2024

The legacy of Blessed Carlo Acutis grows, as a Queens Village classroom at Incarnation Catholic Academy, is named in his honor, continuing his mission to inspire youth through Eucharistic miracles.

Dioceses worldwide are celebrating World Youth Day on the Feast of the Christ the King in November, with Pope Francis encouraging youth to remain hopeful.

Tuesday, Sept. 17, marks 800 years since St. Francis of Assisi received the stigmata, the first appearance of bodily wounds like Christ’s crucifixion.

Christ the King High School sophomore Josie Pinnock was among ten global girls invited to a Paris basketball tournament, showcasing collegiate-level skills.

Tonight at 7: Incarnation Catholic Academy Unveils Blessed Carlo Acutis Classroom

Incarnation Catholic Academy in Queens Village unveiled the Blessed Carlo Acutis classroom on Catechist Sunday, Sept. 15, featuring modern technology for religious education. Auxiliary Bishop Raymond Chappetto celebrated Mass and brought a relic to bless the classroom. Currents News’ Katie Vasquez has the story tonight.

Catholic News Headlines for Monday 9/16/2024

Bishop Robert Brennan dedicated the new Sacred Heart of Jesus Chapel at Queens College, which is open for prayer and Mass on weekdays.

A Queens College student rediscovers his faith and passion for Mass at the Newman Center, hoping to inspire others.

Bishop Brennan joined a procession in Corona, Queens, for the Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows, honoring the Marian apparition and reflecting on the Blessed Mother’s suffering.

New Chapel at Queens College Aims to Draw Students Closer to Their Faith

By Katie Vasquez

Dozens of students gather for a midday mass on a Monday, taking a break from their busy new schedules at Queens College to welcome a new chapel at the school’s Newman Center.

Brooklyn Bishop Robert Brennan, who blessed the altar of the Sacred Heart of Jesus chapel, said it’s a sign of faith at the secular college.

“They dedicated themselves to making a place beautiful for God and to create a place where they could make room for God in their lives,” said Bishop Brennan.

At a time when, according to research, most young people are leaving the faith. Queens College is bucking that trend.

“Being a public college and having a lot of students here, that surprises me, honestly,” said Nina Palces, a senior student at Queens College.

Young people have been gathering at the Catholic center since it was spruced up last year.

“It looks like, it’s so beautiful,” said Odalis Castro, a junior student at Queens College. “Like if you saw this before and now it’s a difference.”

The space is part of an ongoing effort by Queens College’s Catholic ministry to keep the students connected to their faith.

“It’s a pivotal time, and one of our key challenges is to make people know that we’re here for them,” said Bishop Brennan. “And when we meet the young people where they are, we have the chance to draw them in, to draw them closer to the lord.”

Among the features of the new chapel include this altar, designed by St Leo parishioner, Anthony Rodriguez.

“I think the greatest thing is using my talents for something that’s for god’s glory,” said Rodriguez. and on top of that, that helps a lot of people in their faith lives.”

Every part of this sacred space was designed with students in mind, to give them a place to pray, and find peace during their hectic schedules.

“We wanted to make the chapel a place where physically they could be soothed out, you know, that the light, the colors, the lights are there, the color of red, right?” said Queens College campus minister, Omar Cortez. “We wanted everything to just be a part of that aspect as well. Mental health is a big deal and we hope that chapel could be a pivotal role for our students and others in the future to come in and check out.”

Sacred Heart of Jesus chapel will remain open for students 5 days a week during school hours.

Bishop Chappetto Blesses Classroom with Blessed Carlo Acutis Relic

The Diocese of Brooklyn is remembering one of the Church’s youngest evangelizers during Catechetical Sunday.

Brooklyn Auxiliary Bishop Raymond Chappetto used a relic of Blessed Carlo Acutis, an Italian teen who used his technical skills to talk about the Eucharist, to bless a new room at Incarnation Catholic Academy in Queens Village.

Bishop Chappetto also blessed the school’s religion teachers and parish catechists during Mass, whose important work he highlighted in his homily.

Incarnation also did tours of the academy for everyone present.

Catholic News Headlines for Friday 9/13/2024

A Brooklyn public school has been renamed to honor Detective Rafael Ramos, an NYPD officer who was tragically killed in 2014. His widow remembers him as a devoted father and man of faith committed to his community. P.S. 54 in Bed-Stuy is now known as the Detective Rafael Ramos School.

Pope Francis has concluded a 12-day tour of Asia and Oceania, visiting Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, East Timor, and Singapore. He is spreading a message of interfaith harmony.

The International Eucharistic Congress continues in Ecuador, focusing on themes of family and fraternity. Catholic leaders from 50 countries believe that we can begin to heal a wounded world by supporting families.

Brooklyn School Renamed In Honor of Fallen Detective

By Katie Vasquez

The NYPD band performed while children played nearby at Public School 54, now known as Detective Rafael Ramos elementary school.

As the sign was unveiled outside the Bedford-Stuyvesant school, his widow, Maritza, was filled with emotions.

“It’s a very exciting day, obviously, because there’s a school that’s going to live on way past all of us, and his legacy will continue forever. But also sad and missing him,” said Maritza Ramos, the widow of Detective Rafael Ramos.

Detective Ramos was sitting in his patrol car along with Detective Wenjian Liu at the corner of Tompkins and Myrtle Avenue on December 20, 2014 when a man walked up to the patrol car firing shots and killing both.

“As we made that promise almost 10 years ago that we will never forget, we never will,” said NYPD 79th precinct commanding officer, Deputy Inspector Hipolito Gil.

Ramos was not only a police officer and father but a man of unwavering faith.

He served as an usher at Christ Tabernacle in Ridgewood.

“My husband was a Christian man. We raised our family, you know, our faith in God has always been very strong, and we continue, we know that God had a plan and here we are,” said Maritza Ramos.

“He stood not just in the frontlines as a police officer but also in his faith, always ready to help those in need as he did during Superstorm Sandy,” said Zachary Iscol, the commissioner of the New York City Office of Emergency Management, “and he was studying to become a chaplain in the nypd showing us that his mission in life was not just to protect but to heal.”

The students are still learning about the life of the fallen detective but the principal will be there to guide them.

“I hope they know, the amazing man that he was and how he truly believed in a unified community, that he worked really hard to ensure that the relationships were positive between NYPD and our schools and our communities,” said Principal Emma Velasquez of Detective Rafael Ramos Elementary School/PS 54.

As the years go by, his widow hopes seeing his name up on the sign will inspire these young children to help their community.

“It’s kind of a way for them to see police officers in a positive light, and that’s my goal for the children. You know, maybe one day they’ll decide I want to be a police officer,” said Maritza Ramos.

Pope Francis Tells Political Leaders to Promote Peace During Mass in Singapore

On the Feast of the Most Holy Name of Mary, Pope Francis celebrated a Mass in front of approximately 50,000 people at Singapore’s National Stadium.

During his homily, the pope reflected on the city-state, known for its towering skyscrapers, and emphasized the importance of love in building up communities.

“Sometimes the magnificence of our achievements can cause us to lose sight of this, leading us to believe we are the sole architects of our lives, our prosperity, and our happiness,” Pope Francis remarked. “But ultimately, life always reminds us of one fundamental truth: without love, we are nothing.”

Singapore is one of the most economically powerful countries in the world.

It has strong relations with both China and the U.S., and in his address to political authorities, Pope Francis emphasized the country’s responsibility to promote peace.

“Singapore also has a specific role to play in the international system, which, let us not forget, is threatened today by bloody conflicts and wars,” Pope Francis said. “I’m glad that it has meritoriously promoted multilateralism and order based on rules shared by all. I encourage you to continue to work for the unity and fraternity of humankind.”

John Lavenburg, national correspondent for The Tablet and Crux, joins Currents News to talk more about the papal journey in Asia.

Catholic News Headlines for Thursday 9/12/2024

Pope Francis wraps up his momentous trip to Asia and Oceania with a stop in Singapore, where he celebrated Mass with 50,000 attendees. The Pope also met with local leaders, urging Singapore to take an active role in promoting global peace.

As Notre Dame Cathedral prepares to reopen after the devastating 2019 fire, eight newly restored bells will be blessed and installed ahead of the December 8th grand reopening, when they will ring for the first time in years.

At St. Patrick’s Cathedral on August 31, International Overdose Awareness Day, the Black Poster Project displayed portraits of loved ones lost to addiction. This touching event aimed to break the stigma surrounding substance abuse.

Meet Pat Colunga, an 82-year-old Michigan teacher who refuses to retire. She’s passionate about shaping students’ lives and believes that teaching is her calling from God.

Diocese of Brooklyn Remembers Lives Lost on 9/11

By Katie Vasquez

Dozens of New York’s bravest from Battalion 57 walked from Ground Zero across the Brooklyn Bridge.

Carrying 23 flags to honor the 23 members they lost in the 9/11 attacks. Brooklyn Bishop Robert Brennan walked among them in solidarity.

“It was an honor to walk among the firefighters. they really do watch over and protect us at great sacrifice,” said Diocese of Brooklyn Bishop Robert Brennan.

They made their way to the Co-cathedral of St Joseph for a special mass.

Retired Battalion Chief Edward Moriarty knew many of the men who lost their lives that day.

“It was one battalion, three firehouses and we lost so many men,” said Moriarty.

Joining Bishop Brennan on the altar was Father Anthony Palombo.

He was just 15 when his father, New York City firefighter, Frank Palombo, died at the World Trade Center trying to save others.

“My father, he gave his life every day, and September 11th was no different than any other day. He gave his life for his wife. He gave his life for his children. He gave his life for church,” said Father Anthony Palombo of the Archdiocese of Newark.

Many agree that being in church on this somber anniversary helps to heal the soul.

“Seeing other firefighters and who have all experienced this tremendous loss, it kind of it’s such a bonding,” said Moriarty.

“We walk in the darkness, but people have seen the people who have walked in the darkness, have seen a great light. and that comes from faith, that light that comes from Christ,” said Bishop Robert Brennan.

Although 23 years have passed, Father Anthony says he never stops thinking of his dad.

“There are just simply days I wake up and I miss my dad. There are plenty of times when I wake up and I say, I just want to have a conversation with my dad,” said Father Palombo.