Residents Hold Vigil For July Fourth Parade Shooting Victims

By Currents News Staff and Catholic News Service

CHICAGO (CNS) –Highland residents gathered to remember those lost and effected by Monday’s deadly shooting. Authorities said seven people died — five on the parade route and two later in the hospital — and 30 others were injured when a gunman opened fired on people lining the parade route. Cardinal Blase J. Cupich of Chicago offered prayers for the victims.

“What should have been a peaceful celebration of our nation’s founding ended in unspeakable tragedy,” Cardinal Cupich said in a statement released hours after the tragedy by the archdiocese of Chicago.

Pointing to the victims, who authorities said ranged in age from 8 to 85, Cardinal Cupich said, “Weapons designed to rapidly destroy human bodies have no place in civil society.”

Law enforcement authorities charged Robert E. Crimo III, 21, of suburban Chicago with seven counts of murder after the shooting in Highland Park in Chicago’s affluent North Shore.

Lake County State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart said the suspect would receive a mandatory life sentence without the possibility of parole if convicted of the charges. He also said other charges were pending.

The man was apprehended without incident on a busy highway in a nearby suburb after briefly fleeing officers.

Highland Park police said witnesses reported seeing a man with a long gun indiscriminately firing dozens of rounds from a rooftop at parade spectators, sending marchers and viewers scurrying for cover.

Five adults were reported dead along the parade route. Highland Park Fire Chief Joe Schrage said emergency workers transported 23 people to hospitals, while others walked into emergency rooms.

“Please join me in praying for the victims and their loved ones, who never imagined a July 4 celebration could become a killing ground,” Cardinal Cupich said.

“May the Lord of mercy embrace in love those who have died, bring healing to the wounded, comfort to their loved ones and courage to all of us, so that we may respond to the tragedy united as God’s children to build a path to safety and peace,” he added.

In a telegram to Cardinal Cupich, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state, said that Pope Francis was “deeply saddened to learn of the senseless shooting that took place in Highland Park and he asks you to convey his spiritual closeness to all affected by this attack.”

The diplomatic message also noted that the pope was praying for the dead and “healing and consolation to the injured and bereaved.”

“With unwavering faith that the grace of God is able to convert even the hardest of hearts, making it possible to ‘depart from evil and do good,’ Pope Francis prays that every member of society will reject violence in all of its forms and respect life in all of its stages,” Cardinal Parolin’s message said.

Reaction to the violent event included statements from the Philadelphia and San Antonio archbishops.

Philadelphia Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez called for steps to end violence in society following the Illinois incident and the shooting of two Philadelphia police officers during a concert and the city’s annual Fourth of July fireworks display.

The officers were treated at a local hospital and released. Officials were investigating who fired the shots and why.

“Civic celebrations like the commemoration of our country’s birth are meant to unify our richly diverse populace. They prompt us to reflect on the lofty goal of preserving and protecting freedom, dignity, equality and opportunity for all of our brothers and sisters,” Archbishop Pérez said in a statement early July 5.

Saying that the two incidents “draped a heavy pall over our already wounded and struggling nation,” the archbishop explained that society’s “collective mettle is being tested over and over again. Evil acts and senseless loss of life have become all too common features of our landscape.”

He recalled his message for Independence Day in which he stressed that the “American spirit shines brightest when we treat our neighbors with dignity and respect.”

“In the wake of further pain, confusion and sadness, we must act. Words alone are not enough. Acts of kindness and charity, no matter the size, are contagious. Let’s work together and mend the tears in the fabric of our nation’s soul,” Archbishop Pérez said.

In a series of tweets, San Antonio Archbishop Gustavo García-Siller eschewed gun violence and prayed for a conversion of hearts and minds throughout the country.

“Guns should not be an America idol,” he tweeted. “In this anniversary let us pray for civilization in our Country.”

The parade shooting incident also prompted Cardinal Cupich to repeat his call “to enact serious, broadly popular gun safety measures.” He credited Congress for passing “significant, yet modest” gun safety measures that President Joe Biden signed into law June 25.

“The right to bear arms does not eclipse the right to life or the right of all Americans to go about their lives free of the fear that they might be shredded by bullets at any moment,” Cardinal Cupich said. “Gun violence is a life issue. We must continue to pray that all our officials, elected and unelected alike, will redouble their commitment to keeping safe the people they have sworn to serve.”

The White House released a statement from Biden and first lady Jill Biden saying they were “shocked by the senseless gun violence that has yet again brought grief to an American community on this Independence Day.”

There is “much more work to do,” Biden said.

In a late afternoon Independence Day gathering with military families at the White House, Biden asked for a moment of silence for the Illinois victims.

“Six people have passed and others are wounded, but we’ve got a lot more work to do, we’ve got to get this under control,” Biden said.

Job Market Survey Reveals Vacancies Are Outnumbering Workers

Currents News Staff

The job market doesn’t appear to be cooling off as we continue through the summer. The Labor Department reports employers had about 11.4 million job openings in April.

That’s about half-a-million less than it was in March, when it hit an all-time high.

However, when the numbers are broken down, it shows there were close to two vacancies for every person that applies for work in April. The findings were published in the Labor Department’s ‘Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey.’

Also among the findings, the services sector had the largest employment gaps, with the leisure and hospitality industry experiencing an 8.9 percent vacancy rate.

The overall U.S. economy is still more than a million jobs below its peak level.

Why Did Elon Musk Visit Pope Francis?

Currents News Staff

The billionaire tech mogul, Elon Musk, expressed his joy on Twitter after meeting with Pope Francis at Casa Santa Marta. Musk and four of his seven children met the Holy Father in a private audience.

The two have much in common—above all, an interest in ecology. Musk is not the only tech entrepreneur that has visited Pope Francis in recent years. In January 2016, the Pope met with Tim Cook of Apple and in August the same year, with Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg.

At the outbreak of the pandemic, in 2020, Pope Francis contacted Microsoft and IBM with the hope of discussing the dangers of developing artificial intelligence without solid ethical foundations.

Pope Francis Hopes to Visit Africa As Soon as His Health Recovers

Currents News Staff

From July 2 to 7, Pope Francis was scheduled to visit the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan. However, problems with his knee prevented him. To show his solidarity despite the change of plans, Pope Francis sent a message to the people of the two countries.

“The Lord knows how much I regret having to postpone this much-desired and long-awaited visit,” the pontiff said.
“But let us not lose faith and let us cherish the hope of meeting soon.”

In the video, Pope Francis expressed the message he would have given in person during the trip.

“You have a great mission, all of you, starting with policy makers—that of turning the page to open new roads, roads of reconciliation, roads of forgiveness, roads of peaceful coexistence and development,” the Holy Father said.

At the end of the message, Pope Francis shared words of encouragement with the people of the two countries. He said that the tears they have shed in their suffering are not useless and that they will find God’s consolation.

Baby Boy Becomes an Orphan After July Fourth Parade Shooting Suspect Killed His Parents

Currents News Staff

In Highland Park, Illinois, a community is grieving after enduring the unthinkable. Two-year-old Aiden McCarthy is now an orphan following the July 4th parade shooting that killed seven people – including his parents Irina and Kevin.

“I don’t know how they’re going to tell him,” said Adrienne Rosenblatt, a neighbor of the victims.

Senator Tammy Duckworth says Good Samaritans found baby Aiden underneath his father who died at the scene.

“I pulled up,” said Greg Ring, a Highland Park Parade-goer, “and I said ‘This is not our kid. It’s not his blood. He’s ok. What should we do?’ And the cop said, ‘We can’t be babysitters now. Can you take care of him?’ We said, ‘of course.’”

The suspect “Robert Crimo III” made his first court appearance Wednesday and now faces seven counts of first-degree murder.

The victims ranged in age from their 30s to their 80s. Dozens more were injured in the attack.

“There are many other charges that we are reviewing with respect to the other individuals who have sadly been injured by this,” said Eric Rinehart, Lake County State’s Attorney. “Frankly, who were present on the scene, they were shot at. That may also constitute an attempt murder charge.”

Local authorities say the suspect – who is now being held without bond –opened fire from a rooftop as the parade got underway.

More than 70 high-velocity rounds were fired with a rifle – similar to an AR-15 – according to a spokesperson with the Lake County Major Crime Task Force.

Authorities also say the suspect contemplated carrying out another attack in Madison, Wisconsin – with another weapon in his car but ultimately did not go through with that attack.

Texas Community Prays Rosary For 53 Migrants Who Died In Truck

By Currents News Staff and Catholic News Service

SAN ANTONIO (CNS) — A rosary was held Monday morning for the 53 migrants who died last week after being found in the back of a tractor-trailer in San Antonio.

The archbishop of San Antonio offered prayers for dozens of people found dead as well as more than a dozen survivors discovered June 27.

“We pray for the souls of the … people who died in such a cruel, inhuman manner this evening,” Archbishop Gustavo García-Siller said in a statement soon after first responders made the gruesome discovery about 6 p.m. local time.

Authorities said the victims were migrants. They said the truck, found on a remote back road in San Antonio, appeared to be part of a smuggling operation.

Rubén Minutti, Mexico consul general in San Antonio, said 27 of the people who died are believed to be of Mexican origin based on documents they were carrying, the Associated Press reported.

Roberto Velasco Álvarez, head of the Mexican government’s North American mission, said on Twitter June 28 that in addition to the Mexican nationals, seven victims were originally from Guatemala and two were Honduran.

Officials believe the tragedy is the deadliest smuggling incident of its kind in U.S. history.

Archbishop García-Siller also asked for prayers for the survivors who were hospitalized, their families and “the first responders who assisted and saved lives and must now carry with them the memories of this scene of carnage.”

In addition, he called on people of the archdiocese “to unite in solidarity, as these brothers and sisters are members of our family.”

San Antonio Fire Chief Charles Hood said those found alive were conscious, “hot to the touch,” and suffering from heat stroke and exhaustion.

“There were no signs of water in the vehicle, and no visible working AC unit on that rig,” he said.

Temperatures in the San Antonio area ranged from the high 90s to low 100s, according to the National Weather Service. With a few days left in the month, meteorologists said this June was already the warmest June on record in San Antonio.

St Thomas Aquinas Catholic Online Academy Celebrates Graduation

Some future leaders in the Diocese of Brooklyn celebrated a milestone, 8th grade graduation!

The St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Online Academy had its very first graduation Friday with a guest speaker from Rome: Brother Guy Consolmagno.

During the online ceremony, each of the 12 graduates offered a cherished memory from their 8th grade year, a wish for their fellow classmates and a brief look at their high school of choice.

The St. Thomas Aquinas Online Catholic Academy is the city’s only remote learning option.

The virtual kindergarten through eighth grade school is for students across the country.

The program first began in September of 2020 after COVID forced students to go remote. Some 2,400 students are enrolled.

After schools began to open again, the diocese realized the need for this kind of online learning were still there, and so the academy was made permanent.

Bishop Kevin Sweeney Celebrates 25th Anniversary of Ordination

Bishop Kevin Sweeney of the Diocese of Paterson New Jersey celebrated his 25th ordination anniversary at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist Wednesday.

Bishop Sweeney thanked Bishop Emeritus Nicholas DiMarzio, as well as some auxiliary bishops of Brooklyn, for helping in his formation.

Bishop Sweeney is a Queens native and served in the Diocese of Brooklyn for 23 years before he was ordained a bishop and installed as the shepherd of the Diocese of Paterson 2 years ago.

Catholic News Headlines for Friday, 07/01/22

On this special edition of Currents News, stories of faith and inspiration:

A mom and daughter team up to run their church’s food pantry.

How the work of one Queens woman is helping others to pray and strengthen their faith every single day.

How a dad’s young daughter helped to turn his life around.