Two St. Gregory the Great Catholic Academy students are being honored in Queens, New York, after they jumped into action to help a woman who was severely hurt in a fall.
The Jubilee Year has just begun and more than half a million pilgrims have already visited the Vatican.
President Joe Biden attends an interfaith prayer service organized by the Archdiocese of New Orleans following the New Year’s Day attack.
Jan. 8 marks the final day to enter The Tablet’s “Keep Christ in Christmas” art contest – make sure to send in your submissions.
January 6 marks the feast of the Epiphany, and in the Diocese of Brooklyn it’s a chance to receive a blessing at the beginning of a new year.
Days after the terror attack in New Orleans, Louisiana, Archbishop Gregory Aymond visits a hospital to bless the hands of the doctors and nurses who are caring for the injured.
There’s a new shepherd of the nation’s capital: Pope Francis has named Cardinal Robert McElroy as Washington D.C.’s new archbishop.
The Vatican is increasing its security presence for the Jubilee Year.
by Katie Vasquez
Blackboards and chalk are not uncommon in schools, but mini boards are staying outside the classroom at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Academy. The signs are a way to bring good tidings into the new year.
Students at the Forest Hills school are beginning their first days of classes in 2025 in prayer while their Pastor Emeritus, Monsignor John McGuirl blesses chalked plaques for Our Lady of Mercy’s classrooms.
The mini blackboards are the school’s take on a centuries-old Epiphany tradition, where Catholics mark their homes with sacred signs and symbols to ask God for his blessing on their home, those who live in it, and those who visit.
Many of the students say they follow this custom at home, but doing it at school feels extra special.
“It made me feel like Jesus is here and he’s with me,” Phoenix Berkin-Albers, a 2nd grader at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Academy, tells Currents News.
“The idea of it is that people that come into this building, this academy, are searching out Christ, trying to find out about Christ, trying to get close to him. And that’s what the Wise Men were essentially doing,” said Monsignor John McGuirl of Our Lady of Mercy Church.
“I definitely feel proud of doing it and definitely probably more blessed and just inspired to continue my religious faith,” says AnnMarie Dry, a 7th grader at the school.
The boards will stay up until next year, ensuring Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Academy stays a sacred space for all.
By Currents News
Students at Our Lady of Sorrows church in Corona, Queens, dressed up to celebrate the feast of the Epiphany with a special musical performance that featured the famous biblical characters in Christ’s birth.
Some Christmas classics like Santa, Frosty, and elves also joined in on the festivities. The event also spread some holiday cheer as Christmas gifts were given out to the children in attendance there.
By Currents News
In New Orleans, Louisiana, people came together in prayer to honor those lost during a truck attack on New Year’s Day.
It was a celebration of life on the city’s famous Bourbon Street as mourners wept and danced for the 14 killed in that very spot. The people of New Orleans erected a makeshift memorial of crosses and pictures that also included candles, flowers, and teddy bears.
Many believe music and dancing is the best way to honor the victims who were on Bourbon Street to celebrate the New Year.
For the first time since the deadly terrorist attack on Bourbon Street in New Orleans, the famed Louisiana tourist attraction is back open.
Pope Francis has a message for all Christian world leaders: practice forgiveness.
Whether you’re going on a pilgrimage to Rome for the Jubilee or on a journey in life, one artist has the soundtrack to guide you.
By Currents News
Pope Francis is sending prayers of healing and consolation to the people of New Orleans, Louisiana, following an attack that occurred on New Year’s Day.
At least 15 people are dead and 30 injured after investigators say a U.S. Army veteran drove a truck into a crowd of people celebrating during the early morning hours of January 1.
Pope Francis assured New Orleans of his spiritual closeness to the city, commending the victims to “the loving mercy of almighty God.”
Information is still coming in about those who lost their lives in this tragedy like St. Thomas More Catholic High School Graduate Martin Bech Jr. Known as “Tiger,” the Lafayette, Louisiana man was a standout athlete at the school in football, lacrosse, and track and field. He went on to play for Princeton University and most recently lived in New York City working as a junior trader for a capital markets firm. He was visiting New Orleans for the holidays.
Another Catholic school alum also lost his life in the tragedy: 21-year-old Hubert Gauthreaux, who graduated from Archbishop Shaw High School in New Orleans in 2021. The school is praying for the repose of his soul – along with his family and friends – sharing the news of his passing in a post on Facebook.
It’s believed many of those injured could be Catholic as people present were in New Orleans for the Notre Dame University versus University of Georgia football game.
Archbishop Gregory Aymond of New Orleans expressed his closeness to the Catholic community in a statement, saying “This violent act is a sign of utter disrespect for human life. I join with others in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New Orleans in offering prayerful support to the victims’ families. I give thanks for the heroic duty of hundreds of law enforcement and medical personnel in the face of such evil.”
By Currents News
Parishioners from across the Diocese of Brooklyn packed the pews at the Cathedral-Basilica of St. James on Dec. 29, 2024 to help Bishop Robert Brennan usher in the Jubilee Year, which he says is “a reminder of our connection to the greatest moment in time: when God became human, the birth of Jesus.”
The service at St. James was one of two Masses celebrated by the Shepherd of Brooklyn in the borough for the diocese’s formal opening of the Holy Year, which also coincided with the feast of the holy family.
“It’s a beautiful opportunity as a family and young adults to come and support our diocese and just to spread the love of God throughout the streets of Brooklyn and Queens,” parishioner Marlene Sanchez tells Currents News. “It’s something truly meaningful for me.”
Sanchez held hands with her family members as she walked through the streets of Brooklyn following Bishop Brennan, who led a procession with the Blessed Sacrament from the Cathedral-Basilica of St. James to the Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph.
Amid the sounds of New York City they prayed, stopping traffic and causing pedestrians to stop in their tracks to watch.
Gillian Hunte tells Currents News she didn’t mind the attention the procession was garnering.
“Besides proclaiming that we are for Christ because He is the light of the world, today’s a day we become a little bit closer to Him and the Son and what He is about,” she explains. “He is the way, the truth and the light.”
These pilgrims are holding that light close as we enter this Jubilee of hope.
“It gives us a concrete reminder that we’re not alone, that Christ is walking with us,” says Bishop Brennan.
Pope Francis opens the Holy Door at St. Peter’s Basilica to begin the Jubilee Year, and Bishop Robert Brennan marks its start with Mass in the Diocese of Brooklyn.
The Archdiocese of New Orleans is in mourning following a terrorist attack on New Year’s Day that killed more than a dozen people and wounded many others.
In New York City, St. Jerome Church in East Flatbush holds a double celebration for New Year’s Day and Haitian Independence Day.