2024

The statue of Maria Pulsone, a former garment worker, was lost for decades. Recently it has been rediscovered and will be honored at the new Italian-American Museum in Little Italy.

Floridians return to assess the devastation left by Hurricane Milton, which followed close behind Hurricane Helene. Get the latest update from the Diocese of St. Petersburg on the damages and recovery efforts.

St. Stanislaus Kostka Catholic Academy in Greenpoint, the first school in the Diocese of Brooklyn to implement a principal/president model, welcomes its new principal, Danielle Madden-Buck. She emphasizes that the school’s president is her ideal teammate, fostering collaboration for a successful academic year in the fourth installment of Currents News’ Meet the New Principal series.

Pope Francis gives the public a unique opportunity to view a relic of the Chair of St. Peter, currently on display in Rome until October 27th.

St. Anselm Church in Bay Ridge Hosts Fall Carnival Fundraiser

St. Anselm Church in Bay Ridge recently held its three-day fall carnival.

The event brought parishioners and other members of the community together, offering fun for all ages with rides, games, and beloved food favorites.

Beyond the festivities, the carnival served as a fundraiser for the parish, with proceeds going towards much-needed renovations for church pews and bathrooms.

Last year’s festival helped repair St. Anselm’s bell, and this year one lucky raffle winner walked away with a $2,700 prize.

Synod Raises Thousands for Gaza’s Only Catholic Parish

The Synod has raised approximately €62,000 (about $68,000 USD) for the only Catholic parish in Gaza.

During a briefing, the Vatican revealed that this amount was collected on October 7th, the Pope’s Day of Fasting and Prayer for Peace in the Holy Land.

Donations came from Synod participants and the Apostolic Almoner, with the funds already sent to the Church of the Holy Family in Gaza.

The Pope continues to express solidarity with the parish, calling daily to stay informed about the conditions in the region.

Diocese of Brooklyn Webinars Aim to Unlock Path to Spiritual Growth

A new six-episode webinar series produced by DeSales Media Group, looks to take at deepening your relationship with Christ and helping you share the faith with others.

The first episode has already aired, focusing on the importance of evangelization.

Here’s a glimpse of what was discussed and how you can get involved in spreading the word of God.

To join the six-Part ‘Religion to Reality’ webinar series, visit: https://desalesmedia.org/religion-to-reality/

Catholic Charities USA Supports Recovery Efforts After Tropical Storm Helene

In the aftermath of Tropical Storm Helene, Catholic Charities USA has distributed nearly $2 million for recovery efforts, including $500,000 to the Diocese of Charlotte’s Catholic Charities agency.

These funds, along with the agency’s $2.2 million total raised, will assist North Carolina residents in FEMA-declared disaster areas. Catholic Charities caseworkers are actively evaluating needs to support long-term rebuilding efforts in the region.

To contribute to the relief, visit www.ccdoc.org/helenerelief.

Diocese of St. Petersburg Reported Damage to at Least Five Churches, Including the Cathedral

Patti Sidote from St. Petersburg was among the many Floridians forced to flee their homes as Hurricane Milton, a Category 5 storm, approached the coast earlier this week.

Although the storm weakened before making landfall, it still caused widespread destruction, bringing heavy rain, strong winds, and tornadoes.

This came just days after Hurricane Helene left parts of the state devastated.

Sidote shared her emotional experience, describing the fear that gripped her community as they prayed together via Zoom before evacuating.

“Everyone was scared for this one,” she said. Now, like millions of others, she is staying with family up north while her home remains without power.

The Diocese of St. Petersburg reported damage to at least five churches, including the cathedral, due to the back-to-back hurricanes.

Teresa Peterson, the diocese’s communications director, explained that there has been significant water intrusion and other structural damage, with roof leaks and missing shingles affecting multiple parishes.

“We will rebuild with God’s help,” Peterson said.

As residents deal with the aftermath, faith remains a guiding force.

“You have to have faith and … help your neighbors, your family, your friends,” Sidote said.

Despite the challenges ahead, the community remains hopeful and determined to rebuild.

Bishop Gregory Parkes, who had to evacuate as well, was active online, offering prayers before losing power, like many others in the region.

Catholic Charities USA has initiated a disaster relief campaign in response to Hurricane Milton.

100% of all donations will go directly to local Catholic Charities agencies to provide shelter, food, and humanitarian aid to those displaced by the storm.

To donate, text “MILTON” to 20406 or visit CCUSA’s website at ccusa.online/milton.

Catholic News Headlines for Thursday 10/10/2024

Hurricane Milton has moved off Florida’s coast. The powerful storm left behind heavy rain, strong winds, and tornadoes. Catholic churches and schools shut down in preparation, and prayers are being offered for all those affected by the deadly storm.

During the Synod on Synodality in Rome, members put their faith into action, raising thousands of dollars for the only Catholic church in Gaza. This donation is aimed at helping victims of the ongoing conflict.

American Cardinals Robert McElroy, Joseph Tobin, and Blase Cupich held a special meeting with Pope Francis during the Synod on Synodality. The cardinals discussed challenges facing the Catholic Church in the United States with the Pontiff.

Join us at St. Anselm Church in Bay Ridge for a fun-filled fall carnival! With rides, games, and plenty of food, the four-day event was a major success. The carnival also served as a fundraiser to support church renovations.

Diocese of Brooklyn’s Growing Number of Hispanic Deacons Reflects Community Commitment

By Katie Vasquez

Deacon Heriberto Cabrera’s journey to the altar has been one of deep faith and commitment.

Now serving at St. Bernard of Clairvaux Church in Bergen Beach, Deacon Cabrera recalls his search for a closer relationship with God.

Initially considering the priesthood after attending Immaculate Conception Seminary in 1976, he eventually became a lawyer, but his call to serve remained strong.

At age 66, Deacon Cabrera was ordained and now joins a growing number of Hispanic deacons in the Diocese of Brooklyn.

Nationwide, 20% of deacons are Hispanic, and 3% are Black, according to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

However, the Diocese of Brooklyn is far more diverse, with 46% of its deacons being Hispanic and 10% Black.

This trend shows no signs of slowing, as the Diocese is set to ordain 11 new deacons in 2025, including four Hispanic men, six white men, and one Black man.

Deacon Julio Barraneche, Secretary for Clergy Personnel, attributes this diversity to the multicultural fabric of New York City.

“We’ve been blessed with deacons from Hispanic, Haitian, and other national backgrounds,” Barraneche explains.

Father Mike Tedone, parochial vicar at St. Bernard of Clairvaux, praises Deacon Cabrera for his contributions to the parish.

“He’s a big help to our community, especially with his native Spanish, as he’s originally from the Dominican Republic,” Father Tedone said.

For Deacon Cabrera, his role is about living his faith and sharing it with others. “To me, it’s like the word of God is touching people, emanating from my very mouth,” he reflects.

This story reflects how the Diocese of Brooklyn continues to buck national trends with its increasingly diverse diaconate.

St. Edmund Prep Unveils Newly Renovated Gym After Major Overhaul

After years of gradual updates, St. Edmund Prep has completed a major renovation of its gym, a space also used for school Masses.

The girls’ volleyball team was the first to use the new features, which include a new floor, wall padding, and moveable bleachers. The Brooklyn Catholic high school spent over $200,000 on the project, unveiling the updated gym on the first day of school.

Students and staff say the improvements make the gym more functional and enjoyable for sports. The school also plans to add more padding and chairs for players in future updates.

Historic Baldacchino at St. Peter’s Basilica Set for Unveiling After Restoration

As preparations ramp up for the Jubilee Year, a major milestone is set to take place at St. Peter’s Basilica: the unveiling of the iconic Baldacchino.

The towering canopy, which stands nearly 30 meters high, has been hidden under scaffolding for the past 10 months as it underwent its first restoration in over 250 years.

This significant project was timed to be completed ahead of the Jubilee Year, a major event in the Catholic Church.

The restored Baldacchino will be revealed by Pope Francis during a special Mass on October 27th, marking a key moment in the lead-up to the celebrations.