By Katie Vasquez

Dozens from the Diocese of Brooklyn took center stage on Fifth Avenue on Monday Oct. 9, offering culture to the crowds and waving Italian flags in honor of Columbus day.

It was a thrilling opportunity for the students who were all aboard.

“I’m proud that I’m able to be in this parade and be able to be a part of this Catholic faith and Italian community,” Giada Bruno a student at St Bernard Catholic Academy said.

“It makes me feel really good having to be a part of this parade because it shows how proud I am,” Ariana magnavito a student at St. Bernard Catholic Academy said.

The explorer was not the only Italian honored. a statue of Mother Frances Cabrini, a religious sister who cared for immigrants in New York City, also made her way down Fifth Avenue.

“It’s an opportunity for us to all come together regardless if you’re Italian, regardless of your background just to come together in faith and just to walk throughout this parade,” Craig Tubiolo, Executive Director of the Emmaus Center said. “It’s just such an amazing experience. And to be together and to celebrate our faith.”

Before the parade, Bishop Robert Brennan celebrated Mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral with people praying in Italian and English, a testament to the city of immigrants.

“It’s a reminder to me for us as a catholic church, that indeed we are a city of immigrants,” Bishop Brennan said. “We celebrate our diverse city of culture but at the same time our unity in faith.”

The parade isn’t just all about fun. It will also help put children through school. 

So far $36 million have been awarded to young scholars who need it.

Columbus Day doesn’t come without controversy.

There are more than 100 cities across the country that have adopted Indigenous Peoples Day and believe that the explorer brought genocide to the Americas. 

Many Italians disagree, including one organization, the “Italian American One Voice Coalition,” which works to protect Columbus’ reputation.

They put together a list of points ahead of the holiday saying that:

• Columbus never visited what is currently the United States.
• He didn’t purposely bring disease.
• How diseases were spread wasn’t understood until a century later.
• the explorer didn’t bring slavery to the new world–it already existed there
• Columbus Day was born out of discrimination. it was dedicated to the explorer by president benjamin harrison in 18-92 following the lynching of 11 italian americans in new orleans.

Andre Dimino is the president of that coalition.

He said it can be draining to reinforce these points every holiday, but it’s something he won’t stop doing. 

Dimino’s group is currently in a legal battle over the removal of a Columbus statue in New Jersey. 

Over the past couple of years, countless statues of the explorer have been torn down across the country with many wondering what could be next on the Columbus chopping block.

But the famed statue standing tall in New York City isn’t going anywhere.

The Columbus Circle Monument is protected under preservation laws on both the state and national levels.

If you want more coverage on Columbus Day coverage, check out thetablet.org, including pictures of the Diocese of Brooklyn’s float and a full recap of this morning’s Mass.

By Katie Vasquez

Pews of people from Brooklyn and Queens came together Wednesday night, Oct. 4, at the Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph, as four clergymen stepped up to lead different parts of the diocese. 

The four men were installed as Regional Episcopal Vicars, meaning they will be in charge of a group of parishes, known as deaneries, that have been grouped together into a region. 

The diocese previously had two regions, but now, there will be four, two in Brooklyn and two in Queens.

Bishop Brennan said the plan to split the diocese is actually meant to help bring everyone together. 

“We can take this step,” Bishop Brennan said. “Be a little more present in each of the four vicariates and work on and continue to foster those means of communication and collaboration.”

Auxiliary Bishop Witold Mroziewski will be the Episcopal Vicar For Brooklyn West, a title he doesn’t take lightly.

“I will deal with the priests and with the laypeople with the parishes,” Bishop Mroziewski said. “So it’s a very significant position and a very significant responsibility to me.”

Father Joseph Hoffman will lead Brooklyn East, bringing with him his more than 40 years of priesthood and his experience as an FDNY chaplain.

As a priest in the diocese for 34 years, Father John Costello also has extensive knowledge of the church. But as the Episocal Vicar for Queens East, he wants to focus on listening to parishioners. 

“I think we need to give people that respect to help us plan what the future is going to be,” Father Costello said.

Father Peter Purpura, who will be in charge of Queens West, already has some plans on what he would like to change. 

“I felt over the years that very often we’re competing with one another, parish against parish,” Father Purpura said. “So how can we kind of approach pastoral work in a way that we can complement one another to serve as many people as possible?”

The four men will work with deaneries, support diocesan initiatives, install and assist new pastors, and address any complaints. 

The people in the pews are excited to be able to have their voices heard.