For the first time in nearly six months, students, faculty, and staff in the Catholic schools and academies of Brooklyn and Queens have reunited in person, in the safest ways possible.
Diocesan News
Catholic Schools Set to Reopen Despite DOE Delay
The Diocese of Brooklyn remains confident in its reopening plan as it gets ready to begin the new school year Sept. 9. As it stands, Catholic schools that share services from the Department of Education (DOE) — like nurses, transportation, meals, and special education and related services — will not be affected by the City’s delayed opening.
Father Gioacchino Basile Is Finally Going Home
The body of the late-pastor of St. Gabriel’s Church in East Elmhurst, Father Gioacchino Basile, one of the diocesan priests who died April 4 due to complications associated with COVID-19, will make its way home to Calabria, a region in southern Italy. On Sept. 8, parishioners gathered outside of Sacred Hearts & St. Stephen, Carroll Gardens, to bid their final farewell to their beloved pastor and friend.
St. Joseph Seminary Celebrates and Completes First Week of Classes
Sixty-five seminarians at St. Joseph Seminary and College have officially completed their first week back to school. The seminarians are living on-campus and attending classes in a traditional, in-person format while adhering to health and safety guidelines.
A Look at COVID and Diocese of Brooklyn, 6 Months Into Pandemic
COVID-19 has taken a toll on the Diocese of Brooklyn in the months since the first case was confirmed in New York, but the diocese is moving forward.
Eviction Moratorium Seen As Short-Term Fix That Might Bring Long-Term Problems
A moratorium on housing evictions announced Sept. 1 by President Donald Trump will keep thousands of Americans in their homes through the end of the year, but critics say it would only delay a housing catastrophe for a few months.
Invalid Baptisms Possible But Rare
Catholics in the U.S. are learning about a problem most could never anticipate — the idea that a baptism could be invalid. Church leaders in the Diocese of Brooklyn acknowledged that this could happen.
Hispanics Cautious Over In-Person Classes
This ethnic group has suffered more cases and deaths than any other group in New York City, accounting for 34 percent of deaths according to NYS Department of Health records as of Aug. 29.
Only in Print: College Campuses Come Back to Life | New Semester, New Rules, The New Reality
After physically closing campuses five months ago due to the coronavirus outbreak, some local Catholic colleges and universities reopened for the first time during the week of Aug. 24. The schools welcomed new and returning students back for move-in days, orientation events, and the highly anticipated first day of classes.
Only in Print: New Year, New Layout, Same Goals
After undergoing building-wide deep-cleanings in August, the 66 Catholic schools and academies in the Diocese will be operating differently than previous years when physical reopenings take place on Sept. 9.