The officers and board members of the Cathedral Club of Brooklyn gathered with Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio at his home in Clinton Hill to present him with checks totaling $100,000 in donations to the charities of his choosing. The donations represent the profits from the club’s last two dinners.
The mission of the Cathedral Club of Brooklyn, as stated in its original certificate of incorporation, is to advance Catholic interests and promote the moral improvement of its members by fostering among them a Catholic spirit.
Among the causes being helped by the club are continuing voter registration drives, which promote the Catholic obligation to participate in civic life through the work of the Catholic Citizens Committee, and the restoration of St. Joseph’s Co-Cathedral, Prospect Heights.
Founded in 1900 as a Catholic lay organization, the club has developed an extensive series of events and activities to fulfill its objectives. This year, President John Heyer II emphasized the Year of Faith by thematically exploring the living of faith, protecting of faith and sharing of faith.
At each social gathering, as well as through letters to the membership, these themes were presented to start conversation about the Catholic faith and how it is shared to build up the Church in Brooklyn and Queens.
Among these events are a spring forum on a public issue of interest to the community of Brooklyn. This event, known as Speaker’s Night, will be held on May 16 at 7 p.m. at the Fort Hamilton Army Base Officers Club. Joseph Campo, producer and president of Grassroots Films, will be speaking on how he uses his profession and talent of filmmaking to share his faith.
In the fall, the club holds its annual Memorial Mass in honor of deceased members. Additionally, the club established a scholarship program for high school students in the diocese. The scholarships are awarded on the basis of need and scholastic ability.
The club’s annual dinner is the highlight of its social calendar and from the proceeds a donation is made to the bishop of the Diocese of Brooklyn for his favorite charity.
This year also saw a first as the club began gaining membership in Queens with its first Queens social held in Astoria at the beginning of April.
Other events include a golf outing, roast of its past president and various other social and fundraising events.
The club’s annual dinner, the highlight of its social calendar, is scheduled for Feb. 6, 2014 at the Marriott Marquis in Times Square.
To learn more about the Cathedral Club of Brooklyn and apply for membership, visit www.cathedralclubbrooklyn.org.