FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 1, 2024

DISTURBING ATTACK ON STATUE AT QUEENS CATHOLIC CHURCH

The Diocese of Brooklyn is announcing a hateful act of vandalism that took place yesterday, Sunday, June 30, 2024, at Holy Family Roman Catholic Church, located in the Flushing section of Queens.

At 5:30 a.m. yesterday, video shows a vandal park his NYC Taxi SUV vehicle across the street from the church. He then walked directly towards the Holy Family statue and proceeded to decapitate the Child Jesus. The white marble head of the Child Jesus was found on the ground near the statue. The damage is estimated at $20,000 and the parish is looking to repair the statue.

The statue has been part of the parish for more than 42 years. The statues of Mary and Joseph, which stand with the Child Jesus, were unsuccessfully targeted and not damaged.

“The Holy Family is the foundation of our faith community, and this statue holds special meaning to so many in our parish. This is a very unsettling incident, and those who attended Mass yesterday were shocked and horrified to find out this happened. We must pray for an increase in religious tolerance throughout our city,” said Father Sean Suckiel, the parish Pastor.

Police officers from the 107^th Precinct responded and classified the incident as a hate crime. Anyone with information is asked to call NYPD Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477).

Photos of the vandalism to the statue at Holy Family Church are attached.

Video footage can be found here: https://vimeo.com/973479443

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The Catholic Telemedia Network (CTN) will host international bestselling and award-winning novelist Liza Wiemer, author of “The Assignment” tomorrow, Wednesday, May 15, 2024, at 9:30 a.m. at St. Elizabeth Catholic Academy located at 94-01 85^th Street in the Ozone Park section of Queens.

“The Assignment” is based on an actual event involving two teenagers who refused to participate in a controversial assignment; debating the pros and cons of Hitler’s Final Solution. Each student will receive a copy of the book.

Ms. Wiemer will present a workshop for seventh and eighth-grade students on speaking up against all forms of hatred, bigotry, and injustice. Ms. Wiemer will discuss behind-the-scenes information, research, and how her novel helps connect the history of the Holocaust to society today. She will also share how popular culture and social media impact all forms of hatred.

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

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Catholic Telemedia Network is a service of DeSales Media, which provides technology and communications for the Diocese of Brooklyn and beyond.

CTN is collaborating with The New York Education Initiative with the support of The Jewish Education Project. Ms. Wiemer’s tour throughout the Diocese of Brooklyn includes visits to 10 Catholic schools and academies in Brooklyn and Queens.

Friday, April 19, 2024

BISHOP BRENNNAN TO RIDE 7 TRAIN WITH HUNDREDS ON WAY TO EUCHARISTIC REVIVAL EVENT AT LOUIS ARMSTRONG STADIUM IN FLUSHING

Bishop Robert Brennan will lead a group of faithful aboard the 7 train, beginning at 7:30 a.m. at the Court Square station (23^rd Street and Jackson Avenue), on Saturday, April 20, 2024, to the Diocese of Brooklyn’s Eucharistic Revival event taking place at Louis Armstrong Stadium at the USTA National Tennis Center, located at 124-02 Roosevelt Avenue in Flushing.

At each of the 7-line train stations on the way to the Stadium, including Queensboro Plaza, 61^st Street-Woodside, and 74^th Street-Broadway, Catholics from throughout Queens will board the train headed to the Mets-Willets Point station, where all will exit the train with Bishop Brennan and process to the Stadium.

“Thousands of people will unite to celebrate the Catholic Church of Brooklyn and Queens and give praise to our Lord Jesus Christ. This Diocesan Eucharistic Revival is a chance for our faithful to strengthen their hearts and minds and recommit to sharing the Good News by their lives. Louis Armstrong Stadium will be full of people who truly love Jesus Christ, who rose from the dead, and is living among us. The Eucharist is the true presence of Jesus Christ and how powerful it will be as we encounter him together,” said Bishop Robert Brennan.

The gates of the Louis Armstrong Stadium at the USTA National Tennis Center open at 8 a.m.

Catholic singer and songwriter Alverlis will lead more than 6,000 people gathered in praying the Rosary, and in praise and worship, prior to the start of the entrance procession and Holy Mass, led by Bishop Robert Brennan, beginning at 9 a.m.

Worship, music, and multilingual faith-based talks will continue throughout the day.

DeSales Media will make a feed available of the 9:45 Mass on The Switch on NY Pool-1 in HD/SDI 1080i/59.94.

Viewers can also watch the procession and Mass live on NET-TV, the Diocese of Brooklyn’s cable channel. NET-TV can be seen on Spectrum channel 97, Optimum channel 30,Verizon Fios channel 48, or live on www.netny.tv.

Members of the media are invited to attend.

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Press credentials are required for entry into the stadium. Confirmation of attendance is necessary.

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 30, 2024

POLISH COMMUNITY BRINGS THEIR EASTER FOOD BASKETS TO BE BLESSED

Diocese of Brooklyn Auxiliary Bishop Witold Mroziewski presided over the annual blessing of Easter food baskets this morning at Holy Cross Roman Catholic Church in the Maspeth section of Queens.

“”It was great to see so many children and families on this Holy Saturday morning, giving thanks to God for their many blessings, and bringing their Easter food to church to be blessed. Easter time is a time of Resurrection. It is a time of Salvation. We are so thankful to Christ Jesus our Lord, for His death and Resurrection. He saved us by His love,” said Bishop Witold Mroziewski.

The blessing of the Easter food baskets is one of the most beloved Holy Saturday Polish traditions. The basket contains a sampling of Easter foods including bread, eggs, ham, and sweets. The custom dates back to the 15^th Century.

• Video Footage: https://vimeo.com/929113003

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 24, 2024

MEDIA CONTACTS:

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

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

BISHOP BRENNAN LEADS PALM SUNDAY PROCESSION IN BROOKLYN

Bishop Robert Brennan marked the start of Holy Week this afternoon, as he led the Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph’s Palm Sunday Procession which kicked off in Brooklyn’s Grand Army Plaza.

After an opening prayer and blessing, Bishop Brennan led more than 250 people in a public witness of faith with their blessed palms, down Vanderbilt Avenue to the Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph, located on Pacific Street.

“In this procession, we walk with Jesus remembering that Jesus always walks with us. Today we gave public witness to our Catholic faith on the streets of Brooklyn, showing the greatness of God to those who walked, drove, biked, and jogged by us as we walked. Thamk you to the New York City Police Department for their logistical and safety involvement, and to DeSales Media for broadcasting it live ON NET-TV for many more to see” said Bishop Robert Brennan.

“As we begin this Holy Week, I encourage Catholics throughout Brooklyn and Queens to make this week different from other weeks. Let yourself spend more time in prayer, or in church, or perform an act of charity. May you come to better understand how much God loves you, and may you be an example of His love to those you encounter,” said Bishop Robert Brennan.

Palm Sunday commemorates the triumphant entrance of Jesus into Jerusalem, where those who greeted Jesus waved palms and set them on the ground along His path. Palms are recognized as a symbol of victory and peace.

Following the procession, Bishop Brennan celebrated the Spanish Mass at the Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph. Holy Week concludes on Easter Sunday with the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

The photos and video are courtesy of John Quaglione/DeSales Media.

VIMEO: https://vimeo.com/926900585

Photos attached.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 21, 2024

Bishop Robert Brennan, Bishop of Brooklyn, is inviting Catholics throughout Brooklyn and Queens to confession on Reconciliation Monday, Monday, March 25, 2024

The goal of Reconciliation Monday, held on the Monday of Holy Week, is to encourage Catholics to receive the sacrament of Reconciliation in preparation to celebrate Christ’s Resurrection from the dead. Most parishes will have a priest available to hear confessions from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

“Reconciliation Monday is an opportunity to experience the healing power of our Lord. As we seek to grow closer to the Lord, let us ask our all-loving and merciful God to forgive us of our sins. Let us prepare ourselves to celebrate Easter with a clean heart, free of the burden of our sins,” said Bishop Robert Brennan.

The faithful are invited to visit any parish in Brooklyn and Queens, however times and availability may change based on the parish. For a complete listing of parishes, please visit dioceseofbrooklyn.org/parishes/locator/

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Bishop Robert J. Brennan, Bishop of Brooklyn, led a special Mass in honor of the start of Catholic Schools Week this morning at St. Brigid Roman Catholic Church, located in the Bushwick section of Brooklyn.

Bishop Brennan joined students, faculty, and families of St. Brigid-St. Francis Cabrini Catholic Academy at the Mass. Following the Mass, Bishop Brennan visited the academy for the ribbon cutting ceremony and blessed the recently renovated Kindergarten classroom. The school is working to renovate all the classrooms by September.

In his Homily, Bishop Brennan stated, “Our schools teach everything that you can learn in any other school, math, social studies, and language arts. But we also learn the truth of who we are, and the truth of who God is. We learn what it means to be a child of God who loves us very, very much. We learn to see how God blesses us in our lives to discover our talents and abilities, to share with one another.”

Since 1974, National Catholic Schools Week begins annually on the last Sunday of January and is a week dedicated to celebrating Catholic education. The theme this year for National Catholic Schools Week is “Catholic Schools: United in Faith and Community.”

This year marks the 50^th Anniversary of National Catholic Schools Week. This week, Bishop Brennan is scheduled to visit schools throughout Brooklyn and Queens for a chance to meet students and faculty and catch a glimpse of the incredible education being offered in the Diocese each and every day.

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