NY. Bishop Robert Brennan, Congresswoman Grace Meng at the 4th Annual Great Diocesan Read Aloud

Catholic Telemedia Network (CTN), a service of DeSales Media Group, will host the 4th Annual Great Diocesan Read Aloud next week, March 7-11, 2022, with 80 classes from 40 Catholic schools and academies throughout Brooklyn and Queens participating.

This year, 30 authors from around the world will be reading their published work including award-winning authors Laura James, Jennie Englund, and Derek Keilty. The Most Reverend Robert J. Brennan, Bishop of Brooklyn, and Dr. Thomas Chadzutko, Superintendent of Schools, will be among the special guest readers. Congresswoman Grace Meng and Laurie Windsor, representing Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis, will also be featured guest readers.

"The Great Diocesan Read Aloud is an opportunity for students to share an experience through a story, and in many cases, to have the unique opportunity of hearing the words read by the person who crafted them. We are thrilled with the increased participation of children’s authors from many genres, and the eagerness of our guest readers to 'step' into our classrooms," said Gina Krainchich, Director of Educational Media Services for CTN.

The goal of the Great Diocesan Read Aloud is to encourage school participation in National Reading Month. Guests will be virtually welcomed into classrooms to read their favorite children’s books throughout the week. The program aims to inspire students to enhance their love of reading by showcasing books they may not have selected to read on their own.

The Great Diocesan Read Aloud highlights the integration of technology and literacy to expand the world of reading beyond the classroom doors. During each 30-minute classroom “visit,” students will have the opportunity to ask questions to their guest readers and better foster a relationship between reading and curiosity.

DeSales Media is the communications and technology arms of the Diocese of Brooklyn.