It has been five months since George Floyd died at the hands of police in Minneapolis — a tragedy that unleashed massive protest demonstrations in cities across the country and ushered in a new era of racial reckoning in America.
Diocesan News
First African American Cardinal Designate Praised by Brooklyn Catholic Clergy
Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio joined African American priests in Diocese of Brooklyn to celebrate the naming of Cardinal-designate Wilton Gregory, who currently serves as archbishop of Washington. He will be the first African American cardinal in the United States.
Grossman Family, Father Vassalotti, Bring Classical Back to Brooklyn
The classical music performance Oct. 24, at St. Francis of Paola Church was an opportunity for the Grossman family to perform publicly since the COVID-19 pandemic forced the cancelation of live musical performances in New York City. The event also was a reunion for Eric Grossman and parish pastor Father Thomas Vassalotti — they attended the Juilliard School together in the 1980s.
Trump or Biden? Many Voters Can’t Wait for This Election to End
As Donald Trump and Joe Biden scramble to win over undecided voters in the last days of the campaign, some people are just exhausted from all of the political rhetoric and are looking for an exit ramp.
Transition House Helps Diocese Priests During Their Recovery Journeys
Msgr. Joseph Calise, pastor at the Parish of Transfiguration-St. Stanislaus Kostka, is a recovering alcoholic who has remained sober for the last 30 years.
Knights of St. Peter Claver Looking for New Members
Two decades ago, Andrews founded Council #333 of the Knights of St. Peter Claver at his church, St. Clement Pope. He is the grand knight of the council and is looking for new members.
Catholic Charities Stays on Its Quest for Affordable Housing
Construction of a new home for low-income people was about to start last spring in Queens, but the COVID-19 pandemic rattled all aspects of normalcy worldwide.
The Bishop Valero Residence, a project of Catholic Charities of Brooklyn and Queens, is expected to add 102 badly-needed apartments for seniors and formerly homeless adults. It’s located at 23-11 31st Road in Astoria, Queens.
There’s Still Time to Donate to Futures in Education’s First-Ever Virtual Gala
This year, the annual Futures in Education Gala has officially gone virtual to help families keep their children in local parish schools and Catholic academies. Futures in Education relies on this gala every fall to raise money for scholarships.
Only in Print: School Closures Take Toll on Kids
The start of the 2020-2021 academic year last month began positively as schools in the Diocese of Brooklyn reopened on time, with proper health and safety measures enforced.
Halloween’s Not Canceled at Immaculate Conception in Astoria
With Halloween festivities changing due to the pandemic, the Home Academy Association (HAA) at Immaculate Conception Catholic Academy (Astoria) made sure their students could still have a semi-normal experience. So, they came up with the idea to hold an outdoor “Trunk-or-Treat” event that involved dressing up in masks and costumes, plus trick-or-treating at tables in Immaculate Conception’s church parking lot.