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Catholic News Headlines for Monday 9/9/2024

Bishop Robert Brennan re-dedicates a restored statue of Jesus at Holy Family Church in Queens, rekindling community spirit after vandalism.

Bishop Brennan also joined Cristo Rey High School in Brooklyn to welcome their new president, Michael Motyl, who is set to lead students toward college and faith.

Pope Francis continues his historic Southeast Asia tour, receiving a warm and enthusiastic welcome in East Timor, one of the most Catholic nations in the world, where 98% of the population is devoted to the faith.

In Staten Island, a branch of Planned Parenthood has closed its doors, with a pro-life group crediting the closure to the power of prayer.

Milestone Year for St. Clare Church in Rosedale and Long-Time Parishioner

by Katie Vasquez

For as long as Theodora Pyle could remember, faith had always come first.

“I don’t want to miss a Sunday as long as I can do it and anything involving the church I was always there,” said Pyle, a parishioner at St. Clare Church.

As a child growing up in Guyana she attended Mass regularly.

“We went to church. We had novenas for, before Christmas nine days and we had to go to those, wake up in the morning, 5:00.”

And even when she moved away from home, and developed other passions.

“I worked at this designer on Sixth Avenue and we made all the evening gowns,”

When she finally settled in New York in 1975, she found a permanent home in the church, specifically at St. Clare church in Rosedale.

“It reminded me a lot about home and the things that we did there,” Pyle said.

Since then she has been a staple at St. Clare.

“I look forward to it every Sunday because we had a beautiful choir and the singing and so it was nice,” Pyle said.

And when the church celebrated a milestone anniversary, she realized they had something in common.

“I never thought of the hundred years until this came up really, the hundred years of the church so everything came together and I realized wow 100 years is a long time,” Pyle said.

Theodora has been recognized previously for reaching her 100th birthday, even getting a proclamation from New York City.

But something that especially touched the centenarian was when she was given a special shout-out at St. Clare’s anniversary Mass with Brooklyn Bishop Robert Brennan.

And just like St. Clare has always been there for Theodora, she wants to be there for her parish family.

“They always see me with my rosary and praying and I say I pray for everybody and you gotta pray for others too and you pray for the world,” Pyle said.

Feast of Saint Teresa of Calcutta: Mass Remembers Her on Anniversary of Death

On the feast day of Saint Teresa of Calcutta, the faithful in Brooklyn gathered for a special Mass celebrated by Auxiliary Bishop Octavio Cisneros at Our Lady of Victory in Bedford-Stuyvesant.

Mother Teresa, known around the world for her work helping the poor in India, passed away 27 years ago on Sept. 5.

The church has a special connection to the nun who founded the religious order “Missionaries of Charity.” Saint Teresa visited the Church on Throop Avenue in 1992 to dedicate Queen of Hope, a convent mission house for the order.

Mother Teresa’s legacy lives on in the Diocese of Brooklyn as the convent mission house still helps pregnant women and mothers with young children with nowhere else to turn.

FDNY Adds Chaplain Msgr. John Delendick’s Name and 31 Others to World Trade Center Memorial Wall

By Jessica Easthope

Msgr. John Delendick would have been celebrating his 75th birthday on Wednesday, Sept. 6.

Firefighter Danny Prince was with the FDNY chaplain at the very end of his battle with 9/11-related pancreatic cancer.

“It broke my heart to see him deteriorate the way he did but he kept fighting right up until the end, and he always believed tomorrow would be a better day and he just inspired people,” Prince said.

Msgr. Delendick and 31 others were honored Wednesday at a memorial service at FDNY headquarters, their names added to the World Trade Center Memorial Wall. As of this year, the number of department members who have died of 9/11-related illnesses has surpassed the number of members who died that day.

“He used to talk about all the funerals he did, and he was just there for everybody; he was just a foot soldier,” said Prince.

At the service the FDNY has vowed to never forget using Msgr. Delendick’s words as examples of that promise. Though he and hundreds of other members did not die on 9/11, they paid the ultimate price for their service on one of the darkest days in our nation’s history.

“FDNY Chaplain Msgr. Delendick, he told the crowd ‘we come here to remember them and to thank them for the service they have done for us,’” said FDNY Commissioner Robert Tucker.

Msgr. Sean Ogle, Diocese of Brooklyn’s vicar for clergy and Msgr. Delendick were classmates from high school through their ordination.

“It’s so fitting he has this recognition for what he did as a fire department chaplain because from day one he had a very, very pastoral heart,” said Msgr. Ogle.

This year on the 23rd anniversary of September 11, 2001, Msgr. Delendick’s legacy is looked to for hope by members of the FDNY past and present.

“He’s truly a saint and I know he’s up there right now with Mychal Judge,” said Prince speaking about Msgr. Delendick and Chaplain Mychal Judge who died on 9/11.

“How many times did they invoke the name of God today? And that’s what John sought to bring to people I think that would be his greatest legacy,” Msgr. Ogle said.

And now his service and sacrifice are memorialized forever.

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.