENT ART CONTEST SEEKS FAITH THROUGH ART IN BROOKLYN AND QUEENS

 

The Tablet, the newspaper of the Diocese of Brooklyn, along with the Archbishop John Hughes Council of the Knights of Columbus located in the Dyker Heights section of Brooklyn, again will sponsor the “Keep Christ in Christmas” art contest this year, for students in grades 1-12, residing in Brooklyn and Queens.

 

The 2019 contest is encouraging students to express their faith through art by connecting the “Keep Christ in Christmas” theme with Deuteronomy Chapter 10: Verses 17-19: “For the Lord, your God, is the God of gods, the Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who has no favorites, accepts no bribes, who executes justice for the orphan and the widow, and loves the resident alien, giving them food and clothing. So you too should love the resident alien, for that is what you were in the land of Egypt.”

 

There are no restrictions on size or art materials used, but the artwork must be presented in physical form. No video, audio, photocopy or email entry will be accepted. All entries must include the name, grade, school or parish, contact phone number and return mailing address (phone numbers and addresses will not be published). All information must be written on the back of the work or is securely attached to the work. Please do not use paper clips.

 

Entries are to be submitted to the: Keep Christ in Christmas Contest, 1712 Tenth Avenue, Brooklyn, New York 11215. The deadline is Wednesday, December 18 at 5 p.m. The winners will receive prizes and have their works published in The Tablet.

 

 

Bishop DiMarzio Statement on his Apostolic Visitation in Buffalo

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 4, 2019

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Adriana Rodriguez
718-517-3143
arodriguez@desalesmedia.org

John Quaglione 
718-517-3112
jquaglione@desalesmedia.org

Bishop DiMarzio Statement on his Apostolic Visitation in Buffalo

The Bishop of Brooklyn, Most Reverend Nicholas DiMarzio, released this statement in response to his Apostolic Visitation to the Diocese of Buffalo:

“This has been a difficult period in the life of the Church in Buffalo.  Throughout this process, the lay faithful, religious, and clergy were in my prayers.

As part of this Apostolic Visitation to the Buffalo Diocese, we spoke with more than 80 people over a period of several weeks to gather information for this administrative review. It was conducted with urgency as the Holy See directed that this visitation be thorough with the foremost consideration being the good of the people of the Diocese of Buffalo.

What I found are many deeply devoted Catholics who love their Church. I pray this moment of suffering and pain will lead to a birth of new faith.  With the appointment of the Most Reverend Edward Scharfenberger, Bishop of Albany, to oversee the Buffalo Diocese, I am confident that Buffalo Catholics are in good hands.

I hope that now Catholics in Buffalo can begin the process of moving forward, healing, and helping the diocese in all of its ministries. We extend a promise of prayer for Bishop Richard Malone, as he moves into the retirement phase of his Episcopal ministry, and for the faithful of Buffalo.”

###

BROOKLYN AND QUEENS CATHOLIC ACADEMY PRINCIPALS EARN STATEWIDE HONORS

Blog Logo

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 26, 2019

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Adriana Rodriguez
718-517-3143
arodriguez@desalesmedia.org

John Quaglione 
718-517-3112
jquaglione@desalesmedia.org

 

TWO CATHOLIC ACADEMY PRINCIPALS  OF THE DIOCESE OF BROOKLYN

EARN STATEWIDE RECOGNITION

The Office of the Superintendent of Catholic School Support Services for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn is recognizing two of their academy principals, recently honored with the 2019 “Lighting the Fire for Catholic Education Award” by the Catholic School Administrators Association of New York State.

 

Principals Margaret Tyndall of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Academy in Sunset Park and Joann Heppt of Resurrection Ascension Catholic Academy in Rego Park received their awards at an event in Albany earlier this month.

 

“Mrs. Heppt is a faith-filled educator who fosters a strong Catholic Identity. The children and their physical and emotional well-being have always been a priority to her. Mrs. Heppt works tirelessly to bring programs to enhance student learning experiences to the school,” said Superintendent Dr. Thomas Chadzutko.

 

“We are delighted that Mrs. Tyndall has been recognized in this way. Her commitment to Catholic education and to the development of our children has long been recognized by the parents, teachers, pastors and board members of OLPH Catholic Academy. We are grateful for her leadership, for the gifted faculty that are her colleagues, and for the vibrant and caring school community that they continue to nurture in Sunset Park,” said Ralph Nofi, Chair of the Board of Directors of OLPH Catholic Academy.

 

The “Lighting the Fire for Catholic Education Award” recognizes Catholic school leaders who display a commitment to excellence through curriculum programs designed to meet the spiritual, academic and social-emotional needs of all students and teachers. The nominations of both Mrs. Tyndall and Mrs. Heppt also detailed specific information about the outstanding leadership and the contributions each Principal has made to the students, faculty and their entire Catholic educational communities.

Photos attached.

#1- Margaret Tyndall of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Academy and Joann Heppt of Resurrection Ascension Catholic Academy, center, joined by their husbands and staff from the Office of the Superintendent~Catholic School Support Service at the CSAANY conference.

#2- Joann Heppt of Resurrection Ascension Catholic Academy and Margaret Tyndall of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Academy display their honors.

#3- Margaret Tyndall of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Academy along with her husband, Reynell, at the conference held in Albany.

 

Group of people in a group picture

Two Women holding awards

A lady and a man taking a picture

ST. FRANCIS PREPARATORY SCHOOL HONORED FOR INTERNATIONAL SUPPORT OF FELLOW HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS

Blog Logo

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 20, 2019

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Adriana Rodriguez
718-517-3143
arodriguez@desalesmedia.org

John Quaglione 
718-517-3112
jquaglione@desalesmedia.org

 

ST. FRANCIS PREPARATORY SCHOOL HONORED FOR INTERNATIONAL SUPPORT OF FELLOW HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS

            The Diocese of Brooklyn is announcing special honors were bestowed upon St. Francis Preparatory School at the recent World Mission Sunday celebration, recognizing their support of, and contributions to a secondary school over 7,300 miles away in Kenya.

 

As part of Saint Francis Preparatory School’s continued support for international charities, the school was able to send a donation in the amount of $22,700 to the Franciscan Brothers of Galway. The funds were raised during the student body’s 2019 Lenten collection, with additional donations from parents and alumni. The Franciscan Brothers of Galway transferred the donation to their twin school, Saint Francis Secondary School in Lare, Kenya.

 

The funds have been used to provide tuition assistance, nutritional aid, construction of paved campus walkways, and the construction of a new basketball court. Additionally, two members of the St. Francis Prep alumni community, Dr. Joseph Pantaleo, ’03, and Dr. Kamica Lewis, ’99, coordinated teams of health professionals to provide dental and medical care for the Lare community for the third year in a row.

 

“As a Franciscan school, we do our best to remember our call to work in solidarity with our global brothers and sisters. I am so very proud of the contributions of our faculty, staff, students, and alumni who humbly walk with our Franciscan brothers and sisters in Kenya and live out the Gospel message every day,” said Patrick McLaughlin, Principal of St. Francis Preparatory School.

 

St. Francis Preparatory School is located at 6100 Francis Lewis Boulevard in the Fresh Meadows section of Queens. The attached photos are of the new basketball court and the recently paved walkways.

Walkway Kenya Walkway to computer lab Basketball court in Kenya Basketball court in Kenya

MASPETH FEDERAL SAVINGS BANK MAKES STREAM DREAMS COME TRUE AT CATHOLIC SCHOOL

BLog Logo

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 15, 2019

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Adriana Rodriguez
718-517-3143
arodriguez@desalesmedia.org

John Quaglione 
718-517-3112
jquaglione@desalesmedia.org

 

MASPETH FEDERAL SAVINGS BANK MAKES STREAM DREAMS COME TRUE AT CATHOLIC SCHOOL

 

St. Stanislaus Kostka Catholic Academy earlier this week hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony for their new state-of-the-art STREAM Lab at the school located in the Maspeth section of Queens.

The new STREAM (Science, Technology, Religion, Engineering, Art and Math) Lab was made possible through the generosity of Maspeth Federal Savings Bank, who was represented at the event by President Tom Rudzewick.

Monsignor Joseph Calise, the Pastor of St. Stanislaus Kostka Catholic Church, offered a special blessing of the lab. The event was held on November 13 which is the Feast Day of St. Stanislaus Kostka. Students and faculty attended a special mass prior to the celebration of the new STREAM Lab.

 

PHOTOS ATTACHED

#1- Maspeth Federal Savings Bank President Tom Rudzewick leads the ribbon-cutting ceremony of the new STREAM Lab.#2 Monsignor Joseph Calise blessing the new STREAM Lab.Stream Lab with St. Stans StudentsSt. Stans Students

#1- Maspeth Federal Savings Bank President Tom Rudzewick leads the ribbon-cutting ceremony of the new STREAM Lab.

#2 Monsignor Joseph Calise blessing the new STREAM Lab.

#3- The school community checking out the sites and sounds of the new STREAM LAB.

#4- Students are all smiles at the STREAM Lab grand opening.

###

FUNDRAISER IN HONOR OF MOTHER AND SON KILLED BY FLIGHT #587 WHICH FELL ON QUEENS HOME

Blog Logo

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 15, 2019

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Adriana Rodriguez
718-517-3143
arodriguez@desalesmedia.org

John Quaglione 
718-517-3112
jquaglione@desalesmedia.org

***MEDIA ADVISORY***

The below press announcement is being sent on behalf of the Catholic Foundation for Brooklyn & Queens regarding a fundraiser scheduled for tomorrow night, November 16, benefitting senior priests of the Diocese of Brooklyn.

The Lawler Foundation is named for Kathie and her son Christopher, who were tragically killed on November 12, 2001, when Flight #587 fell from the sky onto their Belle Harbor home.

12TH ANNUAL KATHIE AND CHRISTOPHER LAWLER FOUNDATION
DINNER DANCE

Benefitting Catholic Foundation for Brooklyn and Queens
Date/Time: Saturday, November 16, 2019
Mass at 5:00 pm, Dinner at 6:00 pm
Location: Immaculate Conception Center
7200 Douglaston Pkwy, Little Neck, N.Y. 11362

The goal of the Lawler Foundation is to supplement and enhance the Diocese’s existing programs that assist senior priests as they move into the next chapter of their lives.

 

Each year, the Foundation holds an annual dinner dance to honor these senior priests by raising much needed and appreciated funds. This year, we will be honoring Msgr. John Casey and Fr. Joseph M. Nolan (posthumously).

Members of the media are encouraged to attend. To RSVP, please respond to John Quaglione at jquaglione@desalesmedia.org or (718) 517-3112.

 

Brooklyn Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio statement

Blog Logo

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 13, 2019

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Adriana Rodriguez
718-517-3143
arodriguez@desalesmedia.org

John Quaglione 
718-517-3112
jquaglione@desalesmedia.org 

Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio has shared this letter with the faithful of the
Diocese in Brooklyn and Queens

=================

Dear Sisters and Brothers in the Lord:

 

Today, the Associated Press has published a story accusing me of sexual abuse in the 1970s, while I was a priest at St. Nicholas Parish in Jersey City.

 

This was my statement to the AP reporter: “I am just learning about this allegation. In my nearly 50-year ministry as a priest, I have never engaged in unlawful or inappropriate behavior and I categorically deny this allegation. I am confident I will be fully vindicated.”

 

There will be a legal process now and I will vigorously defend myself against this false allegation. I am confident I will be fully exonerated.

 

Sexual abuse is a despicable crime and since arriving at the diocese in 2003, I have worked and will continue to work tirelessly to purge sexual abuse from our diocese in Brooklyn and Queens. The Diocese of Brooklyn has created safe environments through sexual abuse awareness training for all children and adults who work with them. We conduct ongoing background checks on all who work with children. We have created a Victim Assistance Ministry that provides independent counseling and therapy to victim-survivors and provides numerous supports to help them with the healing process. Our Mass of Hope and Healing continues to be celebrated yearly so that as a diocese we can pray together and stand in solidarity with victim-survivors and all those impacted by sexual abuse in our Church as they seek to heal.

 

The coming days may become challenging for us as a diocese as I work to defend myself from this false allegation. During this difficult time, I will pray for our diocese and ask for you to remember me in your prayers.

 

Sincerely in Christ,

 

Most Reverend Nicholas DiMarzio, Ph.D., D.D.

===========================
A copy of the letter is attached.

Letter to faithful

SACRED HEART CATHOLIC ACADEMY STUDENTS SALUTE LOCAL VETERANS

Blog Logo

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 5, 2019

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Adriana Rodriguez
718-517-3143
arodriguez@desalesmedia.org

John Quaglione 
718-517-3112
jquaglione@desalesmedia.org

SACRED HEART CATHOLIC ACADEMY STUDENTS SALUTE LOCAL VETERANS

 

The students of Sacred Heart Catholic Academy of Bayside yesterday hosted a Veterans Day Appreciation Breakfast for veterans and present military heroes, and their families, in the school cafeteria.

 

The students gave thanks to those in attendance for the personal sacrifices they have made for our country. Students of the 2nd and 6th Grade offered musical and poetic performances as part of the tribute. Active duty service personnel from Fort Totten were also in attendance.

 

Photos attached, courtesy of the Diocese of Brooklyn.

 

Veterans Assembly

Veterans Assembly Veterans Assembly

Veterans Assembly