You can’t spell “theology,” the study of God, without T-H-E-O, as in Father Theo, the beloved and scholarly retired priest in residence at Immaculate Conception, Jamaica, who celebrated his 45th year at the parish with a Mass of thanksgiving on Sept. 15. Father Theophane Cooley, C.P., 91, who’s originally from Dublin, speaks five languages and has taught philosophy and Latin. But perhaps he’s best known as a kind and caring priest.
Author: Andrew Pugliese
Distance No Barrier for Parishioners Who Commute to Carroll Gardens Parish
Michael and Illisse, both 30, make the extra effort because they feel strongly connected to Sacred Hearts-St. Stephen’s. They aren’t the only ones. A number of parishioners, who once lived near the church, still come back to Mass there every Sunday, even after they have moved away. They come from Westchester County, Long Island, Staten Island and other parts of Brooklyn.
Ten New Abuse Suits Filed Against Diocese
Ten new sexual abuse lawsuits were filed against the Diocese of Brooklyn on Sept. 9. The cases are part of the Child Victims Act that lifts the statute of limitations for one year in New York state.
Police Still Searching for Suspect in Church Break-ins
Police are still searching for a man suspected of break-ins at three Catholic churches in Queens as well as of break-ins at three other churches and three commercial buildings, the New York Post reported.
Catholic Missionaries Hit the Streets in Brooklyn to Evangelize
Missionaries from the Institute of the Incarnate Word have been pounding the pavement this September to invite Brooklynites around St. Teresa of Avila, Crown Heights, and Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph’s, Prospect Heights, to church.
Child Abuse Law Signed in New York Long After Diocese’s Adoption
Fourteen years after the Diocese of Brooklyn began to offer programs in parishes and schools to prevent abuse of minors, Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed “Erin’s Law” on Aug. 29, requiring public schools in New York state to have a similar program.
Our Lady of Grace Is Some ‘Kind’ of School
The school, which opened its 2019-20 academic year on Sept. 4, is encouraging its students to say “hello” to their classmates and to be especially welcoming to new kids at the school. It’s part of the national “Start With Hello” initiative to show students that kindness truly matters.
Caribbean Culture, Catholic Faith Celebrated at West Indian Day Parade
Steady rain didn’t stop the celebration of Caribbean culture along Eastern Parkway in Crown Heights on Labor Day. And the Catholic community was near the front of the West Indian Day Parade on Sept. 2 to proclaim their Caribbean Catholic culture and religion and invite others to join them.
New Bridge Still Honors Polish Past
The Kosciuszko Bridge linking Brooklyn and Queens is named for Polish Catholic and American Revolutionary War hero Tadeusz Kosciuszko. Father Marek Sobczak, C.M., pastor of St. Stanislaus Kostka, Greenpoint, is glad the bridge will continue to commemorate the sacrifices Kosciuszko and other Poles made to build America.
Franciscan Friars at Southern Border
Five Franciscan Brothers of Brooklyn discovered that when they wore those official-looking clothes for a day in early August during a trip they made to a shelter in El Paso, Texas. They were helping immigrants who had just been in ICE (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement) custody.