Religious News, by Laura Eng

Wave of Vandalism Hits Local Churches

Several local churches were hit with unrelated acts of vandalism in recent weeks.
On the evening of June 8, before the start of a weeklong novena, a man attacked the statue of St. Michael the Archangel inside Sacred Hearts/St. Stephen Church on Summit and Hicks Streets. Father Cletus Forson, Parochial Vicar at SHSS, had heard the man’s confession prior to the incident. Sensing that the man was troubled when he complained that “St. Michael was torturing him,” Father Cletus offered to make an appointment for him to visit the rectory at a later date. The man declined the offer and appeared to be leaving when he instead walked over to the statue of St. Michael, grabbed the spear from the statue’s right hand and proceeded to strike the statue. The man then exited the church. Luckily, the statue sustained minimal damage with some chipping about the face and on the left leg. The tip of the spear was also damaged.

Later that week, in the early hours of Friday, June 12, a bronze statue of the Virgin Mary and Baby Jesus was forcibly toppled off its cement pedestal in the front garden of the St. Charles Borromeo rectory on Sidney Place. Two men were involved in the incident which was captured by a surveillance camera. The statue was not badly damaged but the cost of restoring it to its base could cost anywhere from $2,000-$6,000. Father Edward Doran, Pastor of St. Charles Borromeo, said “I would like to speak to them, educate them about religious symbolism of any religion really.”

Father Doran is also Dean of the Brooklyn Diocese’s Deanery #3 which comprises all of the Roman Catholic Churches in Red Hook, Carroll Gardens, Cobble Hill and Brooklyn Heights. In an email to Deanery #3 members, Father Doran reported there were other unspecified incidents of vandalism at St. Agnes/St. Paul and a trespasser at Our Lady of Lebanon Maronite Church. In that case, a woman was able to gain access to the church after closing. Father Doran encouraged all to be vigilant and emphasized the need to report any incidents to the police.

UPCOMING EVENTS:
Holy Name of Jesus Church
245 Prospect Park West
Mass of Inclusion, Sunday, June 28 at 12:00 noon. Arrangements will be made for those with physical, mental or emotional needs. All are welcome including family members, companions and friends. The church building, reception site and rest rooms are accessible and American Sign Language will be offered as well as screen captioning. Volunteers will be on hand for assistance. For more information, call Phil Murray at 718-875-5407.

Sacred Hearts/St. Stephen
Summit & Hicks Streets
Book Club – Next meeting to discuss Blood Will Out by Jodi Picoult will be on Monday, July 13 at 7:00 pm in the Parish House at 108 Carroll Street.
Parish Block Party – Sunday, July 19 from 12:00 noon to 7:00 pm
Summer Film Festival – Saturdays at 7:30 pm in the courtyard. Schedule is as follows: July 25, The Sound of Music; August 1, It Happened in Brooklyn; August 8, to be announced; August 15, Sister Act; August 22, West Side Story. Admission is free and food will be available for purchase.

St. Agnes Church
Hoyt & DeGraw Streets
French Mass each Sunday 11 am

Visitation BVM Church
98 Richards Street
Summer Dance Workshop for children ages 6 – 13 years to be held on Wednesdays from 4:00 – 5:00 pm, beginning June 24. Forms are available in the church bulletin. For more information, call 718-624-1572.
Healing Mass – Friday, July 31 at 7:00 pm.