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New CYO Director is Making History as First Female to Lead Organization

By Katie Vasquez and Jim Mancari

Our diocesan Catholic Youth Organization (CYO) has a new executive director — one who’s making history.

Daniela Cracolici, an Astoria native with an extensive background in sports and professional development, will begin her new role on July 28, working to provide vibrant programming, to strengthen parish partnerships, and to build a community rooted in faith and charity.

RELATED: CYO Coach Honored for 50 Years of Dedicated Service

She will become the first woman executive director of CYO and will succeed Keith Goldberg, who led the organization’s resurgence following the pandemic and subsequent shutdown.

“Daniela brings with her a wealth of experience in CYO, youth ministry, leadership development, business, and community engagement,” said Father James Kuroly, the director of the Youth and Young Adult Ministry for the Diocese of Brooklyn. “With a strong background as a coach, mentor, teacher, and entrepreneur, she has demonstrated a deep commitment to the mission of nurturing faith, fostering leadership, and promoting service among young people.”

Cracolici grew up attending St. Francis of Assisi Church and its Catholic academy, participating in volleyball, softball, and swimming.

She attended The Mary Louis Academy (TMLA) in Jamaica Estates, where she played two years of volleyball and also participated in travel softball for several community leagues.

As a teenager at TMLA, she coached volleyball at her parish. Her mother, Lina, who was the CYO parish athletic representative (PAR), helped her get into the coaching ranks. Cracolici coached her younger sister Valentina’s team, and from that moment on, she fell in love with coaching.

After earning a psychology degree from Hofstra University, she initially worked for a cancer nonprofit and then a software company. These roles helped her develop an eclectic skill set that has prepared her well to lead CYO.

Daniela Cracolici, a former CYO athlete and coach, has been appointed as the new executive director of the diocesan youth sports organization. (Photos: Courtesy of Daniela Cracolici)

 

She then earned her MBA from St. John’s University, Jamaica. Still, the desire to coach lingered, and she took on the role of volleyball coach at Msgr. McClancy H.S., East Elmhurst, while also being hired to teach psychology there.

Cracolici immediately propelled the volleyball program to a high level. She guided the Crusaders to three junior varsity Brooklyn/Queens championships and two city titles while also leading the varsity squad to four diocesan and three city championships.

Given her ties to CYO, she had been seeking an opportunity to get more involved with the youth organization. When the executive director position became available, she was eager for the chance to help develop young people in their faith through the realm of sports.

“This position was exactly what I was hoping for — being able to use my multifaceted corporate background, do what I like to do, and be fulfilled by enriching the lives of children and making an impact,” said Cracolici, who will continue coaching volleyball at McClancy.

RELATED: In Coney Island, a ‘Family of Families’ Gather To Celebrate Catholic Schools Night in the Diocese of Brooklyn

As the first woman executive director, Cracolici will pioneer programs and events specifically designed to give young girls ample opportunities to enjoy the sports they love. She’s always been an advocate for women in sports, so this role affords her the chance to celebrate girl power at its finest.

“I feel like little girls who play sports become women who lead and women who feel empowered in the workforce,” Cracolici said. “I truly feel that when I was playing sports myself, it’s what really developed my personality and confidence and made me the person who I am today.”

Cracolici already has a list of achievable goals as she gets started. On Day 1, she will create a detailed questionnaire that is sent to each CYO parish, allowing her to gauge the organization’s current situation and identify common areas for improvement. This will establish a baseline to determine the success of her future endeavors.

Next, she will work to get all PARs and coaches aligned on the CYO mission through a new set of rules and regulations. It’s all about building a community rooted in faith, sportsmanship, encouragement, and growth — all done so within a safe environment.

Another top goal is to revamp the CYO website and establish social media channels. These digital tools will firmly entrench CYO in the 21st century by allowing parents and family members to follow the organization’s activities from anywhere.

Cracolici also seeks to create a series of interparish social events built around a sports-related service opportunity. In CYO, the Catholic values of sports are so much more important than winning, making these volunteer events rewarding for the athletes and allowing them to make friends from other parishes in the diocese.

As she begins this new chapter in her professional career, Cracolici will rely on her combined sports and business backgrounds to continue to grow CYO into a destination for youth engagement in their parish communities.

She brings enthusiasm, passion, and innovation to this important ministry, and it will be exciting to see how her vision unfolds as she works to keep the “C” in CYO, standing for “Catholic.”

Catholic News Headlines for Wednesday 8/20/2025

A new leader is at the helm of the Catholic Youth Organization for the Diocese of Brooklyn, and she’s already breaking barriers as the first woman to hold the position.

New York City Democratic mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani met privately with New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan – the two leaders discussed a broad range of issues.

As the USCCB asks for all U.S. dioceses to hold a special collection to help those in Gaza, Pope Leo XIV is calling on Catholics to mark August 22 as a day to pray for those impacted by war around the world.

Parishioners ‘Disturbed’ After Tabernacle Cross Stolen From St. Mary, Mother of Jesus Church

By Currents News and Paula Katinas

BENSONHURST — Police are looking for a vandal who walked into St. Mary, Mother of Jesus Church in Bensonhurst, removed a cross from atop the tabernacle, and fled. 

According to police, the thief entered the church, located at 2326 84th St., between 7:30 and 8 a.m. on Aug. 8, approached the tabernacle near the altar, and unscrewed the 6-inch brass cross affixed to the top of it.  

Police did not offer a description of the thief, except that it was a male. The church is equipped with security cameras, but the image of the person standing near the tabernacle is obscured by columns in the church, according to Msgr. Andrew Vaccari, pastor of St. Mary, Mother of Jesus. 

“We have the church open every day for people to come in and pray privately. And ordinarily, there’s no incidents,” Msgr. Vaccari told The Tablet on Aug. 19.   

RELATED: Astoria Man Indicted for Destruction of Baby Jesus Statue at Queens Church

Msgr. Vaccari, who informed his parishioners of the incident during Masses that weekend, said people were shocked.  

“They were very disturbed … that somebody would take something from a church, something so sacred. The tabernacle, of course, is so essential to our faith, so critical to our love for the Lord,” Msgr. Vaccari explained. “I wish I knew the motivation of [the vandal]. If the person were to return it, if the person would try to make amends, I’d be willing to forgive the person.” 

But since the incident, “we haven’t had any sign of any restoration or restitution or anything along those lines,” he added, noting that parishioners have been praying for the intercession of St. Anthony of Padua, the patron saint of lost items.  

The church plans to replace the cross and is currently trying to assess its value to determine an estimate, Msgr. Vaccari said. 

As a result of the theft, St. Mary, Mother of Jesus Church may have to rethink its open-door policy, Msgr. Vaccari acknowledged. “We have to decide if we’re going to keep the church open the same amount of time. We’re going to try to adjust that,” he explained. 

The incident at St. Mary, Mother of Jesus was the third crime committed against a church in the Diocese of Brooklyn this summer. 

On June 21, a person armed with a crowbar hit a statue of the Virgin Mary outside of Holy Family Church in Fresh Meadows, causing significant damage. And, on Aug. 15, a vandal damaged a cross and a statue at Our Lady of Grace Church in Howard Beach. Police made arrests in both of those incidents. 

New Queens Memory Care Unit Brings Comfort, Dignity to Adults With Dementia

By Katie Vasquez

The rooms on the 5th floor of Ozanam Hall of Queens Nursing Home will soon be filled with 50 residents all battling dementia. Cabrini hall is the newest memory care unit at the Queens facility. 

Dawn Carrillo can’t wait for her mother, Elba Schmidt’s move. It’s only one floor up but the space is tailored to help people like Elba who has advanced dementia. 

“Being here at all, it’s made all the difference in my mom’s care, the consistency and care, the kinds of care that she gets. You know, even with the spiritual support that we get, she gets visited by a Eucharistic sister, and she’s able to receive the sacraments,” said Carrillo. 

On Monday, Auxiliary Bishop Raymond Chappetto blessed the new unit which is the second of its kind at the Queens facility. The first, Carmel hall opened in February and was designed with Montessori principles which focuses on participation rather than instruction.  

“It’s not that they’re aging backwards, but their memories are. So they’re reminiscing from way back when, and they can’t do things for themselves as much as they can,” said the assistant director of nursing, Christine Pomijalski. 

The colorful artwork in the halls is meant to transport residents to places that are familiar.  

“It gives the residents something to remember that they live by and something to go and see and talk about. It’s not just words and walking. It’s giving them a purpose,” said Sister Philip Ann Bowden, the administrator. 

Dawn knows it will make her mother’s stay more restful. 

“The aesthetic is so important to people with dementia.and what will happen is it looks so much less institutionalized and a lot more like home. So there is some semblance of allowing them to feel more at ease and more at home,” said Carrillo. 

The residents will move in later this week. Staff will have a short turn around as they work to complete their third memory care unit which they hope to finish by January.

Catholic News Headlines for Tuesday 8/19/2025

At Ozanam Hall in Queens, seniors with dementia are moving into a new memory care unit designed to feel like home.

A sacred cross was stolen from the tabernacle of a Brooklyn church – the pastor says that while it’s valued at $250, it’s worth much more than that to parishioners.

Catholic leaders are joining Pope Leo XIV in calling for peace after President Donald Trump met with Ukrainian and Russian leaders.

In the Diocese of Brooklyn, Great Irish Fair Returns to Park Slope With New Director

By Currents News

The Great Irish Fair, a 44-year tradition celebrating Irish Catholic faith and heritage, will once again take place at Holy Name of Jesus Parish in Park Slope, marking a shift from its former Coney Island venue.

The Sept. 13 event, a cornerstone of the Diocese of Immigrants, raises funds to support Catholic schools in Brooklyn and Queens, helping parents afford quality education for their children.

Brendan Gallagher, the fair’s new director, shares insights on this year’s event, explaining that Park Slope offers a more community-oriented setting, enhancing the fair’s vibrant atmosphere.

As first-time director, Gallagher is eager to elevate the fair with a mix of traditional Irish music, dance, and food, alongside fresh attractions to draw diverse crowds. “It’s a celebration of Irish pride and faith, months after St. Patrick’s Day, that brings our community together,” he tells Currents News.

Hundreds Gather in Breezy Point for Assumption Mass

By Katie Vasquez and Paula Katinas

BREEZY POINT — Anne Ryan, a parishioner of Blessed Trinity Parish in Breezy Point, spent time at Bay Side Beach on the evening of Aug. 15. But she wasn’t there to go swimming. She was there to attend Mass. 

Ryan, a parishioner for 60 years, was one of hundreds of people who participated in a special shoreline Mass marking the Feast of the Assumption.  

“It’s so special to be able to come down here to the beach and come to Mass. You feel close to God and close to nature by being here,” she said. 

The Feast of the Assumption marks the Blessed Mother’s ascension into heaven. Since the 15th century, Mass on the feast day has typically been celebrated near water, and often includes a blessing of the water by a bishop. 

Bishop Robert Brennan celebrated the Aug. 15 Mass as waves gently caressed the shoreline. Hundreds of people — sitting on beach chairs instead of in pews — took part in the celebration. Father Michael Gelfant, pastor of Blessed Trinity Parish, estimated that the Mass drew 750 of the faithful. 

The idea of Mary entering heaven with her body intact and without decay is a cause for celebration and a good sign for all of the faithful, Bishop Brennan told the congregation in his homily.  

“Mary gives us hope that God keeps his promises,” he said. 

The setting for the Mass was also inspiring, Bishop Brennan said afterward. “There is something about the beach that’s always refreshing. No matter what the weather is, there’s something beautiful here,” Bishop Brennan said. “We’re very blessed here in Brooklyn and Queens to be surrounded by it. And on a night like this, especially, we could be together on a nice, comfortable night and enjoy the beauty of God’s creation.” 

During the Mass, Bishop Brennan blessed a container filled with bay water and sprinkled it on the congregation. 

The Mass on the shoreline, which has become a beloved tradition at Blessed Trinity Parish, is quickly gaining popularity outside Breezy Point. 

Regina Lessing, a parishioner of St. Andrew the Apostle Church in Bay Ridge, made the trip to Queens from Brooklyn. 

“This is my third time. I love coming here for this,” she said.” It makes you think about how God is everywhere. I love being near the water.”  

Parishioners look forward to the Mass every year, Father Gelfant said. In part, that is because Catholics also believe that the blessed waters hold special healing powers.   

“We bless the water for safety, even though it’s towards the end of the summer,” he explained. “But also, then people will either put their foot in the water, or they will take water for their holy water fonts in the house.  

“They feel that after the water is blessed, there is a healing presence of the Blessed Mother to help him.” 

The Mass came at a time when Father Gelfant and parishioners were still recovering from the shock of a three-alarm fire that tore through St. Edmund Church on Holy Saturday, April 19. 

Blessed Trinity Parish, which is made up of St. Edmund, St. Thomas More, and St. Genevieve, is planning to rebuild the church.  

Tim Nolan, a Blessed Trinity parishioner, said he often prays for St. Edmund Church to return to life.  

“I remember going to it that night. It was a horrible scene,” he said. “So yeah, I’ve been praying for that for a while.” 

Ryan said she is confident St. Edmund Church will make a strong comeback.  

“As soon as people heard about the fire,” she said, “they started doing what they could to help. Breezy people are special people.” 

Father Gelfant, who noted that the church’s faith formation school and a meeting room were also impacted, vowed to rebuild after the fire. 

“It’s going to take some time,” he said. “But we’re going pretty fast, and I think we’ll be able to get it done.” 

 

Catholic News Headlines for Monday 8/18/2025

Hundreds of Catholics traded in pews for beach chairs to celebrate the Feast of the Assumption during a seaside Mass in Breezy Point, Queens with Bishop Robert Brennan.

Currents News is looking at the first 100 days of Pope Leo XIV’s pontificate, highlighting his leadership, approachability, and connection with young people around the world.

Archaeologists have discovered that many residents returned to live in the ruins of Pompeii after the catastrophic 79 A.D. volcanic eruption, shedding new light on the ancient city’s history.