Archives

Members Of Nearby Church Evacuated After Crane Collapse in Hell’s Kitchen

A dozen people were treated for non-life threatening injuries when a crane partially collapsed from the top of a building that was under construction in Hell’s Kitchen on Wednesday, July 26.

The crane initially erupted into flames before falling 45 stories onto Tenth Avenue and 41st Street.

The building was deemed stable but as a precaution the Croatian Parish of Sts. Cyril and Methodius and St. Raphael, which is roughly a block away, was evacuated.

Currents News Katie Vasquez joins us from the scene in Hell’s Kitchen with the very latest.

Catholic News Headlines for Thursday 07/27/2023

 

Currents News is on the scene with the latest on that crane collapse in Manhattan that injured several and forced evacuations, including a church.

Violent storms damage the rectory at Saint Dominic in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn.

 

In our continuing series on priests visiting the Diocese of Brooklyn, Father Gerald Umoren is already a familiar face at St Athanasius church in Bensonhurst.

Honoring Christ’s Grandparents: Seniors Celebrate Feast of St. Joachim and St. Anne

Wednesday, July 26, marked the feast day of Jesus’ grandparents, St. Joachim and St. Anne. 

Some modern-day grandparents looked to the family of Christ at a Mass in Coney Island at the St. Joachim and Anne Nursing And Rehabilitation Center.

They were joined by Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens CEO, Monsignor Alfred Lopinto, in celebrating the liturgy. 

Monsignor Lopinto said the feast is a special occasion for the seniors because this facility was made to take care of grandparents in need.

Mayor Adams Plans to Use St. Agnes, a Former High School for Migrants

A former Catholic high school might be Mayor Eric Adam’s latest attempt at quelling the migrant crisis in New York City.

The building that once housed St. Agnes High School in College Point, Queens is reportedly going to become a temporary migrant shelter for 300 immigrant men for three months.

Pulse of The Parish: St. Bonaventure-St. Benedict The Moor

At one parish in Jamaica, the faithful have found unique and expressive ways to pray. 

For the past 25 years, they have been led by one dedicated parishioner in her vibrant Praise Dancing Ministry.

St. Bonaventure-St. Benedict the Moor, a merger of two separate churches, has a rich history of diverse congregations. Originally established in 1930 with mostly white parishioners, it later became home to black Catholics from Africa and the Caribbean due to the Great Migration.

Father Francis Asagba, former administrator of the parish, explains, “All of them bring their unique cultures to enrich the diversity of the parish.”

The culture of the congregation is deeply embedded in their faith, from the music during Mass to the dancing. Praise dancing has become a powerful form of worship for many parishioners, allowing them to express their feelings as part of praise.

Paulita DaCosta-Campbell, a parishioner with unwavering devotion, took a leap of faith 25 years ago when she started the Praise Dance Ministry at St. Bonaventure. However, this endeavor was met with mixed reactions. “There were some people that were really for it, loved it, wanted it – but there were some people who turned their face up – dancing in the Catholic church?! You know, like what is that?! We don’t do that here!” she recalls.

But Paulita emphasizes that praise dancing is not a performance; it’s a ministry. Dressed in their praise garments, the dancers tell stories through their movements, conveying the word of God and the message of the songs they dance to.

Paulita DaCosta-Campbell of St. Bonaventure-St. Benedict the Moor in Jamaica, Queens is The Pulse of The Parish.

Astoria Church Becomes Place of Hope For Cancer Survivors

By Katie Vasquez

St. Joseph’s church in Astoria has become a place of hope for those battling cancer.  The church has added three shrines, featuring Blessed Carlo Acutis, Saint Peregrine and Saint Sharbel.

All three of whom are connected to the deadly disease, according to Deacon Michael Chirichella of the healing ministry at St. Joseph’s church. 

“Blessed Carlo died from cancer at the age of 15, leukemia, Saint Peregrine is a cancer survivor, the patron saint of cancer and Saint Sharbel is the patron saint of any ailments body and soul,” said Chirichella. 

Deacon Michael has a personal tie to Saint Sharbel.  He was diagnosed with bladder cancer in January of last year, and credits oil from the saint, plus the dedicated work of his doctors for finally getting rid of the disease. 

He now works in the healing ministry at St. Joseph’s church.

When parishioner Deborah Lee heard his story, she was reminded of her own friends who have passed away from cancer. She was inspired to donate a statue of Saint Sharbel to the parish.  

“It gave me hope in the power of prayer and Saint Sharbel for healing. The women that I donated the statue to in honor of were very close to me, very important in my life and they died from cancer,” said parishioner Deborah Lee. 

Long-time parishioner Edward Esposti is grateful for the shrines. 

His wife, Vivian, had pancreatic cancer and fought it bravely for almost 2 years before finally returning to the lord last November. Her dying wish to her husband, to have a statue of Saint Peregrine dedicated in her memory.  

“She prayed consistently to Saint Peregrine because he was the cancer saint and unfortunately to no avail, she still passed away, but I have to admit the lord needed an angel, another angel,” said parishioner Edward Esposti.

Now as people venerate before the shrine, Edward and Deborah are both glad that those who are fighting the tough battle of cancer have a place of refuge inside their parish.

Catholic News Headlines for Wednesday 07/26/2023

 

In tonight’s “Pulse of the Parish, ” we take you inside St Bonaventure, St Benedict the Moor in Jamaica, and show you praise dancing and how it’s used to worship God.

Diocese of Brooklyn Bishop Robert Brennan celebrates the feast day of St James at the Cathedral Basilica of St James.

The heartfelt story behind a new shrine at Saint Joseph’s Church in Astoria that is a place of prayer for those battling cancer.

Pilgrims from St. Patrick’s Church Prepare for World Youth Day

By Jessica Easthope

Romeo Petric has it down to a science, what to bring and not bring to World Youth Day, this year’s pilgrimage to Lisbon, Portugal will be his sixth.

“Things I’ve learned from others, things I’ve passed on, what to pack what not to pack, nobody brings heels, if I see a pair of heels they come out of the suitcase,” he said.

He heads to the store with two of the pilgrims he’s bringing from St. Patrick’s Church in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, Nick Puglisi and Isabella Calvaruso. And as they grab the essentials – it starts to become real.

“Two or three days before when you start packing the trip really sets in and the excitement starts brewing,” said Nick.

Her attended World Youth Day 2019 in Panama, this year, he’s going with his two younger brothers.

“Our last experience was surreal almost, you can feel the energy of a bunch of people being together with one thing on their mind, I’m excited to show that to my youngest brother I think it will open some faith doors for him,” Nick said.

It’s Isabella’s first time, she can’t wait to connect with pilgrims from around the world and knows exactly how to approach it.

“I was hoping to be a little bit extra and bring a big bag of American candy to share with the other countries,” she said.

So as they pack and repack, they’re already making room in their hearts for an encounter with Christ.

“I was always taught in Catholic school to see God in every day things and that was always really hard for me, my experience in Panama completely changed that,” said Nick.

“I know certainly after this trip I’m going to be telling everyone about it and how it positively impacted me,” Isabella said.

But romeo knows no matter what they bring, they can’t prepare for what’s ahead, even after five pilgrimages he’s still surprised by it.

“I’m tearing up a little bit, that’s what gets me, being able to go to confession and having that conversation, and you feel good,” he said.

As items get checked off the list and the days count down – these pilgrims realize their faith is all they need.