30
COURIER LIFE, APRIL 22-28, 2022
BY BANKS HALVORSON
It was a big weekend for practicing
Brooklyn Catholics, who
celebrated Easter with events
around the borough.
On April 15, Good Friday,
Brooklyn’s own Monsignor David
Cassato led a Way of the
Cross procession in Bensonhurst.
Across the borough,
Brooklyn’s newest
bishop, Robert Brennan,
lead his fi rst Easter vigil
the very next night.
The Bensonhurst
Way of the Cross, a tradition
that stretches back
for more than 30 years,
began at St. Dominic’s
Church and continued to
Regina Pacis.
This year’s Good Friday
procession was the
fi rst of its kind since the
start of the COVID-19
pandemic and brought
together thousands of
Catholics who celebrated
the death and sacrifi ce of
Jesus Christ by playing music,
carrying crosses and images of
Jesus, and walking in fellowship.
Parishioners and church members
from at least eight churches
around Brooklyn attended.
On Saturday night, Reverend
Robert Brennan had the opportunity
to lead his fi rst Easter vigil
as Bishop of Brooklyn.
Hundreds of people gathered
at the Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph
in Prospect Heights to celebrate
Jesus’ resurrection with the
lighting of the Paschal candle
and with communal worship.
“We are announcing the
greatest news of all time. Jesus
Christ is risen,” said the bishop.
“We come because we need
to be reminded every once in a
while, and we go forth from here
ready to announce, to bring the
news to the world by the way we
live our lives with joy, with hope
and with confi dence, because Jesus
is Risen, because our lives
have meaning and direction, because
we are meant to live forever.”
Bishop Brennan baptized fi ve
new members into the church
and confi rmed six more during
Saturday night’s vigil.
‘Tis the season!
Top: The Brooklyn Diocese hosted an Easter vigil at the Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph
in Prospect Heights on April 16. Inset: The Bensonhurst Way of the Cross
on Good Friday. Courtesy Brooklyn Diocese/Photo by Arthur de Gaeta
Brooklyn Catholics celebrate Easter weekend