Crime Spree Raises Issue of Security for Churches

The vandalism, which caused more than $10,000 in damages, was part a spate of crimes at Catholic churches in northern Brooklyn and southern Queens this past summer, raising the already pressing issue of how churches in the all-urban Diocese of Brooklyn can protect their buildings and property.

St. Gerard Majella Rebuilding After Vandalism Spree

Parishioners at Shrine Church of St. Gerard Majella in Hollis are flocking during this month of the rosary to the statue of the Blessed Mother in the parish’s outdoor garden, a place that was vandalized twice last month.

Suspect Arraigned in St. Gerard Majella Vandalism Case

Police arrested 69-year-old Nasra Alnadrahi at 10:30 a.m. Sunday on charges of cemetery desecration and criminal mischief connected to incidents at Shrine Church of St. Gerard Majella over the last few weeks.

St. Gerard Majella’s Outdoor Prayer Garden Struck Third Time

After reportedly causing more than $10,000 worth of damage during two nighttime visits last week, the suspect returned to St. Gerard Majella, Hollis, on the night of Sept. 17 to try to damage the statue of the Blessed Mother that’s in the parish’s parking lot.

Outdoor Shrine at St. Gerard Majella Vandalized Twice

The Shrine Church of St. Gerard Majella, Hollis, was vandalized twice in one week in September, according to pastor Father JosephJude Gannon, who said he believes the same person was responsible for both acts.

The Anniversary of Our Lady of Knock

A large contingent of Catholics from the Brooklyn Diocese are in Ireland for the World Meeting of Families. One stop on their trip: Our Lady of Knock Shrine.

Doris Gomez de Sanchez

Doris Gomez de Sanchez, the sister of Deacon Guillermo D. Gomez of St. Gerard Majella Church, Hollis, died in Colombia after a long illness.