In tonight’s “Pulse of the Parish, ” we take you inside St Bonaventure, St Benedict the Moor in Jamaica, and show you praise dancing and how it’s used to worship God.
Diocese of Brooklyn Bishop Robert Brennan celebrates the feast day of St James at the Cathedral Basilica of St James.
By Jessica Easthope
Romeo Petric has it down to a science, what to bring and not bring to World Youth Day, this year’s pilgrimage to Lisbon, Portugal will be his sixth.
“Things I’ve learned from others, things I’ve passed on, what to pack what not to pack, nobody brings heels, if I see a pair of heels they come out of the suitcase,” he said.
He heads to the store with two of the pilgrims he’s bringing from St. Patrick’s Church in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, Nick Puglisi and Isabella Calvaruso. And as they grab the essentials – it starts to become real.
“Two or three days before when you start packing the trip really sets in and the excitement starts brewing,” said Nick.
Her attended World Youth Day 2019 in Panama, this year, he’s going with his two younger brothers.
“Our last experience was surreal almost, you can feel the energy of a bunch of people being together with one thing on their mind, I’m excited to show that to my youngest brother I think it will open some faith doors for him,” Nick said.
It’s Isabella’s first time, she can’t wait to connect with pilgrims from around the world and knows exactly how to approach it.
“I was hoping to be a little bit extra and bring a big bag of American candy to share with the other countries,” she said.
So as they pack and repack, they’re already making room in their hearts for an encounter with Christ.
“I was always taught in Catholic school to see God in every day things and that was always really hard for me, my experience in Panama completely changed that,” said Nick.
“I know certainly after this trip I’m going to be telling everyone about it and how it positively impacted me,” Isabella said.
But romeo knows no matter what they bring, they can’t prepare for what’s ahead, even after five pilgrimages he’s still surprised by it.
“I’m tearing up a little bit, that’s what gets me, being able to go to confession and having that conversation, and you feel good,” he said.
As items get checked off the list and the days count down – these pilgrims realize their faith is all they need.
As thousands of pilgrims across the United States prepare for their pilgrimage to Portugal, U.S. bishops and other leaders are excited for the young people to encounter Jesus Christ and hear them express their faith.
Father James Kuroly, Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry in the Diocese of Brooklyn is one of those leaders.
He has been hard at work planning the pilgrimage for the youth of Brooklyn and Queens.
He spoke with Currents News Jessica Easthope, about what the pilgrims have in store for them over in Lisbon.
Be sure to tune in to Currents News and The Tablet for full coverage of everything world youth day in Lisbon, Portugal.
Young people from the Diocese of Brooklyn are preparing for the trip of a lifetime to World Youth Day.
Currents News speaks with the priest who’s helping to organize the pilgrimage to Portugal for the Diocese of Brooklyn.
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One group of pilgrims from the Diocese of Brooklyn is already in Portugal, preparing for the World Youth Day event taking place next week.
Bishop Robert Brennan will lead the remaining pilgrims to Lisbon.
He joins Currents News’ Jessica Easthope to discuss what he’s looking forward to and what can be expected at the annual event.
The Bishop of Brooklyn, Robert Brennan, blessed the crowd at a send off mass at the Immaculate Conception Center in Douglaston, Queens.
In a week, he along with 340 pilgrims from across Brooklyn and Queens will go to Lisbon for World Youth Day.
The week-long event with Pope Francis is designed to bring the youth closer to the faith.
Bishop Brennan says he expects this year’s group will not only enrich their faith there, but help spread it to others.
“I have a great hope and confidence in the young people who are going now. They’ll bring their gift back right away and put those into action and hopefully be a witness to other people,” said Bishop Robert Brennan of the Diocese of Brooklyn.
Laura DeCastro can’t wait for the trip because she understands the power the pilgrimage has.
“You know, considering us being teens, and we may distance ourselves a little bit from our faith here at home because we’re so comfortable. When we’re there it’s going to be a whole other experience in my opinion. And we’re just going to be more connected to our faith and the lord,” DeCastro said.
Joshua Rivera is still in disbelief that he’s heading to World Youth Day. He distanced himself from the church for a decade after being confirmed. Now he’s prepared to share his faith with hundreds of thousands of young Catholics.
“Came back after around 10 years and now I’m like my foot is on the throttle, I’m ready to go,” said Rivera.
The director of youth and young adult ministry, Father James Kuroly, organized the pilgrimage to Portugal for the Diocese of Brooklyn pilgrims, working with the group Peter’s Way Tours.
He reminded the young people to pack comfortable shoes and an open heart.
“A beautiful sight to see these young people who have opened their hearts to go on pilgrimage, to have this experience,” said Kuroly.
The pilgrims plan to spend the next week getting all their necessary items packed away before they head out on the 30th.
World Youth Day is just days away!
Hundreds of thousands of pilgrims are planning to attend the week-long pilgrimage to Portugal.
Around 340 young people will go from the Diocese of Brooklyn. Bishop Robert Brennan gave them a blessing before they leave!
The Bishop also spoke with Currents News ahead of the trip to share his hopes for the pilgrims and his favorite memories from World Youth Day.
In her Long Island home, Kristina Moon fondly remembers her fallen husband, Billy.
“l would say he’s a big personality, you know he was 6’4 so you couldn’t miss him when you walked into a room to begin with. just he was, loved laughing, loved having a good time,” said Moon.
The New York City firefighter died tragically during a training exercise at his Brooklyn firehouse in December.
Moon said, “you know it’s a phone call you hope you never have to get.”
Billy was committed to saving lives even choosing to do so after his death.
He was a proud organ donor and he often encouraged others to do the same.
“He came up to me and said are you an organ donor? and i looked at him and I go, i dont think it’s on my license but I would. and he was very passionate about well why not. it just seems like in his words a no brainer,” said his wife.
His heart, lungs, kidneys and liver were all donated to 5 people on waiting lists. One of them was Terrence Jordan.
Less than a year ago, the former FDNY lieutenant could barely leave his couch without getting winded. Terrence had been a 9/11 first responder, the toxic dust of that day eventually leading to him needing a double lung transplant.
“The pulmonologist told me,” Jordan said, “don’t get your hopes up.”
And just as Terrence had started to lose hope, he got help from a guardian angel.
“One guy did a very unselfish act, and he happens to be a brother firefighter, saved my life,” said Jordan.
Former FDNY captain Patrick Reynolds is also grateful for Billy’s sacrifice.
“I was the recipient of billy moon’s liver,” said Reynolds.
Patrick had a genetic ailment that caused cirrhosis. His entire family wasn’t a match, but Billy was.
“Every day you wake up is because somebody made an extreme sacrifice,” said Reynolds.
Now Kristina is carrying on her husband’s message about the benefits of organ donation. She’s created the Billy Moon foundation and encourages others to share that life-saving gift once they’re gone.
“I feel like when tragedy strikes you kind of redefine your purpose a little bit, and really sharing his story is important,” said Moon.
Because while Billy’s life may have ended too soon, Kristina knows he’s smiling down from heaven after having helped others for one final time.
“It really makes you think that miracles happen and everything happens for a reason and I know how much pride it’s probably bringing him even now,” said Moon.
New York City Firefighter Billy Moon died during a training exercise at his Brooklyn firehouse in December.
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