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Brooklyn Bishop Robert Brennan Visits Catholic Academies in Queens

Currents News Staff

Bishop Robert Brennan got to see several Catholic school students in action on Tuesday, Dec. 14 as he made his first official school visit as Bishop of Brooklyn.

Bishop Brennan went to Holy Family Catholic Academy in Fresh Meadows, Queens and St. Nicholas of Tolentine Catholic Academy in Jamaica.

He went classroom to classroom and even read to 1st and 2nd graders. The Bishop of Brooklyn says visits like these will help him with his plans for youth ministry.

“It’s all based on human interaction. We meet people and we meet people where they are. So, it’s the first step in any relationship is getting to know each other,” said Bishop Brennan.

Bishop Brennan also received some drawings from the young students.

Catholic News Headlines for Tuesday, 12/14/21

The Diocese of Brooklyn got into the spirit of Christmas Monday night with a concert at the Emmaus Center that benefitted Futures in Education.

Bishop Robert Brennan met with Catholic school students in Brooklyn on Tuesday.

Tornado cleanup efforts are intensifying in Kentucky as the National Guard is now joining rescuers as they comb through the ruins in hopes for a miracle.

Gravestone Dealer Works Through Supply Chain Delays to Get Families Closure

By Jessica Easthope

The average cost of a wake and funeral is $8,000 and if there’s a burial, it’s higher. Before the pandemic, a traditional monument used to cost $3,400, but now it’s going for twice that.

“There are so many things out of our control that we’ve never experienced before,” said Michael Cassara, owner of Supreme Memorials in Sunset Park, Brooklyn.

Like most other industries, Michael is struggling to keep up with supply chain delays.

Over the last several months, Michael says material and labor shortages have created a cycle of setbacks. The shortages have caused costs to skyrocket. Some of the granite used to make the stones he sells have gone up 30 percent. And though the business’ volume is also up that much, their profits have stayed the same.

“We’ve never called somebody up and said ‘hey the granite went up thirty percent’, we eat all that,” said Michael. We’re a family business. We’ve been here for 70 years. Me and my brother are the fourth generation so the most important thing is satisfying our families.”

And the time it takes for families to get the closure that comes along with properly laying their loved one to rest has gone up dramatically. From the time it was designed and the order was placed, a stone used to take 12 to 14 weeks before it was in the cemetery on the grave. Michael says now it takes six months.

For a memorial to be set by Christmas, the cut off used to be Oct. 1, but due to delays this year, Michael made it Aug. 1. Many still won’t be in for the holiday.

“Being Catholic, I understand how important it is to go to the cemetery and put down a grave blanket, but it’s crazy,” he said.

Michael has no choice but to be patient and apologize for the delays even though it’s out of his hands – he anticipates delays could last up to another year.

Emmaus Center’s Spirit of Christmas Concert Benefits Futures in Education

By Jessica Easthope and Paula Katinas

It was a night of songs, laughter, and warm wishes as Futures in Education presented the “Spirit of Christmas Concert” at the new Emmaus Center on Monday.

The concert, featuring performances by Grammy-nominated contemporary Christian singer-songwriter Matt Maher and famed tenor Danny Rodriguez, marked the grand debut of the Emmaus Center as a prime venue for arts and culture for the Diocese of Brooklyn.

“Merry almost Christmas! Are you having a good Advent so far?” Maher asked as he stood on stage with his guitar and his backup band. He performed songs from his album, “The Advent of Christmas.”

Rodriguez set the mood initially, combining the renewal of a hometown landmark with musical classics of the season. He began with a powerful rendition of “Do You Hear What I Hear?”

Another performer, tenor Christopher Macchio, held the audience spellbound with a show-stopping version of “Ave Maria.”

There was also time for laughter. At one point, actor Dan Roebuck reached into his pocket to pull out a piece of paper. Out came a metaphorical lump of coal. “I’ve been in Brooklyn all of three hours and I got a ticket!” he announced.

Officially dedicated in June, the 600-seat Emmaus Center is housed in the historic Williamsburg Opera House, a majestic performance space built in 1897. The center, located above Saints Peter and Paul Church, also contains an art gallery and a space for receptions.

“This is a big night for us. It’s the start of hopefully big things,” said Msgr. Jamie Gigantiello, diocesan vicar for development and chairman of the board of the Emmaus Center.

A theme of Christmas generosity was implicit in the role of Futures in Education, a non-profit organization supporting students in Catholic schools of Brooklyn and Queens. Funds raised at the concert will help provide financial aid.

Lauren McCormack, director of Mission Advancement for Futures in Education, said the concert raised over $100,000.

Actor Anthony Mangano, who served as master of ceremonies, told The Tablet in an interview that the best thing about the event is the debut of the Emmaus Center as an important arts venue for the Diocese of Brooklyn.

“We’ll be able to go there and see things on an ongoing basis,” he said prior to the gala event. “Concerts and all sorts of things can be done there, which I think is really amazing. You never really had anything like that,” said Mangano, who hosted the Emmy Award-winning series “City of Churches” on NET-TV. He recalled advising that performance planning always focuses on Carnegie Hall: “You don’t have to do that anymore because we have our own place.”

Craig Tubiolo, the center’s executive director, said he is hoping to present a cornucopia of arts events, including live theater, films, concerts, talks by artists, and art exhibitions.

Roebuck, the host of “Classic” on NET-TV, said opening a performing arts center in Williamsburg, a trendy neighborhood with a vibrant arts scene, was a good step in evangelization.

“The diocese is extraordinarily smart to understand that reaching people in a different way, through the arts, is important,” Roebuck told The Tablet before the concert. “It’s the same Jesus. But you’re giving people a different way in. Going into a neighborhood filled with artists is brilliant.”

Bishop Robert Brennan touched on the same theme in his welcoming remarks onstage. “You go where the people are. And in Brooklyn, we know where the people are!” he said.

The performance center owes its name to Luke 24:13-35. In that passage, two disciples on the road to Emmaus grieved the death of Jesus. Then, a stranger walked up and reminded them how the crucifixion fulfilled a prophecy. The disciples later realized the stranger was the resurrected Christ.

Renovation of the ornate building — which had fallen into disrepair in the early 2000s — began in 2016. That work stretched into this year.

Then-Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio, who joined Bishop Brennan in the concert audience, had called the renovation a “monumental task.” Upon its recent completion, he proclaimed, “It is most beautiful, and certainly worthy of God.”

Move Over Clark Griswold, This New York Family is Lighting Up the Guinness Book of World Records

A New York family is making world records a holiday tradition as they’ve landed themselves in the Guinness Book for a second time thanks to their amazing lights display.

The dazzling arrangement features 686,811 lights – not to mention, spirals, snowmen, animals and icicles all choreographed to 250 different songs.

It takes Tim and Grace Gay and their three kids eight weekends and eight total miles of extension cables to prep the amazing display, which they use to raise funds for local firefighters and charities.

In 2020, the family raised more than $80,000.

Stories of Survival and Heroism Follow the Path of Tornadoes that Ripped Through America’s Heartland

Prayers are going out to the victims of those deadly tornadoes in America’s heartland.

At least 74 people are confirmed dead after the twisters ripped across eight states. Now, communities are digging through the destruction left behind.

“It came and in just in a matter of two minutes it just blew everything up,” said Gary Morgan from Dawson Springs.

Thousands upon thousands of structures have been demolished.

“The house is gone. There’s nothing left,” said Mitchell Wooldridge.

Whole communities were laid to waste – with Mayfield, Kentucky being one of the hardest hit towns.

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear adding, “Nothing that was standing in the direct line of this tornado is still standing.”

The death toll is expected to rise as search and rescue efforts turn into missions of recovery.

Mayfield Mayor Kathy O’Nan saying, “Every day that goes by, we lose a little bit of that hope.”

Those that made it out alive are sharing harrowing tales.

“It felt like there were 10 grown men outside this door trying to pull it off the hinges,” said De’Amonte Williams.

Two Kentucky law enforcement officers were hit by the tornado while inside their cars. Not only did they survive, they also saved a young girl.

“We could hear somebody screaming for help. By that time Chief Deputy Jeremy Prince was coming to help us and he said there’s a girl inside that was bleeding profusely we ran up there and her leg was seriously injured,” said Deputy Sgt. Richard Edwards of the Graves County Sheriff’s office.

U.S. bishops are praying that those affected will find peace, comfort and hope in the Catholic faith, saying “during the advent season where we await in joyful anticipation for the birth of our lord, we pray for those who have been injured, for those who have lost their lives, and for their grieving families and communities.”

Catholic News Headlines for Monday, 12/13/21

Rescue efforts continue in America’s heartland today as a streak of deadly tornadoes tore through eight states over the weekend.

Pope Francis is also praying for the victims and survivors of the Midwest storms.

They’re celebrating the Christmas season at the Vatican — with a South American twist!

It was also the celebration of Our Lady of Guadalupe over the weekend.

St Athanasius: Hispanic Growth in the Parish and Community Outreach

Our season kicks off with Ed’s visit to St. Athanasius parish, where he speaks with Msgr. David Cassato on the happenings since they last spoke. Then he talks with the directors of the Youth Ministry and Religious Education programs about the many ways youth in their parish take part in outreach programs.

Vatican Nativity Crèche Inspired by Peru’s Andean Region

Currents News Staff

The Nativity Scene adorning St. Peter’s Square this Christmas is from the Huancavelica region in the Peruvian Andes.

“Here we have the Chopcca Nativity scene. It commemorates the bi-centennial of Peru’s independence,” said artist Macisete Alejandro Díaz Abad.

The 35 life-size statues representing the Chopcca people of Huancavelica were made by a team of artists from the same region.

“The project was completed with a lot of excitement, a lot of enthusiasm, to present this Nativity scene to the world, showing all the characteristics of towns in the Andes, in this case those in Huancavelica,” said Manuel Breña Martínez. “My fellow Peruvians and artist friends are able to communicate their feelings, their love for their land.”

The bright outfits worn by the statues are like those made by the Chopcca people, who are known for their colorful textiles. The Nativity scene also includes plants and animals typically found in the Andes and the stone houses and bridges are like those commonly seen Huancavelica’s towns. The work is a snapshot of the cultural wealth of Peru, and an expression of the people’s piety.

“It expresses the faith of the Chopcca people,” said Huancavelica’s Bishop Carlos Salcedo Ojeda. “It communicates the strength which comes from Jesus, to live as a community, in solidarity, and to continue to build the aspect of ‘we.’ Not individualism nor isolation, but community.”

This is the first time the Vatican chooses a Nativity scene from the Americas. The Christmas tree is a 90-foot tall red spruce from Andalo, in Italy’s northern Trentino region.

“All the spheres you see on the tree were handmade by 40 volunteers,” said artist Alberto Perli. “There are 600 handmade spheres, which will later be donated to an association for parents of children with cancer.”

The Nativity scene and Christmas tree will adorn St. Peter’s Square until January 9, 2022.