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Catholic News Headlines for Thursday 9/5/2024

The FDNY honors Monsignor John Delendick by adding his name to the Fallen FDNY Memorial Wall on what would have been his 75th birthday, after his passing from a 9/11-related illness last November.

On the Feast Day of St. Teresa of Calcutta, parishioners at Our Lady of Victory Church in Bedford-Stuyvesant gathered to celebrate Mass, honoring her legacy. Mother Teresa herself dedicated the Queen of Hope Convent at the church during her visit in 1992.

In Jakarta, tens of thousands gathered to celebrate Mass with Pope Francis, who encouraged the faithful to promote unity and peace. This marked the final stop of his first leg on the apostolic journey, before heading to Papua New Guinea.

St. Clare Church in Rosedale and its long-time parishioner Theodora Pyle both marked their 100th birthdays, celebrating a century of faith and devotion together.

Visitation Middle School Program Opens at Fontbonne Hall Academy

by Katie Vasquez

A new era begins at Fontbonne Hall Academy.

The Bay Ridge Catholic High School officially opened the Visitation program, named in honor of the now-closed Visitation Academy.

After more than 100 years of Catholic education, the Brooklyn Visitation Sisters ended their sponsorship of the school earlier this year.

Sister Susan Mary Kasprzak, VHM, the superior of the Brooklyn Visitation Sisters, worried about what would happen to the 85 students enrolled and is happy some of them have found a new home nearby. 

“We know that the students, of course, are very disappointed at having to leave their school. so this way, there’s something hopeful for them,” Sister Susan Mary said.  

About 25 of the 35 middle school students enrolled are from Visitation. Olivia Shahin says having some of her friends here makes the transition easier. 

“I’ve been at Visitation since I was in nursery school, so this is my first time going to a new school, which is pretty exciting,” said Shahin, an eighth-grader. 

Fontbonne is also keeping the same curriculum and was able to retain some of the Visitation faculty.

Students like Harley McElroy, a seventh-grader at the school, are excited for the new opportunities. 

“I know that they have a really great science program here, which I’m really excited to be a part of. Also with sports, I do dance, so cheer is also something that I’ve always been interested in,” McElroy said. 

The principal, Rocco Gentile, says the program is a historic moment for the school.

“Two academies with similar vision, similar mission, really, to empower young women to really to be leaders in the community, compassionate leaders,” Gentile said.

One that gives Visitation students a fresh start.

“Being here is so great. I’m so happy that they were able to accommodate us,” McElroy said. 

“I’d be able to enjoy my eighth-grade year,” Shahin said. 

While continuing the legacy the Visitation sisters left behind.  

“It’s the completion of the educational mission,” Sister Susan Mary said. “But our mission continues. Our mission of prayer never ends.”

Bishop Robert Brennan on Hand to Welcome Students Back to School for the New Academic Year

by Katie Vasquez

For students across the Diocese of Brooklyn, many walked into the first day of school full of anticipation on Wednesday, Sept. 4.

“I actually woke up at four in the morning. I was really ready for school,” said Savanna Wharton, an eighth-grader at Incarnation Catholic Academy.

Students at Incarnation Catholic Academy in Queens Village returned to class on Wednesday, greeted by a special guest, Brooklyn’s very own Bishop Robert Brennan.

It marks the end of summer and the beginning of a new year, and while that may have been a rougher start for some.

Bishop Brennan knows the feelings of the first day of school all too well.

“There’s always that dread of the end of summer, but then as soon as you step in, you feel like you belong there,” Bishop Brennan said.

He offered a prayer before students headed to their classrooms, where they would start a curriculum meant to form their body, mind, and soul.

“We believe that Catholic education helps us to know and love God,” Bishop Brennan said.

Leading that education is Incarnation’s new principal, Ivan Green, who has worked at other diocesan schools but says this one feels special.

“I’m from the neighborhood, and the kids are much, much more acquainted with me,” Green said.

He wasn’t the only new face at the school.

“I moved schools because I thought it would be a better opportunity in learning,” said Jasmine Gopie, a 7th grader at Incarnation Catholic Academy.

But whether the students were new or returning, they all felt at home.

“I felt welcomed,” said Faith Edwards, a seventh-grader at the school. “I can get better grades because I’m getting taught more, and that’ll be good for me in high school.”

“I was looking forward to get back to school to see my friends and the new teachers,” said Jordan Major, an 8th grader.

Now, as students across the diocese officially return to the classroom, Bishop Brennan has sent this message: “I say welcome back. I say we’re going to have a great year together.”

Catholic News Headlines for Wednesday 9/4/2024

Bishop Robert Brennan warmly welcomed back students at Incarnation Catholic Academy in Queens Village this morning. Across the Diocese of Brooklyn, 65 Catholic elementary schools and 15 high schools opened their doors today for a fresh year of learning.

Deacon Kevin McCormack, Superintendent of Schools for the Diocese of Brooklyn, joins Currents News to share his hopes for the new school year, discuss special education services at diocesan schools, and reveal what they look for in a Catholic school principal.

Fontbonne Hall Academy is excited to launch its new middle school Visitation Program, named in honor of Visitation Academy, which closed earlier this year. About 25 of the 35 students enrolled are from Visitation.

During his visit to Indonesia, Pope Francis met with local authorities and religious leaders and spent time with around 200 young people. The Holy Father was full of energy during his meetings, even having a light-hearted moment with his translator.

Diocese of Brooklyn Apostolate Celebrates Papal Trip As Pope Arrives in Indonesia

By Jessica Easthope

The Holy Father touching down in Jakarta marked the third Pope to visit Indonesia.

The last visit was St. John Paul II in 1989. Father Aloisius Albert wasn’t born yet, but his parents and church community told stories that inspired him.

“The history is there, it was so beautiful! Our parents, our relatives are also like that’s really to strengthen our faith, and that, like, helped me a lot, especially in my way of my vocation.”

Father Albert, a priest on temporary assignment in the Diocese of Brooklyn at St. Joseph Patron of the Universal Church in Bushwick, said the Pope’s trip could be the spark for other young Catholics.

“I think it’s an inspiration for the young to join in the congregation and also to become a priest.”

While in Indonesia, Pope Francis will explore the relationship between the Catholic minority and the Muslim majority. Catholics make up just 3% of the population.

“Even though I’m not in Indonesia right now, I’m in New York. I can feel the hype, I feel the people, they’re really happy.”

Pierre Tambuwun is the President of the Diocese of Brooklyn’s Indonesian Apostolate. He said interfaith relations in Indonesia serve as a global example of how to live together peacefully.

“I went to the mosque too. I pray with the Muslims because of the society and everybody, it’s normal,” Tambuwun said. “And then they go to church too to celebrate with us, it’s normal for us, it’s just unity.”

“And the relations between Catholic and Muslim Indonesia are quite harmonious. We’re living together in harmony and high tolerance.”

Father Paul Rahmat, a temporary priest assigned to Queen of Angels Church in Sunnyside, was a seminarian when St. John Paul II came to visit. He remembers the excitement to this day.

“My personal experience was very exciting with the visit of Pope John Paul II,” Father Rahmat said. “In our place, in our residence in Flores, I was a student at the time, and the seminarians and I sang in the choir.”

These men say Pope Francis is a unifying figure for people everywhere.

“He’s not only the leader of the Catholics, but also the messenger for humanity. Now we need to work hand in hand. We need to make the world like a community of real love and peace.”

“They can feel it. They can experience it. Maybe they are gonna feel different. They can feel the calling too.”

Their hope is that the Holy Father leaves Indonesia with a deeper appreciation for interfaith relations and what can be possible all over the world.

Bishop Brennan Prays With Parade Goers During West Indian Day Mass

While Pope Francis was traveling this Labor Day weekend, Brooklyn Bishop Robert Brennan was praying with parade goers.

Bishop Brennan celebrated Mass at St. Matthew Church, which is located on Brooklyn’s Eastern Parkway, right along the West Indian Day Parade route.

Every year, the parish celebrates Mass before joining the parade.

Bishop Brennan Supports Athletes in Mass Celebrated For Catholic Youth Organization

Bishop Robert Brennan also supported some athletes over the weekend.

The shepherd of the Diocese of Brooklyn celebrated Mass for the Catholic Youth Organization (CYO) at the Church of St. Francis de Sales in Belle Harbor.

Brooklyn’s CYO program focuses on the athlete—not the sport—promoting participation and sportsmanship.

The kids were invited to wear their uniforms to the Mass and took part in a pancake breakfast afterward.