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St. Athanasius Catholic Academy Takes in New Student After Mother and Son Flee War-Torn Ukraine

By Jessica Easthope

For 5th graders at St. Athanasius Catholic Academy – it’s just another day of science and math problems. But 11-year-old Theodore Gaynullin’s problems have gone far beyond this classroom.

“I am afraid of the war [in] Russia, it’s dangerous, it was boom and ‘psshh’ when we were on the train,” he said.

This time two weeks ago, Theodore was walking with his mom Ellen and thousands of other Ukrainians through endless villages along the western border – hoping to make it safely to Poland – not knowing what the future would hold.

“It was a lot of hurt, and right now Russia is bombing on all of Ukraine. School is broken, home is broken, houses broken, in Ukraine people are dying and in Kyiv,” said Theodore.

“I was praying to escape from the country and I knew everything was very dangerous because no one knew what would happen next minute, next hour, maybe they would close the line,” Ellen said.

With just the clothes on their backs and one bag for both of them, Ellen and Theodore walked nearly 15 miles from Lviv to the border. Ellen, who lived in Brooklyn for 17 years, had one dream for her son. That vision kept her feet moving.

“I made the decision when Theodore was back in Kyiv. I made a decision when he’s back, I’m going to enroll him here. My friend asked me what school and I said this nice Catholic school,” she said.

St. Athanasius Principal Diane Competello says the school has welcomed Theodore with open arms.

“How could you say no? God sent them here. If we say we’re for everybody’s kids, that’s who we are,” Diane said.

Knowing that Theodore and Ellen have been through a lifetime of trauma, their new school and new church want to make their home in Brooklyn a safe haven.

“We offer them hope in the midst of conflict and we offer them the greatest gift, God’s love, which I’m sure they need right now,” said pastor, Msgr. David Cassato.

For now, Theodore says he’s excited to be living the life of a normal fifth grader – far away from the terrors of war – here he’s happy for it to be just another day.

Catholic News Headlines for Wednesday, 3/16/22

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky showed a heartbreaking, graphic video to members of Congress.

The Mayor of Kiev is asking the Pope to visit.

A Ukrainian mother and her son are now in Brooklyn. The sixth grader has enrolled at St. Athanasius Catholic Academy.

A big congratulations to the eighth-grade robotics teams at St. Saviour Catholic Academy in Park Slope!

 

President Biden Offers More Aid In Response to Ukrainian President’s Appeal

Currents News Staff

President Joe Biden responded to a direct appeal from Ukraine.

“The American people are answering Zelensky’s call for more help,” said Joe Biden.

In impassioned virtual remarks before a joint session of Congress, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky expressed gratitude to Biden for U.S. help so far, but asked for more.

“I wish you to be the leader of the world,” said Zelensky. “Being the leader of the world means to be the leader of peace.”  

Many lawmakers were visibly moved by Zelensky’s speech and references to America’s darkest days, struck a chord.

“In one sense, his speech was reminiscent of the stirring feeling all of us had in the aftermath of 9/11,” said Sen. Chuck Schumer.

President Biden signed off an additional $800 million dollars in security assistance to Ukraine including anti-tank missiles and more defensive weapons. But among many lawmakers and at the White House, there is opposition to Zelensky’s request for a no-fly zone over his country, fearing it could lead to direct conflict with Moscow.

Lawmakers are considering other options.

“There is bipartisan support for sending a package that includes fighter jets and air defense systems to the Ukraine immediately so that we can have a Ukrainian no-fly zone manned by Ukrainian pilots,” said Sen. Lindsey Graham.
The aid announced on Wednesday brings the U.S. total of assistance to $1 billion dollars.

Interest Rate Hike Hopes to Combat Inflation and Lower Cost of Living

Currents News Staff

The goal of raising interest rates is to combat inflation and lower prices for consumer goods. The Federal Reserve has kept rates at zero since the pandemic started. That has helped the economy by helping businesses and consumers borrow and spend money.

“The housing market is incredibly critical,” said Economics Commentator Catherine Rampell. “Shelter costs are the number one expense for most American households.”

That ability to spend has boosted demand for big-ticket items. But now supply is struggling to keep up and to add to that – rising energy costs.

“Russia’s the largest energy producer, but even before that, Jake, costs were rising, as we know, because of the Covid-19 disruptions to the supply chain,” said Economic Analyst Rana Foroohar.

New numbers show a 7.9 percent increase in the Consumer Price Index year-over-year. The cost of food has risen about 8 percent. Energy is up almost 26 percent and relief is unlikely to come soon.

“Almost any category, you can imagine that consumers spend money on — those also went up, so, yeah, next month is going to be pretty painful,” said Economics Commentator Catherine Rampell.

Inflation is so bad, some experts worry about a recession.

“Inflation is the one killer,” said West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin. “It is a tax. Inflation is a tax no matter how you look at it. You got to get your financial house in order.”

The hope is that an interest rate increase will lower the cost of living for average Americans.

“Right now times are tough, and I’m trying to make ends meet and stuff,” said Los Angeles resident Jose Morales.

This is the first time the Federal Reserve has raised rates since 2018. Policymakers project six more similarly sized increases throughout the year.

Bishop Robert Brennan Reflects on His Irish Heritage Ahead of St. Patrick’s Day

Currents News Staff

The St. Patrick’s Day celebration will begin on Thursday with a Mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Manhattan.

Bishop Robert Brennan is the latest in a long line of Irishmen to lead the Diocese of Brooklyn. He will be the main celebrant and homilist for the Mass.

He joined Currents News to share the stories about his Irish roots and how growing up in Long Island influenced his faith.

 

How You Can Help Support Those Impacted By The War in Ukraine

Currents News Staff

CLICK HERE TO DONATE ONLINE

PROSPECT HEIGHTS— Bishop Robert Brennan is asking the faithful in Brooklyn and Queens to “support our Ukrainian brothers and sisters” affected by the war.

“We have seen the painful images of devastation and continue to hear of the suffering and the deaths caused by the war in Ukraine,” Bishop Brennan said in a statement. “Our hearts and prayers go out to all those affected by this terrible war, most especially those who have been forced to flee their homes.”

To donate directly to the Diocese of Brooklyn’s Ukraine Relief Fund, send a check made payable to the COMPOSTELA FUND OF THE RC DIOCESE OF BROOKLYN (with the notation “UKRAINE”) which can be sent to:

Diocesan Finance Office at

310 Prospect Park West

Brooklyn, NY 11215

Catholic News Headlines for Tuesday, 3/15/22

Large explosions thundered across Kyiv as a series of Russian strikes hit apartment buildings sparking fires.

Meanwhile at the Vatican representatives from Latvia and Slovakia met with Pope Francis.

Police say they arrested the man who’s been shooting homeless people on the streets of New York and Washington D.C.

 

European Leaders Travel to Kyiv as Russia and Ukraine Continue Peace Talks

Currents News Staff

Kyiv is under attack as at least four buildings in the city’s residential areas were hit by Russian missiles Tuesday morning, killing at least four people, according to the mayor. New satellite images show widespread destruction across Ukraine as volunteers join the effort to fight.

“For Ukrainians, it is natural to protect our independence because it is Independence War,” said Territorial Defense Forces Soldier Volodymyr Omelyan, “and we are proud to protect democratic values and principles.”

The head of the U.N.’s refugee agency says more than 3 million people have fled Ukraine since the start of the Russian invasion last month. The U.N. says more than half of that total fled to Poland.

“We are slowly becoming overwhelmed,” said Warsaw’s mayor Rafal Trzaskowski, “and that’s why we make a plea for help from the international community.”

The prime ministers of Poland, Slovenia and the Czech Republic traveled to Kyiv Tuesday to meet Ukrainian President Volodymr Zelensky and the country’s prime minister to offer their support.

“This is not a time for countries to pretend like they can stay neutral on this particular conflict,” said NATO Ambassador Julianne Smith.

The head of NATO announced that leaders will convene for a summit next week to discuss possible next steps. President Zelensky addressed the Canadian Parliament Tuesday ahead of his planned virtual meeting with Congress on Wednesday.

“They already killed 97 Ukrainian children,” Zelensky said. “We’re not asking for much. We’re asking for justice. For real support, which will help us to prevail to defend, to save life.”

Three Practical Ways to Ease the Pain at Pump as Gas Prices Continue to Rise

By Monica Guy

A gallon of gas costs more than it ever has.

“We’re at an all-time high. Remember what happened in 2008, people got out their bicycles and started walking places where possible,” said Patrick De Haan, the Head of Petroleum Analysis for Gas Buddy.

Although the U.S. barely uses Russian oil Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine is still a major factor. Russia is one of the world’s biggest oil suppliers and lower supply affects global prices.

“Americans need to go conservation mode and cut our consumption to improve the situation. There is no other way around it,” De Haan added.

With the conflict abroad intensifying, experts say price increases won’t be stopping any time soon.

Lauren Fix from Car Coach Reports has three tips to help you save money.

Number one: if you’re in park, turn it off. Don’t leave your car running, not even to warm it up.

“We typically think it’s only a couple of pennies to sit in the drive thru. park your vehicle. go inside. that will save you the most fuel,” said Fix.

Number two: travel light, moving additional weight, like bike racks and gear, requires more fuel.

Number three: keep your car in good shape. That means getting in the habit of checking your tire pressure and keeping up with maintenance.  “Anytime an engine is not maintained properly, that means something’s not functioning properly.  So, you’re not going to get the best fuel economy when a pump or hose isn’t working or a belt or bushing or bearing something that’s causing that vehicle to struggle,” said Fix.

The last time prices rose this sharply was in 2005. That’s when Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast, damaging oil platforms and refineries in the region.