Bishop Brennan Prays for Peace in Ukraine

The Diocese of Brooklyn’s Bishop Robert Brennan prayed for peace in Ukraine during a broadcasted Mass at the Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph in Prospect Heights, Feb. 24.

“We join with our Holy Father, we join with people all around the world, as much of us woke to the shocking news, not necessarily surprising, but the shocking news of the invasion of Ukraine,” the bishop said. “We pray indeed for the people of Ukraine; we pray for people from our own Diocese here in Brooklyn from the Ukrainian community. We join with them in prayers for the nation of Ukraine, but we also pray for the larger peace of the world. We turn to the Lord in our moment of need. We ask the Lord to watch over and protect those who are in harm’s way, and also, we pray that it does not escalate.

Our Holy Father, Pope Francis, has asked that we turn our attention on Ash Wednesday, March 2, a day of prayer and fasting, that we make it a day of prayer and fasting particularly for those in Ukraine and for Peace in our world. Certainly, we join him in that effort, but even now, we just intensify our prayers because quite honestly, that’s who we are; we turn to the Lord, and we show that dependence as a light in the world, as a salt of the earth.”

Ukraine Under Attack As Russia Launches Air Raid Invasion

Currents News Staff

The unprecedented assault on Ukraine comes following weeks of heightened tensions and rhetoric amid the build-up of Russian troops along the border.

The country’s president says Putin has begun a war not only against Ukraine.

“Putin began war against Ukraine, against the entire democratic world,” Volodymyr Zelensky said. “He wants to destroy my country, our country, everything that we’ve been building.”

Russian forces were seen advancing beyond the two Moscow-backed Separatist regions in Donbas in the east. Troops were reported in the southern port city of Odessa and near Kyiv, the country’s capital. Multiple explosions were also reported across the country.

“I have just passport, documents, and some money,” one local said.

Russian President Vladimir Putin claims there are no plans to occupy Ukraine with military actions meant only to protect the Russian-backed Separatist regions. But world leaders say the attacks prove otherwise and are demanding Russia to back down.

“The target is instability in Europe and the whole of the international peace order, and we will hold President Putin accountable for that,” said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

As Ukrainians flee from cities under siege, many are moving west in hopes of finding refuge from the Russian assault. Some are calling on the U.S. to take action.

“Right now the situation is in the Americans’ hands,” said Kyiv resident Alex Klymenok. “If Joe Biden will be tough with Putin, there will be more sanctions, there will be more pressure.”

Ukrainian Military Chaplain in Bomb Shelter Calls Invasion ‘Apocalyptical’ as Country Braces for War

Currents News Staff

How is the Ukrainian Catholic Church bracing for war? Jesuit Father Andriy Zelinskyy is the coordinator of military chaplains and was waiting inside a Kyiv bomb shelter the day Russian troops invaded the country.

“This is a completely apocalyptical theme,” Father Zelinskyy said, “to think something like this is happening in the 21st century in downtown Kyiv. This is unbelievable, unacceptable. But this teaches us a lot. It teaches us that lies cost lives.”

Father Zelinskyy ministered full time with troops on the front in Eastern Ukraine from 2014 to 2018 and had been part of an ecumenical and interreligious working group pressing for the law but running up against a “post-Soviet mindset” that either saw military chaplains as unnecessary or as a violation of the separation of church and state.

He said in the early morning, Ukraine was attacked by aerial mission invasion.

“There are those trying to leave the city in the morning. There are huge traffic jams,” Father Zelinskyy said. “Then there are those who stayed behind in the city who are praying right now.”

FDNY Says a Final Farewell as Firefighter Jesse Gerhard is Laid to Rest

By Jessica Easthope

A look into the life of a hero, Jesse Gerhard’s legacy as a son, uncle, friend and firefighter lives on in the memories of those closest to him.

“Jesse Gerhard is the kind of person a firefighter would describe if he was asked to build the perfect firefighter, he did his job, he did it well, he never complained and he made everyone feel safer in the face of peril,” said firefighter Michael Ormiston.

That ‘perfect firefighter’ made the ultimate sacrifice. Last week, Gerhard collapsed at his Far Rockaway firehouse and was rushed to St. John’s Episcopal Hospital where he was pronounced dead. A day before Gerhard was doing what he loved – working as an FDNY “irons man,” the most strenuous job in the department, breaking down the door of a burning home to help rescue victims from a raging fire.

Protecting the lives and property of every day New Yorkers was his chosen profession, his dream job, a job, not work,” said acting Fire Commissioner Laura Kavanaugh.

Jesse was also a volunteer firefighter in his hometown of Islip where he and his family go to church. They’re now leaning on their faith and parish community after his sudden passing.

“This is not the end, someday we will see him again, maybe not tomorrow or next month or next year, but we will see him again,” said FDNY Chaplain Monsignor Jamie Gigantiello.

“Please know how much we love you and how we share with you in this moment,” said Bishop Robert Brennan.

Jesse’s selflessness in life and on the job is continuing in death. He’s a tissue donor and according to LiveOnNY 50 to 75 people’s lives will be changed thanks to his donation. His family, though they have much to be proud of – say all they want is more time.

“I want one more day,” said Gerhard’s sister-in-law Kristi, speaking on his brother Casey’s behalf. “Just to show you how much we love you.”

Catholic News Headlines for Wednesday, 2/23/22

It’s a somber day for the FDNY and all 17,000 members.

President Biden is announcing new sanctions against Russia.

Pope Francis is asking Russian President Vladimir Putin to think about his actions and is begging for an end to tensions.

Businessman On a Mission Creates Bath Bomb Brand For World Down Syndrome Day

Currents News Staff

Brody Klein is hard at work, getting these bath bombs packaged up and ready to sell. He and his mom, Jen Klein, made them. Now they’re hoping these bath bombs will help raise money for designer genes, a local group that provides support for families and people with Down Syndrome.

They’re also hoping their bath bombs might help raise awareness about down syndrome, something Klein knew nothing about when Brody was born 10 years ago.

“Back when Brody was born, I was naive,” Jen said. “I knew nothing about Down Syndrome.”

She quickly learned about the challenges and the rewards that come with raising a child with an extra chromosome.

“Every day he makes me smile,” Jen said. “Brody has taught me so much, how to be a better mom, how to be a better parent. I think he has brought awareness to our whole family. Everybody looks at people with disabilities different now because of Brody. And I mean, he just teaches us so much more every day we learn from him.”

Those are lessons she hopes her son will continue to teach others.

“On the outside, he may look different but inside he can do anything that he sets his mind to,” Jen said.

Right now, his mind is set on getting these bath bombs ready to sell. Brody is ready to show the world what he’s capable of, one bath bomb at a time.

To support Brody’s business, he sells his bath bombs on Metaverse. Just check out his page at “Brody’s buddies bath bombs.”

Dancing Grannies Are Making a Comeback After Waukesha Christmas Parade Tragedy

Currents News Staff

Hard at work behind closed doors, the Milwaukee Dancing Grannies are planning a comeback. Member Jan Kwiatkowski says she has an array of emotions.

“Rebuilding, ya know, it’s hard. It’s exciting. It’s scary,” Jan said.

The group lost three members and a volunteer in the Waukesha Christmas parade attack three months ago. The community is still mourning after a man plowed his SUV through the crowd. Sharon Millard was there when it happened.

“Since Waukesha, I think after the grieving, I pulled through with a lot of help from friends and some counseling and it just made me kind of look forward to our future,” Sharon said.

So with one foot in front of the other and poms in hand, the grannies began to rebuild. The group was too small to perform following the attack. Grannies Member Jean Knutson says back then their numbers were low.

“We were down to maybe eight surviving grannies,” Jean said.

But they weren’t too weak to try and now their numbers are growing.

There are nearly 20 “Grannies in training.” They’ll have to learn all of the routines, dance in a parade and make the commitment to become a granny. Colleen Minisce is a granny in training.

“We feel very welcome. I was following them on Facebook, I love to dance, and then when I saw the tragedy I just wanted to be able to give back to them and support them,” Colleen said.

In just a few weeks, the dancing grannies will step back onto the streets to perform at the Milwaukee St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

“We’re going to be smiling and be upbeat, we’re going to be proud. There’s no sadness,” Sharon said.

But there is sentiment. Ginny Sorenson, one of the fallen members, choreographed two Irish routines for the 2020 St. Patrick’s Day Parade. COVID canceled those celebrations ever since, and the routines went unseen, until now.

“We realized a couple weeks ago that, ‘Oh wow, we’re going to be doing these songs Ginny, she was so proud of them, we’re going to be doing them for the first time publicly,” said Dancing Grannies Member Jan Kwiatkowski.

It’s a moment the prospective members can contribute to and help create what they will become.

“It’s like a brand new start,” Sharon said.

U.S. Puts Pressure on Putin and Imposes New Sanctions With Threat of More

Currents News Staff

Tough new sanctions are in place to pressure Russia to back down from its advances on Ukraine. Latvian Prime Minister Krisjanis Karins says they haven’t seen such pressure before.

“It’s a very broad-ranging set of sanctions deeper than anything we’ve ever seen before,” said the prime minister.

The sanctions or punishment for what President Joe Biden calls ‘the beginning of a Russian invasion of Ukraine.’

“When all is said and done, we’re going to judge Russia by its actions, not its words,” President Biden said.

For the first time, the U.S. is fully sanctioning two Russian financial institutions making the country barred from raising money from the West. National Security Adviser Daleep Singh says it will be a costly move.

“These costs are going to escalate from here,” Daleep said.

The U.S. is taking it one step further to cripple the flow of money to President Vladimir Putin by going after members of his inner circle and their families.

“We put on notice the oligarchy in Russia that no one is safe,” Daleep said.

World leaders are actively assessing whether these sanctions will indeed deter Putin. President Council on Foreign Relations Richard Haass says one shouldn’t hold their breath.

“We should still try to deter him, but I think we should also not assume it will work,” Richard said.

The country is already paying a hefty price. This week alone, more than $25 billion dollars has been wiped off the value of Russian stocks and the Russian Ruble has fallen to near-record lows against the dollar. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba says the economy has taken a hit.

“Hit Russia’s economy now and hit it hard,” Dmytro said

The West is reserving some of its toughest sanctions should Russia proceed to a full-scale invasion. The so-called “nuclear option” would remove Russia from a key global transaction ledger, making it difficult from banks to send money in or out of the country.

“Russia is already feeling the pain,” Daleep said.

Pope Francis Calls for Day of Prayer, Fasting for Peace in Ukraine

By Currents News Staff and Junno Arocho Esteves

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — As the threat of war loomed over the world, Pope Francis called on people to pray and fast for peace in Ukraine on Ash Wednesday.

Before concluding his general audience Feb. 23, the pontiff called on believers and nonbelievers to combat the “diabolical insistence, the diabolical senselessness of violence” with prayer and fasting.

“I invite everyone to make March 2, Ash Wednesday, a day of fasting for peace,” he said. “I encourage believers in a special way to devote themselves intensely to prayer and fasting on that day. May the Queen of Peace protect the world from the folly of war.”

In his appeal, the pontiff said he, like many around the world, felt “anguish and concern” after Russian President Vladimir Putin recognized the independence of the eastern Ukrainian regions of Donetsk and Luhansk.

The pontiff said that due to the “alarming” developments in the region, “once again, the peace of all is threatened by partisan interests.”

“I would like to appeal to those with political responsibilities to do a serious examination of conscience before God, who is the God of peace and not of war, who is the father of all and not only of some, who wants us to be brothers and sisters and not enemies,” he said.

He also urged world leaders to “refrain from any action that would cause even more suffering to the people, destabilizing the coexistence between nations and discrediting international law.”

Putin’s recognition of the two breakaway regions’ independence was seen by Western leaders as a violation of international law protecting Ukraine’s territorial integrity and as a move that could pave the way for a Russian invasion of eastern Ukraine.

In the wake of the Russian president’s actions, the United States, the United Kingdom and the European Union announced sanctions against several Russian banks and institutions.

In a statement released Feb. 22, Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk of Kyiv-Halych, head of the Ukrainian Catholic Church, said Putin’s recognition of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions has caused “irreparable damage” to the “logic of international relations.”

He also said the Russian president “destroyed foundational principles for a long-term process of restoring peace in Ukraine” and “created the path for a new wave of military aggression against our state.”

“Today, all of humanity has been placed in danger,” he said, because Putin’s action asserts that “the powerful have a right to impose themselves on whomever they wish, with no regard for the rule of law.”

Archbishop Shevchuk reminded world leaders of their duty and responsibility “to actively work to avert war and protect a just peace.”

“I call upon all people of good will to not ignore the suffering of the Ukrainian people brought on by Russian military aggression,” he said. “We are a people who love peace. And precisely for that reason we are ready to defend it and fight for it.”

Catholic News Headlines for Tuesday, 2/22/22

Cardinal Wilton Gregory celebrated a special Mass in the Diocese of Brooklyn on Sunday.

All across Ukraine, Catholics are turning to their faith and are praying for peace.

Coming up this Thursday, Pope Francis will open up dialogue with Catholic university students in North, South and Central America.