Bishop Robert Brennan Takes a Closer Look at St. Andrew Avellino Catholic Academy

Tags: Currents Brooklyn, NY, Catholic Education, Catholic Schools, Catholic Schools Week, Faith, Media, Queens, NY

By Jessica Easthope

St. Andrew Avellino Catholic Academy is hoping to show Bishop Robert Brennan they’re a cut above the rest.  Bishop Brennan visited the Flushing, Queens, school Jan. 28 to celebrate Catholic Schools Week to cut the ribbon and bless a new art room and STEM lab.

“We blend together the arts and sciences, the academic learning, but with that sense of faith, with the sense of friendship with Jesus Christ,” Bishop Brennan said.

The day started out with a greeting and came full circle for the eighth graders who had their class rings blessed by the bishop during Mass, a special moment for pastor, Father Gregory McIlhenney.

“To have Bishop Brennan come and to offer the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass and tie all these things together just brings that Catholic identity and that foundation that we stand on as Christians here to northeast Flushing,” Fr. McIlhenney said.

The highlight of the day happened when the school came under the microscope. Bishop Brennan took a closer look with sixth graders who were examining threads.

“He’s spending time with us in the church, around the school, he’s blessing the new first floor, all the classrooms, the STEM lab, the art room. It’s helping us grow closer to God, so Catholic Schools Week, it’s one of my favorite weeks in the whole school year,” said sixth grader Matthew Albanese.

Principal Debbie Hanna said the bishop’s visit tied in the national theme of Catholic Schools Week, “United in Faith and Community.”

“He spent the most time in the STEM lab, and he went over to every table and he looked in the microscopes, and he engaged with the kids. And I said, ‘Well, this is an a-ha moment.’ He’s here, it’s happening and he’s happy to be with us. And I was really happy that he was,” Hanna said.

Bishop Brennan will also be visiting Good Shepherd, St. Stanislaus Kostka in Greenpoint, and Resurrection-Ascension Catholic Academies during Catholic Schools Week.