On March 6, the lower church at St. Patrick Parish hummed with a cacophony of reed instruments called “practice chanters” and a staccato of drum-sticks hitting practice pads, all to Celtic melodies and beats.
Diocesan News
Catechumens Unite at Immaculate Conception for Rite of Election
Angela Peguero took a major step toward that goal on March 9, as she was one of hundreds of people who participated in the Diocese of Brooklyn’s Rite of Election at Immaculate Conception Church in Jamaica Estates. The Rite of Election is a service held on the first Sunday of Lent for those who are completing their studies through the Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA) programs at their individual parishes and who are on track to be baptized at the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday.
Becoming Catholic in the Diocese of Brooklyn: Meet the Newly Elected
Almost 700 soon-to-be Catholics from Brooklyn and Queens took a big step in their faith journey by taking part in the Rite of Election on Sunday, March 9 — a time-honored tradition that takes place annually on the first Sunday of Lent.
Hope Sprouts in Creativity: Faith Formation Program Showcases Art Inspired by the Jubilee Year
Children in the St. Bernard of Clairvaux Church faith formation program channeled their artistic side with an exhibit on Feb. 26, drawing inspiration for their work from the Jubilee Year theme, “Pilgrims of Hope.”
St. Jude Relic Visits Brooklyn, Inspires Hope Amid Hardship
A first-class relic of St. Jude Thaddeus arrived at Our Lady of Mount Carmel-Annunciation Parish on Feb. 24, with parishioners lining up to venerate it and pray to the apostle of hope.
UPDATE: Diocese Celebrates Ash Wednesday and Start of Lenten Pilgrimage
On Ash Wednesday, Gervin Charles knew exactly where he wanted to be, so he made his way to the Cathedral Basilica of St. James in Downtown Brooklyn around noon to receive ashes on his forehead.
A Beacon of Hope Amidst Immigration Policy Change
For more than six decades, Msgr. James Kelly’s law office on Wyckoff Avenue has handled standing-room-only crowds of clients seeking U.S. citizenship.
Lenten Regulations 2025
Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the Lenten season, a time of renewal as the Church journeys towards Easter. Bishop Robert Brennan is asking the faithful of the Diocese of Brooklyn to turn their attention to the following regulations:
It’s ‘Shawl’ in the Family for One Ministry at Our Lady of Lourdes
Once a month at Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Queens Village, a group of women come together, pick up their knitting and crocheting needles, and get to work. And out of their talented hands, shawls, blankets, scarves, and hats are born.
Schoolbooks to Storybooks: Retired Teacher Inspiring Young Readers
Although Maryann McMahon is a retired school teacher and no longer in the classroom, she’s still teaching kids. But now, rather than telling students to crack open books, she’s writing them.