It’s all about girl power! The Sisters of St. Joseph gave $2 million dollars towards scholarships for girls who attend Fontbonne, The Mary Louis Academy, Sacred Heart Academy on Long Island and a school in Puerto Rico.
Pope Francis is praying for the victims and survivors in Waukesha, Wisconsin.
Thanksgiving is in just two days. NET-TV’s parent company DeSales Media Group is getting into the spirit.
Currents News Staff
The principal of Immaculate Conception Catholic Academy in Jamaica Estates experienced what it’s like to be homeless for one night. Dori Breen slept outside in a cardboard box to raise money for Covenant House – an organization that cares for homeless youth.
Her pre-k students helped paint the box, which leaked, forcing Dori to sleep in a puddle. She says she only got a few hours sleep, but she has no regrets:
“It really brought to light to me what people go through, especially children,” Dori said. “And of course, being an educator, children are the best we have. To have them experience what I did last night, I would have rather it been that way – wet and cold – as opposed to sunny and warm because it wouldn’t have resonated with me.”
The students raised around $500 dollars on Veterans Day for Covenant House. Dori plans to participate in a sleep-out every year. Next year, she hopes a group of her teachers can join her.
By Jessica Easthope
With every ring of the class bell, the girls at Fontbonne Hall Academy are one step closer to their futures. That means something different to all of them, but sophomore Anaya Qayyum knows her dreams of becoming an oncologist wouldn’t be possible without her scholarship.
“When I found out, my parents were so excited to be able to further my education at such an amazing school and I’m so happy other girls will get to experience that as well,” Anaya said.
Right now, one-third of Fontbonne’s 350 students are on scholarship or financial aid, but principal Mary Ann Spicijaric says maybe next year it will be half the school, thanks to a $500,000 donation by the Sisters of St. Joseph.
“It’s simply transformative that we can provide them with cutting edge 21st-century learning spaces and help support the girls who really want to be here,” Mary Ann said.
Half of that money will go toward scholarships and financial aid. The rest of the donation will be for capital improvements and operations needs.
A study of two California schools showed it took nearly a decade for the girls’ school to raise what the boys’ school did in one year. And the trend isn’t just confined to the United States – it’s global. According to a UK study of more than one million database records, donations to boys’ schools were four times that of girls’ schools.
The biggest donations Fontbonne has seen haven’t even come close the half-a-million dollar gift.
“We believe that girls need to have a place to come and learn how to be change makers because we graduate women who are looking to change the world,” said Mary Ann.
The money came from the sale of St. Joseph’s High School in Downtown Brooklyn. Sister Angela Gannon says the $2 million to be divided among four schools is life-changing for students – but supporting future women leaders is priceless.
“Our hope would be any student who wanted to come to Fontbonne, to Mary Louis, to Sacred Heart, to Maria Reina will be able to come,” said Sister Angela.
Fontbonne plans to use part of the money to build a state-of-the-art science lab. For Anaya and her classmates, the opportunity gives them a closer look at their potential and the power of Catholic education.
“We learn how to be aware of more than just ourselves and I think that’s so important,” she said.
The rest of the money from the sale of St. Joseph’s will be put in a trust. Each of the schools are welcome to submit proposals to get more money in the future.
Fontbonne is starting a matching gift donation for alumnae and friends starting on Giving Tuesday, November 30. To donate visit fontbonne.org/givingbeyond
Currents News Staff and Paula Katinas
BEDFORD-STUYVESANT — Marcel J. Desroches says his admiration for the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King includes a point of pride about something he has in common with the civil rights icon.
“He was a fraternity brother,” Desroches said. “I feel a strong connection to him because of that. It gives us a sense of pride to know great people came before us.”
Desroches and Dr. King (1929-1968) belonged to Alpha Phi Alpha, one of the Divine Nine — a group of black Greek-letter fraternities and sororities founded on college campuses in the early 20th Century to provide opportunities for blacks who were shut out of white organizations.
Desroches was one of several members of the Divine Nine who came to Our Lady of Victory Church on Sunday, Nov. 21, for a Mass marking Black Catholic History Month.
Celebrated every November, Black Catholic History Month was established in 1990 by the National Black Catholic Clergy Caucus to highlight the contributions of the black faithful to the Church in America.
St. Martin De Porres Parish, which includes Our Lady of Victory, was the host of this year’s celebration.
The Mass featured a salute transcending generations. During the entrance procession, Divine Nine members carried banners bearing the names and founding dates of each of the sororities and fraternities.
The Mass and special assembly were coordinated by the Divine Nine Leadership Committee — a group of alumni — and by the Office of Black Ministry of the Archdiocese of New York.
The theme was “Back Together Again: A Homecoming.”
“We have a lot of people in the Divine Nine who worship either at Holy Rosary, Our Lady of Victory, or St. Peter Claver,” said Deacon Rachid Murad, who ministers at St. Martin De Porres with its trio of churches. “So we have this rich history right here in our parish.” He is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha and the Divine Nine Leadership Committee.
Father Alonzo Cox, pastor of the parish and director of the Vicariate for Black Catholic Concerns in the Diocese of Brooklyn, recalled his days as an undergraduate at St. John’s University and remarked that people of faith can force change.
He remembered when demonstrations had erupted after it was learned that a chapel to be built on campus would not have the Blessed Sacrament reserved inside.
The protesters won, and a special place for the Blessed Sacrament was included in the chapel’s design.
“It got a lot of people upset,” Father Cox said. “It was the first time in my life I saw Catholics protest. They wanted the Lord to be present on this campus. It was beautiful to see.”
Currents News and The Tablet Staff
PROSPECT HEIGHTS — Two of the 17 Christian missionaries kidnapped by gang members in Haiti in October were set free over the weekend, leaders of their Ohio-based organization announced.
Leaders of Christian Aid Ministries said they had little information and could not confirm the identities of those released, the background circumstances, or their whereabouts. However, the group did confirm that the two freed captives “are safe, in good spirits, and are being cared for.”
National Police in Haiti confirmed the release of the two captives. A U.S. State Department spokesperson said officials were pleased to hear reports of the release.
Given the dangerous situation on the ground in Haiti, where armed street gangs control many roads and villages, Christian Aid Ministries is moving with caution.
“We ask that those who have more specific information about the release and the individuals involved would safeguard that information,” the group said in a statement Sunday. “While we rejoice at this release, our hearts are with the 15 people who are still being held.”
The kidnapping took place on Oct. 16. Members of the 400 Mawozo street gang kidnapped 17 people — including five children — in Ganthier, a town outside of the Haitian capital of Port-au-Prince. The victims included 16 Americans and one Canadian.
Christian Aid Ministries was in Haiti to help rebuild churches destroyed in the 7.2 magnitude earthquake that hit the country on Aug. 14.
Haitian officials said at the time of the kidnapping that 400 Mawozo was demanding a ransom of $1 million per victim.
Currents News Staff
Family and friends are in mourning after a man drove an SUV into the Christmas parade in Wuakesha, Wisconsin, Nov. 22. Among the grieving, are fans of a seniors group called the ‘Milwaukee Dancing Grannies, which lost three members.
It was a hard good-bye to 79-year-old Virginia Sorensen, 71-year-old Leanne Owens and 52-year-old Tamera Durant.
Sorensen was the choreographer of the group. Owens lead the charge in the front, and Durant was a new member.
The ‘Dancing Grannies’ are a crew of women who could sweep you off your toes and make your heart pump. The award-winning dancing team performed in several parades, Waukesha being one of their favorites.
They were prepared this past weekend to give an amazing show but it was abruptly cut short. While the rest of the grannies are in tears, people in the community are sending love and support their way.
They’re so well-known-children could spot them anywhere. One young parade attendee said the women were her favorite part of the parade.
“The dancing grannies,” said one young parade attendee.
When asked what it was about the Dancing Grannies that she liked, she had a quick response.
“Their moves,” the young girl said.
The group was formed in 1984 from what was originally a jazzercise group. To be a member, the only requirement is to be a grandmother.
In a Facebook post, the group said it’s devastated by their loss and said the women were doing what they loved: putting smiles on faces of all ages and filling them with joy and happiness.
Currents News Staff
A little girl dances as the Christmas parade marches down the streets of Waukesha, Wisconsin, when all of a sudden, an SUV flies by just inches from the child and slams into the crowd ahead.
At least five people were killed, dozens more injured including a Catholic priest, parishioners and Catholic school children. Archbishop Jerome Listecki of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee is asking people to join him in prayer for the victims.
“When confronted with the shock and the grief encountered by our brothers and sisters in Waukesha, it is now important for us to turn to our faith which offers us God’s loving presence and consolation,” said Archbishop Listecki.
The parade is an annual tradition in this small city where people line the streets for a joyous celebration kicking off the Christmas season. But that joy turned to sorrow when police say 39-year-old Darrell Brooks intentionally drove his SUV into the crowd.
“The subject was taken into custody a short distance from the scene and we’re confident he acted alone,” said Waukesha police chief Dan Thompson. “There is no evidence that this is a terrorist incident.”
The Milwaukee resident is known to police in the area. He has been charged three times in less than two years with recklessly endangering the safety of others, most recently, on Nov. 5, but was released on bail just six days later. Just before plowing into the crowd, police say Brooks was leaving the scene of a domestic disturbance.
“Last night, our wonderful Waukesha parade became a horrific tragedy,” said the police chief. “Last night, that parade became a nightmare.”
Now the community is coming together to grieve. A Catholic high school is holding a prayer service.
Police say 39-year-old Darrell Brooks is the man they’re questioning about the deadly crash at that Christmas parade in Wisconsin over the weekend.
Two of the 17 missionaries kidnapped in Haiti last month have been freed.
Thousands of needy families in the Diocese of Brooklyn will have a Happy Thanksgiving thanks to Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens.
By Jessica Easthope
Last year, a 15-pound turkey would have cost around a $1/lb. This year, according to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), it’s closer to a $1.50/lb. – adding to the stress of putting food on the table this holiday. It’s a struggle Jose Gagancuela knows all too well.
“Before you could buy a big grocery order with $100, now $400 doesn’t even fill my refrigerator,” he said.
But Jose and more than 1,000 other people felt some relief, Monday, Nov. 22. Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens sent them home with a turkey and a $100 food voucher to use at any grocery store.
“This help is tremendous for my family,” Jose said. “The increase in prices has really made it hard for us. I thank God for this opportunity.”
This holiday, Catholic Charities has given a Thanksgiving bird to nearly 3,000 people still grappling with pandemic unemployment. Rising food prices has caused an unprecedented need, especially in communities like Corona, Queens.
“It’s really tough for families because food prices have continued to go up, between shipping and all of the things happening because of the pandemic, the need just continues,” said Debbie Hampson, senior director of health and wellness services at Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens.
In Corona, unemployment during the pandemic soared to close to 20 percent. Marlene Sumba says she hasn’t been able to find work since and now the cost of groceries is presenting yet another challenge she’s fighting to overcome.
“It’s very important for me to come get this turkey today. It’s been a really hard time for us during COVID-19, I’ve been out of work,” Marlene said. “My husband still works but $100 is not enough anymore to feed our family. It’s very, very difficult.”
This year, Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens has held 31 pop-up food pantries and served nearly 14,000 families.
Currents News Staff
A yearly fundraising tradition at Bay Ridge Catholic Academy in Brooklyn has earned ‘double the dimes’ of previous years to help the tiniest among us.
The Catholic Academy raised more than $1,600 dollars for the March of Dimes New York, which assists new mothers and families in taking care of babies born premature.
The fifth annual “Dress Down Donation Day” and newly added cookie sale was held in support of one of their classmates who was born premature and received help from the March of Dimes. The event was held on World Prematurity Day.