There are 65 stillborn babies every day in America. Many of these deaths could have been prevented.
That’s why grieving parents and others will be marching in Washington D.C. this weekend.
Joining us now is Cristian Ortiz, an employee of DeSales Media Group, the parent company of Currents News. Cristian will be part of ‘The Big Push.’
By Jessica Easthope
Verde’s Pizza and Pasta House has been open for 31 days, but its owner is already giving away free food.
Sebastian Bongiovani and his wife Danielle say they worked for 20 years to open their own business. But their American dream is happening at the same time as a humanitarian crisis – right outside their front door.
“Maybe this is why we’re here, we’re open 31 days and now all of this happens, was it meant for me to help out only God knows but I know if I have food I’m not going to make someone go hungry,” Danielle said.
Every night, Sebastian and Danielle hand deliver fresh, hot food to the hundreds of migrants living in the Holiday Inn Express and Comfort Inn on Staten Island.
“The Catholic in me is in the core of my heart and we live by certain things and there are certain things I care very deeply about, women and children can’t go hungry,” Sebastian said.
The migrants are telling people the conditions are unlivable.
“Oranage juice and cheese sandwiches, breakfast, lunch and dinner and that’s all they’re getting,” said Cathy Molino.
Verde’s is also taking donations. Agnes Vandina and Cathy Molino made their donation last night and stopped by today to say thank you and bring more supplies to the migrants.
“You study the corporal works of mercy, feed the hungry, they’re hungry, clothe the naked, they need clothes,” Agnes said.
“She kept saying look at me, look at me, their clothes were filthy, they’re just standing there waiting for anything,” said Cathy.
Sebastian and Danielle say they’re learning now no good deed goes unpunished. People in the conservative neighborhood are angry, some have even called for a boycott of his business.
“If you don’t want to come to Verde’s because I help people, don’t come, don’t want you, we make the best pizza in town, people come here they get a smile, they get a laugh, it’s a family place,” Sebastian said. “There are a lot of people that will come and will continue to come and that’s what we’re here for.”
A restaurant owner on Staten Island is doing his part to help in the migrant crisis hitting every borough of the city.
If you rely on your social security checks, we have some good news.
We’ll have the emotional story of one couple whose pregnancy ended in stillbirth.
A newly renovated church hall is being dedicated to the first possible millennial saint.
Monsignor Sean G. Ogle’s Homily from Thursday’s Mass on 10/13/22
On Oct. 13, the Diocese of Brooklyn will celebrate a special Mass. It’s a liturgy for survivors of sexual abuse, offering them a chance for hope and healing.
The first step in coping with sexual abuse in the church is to listen to the stories of victim-survivors, and that’s just what this Mass is.
It was requested by survivors and the Diocese of Brooklyn celebrates it every year. This the first time since the pandemic.
This year’s liturgy will also be the first for the diocese’s new Victim Assistance Coordinator, Elizabeth Harris. The retired NYPD detective worked with the Manhattan child abuse squad for over a decade.
“We hope that they can come together and see that there are people on their side that believe them and want to do better for them,” said Harris.
After the Mass at Resurrection Ascension in Rego Park, survivors will be able to speak with the Office of Protection of Children and Young People.
The Bishop of Brooklyn, Robert Brennan, will be the main celebrant and homilist.
Currents News Staff
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. We have the story of a mom in Detroit who says her baby saved her life.
She was diagnosed with terminal cancer when she was just 14 weeks pregnant but refused to follow the doctor’s advice to get an abortion, and instead delivered a healthy baby boy.
Mother of four, Jessica Hanna, is now cancer-free and joins us to share her story.
By Jessica Easthope
Communicating through a translation app, the language barrier couldn’t hide the desperation of one father who said his son only has a little to eat.
But people in the Travis neighborhood on Staten Island are doing whatever they can.
Lina Maldonado came Wednesday to drop off food, clothing and toiletries.
“We have things others are in dire need of so if we can give it why not, it’s important for me to do so,” she said.
People stopped by all morning with supplies. One of them, a parishioner and catechist at St. Michael’s in Sunset Park.
“What can we say and do but help and provide as much as we can,” he said.
He says his faith is driving him to help – but he can’t do it forever.
“I try to do the best I can for my fellow man for my brothers and sisters but I can only do so much, but faith does play a role, I can only feel hope love and respect for these individuals,” he said.
The two hotels are part of the city’s 48 emergency shelters housing more than 18,000 migrants. Mayor Eric Adams said as busloads keep coming – more shelter is needed, whether some neighborhoods welcome them or not.
“This is a citywide crisis and all of us are going to be impacted and Staten Island is going to be impacted like the other four boroughs,” Mayor Adams said.
Eileen manages a commercial driving school in Travis. She’s been collecting bags of clothing and giving them to migrants who walk by her business.
“They’re here now, we have to help them. That’s just how I was raised. I just can’t imagine how bad it was in their country that they needed to come here,” she said.
The community in Travis is being pushed to the brink – people say the problem is now too big to ignore.
“The problem’s not going to stop whether you close the borders, it’s not going to stop now it’s just between governors and it’s not right using people as pawns,” said the St. Michael’s parishioner.
“This needs to be evenly distributed among all 50 states, not just New York, we’re going to go bankrupt,” Eileen said.
On Thursday, Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis is expected to discuss federal solutions to the crisis and her efforts to stem the flow of migrants and speed up the asylum process. For now, the people here continue to rely on donations.
New York City is struggling to house the migrants who continue to arrive in the Big Apple.
Crime on New York City subways is skyrocketing.
Bodega owners, who are victims of shoplifting or looting, are getting some help.
Charities Brooklyn and Queens is spearheading city support for seniors with a new state of the art building.
The Bishop Rene Valero Senior Residence in Astoria is a six-story building that offers 102 affordable units.
It also offers on-site social services and an adult senior center complete with everything from educational forums to fitness classes.
Bishop Brennan was at the dedication and praised the work of Catholic Charities, who has been providing affordable housing in this city for the last 47 years.
The Bishop of Brooklyn praised the work of more than a dozen ethnic ministries at the second Shining Star awards dinner over the weekend.
The annual event honors individuals in cultural ministries for their service to the church and for preserving their traditions in this big city.
Among the countries celebrated Friday evening: Pakistan, the Philippines, and the Dominican Republic.