The Face of the Diocese

Dear Editor: We were grateful for the opportunity we were given to invite each one of our ethnic apostolates to participate in the diocesan welcome to our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, during his visit to our diocese and our city.

Of the many great gifts which the visit of our Holy Father gave to us was the unique opportunity we had to show the world the face of the Diocese of Brooklyn.  This local Church, multi-ethnic, multi-cultural and multi-lingual as it is, is a clear example of what it means to be a universal Catholic Church. The Holy Father certainly knew this, since he sees this universality every day. 

I think that America got a great picture of this in the events which took place here. Whether older people came from Italy, Ireland, Germany or Poland, they were able to see themselves in those who represented the Church at our events. Newer immigrants like those from Asia, Africa, the Caribbean, Latin America or other parts of Europe, saw themselves in the dress and the faces of the 25 Apostolate groups who participated in the “immigrant Rosary” which was the last prayer we said as a diocese at the pope’s farewell.

Even in the simple gesture of having four small children from Ecuador, Germany, Trinidad and Korea present the Holy Father with farewell gifts, we told the world who we are as a Church and as a diocese.

I am grateful for the support and participation of our proud immigrant communities who now understand what it means to belong to each other as the Body of Christ, whose face, vesture and languages connected the whole world to Himself right here in the Diocese of Brooklyn and Queens.

Msgr. Ronald T. Marino
Vicar for Migrant and Ethnic Apostolates
Brooklyn

The Legacy of Cardinal Dulles

Dear Editor: During my undergraduate days at Fordham University I had the pleasure of meeting the then “Mr.” Avery Dulles (who at that time had not yet been ordained to the priesthood) and so I was very interested in the article you recently published on Cardinal Dulles’ retirement.

The piece was very informative but it omitted to mention two facts that I would have thought your readers would find very interesting. The first, vaguely hinted at in the last sentence of the next-to-last paragraph, is that this distinguished theologian was a convert to Catholicism, being the grandson of a Presbyterian minister.

Secondly, he was a son of John Foster Dulles whom many will remember as the Secretary of State during most of the Eisenhower Administrations and for whom Washington DC’s Dulles Airport is named.

The cardinal’s brother, Allen, was head of the CIA for a while back in those days. I realize that the principal subject of the article was the cardinal’s final lecture, but surely these facts are of interest?

 Edward Christman
Elmhurst

Getting To Know New Pastor

Dear Editor: This Saturday, Young Urban Catholics gathered at Immaculate Conception Church for the installation Mass of their new pastor, Msgr. Fernando Ferrarese, known – as we were surprised to learn – to his brother priests as “Chico.” Not only was the Mass and the reception that followed a chance to welcome and celebrate the new pastor, it was a unique opportunity to learn about how the Church defines the role of a pastor. The Mass was celebrated by Bishop DiMarzio with more than 40 priests from all over the diocese concelebrating.

After the Bishop’s homily, Msgr. Sean Ogle, the episcopal vicar, (some of you may remember him and Father Gannon from our first YUC retreat last year) read the bishop’s statement formally installing Msgr. Chico as the pastor. Then, the other priests of the parish, the school principal, and the director of religious education were introduced to Msgr. Chico as the people who would assist him in leading the parish. Members of the parish council and representatives of various groups in the parish, including Nancy from Young Urban Catholics, were also introduced, and Msgr. Chico was instructed to be attentive to their needs and seek their input as he guides the parish.

The bishop asked Msgr. Chico several questions about his willingness to serve and lead the parish. The congregation responded with such enthusiasm to Msgr. Chico that the bishop decided he didn’t need to ask us about our willingness to support Msgr. Chico.

Like one of our members told Bishop DiMarzio that he is Phat (aka cool/pronounced fat), we also feel that Msgr. Ferrarese is the Bomb (aka awesome).

Not quite sure he completely understood what we meant by that, we pray that someone will let him know it was a compliment and that we look forward to working with him as part of our cluster and diocese.

Mass was followed by a buffet dinner in the school gymnasium. This gave us a chance to connect with the other Young Urban Catholics in attendance and meet other members of the parish.

After the reception was over, a few of us decided to hit a club as it was still early enough to head into the city to catch the end of Catholic Underground at Our Lady of Good Counsel on the Upper East Side on 90th between Second and Third Ave. We arrived just in time to hear the performance by Jovenes de Valor, a group of young musicians from the Spanish-speaking community in the Diocese of Brooklyn. Some of the Franciscan Friars sat in on a few sets as they gave a praise-filled performance, and it was clear that they had quite a following in the audience. It made for a truly energizing evening.

The place was packed, standing room only and the music and prayer was pumping.
While there, we bumped into both Sister Eileen and Sister Mary Eileen who also participated at our retreat last year and are gearing up for our second retreat scheduled for 9/13/08.

Save the date because last year we expected 30 to 40 people and were surprised to get over 80 young adults.

Michelle Cyr
Astoria

Deceased Deacon Omitted

Dear Editor: I would like to offer my congratulations on the 100th anniversary of The Tablet.

Also, I read the article regarding the diaconate and noticed that a deceased deacon was omitted from the list. I am referring to Deacon Anthony Muccio who served at Good Shepherd parish. He was also a parishioner and a member of the first graduating class of Good Shepherd elementary school.

I wanted to bring this oversight to your attention because Deacon Tony was a vital member of our parish and is greatly missed.

 Marge Cisak
Marine Park

Deacon Jubilarians

Dear Editor: Thank you very much for the coverage we received on our diaconal convocation.

I just have one observation: the number of deacons whose anniversaries we celebrated last Saturday is 29 not 235 as it appears at the beginning of the article and in the picture. The article gives the impression that every deacon was honored.

The confusion with the numbers could be that the total number of deacons who attended the convocation is 135, and the number of wives 95.

Deacon Jorge Gonzalez
Douglaston

Congrats, Mr. President 

Dear Editor: The parish family of St. Mary Star of the Sea congratulates one of our own, Brendan Dugan, on his appointment as the next President of St. Francis College. 

Brendan and his wonderful wife, Barbara, are very active and dedicated parishioners.  Brendan is a parish trustee and member of our finance committee.  Barbara is on our pastoral council.  Both are tireless in their support of Church and neighborhood. 

St. Francis is blessed to be receiving a true leader, a man of faith and wisdom. 
Ad Multos Annos, Brendan!

Father Christopher T. Cashman
Carroll Gardens