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St. John’s University Unveils New Health Sciences Center

by Katie Vasquez

Ariana Milom is getting her blood pressure checked, but she’s not a hospital, she’s at the new patient simulation labs at St John’s University. 

“I feel like it really helps us to expand our education and really get hands on knowledge when it comes to nursing care,” said Milom, a junior at St. John’s University. 

The facility is part of a new St. Vincent Health Sciences Center where students can work on mannequins with human-like characteristics.

“They have pulses. We’re able to take blood from them. We can catheterize them. We can start IVs on them, we can code them,” said chair of the Nursing Department at St. John’s University, Francine Laterza. 

The Catholic college officially opened its $106 million health sciences building Wednesday. It is fully energy efficient and outfitted with the latest technology including virtual reality.

“That’s what we want to produce here at St John’s, health care professionals who serve those that they serve with love, respect and with an appreciation for the individuality and the background of those whom they serve,” said St. John’s University President, Father Brian Shanley, OP. 

The nursing program only started here in the fall of 2022. Giuliana Fusco was excited to be part of the first group.

“I have a lot of family members who are nurses and I’ve always been super inspired by them and really just always wanted to help people,” said Fusco. 

The chair of the department says it’s a stark contrast from her time in nursing school. 

 “It was a textbook, our notebook and our brains. So all of this technology which has evolved, has, you know, is so important for the students of today, students are very technology based,” said Laterza. 

And these students feel they are better prepared to enter the real world.

“Once you step in here, I feel like you really get into that mindset and environment of what a hospital would be like,” said Milom. 

“I also have always loved science and I’m just super excited to help as many people as I can,” said Fusco.

Diocese of Brooklyn Holds Bi-Annual Convocation, With Meeting of Priestly Fraternity

The topic of addiction was discussed at a recent meeting of Priestly Fraternity.

More than 150 priests gathered at the Immaculate Conception Center in Douglaston, Queens, on Tuesday for their bi-annual convocation. Clergy from across Brooklyn and Queens meet every spring and fall to discuss their ministries.

This meeting focused on becoming happy, holy, and healthy priests, including a talk on addiction by “Guest House,” a Midwestern treatment center for priests.

Brooklyn Bishop Robert Brennan emphasized the value of this information for the men of faith. The next Diocese of Brooklyn convocation will take place in May.

New DeSales Media Webinar Series to Take Our Faith to Next Level

A new webinar series created by DeSales Media aims to take our faith to the next level in the most effective way possible.

It all began with a study showing that one in five Catholics are not comfortable discussing their faith.

The web series will address that and more.

Dave Plisky, Director of Product and Innovation at DeSales Media Group, joins Currents News to talk more about it.

To check out the web series visit: Religiontoreality.org.

Rectory Provides Road to Sobriety and Hope for Priests at Transition House

By Katie Vasquez

There are good memories from Monsignor Joe Calise’s life, but there were also dark days, as he battled alcohol addiction for more than ten years. 

“You know, when I look back on those days, I remember a lot of pain and I remember a lot of sadness,” said Transfiguration-St Stanislaus Kostka Parish Pastor, Monsignor Joe Calise.  

His story is not unusual. According to the Saint John Vianney center, 10 percent of clergy suffer from addiction but only about 2 percent seek treatment. 

The Queens pastor is now 34 years sober and about 7 years ago he decided to help other priests struggling to stay sober. 

“We do live very isolated lives. You know, not only do we have a lot of priests who are in their rectory by themselves, but even within a rectory, there comes a time at night where everybody is in their own room and that’s it,” said Monsignor Calise. 

He created “Transition House” which is run out of the St Stanislaus Kostka rectory, as a built in halfway house for clergy in the Diocese of Brooklyn. 

18 people have come through since it started, a third with addiction issues while others are there for various reasons. 

 “It’s really become a haven for priests who need a place to stay while whatever the complication is, whether it’s a visa, a problem with some type of an addiction, or even just a need to get out of the rectory that they were living in,” said Monsignor Calise. 

There’s no medical staff or therapeutic personnel but the men who stay have to put in the work. 

“We do hold them accountable. If it takes them three months, four months, two months, that’s fine. The only thing we would challenge would be if someone doesn’t seem to be doing anything for their recovery,” said Monsignor Calise. 

As difficult as it is to talk about this low point in his life, Monsignor Calise thinks if it helps even one person, it’s worth it. 

“You know, bring a message of hope to so many other people but it’s because of what I went through that that message is credible,” said Monsignor Calise.

For a list of resources please visit: DIOCESEOFBROOKLYN.ORG/ADDICTION-RECOVERY-MONTH

Catholic News Headlines for Wednesday 9/18/2024

September is National Addiction Recovery Month, highlighting that addiction can impact anyone, even priests. The Diocese of Brooklyn supports recovery through “Transition House,” a program started by a pastor who overcame alcohol addiction after a decade-long struggle.

Priests from the Diocese of Brooklyn gathered at the Fall Convocation for a day of prayer and reflection. Addiction recovery experts from a Midwestern treatment center spoke on “The Key to Becoming Happy, Holy, and Healthy.”

DeSales Media has introduced a new webinar series to help Catholics strengthen their faith and feel more confident sharing it. The series aims to address concerns highlighted by a study showing one in five devout Catholics struggle with discussing their beliefs.

2028 International Eucharistic Congress To Be In Australia

Over the weekend, the International Eucharistic Congress in Ecuador concluded, but plans for more family and fraternity at the next one are already underway.

The next Congress will take place in Australia in 2028.

The Archbishop of Sydney said they have been in negotiations with the Vatican for several years to be a potential host, as it will be an opportunity to revive the faith. The year 2028 will also mark 100 years since Australia last hosted the International Eucharistic Congress.

CCBQ to Hold Back to School Fair for Parents

Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens is helping kids get back to school.

CCBQ is holding a resource fair designed to provide every family with everything they need for a happy and healthy year.

Plenty of local organizations and Catholic Charities ministries will be there to answer any questions you may have.

Just go to the basketball court behind PS 105, The Bay School, on Tuesday, September 24th. The address is 420 Beach 51st Street in Far Rockaway.

The event will be held rain or shine, and space is limited, so be sure to arrive on time when the event kicks off at 2:30 p.m.

Blessed Carlo Acutis Classroom Offers Inspiration of Faith

By Katie Vasquez

Kids in Catholic schools do more than reading, writing and arithmetic. 

They are also growing in faith and at Incarnation Catholic Academy in Queens Village, students now have a space dedicated just for that.

“This room was used as just a storage room. and I said, look, we’re going to have a new saint. we have to have models. we have to have better witness,” said Father Josephjude Gannon, Incarnation Catholic Academy Board Chair. 

That model is what will soon be the church’s first millennial saint, Blessed Carlo Acutis. 

The Italian teen brought people around the world closer to Christ by creating a website of all the Eucharistic miracles, and through this classroom dedicated to him at Incarnation, kids can learn and relate to his life.

“He was around our age so we can look up to him and try to do things that he did and make it more known,” said Kayla Russ, an 8th grade student at Incarnation Catholic Academy. 

And his strong faith.  

“He’s not that older than us, and he had to receive confirmation once, too,” said Nathan Lachhman, a 7th grader at the school. 

The parish of Incarnation-St Gerard Majella hopes this space will inspire the youth to get closer to Christ and be a catechist like Carlo. 

“I think it will benefit the school because if someone’s, like, down or upset about something and they feel like they want to pray, they could come here,” Evens Moise, a 7th grader student said.

There are still some updates to come to Carlo’s classroom, like a smart board and 3d printer-

But Father Gannon said the spiritual and technical elements are all things the tech wiz turned soon-to-be saint would appreciate. 

“Blessed Carlo was somebody who loved technology, and so that’s one of the reasons why we want to use all of that in this room as we continue to grow. Because he used technology for evangelization,” Father Gannon said. “He used technology to outreach to the world and that’s really what we’re all called to do especially in Catholic schools.” 

Christ The King Basketball Player Competes Against the Best in the World

By Katie Vasquez

It’s back to school for students like Josie Pinnock, but unlike many in her grade, this sophomore  at Christ the King high school had an unusual summer.

She took a trip to Paris, France but it wasn’t a European Vacation. 

The basketball player was one of only ten girls from around the world to compete in the Jordan Brand “Our Turn” competition facing college level athletes while still  in high school. 

 “I got to meet a lot of new people, a lot of new faces. and I got to play really good competition,” said Pinnock. 

She represented the entire east coast of the U.S. and was featured in a billboard outside Madison Square Garden.

“That’s the only thing I love to do. Just play basketball,” said Pinnock.

Unfortunately Josie lost in the semifinals but it hasn’t slowed her down.

“It was tough losing, but at the end of the day, I still made it there. and I should, that should be something I’m proud of,” said Pinnock.

It’s an accomplishment that the principal who also happens to be her uncle can’t help bragging about. 

“As a principal, it lets you know that we’re doing the right thing at Christ the King, right? we’re letting her grow athletically. We’re letting her go academically. As an uncle, I’m just extremely proud that she’s able to accomplish all those things and keep her grade point average,” said Christ the King High School Principal, Joseph Arbitello. 

The Queens student has three more years of school to work on her game and she wants to make every second count. 

 “You can’t get your head like your head get big or whatever. You just got to keep working,” said Pinnock. 

With a dream of eventually playing professionally for the New York Liberty team.