By Jessica Easthope
At just 14 years old, one Queens teen is already on a powerful journey toward the Catholic faith.
After being moved by the Passion of Christ, he began searching for truth — a decision that’s now shaping his life in a big way as he prepares for baptism this Easter.
By Katie Vasquez
The most sacred time in the Catholic Church has begun, marking Christ’s passion, death, and resurrection.
It’s also a first for New York’s new shepherd, Archbishop Ronald Hicks, who began Holy Thursday by helping give back to those in need at a food distribution site in Washington Heights.
By Currents News
As the Easter Triduum approaches, students from two Catholic academies in Brooklyn and Queens came together for one final act of Lenten almsgiving.
St. Elizabeth Catholic Academy in Ozone Park hosted Blessed Sacrament Catholic Academy, where students created “kindness packages” filled with essentials and handwritten notes for a local food pantry.
By Jessica Easthope and Paula Katinas
PROSPECT HEIGHTS — Seminarian Paul Zwolak had the honor of proclaiming the Gospel at the Diocese of Brooklyn’s annual chrism Mass at the Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph on March 31.
That, however, wasn’t the only reason for his excitement. As he entered the co-cathedral during the opening procession, he was aware that the chrism oil that Bishop Brennan consecrated was the same oil that the bishop would place on Zwolak’s hands to anoint him at his ordination in June.
While he has attended chrism Masses during his years at St. Joseph Seminary and College, he said the 2026 one was special.
“I realized that it’s finally going to be me. After all these years, the bishop will be putting this oil that he consecrates at today’s chrism Mass on my hands,” he said, adding that it was a “spiritual time, a really prayerful time” for him.
A long-standing tradition in the Catholic Church, the chrism Mass marks the time a bishop consecrates the chrism oil and blesses the other oils used by priests for baptisms, confirmations, the anointing of the sick, and other rituals throughout the year.
The Church uses three different oils. Chrism oil, made of olive oil and balsam, is used for baptisms, confirmations, priestly ordinations, and consecrations. The oil of the catechumens consists of olive oil and is used by priests to anoint catechumens. The oil of the sick, also made of olive oil, is used by priests to anoint the sick.
At one point during the Mass, Bishop Brennan breathed into the vessel containing the chrism oil — a moment that reminded all in attendance of the Holy Spirit’s presence.
This year’s chrism Mass was a first for Father Carlos Velásquez, who was recently appointed director of liturgy for the diocese. In that new role, Father Velásquez helped plan the Mass.
“I am very excited for this day,” he said.
He implemented a subtle but meaningful change. For the first time, the oils will be distributed to priests in small glass bottles, rather than plastic bottles as had been used in the past.
“It’s more dignified and a little more eco-friendly in keeping with the spirit of Laudato si’,” he explained, referring to the encyclical the late Pope Francis issued in 2015, calling on Catholics to care for Earth.
The Mass also marked a first for co-cathedral rector Father Patrick Keating, who welcomed hundreds of his fellow priests to the Mass.
“It’s a wonderful experience,” he said. “It’s really an expression of the entire diocese coming together.”
In addition to the blessing of the oils, the chrism Mass is notable for another tradition. It is also the occasion in which the priests of the diocese stand in unison and reaffirm their vow of obedience to the bishop. It was a vow they first made when they were ordained.
In the past, Bishop Brennan has used the chrism Mass to deliver an address to the diocese’s priests, lifting their spirits and carrying them through the year.
He did so again this year, telling the priests always to remember the reason they wanted to become priests in the first place as they carry out their duties.
“Let the Lord speak to you again,” he said. “Yes, your life was indeed touched by the infinite and unconditional love of God. Remember your first love.”
Prior to the Mass, Bishop Brennan recalled the chrism Masses he attended as a seminarian and as a young priest in the Diocese of Rockville Centre, where he grew up.
“It was always a very encouraging, inspiring experience,” he told The Tablet.
By Currents News
Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens welcomed new members into the Coat of Arms Club during a special Mass celebrated by Bishop Robert Brennan in Douglaston, Queens.
Founded more than 50 years ago, the club supports the diocese’s mission to serve those in need. Today, Catholic Charities assists more than 300,000 New Yorkers through programs like emergency aid, housing, counseling, and family services.
By Currents News
St. John’s University is reportedly in negotiations to sell its Staten Island campus. According to the borough president, talks are underway with neighboring Wagner College for the 16.5-acre site.
While the university declined to comment on the reported deal, a previous statement says St. John’s is seeking a partner that can continue the site’s educational mission.
By Currents News
From Brooklyn to Queens, pilgrims showed up day after day for prayer, reflection, and community during this year’s Lenten Pilgrimage in the Diocese of Brooklyn. Check out some of the most powerful moments from along the way — a look back at a journey that brought pilgrims closer to Christ.
By Katie Vasquez and Paula Katinas
OZONE PARK — Cheryl Charles walked into Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church in Ozone Park on April 1 feeling a sense of accomplishment.
She reached the final church on the final day of the Diocese of Brooklyn’s Lenten Pilgrimage and recalled the journey she had been on. “It has been an eye opener,” she said, adding that it has brought her closer to her faith.
The 2026 Lenten Pilgrimage was the first in which Charles participated, and she managed to get to 27 of the 37 churches on the route.
“Each church is more beautiful and more unique,” said Charles, a parishioner of Our Lady of Miracles Church in Canarsie.
This year marked the diocese’s fourth annual Lenten Pilgrimage. Bishop Robert Brennan introduced the pilgrimage in 2023 to help Catholics in Brooklyn and Queens grow in their faith as they marked Lent and prepared for Easter.
Under the pilgrimage, the diocese designated a different church each day for Catholics to visit as that day’s pilgrimage station. Beginning with the Cathedral Basilica of St. James on Ash Wednesday, the faithful were invited to visit as many of the station churches as they could to attend Mass or take part in things like Eucharistic adoration, Stations of the Cross, and praying the rosary, among other opportunities for prayer and reflection.
Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary-St. Stanislaus Bishop & Martyr Parish was the final stop, with the Masses and services held at Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church.
Bishop Brennan closed out the day — and the Lenten Pilgrimage — with Benediction.
“I hope today was a day of prayer, a day of grace and renewal for the whole parish,” he told pilgrims and parishioners. “That’s been our experience. And I hope that was the case for you.”
“Thank you for hosting us,” he added. “Thank you for making us feel so welcome. Thank you for providing an atmosphere of such beautiful prayer in the presence of Jesus Christ.”
Father John Tino, the parish’s pastor who celebrated Mass in the morning, said he was happy to welcome pilgrims.
“They usually go to the same parish,” he said. “And so, (the pilgrimage) gives them an understanding of the universality of the church.”
Lorraine Collazo, a parishioner of St. Teresa Church in Woodside, was at Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church on April 1, just as she had been at all the other churches for this year’s pilgrimage. Collazo is a veteran, having participated in all of the pilgrimages from the very beginning in 2023.
“It’s been an interesting journey, both spiritually and physically,” she said, adding that crisscrossing the two boroughs made for long days that forced her to keep her energy up. “It’s the hardest part, I think, of the journey.”
Looking back on her pilgrimage experience, Collazo said she loved visiting the churches because they gave her the chance to be “in the presence of God.”
As she left the church following the morning Mass, Charles said she planned to take part in the pilgrimage next year.
“Yes, definitely,” she said. “And hopefully, I’ll do all the churches.”
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.
By Katie Vasquez
Over the course of the Lenten season parishioners from Brooklyn and Queens have been traveling to neighboring churches as part of a special pilgrimage lasting 40 days.
As the Resurrection nears, the faithful are approaching the final stop along the route in Queens.