My dear brothers and sisters in the Lord, This is the text of Bishop DiMarzio’s homily at the closing Mass of the Year of Faith on Nov. 23. Today, we come to the conclusion of the Year of Faith begun with the Apostolic Letter of Benedict XVI entitled, Porta Fidei or the Door of Faith. […]
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
Giving Thanks for What We Have
My dear brothers and sisters in the Lord, As we approach this year’s Thanksgiving holiday, it is always good to count our blessings in anticipation of this day in which we give thanks not only for the harvest, as was in its origins, but also for the many gifts that life brings to us. This […]
The Election Results Are In
My dear brothers and sisters in the Lord, As we have concluded the formal election season, it might be good to reflect on our duty as citizens to work with elected officials in governing our city, state and country. Our democracy is a participatory democracy. Those who are elected should represent all of the people. […]
Governing Our New Academies
My dear brothers and sisters in the Lord, As I reflect upon the New Evangelization, I also contemplate the various roles and ministries embraced within it. Catholic schools and academies certainly remain a vital component. One may recall the words of Blessed John Paul II: “Catholic schools are at once places of evangelization, of complete […]
Scarred But Not Broken
My dear brothers and sisters in the Lord, Hurricane Sandy has scarred the lives of many families in our Diocese. Even after a year, some of our families have yet to move back into their own homes. Others families are permanently displaced. The trauma that was inflicted was financial, physical and psychological. We were all […]
Rough Waters Swirl Around Migration
Second of Two Columns on Migration My dear brothers and sisters in the Lord, Perhaps it would be helpful to describe the position of the Church on migration by mentioning the five general principles which guide the Church’s view on migration issues contained in the Bishops’ statement entitled, “Strangers No Longer, Together on the Journey […]
Developed vs. Underdeveloped Nations
My dear brothers and sisters in the Lord, Last week, I was scheduled to speak at an event sponsored by the Permanent Observer Mission of the Holy See to the United Nations surrounding the United Nations High Level Discussion of Development and Migration. Unfortunately, my recent hospitalization prevented my participation. This is the first time […]
The Pope’s Challenging Words
My dear brothers and sisters in the Lord, The Lord often provides us with unexpected opportunities for reflection and prayer. My opportunity came this past week when I was hospitalized for a severe throat and upper respiratory infection. So, in this week when we celebrated the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, I had Pope […]
The New Cathedral Prep and Seminary (with slideshow)
My dear brothers and sisters in the Lord, Cathedral Preparatory Seminary began its history in the Fall of 1914 at the corners of Atlantic and Washington Avenues in Brooklyn. Founded as a preparatory high school, Cathedral was also a seminary – a place where boys who expressed at an early age a desire to discern […]
My First 10 Years in Brooklyn
My dear brothers and sisters in the Lord, It is hard for me to imagine that it is almost 10 years since His Eminence, Edward Cardinal Egan, installed me as the seventh Bishop of Brooklyn. There is great faith in Brooklyn and Queens, and it is contagious. There is also a wealth of human resources […]