Bishop Ordains 27 New Deacons

Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio ordained 27 men to the diaconate for the Diocese of Brooklyn at a Mass at Our Lady of Angels, Bay Ridge, on Saturday, May 28. The new deacons recently completed a five-year program that included theological studies and spiritual exercises in preparation for ordination. They will serve the Church at parishes in […]

Memorial Day Masses Celebrated at Cemeteries

by Antonina Zielinska To observe Memorial Day, Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio celebrated a Field Mass May 30 at St. Charles Cemetery, Farmingdale. Auxiliary bishops and vicars celebrated similar services in other diocesan cemeteries. Although heavy rain in the early morning threatened to keep people away, hundreds gathered to pray for those who served in the armed […]

Prelate: John Jay Report Results Not Surprising

NEW ORLEANS (CNS) – This is an interview of New Orleans Archbishop Gregory M. Aymond about the John Jay report on the causes and context of clergy sex abuse released May 18. The archbishop, who was the first chairman of what is now the bishops’ Committee for the Protection of Children and Young People, was […]

Courage to Listen

Reports of violence against Christians and other religious minorities continue to raise challenges for constructive ecumenical and interreligious dialogue. When emotions become enflamed by the actions of religious intolerance, it becomes increasingly difficult to focus on the important work of bringing people of good faith together. When people become fearful of even speaking their conscience-held […]

The Old New Missal

Ecclesia semper reformanda —the Church must always be reformed. Remember that from Vatican II? Liturgical renewal may seem a far cry from sweeping Church reformation but it is no less continual and inevitable. Are there not still some older Catholics who remember the unsettling speed — for others not soon enough — with which significant […]

Stations of Cross: Non-Catholic Creates Lenten Meditation At Brooklyn Oratory Church

by Antonina Zielinska To honor the passion of Christ, the Oratory Church of St. Boniface, Downtown Brooklyn, continues its “Art in Lent” season by displaying a modern rendition of the Stations of the Cross painted by a local artist. Audrey Frank Anastasi created the stations on 12-inch square gold leafed canvases with flat black gesso […]

Cultural Center: Parkville Parish Renovates Former Storage Space to Serve the Community

by Antonina Zielinska After over a year of construction and preparation, St. Rose of Lima parish, Parkville, was ready to bless the newly constructed cultural center, St. Joseph’s House. “I am overwhelmed by the work and the beauty and the possibility of this center,” said Msgr. Steven Ferrari, episcopal vicar for Brooklyn, who presided at […]

Parkville Bells Ring Again

by Antonina Zielinska Hundreds of Catholics gathered in front of St. Rose of Lima Church, Parkville, on Nov. 21 to hear their new church bells ring for the first time. Msgr. Steven A. Ferrari, episcopal vicar of Brooklyn, led the community of faith in the blessing of the bells.  He explained the importance of the […]