Bishop Robert Brennan prayed for the dearly departed during a Mass at Holy Cross Cemetery in East Flatbush.

It’s part of an annual tradition for All Souls’ Day, where the shepherd of Brooklyn, along with the auxiliary bishops, hold services at Catholic cemeteries in Brooklyn, Queens, and Long Island.

Bishop Brennan said the prayers to those who have passed are just another important part of our faith. 

After Mass, Bishop Brennan also honored those who have made the ultimate sacrifice, blessing a monument to 18 Medal of Honor recipients.

The Diocese of Brooklyn’s story of immigration is built into Sacred Heart and St. Stephen’s statues in Carroll Gardens.

Those same statues still greet newcomers, many who now come from different states, people like Christian Kauffmann.  

Kauffmann moved to Brooklyn from Kentucky in 1986 and has made himself at home at Sacred Hearts and St. Stephen’s, whether it’s in the pews during Sunday Mass or in his workshop in the church basement.

Kauffman isn’t a carpenter by trade, he’s just handy, something church leaders noticed.

“He’s downstairs, whatever we need he can do right there,” said Msgr. Guy Massie pastor of Sacred Heart and St. Stephen’s. “He has hands of gold really.”

Kauffman said he’s happy to share his talents with the church.

“I do believe in God very strongly,” Kauffman said. “This is a way to, I guess, it’s a way to say thank you to express gratitude.”

“I don’t generally build from scratch. I just take what I can find and create something for the church,” Kauffman said.

He’s now working on a backdrop for a saint shrine and when this project is done, he will take on another project.

“There will be something else,” Kauffman said. “I noticed that one of these kneelers is broken as I’m sitting here so I’ll fix it.”

Christian Kauffmann, of Sacred Hearts and St. Stephen Church is The Pulse Of The Parish.

Wednesday, Nov. 1, marked All Saints’ Day for the universal Church, and some saints delivered a special message to a parish in Astoria.

The fifth grade students from St. Joseph’s Catholic Academy donned their habits and friar frocks for a special All Saints’ Day Mass.

The kids took turns telling the church about the lives of the saints they represent, some even honoring the rich cultural diversity of their parish by speaking in Spanish, Italian, and Polish. 

There is more All Saints’ Day coverage in this week’s issue of The Tablet.

The paper gives you an in-depth look at the 11 saints who’ve served here in the U.S., from Mother Cabrini in Brooklyn to St. Junípero Serra in California.

You can also get a sneak peak of some saints-to-be, such as Father Augustus Tolton, the first known African American priest, or Father Michael McGivney, the founder of the Knights of Columbus. 

To read more about these American saints and saints-to-be, pick up the paper at your local church this weekend.You can get future editions sent to you by subscribing online at thetablet.org.

Cathedral Prep High School and Seminary handed out one of its highest honors over the weekend. 

Every year, the Queens high school recognizes priests and lay people for their service to the community and this year Monsignor Sean Ogle, the Chairman of the Board at DeSales Media Group, the Parent company of Currents News, received an award.

Msgr. Ogle was not only a student at the cathedral, but he was also a teacher there for many years.

The Rector President of Cathedral Prep, Father James Kuroly also awarded Desales Media Group for its support.

By Jessica Easthope

As the school bell rings and the hallways flood with students, it’s clear that St. Francis Prep is educating a diverse population.

For junior Ayanna Singh, who’s looking to pursue a career in medicine, it was St. Francis Prep’s 19 ethnic clubs that showed her just how open her school was to welcoming different walks of life.

“My old school was very small and all one kind of person but here there’s no such thing,” Singh said. 

“I am Guyanese and Trinidadian but I can join the Korean club,” Singh said. “I think it gives people so many chances and opportunities that can really expand their knowledge.”

St. Francis Prep is 27% Latino, 39% White, 16% Black and 18% asian.

It’s a breakdown, director of admissions Lisa Schaeffer said, that is celebrated, but not designed.

“There’s nothing on there that tells us their race or religion, so we look at them as just every child is equal in that part,” Schaeffer said.

Recent statistics show New York City’s specialized high schools are struggling with diversity. 

This year’s Brooklyn Technical High School freshman class of 1,421 has 37 Black students, while the Bronx High School of Science freshman class of 731, has 34 Black students and at Stuyvesant High School the 762 freshman class, consists of only 7 Black students.

Diversity teaches you so much about life, about the future and what the real world is going to look like, say students at St. Francis Prep.

Junior soccer player Charlie Vallone has his sights set on the University of Pennsylvania. He says not only has his Prep education readied him for college, the environment has also reinforced his Catholic faith. 

“Through our faith, we know to love our neighbor as ourselves, and St. Francis Prep really teaches you that with the Franciscan ways and Franciscan values love everyone like a brother,” Vallone said.

By Jessica Easthope

As the school bell rings and the hallways flood with students, it’s clear that St. Francis Prep is educating a diverse population.

For junior Ayanna Singh, who’s looking to pursue a career in medicine, it was St. Francis Prep’s 19 ethnic clubs that showed her just how open her school was to welcoming different walks of life.

“My old school was very small and all one kind of person but here there’s no such thing,” Singh said. 

“I am Guyanese and Trinidadian but I can join the Korean club,” Singh said. “I think it gives people so many chances and opportunities that can really expand their knowledge.”

St. Francis Prep is 27% Latino, 39% White, 16% Black and 18% asian.

It’s a breakdown, director of admissions Lisa Schaeffer said, that is celebrated, but not designed.

“There’s nothing on there that tells us their race or religion, so we look at them as just every child is equal in that part,” Schaeffer said.

Recent statistics show New York City’s specialized high schools are struggling with diversity. 

This year’s Brooklyn Technical High School freshman class of 1,421 has 37 Black students, while the Bronx High School of Science freshman class of 731, has 34 Black students and at Stuyvesant High School the 762 freshman class, consists of only 7 Black students.

Diversity teaches you so much about life, about the future and what the real world is going to look like, say students at St. Francis Prep.

Junior soccer player Charlie Vallone has his sights set on the University of Pennsylvania. He says not only has his Prep education readied him for college, the environment has also reinforced his Catholic faith. 

“Through our faith, we know to love our neighbor as ourselves, and St. Francis Prep really teaches you that with the Franciscan ways and Franciscan values love everyone like a brother,” Vallone said.

On the next Pulse of The Parish, we’re taking you to Sacred Hearts and St. Stephen’s Parish in Carroll Gardens, where you will meet Christian Kauffmann.

Click on the video to watch a preview. 

You can watch Kauffmann’s story on Currents News, Wednesday night on NET-TV at 7 PM Est.