Brooklyn, NY, November 19– Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens proudly hosted two significant events on November 16th and 17th to commemorate the conclusion of the agency’s 125th Anniversary celebrations. These gatherings brought together community leaders, experts, and supporters to reflect on the ongoing challenges of poverty and to celebrate the impactful work of Catholic Charities in Brooklyn and Queens over the past 125 years. The events were honored by the presence of a Vatican official, His Eminence Cardinal Christophe Pierre, Apostolic Nuncio to the United States, who participated in the weekend festivities.
On Saturday, November 16, Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens partnered with St. John’s University for the University’s 12th Annual Poverty Conference, whose theme, Poverty: A Multidimensional Problem; Charity: A Multidimensional Solution, focused on understanding the complexities of poverty and exploring collaborative efforts for charitable solutions. The morning session featured a keynote address by Sabina Alkire, D.Phil., Director of the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative, and the 2024-25 Vincentian Chair of Social Justice. Dr. Alkire discussed the critical importance and complexities of measuring poverty in today’s society.
In the afternoon, attendees were inspired by His Eminence Cardinal Christophe Pierre, Apostolic Nuncio to the United States. He delivered a powerful keynote address titled “To Walk with the Poor is to Walk with God.” Following the address, Catholic Charities leadership offered insights on various pressing issues relating to poverty, including affordable housing, food insecurity, and mental health and well-being.
On Sunday, November 17, a Mass of Thanksgiving was held at the Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph to continue the celebration of Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens’ 125th Anniversary. This liturgical service also coincided with the seventh World Day of the Poor. The Mass was co-celebrated by Cardinal Pierre, Most Reverend Robert J. Brennan, Bishop of Brooklyn, and Rev. Msgr. Alfred P. LoPinto, President and CEO of Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens. With over 1,000 attendees present at the co-cathedral, this solemn occasion honored the enduring mission of Catholic Charities to serve vulnerable communities, while also reflecting on a year filled with outreach and celebration.
At the closing Mass of Thanksgiving at the Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph, Msgr. Alfred LoPinto, President and CEO of Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens, expressed heartfelt gratitude to attendees celebrating the organization’s 125th Anniversary. He stated, “We’re ecstatic over you being here with us today. Moving forward, our guiding question will always be ‘Why?’ Why do we do what we do? As Cardinal Christophe Pierre beautifully articulated, we do it because we are the hands of Jesus, operating out of the heart of Jesus.”
The Mass concluded with an impromptu musical performance by the Neocatechumenal Way Community on the steps of the Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph’s, which added a beautiful and heartfelt touch to the occasion and created a memorable moment of fellowship and gratitude.
Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens remains dedicated to helping the most vulnerable members of our community. The conclusion of this milestone celebration is an eloquent reminder of the ongoing work needed to address the pervasive issues of poverty and the importance of community engagement in these efforts.
For more information about Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens and upcoming initiatives, please visit www.ccbq.org
Media Coverage:
Diocese Celebrates 125 Years of CCBQ and ‘The Charity of People’ , The Tablet
Mass of Thanksgiving at the Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph , NET-TV
Photo 1 of 3:
Presenters join Most Reverend Robert J. Brennan, Bishop of Brooklyn (center left) and His Eminence Cardinal Christophe Pierre, Apostolic Nuncio to the United States of America (center right) at the St. John’s University 12th Annual Poverty Conference on Saturday, November 16, 2024
Photo 2 of 3:
His Eminence Cardinal Christophe Pierre, Apostolic Nuncio to the United States of America gives Keynote Address, “To Walk with the Poor is to Walk with God,” at St. John’s University’s 12th Annual Poverty Conference on Saturday, November 16.
Photo 3 of 3:
Pictured from l. to r.: Very Reverend, Patrick J. Keating, Esq., Deputy Executive Director, Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens; Rev. Msgr. Joseph R. Grimaldi, Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens Board of Trustee; Most Reverend Robert J. Brennan, Bishop of Brooklyn; His Eminence Cardinal Christophe Pierre, Apostolic Nuncio to the United States of America; Rev. Monsignor Alfred LoPinto, President And CEO, Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens and Affiliate Agencies; Most Rev. James Massa, Ph.D., D.D., Auxiliary Bishop; Most Rev. Octavio Cisneros, D.D., Retired Auxiliary Bishop
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