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The Pierrepont Residence is Renamed In Honor of Former Bishop

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday, February 14, 2022

 

Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens Marks the Renaming of The Pierrepont Residence for the Elderly In Honor of Bishop Emeritus Nicholas DiMarzio

Brooklyn, NY – Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens formally renamed The Pierrepont Residence for the Elderly at a dedication and ribbon-cutting ceremony for the 7th Bishop of Brooklyn in gratitude for his faithful support of its programs and services. Throughout his 18 years of service to the people of Brooklyn and Queens, and as the 7th Bishop of Brooklyn, The Most Reverend Nicholas DiMarzio, Ph.D., D.D. was an outspoken advocate for the poor, immigrants, seniors, and affordable housing for all.

The Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio Residence is a 17-story tower, originally constructed in 1928 within the Brooklyn Heights Landmark district. As one of its first projects, Catholic Charities Progress of Peoples Corporation converted the Pierrepont Hotel from a residential hotel into studio and one-bedroom apartments for seniors in 1979.

“We decided to dedicate this building to Bishop DiMarzio for his 18 years of service here in Brooklyn and Queens, and how instrumental he was in the development of housing for seniors, the homeless and families through Catholic Charities,” said Monsignor Alfred P. LoPinto, President and Chief Executive Officer of Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens and Affiliate Agencies.

The Most Reverend Robert Brennan, Bishop of Brooklyn stated, “When you talk about generations of giants who did amazing things in every era here in the Diocese, we have another giant upon whose shoulders we stand. Bishop DiMarzio is known as a strong voice for the poor, particularly for the immigrant, and he has been a very effective voice. Voice needs to be backed up with action and Bishop DiMarzio really does stand behind everything he says.”

Bishop Emeritus Nicholas DiMarzio stated, “We are proud of what Catholic Charities has done. They continue to provide more than simply housing with services. It is one thing to build a building. It is something else to create a home. I am very happy today to have this honor to have this building dedicated to my name, and your name lives on after you. Hopefully, this facility can be attributed to the work that I tried to do in the Diocese; building a community, building housing for God’s people, and for all who were in need.”

Since 2003, during Bishop DiMarzio’s time, Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens has created 1,035 new units, including the new Bishop Rene Valero and the Pope Francis Apartments at Loreto, two buildings opening later this spring for a total of 23 buildings. The agency also preserved and rehabbed 1,629 units, cumulatively totaling $595M in housing investment for low-income seniors, families, and populations requiring supportive services. “Numbers are numbers, and these are impressive, but it’s also essential to understand the comprehensive approach to housing,” said Tim McManus, Senior Vice President of Catholic Charities Progress of Peoples Corporation. “None of this is straightforward stuff and none of this is easy. However, our accomplishments are significant and impressive in these past 18 years. Over this period, things became complicated in the industry, and we could not accomplish the great things we have these past two decades without Bishop DiMarzio’s longstanding support. I think it is fitting that we are naming the first building we turned into affordable housing after Bishop DiMarzio, a true testament to his legacy.”

“For the past 18 years, Bishop DiMarzio has been committed to the development of safe, decent and affordable housing within our community,” stated Deacon John Sucich, Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees of Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens. As the 7th Bishop of Brooklyn, he has left his mark on this Diocese with his devotion to those less fortunate among us. It is so special to be honoring him now.”

The Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio Residence located at 55 Pierrepont Street in Brooklyn Heights provides essential on-site supportive services to low-income seniors as they age-in-place and includes a senior center with dining facilities and community space for tenants on the penthouse level with sweeping views of lower Manhattan.

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ABOUT THE MOST REVEREND NICHOLAS DIMARZIO, Ph.D., D.D., BISHOP EMERITUS
The Most Reverend Nicholas DiMarzio, Ph.D., D.D., Bishop Emeritus served as a Member of the Corporation on the Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens Board of Trustees and recently celebrated the 25th Anniversary of his Episcopal Ordination. Shortly after becoming the Bishop of Brooklyn, Bishop DiMarzio was nominated as the United States representative on the 19-member Global Commission on International Migration (GCIM), a United Nations sponsored commission, whose mandate was to provide the framework for the formulation of a coherent, comprehensive and global response to the issue of international migration.

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Photos attached are courtesy of The Tablet.

Since the pandemic began, Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens has provided much-needed food packages and services at 52 Catholic Charities parish-based food pantries and has distributed $7.5 million in food assistance. Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens continues to deliver mental health counseling, housing services, family services and early childhood education. In addition, we are pleased to offer COVID vaccines at a variety of local events and locations. A full list can be found at www.ccbq.org/liveitup. For additional information, visit our website at www.ccbq.org.

 

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