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Brooklyn’s Italians Celebrate Columbus Day

Leading the march along Cristoforo Colombo Blvd., top picture, were, from left, Msgr. Gigantiello; Grand Marshal William R. Guarinello, president and CEO of Heartshare Human Services; Grand Marshal Isabel DiMola, community superintendent of District 21; Bishop DiMarzio; Grand Marshal Nicholas Miraglia, funeral director, Miraglia Funeral Home, Bath Beach; and Msgr. Cassato. Various elected officials, groups and public and parochial schools participated in the line of march.

Italian-Americans celebrated their history, faith and culture on the streets of Bensonhurst at the 31st annual Brooklyn Columbus Parade, sponsored by the Federation of Italian American Organizations, last Saturday, Oct. 6. Festivities began with a 10:15 a.m. bilingual Mass celebrated in English and Italian by Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio at St. Athanasius Church, Bensonhurst. Special concelebrants included Msgr. David Cassato, pastor; Msgr. Jamie Gigantiello, diocesan Vicar for Development; and Msgr. Robert Romano, pastor, Our Lady of Guadalupe, Dyker Heights. During Mass, the bishop spoke about Christopher Columbus and his desire to spread the Good News to the New World. The bishop encouraged Mass-goers to witness to their faith through works of charity in the upcoming Year of Faith. The parade stepped off at 1 p.m.