By Katie Vasquez
A Queens parish is dealing with yet another act of vandalism — this time, its church sign was stolen.
It’s the latest in a troubling series of incidents at St. Mary Star of the Sea and St. Gertrude in Far Rockaway.
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Currents News Special: Coming to Catholicism
Currents News introduces you to some of the nearly 1,300 individuals who became fully initiated into the Catholic Church this year at Easter vigils across the Diocese of Brooklyn.
Meet some of the men and women who were counting down the days to the Easter Vigil, when they took their place in the pews.
This special newscast features some of their journeys to finding their faith, including:
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Damari Machado: A Queens woman who found faith through a deep devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe.
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Greg Montgomery: The combat veteran who’s been attending Mass for years with his wife, but says it wasn’t until they adopted their son that he had a “come to faith moment.”
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Sander Cheung: The artificial intelligence expert who says he realized he was missing the one thing AI can’t replace.
Pope Leo: ‘I Have No Fear’ Speaking Out Message of the Gospel
By Currents News
Speaking aboard the papal plane, Pope Leo XIV said he has “no fear” when it comes to proclaiming the message of the Gospel — even amid political tensions.
The Holy Father emphasized that the Church is not political, but is called to be a voice for peace in the world.
TONIGHT ON CURRENTS NEWS: ‘The Funeral Mass of Pope Francis’ Special
By Currents News
As the Church marks the liturgical anniversary of Pope Francis’ death, Currents News is presenting special coverage of his funeral Mass — a final farewell that drew tens of thousands to St. Peter’s Square under a clear Roman sky.
Revisit the moments that captured the legacy of the “People’s Pope” on Thursday, April 9, at 7 p.m.
Funeral Mass Held for Bishop William Murphy
By Currents News
Clergy and faithful gathered at St. Agnes Cathedral to honor Bishop William Murphy, the longtime shepherd of the Diocese of Rockville Centre.
Bishop Robert Brennan delivered the homily, remembering him as a mentor and friend who dedicated his life to spreading the Gospel.
Hear Bishop Robert Brennan’s Easter Message on Big City Catholics
By Currents News
Want to hear Bishop Robert Brennan’s full Easter message? His homily from the Cathedral Basilica of St. James will be featured on this week’s episode of the Big City Catholics podcast on Friday, April 10.
Facebook Marketplace Listing Brings International Student to Faith
By Jessica Easthope
You wouldn’t exactly call Davis Liu and Robbie Manoogian unlikely friends. Despite being born on opposite ends of the world and 10 years apart, they actually have a lot in common. They’re both big baseball fans and both studying engineering at the University of Florida. And as of recently, they share another major part of life.
“The baptism is just the beginning. What made me really happy? The journey that got me here,” Liu said.
At the Easter Vigil on April 4, Davis became Catholic. How he got there started with a Facebook Marketplace post.
“I came across this guy who said he’s looking for a friend on Facebook Marketplace,” Manoogian said. “I was like, I gotta hit him up.”
“One day, Robbie sent me a message that he asked me if I wanted to check out his church. And also they have free food, it’s called Mass and Meal on Tuesdays,” Liu said.
Davis was already on an adventure. He came to the United States to get his master’s in aerospace engineering and use his degree back home in Taiwan as a military researcher. But in one click, he set out on a faith journey — with Robbie as his guide.
“Religiously, it feels like I am his guide,” Manoogian said. “I am sitting in the back of OCIA classes helping him understand all these new words. I am constantly reminding him to pray. I’m constantly checking in on him, constantly giving him saints to check out. But I’m not doing it alone at all. God has guided me so much to kind of hold his hand.”
The invitation turned into months of curiosity and questions.
“Seeing these young people pray so deeply and want to connect to God is really what made me very shocked,” Liu said.
What began as a casual conversation grew into a powerful conversion.
“There’s so many Davises out there,” Manoogian said. “There’s so many people that are waiting to be reached out to. It should be such a norm that we can bring anyone in. ‘Just come to Mass with me,’ that’s all it takes.”
Robbie says Davis’ story is a reminder that God can use any person, any place and any moment to draw us closer to Him.
Catholic News Headlines for Wednesday 4/8/26
Despite an agreement to a two-week ceasefire between President Donald Trump and Iran, Pope Leo XIV is continuing to call for peace in the Middle East and says that much more must be done in the region.
Bishop Robert Brennan of the Diocese of Brooklyn joined New York clergy and Catholics in mourning as they said goodbye to a shepherd, mentor, and friend: Long Island Bishop William Murphy.
An international student attending the University of Florida got more than he bargained for after trying to make a sale on Facebook Marketplace – he closed the deal with a new friend and a new faith.
Long Island Catholics Mourn Bishop Emeritus William Murphy
By Currents News
Catholics on Long Island are remembering their former shepherd.
On Tuesday, the Diocese of Rockville Centre said goodbye to Bishop Emeritus William Murphy at a Mass of Christian Burial at the Cathedral of St. Agnes.
Brooklyn Bishop Robert Brennan delivered the homily and shared a personal connection to the Long Island bishop.
In a statement after the announcement of Bishop Murphy’s passing, Bishop Brennan said, “I had the privilege of learning so much from him and enjoying his friendship. And I know that for many other bishops in the United States, he was to them also a mentor and friend.”
Currents News to Air ‘The Funeral Mass of Pope Francis’ Special April 9
By Currents News
Pope Leo XIV remembered his predecessor during the most recent Regina Caeli prayer, marking the liturgical anniversary of Pope Francis’ death. The “people’s pope” returned to the Lord on Easter Monday, which last year fell on the 21st.
Currents News will honor Pope Francis with a special program reflecting on his legacy and how he shaped the world during his 12-year pontificate.
Viewers can tune in Thursday, April 9 at 7 p.m. for “The Funeral Mass of Pope Francis” special.