First U.S.-Born African American Priest to Be Honored With New Shrine

By Currents News

A new shrine is in the works to honor Father Augustus Tolton — the first African American priest born in the United States.

The Diocese of Springfield, Illinois, has launched fundraising efforts to establish the shrine in Tolton’s hometown of Quincy. Born into slavery in 1854, Tolton escaped to freedom, pursued his calling overseas when U.S. seminaries refused him, and was ordained in Rome in 1886.

He returned to serve the Church in the United States, becoming a powerful witness of faith and perseverance.

Plans for the shrine are still in the early stages, with no set timeline as fundraising and development continue.

$1.5M Raised for Catholic School Students at Futures in Education Gala

By Currents News

At Cipriani Wall Street, hundreds gathered for Futures in Education’s annual scholarship gala — the Diocese of Brooklyn’s largest fundraiser supporting Catholic school students.

With moving student performances and heartfelt testimonies, the night highlighted how scholarships are changing lives across Brooklyn and Queens. More than $1.5 million was raised to help students access a Catholic education.

Pulse of the Parish: St. Andrew the Apostle

By Christine Persichette

Inside a small classroom at St. Andrew the Apostle Church in Bay Ridge, LaNell Schultheis is opening doors — one word at a time.

For more than two decades, she has welcomed immigrants from around the world, teaching them English through creativity and patience. What began as noticing a need in the Diocese of Brooklyn has grown into a ministry where every student is seen, supported, and encouraged.

Futures in Education Donor Pays Forward Random Act of Kindness That Changed His Life

By Jessica Easthope

Many of Lester Owens’ memories live in a box. Through flashes of his grandparents who raised him after his mother passed away young, his siblings and friends — there’s one memory that will never leave his heart.

“There was a field trip, and we didn’t think we were going, financially wise, and there was a woman who came up to me and my brother and says, by the way, you’re going on a field trip,” Owens said.

The woman paid — and the boys went. They never knew where she came from or who she was.

“There are things that you learn and remember in life so that you can carry it forward,” Owens said. “And that’s what Catholic school is all about, right? Trying to help the next person.”

For Lester and his brother Michael, that woman was an angel. And today Lester is her, he’s a Futures in Education angel, donating every year to give deserving kids a Catholic education.

“It’s very simple. It’s all about the kids,” Owens said. “There’s an advantage in going to those type of schools. It was beneficial to me. You know, just the teachers care and quite frankly, the Futures in Education, what they do is just tremendous.”

Owens says his Catholic education changed the trajectory of his life. He went on to work tirelessly to provide for his family, rising through the ranks at different financial institutions and banks, eventually becoming the first Black operating committee member in Wells Fargo history, responsible for 80,000 employees across 100 countries.

Owens has contributed and helped raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for Futures in Education for nearly two decades — allowing generations of students to attend Catholic school in Brooklyn and Queens.

“To be able to get a scholarship, go to school year over year, to not have to worry about whether or not they can pay for it, makes all the difference in the world,” he said.

That woman’s act of generosity changed everything for Lester and his Catholic education taught him exactly what to do with his own.

Catholic News Headlines for Wednesday 4/29/26

Futures in Education raised more than $1.5 million at its annual gala to help thousands of students attend Catholic schools across Brooklyn and Queens.

Futures in Education “Angel” donor says he is paying it forward after a random act of kindness changed his life forever.

The Diocese of Springfield, Illinois announced plans to build a shrine honoring Father Augustus Tolton, the Church’s first African American priest born in the United States.

In this installment of Pulse of the Parish, meet a volunteer at St. Andrew the Apostle Church, who is helping immigrants learn English and build community.

Bishop Robert Brennan Celebrates Mass for St. Francis College Class of 2026

By Currents News

Graduating seniors at St. Francis College received a meaningful sendoff as Bishop Robert Brennan celebrated a special Mass, reminding them their college journey was a pilgrimage of growth and faith. The day also included the school’s Charter Day Convocation, honoring student leaders inducted into the Duns Scotus Honor Society.

Diocese of Brooklyn Sends Hundreds to World Youth Day with Foundation Support

By Currents News

Each World Youth Day, the Diocese of Brooklyn brings one of the largest groups of young pilgrims to join Catholics from around the world. Thanks to support from the Catholic Foundation for Brooklyn and Queens, hundreds of teens and young adults are able to take part in the life-changing experience.

New Padre Pio Prayer Space Opens in Queens After Years of Faith, Planning

By Jessica Easthope

It was a vision — Joe Oppedisano’s long-held dream of creating a sacred place dedicated to Padre Pio where the public could come to pray and reflect.

On April 26, that dream became a reality. After years of planning, a space dedicated to the beloved Italian saint officially opened around the corner from Oppedisano’s Little Neck restaurant, Il Bacco.

“It’s for everybody to come and reflect and pray and hope and don’t worry. Like Padre Pio said — that was his famous words,” Oppedisano said. “I only got to know him 15 years ago, almost 16, and it changed my life. He changed my life. Obviously, I’m here talking to you right now, so it’s a powerful man… In life you’ve got to believe. And I do believe tremendously.”

Oppedisano’s devotion to Padre Pio deepened after a life-altering experience. In 2020, he was involved in a fatal plane crash and suffered severe injuries. While recovering in the hospital, he said Padre Pio came to him. In the years that followed, he set out to create the space as a way of giving thanks for what he believes was divine intervention.

His journey also strengthened the faith of those closest to him, including his daughter, Tina Maria.

“My dad has always been very ambitious. And he had this vision and he has had this idea, and I’m so happy that he pulled through and I’m so proud of him. I really am just so proud of him,” she said.

At the opening ceremony, Bishop Emeritus Nicholas DiMarzio of the Diocese of Brooklyn blessed the bronze statues installed throughout the space. Father Joseph Fonti, pastor of St. Mel’s Parish in Flushing, was named chaplain.

“To create a place for people to come to commune with God in a time when all of us are stressed, all of us overwhelmed, is a great awareness to God’s goodness to him and God’s nearness to us,” Father Fonti said.

As the gates opened, hundreds of visitors poured in, many hoping to take photos and venerate a relic of Padre Pio. Among them was Maria Bertolino, who attended with her 25-year-old son, Salvatore.

“My son has autism. Padre Pio is very special to us. When he was born, I prayed to him that he would be a little better, and he has gotten a lot better,” she said. “I truly believe Padre Pio and Jesus Christ have a lot to do with this. This is just a beautiful testament of everyone here and how special he is — and how special he is to my family too.”

The Padre Pio prayer space, located on Northern Boulevard, is open to the public seven days a week from sunrise to sunset.

Catholic News Headlines for Tuesday 4/28/26

A Queens restaurateur opened a new prayer space dedicated to Padre Pio, fulfilling a yearslong vision inspired by his devotion to the saint.

St. Francis Preparatory School says its new no-cell phone policy is improving student focus, academic performance, and social connections.

Currents News anchor Christine Persichette served as keynote speaker at St. Francis College’s Charter Day Convocation, where students were recognized for academic and leadership achievements.

Researchers in Pompeii are using artificial intelligence to digitally reconstruct a victim of the Mount Vesuvius eruption.

At St. Francis Prep, Phone Ban Boosts Student Social Life and Academic Focus

By Katie Vasquez

FRESH MEADOWS, N.Y. — Walk the hallways of St. Francis Prep this year, and one change is immediately noticeable: it’s louder.

School leaders and students say the shift comes after the implementation of a stricter phone policy, requiring devices to remain in lockers from the first bell to the last.

“It was almost like zombies last year, where people just walking through or sitting in the cafeteria looking at their phone, even not communicating with people in front of them,” said Assistant Principal Diane Haussermann.

Students say the absence of phones has helped rebuild social connections.

“I think definitely I was able to make more friendships this year and reconnect with old friends,” said senior Reagan Clemente.

Sophomore Brandon Henderson said he has seen classmates come out of their shells.

“I think that’s the best improvement that we’ve had, seeing some students go from very introverted and then start to grow out of their shell,” he said.

The benefits, students say, extend beyond social life.

“I think my math grade has been going up. I’m in AP calc, and at the beginning of the year I was struggling a bit. But I’ve been getting better with fasting from my phone,” one student said.

School leaders say that outcome was intentional.

Under the state policy, phones must remain stored away throughout the school day. St. Francis Prep enforces the rule with strict consequences for violations.

“If you play on a sports team and you get a three-hour detention, you’re basically missing the entire practice,” Henderson said.

Haussermann said compliance has improved compared with last year.

“We only have about 2.5% of the student body with an infraction, using their cell phones, as compared to about 4% last year,” she said.

The policy comes as new research highlights the potential downsides of constant phone use. A 2025 report from the University of California found that heavy social media use may negatively affect memory, attention span and vocabulary in children.

For some students, the change has altered habits beyond school.

“It’s been more of a problem than it is a good thing, especially in school environments with kids and things get posted,” Clemente said.

Another student said the impact carries into study time at home.

“At home now when I’m studying, it’s a lot easier to put away my phone and study and concentrate,” Alexia said.

School officials say the results are clear: stronger friendships and improved focus throughout the academic year.