Archdiocese of Newark Partners With NJ Reentry Corporation to Bring Addicts Hope

The opioid epidemic is the worst drug crisis in American history, and it’s claiming the lives of over 1,500 people every week. 

Initially stemming from the excessive prescription of legal pain medications, the crisis has now escalated. 

In certain states, there are more prescriptions being written than there are people. 

New Jersey has made the decision to take action, and they are seeking support from the Church.

Father Timothy Graff is coordinating a new collaboration between the Archdiocese of Newark and the New Jersey Reentry Corporation, which is led by former New Jersey Gov. Jim McGreevey, to help fight back against fentanyl and other opioid addictions by helping addicts to get clean. 

While New Jersey is dealing with the struggles of opioid addiction and other drug use, fatal drug overdoses are at an all-time high when it comes to New York City as well. 

Someone dies of an overdose every three hours, according to the city’s Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. 

If you or someone you know is suffering from drug addiction you can turn to Catholic Charities for help. 

There are several health clinics all around Brooklyn and Queens. 

To find one near you, just visit CCBQ.ORG.

Catholic News Headlines for Monday 06/19/2023

New Jersey has a new weapon in the fight against opioid addiction… the Catholic Church!

Islamic militants, linked to ISIS, killed at least 41 people, most of them students at a residential high school.

During his Sunday Angelus, Pope Francis spoke about the Ugandan terrorist attack during  his first public appearance after spending nine days in the hospital.

Today is Juneteenth, an annual commemoration of the end of slavery in the United States.

Teacher Takes on Father-Figure Role for 8th Grader

It’s graduation day for hundreds of eighth graders in the Diocese of Brooklyn. 

But for Leonardo Jones, his graduation is a bit more meaningful. 

His school has become a support system and his teachers, like William Del Valle, have become like family. 

Thanks to the teachers, what started as a struggle for Leonardo is now a success story. 

Jessica Easthope has more from St. Catherine of Genoa-St. Thérèse of Lisieux Catholic Academy in East Flatbush.

Canarsie Catholic Students Learn About Gardening And Cooking

Students at Our Lady Of Trust Catholic Academy in Canarsie are getting a lesson in farm to table cooking.

Thanks to an after school club seventh and Eighth grade students learn about nutrition by harvesting their own crops.

Currents News spoke to some of the would-be farmers about what they’ve learned so far.

Catholic News Headlines for Friday 06/16/2023

Pope Francis is back at The Vatican. The Holy Father left Gemelli Hospital in Rome this morning.

A church in Los Angeles is stepping up to help migrants after a bus dropped them off at L.A.’s Union Station on Wednesday.

Tonight we’ll have the story of a Brooklyn Catholic student who calls his teacher a father figure. 

Students at another Brooklyn Catholic school are learning how to eat healthy and grow their own food.

Pope Francis Back in Vatican After Second Hospitalization This Year

Pope Francis was discharged from Rome’s Gemelli Hospital early Friday morning, nine days after being admitted for surgery on an abdominal hernia, marking his second hospitalization in three months and his second surgery in two years.

Pope Francis left Gemelli just before 9:00 a.m. local time, after which he made a brief stop at the Roman Basilica of Saint Mary Major, where he prayed before the famous Maria Salus Populi Romani icon housed in the basilica’s Borghese chapel.

MTA Considering First Possible Base Fare Hike in Almost 10 Years

Commuters who rely on the MTA could soon have to pay more to ride the buses and trains. 

It would be the first base fare hike for New York City since 2015, and MTA officials are considering the increase. 

One group of commuters the cost of ridership may take a toll on is churchgoers.

Deacon Ron Rizzuto, a pastoral associate and business manager at the Cathedral Basilica of St. James is one of those individuals who would be impacted.

And like many, he believes now is not the time to raise prices.

Bishop Brennan Honors Fallen Heroes of Brooklyn South

Bishop Robert Brennan celebrated Mass Wednesday for those who help serve the people of Brooklyn.

The Memorial Mass at Our Lady of Guadalupe honored police officers who lost their lives in the line of duty. 

The names of 132 men and women who died serving the southern part of Brooklyn were read aloud during the Mass.