Advent is upon us, and parishes have placed their wreaths with four candles on the altar in keeping with the Catholic Church’s teachings. But there are many Catholics unaware of the significance of their deeper meaning.
Diocesan News
Churches Show How to Financially Survive During Pandemic
As the COVID-19 rages on, pastors in the Diocese of Brooklyn are coming up with ways to keep their churches financially afloat during the pandemic when social distancing rules are sharply curtailing attendance at Masses and most revenue streams have been brought to a halt.
Diocese Honors Mosaic of Immigrants With Sculpture, Christmas Tree Lighting
Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio, joined by New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, on Tuesday, Dec. 8, unveiled the sculpture, “Angels Unawares,” at the Soldiers and Sailors Arch in Brooklyn’s Grand Army Plaza. The annual lighting of the plaza’s Christmas tree followed the unveiling.
‘Angels Unawares’ Called a Fitting Nativity for Brooklyn’s Immigrant Heritage
A duplicate rendering of “Angels Unawares” is touring the U.S., with a stop in Brooklyn to serve as the Nativity scene for the Diocese of Brooklyn in Grand Army Plaza of Prospect Park. Its unveiling is set for early Tuesday evening, Dec. 8, along with the annual Christmas tree lighting, also in the plaza.
Kids Sell Handmade Jewelry to Raise Money for St. Jude Hospital
Youngsters living on a Bay Ridge cul-de-sac have created a jewelry-making business and are selling hand-crafted bracelets to raise money for charity. They recently donated $146 to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Immigrant Workers Exploited During Pandemic, Group Says
Wage theft has increased since March when the COVID-19 took hold of the U.S. economy, the Worker’s Justice Project reports. Before then, WJP saw about four instances of wage theft per week. In recent weeks, however, the weekly average has grown to 11.
Queen of Angels Parishioners Bring Breakfast to Day Laborers
Once a month, parishioners from Queen of Angels Church load up two minivans with hundreds of breakfast sandwiches, bagels, soups, coffee, and tea and drives out to several Queens neighborhoods to deliver food to immigrant day laborers.
Bishop Chappetto Leads Memorial Mass for Slain Maryknoll Sisters
In a moving tribute to four American women slain in El Salvador during the height of that country’s civil war in 1980, Auxiliary Bishop Raymond Chappetto led a memorial Mass marking the 40th anniversary of their deaths on Dec. 2.
Local Catholic School Enrollments Have Risen as COVID Cases Remain Low
As the first trimester of the school year comes to a close on Dec. 7, the 69 Catholic schools and academies across Brooklyn and Queens continue to go above and beyond for their communities. Children are still learning the fundamentals, while adhering to health and safety guidelines, through in-person learning or a hybrid learning model.
Bright Christmas Campaign Helped Create ‘Miles of Smiles’ Last Year
When a 16-year-old boy asked for Subway Series tickets last year, the Make a Difference Christmas Effort had no idea what they would mean to a family of four.