St. Francis of Assisi Papers on Display in Borough Hall
Start by doing what’s necessary, then what’s possible and suddenly you are doing the impossible – St, Francis of Assisi
The writings of one of the most important figures in early Christianity, who is also credited with creating the first nativity scene are now on display at Brooklyn Borough Hall
St. Francis of Assisi (1181-1226), who founded the Franciscan Order and spent his life preaching to the poor and imitating the life of Christ, is considered one of the most important figures in the spread of early Christianity. Among the artifacts are unique and rare pieces of art, including the oldest copy of the writings of the Saint, Codex 338, which in addition to containing the text of the Rule of the Friars Minor collects the original draft of The Canticle of the Creatures.
“Brooklyn is well-versed in making history, and history is certainly being made with our first-ever public display in the United States of the manuscripts of St. Francis of Assisi, a figure universally known and appreciated regardless of the borders drawn among our various affiliations,” said Borough President Eric Adams. “On this occasion, the first time these artifacts have left Italy in 700 years, we have an opportunity to celebrate their cultural significance and reflect upon the messages in these texts, including empathy for all creatures and a love for the poor and needy in our society. These values are the values of One Brooklyn, which we work to embody in our diverse and dynamic communities.”
“For us, organizing the exhibition was an emotional experience, as well as a real challenge,” said Antonella Villa of the Associazione Culturale Antiqua. “Working on original St. Francis pieces was like a dream. It’s exciting; it’s history in your hands. We thought we needed a place for the people, because Francis was the man of the people, so [there is no] better place than Brooklyn Borough Hall to let the people come here for free.”
“Needless to say, we are thrilled to have this exhibit here in Brooklyn,” said Brother William Boslet, superior general of the Franciscan Brothers of Brooklyn. “Many of the values of St. Francis are very appropriate in this day and age. We are thrilled that the Borough President and the borough of Brooklyn are highlighting and exhibiting these manuscripts with the hope of spreading these values to the people of Brooklyn and beyond.”
The exhibition is scheduled to run from Wednesday, December 17th until Wednesday, January 14th, and it is free to the general public. Hours of operation can be found on www.brooklyn-usa.org. Groups of ten or more should contact Brooklyn Borough Hall to arrange a tour, either by e-mailing sevents@brooklynbp.nyc.gov or calling (718) 802-4042. Photography or videography will not be permitted for this exhibition.
Electeds Decry Start of Bensonhurst Waste Transfer Station
A bipartisan list of local elected officials denounced the de Blasio Administration’s somewhat dead-of-night announcement to start work on a waste transfer station in Bensonhurst, according to The Home Reporter.
News that demolition and the construction of the Southwest Brooklyn Marine Transfer Station at 400 Bay 41st Street are slated to start this month came via a letter to State Senator Marty Golden from the city’s Department of Design and Construction (DDC).
The letter came not long after Assemblymember William Colton filed an appeal in a case he had brought in 2012 to stop it from being constructed. The appeal followed a decision by New York State Supreme Court Justice Burt Bunyan that allowed the project to proceed.
“I am not surprised that the city is rushing ahead with this failed policy,” Colton told the Home Reporter. “What it means is that the city is starting construction while the legal appeal is still pending. The city and the state had 30 days to put in an answer, but instead they have asked for more time and started construction.
“While we all must share the responsibility of the 11,000 tons of waste New Yorkers produce each day, it must be done responsibly,” Councilmember Vincent Gentile told the media outlet.
The project, proposed by the Department of Sanitation (DOS) as part of the city’s Solid Waste Management Plan (or SWMP) under the Bloomberg Administration, will be built on the site of the reviled Bensonhurst incinerator which operated without a permit from the 1950s through the 1980s.
Local residents and officials and residents have fought the citing of the waste transfer station becuse of the impact on increased truck traffic and the possibility that necessary dredging to allow access for garbage barges would bring up toxins from the old incinerator and potentially disturb unexploded munitions dating back to World War II now at the floor of Gravesend Bay.
“The truck traffic, the noise, the odor and any challenges to our environment and water make this a bad idea and site,” said Golden, who urged opponents to “mobilize and continue the fight to stop this dump immediately.”
“The fight is not over,” agreed Councilmember Mark Treyger, who called the decision to proceed with the facility “one of the worst environmental decisions in southwest Brooklyn.
Scheduled Events:
8:30 a.m. – New York City Public Advocate Letitia James attends SHARE Breakfast with Brooklyn Clergy, 158 Buffalo Ave.
10 a.m. – New York City Councilwoman Laurie Cumbo joins elected officials, tenants and housing advocates to announce successful intervention into the illegal eviction of Carmen Pineiro, 230 Park Place.
12 p.m. – Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams launches holiday market village, Columbus Park.
