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ACCEPT
Join Currents News anchor Christine Persichette to pray with the Diocese of Brooklyn for those suffering due to armed conflict.
By The Tablet and Currents News
Aug. 22 marks the Feast of the Queenship of Mary.
Pope Leo XIV is requesting that prayers be offered on that day for the end of the war around the world.
“While our world continues to be wounded by wars in the Holy Land, in Ukraine and in many other regions of the world,” he said, “I ask all the faithful to spend Aug. 22 in fasting and prayer, asking the Lord to grant us peace and justice and to dry the tears of those who suffer because of the armed conflicts underway.”
“May Mary, queen of peace, intercede so that people would find the path of peace,” he prayed.
The night before his audience, as he was greeting people who gathered outside the Villa Barberini in Castel Gandolfo, Pope Leo told reporters the new diplomatic moves aimed at ending Russia’s war on Ukraine are a reason for hope, but much remains to be done.
“There is hope. We still have to work hard, pray hard and seek the way forward,” the pope told reporters late Aug. 19 as he prepared to leave the villa and return to the Vatican.
Encountering the pope the day after U.S. President Donald Trump met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and a delegation of European leaders, the reporters asked Pope Leo if he had heard from any of the leaders.
“I hear from some of them from time to time,” the pope said, but he did not respond to a journalist who asked if he speaks with Trump.
Pope Leo, who marked the 100th day of his papacy Aug. 16, also was asked how that was going.
It has been “a blessing from God,” he said. “I receive so much. I really believe in the Lord’s grace, and I am so thankful for the reception I have received.”
Ending his short, second stay at Castel Gandolfo, Pope Leo said he would return. “It’s a grace to be here.”
Pope Leo XIV asked Catholics to observe Aug. 22 as a day of prayer and fasting for peace and justice, particularly in Ukraine and in the Holy Land.
PRAYER
May today there be peace within.
May you trust your highest power that you are exactly where you are meant to be.
May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith.
May you use those gifts that you have received,
and pass on the love that has been given to you.
May you be content knowing you are a child of God.
Let this presence settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance.
Currents News, New York’s nightly Catholic television newscast, will air a half-hour special, “Carlo Acutis, ‘God’s Influencer’” on Sunday, August 24, at 7 p.m. EST on NET-TV.
This special explores the remarkable story of Blessed Carlo Acutis, the tech-savvy teen soon to become the first millennial saint. Carlo will be canonized in Rome on September 7, 2025, during the Jubilee Year, but his impact is already felt deeply across the Diocese of Brooklyn and throughout the world.
Anchor Christine Persichette introduces viewers to the people who have been inspired by Carlo’s faith and legacy:
Antonia Salzano Acutis, Carlo’s mother, who shares personal stories of her son’s devotion to the Eucharist and his creation of a website cataloging eucharistic miracles.
Khloe Chavez, a Queens student who first encountered Carlo when his relic came to Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Academy and later received a special message from his mother.
Margaret Driscoll-Cheah, a New Yorker who credits Carlo with helping her heal from stage IV kidney cancer and who received a relic from a Diocese of Brooklyn priest.
“Carlo Acutis, ‘God’s Influencer’” invites viewers to see how a teenager with extraordinary faith continues to inspire a new generation on the path to sainthood.
“We’re just here to distribute the books and all the school supplies around the school. And I came here to just help out,” 8th grader Aedan McGuinness told Currents News that Thursday afternoon.
“I wanted to do it because one, I wanted service hours to help me get into a good school and do confirmation. And second, I wanted to help my teachers and friends,” 8th grader Mara Baglio explained.
The students are helping the Marine Park, Brooklyn Catholic academy prepare for back-to-school with their confirmation service hours, but 8th grader Lilyanna Dash said this work goes beyond a good deed.
“I think it’s important to help out with the school, especially to help other kids have a good year,” said Dash. “It’s almost like we’re giving them an extra hand of what they need so they can be ready for the year.”
Principal Timothy Dillon said the 8th grade helping day has been an annual tradition for at least seven years, and it’s well appreciated.
“I definitely think all the teachers and myself, our lower backs, definitely appreciate it more than anything,” he told Currents News. “It’s such a tremendous help. Not just physically carrying the stuff in, but also seeing students being willing to come in and step up, and do volunteer work to help the school.”
But the students feel they’re just giving back to the educators who have helped them over the years.
“It feels great because they do so much for us. And now we can contribute our time for them,” said 8th grader Rebecca Saint-Phard. “We can also do more things and help the student become able to learn for the school.”
Now they’re extra prepared to finish off their last year of elementary school.
Eighth graders at Good Shepherd Catholic Academy in Marine Park, Brooklyn spent part of their summer break helping prepare classrooms and supplies as part of a long-standing tradition of service before the new school year.
Pope Leo XIV may soon embark on his first international trip, with possible visits to Lebanon and Turkey later this year.
Parents who lost their children in flash floods at a Texas summer camp are urging lawmakers to act on new legislation that could protect future campers.
The beatification cause for Sister Annella Zervas, a Benedictine nun from Minnesota, will formally begin this fall – the first step on her path to possible sainthood.
While most kids are savoring the last days of summer, students at Good Shepherd Catholic Academy in Marine Park are already back in the classroom — showing their school spirit and helping launch a new year of learning.
Our diocesan Catholic Youth Organization (CYO) has a new executive director — one who’s making history.
Daniela Cracolici, an Astoria native with an extensive background in sports and professional development, will begin her new role on July 28, working to provide vibrant programming, to strengthen parish partnerships, and to build a community rooted in faith and charity.
She will become the first woman executive director of CYO and will succeed Keith Goldberg, who led the organization’s resurgence following the pandemic and subsequent shutdown.
“Daniela brings with her a wealth of experience in CYO, youth ministry, leadership development, business, and community engagement,” said Father James Kuroly, the director of the Youth and Young Adult Ministry for the Diocese of Brooklyn. “With a strong background as a coach, mentor, teacher, and entrepreneur, she has demonstrated a deep commitment to the mission of nurturing faith, fostering leadership, and promoting service among young people.”
Cracolici grew up attending St. Francis of Assisi Church and its Catholic academy, participating in volleyball, softball, and swimming.
She attended The Mary Louis Academy (TMLA) in Jamaica Estates, where she played two years of volleyball and also participated in travel softball for several community leagues.
As a teenager at TMLA, she coached volleyball at her parish. Her mother, Lina, who was the CYO parish athletic representative (PAR), helped her get into the coaching ranks. Cracolici coached her younger sister Valentina’s team, and from that moment on, she fell in love with coaching.
After earning a psychology degree from Hofstra University, she initially worked for a cancer nonprofit and then a software company. These roles helped her develop an eclectic skill set that has prepared her well to lead CYO.
Daniela Cracolici, a former CYO athlete and coach, has been appointed as the new executive director of the diocesan youth sports organization. (Photos: Courtesy of Daniela Cracolici)
She then earned her MBA from St. John’s University, Jamaica. Still, the desire to coach lingered, and she took on the role of volleyball coach at Msgr. McClancy H.S., East Elmhurst, while also being hired to teach psychology there.
Cracolici immediately propelled the volleyball program to a high level. She guided the Crusaders to three junior varsity Brooklyn/Queens championships and two city titles while also leading the varsity squad to four diocesan and three city championships.
Given her ties to CYO, she had been seeking an opportunity to get more involved with the youth organization. When the executive director position became available, she was eager for the chance to help develop young people in their faith through the realm of sports.
“This position was exactly what I was hoping for — being able to use my multifaceted corporate background, do what I like to do, and be fulfilled by enriching the lives of children and making an impact,” said Cracolici, who will continue coaching volleyball at McClancy.
As the first woman executive director, Cracolici will pioneer programs and events specifically designed to give young girls ample opportunities to enjoy the sports they love. She’s always been an advocate for women in sports, so this role affords her the chance to celebrate girl power at its finest.
“I feel like little girls who play sports become women who lead and women who feel empowered in the workforce,” Cracolici said. “I truly feel that when I was playing sports myself, it’s what really developed my personality and confidence and made me the person who I am today.”
Cracolici already has a list of achievable goals as she gets started. On Day 1, she will create a detailed questionnaire that is sent to each CYO parish, allowing her to gauge the organization’s current situation and identify common areas for improvement. This will establish a baseline to determine the success of her future endeavors.
Next, she will work to get all PARs and coaches aligned on the CYO mission through a new set of rules and regulations. It’s all about building a community rooted in faith, sportsmanship, encouragement, and growth — all done so within a safe environment.
Another top goal is to revamp the CYO website and establish social media channels. These digital tools will firmly entrench CYO in the 21st century by allowing parents and family members to follow the organization’s activities from anywhere.
Cracolici also seeks to create a series of interparish social events built around a sports-related service opportunity. In CYO, the Catholic values of sports are so much more important than winning, making these volunteer events rewarding for the athletes and allowing them to make friends from other parishes in the diocese.
As she begins this new chapter in her professional career, Cracolici will rely on her combined sports and business backgrounds to continue to grow CYO into a destination for youth engagement in their parish communities.
She brings enthusiasm, passion, and innovation to this important ministry, and it will be exciting to see how her vision unfolds as she works to keep the “C” in CYO, standing for “Catholic.”
A new leader is at the helm of the Catholic Youth Organization for the Diocese of Brooklyn, and she’s already breaking barriers as the first woman to hold the position.
New York City Democratic mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani met privately with New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan – the two leaders discussed a broad range of issues.
As the USCCB asks for all U.S. dioceses to hold a special collection to help those in Gaza, Pope Leo XIV is calling on Catholics to mark August 22 as a day to pray for those impacted by war around the world.
Catholic children in Brooklyn and Queens hitting the field or the court this school year with a new coach in their corner.
A new leader is at the helm of the Catholic Youth organization for the Diocese of Brooklyn, and she’s already breaking barriers as the first woman to hold the position.
BENSONHURST — Police are looking for a vandal who walked into St. Mary, Mother of Jesus Church in Bensonhurst, removed a cross from atop the tabernacle, and fled.
According to police, the thief entered the church, located at 2326 84th St., between 7:30 and 8 a.m. on Aug. 8, approached the tabernacle near the altar, and unscrewed the 6-inch brass cross affixed to the top of it.
Police did not offer a description of the thief, except that it was a male. The church is equipped with security cameras, but the image of the person standing near the tabernacle is obscured by columns in the church, according to Msgr. Andrew Vaccari, pastor of St. Mary, Mother of Jesus.
“We have the church open every day for people to come in and pray privately. And ordinarily, there’s no incidents,” Msgr. Vaccari told The Tablet on Aug. 19.
Msgr. Vaccari, who informed his parishioners of the incident during Masses that weekend, said people were shocked.
“They were very disturbed … that somebody would take something from a church, something so sacred. The tabernacle, of course, is so essential to our faith, so critical to our love for the Lord,” Msgr. Vaccari explained. “I wish I knew the motivation of [the vandal]. If the person were to return it, if the person would try to make amends, I’d be willing to forgive the person.”
But since the incident, “we haven’t had any sign of any restoration or restitution or anything along those lines,” he added, noting that parishioners have been praying for the intercession of St. Anthony of Padua, the patron saint of lost items.
The church plans to replace the cross and is currently trying to assess its value to determine an estimate, Msgr. Vaccari said.
As a result of the theft, St. Mary, Mother of Jesus Church may have to rethink its open-door policy, Msgr. Vaccari acknowledged. “We have to decide if we’re going to keep the church open the same amount of time. We’re going to try to adjust that,” he explained.
The incident at St. Mary, Mother of Jesus was the third crime committed against a church in the Diocese of Brooklyn this summer.
On June 21, a person armed with a crowbar hit a statue of the Virgin Mary outside of Holy Family Church in Fresh Meadows, causing significant damage. And, on Aug. 15, a vandal damaged a cross and a statue at Our Lady of Grace Church in Howard Beach. Police made arrests in both of those incidents.
The rooms on the 5th floor of Ozanam Hall of Queens Nursing Home will soon be filled with 50 residents all battling dementia. Cabrini hall is the newest memory care unit at the Queens facility.
Dawn Carrillo can’t wait for her mother, Elba Schmidt’s move. It’s only one floor up but the space is tailored to help people like Elba who has advanced dementia.
“Being here at all, it’s made all the difference in my mom’s care, the consistency and care, the kinds of care that she gets. You know, even with the spiritual support that we get, she gets visited by a Eucharistic sister, and she’s able to receive the sacraments,” said Carrillo.
On Monday, Auxiliary Bishop Raymond Chappetto blessed the new unit which is the second of its kind at the Queens facility. The first, Carmel hall opened in February and was designed with Montessori principles which focuses on participation rather than instruction.
“It’s not that they’re aging backwards, but their memories are. So they’re reminiscing from way back when, and they can’t do things for themselves as much as they can,” said the assistant director of nursing, Christine Pomijalski.
The colorful artwork in the halls is meant to transport residents to places that are familiar.
“It gives the residents something to remember that they live by and something to go and see and talk about. It’s not just words and walking. It’s giving them a purpose,” said Sister Philip Ann Bowden, the administrator.
Dawn knows it will make her mother’s stay more restful.
“The aesthetic is so important to people with dementia.and what will happen is it looks so much less institutionalized and a lot more like home. So there is some semblance of allowing them to feel more at ease and more at home,” said Carrillo.
The residents will move in later this week. Staff will have a short turn around as they work to complete their third memory care unit which they hope to finish by January.
