Diocese of Brooklyn Lends a Hand After Devastating Earthquake Strikes Haiti

By Jessica Easthope and Paula Katinas

The island of Haiti was hit by a massive earthquake Saturday morning.

“High casualties are probable and the disaster is likely widespread,” a notice on the U.S. Geological Survey website reads. “Past events with this alert level have required a national or international level response.”

The 7.2 magnitude earthquake hit 12 kilometers northeast of the city of Saint-Louis De Sud (approximately 150 miles from Port-au-Prince), according to the USGS. The U.S. Tsunami Warning System issued an alert after the earthquake.

Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio pledged help from the Diocese of Brooklyn for the people of Haiti and said a special collection will be taken up at Masses.

“The old saying is, ‘It only rains on the people that are wet.’ It’s unfortunate that Haiti again was struck by an earthquake,” he said, adding that the full extent of the devastation is still unclear.

“We don’t have good information. But we’ll continue to pray for them,” Bishop DiMarzio said. “And we’ll also pledge that with the Haitian community and others will take a collection up to help — whatever we can do.”

Diocese of Brooklyn Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus Guy Sansaricq, who was born in Haiti, said the initial reports he has heard told of massive destruction in his native country.

“Buildings have been flattened. Lives have been lost,” he said Saturday afternoon. “This is a terrible, terrible tragedy.”

The country, which is still reeling from the assassination of its president last month, has been struggling to rebuild following a 7.0 magnitude earthquake 11 years ago.

“Haiti is a country that is being flogged right now,” Bishop Sansaricq said. “The people are going through so much, and now this. This earthquake is devastating. This poor country is going to need a lot of help. I hope people pray for the people of Haiti.”

Father Gerald Dumont, the parochial vicar for St. Francis of Assisi-St. Blaise Parish, Prospect Lefferts Gardens, is a native of Haiti.

At the 5 p.m. Mass he celebrated Saturday, Father Dumont asked parishioners to pray for the people of Haiti.

“You pray for assistance and to give people hope,” he said. “Despair is something that one must avoid at all costs.”

Father Dumont added that because the earthquake struck at 8:33 in the morning, many people were able to run out of their homes before the buildings collapsed.

“They are grateful to be alive,” he said.

The earthquake could be felt in several other countries, including Jamaica, the Dominican Republic, the Bahamas, and Cuba, as well as parts of Puerto Rico.

The earthquake that devastated Haiti on Jan. 12, 2010, killed 220,000 people, injured 300,000, and displaced an estimated 1.5 million.

Bronx Café Strives to Be a Place for New Yorkers to Explore Their Faith

By Emily Drooby

“I am the way, truth and life,” is a famous verse from the Bible.

It’s also the inspiration behind The Way Café. This Bronx business serves up coffee and doesn’t forget to pass on the faith.

“How would Jesus run a business? That’s one thing I think about,” explained co-owner Andy Weaver.

He is a Mennonite, a faith stream within Christianity that he explains is sometimes mistaken for Amish because of their similarities. Andy moved to New York from Pennsylvania after seeing a need for evangelization in the area.

Andy opened The Way Café in the middle of the pandemic. It’s a unique space for New York City because here, faith is front and center.

“It’s just loud out there,” he said. “We want this to be a place where people can come, feel an environment of peace, have a place where they can sit down and study. Where they can feel God’s presence.”

When you take a seat inside, you’ll see Psalms on the wall, books for exploring Christianity and employees ready to talk about the faith, if customers want. Andy says, some even use the cafe for bible study.

“Relationships, caring for people,” Andy said. “If someone comes in and they want to talk, we want to be there to bless others lives as we have the opportunity.”

For other locals, calm music and friendly faces make it a place of solace.

“It’s a really positive vibe, when you walk in, it’s like instant,” explains customer Joseph Garcia.

Andy says as people become more comfortable gathering in groups, they hope to hold faith-based events to strengthen the community they’ve begun to build here.

As More Cities Fall in Afghanistan, Taliban Gain Ground on Half of the Country’s Provincial Capitals

Currents News Staff

Taliban now controls half of Afghanistan’s provincial capitals, a CNN analysis shows.

Four more cities fell to Taliban rules on Thursday night and Friday Aug. 13, and several more are surrounded or under siege.

The second biggest city, Kandahar, fell to Taliban fighters this Friday morning.

They claim to control the governor’s office and police headquarters.

CNN’s analysis is based on Taliban claims, confirmation by government and provincial officials, and visual evidence from the cities that have been taken over.

Diocese of Brooklyn Catholic Schools Announce COVID-19 Reopening Plan

By Jessica Easthope

Don’t put your masks away just yet. If you’re a teacher or student in the Diocese of Brooklyn -you’ll need them. Face coverings are coming back next school year, at least for now, according to schools superintendent Thomas Chadzutko.

“We’re tired of it, but I think from the perspective of protecting the students and faculty and staff short term it is the right decision to make for safety,” Superintendent Chadzutko said.

In addition to masks parents, teachers and students over the age of 12 are strongly encouraged to get vaccinated but they will not be required. Diocese officials say they’re praying this plan changes – but right now the delta variant is too serious to ignore and schools need to be prepared.

“We’re not going to wait until a week before school starts and put pressure on people it’s important to get the issues out now,” said Monsignor David Cassato, Vicar for Catholic Schools.

Catholic schools were largely left out of the city and state’s testing efforts and were not provided with any PPE or equipment last school year. Even if public schools go remote, Catholic schools will open to full in-person learning. Any families who wish to participate in online learning can enroll in the St. Thomas Aquinas program.

“We proved last year against all the odds that we opened full in person learning and children were very safe,” Chadzutko said.

“People have trusted us and more and more people are turning to us from other schools,” said Monsignor Cassato.

Enrollment at Catholic schools in Brooklyn and Queens increased by 40 percent last year. School starts on Wednesday, September 8.

Currents News Update for Thursday, 8/12/21

Keep that mask handy, especially if your child attends a Catholic elementary school here in the Diocese of Brooklyn.

Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens has set up several cooling centers to help anyone who needs to cool off.

The FDA is expected to announce that it’s authorizing COVID-19 booster shots for people who are immuno-compromised.

Big businesses in New York, such as supermarkets, restaurants and hotels, will soon be required to donate excess food to relief organizations.

Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens Opens Cooling Centers During NYC Heatwave

By Emily Drooby

There’s a heat wave happening in New York City. However, in Williamsburg, local residents have solace from the heat. How? A Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens cooling center.

“Most of the people who do come here appreciate it so much,” explained Teddy Flaherty. He was visiting the center when Currents News stopped by.

“Just to sit, talk to friends, cool off a little while because the air conditioners are here, especially when the temperature goes over 90 or close to 90,” he said. “This is what we need.”

Teddy is just one of many locals who are taking advantage of the cool air. The center offers extended hours, cold air, cold drinks and sometimes even sweets.

These “cool centers” open up during times like this, when New York City is hit with a heat wave. It’s a way to keep people cool without breaking the bank.

“Some of the people want to do some savings of electricity,” said Marta Kustek, the program manager for Catholic Charities Northside Senior Center. “So many of the people, our members, don’t have strong enough AC at home.”

This center is located in Williamsburg, just off North 6th Street and Driggs Ave. If you’re not nearby but looking for a place to cool off, Catholic Charities has 16 other cooling centers across Brooklyn and Queens.

To find a cooling center near you, go to: https://maps.nyc.gov/cooling-center/

Currents News Update for Wednesday, 8/11/21

Young Catholics are hitting the streets, trying to help the homeless off of them.

The Hyde Amendment has been saved.

Facebook “likes” can now really equal prayers online. The social media app is using a new feature that allows users to ask for prayers directly.

With a Sandwich and a Smile, Catholics are Making a Difference for the NYC Homeless Population

By Emily Drooby

Rolling out the door of The Catholic Worker site and down the street to Sara D. Roosevelt Park in the Lower East Side are a group of young volunteers. But it’s not just a cart of food they’re carrying, but a cart of hope, explains longtime volunteer Rocco Troiano.

“We go out to people who are just having a rough time and we go out and show a little love, and give a little something, hot coffee, maybe a sandwich,” Rocco said.

Another young Catholic volunteer from Brooklyn, Tevin Williams, said what he saw was shocking.

“I thought it would be actually less so to see so many people need services, and need food and water,” Tevin said. “It’s kind of shocking for me, so that’s what’s prompting me to go back.”

Since July, the city moved 6,000 people from hotels back to barracks-style shelters despite the recent uptick in COVID cases.

The migration was just halted temporarily by a federal judge so the city can figure out a safer way to relocate people as complaints arise of unsafe conditions.

The problems and confusion are pushing many to find other places to call home, like this park in the Lower East Side, which has become a haven for the homeless. An estimated 2,000 people live on the streets and in the subway.

So, The Catholic Worker brings the help to them by delivering food right to the park, while still having daily help from their E. 1^st Street location.

Charles Augusta calls them a beacon of hope – especially during the pandemic.

“It was rough, but they didn’t give up,” Charles said. “They were the only place that you could depend on.”

Pope Francis Takes Phone Call During General Audience

Currents News Staff

Shortly before making his way down the stairs to greet an eager crowd of pilgrims, Pope Francis unexpectedly took a phone call.

He was handed the phone and stepped outside of the Paul VI Audience Hall for a few moments. There are no details about who the Pope spoke to or what the conversation was about.

He later returned to greet the pilgrims who came to see him, as he typically does after his Audience.

Elected Officials Sue New York City Over Vaccine Mandate for Indoor Dining, Gyms and Performances

By Jessica Easthope

We’ll see you in court. That’s attorney Mark Fonte’s response to a vaccine mandate he’s calling a ‘constitutional nightmare.’

“The first part of the 14th Amendment says every person and entity should have equal protection under the law. Restaurants are not being treated equally,” Mark said.

Later this month, New Yorkers will need proof of at least one vaccine to dine indoors, go to the gym or attend a concert. But the lawsuit being filed on behalf of elected officials representing Staten Island and Brooklyn, states it should be a personal choice.

“There’s a line that government right now is crossing that I think is inappropriate,” said Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis. “We should encourage the vaccination, we should not mandate they get vaccinated or carry passports to be a part of everyday society.”

Mayor Bill de Blasio is crediting the city’s recent incentives with a 40 percent increase in vaccines in the first week of August. But these elected officials say – don’t take the numbers from us.

“People shouldn’t listen to me telling them get a vaccine,” said New York State Assemblyman Michael Reilly. “Talk to your medical provider, talk to your physician and they’ll give you the best advice for you.”

The lawsuit is looking to put a hold on the mandate until a judge can rule on the case – it will be filed on Aug. 16.