Out of more than 700 nominations, four parishes in the Diocese of Brooklyn won honorable mentions during this year’s Parish Excellence Summit.
Diocesan News
Only in Print: Campaign Made the Whole Year Brighter for St. Clare’s Families
Looking back on 2019, St. Clare Catholic Church was able to accomplish a lot, according to Youth Minister Peter Damour. The parish experienced many firsts during its 95th anniversary that helped bring the community together and allowed children, teens, and young adults to have fun and grow in their faith.
Nine Days Before Christmas, Filipinos Continue Tradition While Respecting COVID Safety Restrictions
Various ministries across the Diocese of Brooklyn adapted to new norms amidst coronavirus safety protocols, including limiting church capacity, wearing masks, and socially distanced seated in the pews. For Filipinos celebrating “Simbang Gabi,” or “Mass at Night” at the Queens Village church, the adjustment meant a scaled-down version of its traditional celebration.
Dyker Heights Man Lights Own Path
Tourists usually come by busloads six weeks of the year to see Dyker Heights’s lavish Christmas lights and displays. Due to the overwhelming tourism he experienced last year though, homeowner Nick Taverniti didn’t elaborately decorate his home. This year, his daughters convinced him to keep their family tradition alive and bring much needed Christmas cheer to the area.
New York State’s Minority Conservative U.S. Representative Nicole Malliotakis Is Ready to Get to Work in Congress
Election Day 2020 was a great day for Nicole Malliotakis, who was able to reclaim the 11th District Congressional seat held by incumbent Max Rose.
St. Saviour High School Student Spearheads Christmas Collection for Military
St. Saviour High School junior Allie Giordano wanted to do more for others as the pandemic continued to unfold during the holiday season. She asked for help from her school’s administration with a Christmas service project she wanted to pursue — collecting items for the military through the American Red Cross Holidays for Heroes program.
‘Concert for Healing’ at St. Pancras Showcases Christ’s Power of Redemption
The thematic arc of “A Concert for Healing” allows viewers of this online performance to experience Christ’s power of redemption, said its organizers at St. Pancras Church, Glendale, Queens. It was videotaped and produced at the church to help its members mend from a tumultuous year for their parish.
Boy Gets Special Birthday Present — Blessing From Priest
Maksymilian Bak got a Lego set for his 10th birthday, and he was thrilled with the gift. But something else made him even happier. He received a blessing from Father Jose Henriquez at 9 a.m. Mass at St. Finbar Church, Bath Beach, on Dec. 13.
‘It was Like an Answer to a Prayer for me’
Father Brian Shanley is the new president of St. John’s University, with a start date of Feb. 1, 2021. He is the former president of Providence College, Providence, R.I., where he earned notoriety for improving campus facilities, increasing the faculty, and building a more diverse student body.
Students Across Diocese Have School, Learning Remotely on First Snow Day
New York City was covered in at least 10 inches of snow, as of mid-morning on Dec. 17, during its first snowfall of the season. While snow plows scraped the asphalt outside, Diocese of Brooklyn’s students were inside, learning remotely at home.