The Gospel reading this year for the First Sunday of Advent tells us of a rather ominous saying of Jesus which is meant to prepare us not only for Christmas, but also for the end of time: “Be watchful, be alert for you do not know when the time will come.”
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
Reasons to Give Thanks in the Midst of This Difficult Period
We all know that this year our Thanksgiving will not be what we have normally experienced, no parades, perhaps limited football, smaller dinners, and less interaction with our most beloved family members. But we still must give thanks. As we look back over the past year, for what can we give thanks?
The Constitutional Rights of Our Parishioners to Exercise Their Faith
During the latest period of restrictions due to the Coronavirus pandemic, we here in the Diocese of Brooklyn, in the “red” zones, now limited to Brooklyn but previously also in Queens, have endured a real curtailment of our right to worship, that is overreaching.
The Mystery of Death and Grieving
As we enter the month of November, traditionally, we observe a time of prayer for the faithfully departed. This year because of the coronavirus, we have experi- enced many losses, and, unfortunately, often the loss of the lives of people very close to us. Another regrettable issue is that during this time, we could not properly ex- press the grief we have, engage in mourning, or follow the normal rituals of bereavement.
We Must Do All That We Can to Protect Our Most Vulnerable
As we come to the end of October, during which we celebrate Respect Life Month, we have an opportunity to reflect upon the 25th anniversary of “Evangelium vitae” (The Gospel of Life), the Encyclical of St. John Paul II.
One Hopeful Moment During a Devastating Year for NYers
October is the time of year we look back on some of our historical roots. For the Italian population, it is the month we remember Christopher Columbus, a Genovese sailor, who under the flag of Spain discovered the New World.
Pope’s Third Encyclical: What We Can Do to Make the World a Better Place
The Third Encyclical of our Holy Father, Pope Francis, entitled, “Fratelli Tutti” is a very long and complicated commentary on the world today and the place of Christians in the world. My intention with this week’s article is to give you a kind of menu of what the Holy Father says in his Encyclical.
Dilemmas Catholics Face During an Election Year
As we approach the election of 2020, I feel obligated to give some perspective on the Catholic Bishops’ teaching regarding Faithful Citizenship, the responsibility to vote, and the responsibility to truly form one’s conscience based on Church teaching. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has issued over 12 statements, preceding each four-year election cycle. Over the years, the statements have changed and have lengthened.
The Prayer for All People
As we enter October, the month of the Holy Rosary, we have an opportunity to meditate on the meaning of the Rosary in our lives today. The origins of the Rosary are clouded in mystery.
We All Become Pilgrims and Migrants
The 106th World Day of Migrants and Refugees has been changed from the week before the Epiphany to this present week in September, allowing for a greater celebration outside of the Christmas season. The theme for this year given to us by our Holy Father, Pope Francis, is: “Like Jesus Christ, forced to flee, Welcoming, protecting and integrating internally displaced persons.”