We all know teachers can have lasting impacts on the lives of their students, but on Currents News we’ll dig deep into studies that show how male teachers specifically can help boys stay on track in school.
There aren’t many in early education these days, but we’ll speak with one role model over at Incarnation Catholic Academy in Queens, New York who’s ready to challenge the teaching status quo.
By Katie Vasquez
Three nuns from the Dominican Republic are getting a warm welcome at Transfiguration Parish in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. It’s now the first community that the sisters, called the “Hijas de la Altagracia,” have in the United States.
Bishop Robert Brennan of the Diocese of Brooklyn celebrated the first Mass they would attend in their new home parish on November 20, saying their presence will spiritually lift the parish.
“A lot of our institutions, much of our parish life, so many of our schools, have their foundations in the work of religious sisters,” Bishop Brennan told Currents News.
The convent las Hijas de la Altagracia will be occupying at the Williamsburg church has been vacant since 2019 when Sister Kathryn Margaret Walsh, known as “Sister Peggy,” passed away.
Her death left a void for parishioners, and especially for fraternities or groups that meet for deeper spirituality.
“Now we are looking for for the sisters, ‘Hijas de la Altagracia,’ to take care of that part,” said Transfiguration Parish’s pastor, Father Jeremias Castillo. “And also the youth ministry, and also we are asking them to help with the liturgy here.”
It’s work that the sisters did in their home country and are hoping to replicate for their new parish that is 95% Hispanic with many of parishioners hailing from the Caribbean.
There are “some differences I think but the mission is, that people love Jesus and Mary too,” Sister Yarelin Ventura of the Hijas de la Altagracia told Currents News.
The the move have come with some challenges, namely a language barrier and a shift in climate.
“I think the idioma (langauge), English, I need to learn,” said Sister Damaina Anglada.
“I need a coat,” said Sister Idelma Hernandez of Hijas de la Altagracia.
Priests and parishioners are excited to bring them into the flock.
“We are so excited, so happy to have them here. And we welcome them with open arms,” said parishioner Esterlina Alvarez.
“I’m sure that will be a really, really good, good add for us in the parish,” said Fr.Castillo.
The sisters will also work with Mary of Nazareth church in Fort Greene, Brooklyn.
Nuns from the Dominican Republic are relocating to the Diocese of Brooklyn, eager to enhance the community’s religious education and youth programs.
St. Michael Catholic Academy students in Queens are spreading holiday cheer by generously donating to the church’s food pantry, ensuring everyone enjoys a happy Thanksgiving.
Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens deploys its community outreach team to the Brooklyn Public Library’s Literacy Career Fair.
Twenty veterans and active-duty members spoke about their service to students at St. Francis Prep in Fresh Meadows, reminding the young people of the sacrifices made to keep America safe. The school held an assembly in the auditorium before allowing the veterans to speak one-on-one in classrooms.
By Currents News
A replica of one of the most famous works of art in history has come to the Archdiocese of Newark, New Jersey.
The Rondanini Pieta – the last sculpture Michelangelo worked on before he died – was left incomplete. One Italian company used that same marble to finish the piece and it now stands in a Catholic Cemetery.
It’s official! Pope Francis announced that he will canonize Blessed Carlo Acutis during the Jubilee for Adolescents in Rome on April 25-27, 2025.
Discover Michelangelo’s iconic Sistine Chapel art at a stunning new Brooklyn exhibit, bringing Rome’s grandeur to Sunset Park.
St. Sebastian Church in Woodside welcomed over a dozen new altar servers, installed by their pastor Father Patrick West during a Mass on November 10th.
An Iowa woman is turning cracked pickleballs into Christmas ornaments, reducing waste while preserving the holiday spirit.
by Katie Vasquez
In the heart of Vatican City, around five million people every year visit the Sistine Chapel to see the famous work of Michelangelo.
Many say it can be overwhelming, both because of the iconic images, and the crowd of tourists.
“I remember craning my neck to look up and, you know, throngs of people,” said visitor, Maryann Hansen.
“You’re sort of herded through. It’s an assembly line viewing,” said visitor, Sean Landis.
That’s what organizers say is the benefit of a new Brooklyn exhibit, instead of traveling thousands of miles, faithful only have to go to Sunset Park.
“It’s not meant to replace it, but it’s a different way to experience it,” said exhibition organizer Johanna Guttmann.
By scanning a QR code, visitors can also learn more of the backstory behind each piece.
“I always love art, so this is very nice for me to see more details. and you always learn something more,” said visitor, Giselle Castro Williams.
Organizer, Johanna Guttmann explains the famous Michelangelo paintings, which detail the biblical story of man from creation to the last judgment, were a daunting task for the artist.
“He resisted for many years but when the Pope wants you to do something. I don’t know how many times you could say no,” said Guttmann.
It took four years for him to complete the project, and he returned 20 years later to complete the last judgment, a feat that organizers say is impressive for that era.
“It’s physically a very, very difficult job, not to mention the fumes, the dust,” said Guttmann.
It’s why Brooklynites are happy to see this new exhibit, which gives a new perspective to the centuries-old art.
“It’s really a beautiful job of recreating and, giving people who can’t go, the experience,” said Hansen.
The Sistine Chapel exhibit runs through January 5th.
If you would like to buy tickets to the exhibit, you can head to https://chapelsistine.com/ and click on New York.
You can also buy tickets at the door, it’s located at 900 Third avenue in Sunset Park.
By Currents News
The long awaited moment has finally arrived: the announcement of the date on which the first millennial will be declared a saint.
Pope Francis says that in 2025, on the Day of Children and Adolescents, he will canonize Blessed Carlo Acutis. The timeframe for his canonization will be during the Jubilee of Adolescents, April 25-27. Pope Francis did not say the exact date he will be choosing, but it could be Sunday, April 27.
Carlo Acutis died in 2006 of leukemia at only 15 years old. He lived a short life, but left his mark on the world.
“When he died, the funeral was full of poor people. Everyone wondered what they were doing there. It was because Carlo had secretly been helping them,” Postulator Nicola Gori tells Currents News. “The family knew because as he was only 15, his mother was going with him. He brought them sleeping bags or food, and that’s why they felt they needed to attend the funeral.”
He not only stood out for his dedication to the poor, but he was the first saint to take religious advantage of the Internet by creating websites dedicated to Eucharistic miracles. Starting in 2025, Carlo Acutis will be held up as a model for the whole Church, especially for the young.
Hundreds of students across the Diocese of Brooklyn have yet to receive special education services for which they qualify for this school year. New York City Public Schools, which provides those services, says their hands are legally tied.
Thanksgiving is next week, but Friendsgiving is already happening in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, with the San Damiano Mission.
The Vatican is using video game technology to tell the story of St. Peter’s Basilica in a new interactive exhibit.
Students at St. Ephrem Catholic Academy in Dyker Heights got the chance to interact with author Maryann McMahon.
By Currents News
Catholic Charities is celebrating 125 years of service in Brooklyn and Queens this year. Over the weekend of October 15, the Holy Father’s representative to the United States, Cardinal Christophe Pierre celebrated a closing Mass at a packed Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph on Sunday, November 17.
The Papal Nuncio reminded the hundreds of parishioners in the Prospect Heights church of why they provide the services and help they do throughout the Diocese of Brooklyn.
Since Catholic Charities of Brooklyn and Queens was founded in 1899, they have grown to become one of the largest faith based providers of affordable housing in the country: they currently sponsor more than 160 programs and services.