Msgr. Jamie Gigantiello Sworn in as FDNY Chaplain

By Jessica Easthope

Msgr. Jamie Gigantiello wears many hats and now he has a new one, it’s white and part of a Deputy Fire Chief’s uniform.

Msgr. Jamie Gigantiello was sworn in Monday at FDNY Headquarters as the newest chaplain for 17,000 of New York’s Bravest, a job he says at its core requires him to be exactly what he is – a priest.

“If you want something done, give it to a busy person. Really the most important things that I do are priestly things, being there for people ministering to them in times of tragedy and suffering and I always make time for that,” said Msgr. Jamie.

In recent weeks, the city has been in mourning after several tragic fires, including one in the Bronx that took the lives of 17 people. Every victim was part of the Muslim community, but Fire Commissioner Daniel Nigro says the Catholic Church showed its willingness and strength in reaching out to those of other faiths.

“It doesn’t matter what the families were, our Catholic chaplains were up there helping them even though these families were members of the Islamic faith. The religious community is always there for the people of the city,” Commissioner Nigro said.

With his retirement days away, Commissioner Nigro’s last official act was bringing in Msgr. Jamie, someone he says will be a channel of peace for not only the members of the department, but their own families and the entire city.

“They’re with us on our good days and they tell us this is a blessing from God and on our most dark days they’re with families and tell them despite a tragedy that God will remain with them, it’s just so valuable to the department, I couldn’t picture the department existing without chaplains,” he said.

Msgr. Jamie says during the times he’s been there for members of the department, families and victims in an unofficial capacity, he’s seen how God allows people to come together.

“We’re known to be right now a divided city but when it comes to tragedy and people suffering we are so united,” Msgr. Jamie said. “We come together as a city and we come together as a church and it doesn’t matter what faith you are because we all believe in one God and we unite our forces and let people know you’re not alone.”

He now joins seven other chaplains serving the department.

Uncertainty in Ukraine: Invasion Could Strengthen Ties Between Ukraine and European Union

Currents News Staff

President Biden spoke with his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr zelensky on Sunday promising to respond “swiftly and decisively” if Russia takes action further against Ukraine.

“An invasion could begin, a major military action could begin by Russia in Ukraine any day now-that includes this coming week, before the end of the Olympics,” said U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan.

The talk with Zelensky comes one day after President Biden warned Russian President Vladimir Putin in a phone call with “swift and severe costs” if Ukraine is invaded.

“We’re prepared with a package of potential economic consequences that will hit many of those oligarchs and make clear to Russia there are real costs to pay for this,” Sullivan said.

Although preparations are underway, including the U.S. providing Ukraine with 180-tons of ammunition, the White House and some top lawmakers are hoping for a peaceful resolution.

“The best thing that could happen is for us to pass the sanctions package,” said South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham. “Pre-invasion with a waiver, post invasions sanctions that would destroy the ruble and cripple the Russian economy so Putin can see it in writing. That might help him decide not to invade.”

Some analysts say Putin could punish himself if he goes ahead with military action.

“It might strengthen ties between Ukraine and the European Union,” said former U.S. Department of State’s Director of Policy Planning Richard Haass. “It has also created a stronger sense of Ukrainian national identity and it’s hard for me to see how that helps either Mr. Putin or Russia.”

A Tradition at the Vatican Is Coming Back With the Return of Dutch Flower Easter Decorations

Currents News Staff

Easter in the Vatican is a joyful celebration like nowhere else. And since 1985, the Holy Father’s Easter Urbi et Orbi blessing has been brought to life by the vivid colors of Dutch flowers decorating St. Peter’s Square.

“A special thought of thanks for the gift of the beautiful flowers which come from the Netherlands,” said Pope Francis.

“The Pope is always saying every year, thank you a lot for the flowers. Dank u voor de bloomen. And that is a tradition in the Netherlands,” said Father Antoine Bodar, the rector of the Church of Sts. Michael and Magnus.

That was, until 2020, when the donors who supply the flowers backed out because of the pandemic and Pope Francis celebrated Easter Mass inside an empty St. Peter’s Basilica. Father Bodar is rector of the church for Dutch pilgrims traveling to Rome. And he says that Dutch people of all faiths are banding together to carry on the tradition.

“So we have said, if it is not possible any longer, we have the responsibility, and we will further on give the flowers to the Pope,” Father Bodar said.

The number of Dutch pilgrims in Rome has fallen dramatically since the start of the pandemic, and with them donations. That means there could be less flowers surrounding Pope Francis on Easter, but Father Bodar says the important thing is having a Dutch presence at one of the Church’s most important celebrations.

“We are hoping that further on, after COVID, we can give more flowers, but we will give flowers,” Father Bodar said.

Catholics everywhere are hoping this will be the year Pope Francis will once again deliver his Easter blessing to the world from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, and the Netherlands is on a mission to make sure he does so with Dutch flowers alongside him.

Catholic News Headlines for Friday, 2/11/22

Deadline Day— thousands of New York City workers risk losing their jobs if they don’t get vaccinated.

Pope Francis observes the “World Day of the Sick” praising the work of missionaries all over the world.

The Diocese of Brooklyn honors Bishop Emeritus Nicholas DiMarzio for his long-standing commitment to the needs of the marginalized.

St. John’s University Honors Fallen NYPD Officers at Madison Square Garden

Currents News Staff

St. John’s University honored two fallen heroes at their basketball game Tuesday night.

Dominique Luzuriaga received a standing ovation as the Queens Catholic university team honored NYPD heroes Jason Rivera and Wilbert Mora during their game at Madison Square Garden.

The two were fatally shot during a domestic call in Harlem Jan. 21. Officer Rivera was a big basketball fan. He was not only a four year member of his high school’s team but he later became the student manager.

Catholic Charities Renames Brooklyn Building After Bishop Emeritus Nicholas DiMarzio

Currents News Staff

Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens held a special dedication. The Pierrepont Residence in Brooklyn is now being called the Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio Residence.

The agency decided to rename the building in honor of Bishop DiMarzio’s 18 years as an advocate for the poor, immigrants, seniors and affordable housing.

Msgr. Alfred LoPinto, the President and CEO of Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens says his work is vital. The building is one of Catholic Charities’ 23 low-income housing options for seniors throughout Brooklyn and Queens.

Catholic News Headlines for Thursday, 2/10/22

Kids as young as 5 will get to see what their futures look like with the launch of a partnership between Bay Ridge Catholic Academy and St. Francis College.

Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens held a special dedication Thursday for Brooklyn’s Bishop Emeritus.

The Bengals are Super Bowl bound and among their cheering squad are a group of Texas nuns!

Staggering Inflation Numbers Indicate Worst Annual Price Increase in 40 Years

Currents News Staff

Across the country, prices are rising faster than they have in nearly four decades, causing more anxiety among Americans including small business owners who are trying to manage.

“For me it’s just hurting, hurting us more as a business individual than, you know, having it passed to them and hurting them more because you know the way things are,” said the owner of Alvernon Donuts, Poe Kem.

The U.S. consumer price inflation index rose 7.5% over the past year before seasonal adjustments. That’s the steepest climb in prices since the year ending in February of 1982 – according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

In a statement, President Joe Biden says his administration is using every tool it has to manage inflation.

“I’m gonna work like the devil to bring gas prices down,” the president said, “which I’m gonna, working to make sure that we keep strengthening the supply chain to bring the cost of energy and everything else, the goods that come to America down by helping the ports 24/7, by changing a whole range of things.”

Prices went up across the board last month, including for housing, furniture, used cars and healthcare. The increases are even worse than economists had predicted. But the president’s advisers maintain the situation will improve this year.

“What the forecast tells you is that the job market should stay tight and get even tighter supporting wage growth, while inflation decelerates, while it slows,” said Council of Economic Advisers Member Jared Bernstein.

Relief that can’t come soon enough for consumers.

“Hopefully they will understand because this type is not just happening at our facility,” Poe said. “It’s happening all over.”

Meet the Cincinnati Nun Who Is Praying For More Than a Touchdown, But A Super Bowl Ring For Her Hometown Team

Currents News Staff

Their prayers were answered! The Cincinnati Bengals are Super Bowl bound and among their cheering squad are a group of Texas nuns!

One video went viral after the Bengals won the AFC conference championship game. Sister Mary Mediatrix, despite being part of the Diocese of Corpus Christi, has been praying for this win for quite some time.

Sister Mary joined Currents News to discuss why she’s rooting for her hometown team and what Catholics can learn from the sport of football.

Bay Ridge Catholic Academy and St. Francis College Start Unique Exclusive Education Partnership

By Jessica Easthope

Pre-schoolers at Bay Ridge Catholic Academy already know what they want to be when they grow up – proof that it’s never too early to start thinking about the future.

So why not think about college? That’s the goal of this new partnership between Bay Ridge Catholic and St. Francis College.

“You can’t start too early to getting them thinking about what their dreams are and focused on the importance of being of service to others,” said St. Francis College President Miguel Martinez-Saenz.

Educators from both schools say it’s a win-win. Student volunteers and student teachers from St. Francis College will come to Bay Ridge Catholic Academy to run an after-school program, a summer science program and teach foreign language classes to all grades. And students from Bay Ridge Catholic will get the chance to get on campus for field trips to science and communication labs at St. Francis.

“We are constantly seeking opportunities for our students to go out into the community to make a difference in the world, this partnership with Bay Ridge Catholic Academy does just that,” said St. Francis Assistant Vice President Robert Oliva.

“There was a whole thrust in college readiness and implementing it in the schools so this is a perfect opportunity,” principal Gary Williams said.

The unique collaboration is completely free, something new principal Gary Williams said was a dream come true.

“It was a gift from heaven, the children are going to benefit from the role models these students will serve to be and in addition it will permit them to have a clearer picture of what their future might be,” he said.

Every single eighth grader at Bay Ridge Catholic Academy got into the Catholic high school of their choice, but now this allows them to see the future of a faith-based education beyond that.

“Why wouldn’t we engage? It’s an educational institution with commitment to Catholic education, they share our values and our burden and my view is to uplift all those communities,” Martinez-Saenz said.

Students from St. Francis College will get their first chance to engage with the younger generation at Bay Ridge Catholic starting in March.