Smokey Conditions Force Diocese of Brooklyn Schools to Postpone Outdoor Activities and Field Trips

New York City is experiencing its worst air quality ever as a blanket of smoke covered the area, causing inconvenience and concern for residents and visitors alike.

The dense smoke not only affected people’s plans, such as attending Broadway plays or taking flights, but it also disrupted the schedules of students, including the eighth graders at Bay Ridge Catholic Academy.

Unfortunately, Savanna, Thomas, and her classmates had to cancel their planned field trip to Medieval Times and return to the classroom on Thursday, June 8.

Catholic News Headlines for Thursday 06/8/2023

The air is deemed unhealthy in New York City thanks to the wildfires in Canada.

A Brooklyn Catholic academy had to walk back their plans for an outdoor fundraiser because of the unhealthy air quality.

Pope Francis is said to be resting comfortably after hernia surgery.

Christians around the country are mourning the loss of Pat Robertson.

Pope Francis Doing Well After Abdominal Surgery, Asks for Continued Prayers

Pope Francis had a restful, peaceful first night at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital after a successful three-hour operation June 7 for a hernia.

He has been informed of the many messages of “closeness and affection” from well-wishers and he “expresses his gratitude, while asking for continued prayers,” said Matteo Bruni, director of the Vatican press office, in a written statement June 8.

The medical staff in charge of monitoring the pope’s post-operative recovery said that “Pope Francis had a peaceful night, managing to rest extensively,” Bruni said.

The pope “is in good general condition, alert and breathing on his own.

Routine follow-up examinations are good. He will observe the necessary post-operative rest for the entire day,” June 8, Bruni added.

Dr. Robert Tiballi, an infectious disease expert at The St. Roch Center In Chicago, joins Currents News to help break down what this all means for Pope Francis.

Smoke and Haze Drops Martian-Like Atmosphere Onto New York City

New York City on Wednesday descended into a Martian-like atmosphere as smoke from hundreds of active wildfires in Canada eerily enveloped the metropolitan area.

The National Weather Service called the orange-tinged sky “almost unbelievable” on Twitter.

The air pollution was so bad that it nearly topped the 500-point air quality scale at 484, which made it the worst air quality in the city since the 1960s, Mayor Eric Adams said at a press briefing.

New York City’s normal levels average around 100 on the scale. The air quality in New York City on Wednesday was the worst of any city in the world.

Bishop Robert Brennan Celebrates End of Year Mass at Christ the King High School

By Jessica Easthope

Bishop Robert Brennan blends into the crowd of students changing classes at Christ the King High School. In many ways, he’s just like them, trying to keep his eye on Christ in the midst of a storm.

That was his homily message as he celebrated Mass at the school, Wednesday. Referencing the Gospel of Matthew, when Christ came to the disciples, walking on water in a storm. When he asked Peter to step out of the boat, he was able to walk on water too, but when his focus was off Jesus – he started to sink. The message resonated with sophomore, Emmanuel Odiari.

“The moment you stop believing, the moment you stop praying, the moment you stop following Jesus things will start to go bad,” he said.

Bishop Brennan said he wants the students to understand that the lesson goes even deeper.

“What do I want the students to see is to recognize what Jesus sees, knows, loves in them and believes in them and calls them to greatness but the greatness is being connected to them,” said Bishop Brennan.

Emmanuel says he knows many young people have moved away from their faith – but he’s trying to stay focused.

“The way the world is turning today the only source I have for happiness is Jesus Christ and honestly I always look to God to live a righteous life and be holy and doing the purpose he put me on this earth to do,” he said.

Faith has been an anchor for Niall Iriarte, especially during his high school years – which were shaped by the pandemic. But as he enters his senior year, he’s steady in his commitment to Christ.

“Have faith in God and I think that’s what’s been missing in the last few years, I’m always trying to live the way Jesus would want me to live and do what’s right and I’m trying to carry that into my senior year.”

Bishop Brennan will also be celebrating an end of the year Mass at Cathedral Prep high school on June 23.

Catholic News Headlines for Wednesday 06/7/2023

Pope Francis undergoes intestinal surgery today.

Diocese of Brooklyn Bishop Robert Brennan celebrated a special Mass this morning.

More than 400,000 young people have registered for World Youth Day in Portugal this August.

Houses of Worship Are Stepping Up to Help Shelter Bussed Migrants

Mayor Eric Adams has a new idea on how to curb the city’s current humanitarian crisis and shelter the thousands of migrants bussed from the border.

Hizzoner is now looking to the Church and other religious spaces to house asylum seekers.

“No matter what faith you practice, it is in all of our faiths that we are supposed to care for those in need,” Adams said during a press conference. “Not only is it in the Statue of Liberty but it is in our text that we look and read and study from.”

Religious leaders across the city offered 50 different locations. Each of those spaces will house approximately 19 adult men.

While the Diocese of Brooklyn is not taking part in this particular city initiative, it has already long been on the front lines of the crisis, providing shelter, food, clothing, and other services and will continue to do so.

“On the front lines for almost a year, parishes in Brooklyn and Queens have been helping asylum-seekers, many of whom have arrived at our churches with just the clothes on their backs. Our pastors, priests, and volunteers have helped with everything from food pantries to clothing collection drives to spiritual care,” the diocese said in a June 5 statement.

If you’d like to help Catholic Charities in their efforts, just go to CCBQ.org.

There is a “give” button on the upper left side of the website.

Vandal Desecrates Blessed Sacrament at St. Joseph’s Church in Astoria

By Jessica Easthope

The pastor at St. Joseph’s Church in Astoria, Queens says an emotionally disturbed man gained access through a door that is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day for people who want to be in adoration in front of the Blessed Sacrament, but he says that man only wanted to do harm.

Marlene Kaselis can’t get into her church today, no one can. It’s closed because late Monday night a man came in and destroyed something she and her fellow parishioners hold sacred.

“It breaks your heart because we hold this as very sacred, this is the body of Christ and you’re taking something that we hold very precious and you’re saying this is garbage,” she said.

Inside, the church appears to be untouched, but pastor, Fr. Vincent Chirichella knows otherwise. Police responded to a 911 call that there was a man inside the church, breaking things and trying to hurt himself, he was seen hitting himself over the head with a monstrance and speaking incoherently.

“Something egregious was done, the blessed sacrament was desecrated in our home, the entire church is in love with the Lord in the Blessed Sacrament so for us it was very upsetting,” said Fr. Chirichella.

Fr. Chirichella plus the two other priests and seminarian who live at St. Joseph’s found the man wearing priestly vestments right after desecrating the Eucharist in the adoration chapel and sanctuary.

“Now the main thing is to get the church reconsecrated and the prayers of reparation said so we can invite the faithful back into the church so they can receive holy communion and we can have mass,” said Fr. Chirichella.

The man was released from police custody to Elmhurst Hospital for an evaluation, now members of the church community say they just want to continue to worship in peace.

“I don’t know what to say, it’s a shame the church is closed right now and people can’t go into it, I don’t know how the mayor needs to fix the city but he needs to fix the city,” said Marlene.

“We of course do forgive him and we’re praying for him that he does get better and can be a productive member of the community, that’s our hope for him,” Fr. Chirichella said.

St. Joseph’s is getting a new recording system for their surveillance cameras and officers from the 114th precinct will be coming to conduct a crime prevention check.

Catholic News Headlines for Tuesday 06/6/2023

Police were called to St. Joseph’s Church in Astoria yesterday after someone vandalized the tabernacle, causing the eucharist to be scattered on the floor.

Churches and other houses of worship are now being used to shelter migrants.

Oklahoma has approved the first Catholic charter school in the country.

Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, President of the Italian Bishops’ Conference, is in Kyiv, meeting with president Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

A Sacrilegious Act At A Church In Queens

Police were called to St. Joseph’s Church in Astoria the morning of June 5 after someone vandalized the tabernacle, causing the Eucharist to be scattered on the floor, according to Father Jean Tanisma.

Tune in to Currents News on NET-TV at 7pm for a full report.