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Bishop Robert Brennan Celebrates Mass of Thanksgiving for Diocese of Brooklyn’s High School Seniors

By Jessica Easthope and Alexandra Moyen

PROSPECT HEIGHTS — With graduation around the corner, the Diocese of Brooklyn’s high school seniors will soon embark on a new chapter of their lives. And, as they prepare for their next journey, Bishop Robert Brennan reminded them to never forget that, first and foremost, they are children of God.

“God loved you into being, knows you better than you know yourselves, and believes in you,” he said. “Please don’t forget who you are, and remember that your Catholic community supports you, and make sure to stay connected to God’s Church.”

On March 21, Bishop Brennan celebrated the second annual Graduation Mass at the Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph, congratulating seniors from 15 different high schools within the diocese and encouraging them to take pride in their achievements.

He also acknowledged that they deserve “a lot of credit” for how far they have come.

Many seniors at the Mass said they wish to continue their Catholic education and build on the strong foundation they have received in the diocese throughout high school.

Emma Polanco, a Christ the King High School senior, said she will “need God now more than ever” as she continues her Catholic education at St. John’s University to pursue a nursing degree.

“I know that I have struggled so much with not just academics but the social aspects of high school,” Polanco said. “And to know that I’m going into college where it’s going to be very competitive … I know I am going to need to talk to him more [and] come to church more.”

Polanco said that when growing up, although her parents raised her Catholic and gave her the free will to decide if she wished to continue practicing the faith, she never felt the need to look anywhere else.

In fact, she said her faith has only gotten stronger in high school.

“I’ve gotten so much closer with God and built such a great relationship with him,” she said. “To know that I have him with me every single second of every single day makes me happy, and to have him with me throughout college, I know that I will be able to stay motivated throughout my nursing career.”

Tatiana Elias, a Monsignor McClancy Memorial High School senior, said choosing to continue her Catholic education was an easy decision. She said she looks forward to attending St. John’s University to pursue a degree in biomedical sciences.

“I feel like being in an area where I can express my faith but also expand my education is a way to make sure that I’m heading in the right direction,” Elias said.

She noted that it also created a sense of community.

“In my high school, I feel like everyone knows my name and cares about you differently,” she said. “The way the school runs as a whole helps you expand your faith but also enriches your knowledge.”

Bishop Robert Brennan makes his way up and down the pews, thanking seniors for making time for the 2nd Annual Graduation Mass. (Photo: Alexandra Moyen)

Christopher Goldman, a St. Edmund Preparatory High School senior, said he looks forward to expressing his faith at Sacred Heart University in Connecticut. Goldman, who is an altar server and Eucharistic minister at his home parish, St. Bernard of Clairvaux Parish in Bergen Beach said he wants “to carry my faith with me as much as I can.”

Goldman said he plans to continue his Eucharistic ministry on his school campus and looks forward to gaining a deeper understanding of the faith at a Catholic school.

“I’ll learn more about kindness and following in Jesus’ footsteps,” he said.

After Mass, Bishop Brennan said that a graduation Mass had been an idea of his since his time as auxiliary bishop in the Diocese of Rockville Centre in 2012.

When he became bishop of the Diocese of Columbus, Ohio, in 2019, he scheduled one for 2020, only for the COVID-19 pandemic to halt in-person Masses and graduations.

“When I finally came [to the Diocese of Brooklyn], we were able to pull it together, and it means a lot,” Bishop Brennan said. “I wish I could be at all the graduations, but I can’t, so it’s a chance for me to encourage the seniors to be together at one time, and I also think it’s good for them to see each other.”

Bishop Brennan said the diocese is “proud of them all.”

“This was a chance for me to say, ‘thank you for being the great people that you are,’ and to remind them that God believes in them, I believe in them, the Church believes in them, their families believe in them, and to never give up,” he said.

Father James Kuroly, pastor of St. Rose of Lima in Rockaway and director of the Youth and Young Adult Ministry for the diocese, said it is a special year for the seniors because of the Jubilee Year.

He said the Mass was an opportunity for them to “celebrate together as a family.”

“I think when young people come together, and they recognize that they’re not alone in this journey of faith, that they have each other as support and, most importantly, to pray for each other,” Father Kuroly said.

Catholic News Headlines for Thursday 3/20/2025

A Christian rehabilitation center in Dyker Heights, Brooklyn has undergone a major renovation to benefit staff and patients.

It’s business as usual at the Vatican while Pope Francis recovers at Gemelli Hospital – Currents News explains how the Holy See stays operational even when the pontiff is away.

The future is looking bright for students at a Queens Catholic academy where parents came into the classroom for Career Day.

Upgrade for Rehabilitation Room at Dyker Heights Skilled Nursing Facility

By Katie Vasquez

A brand new rehabilitation gym is now available at Norwegian Christian Home and Health Center.

While the home has been around since 1903, the building in Dyker Heights, Brooklyn wasn’t opened until 2002.

The facility’s executive director, Anthony Restaino, says it’s never been updated. 

“We identified that our short term rehab is needed in this neighborhood, and the rehab gym was the original one,” he tells Currents News. “The equipment was older, things were starting to look old.”

For George Jensen, chairman of the board of directors for Norwegian Christian Home, these upgrades are particularly important to him. He has been a patient there himself more times than he can count, and knows what it’s like to be there firsthand.

“I’ve had two knee replacements. I’ve had two hip replacements. I’ve had a fractured shoulder, fractured elbow, ” he explains.

Even though Jensen always got excellent care, he says the space could have been better and he’s glad to see the upgrade.

“We’ve modernized it, we have a lot more room, but it did get crowded here,” he recalls. “They had to bring patients down on a schedule so it didn’t get overcrowded. But, with this setup, it’s going to be much better.”

The center used money raised at its inaugural golf tournament to pay for the improvements.

“We focus on short term rehabilitation,” Anita Panopio, the director of rehabilitation for Norwegian Christian Home and Health Center, tells Currents News. “Patients come here for four to six weeks. It depends on their progress. She know that the renovation is important: “It’s a big impact for the residents.”

A new addition to the center are  stations with real-life scenarios like doing laundry or taking a bath, to help patients as they return home.

 “It really helps the residents because the goal is to get them to acclimate back to their homes,” explains Restaino. 

While he’s hoping not to be back as a patient any time soon,  Jensen says that if he is, he knows he’ll be in good hands. 

“Every time I’ve been here for therapy, it’s done marvelous things,” he says. 

TONIGHT AT 7: Christian Rehabilitation Center Reopens After Renovations

By Currents News

A rehabilitation center in Dyker Heights Brooklyn has undergone its own rehabilitation: for years seniors have gone to Norwegian Christian Home and Health Center to get back on their feet after surgery or other issues.

While they always received exceptional care, the Brooklyn center wasn’t the best it could be.

Staff decided to change that with a major renovation. 

‘Dancing With the Teachers’ Event Creates Student-Teacher Bonds at Cristo Rey High School

By Katie Vasquez

A pair of Cristo Rey Brooklyn High school juniors had a spring in their step when Currents News entered the classroom, but they weren’t in a dance class.

Two students and their teacher were rehearsing for an upcoming competition, one that they say is building a bond that is enriching their school experience.

“You know to go around the school and say, ‘I won,’” explains student Jasmyn “Jazzy” Heslop. 

“We just have a really good shot at beating the other teams,” adds classmate Sanovia Williams.

They are among 21 students and nine faculty who will bust out their best moves at the high school’s upcoming “Dancing With the Teachers” show. 

Christo Rey’s Principal, Deanna Philippe, says the event started in 2017 as a fundraiser. 

“It was a two fold idea,” she says. “One, to make sure that every 100% of the seniors go to the prom. And two: just to create a little bit more joy in the community.”

The competition took a break during the pandemic, but resumed its rhythm and flow in  2023. This time juniors were allowed to join the seniors in the activity. 

“We’re very competitive, like a lot of the students here,” Heslop tells Currents News. They love the rivalries and stuff like that.”

“I’m not sure how else to put it,” Williams admits. “I just feel like we have it in the bag.”

While the teams are competing for a trophy and bragging rights, the biggest reward from this competition is the bond it builds between the teachers and students.

“This time it’s something that I can teach them and I can give them,” Heslop says about being able to dance with educators in the school.

“It just reminds you that you always have so much to learn from the students, which I think is very important for every teacher to remember,”  teacher Brooke Matejka tells Currents News.

It’s allowing the dance partners to find their rhythm together on the dance floor, and on the sidelines.

“One of my favorite pastimes was teaching Ms. Matejka how to twerk, it was so fun,” says Heslop of the dancing experience.

“I don’t have a dance background at all,” explains Matejka of working with her students. “So [I’m] just learning some more basics about Hip Hop, and I’ve gotten a lot of fun music from them as well.” 

“With Miss Matejka, it was like an instant click,” recalls Williams. “So I’m glad I got to form that relationship with her, as well as Jazzy.”

This dynamic trio knows they are going put their best foot forward on March 21, because in their minds, they’ve already won.

You still have a chance to buy tickets and see the competition in person. 

Go to cristoreybrooklyn.org, and the link to purchase tickets is on the homepage. 

Catholic News Headlines for Wednesday 3/19/2025

Parishioners in the Diocese of Brooklyn are continuing their Lenten Pilgrimage, celebrating the feast of St. Joseph during the 2025 Jubilee.

Pope Francis continues to improve at Gemelli Hospital –  he has stopped using an oxygen mask and reduced his need for high flow oxygen.

A Brooklyn Catholic high school is putting its own spin on “Dancing With The Stars.”

Catholics Receive Plenary Indulgences During Lenten Pilgrimage on Feast of St. Joseph

By Jessica Easthope

Joyce Peters says there’s no better time than Lent to have a rebirth of her faith life.

“This is the most wonderful time of the year for me. Because I know that I’m a sinner and God is merciful and kind,” she tells Currents News.

Peters received her third plenary indulgence March 19 at the Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph in Prospect Heights. The co-cathedral is one of six designated Jubilee shrine churches on the Diocese of Brooklyn’s Lenten Pilgrimage pathway.

 Peters has visited every church since the pilgrimage began on Ash Wednesday. 

“I’m 82, I want to see God’s face,” she explains. “I sin every day. And I say, ‘Father, forgive me, for I have sinned. Save my soul and I’m sorry’  And I ask God to forgive the others who have wronged me.”

The rector of the co-cathedral, Father Christopher Heanue, says it’s not hard to receive a plenary indulgence, but the criteria promotes deep spiritual reflection. 

“Recognizing our sinful nature, but we’re yet we’re hopeful, of what’s to come,” he tells Currents News. “We’re hopeful for change. We’re hopeful for conversion. And that’s the season of Lent. That’s what it means to be a pilgrim of hope. And that’s what it means to receive that plenary indulgence. It’s a time of change. It’s a time of conversion.”

In order to receive the grace of a plenary indulgence and be free from the temporal punishment of your sins you’ll need to meet certain conditions like:

  • making a pilgrimage to a designated Jubilee shrine church
  • confessing your sins 
  • receiving the Eucharist
  • praying for the intentions of Pope Francis

“We make that easy here at the co-cathedral,” explains Fr. Heanue. “Mass offered every day, our church is open every day, allowing people to come and pray. And so it’s a great way for them to celebrate this Jubilee year.”

WATCH: Parishioner’s Generous Donation Offsets Costs for Youth Ministry to Travel to Jubilee in Rome

June 19 marked the feast day of St. Joseph, the spouse of Mary and the foster father of Jesus – the significance of the day was another reason to make a visit to the co-cathedral.

The Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph on that Wednesday was Sheila Lopez’s fifth stop on the Lenten Pilgrimage. It’s journey she says has already enriched her life.

“It’s so refreshing to see all these new people and everyone so happy and involved. And be a strong participant in your faith,” she tells Currents News. “It’s not something that’s not able to be done.”

WATCH:  Diocese of Brooklyn Faithful Complete Lenten Pilgrimage

If you were unable to come to one of the six designated Jubilee shrine churches on the Diocese of Brooklyn’s Lenten Pilgrimage, you can still make a visit and receive a plenary indulgence any day from March 19 until the Feast of the Immaculate Conception on December 8. 

Catholic News Headlines for Tuesday 3/18/2025

One couple from a parish in Queens is sending out a warning to fellow parents about the dangers of viral social media challenges.

Pope Francis is still working as he recovers at Gemelli Hospital – he wrote a letter to an Italian newspaper appealing for world peace.

Two sisters are new moms after giving birth just a day apart, and they both say they’ll take however many children God wants to give them.