This site uses cookies to store information on your computer. By using this site, you consent to the placement and use of these cookies. Read our Privacy Policy to learn more.
ACCEPT
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 15th Century.
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.
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 visitdioceseofbrooklyn.org/parishes/locator/
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 50th 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.
Most Reverend Robert J. Brennan, Bishop of Brooklyn, regrets to inform you of the death of Reverend James J.M. Reynolds, a retired priest of the Diocese of Brooklyn. Father Reynolds was born on February 15, 1956 in New York, was ordained to the Priesthood on June 30, 1984 and died Friday, January 12, 2024.
Father Reynolds served the Diocese of Brooklyn as Parochial Vicar of the Parishes of Saint Helen (Howard Beach), Saint Patrick (Brooklyn), Saint Matthias (Ridgewood), Holy Child Jesus (Richmond Hill), Saint Brendan (Brooklyn), Our Lady of Mercy (Forest Hills), and Saint Thomas Aquinas (Flatlands). He was also in residence at Bishop Mugavero Residence (Douglaston), Saint Virgilius (Broad Channel), and Our Lady of the Snows (Floral Park).
The arrangements are as follows:
WAKE: Immaculate Conception Center 7200 Douglaston Parkway Douglaston, New York 11362 Tel: (718) 229-8001
Most Reverend Robert J. Brennan, Bishop of Brooklyn, regrets to inform you of the death of Reverend Jerome E. Nadine, a retired priest of the Diocese of Brooklyn. Father Nadine was born on June 10, 1933, was ordained to the priesthood on May 24, 1958, and died on Saturday, September 30, 2023 in California where all arrangements will take place. Father Nadine served the Diocese of Brooklyn as Parochial Vicar at the Parishes of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal (Ridgewood), Saint Catherine of Sienna (St. Albans), and Holy Rosary (Brooklyn). He also served as Military Chaplain at the U.S. Air Forces. Please pray for the repose of his soul and for the consolation of his family and friends. May he rest in the peace of Christ, the Risen Lord. If you wish to send condolences, please mail to Mr. Sam DeSanctis, 318 Mason Road, Vista, California 92084.
Reverend Monsignor Steven J. Aguggia, J.C.L.
Chancellor
The Diocese of Brooklyn has announced the passing of Monsignor Paul W. Jervis, who served as a priest for more than 40 years in parishes throughout Brooklyn and Queens.
Born in Guyana on December 1, 1953, Monsignor Paul Jervis immigrated to the United States at the age of 19. He was ordained to the Priesthood on May 21, 1983. On September 4, 2009, Pope Benedict XVI bestowed the title of Prelate of Honor to His Holiness upon Monsignor Jervis. He died Tuesday, September 5, 2023, at the age of 69.
For nearly 10 years, Monsignor Paul Jervis served as the postulator in the Cause for the Beatification and Canonization of the Servant of God Bernard Quinn. Through research and interviews, a case for the canonization of Monsignor Quinn was presented to the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints in 2019. The documents remain under review at the Vatican office.
“Monsignor Paul Jervis saw the dignity of every human being and worked tirelessly to open the eyes of all people to love one another. Much like Monsignor Bernard Quinn, Monsignor Jervis devoted his life to fostering peace in the face of hatred. He made a lasting impression on those he met, especially within our African American and Guyanese Catholic communities, and with his brother priests as well. His work will continue in the lives of those he inspired,” said Bishop Robert Brennan.
In 2005, Monsignor Jervis authored a book titled, Quintessential Priest: The Life of Monsignor Bernard J. Quinn. The book profiled the life of Monsignor Bernard Quinn who established the first church for Black Catholics in the Diocese of Brooklyn. Monsignor Quinn served as Pastor of the parish of St. Peter Claver, the patron saint of slaves, African missions, and interracial justice.
“Monsignor Paul Jervis was a vibrant pioneer for the Black Catholic community here in Brooklyn and Queens. His leadership inspired not only Black and Caribbean Catholics to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ, but also to share their culture with the entire Church of Brooklyn and Queens. Throughout his 40 years of priesthood, Monsignor Jervis made known his love for the Lord and His Church to the souls entrusted to his care,” said Father Alonzo Cox, Pastor of St. Peter Claver Church, and Director of the Brooklyn Vicariate Office of Black Catholic Concerns.
Monsignor Jervis served the Diocese of Brooklyn as Pastor of the Parishes of Saint Francis Assisi –Saint Blaise (Brooklyn), Saint Martin de Porres (Holy Rosary, Our Lady of Victory, and Saint Peter Claver in Brooklyn), and Saint Paul the Apostle (Corona). He also served as Administrator of the Parishes Saint Catherine of Genoa (Brooklyn), Holy Rosary (Brooklyn), Our Lady of Victory (Brooklyn), and Saint Peter Claver (Brooklyn); and as Parochial Vicar of the Parishes of Saint Clare (Rosedale), Saint Fortunata (Brooklyn), and Saint Peter Claver (Brooklyn).
Bishop Robert Brennan will preside at the funeral Mass for Monsignor Jervis on Tuesday, September 12, 2023, at 11 a.m. at St. Francis of Assisi-St. Blaise Church, located at 319 Maple Street in the Prospect-Lefferts Gardens section of Brooklyn.
BICENTENNIAL CELEBRATION OF ST. JAMES, THE FIRST CATHOLIC PARISH ON ALL OF LONG ISLAND, CONCLUDES WITH SPECIAL MASS
Bishop Robert Brennan, Bishop of Brooklyn, today joined with Father Bryan Patterson, Rector of the Cathedral Basilica of St. James, for a special Mass to conclude the Jubilee Year, the 200th Anniversary of the parish of St. James which was officially dedicated on August 28, 1823.
Prior to this church’s establishment, residents of the Village of Brooklyn had to take a ferry across the East River to attend Mass in Lower Manhattan. The faithful would go on to petition the Archbishop of New York to have a church opened in Brooklyn.
“They may have thought 200 years ago this day, wow we got the Church all built, but that was just the beginning. Here we are, along the way, continuing to build it up. The real building that took place 200 years ago continues today; it is joining the people of God in praise and worship, together with their priests and religious, together with their local bishop and together with the Universal Church and with our Holy Father,” said Bishop Brennan in his Homily this afternoon.
“Thanks to all those whose shoulders we stand, and now to you, I say thank you. Thank you for the way you come together to form the living body of Christ here in Brooklyn, and through your works of charity, your mutual love of each other, and your love of God. You proclaim with Peter and the whole Church, you are the Christ, you are the Son of the living God,” said Bishop Brennan prior to the final blessing.
The parish of St. James was founded in 1822, designated a cathedral in 1853, and was elevated to a minor Papal Basilica in 1982. The Cathedral Basilica of St. James is located at 250 Cathedral Place in Downtown Brooklyn.
Bishop Robert Brennan of the Diocese of Brooklyn today served as the main celebrant at the NYPD Patrol Borough Brooklyn South Memorial Mass held at Our Lady of Guadalupe in the Bensonhurst section of Brooklyn.
The annual Mass is organized to honor and remember those who served Patrol Borough Brooklyn South and lost their lives in the line of duty. The names of 132 men and women of the NYPD were read aloud at the Mass.
“Every day that you put that uniform on, every day you step out, you take risks, and you make sacrifices. I have always noted how families of police officers make sacrifices, on a daily basis. They are the small sacrifices, dealing with the calendar, different tours, dealing with having to change plans and go to work, or stay beyond for overtime; because it’s part of the job, part of the territory,” said Bishop Robert Brennan during his homily.
“But there’s also that greater sacrifice, that the men and women we remember today, made on the day that they went home to God,” continued Bishop Brennan.
NYPD Assistant Chief Chaplain Monsignor Robert Romano, the Pastor of Our Lady of Guadalupe, concelebrated the Mass with Bishop Brennan.