“We will see. We will see what he does and then we will judge – always on the concrete. Christianity either is concrete or it is not Christianity.” – Pope Francis on U.S. President Trump, Jan. 28
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“My job is to do what I think is God’s work, and leave the rest to Him and our Blessed Mother.” – Wyn Powers on founding the Rosary For Life ministry in Brooklyn 25 years ago
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“In the span of just one hour, three complete strangers identified me as a priest even though I was too young to be one and I was definitely not dressed like one. … From that day forward, I believed in my vocation to the priesthood.” – Father Christopher O’Connor, reflecting on his call for the Year of Vocations
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“I brought my children and hopefully they can understand what today is all about. It would be great for them to start thinking about their own vocations and where that might lead them in life.” – George Velez of SS. Peter and Paul parish, Williamsburg, at Catholic Day at Citi Field
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“The words didn’t mean that you were perfect, the words meant that you were human and God has accompanied you throughout that journey.” – Father John O’Connor to couples renewing wedding vows at Incarnation Church, Queens Village, Feb. 18
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“As Catholic teachers, I would like to emphasize to you the importance of going to Mass and that we teach as witnesses. I hope you understand that you are the true witnesses for your students.” – Superintendent of Schools Dr. Thomas Chadzutko at orientation for new teachers, Aug. 31
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“Steven McDonald was the quintessential Catholic. His faith was unshakeable. His hope was inspirational. His love was unending.” – Ed Wilkinson, The Editor’s Space, Jan. 21
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“He had all the qualities that would be expected from one who is extensive in virtue. I would canonize him right away. He died a martyr for what he believed.” – Maryknoll Sister Betty Ann Maheu on whether Bishop Francis X. Ford, M.M., should be named a saint
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“As a true American, I would proudly take a knee or stand linked with them (the players). It is your right as an American to peacefully protest, and that is a right that every American soldier defends. The protest is not against the American soldier and has been misinterpreted by the average American fan sitting on their couch watching TV.” – Mary DeBernardo on the national anthem protests in the NFL
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“When you walked onto that field, you had a responsibility not only to your teammates, not only to the fans, not only to the owners of the ball club, but most of all to yourself to do the best you could. And no one could ever argue or say anything if you could fulfill that.” – Gil Hodges Jr. on what he learned from his father, Aug. 30
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“He’s (Conforto) definitely the future for them (the Mets), and I hope they see the value in him not just as a player but as a person.” – Cathy McDermott, who is Mets outfielder Michael Conforto’s biggest Brooklyn fan, July 20
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“We have reached an era where its time for the lay people to stand up for the Church and act for the Church. … I treat my youth as a gift. It is meant to be given back to the Church.” – Diego Araujo, recent college graduate who lives at Most Precious Blood Convent, Bath Beach, and helps at the parish
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“I feel so empowered by all these women, by Maya Angelou, Queen Latifah, every single one of them. I love each and every single one of them and every time I’m having doubts about my Afro, about my skin color, I just look at Queen Latifah and say ‘Queen Latifah, you go girl, you rock it.’” – April Courbe, St. Joseph H.S. student visiting National Museum of African American History and Culture, Washington D.C., Feb. 23
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“I am here to pray for peace and healing for Brooklyn and for everyone in the country. Racism is there because of lack of communication and understanding.” – Donna Leslie of Our Lady of the Presentation, Brownsville, at diocesan Mass for Solidarity and Peace after Charlottesville, Va., race riots
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“John was a true man of God and a warrior of diversity and collaboration for the people of God. … John loved the Church and lived by the Gospel calling to love and serve.” – Angela Lewis remembering John Baynes, former director, diocesan Office of Black Ministry, who died July 17
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“We may differ in religion, but we are one. We are brothers and sisters. I was really surprised. For me, I just pray to God that everything will be fine. I’m hoping everyone will agree with each other.” – Bobby Consuegra, Queens parishioner, reflecting on the declaration of martial law on a southern island of his native Philippines to deal with the threat of radical Islamist militancy
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“I believe that my passion for street art and the artists themselves affords me a unique approach to being present to them where they are – without being judgmental or acting with an overbearing attempt to proselytize.” – Father Frank Mann on starting a ministry to young artists in Bushwick
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“Our immigrant community is very nervous right now. We’re all nervous. We have a lot of undocumented parishioners here in OLPH, in both the Hispanic and Chinese communities.” – Father James Gilmour, C.Ss.R., pastor, Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Sunset Park, at parish celebration of Chinese New Year
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“My hardships made me become a different person that I thought I could never be. Although the pain seemed unbearable during that time, it made me form opinions with a more open mind and heart.” – Natalie Balanzat, junior St. Agnes A.H.S., College Point, Youth Views
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“I give it … to remind them that their lives as priests will have ups and downs but they have to persevere. There’s no rose without a thorn and you recognize that there are two sides to life. There’s the difficult and there’s the beautiful.” – Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio on gifting newly ordained priests with a crown of thorns plant
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“Realize what you have done here will never be forgotten, not only for the people at this Mass, but for the many people throughout the world who have been touched by the Holy Union Sisters.” – Msgr. Fernando Ferrarese as the Holy Union Sisters’ 71 years of ministry at Immaculate Conception, Astoria, came to a close
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“Until I landed in Houston, I only saw the devastation from a TV screen or social media. I was unsure what to expect. I was open to what was going to be revealed. What I saw was the goodness in humanity.” – Melissa Enaje, Up Front and Personal, reflecting on volunteering in her native Houston with Catholics Care after Hurricane Harvey
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“I have no fears about the future. … I feel very confident about the future because I have seen how our people have come together after the hurricane.” – Archbishop Roberto González in Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria
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Put Out Into the Deep
Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio Speaks
“Pope Francis makes it clear that violence has its source in the human heart and that, unfortunately, nonviolence must be practiced before all else in families and in individuals. We cannot expect the world to be at peace if we ourselves are not at peace.” – Becoming Artisans of Peace, Jan. 7
“Racism remains the preeminent sin of not only our Nation, but also of our Church.” – Combatting the Sin of Racism, Sept. 2
“Sometimes ignorance of the facts surrounding our immigration system has prompted some to take extreme positions which on the surface seem to be logical to law-obeying citizens, not recognizing the extenuating circumstances that cause people to be in the United States and on an undocumented status.” – We Need to Speak for Migrants, April 29
“I am well aware that no amount of money will ever heal the scars of abuse, but this program is a concrete expression of our contrition and our desire to make amends. We hope it will help with the healing process and bring survivors some element of healing.” — Walking with the Sexually Abused, June 24, announcing the Independent Reconciliation and Compensation Program (IRCP) in the diocese