My dear brothers and sisters in the Lord, Lent is again upon us. We take inspiration from our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, and his annual Lenten message, with the theme, “Let us be concerned for one another to stir a response in love and good works.” (Heb 10:24) Concern for one another truly can […]
Put Out into the Deep
Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio, the seventh Bishop of Brooklyn, has led the Diocese since 2003. He is a forceful voice on behalf of migrants and immigrants, whose causes he has worked for through most of his priestly ministry. Complete Bio
Laity’s Role Is Still Emerging
My dear brothers and sisters in the Lord, This coming Sunday has been designated in the Diocese of Brooklyn as Lay Ministry Sunday. It is an opportunity to again reflect on the role of the laity in the Church. The Second Vatican Council, whose 50th anniversary we celebrate this year, made one inestimable contribution to […]
Each One Is Called by Name
My dear brothers and sisters in the Lord, A culture of vocations is what needs to be established in the Church today. During the month of January, we celebrated Vocations Awareness Week, a week when the Church concentrates on developing what we can call a culture of vocations. Culture is a way of thinking and […]
Catholic Schools Are Stronger
My dear brothers and sisters in the Lord, This year, Catholic Schools Week is observed from Jan. 29 to Feb. 5 with the theme, “Catholic Schools – Faith, Academics, Service.” The logo is a triangle with the words “Catholic Schools” written in red across the bottom of the triangle. The “T” in the word “Catholic” […]
The Beginning of Life
My dear brothers and sisters in the Lord, Each year, the anniversary of the passage of the Roe vs. Wade decision by the Supreme Court on Jan. 22, 1973 is truly a day that will go down in infamy and should never be forgotten. This ill-advised decision by the Supreme Court interpreted the Constitution to […]
Welcoming the Immigrants
My dear brothers and sisters in the Lord, The week of Jan. 8-14 has been designated by the U.S. Bishops as National Migration Week. The theme is “Welcoming Christ in the Migrant.” It takes a Scriptural base in remembering the encounter with the Disciples on the road to Emmaus in that post-resurrection account. As said […]
Peace Through Understanding
My dear brothers and sisters in the Lord, This year, the Catholic Church celebrated the 45th World Day of Peace, which coincides with the beginning of the New Year. The theme chosen by our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, is “Educating Young People in Justice and Peace.” In the message, he speaks most directly to […]
Christ’s Birth Foreshadows Crucifixion
My dear brothers and sisters in the Lord, Recently, I ran across an interesting painting from the 15th century titled, “The Adoration of the Magi” by Benedetto Bonfigli. The painting pictures the Magi bringing the gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh to the Christ Child, with Mary seated in a stable and St. Joseph at […]
Christmas Means Believing in Someone
My dear brothers and sisters in the Lord, Last October, our Holy Father Benedict XVI issued an Apostolic Letter entitled, “Porta Fidei,” or the “Door of Faith” quoting Acts 14:27. The door of faith is always open to us, ushering us into the life of communion with God and offering entry into His Church. This […]
Meeting with the Pope
My dear brothers and sisters in the Lord, The Bishops of Brooklyn: Bishop Frank Caggiano, Bishop Octavio Cisneros, Bishop Guy Sansaricq, Bishop Joseph M. Sullivan and I have just returned from our ad limina visit to Rome. The visit to the Tomb of the Apostles is an ancient practice by which bishops show their communion […]