Visiting Priest Credited with Saving Church During Fire

By Katie Vasquez

As smoke and flames went through St Catherine of Genoa church, firefighters were on scene within minutes.

But they were only able to do their job because visiting South African priest, Father Adrien Ntwa was doing his.

“I came in the church to change the linen, but while I was inside the church, then i started smelling the smoke inside the sacristy like something was burning,” said Ntwa.

He was alone in the rectory Friday night as workers were trying to repair a sagging roof in the parish garage.

“I went to check with them. What happened? Can they smell the same thing that I’m smelling, that is where they pointed on the top of the roof of the church that ‘Father the smoke is coming from the church.”

Father Adrien called 9-1-1 immediately and left the building, making sure to grab the essentials on his way out.

“I took that precaution of removing item that are necessary for us, which are important for us in the first place was, in my mind, the blessed sacrament,”

No one was injured and the damage was minor. The official cause of the fire is still being investigated.As the parish is working to pick up the pieces, Bishop Robert Brennan visited them on Sunday to pray with the East Flatbush community.

In a statement on the mass, Bishop Brennan said:

“We shared sorrow at the damage caused by the fire but, at the same time, a great deal of gratitude and hope, focusing on the presence of the Lord among us. The parishioners showed tremendous gratitude to Father Adrien Ntwa, who is there for the summer, for noticing the smoke and calling the fire department, to the FDNY and NYPD for the quick and effective response, and to all those who are assisting in the clean-up and repair.”

While the parish may be praising Father Adrien as a hero, he says there was only one person saving people that day.

“We recognize that it was not god, we wouldn’t have that presence of going to the church and changing the linen of the church. So when they say father, thank you, because we are present, I say, thank God because he allowed me to go in the church at that time.”

For now St Catherine of Genoa is celebrating mass in the basement of their former school. They hope to be able to schedule masses inside the church by the end of the week.

Visiting Priest Father Basil Achusim Incorporates Music Into Adoration

By Jessica Easthope

A song of praise booms through the chapel and columbarium of the Basilica of Regina Pacis in Dyker Heights.

Father Basil Achusim can’t help but express his faith through music.

“It’s empowering people to allow themselves to be touched by the words by this music now so we don’t just listen to the music we’re inspired and sent on mission by music,” Father Achusim said.

But Father Achusim said as a whole, music in church is lacking in the Western world. Parishioners back home in the Archdiocese of Onitsha in Nigeria can’t celebrate Mass without it.

“That’s one of the things that surprised me about the Western world. My entrance as a priest toward the altar was silent,” Father Achusim said. “I was like, is everything okay, what’s happening? Music in Mass and songs I think is something that needs to be revived; you would never imagine that in the parishes where I’ve served.”

Father Achusim, who’s spending his second summer at the basilica and with its parishioners, said music isn’t high on the list of priorities for the global Church.

“One of the greatest problems the Church is facing now is clarity to the truth and fidelity to it,” Father Achusim said. “We must not shy away from the truth, maybe because of persecution or whatever, otherwise the truth gets obscured, and the Church must strive to tell the hard truth, accepted or not.”

For Father Achusim, these truths include the sanctity of life, the truth about Jesus being God, and His true presence in the Eucharist. When it comes to that, he said the American Church and the National Eucharistic Revival are leading the way.

“There is a huge army of Christ emerging from the American faith of Catholicism. It’s evident in many dioceses now. It’s God or nothing,” Father Achusim said. “Seeing over 55,000 Catholics gathered in adoration in the stadium, not for football, not for soccer, not for hockey, but they’re all there for Jesus, in this age, in this era, is incredible.”

So Father Achusim continues to use his voice in song—for truth and the true presence.

Father Achusim is here in the United States for a few more weeks. In early September, he’ll head back to Rome, where he’s getting his PhD in Theology.

Thieves Steal Personal Items from Rick Pitino’s St John’s University Office

by Katie Vasquez

A bold break in happened at St. John’s University earlier this week.

The Queens campus has security cameras and patrols all over but that didn’t deter these thieves.

The NYPD says around 6 pm, August 20th, two men walked into the office of men’s basketball coach, Rick Pitino.

Once inside they stole around $375 worth of goods, including a ceremonial dagger as well as a bullhorn which can be seen in the surveillance video.

Rick Pitino joined St John’s in 2023 but he has a storied coaching career in leading teams like the University of Kentucky and University of Louisville to NCAA championships.

The St. John’s University athletics dept confirmed in a statement they shared that video with police and are assisting in the investigation.

Students on campus say they are surprised by the break-in- and plan to be more careful.

“I definitely would keep more of an eye on my belongings, just you know making sure my valuables are on me or you know they are locked away somewhere. but then again like i said, there’s a lot of good people on this campus so in that sense, i don’t feel really threatened or you know worried as much,” said John Castro, a graduate student at St. John’s University.

“I thought it was kind of, I was sad to hear from the school, I’m new here and it’s a little scary to hear that,” said Matea Kovacevic, a freshman student at St. John’s University.

“Obviously it’s not a good thing to happen in the school, it was, like, kind of scary to hear about. being a student here, first year and all that,” said St. John’s University freshman student, Isaiah Garcia.

According to an email sent to students, St. John’s says the perpetrators also came back on August 21st and removed property from another office. Police are still looking for the two men.

Miracle In Missouri: Medical Experts Say Deceased Nun’s Body Did Not Decompose

The nuns at the Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles monastery in Missouri have received a new report on the remains of their founder, Sister Wilhelmina Lancaster.

Her body, found intact last year—four years after her death—has astonished many.

Medical experts, commissioned by the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph, determined that her body shows no signs of decomposition. The investigation concluded that “the condition of her body is highly atypical for the interval of nearly four years since her death, especially given the environmental conditions and the findings in associated objects,” according to the diocese.

For example, the casket’s lining had completely deteriorated, yet Sister Wilhelmina’s habit and clothing showed no signs of breakdown.

The discovery in 2023 attracted thousands of Catholics to the monastery.

“Just the real tidal wave of people being inspired and encouraged by such a beautiful witness to the grace of God,” said Sister Misericordia Radel of the Benedictine Sisters of Mary.

Although there are currently no plans to initiate a cause for sainthood, the diocese has not ruled it out.

“We’re not pursuing that just yet—we’re going to wait,” said Sister Misericordia. “But that doesn’t mean we’re not collecting testimonies and building files of people reporting different graces and healings they have received.”

The sisters at the monastery say they draw strength from her presence.

“She’s cheering us on. She’s helping us,” Sister Misericordia said. “She wants us to be there too, so her work on earth is not done.”

Catholic News Headlines for Friday 8/23/2024

Police are searching for two burglars who stole priceless sports memorabilia and personal items from St. John’s University basketball coach Rick Pitino’s office, all caught on camera.

New findings reveal that Sister Wilhelmina Lancaster’s body remains perfectly preserved four years after her death, with medical experts finding no signs of decomposition.

Father Basil Achusim, a visiting Nigerian priest, brings a unique musical touch to Mass and adoration during his second summer at the Basilica of Regina Pacis in Dyker Heights, enriching the congregation’s spiritual experience.

The Vatican has released a special postage stamp featuring the seals of the U.S. and the Vatican, commemorating 40 years of diplomatic relations, available exclusively from the Vatican Post Office.

Tonight at 7: Brazen Thieves Ransack Rick Pitino’s St. John’s University Office, Steal Memorabilia

JAMAICA — The campus office of St. John’s University basketball coach Rick Pitino was burglarized Tuesday by two individuals who made off with sports memorabilia and personal items, according to police and sources.

The unidentified suspects stole approximately $375 worth of goods during the break-in at Carnesecca Arena, where Pitino’s office is located. Sources reported that among the stolen items were a signed basketball, a ceremonial dagger, and a bullhorn.

The perpetrators entered the building around 6 p.m., ransacked the office, and fled the Jamaica campus on a moped, heading west on Union Turnpike with the stolen items.

St. John’s athletics department issued a statement confirming that surveillance footage had been shared with the NYPD, and the university is fully cooperating with the ongoing investigation.

The footage shows two men walking through the arena’s hallways, with one holding a bullhorn believed to have been taken from Pitino’s office.

It remains unclear whether other parts of the building were targeted in the theft, but it has been reported that Pitino himself filed the complaint with the NYPD. Although he did not respond to requests for comment, Pitino took to Twitter to express his frustration on the burglary.

Pitino, who joined St. John’s in 2023, has had a storied coaching career, leading teams like the University of Kentucky and the University of Louisville to NCAA championships and contributing to the resurgence of the New York Knicks in the 1980s.

Happy Birthday, Sister Jean: Iconic Loyola Nun Turns 105

We’d like to wish a happy birthday to Sister Jean from Loyola University. She officially turned 105 on Monday, August 19, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.

The one thing the San Francisco native wanted for her birthday? To remain a happy person!

Sister Jean has become a celebrity at Loyola after going viral in 2018 when she was spotted cheering on the Ramblers during March Madness.

She said the secret to a long life is loving others and God, taking care of your body and mind, and interacting with young people.

Long Island Scientist Agrees with Findings that Shroud of Turin Dates Back 2,000 Years

by Katie Vasquez

As a scientist, Bill Lauto loves to do research, but the one subject that has caught his attention for decades is the Shroud of Turin, the believed burial cloth used on Jesus during his resurrection.

“It’s the most researched and studied icon in the history of humankind,” said Lauto.

It all started when he was a teenager. Bill’s family moved from Brooklyn to Long Island, and he went from a Catholic education, to public school.

“I was really questioning the existence of god because as far as i knew, the majority of scientists did not believe in god.”

He opened an encyclopedia and found this image that Italian photographer secondo pia developed in 1898, the first photograph of the shroud.

“The hair stood up on the back of my neck,” Lauto said. “I became acutely aware of how insignificant I was in this universe.”

It sent him on a journey to learn more and he dived into studies on the famous artifact.

“The day Jesus was crucified, we are pretty sure was April 3rd, 33 AD,” Lauto said. “It’s the only day that meets all the criteria.”

Now he’s an official exhibitor of the Shroud of Turin, receiving his certification from the Pontifical Atheneum Regina Apostolorum.

Recently, he was also one of the volunteers at the National Eucharistic Congress where a replica was on display.

“The path that I was put on when I was 14 years old was never clear to me,” Lauto said. “But I just follow that path faithfully.”

Bill feels it is his vocation to speak about the shroud and spread the faith.

“When I’m speaking about this, I see the facial expressions on the people I’m talking to,” Lauto said. “and that’s what tells me I have to do this.”

His next goal is to create a permanent exhibit in New York City with life-size images of the Shroud of Turin.

Catholic News Headlines for Thursday 8/22/2024

After much debate, new research from Italy says the Shroud of Turin does date back 2,000 years to Christ’s time.

A Long Island scientist has spent years studying the relic thought to be Jesus’ burial cloth. He is now on a mission to spread the faith.

Loyola University’s iconic Sister Jean turned 105 on Monday. The nun went viral in 2018 when she was spotted cheering on the Ramblers during March Madness.

A Rhode Island Catholic hospital holds a heartwarming wedding ceremony, allowing a sick father to fulfill his dream of walking his daughter down the aisle.

http://netny.tv/

Brooklyn Priest’s New Book Explores Catholic Identity and Seminary Formation Through Bishop Barron’s Teachings

By William Schmitt

PROSPECT HEIGHTS — A new book by Father John Cush, who has taught and mentored seminarians for years as a priest of the Diocese of Brooklyn, sharpens the focus on Catholic identity — how it connects directly with Jesus Christ and, through Him, with a society we hope to evangelize.

Our faith is “not merely something one does,” said Father Cush, now a professor and admissions director at St. Joseph’s Seminary and College in Yonkers, New York. It is “a way of seeing” through which clergy and laity can reach today’s secularized culture marked by misunderstood, self-centered identities.

He attributes the “way of seeing” quote to another respected theologian, one of the most popular evangelists who uses technology to illuminate Catholicism’s wisdom and hope.

The man on that mission is Bishop Robert Barron, whose brainchild for ministry, “Word on Fire,” produces podcasts, books, and videos for vast audiences as he shepherds the Diocese of Winona-Rochester in Minnesota.

Over time, the two scholars discovered that they share many insights at the intersection of theology and state-of-the-art spiritual support, especially for priests.

This led Father Cush, a Windsor Terrace native who holds a Doctorate in Sacred Theology, to write his recently published book, “Nothing But You, Lord: Reflections on the Priesthood and Priestly Formation through the Lens of Bishop Robert Barron.”

The work offers up-to-date guidance for professors and others who accompany young men in their vocational discernment.

However, Catholics in the pews will also benefit from this inside look at the practical craft and profound values forming the authentic, energetic identities people need to see in Church members who spread the Good News.

Father Cush says Catholics, and especially priests, must reflect on “who Jesus is in His humanity, which we share with Him, and His divinity, which He shares with us.”

This appreciation for everything Christ is — in and for us — prompts Father Cush to examine seminary formation in

four dimensions: human, spiritual, intellectual, and pastoral.

From a sturdy foundation of well-balanced character and personality, plus wide-ranging prayer and ongoing study of Church knowledge, a seminarian prepares for pastoral work — sharing Christ’s compassion with wisdom as a “soul doctor,” to use Bishop Barron’s term.

Father Cush reasserts the connectedness we patients should pursue: “Who we are flows from who we know — the Eucharistic Lord.”

This Catholic path toward gratitude and humility recalls a story about Saint Thomas Aquinas, which yielded Father Cush’s book title. In prayer, God praised St. Thomas’s written work and asked what he desired in repayment for his labors. Thomas replied, “Nothing but you, Lord.”

Father Cush sees special roles connected to a priest’s personal identity, but he points out that all baptized Catholics participate in Christ’s anointing as “priest, prophet, and king.” Laypersons join in the Church’s “way of seeing,” drawing upon their preparation in their parishes and beyond.

“No priest can hope to evangelize alone,” he says in the book, released this month by Word on Fire.

With his admiration for a solidly faithful social media icon like Bishop Barron, who he quips is often trending but never trendy, Father Cush implicitly invites a broad audience in service to society.

You can find “Nothing But You Lord” on Bishop Barron’s website, wordonfire.com, or search on Amazon.