BISHOP BRENNAN JOINS ST. ANDREW AVELLINO CATHOLIC ACADEMY IN CELEBRATING CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK

Bishop Robert Brennan, Bishop of the Diocese of Brooklyn, which includes Queens, celebrated Mass this morning at St. Andrew Avellino Roman Catholic Church with the students of St. Andrew Avellino Catholic Academy. During the Mass, Bishop Brennan blessed and presented the 8th-grade students with their class rings.

As part of his recognition of Catholic Schools Week, Bishop Brennan visited the school at the conclusion of the Mass. He blessed the new STEM lab, art room, and the new 3rd and 4th grade classrooms, taking time to talk with the students and faculty about the school.

“Catholic Schools Week celebrates the connection between our faith and our education, allowing me a chance to see the talents God has blessed our students with. For almost 100 years, this school has been central to the development of Catholic-educated members of the community, and we are grateful to see the school continuing its mission,” said Bishop Brennan.

“This morning, we had a fantastic visit from Bishop Brennan. It was special to have the bishop here today because my eighth graders were getting their school rings. It was a great blessing ceremony, as was the blessing of our new classrooms,” said Debora Hanna, Principal of St. Andrew Avellino Catholic Academy.

Catholic Schools Week, sponsored by the National Catholic Educational Association, starts on Sunday, January 26, and continues through Saturday, February 1. The theme for this year’s celebration is “Catholic Schools: United in Faith and Community.”

St. Andrew Avellino Catholic Academy was founded in September 1925 and will celebrate its centennial anniversary later this year.

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Photo #1- Bishop Brennan blessing the rings during Mass at St. Andrew Avellino Catholic Church.

Photo #2- Bishop Brennan and the 8th Grade Class at St. Andrew Avellino Catholic Academy after he blessed and presented each student with their ring.

Photo #3- Bishop Brennan visiting with students working in the academy’s new STEM Lab.

Photo #4- Father Gregory McIlhenney, Pastor of St. Andrew Avellino Catholic Church, Mrs. Denise Busse, Science Teacher, Bishop Robert Brennan, and Debra Hanna, Principal of St. Andrew Avellino Catholic Academy in the academy’s new STEM Lab.