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Filled With Hope by New Presidential Administration, Diocese of Brooklyn Parishioners March For Life

By Katie Vasquez

Washington D.C.’s National Mall was flooded with tens of thousands of pro-lifers Jan. 24.

In this post-Roe v. Wade America, they marched with a common goal: to defend the rights of the unborn. They marched with a purpose past the Capitol building and all the way to the Supreme Court. 

The March For Life started in faith as thousands celebrated Mass with Brooklyn Bishop Robert Brennan at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. The shepherd of the Diocese of Brooklyn urged the people in prayer to value all human life. 

“Whenever some lives become expendable, then all of life is expendable,” he explained. “But at the same time, it’s very important to apply that principle to our teachings about overcoming racism and anti-semitism, about our care for our neighbors.”

At a rally ahead of the march President Donald Trump commended the crowd for their efforts in saving babies in the womb in a video message.

“Thanks to your tireless work and devotion over five decades, that historic wrong was set right three years ago,” he said in his address.

Vice President JD Vance sent an in person message of hope for the future of the fight: “I want more babies in the United States of America. I want more happy children in our country.”

Diocese of Brooklyn marchers felt encouraged by the new administration. 

“We have a president who loves children, your family.,” Ramon Quinn-Ramirez, a parishioner at Holy Innocents Church in Brooklyn, told Currents News. “That’s why we’re here, because a new regime has taken over. And I think one of life and not of death

“I’m encouraged,” agreed Maria Cardena who attends St. Mark Church in Brooklyn. “The fact that he’s bringing back God and with God, anything could happen. And that’s what we’re hoping for the children. So that is a big hope for many of us that God is back in the picture and we could expect, hope, that one day this will end.”

Whether they could be there in person or not, Bishop Brennan knows that the Diocese of Brooklyn is committed to protecting the lives of the unborn year round. 

“People are witnessing to life in so many ways back at home to the families in need, through the parish outreach programs, through groups like Bridge For Life,” he explained. “I want to say thanks to everyone here, thanks for what they do.”

The fight to make abortion unthinkable continued as pilgrims returned home, with many getting ready for their own state marches and even more planning to keep this momentum going by praying and protecting babies in the womb however they can. 

Catholic News Headlines for Thursday 1/23/2025

Tens of thousands are set to gather for the March for Life in Washington, D.C., starting with prayer at the Basilica before marching across the National Mall to urge lawmakers to protect unborn babies.

The Department of Homeland Security rescinded a policy protecting “sensitive locations” like churches from ICE arrests, sparking concerns from Catholic leaders and prompting NYC Mayor Eric Adams to address community fears in a Flushing town hall.

Pope Francis has been reaching out nightly via WhatsApp to Gaza’s Holy Family Parish, offering support and blessings to the over 600 people sheltering there.

A dedicated mom is making a big impact for tiny lives, creating special onesies for premature babies too small for standard newborn clothing.

Catholic News Headlines for Wednesday 1/22/2025

Pope Francis is speaking out about the ceasefire in Gaza, thanking the mediators for ensuring that peace can be made.

The feast of Our Lady of Altagracia, or Our Lady of High Grace, is celebrated in a special way in the Diocese of Brooklyn.

One New Jersey woman had an abortion when she was 19-years-old. After years of sadness and regret, she’s healing and leaning on her faith to help mothers – and others – in need.

The Mercy House Serves Women and Families in the Archdiocese of Newark

By Jessica Easthope

Every walk of life finds compassion here at the Mercy House.  There are three in the Archdiocese of Newark, the Newark location serves 100 people a day.

“God was like. Oh, if you think you’re only helping women that is not what you’re doing here. We don’t just help women, we help children, families, anyone that needed help,” said founder Cheryl Riley.

Riley who serves as the director of the Archdiocese’s Respect Life Office and the Mercy House started out, she thought she’d only be helping pregnant women who were contemplating abortion but chose life instead, women who made the decision she was too afraid to make 40 years ago.

“They gave me, like, a paper receipt. And I remember just thinking, like, years later, like I received a receipt that day in exchange for my baby’s life. My fear was greater than my faith,” she said.

On May 30, 1985 a 19-year-old Cheryl ended the life of her unborn child. What followed was years of unimaginable pain.

“After my abortion, I didn’t even want to live. That’s how bad the pain was,” Riley said.

Through her faith and Rachel’s Vineyard, an organization offering retreats for women who have had abortions, Cheryl found peace.

“On Rachel’s Vineyard, we asked God to reveal the sex of the baby. I didn’t even have to think about it. The name Christina came to me. And that’s what really helps you heal is when you put a name, it’s your child,” Riley said.

Out of her healing came a new life. Cheryl married and had three children, started the Mercy House and made a promise to God to do his work, helping mothers and anyone who needed her.

” I want to see my baby. When I die, hopefully I’m going to be able to see her. And I know I’m not going to be able to do that unless I make it right here,” said Riley.

Cheryl thinks of all the things Christina never got to do, so this is how she honors her every day.

TONIGHT AT 7: An Inside Look at How the Mercy House Serves Mothers, Community in Need

By Currents News

The Mercy House supports and shelters some of New Jersey’s most in need. It all began when founder Cheryl Riley opened her doors to women who chose life, giving out food, clothing, and baby supplies.

Today the doors are open to all and Cheryl says if it wasn’t for her own healing the Mercy House wouldn’t exist.

 

Bishop Robert Brennan: At March For Life, We Give Witness to the Value of Human Life

By Currents News

Bishop Robert Brennan will be leading a group of parishioners from the Diocese of Brooklyn in the March for Life, and joins Currents News before he leaves for Washington D.C. 

While it’s a march Bishop Brennan attends every January, it’s a year and a new presidential administration that will bring some differences to the experience. 

Donald Trump is president again and Roe v. Wade has been overturned, leaving the issue up to individual states.

New York is perhaps the most pro-abortion state, where the procedure is now enshrined in the state constitution. Bishop Brennan offers New Yorkers advice on how to continue to fight for life in advance of the march.

Catholic News Headlines for Tuesday 1/21/2025

Pro-abortion advocates can sometimes include doctors and hospitals. Meet a couple from Queens, New York, who don’t regret going against doctor’s orders and choosing life for their daughter.

On day one of his second term, President Donald Trump hit the ground running, signing dozens of executive orders shortly after being sworn in. It’s captured the attention of Pope Francis.

A Diocese of Brooklyn priest was among those praying for the Trump presidency and the nation at the inauguration. Learn how he struck up an unlikely friendship with the Commander in Chief.

Queens Parents Chose Life for Daughter Despite Doctors Orders

By Katie Vasquez

In 1996, Laura Vasquez learned she was pregnant.

It was a moment of joy for her and her husband, Andrew Rios. 

“To me, carrying life was God’s gift. I saw it as God’s gift,” Laura, a parishioner at St. Helen’s Church in Howard Beach, Queens, tells Currents News about that day. “I just broke down in tears,” adds Andrew while reflecting on the memories.

Laura says she had a difficult pregnancy filled with multiple hospital stays. At one point, she and her husband had a chilling discussion with doctors. 

“I remember hearing the word ‘terminate,’ and I said, ‘Excuse me. What do you mean by ‘terminate,'” she explains. 

“It took all of about 30 seconds to decide. You know, that’s not an option for us,” says Andrew. 

The parishioners at St. Helen’s leaned on their faith, and viewed their daughter Isabella as a miracle child when she was born.

Days later, doctors noticed some issues. 

“‘Her eyes are rolling up. We want to do a CAT scan of her brain and so on,'” doctors told Andrew at the time.

It took two years of tests to get Isabella’s diagnosis, a rare genetic disorder called Cornelia-DeLange syndrome.

“Failure to thrive is one of the conditions, delayed in walking, delayed and talking,” says Laura, “sshe checked the boxes for all those milestones.” 

Isabella is now 28 years old and has defied the odds.

She loves to dance and do puzzles, just like anyone her age. 

“Isabella has a love for life. She loves to go out. She loves to shop,” Andrew says of his daughter.

And although she has limitations, her parents say they always knew God wouldn’t give them more than they could handle. 

“The phone rings and she video calls and says ‘Hi, daddy,’the best part of my day,” Andrew tells Currents News.

“I always say, ‘God, I know what you wanted,. You gave me this child because you know my resilience and you know that, no matter what, I am going to do everything that I can just to make her live a sound, a sound life,” says Laura,

The Catholic couple is happy that they chose life, because they now have the light of their lives.