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Catholic News Headlines for Wednesday 4/1/26   

The Diocese of Brooklyn’s annual Lenten Pilgrimage is coming to a close and as parishioners prepare for the Resurrection they’re reflecting on what the journey has meant to them.

At the Vatican, Pope Leo XIV is preparing for the Easter Triduum – he will wash the feet of priests on Holy Thursday and carry the cross during the entire Way of the Cross at the Colosseum on Good Friday.

During the Chrism Mass in Brooklyn, Bishop Robert Brennan blessed the holy oils that will be used during the upcoming liturgical year and offered words of encouragement to the clergy of his diocese.

A New Look for Catholic News: Introducing Our New Set

By Currents News

We’re excited to introduce our new set.

Designed to bring you Catholic news in a clearer, more modern way, this new space reflects the heart of what we do — telling faith stories that matter to our community.

From updated lighting to a clean, polished design, every detail was created to make your viewing experience even better.

WATCH: Bishop Robert Brennan’s Full Chrism Mass Homily, 2026 Address to Priests in the Diocese of Brooklyn

Bishop Robert Brennan delivered his homily during the chrism Mass at the Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph in Prospect Heights on March 31, 2026.

Below is the full text:

 

2026 March 31

Chrism Mass

“Today this scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.”

The Confirmation Season started a little early — for me it was about a week and a half ago.

It is always nice to greet the young before and hear a little from them. In one particular parish, the candidates were asked to write an essay explaining 1. Why they wish to be confirmed, 2. How they have prepared and 3. How might the experience of the Holy Spirit affect their lives.

While essays were terrific, there were a few that really stood out. Let me read the beginning of one:

“There are many reasons why I want to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation, but the main reason is that at this point, I can’t imagine life without God.” He continues with an amazing testimony. But isn’t that something, I can’t imagine my life without God.

In the gospel just proclaimed, Jesus stands before the crowd in the synagogue, bringing good news to the poor and afflicted. He tells them they need not imagine their lives without God. He is standing right before them. God emptied himself that they/we would not need to imagine life without Him. Jesus lives and we are loved. “This scripture passage is fulfilled in their hearing.”

Just a year ago, shortly after we gathered for this Mass, God called our beloved Pope Francis home to himself. While we mourned his death, the election of Pope Leo brought new excitement initiating a new era in the Church.

At his inaugural Mass, the new Holy Father drew upon the image of the calling of Simon Peter and his brother Andrew “to be like Jesus, ‘fishers of men; to cast their nets again and again, to bring the hope of the Gospel into the ‘waters of the world, to sail the seas of life so that all might experience God’s embrace.”

The Holy Father asked, “How can Peter carry out this task? The Gospel tells us that it is possible only because his life was touched by the infinite and unconditional love of God, even in the hour of his failure and denial.”

Friends, while this image speaks powerfully to all of us gathered here, permit me to speak directly to the priests.

Today, at this Mass we will together renew the promises of our Ordination as priests.

Why did you want to be a priest? How did you experience God’s call? How did you realize that your life was touched by the infinite and unconditional love of God?

Through some of our Project Andrew Vocation events, I’ve had the privilege of hearing some of your stories. Today, as we renew these promises, and on Thursday as we will celebrate the institution of the Priesthood and the Eucharist at the evening Mass of the Lord’s supper, the Church asks us: REMEMBER YOUR FIRST LOVE. Let the Lord speak to you again. Let him stir into flame the grace of your ordination. Yes, your life was indeed touched by the infinite and unconditional love of God. Remember your first love.

With that in mind, as St. Paul writes in his second letter to the Corinthians, the love of Christ impels us. Does it not? Jesus asks us to cast our nets again and again, to bring the hope of the Gospel into this world, so that those whom we serve might experience God’s embrace.

Please know brother priests, how much your people appreciate your steadfast and generous ministry; the gift of your life in humble loving service, your integrity, your humility, your love for God and for them. I appreciate it. The Church appreciates it.

To all gathered here and to all joining us by way of NET TV or livestream, the Church of Brooklyn — here in Brooklyn and Queens: yes, the Lord stands in our hearing through his Church, through the Sacraments. We need not imagine life without God. Today I will bless the Oils which we will use for the Sacramental life of the Church. Listen to those prayers. Let them remind you of the Lord’s desire to work in you and through you.

Today this Scripture is fulfilled in our hearing. And now the Spirit of the Lord rests upon you. Through Baptism and Confirmation, we are anointed and sent to bring glad tiding to the poor, to heal the broken hearted — God is doing amazing things in Brooklyn and Queens.

Let me go back to my young friend. The young theologian.

“There are many reasons why I want to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation, but the main reason is that at this point, I can’t imagine life without God. I know this may come as a surprise to my teachers, as well as to my pastor, because, sometimes I talk too much to my friends and I don’t always listen in class – but I have listened at least 95% of the time. And, to tell you the truth, God has spoken loud and clear 100% of the time.”

Friends: “To him who loves us and has freed us of our sins by his Blood, who has made us into a kingdom of priests for his God and Father, to him be glory and power forever and ever. Amen”

Pulse of the Parish: Sacred Heart of Jesus

By Christine Persichette

What looks like chaos quickly turns into something deeply peaceful at Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Bayside.

Each Lent, Sister Kathleen Masterson transforms a parish hall into a prayerful labyrinth — an ancient spiritual path inviting people to slow down, reflect, and encounter God.

A longtime pastoral associate, she has spent decades serving her parish community through ministry, outreach, and spiritual guidance — becoming a steady and energetic force in parish life.

Diocese of Brooklyn’s Lenten Pilgrimage Nears End With Stop in Bedford-Stuyvesant

By Currents News

Pilgrims have been going on a physical journey of faith all throughout the Lenten season. 

Bishop Robert Brennan celebrating a Mass and leading pilgrims in Eucharistic adoration at St. John the Baptist Church in Bedford-Stuyvesant on Tuesday, March 31.

It’s the second to last stop of the Lenten pilgrimage. All throughout Lent, pilgrims have been visiting a new church, seeing the beauty of the diocese through the pews of Brooklyn and Queens.

New Studio, New Set: Just in Time for Holy Week in the Diocese of Brooklyn

By Currents News

We’re stepping into a new era. Take a behind-the-scenes look at our brand-new studio — from a fully virtual set and green screen to upgraded lighting and cameras.

Debuting just in time for Holy Week, the refreshed studio allows us to bring you stories of faith in a modern, dynamic way — while staying smart and efficient behind the scenes.

Catholic News Headlines for Tuesday 3/31/26   

Priests and deacons from Brooklyn and Queens pack the Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph for the Diocese of Brooklyn’s Chrism Mass, partaking in an ancient Holy Week tradition that dates back centuries.

New York City is home to some of the nation’s top specialized performing arts schools – one Brooklyn Catholic High School band is showing how their students can compete with the best of the best.

In tonight’s installment of “Pulse of the Parish”, meet the woman from Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Queens who helped transformed the parish hall into a sacred space.

Bishop Loughlin Musicians Shine at NYC Honors Music Festival

By Katie Vasquez

Some of the top student musicians from across New York City performed at the High School Honors Music Festival, showcasing talent, dedication and collaboration.

Among the performers were 23 students from Bishop Loughlin Memorial High School. For senior Myles Bryant, the experience left a lasting impression.

“It was amazing to see all those band people come together to a common goal, to do something great and spectacular,” Bryant said.

Fellow senior Josiah Celius credited consistent practice and strong support from the school for helping them stand out.

“Many of my friends were saying how we felt like we were some of the most skilled or most prepared people there,” Celius said.

For junior Adam Delinois, participating in the festival was especially meaningful, considering he only began playing a few years ago.

“Actually, my first day coming to school my freshman year, I came down to the band room and asked one of the teachers if I can join their band. So they put me on trombone,” Delinois said. “Originally I didn’t want to, but the more I kept playing it, the more I started to enjoy it.”

Participation in the festival has become an annual tradition for the Catholic high school. It is also a point of pride for faculty, especially since the school does not have an established performing arts program.

“The fact that Bishop Loughlin did get so many students involved, I think that’s an amazing thing and a testament to all of us in the music department,” said Everett Wilson, chair of the music and visual arts department.

Students said the experience was both inspiring and rewarding.

“It was honestly really refreshing to just be surrounded by a whole bunch of kids who had a common goal and wanted to do well in that program,” said junior Mercedez McCray.

Students and staff alike say the performance is one they will cherish for years to come.