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Bishop Robert Brennan Celebrates St. Patrick’s Day Mass as Parade Makes Triumphant Return

By Jessica Easthope 

The pipes and drums have a deeper purpose and what the green symbolizes is rooted in faith.

Diocese of Brooklyn Bishop Robert Brennan said everyone celebrating in style on Fifth Avenue has the power to be like St. Patrick.

“Parades and processions are literal expressions of what you and I should be doing and are doing every day – bringing our faith into the streets, into the community,” said Bishop Brennan.

Before he was a saint, St. Patrick was a slave, working in the fields in Ireland. He eventually escaped, but when the Irish people needed him – he returned as a priest bringing with him a foundation of faith that became part of his legacy as a great evangelizer.

“He spent himself, he learned the language, he learned the vocabulary he took in the culture he became one of them, know how much the world needs you because it needs Christ and you are faithful witnesses,” Bishop Brennan said.

Outside of St. Patrick’s Cathedral people were thrilled to be celebrating once again. This year’s St. Patrick’s Day parade coming almost two years to the day since New York City shut down because of the coronavirus.

Marching front-and-center was Mayor Eric Adams who this week encouraged all Irish-American New Yorkers to honor their heritage loud and proud.

“In the spirit of the Irish Americans who played a major role in this city, building the Brooklyn Bridge, our MTA system, law enforcement, you look at the success of New York you see the Irish contribution to it and you should be proud to be Irish today and proud to be New Yorkers and Americans,” Mayor Adams said.

Though people celebrate and wear green today – there’s a lot to be learned from St. Patrick every day.

Merciless Russian Attacks Continue as Airstrikes Devastate Areas Where Civilians Are Hiding

Currents News Staff

On the 22nd day of war in Ukraine, Russia’s invasion continues to move into unthinkable territory.

“I think that Putin has crossed all the red lines possible,” said Ukrainian Parliament Member Marian Zablotskyi.

In Mariupol, warnings came in white lines outside a theater. Civilians spelled out in Russian the word “children” to indicate where 1,200 women and children were sheltered inside, according to Ukrainian officials. It did not stop an attack Thursday as survivors began to emerge.

“It’s really devastating when the Russians kill civilians and they kill pretty much, well, they spare nobody,” said Tata Marharian, Manager of Public Policy and Governance Projects at Kyiv School of Economics.

The fighting did not spare what officials say were 21 people killed in Merefa, a school and arts club that was destroyed. It didn’t spare a man’s wife and two children who were killed earlier this month trying to flee. The father and husband found out that his family died only because of social media.

“Yes, I’ve managed to bury everyone,” said Serhiy Perebyinis.

Serhiy remains resolute.

“We will not leave Kyiv,” he said. “We will stay here [until] the end.”

Millions have fled. More than 1.9 million entered Poland in recent weeks. In comparison, since October, about 700 Ukrainian refugees have come to the U.S., according to the state department. 

So many are seeking safety anywhere, coming from a country where President Zelensky says everything now is a target.

St. Athanasius Catholic Academy Takes in New Student After Mother and Son Flee War-Torn Ukraine

By Jessica Easthope

For 5th graders at St. Athanasius Catholic Academy – it’s just another day of science and math problems. But 11-year-old Theodore Gaynullin’s problems have gone far beyond this classroom.

“I am afraid of the war [in] Russia, it’s dangerous, it was boom and ‘psshh’ when we were on the train,” he said.

This time two weeks ago, Theodore was walking with his mom Ellen and thousands of other Ukrainians through endless villages along the western border – hoping to make it safely to Poland – not knowing what the future would hold.

“It was a lot of hurt, and right now Russia is bombing on all of Ukraine. School is broken, home is broken, houses broken, in Ukraine people are dying and in Kyiv,” said Theodore.

“I was praying to escape from the country and I knew everything was very dangerous because no one knew what would happen next minute, next hour, maybe they would close the line,” Ellen said.

With just the clothes on their backs and one bag for both of them, Ellen and Theodore walked nearly 15 miles from Lviv to the border. Ellen, who lived in Brooklyn for 17 years, had one dream for her son. That vision kept her feet moving.

“I made the decision when Theodore was back in Kyiv. I made a decision when he’s back, I’m going to enroll him here. My friend asked me what school and I said this nice Catholic school,” she said.

St. Athanasius Principal Diane Competello says the school has welcomed Theodore with open arms.

“How could you say no? God sent them here. If we say we’re for everybody’s kids, that’s who we are,” Diane said.

Knowing that Theodore and Ellen have been through a lifetime of trauma, their new school and new church want to make their home in Brooklyn a safe haven.

“We offer them hope in the midst of conflict and we offer them the greatest gift, God’s love, which I’m sure they need right now,” said pastor, Msgr. David Cassato.

For now, Theodore says he’s excited to be living the life of a normal fifth grader – far away from the terrors of war – here he’s happy for it to be just another day.

Catholic News Headlines for Wednesday, 3/16/22

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky showed a heartbreaking, graphic video to members of Congress.

The Mayor of Kiev is asking the Pope to visit.

A Ukrainian mother and her son are now in Brooklyn. The sixth grader has enrolled at St. Athanasius Catholic Academy.

A big congratulations to the eighth-grade robotics teams at St. Saviour Catholic Academy in Park Slope!

 

President Biden Offers More Aid In Response to Ukrainian President’s Appeal

Currents News Staff

President Joe Biden responded to a direct appeal from Ukraine.

“The American people are answering Zelensky’s call for more help,” said Joe Biden.

In impassioned virtual remarks before a joint session of Congress, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky expressed gratitude to Biden for U.S. help so far, but asked for more.

“I wish you to be the leader of the world,” said Zelensky. “Being the leader of the world means to be the leader of peace.”  

Many lawmakers were visibly moved by Zelensky’s speech and references to America’s darkest days, struck a chord.

“In one sense, his speech was reminiscent of the stirring feeling all of us had in the aftermath of 9/11,” said Sen. Chuck Schumer.

President Biden signed off an additional $800 million dollars in security assistance to Ukraine including anti-tank missiles and more defensive weapons. But among many lawmakers and at the White House, there is opposition to Zelensky’s request for a no-fly zone over his country, fearing it could lead to direct conflict with Moscow.

Lawmakers are considering other options.

“There is bipartisan support for sending a package that includes fighter jets and air defense systems to the Ukraine immediately so that we can have a Ukrainian no-fly zone manned by Ukrainian pilots,” said Sen. Lindsey Graham.
The aid announced on Wednesday brings the U.S. total of assistance to $1 billion dollars.

Interest Rate Hike Hopes to Combat Inflation and Lower Cost of Living

Currents News Staff

The goal of raising interest rates is to combat inflation and lower prices for consumer goods. The Federal Reserve has kept rates at zero since the pandemic started. That has helped the economy by helping businesses and consumers borrow and spend money.

“The housing market is incredibly critical,” said Economics Commentator Catherine Rampell. “Shelter costs are the number one expense for most American households.”

That ability to spend has boosted demand for big-ticket items. But now supply is struggling to keep up and to add to that – rising energy costs.

“Russia’s the largest energy producer, but even before that, Jake, costs were rising, as we know, because of the Covid-19 disruptions to the supply chain,” said Economic Analyst Rana Foroohar.

New numbers show a 7.9 percent increase in the Consumer Price Index year-over-year. The cost of food has risen about 8 percent. Energy is up almost 26 percent and relief is unlikely to come soon.

“Almost any category, you can imagine that consumers spend money on — those also went up, so, yeah, next month is going to be pretty painful,” said Economics Commentator Catherine Rampell.

Inflation is so bad, some experts worry about a recession.

“Inflation is the one killer,” said West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin. “It is a tax. Inflation is a tax no matter how you look at it. You got to get your financial house in order.”

The hope is that an interest rate increase will lower the cost of living for average Americans.

“Right now times are tough, and I’m trying to make ends meet and stuff,” said Los Angeles resident Jose Morales.

This is the first time the Federal Reserve has raised rates since 2018. Policymakers project six more similarly sized increases throughout the year.

Bishop Robert Brennan Reflects on His Irish Heritage Ahead of St. Patrick’s Day

Currents News Staff

The St. Patrick’s Day celebration will begin on Thursday with a Mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Manhattan.

Bishop Robert Brennan is the latest in a long line of Irishmen to lead the Diocese of Brooklyn. He will be the main celebrant and homilist for the Mass.

He joined Currents News to share the stories about his Irish roots and how growing up in Long Island influenced his faith.

 

How You Can Help Support Those Impacted By The War in Ukraine

Currents News Staff

CLICK HERE TO DONATE ONLINE

PROSPECT HEIGHTS— Bishop Robert Brennan is asking the faithful in Brooklyn and Queens to “support our Ukrainian brothers and sisters” affected by the war.

“We have seen the painful images of devastation and continue to hear of the suffering and the deaths caused by the war in Ukraine,” Bishop Brennan said in a statement. “Our hearts and prayers go out to all those affected by this terrible war, most especially those who have been forced to flee their homes.”

To donate directly to the Diocese of Brooklyn’s Ukraine Relief Fund, send a check made payable to the COMPOSTELA FUND OF THE RC DIOCESE OF BROOKLYN (with the notation “UKRAINE”) which can be sent to:

Diocesan Finance Office at

310 Prospect Park West

Brooklyn, NY 11215