Last year, during the height of the pandemic, our Holy Father, Pope Francis, made a special plea during a Wednesday audience to his fellow Catholics to mark the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day. He said, “This is an occasion for renewing our commitment to love and care for our common home and for the weaker members of our human family.
Put Out into the Deep
Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio, the seventh Bishop of Brooklyn, has led the Diocese since 2003. He is a forceful voice on behalf of migrants and immigrants, whose causes he has worked for through most of his priestly ministry. Complete Bio
Rooting Out Sexual Abuse From Our Society Needs to Be a Top Priority
Sexual Assault Awareness Month, observed each April, is a campaign that aims to increase awareness about the causes and risk factors for sexual assault, empower individuals to take steps to prevent it in their communities, and especially to inform minors of ways to be aware of sexual abuse and how they can protect themselves.
‘We Are Priests Forever’
This year, as I celebrate my 50th Anniversary of Priestly Ordination, I share with you my brother priests, especially my fellow Jubilarians, some insights that perhaps I have gathered over these many years of priesthood. There is a certain parallel, or dichotomy in some ways, between two concepts of priesthood.
The Story of the Resurrection of Jesus Is No Myth, It Is a Mystery
In a cemetery, there is a tomb on which was placed huge slabs of granite cemented together and fastened by heavy steel clasps. It belonged to a woman who did not believe in the resurrection from the dead. She directed in her will that her grave be made so secure, if there was a resurrection, it could not reach her. On the marker were inscribed these words, “This burial place must never be opened.”
Was This Pandemic God’s Will? Was it a Punishment From God?
March 25th marked the Feast of the Annunciation, and perhaps an in-depth understanding of how this feast, which not only highlights the virginal conception of Our Lady, but also Mary’s willingness to do God’s will, is so important to understanding our faith.
An Opportunity to Recapture Our Common Origins and Beliefs
This week, I would like to give some personal reflection on the recent trip of our Holy Father, Pope Francis, to Iraq. Thankfully, through our NET-TV station and online sources, I was able to follow some of his major events. Obviously, the visit of Pope Francis was historic; it also pointed out the major complexity and diversity of the population of Iraq, Sunni and Shiite Muslims and representation from almost every Eastern Church and Orthodox Church in the world.
Celebrating the Women Who Have Been There for So Many in Need
International Women’s Day, as declared by the United Nations, is celebrated on March 8, in parallel with the designation of the month of March as Women’s History Month. This year’s theme for International Women’s Day is “Women in Leadership: Achieving an equal future in a COVID-19 world” which acknowledges the tremendous efforts by women around the world in shaping a more equal future and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic
Science and Religion: Completely Compatible When Both are Good
In my column at the beginning of Lent, I suggested that getting our vaccination against the COVID-19 virus would be a good practice for us during Lent. Given the difficulty of receiving the vaccine and the skepticism of some about being inoculated, I write this article.
Understanding, Through St. Joseph, How We Do God’s Will Better
This year, as we come closer to the Feast of St. Joseph, our Holy Father, Pope Francis, has given us a wonderful meditation on the 150th Anniversary of the Proclamation of St. Joseph as Patron of the Universal Church.
We Are Grateful for Your Partnership in the Lord’s Work
On behalf of the people who are served throughout our Diocese in Brooklyn and Queens, we begin the 2021 Annual Catholic Appeal by thanking those who generously responded to the 2020 Annual Catholic Appeal. Thanks to your support, the challenges we faced in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic were met by the Church and, as a result, our community faith grew stronger.