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Korean Catholic Growth Reaches Diocese of Brooklyn: Vibrant Faith Community Thrives in Queens

By Jessica Easthope

The Catholic Church in South Korea has grown dramatically in recent decades, and that growth has reached the Diocese of Brooklyn.

At St. Paul Chong Ha-Sang Church in Flushing, Queens, Korean Catholics are building a vibrant community with a strong focus on the next generation.

On a cold, rainy weekday morning, warmth and comfort fill the church as parishioners gather for a Yeondo, a Korean Catholic tradition of chanting psalms and prayers for the dead.

The service honors Paul Cho’s mother, Mary Song, who passed away two years ago. Surrounded by people who knew her—and some who never did—Cho finds solace in the support.

“I know the people around me supporting me. That’s a nice thing to know,” he said.

Deacon Sokwon Im explains to Currents News that this communal care is typical of the Korean Catholic community: “We are community. We care for each other. So someone else’s issue — obviously you want to help through the prayer. That’s why the people stay there and pray for the deceased. That’s the spirit of the community.”

Most of those praying stayed after the weekday morning Mass, one of more than 100 that consistently draw attendees.

It is just one reflection of the explosive growth the Catholic Church has experienced in Korea.

Since immigrating, Cho has witnessed significant increases in Catholic parishioners.

“Koreans, they are very industrious. They wake up early and come to the church. Koreans are not lazy,” he noted.

What began as a small community of just 500,000 in the 1970s now numbers more than 6 million, making up 11.4 percent of South Korea’s population, according to the Korean Bishops’ Conference.

Many attribute this surge to increased spiritual needs and the legacy of Korean martyrs.

“The spiritual need or desire have increased. And also the blood of all the martyrs of Korea. I’m sure that must have helped a lot of growth in South Korean Catholic community,” said one parishioner.

At St. Paul Chong Ha-Sang Church—one of the largest Korean Catholic parishes in the United States and the first in the Diocese of Brooklyn, around 1,200 people attend Sunday Masses.

Parishioners have branched out to form several other Korean Catholic communities in Brooklyn and Queens.

Leaders see a bright future rooted in the next generation. Young people are gathering to practice their faith, and an influx of children signals hope

“These are some encouraging signs that young people… are getting together to practice their faith,” a parishioner observed.

“Recently, I’ve seen a lot of young children come to our church. They’re the future of our church.”

Whether traced to historical occupation, war, or martyrdom, Korean Catholics describe their faith as rooted in an unbreakable strength of spirit.

While the Korean Catholic population has increased in the area, Deacon Im notes that St. Paul Chong Ha-Sang faces similar challenges to other parishes.

The church continues to evangelize and grow, especially as Korean immigration to the United States has slowed significantly.

The Korean-born population in the U.S. fell from a peak of approximately 1.1 million in 2010 to just over 1 million today, making it one of the few foreign-born groups to see a decline.

Looking ahead, the vitality of the Church in Korea will be on full display when World Youth Day 2027 is held in Seoul — the first time the global gathering is hosted in East Asia.

Pope Francis selected the South Korean capital to spotlight the Church’s energy in a region where Catholics remain a small minority, while promoting peace, reconciliation, and interreligious dialogue in a still-divided nation.

The event aims to underscore the universality of the Church and build bridges between East and West.

Korean Catholics in the Diocese of Brooklyn, drawing on that same resilient faith, continue to strengthen their community one prayer, one Mass, and one young person at a time.

TONIGHT AT 7: Korean Catholic Community Booms in Queens

By Jessica Easthope

As the Catholic Church continues to grow rapidly in South Korea, that momentum is being felt in the Diocese of Brooklyn.

At St. Paul Chong Ha-Sang Church in Queens, faith, tradition, and a strong sense of community are bringing people together and shaping the next generation.

St. Edmund High School Student Is First to Be Accepted by West Point University in School History

By Katie Vasquez and Paula Katinas

SHEEPSHEAD BAY — James Friscia, 17 and a senior at St. Edmund Preparatory High School, is the first person in the school’s almost 95-year history to be accepted into the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.  

“I was just so happy,” James said, recalling the moment he learned he was West Point-bound. “I was so shocked because I didn’t expect this to happen. But my parents were celebrating. They always felt I would make it.” 

Only 12% of applicants are accepted into West Point in any given year. Potential cadets must go through a lengthy and detailed application process that includes not only proving academic excellence, but passing rigorous physical fitness tests, demonstrating leadership skills, and submitting to several interviews. 

“It’s not like a traditional college application process. It took almost a year,” James said. “I started the process in March (2025) and found out that I got accepted in February.” 

To demonstrate leadership skills, he noted on his application that he is president of the Investment Club, treasurer of the school’s chapter of the National Honor Society, lead drummer in the school’s music program and equipment manager for the robotics team. He is also a member of the International Baccalaureate Program, which offered the opportunity to take college-level courses. 

Applicants to any of the U.S. service academies must also be recommended by either their congressional representative, both U.S. senators from their state, or the vice president of the U.S. Congressman Hakeem Jeffries, whose congressional district includes Sheepshead Bay, wrote a letter of recommendation for James. 

James also credited the support he received from his parents and the assistance he got from St. Edmund’s principal, Allison McGinnis, and college counselor, Ann Coughlin. “They were behind me all the way,” he said. 

“My husband and I are incredibly proud of him,” Kelly Friscia said. “He’s such a hard worker. Just going about it, he was non-stop.” 

James is the first person in his family to be accepted into West Point. However, there is a history of military service in the family that inspired him. One of his grandfathers served in the navy, the other was an army reservist, and a cousin is a retired marine. “When I look for inspiration, I look at my family,” he said. “Because of them, I’ve always wanted to serve.” 

He whet his appetite for West Point when he took part in the Summer Leaders Experience — a program that introduces high school students to life at the academy — between his junior and senior years of high school.  

If he graduates from West Point, James will be a second lieutenant in the Army.  

“I’m going to be the first military officer in my family,” he said. “I’m very excited about that.” 

Students Attend Diocese of Brooklyn Eighth Grade Mass

By Katie Vasquez

Hundreds of eighth graders from the Diocese of Brooklyn gathered May 1 for a special Mass at the Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph as they prepare to graduate and move on to high school.

Many of the students have attended Catholic school since kindergarten. As they take the next step, Bishop Robert Brennan encouraged them to carry their Catholic values forward.

Thirty schools from across Brooklyn and Queens were represented at the Mass. The students are set to graduate next month and will attend high schools including Archbishop Molloy High School and Cathedral Preparatory School and Seminary.

Despite the transition, students said they are holding on to lessons learned in Catholic school that go beyond academics.

“It helps us prepare as young Catholics going into high school,” said Isabella Guidice, an eighth grader at St. Margaret Catholic Academy. “It helps us grow in our faith and connect with God on a higher level.”

Yeshua Garcia, an eighth grader at St. Brigid Catholic Academy, said he was looking forward to the experience of attending such a large Mass.

“I’m very looking forward to experiencing a different Mass and being with different schools,” Garcia said. “It’s going to be really fun and cool because this Mass is so big and it’s a very different experience.”

Father James Kuroly, director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry for the Diocese of Brooklyn, said the event is aimed at keeping students engaged in their faith.

“It’s an opportunity to keep them connected to the life of the parish and the life of the church,” Kuroly said. “We invite them to continue being part of the many events we have for young people.”

Brennan said the gathering serves as a reminder to students that they are supported in their faith.

“It’s a reminder that they’re loved beyond measure,” Brennan said. “It’s a reminder to stay connected to the church and to rely on that friendship with Jesus Christ.”

The May 1 Mass included about half of the eighth graders in the Diocese of Brooklyn. A second group will celebrate Mass with Brennan on May 8.

Catholic News Headlines for Friday 5/1/26

Bishop Robert Brennan celebrated a special Mass at Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph, encouraging eighth graders across Brooklyn and Queens to stay rooted in their faith as they prepare to graduate.

A senior at St. Edmund Preparatory High School is making history as the first student from his school accepted into United States Military Academy West Point.

Catholics are marking the anniversary of the Catholic Worker Movement, founded by Dorothy Day.

The popemobile will travel across the United States this summer as part of a national charity tour to raise funds for victims of war.

Catholic Youth Organization Coach Is Honored by Jr. Knicks

By Katie Vasquez and Jim Mancari

For more than half of his adult life, Jerry Kokkinos has devoted himself to the Catholic Youth Organization (CYO) of the Diocese of Brooklyn.

Recently, he was honored by the Junior Knicks as the organization’s Coach of the Year. Over nearly two decades, Kokkinos has been a shining example of what it means to be a volunteer youth sports coach and administrator.

Growing up in Astoria, Kokkinos was surrounded by sports in the community. He specifically gravitated toward soccer and basketball.

As an 18-year-old college student, he embarked on his CYO coaching journey by leading a sixth-grade boys’ basketball team at St. Francis of Assisi parish in Astoria. The following season after St. Francis discontinued its program, Kokkinos coached many of the same players over at St. Joseph’s parish in Astoria.

He remained at St. Joe’s in various coaching roles across multiple sports for the next 11 years. He then moved on to his current stop, Immaculate Conception parish in Astoria, where he currently serves as the CYO parish athletic administrator and the basketball athletic director.

This is all in addition to his full-time job in higher education administration at Columbia University in Harlem. He also coaches middle school basketball and high school varsity soccer at the all-girls’ Young Women’s Leadership School of Astoria, whose home gymnasium is at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish.

Under Kokkinos’ leadership, the Immaculate Conception basketball program grew to 32 teams this past season — 21 boys’ teams and 11 girls’ teams from grades 2-8. He helps to coach some teams when needed and also oversees the parish’s skills-based instructional program for the younger children.

Serving more than 400 kids, the Immaculate Conception CYO program is one of the few in the Northwest Queens area.

RELATED: CYO Names First Woman Executive Director in the Diocese of Brooklyn

While coaching at St. Joseph’s, Kokkinos ensured the girls had equal opportunities as the boys. The girls did not have their own teams, yet a small handful played on boys’ teams.

In one memorable instance, while coaching third graders, Kokkinos started five girls on the court at once against a team of all boys. The girls held their own very well, which led to a larger discussion about starting a specific girls’ league.

“That’s where the inspiration came from,” Kokkinos said. “Why do we not have all-girls’ teams?”

At Immaculate Conception, he began a full girls’ CYO hoops program, among the first in the area. He and the fellow volunteer coaches have given these young women a chance to build their confidence and learn valuable life lessons through the sport they love.

Without his knowing, several parents nominated Kokkinos for the annual Junior Knicks contest, now in its eighth year, presented by the Hospital for Special Surgery. Among thousands of nominees, 15 — including Kokkinos — were selected as semifinalists. Each semifinalist was interviewed, and then three finalists were picked.

Kokkinos was among the final group invited to the Feb. 19 Knicks game at Madison Square Garden. As he was seated for what he thought was his final interview, Knicks small forward Mikal Bridges surprised him with the award trophy, since the committee had already decided that Kokkinos was the winner.

Right before the game, Kokkinos appeared on the jumbotron to the crowd and was presented with a $20,000 check, which will be used for CYO equipment and to refurbish parts of the Immaculate Conception gym.

“We appreciate the Junior Knicks recognizing this program and the work being done at the local level,” said CYO Executive Director Daniela Cracolici. “This funding will have a meaningful impact on the athletes and help continue to grow opportunities within the parish community. Congratulations to both Jerry and our CYO Immaculate Conception program.”

Kokkinos also met Knicks legend John Starks backstage. Overall, it was a whirlwind experience that he’ll never forget.

“This is not only for Immaculate Conception; it’s a community award,” Kokkinos said. “It’s definitely a CYO award. I couldn’t have done the work without my colleagues, who also have volunteered their time over these last two decades.”

RELATED: Catholic Youth Organization Coach Honored for 50 Years of Dedicated Service

When it comes to the meaning of youth sports, Kokkinos has stayed the course in this changing environment. He’s kept his sights on what is truly important: the development of young people through friendly competition.

“It’s meant to be for the kids to grow as people and to learn values on and off the court or field,” Kokkinos said. “Responsibility, respect, teamwork: These are things they need to know in school and when they get jobs. They’re also developing social skills as they make new friends. It’s never only about wins and losses.

“As long as I do this, I will always try to have the kids as the highlighted center stage. It’s about them and their experience, and I want them to look back and say that they had a really positive experience.”

Kokkinos now moves on to the national level of the Junior NBA Coach of the Year competition. He said he’s continuously learning new things and is always happy to pass along his knowledge and experience to CYO coaches from any sport and any parish throughout the diocese.

While this is an individual award, the support of the parish and the families helped make it all possible. This is the ultimate example of someone who’s paid it forward in the neighborhood that was such an integral part of his own upbringing.

“When I started volunteering at 18 years old, I never thought it would reach this point,” Kokkinos said. “It was nice to be acknowledged, but without the program and without the kids, the award doesn’t happen. It’s all about them.”

Catholic News Headlines for Thursday 4/30/26   

Parishioners and OCIA students at American Martyrs Church in Queens gather each week to pray the rosary publicly, joining a growing global movement.

A longtime volunteer coach at Immaculate Conception Catholic Academy in Queens was named Coach of the Year, honoring his nearly two decades of mentoring and building opportunities for young athletes.

The Vatican Observatory has named an asteroid after Pope Leo XIII.

George Washington took the oath of office on April 30, 1789, in New York City, marking the first presidential inauguration in U.S. history.

Weekly Public Rosary Draws Faithful, Inspires Community Prayer

By Katie Vasquez

After work or school every Wednesday, a group gathers outside American Martyrs Church in Bayside to pray the rosary.

“This group prays the rosary outside American Martyrs Church in Bayside,” parishioner Jetulio Cury said. “Every time we meditate in the mysteries, something else, something more, something always comes.”

Students in the OCIA program have also joined, sharing their faith publicly with the community.

“It’s good because it helps us, you know, share the gospel and share it to others that want to learn, obviously,” said James Scavone, an OCIA student.

“I felt close to God, and that he loves me,” added fellow student Alejandro Dickson.

The effort is part of a broader movement that began in Austria in 2021 and eventually reached the Diocese of Brooklyn. Michael Shoule joined a group at St. Josaphat before bringing the practice to his home parish two summers ago.

“It occurred to me, you know, why am I driving all the way over there when I can do it right here at my own parish,” Shoule said.

The weekly public prayer has influenced parishioners like Margaret MacPherson, who says it has become part of her daily life.

“Well, actually, doing the rosary at all on a daily basis has now become part of my life. And only because we have gathering here,” MacPherson said. “I just don’t think you could find a more peaceful way to end your day.”

Participants say the gatherings serve as a public witness to their faith.

“Praying the rosary in public, in my mind, is a way of showing God that we trust him and that we are so desperately in need of prayers,” Shoule said. “And we’re praying not out of worry, but out of thanksgiving for all the good that he’s given us and all the good that he has in store for us.”

Three other churches in the Diocese of Brooklyn also host public rosaries: St. Thomas More in Breezy Point, St. Josaphat in Bayside and Immaculate Conception in Astoria. Shoule said he hopes more parishes will be inspired to begin their own gatherings.