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A Record Number of Americans Quit Jobs in November

Currents News Staff

Job seekers in the U.S. have more than ten million open positions to look into right now.

Much of that number is because of record numbers of people quitting, but not all industries are being impacted equally.

A record 4.5 million Americans quit their jobs in November, mainly from low wage positions. For months now, workers have been resigning en masse.

Bar back Ifeoma Dzimako, who quit her job this summer, says it’s a labor market revolution.

“I’ve done it since I was 15. I love the customer service industry. I love putting a smile on people’s faces. But it got to a point where I felt like I was giving a little bit too much of myself,” said Dzimako.

As a bar back in Washington D.C., she was guaranteed a $5.05 tipped minimum wage. But with fewer customers coming in, that meant fewer tips – with more responsibility.

“Every day I had to enforce certain things where I’m like, this is not in my job description. And now I’m being paid less,” she said.

More than one million people quit their leisure and hospitality jobs in November.

With hundreds of thousands more quitting low wage retail and health care jobs. There are still 10.6 million unfilled positions.

“People feel empowered and they should, because the job market is really, really tight and they have opportunity. If they’re not happy with what they’re doing, they’re going to take another one. So, I think quit rates are gonna remain high for a long time to come,” said economist Mark Zandi.

And as Omicron sweeps the country, this silence is what many restaurant owners are facing.

Michael Dorf, CEO of City Winery says he’s doing everything to keep the staff he has left, even with less business.

“I don’t wanna afford to lose a single person and we’re still hiring as ironic as that is,” said Dorf.

He normally operates with 1200 employees across his 12 restaurant and music venues.

“We’re only up to about 950 around the country. We’ve seen people quit on the spot,” he said.
He says he’s risen wages to above $15 an hour, and into the 20s for kitchen staff.

And that’s what Dzimako is looking for.

Until then, she’s moved back in with her parents and is back in school getting her sociology degree – while doing gig work part-time.

“If they were to offer us a one fair wage $15 plus tips on top – I’d go back. I love illuminating somebody’s day, but at the same time I have a little bit more self-worth now,” she said.

The Labor Department reports 200-thousand new jobs were added to the economy in December.

That’s only half of what economists had predicted.

Pope Francis Talks of ‘Spiritual Closeness’ to the Victims of Deadly Bronx Fire

Currents News Staff and Paula Katinas

PROSPECT HEIGHTS — Pope Francis reached out Monday to Cardinal Timothy Dolan of the Archdiocese of New York saying that he felt a “spiritual closeness” to the victims of the deadly Bronx fire that killed 17 people on Sunday.

In his telegram, Pope Francis said he “entrusts the victims and their families to the merciful love of Almighty God and invokes upon all consolation and strength in the Lord.”

Early Monday, Cardinal Dolan visited the scene of the fire to get a first-hand look at the devastation.

“It doesn’t get worse than what we witnessed in New York yesterday at that tragic fire in the Bronx,” Cardinal Dolan tweeted after the visit.

The fire, which tore through a 19-story apartment building at 333 East 181st St., killed 17 people — including eight children — and sent dozens to the hospital. Many of the hospitalized victims were reported to be in critical condition Monday.

It was the deadliest fire in New York City since the Happy Land Social Club fire in the Bronx killed 87 people on March 25, 1990.

Bishop Robert Brennan of the Diocese of Brooklyn, who was born in the Bronx, offered his condolences in a statement Monday.

“I am filled with much sadness and heartache in the wake of yesterday’s tragic fire in the Bronx. I remember in my prayers the 17 lives lost and ask God to heal those who have been injured,” Bishop Brennan said.

Many of the residents living in the building are immigrants from Gambia, according to Father Michael Kissane, pastor of St. Simon Stock-St. Joseph Church, which is located down the street from the fire scene.

One family from the parish that lived in the building lost everything in the fire, Father Kissane said.

“We have identified one family that was living in the building — a husband and wife and I believe two sons. Their apartment was destroyed … They’re staying with one of their other sons in New Jersey,” he said, adding that the family was not injured in the fire.

Father Kissane said that the church will be hosting a special Mass on Monday at 7 p.m. to pray for the victims.

Fire officials said the blaze was started by a malfunctioning space heater in a third-floor apartment.

The door to that apartment did not close as the tenants fled the apartment, according to officials, who said the fire quickly spread throughout the building as a result.

A New York City law requires that apartment buildings contain doors that automatically close. Mayor Eric Adams said 333 East 181st St. was equipped with self-closing doors and added that officials will be investigating to determine why the door to the apartment where the fire erupted didn’t close.

“There may have been a maintenance issue with this door and that is going to be a part of the ongoing investigation,” the mayor said Monday in an interview on “Good Morning America.”

While the fire itself was mostly contained to the third-floor apartment where it started, the smoke that spread throughout the building is what caused the loss of life and most of the injuries, officials said.

Attention has now turned toward helping the victims. Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New York, the American Red Cross, and the Fire Department have all offered assistance.

The Gambia Youth Organization set up a GoFundMe page to collect donations. As of Monday, the effort raised $364,879, much more than the original goal of $200,000. More than 7,000 donations were collected.

The city is also setting up donations through the Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City.

 

HOW TO HELP

Monetary donations

Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City

Gambian Youth Organization

Donation sites

Items being accepted for donation include bottled water, blankets, pillows, clothing, coats, hats, scarves, winter shoes, towels, personal hygiene items, masks, and hand sanitizer. Drop-off sites in the Bronx include:

** Riverdale Jewish Center, 3700 Independence Ave.

** Anthony Avenue Community Garden, 2078 Anthony Ave

** Community Board 10, 3165 E. Tremont Avenue

** The Bronx Woodlawn Collective, 341 East 235th Street

** SAR Academy, 655 W. 254 Street

** Gambian Youth Organization, 214 E. 181 Street

Historic Papal Residence Now Open to the Public

Currents News Staff

The Vatican is iconic for being the center of the Catholic Church and home of the pope. Yet for nearly a thousand years, popes used to live here, at the Lateran Apostolic Palace attached to the Basilica of St. John Lateran, the cathedral of Rome.

Reconstructed under Pope Sixtus V in the 16th century, today it houses the offices of the diocese of Rome, and its interior has only just been opened to the public through guided tours organized by the Missionaries of Divine Revelation.

“It was the wish of Pope Francis, who last February wrote a letter to the Cardinal Vicar to ask that the Lateran Apostolic Palace be opened to the public, especially so that new generations could learn the history that has taken place in these spaces, that has manifested itself here. The history of the Church but also the history of the city of Rome,” said Sr. Agnese Scavetta, Missionary of Divine Revelation.

Visitors can now see exclusive spaces of the popes’ residence, such as where heads of state would have been received, marked by impressive frescoes and priceless tapestries.

Or the throne room, known as the room of the seasons, since the frescoed ceiling depicts each of the four seasons—representing the Church’s everlasting nature through time. It also displays a papal throne constructed for Pope Pius IX.

The Palace’s most significant room is the Hall of Pontiffs, where the Lateran Treaty was signed between Pope Pius XI and Benito Mussolini, establishing the Holy See as a sovereign country.

“(It was) a dramatic moment in which the Church lost its temporal power. The signing of the Lateran Pacts puts an end to the Roman Question, in which the pope is considered a prisoner of the kingdom of Italy, and therefore the independence and full sovereignty of the Church is recognized with these Lateran Pacts,” said Sr. Scavetta.

The papal apartments contrast with the palace’s other rooms in their plain and sober style.

The pope’s study features gifts received by popes throughout the ages, including the bust which John F. Kennedy Jr. gave to Pope Paul VI in their meeting at the Vatican.

Finally, there is the pope’s private chapel, characterized by its modest nature to remind the pope of being a poor priest dependent on God.

“To go through these rooms, these halls, is to remember the significance of the pope insofar as he is the pastor of the universal Church, but also the pope as vicar of Christ, as the successor of Peter, and therefore as the bishop of Rome,” said Sr. Agnese.

The visit ends in the Basilica of St. John Lateran, which holds the seat of the bishop of Rome, and where the pope presides over ceremonies pertaining to his diocese, such as when ordaining new priests.

Now pilgrims and Romans alike can get a special glimpse behind the first church built after the legalization of Catholicism in the Roman empire, and the former residence of the popes.

Preserve Christian Identity Received at Baptism, Pope Francis says

By Junno Arocho Esteves

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Before baptizing 16 babies in the Sistine Chapel, Pope Francis reminded parents and godparents of their responsibility to care for and preserve the Christian identity the infants were about to receive.

“This is your task throughout your lives: to guard the Christian identity of your children,” the pontiff said. “It is a daily commitment: help them grow with the light they receive today.”

The pontiff baptized the seven boys and nine girls — the children of Vatican employees — in the Sistine Chapel during the celebration of Mass Jan. 9, the feast of the Baptism of the Lord.

The annual tradition of baptizing infants on the feast day, which began in 1981 by St. John Paul II, was canceled last year due to the pandemic.

Although the baptisms resumed this year, the number of infants was significantly reduced. In January 2020, the pontiff had baptized 32 infants in the Sistine Chapel.

Delivering a brief, off-the-cuff homily, Pope Francis recalled a hymn for the feast day that said the people of Israel went to the Jordan River to be baptized “with bare feet and bare souls.”

“These children today also come here with ‘bare souls’ to receive God’s justification, Jesus’ strength, the strength to move forward in life,” he said. “Your children will receive their Christian identity today. And you, parents and godparents, must guard this identity.”

Pope Francis baptizes a baby as he celebrates Mass marking the feast of the Baptism of the Lord in the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican Jan. 9, 2022. The pope baptized 16 infants.

With the sounds of fussy children filling the frescoed chapel, the Holy Father repeated his usual advice to mothers of infants, encouraging them to make their children comfortable, and to not worry if they start to cry in the chapel.

“This ceremony is a bit long, the children then feel uncomfortable here in an environment they do not know. Please, they are the protagonists: make sure that they are not too hot, that they feel comfortable,” Pope Francis said.

“If they are hungry, breast feed them here, in front of the Lord, no problem,” he added. “And if they cry out, let them cry out, because they have a community spirit, let’s say a ‘band spirit,’ a spirit of ensemble, and all it takes is for one to start — because everyone is musical — and immediately the orchestra comes! Let them cry, let them feel free.”

Importance of Parishioner Involvement in Our Lady of Hope

Ed Wilkinson visits Our Lady of Hope Parish in Middle Village. There he speaks with Father Peter Purpura, members of the Parish Council, and Communications Committee, who highlight the importance of lay people’s involvement in a parish to make it truly great.

More than $100 Million Dollars Directed to New York City Hospitals to Battle COVID-19 Surge

Currents News Staff

Mayor Eric Adams has unveiled a plan to help city hospitals battle the COVID crisis.

In order to handle the surge, he is directing more than $100 million dollars into city-run hospitals to hire more staff. At least $27 million dollars in loans will be offered to non-profit hospitals that serve primarily low-income patients.

As of Monday, Jan.3, there were 5,500 people in city hospitals with COVID-19 – that’s the most since the spring of 2020. 

Diocese of Brooklyn Schools Receive At-Home COVID Tests

Currents News Staff

Diocesan schools will hand out further information

Schools throughout the Diocese of Brooklyn have all received a supply of at-home COVID testing kits from New York City, according to the diocese’s Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Thomas Chadzutko. 

The diocese is also waiting for an order of test kits from New York State. Dr. Chadzutko says the diocesan schools will begin distributing the tests once they receive more information from the Department of Health. 

The Diocese of Brooklyn, which includes Queens, has over 20,000 students enrolled in their 70 Catholic schools and academies.

One Year After the U.S. Capitol Riot, ‘Defend Democracy’ Rally Held at Brooklyn’s Grand Army Plaza

Currents News Staff

On the one-year anniversary of the U.S. Capitol riot, Jan. 6, rallies were held around the tri-state area.

In Brooklyn’s Grand Army Plaza, the “Defend Democracy” rally drew political leaders such as Attorney General Letitia James and Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso who say they hope the demonstration will send a clear message about their resolve to continue to fight for democracy and voting rights.

For U.S. Hospitals Facing Staff Shortages, the National Guard Is Stepping Up to Help Out

Currents News Staff

There is no shortage of patients at U-Mass Memorial Medical Center: the shortage is of hospital staff. Dr. Eric Dickson says 500 people are out with COVID – mostly medical staff who’ve been exposed.

“It’s just the perfect storm for a nightmare here in the emergency department,” said President and CEO of UMass Memorial Medical Health, Dr. Eric.

The Massachusetts National Guard is helping to fill the gaps. Staff Sergeant Julius Annan has been with the Guard for nine years. He was deployed to Egypt in 2017 and has worked across the state and country.

This is one more mission to help.

“We’re able to feel that these guys are working very hard and that our presence here is helping them just even mentally-wise,” said Staff Sgt. Julius.

The Guard members took an oath to defend the country against all enemies – even if they never quite expected this.

“We have soldiers and airmen that may be computer programmers, that may be school teachers, they may be working in the community, business people, whatever that is, and they’re filling very different roles this time,” said Lt. Col. Patrick Connelly. “Roles as drivers or transport people within the hospital – food service, security, and patient observance.”

National Guard Medical Teams are now deployed in 10 states helping in hospitals and medical facilities. Some 13,000 Guard members have helped across the country with vaccine sites and more, according to Major General Jill Faris.

“We’ve done just about anything affiliated and associated with COVID support,” said Maj. Gen. Jill, Director of the Office of National Guard Joint Surgeon General. “We’ve seen it happen in all of our states and territories.”

The main hospital in central Massachusetts is already over capacity – 115 percent full. The numbers are only expected to rise in the coming weeks. Patients fill the hallways. Open rooms are a precious commodity. The main COVID testing site in downtown Worcester has been packed. On Tuesday, the positivity rate at the site was 40 percent which is what the hospital said was more than double what it was a year ago.

Every new patient, COVID or not, is a strain on an already strained system.

The hospital says nearly 70 percent of the COVID patients are unvaccinated. Military discipline helps in a crowded hospital and so did military training for Specialist Stephen Prochniak, who saw a patient who wasn’t breathing on the floor.

“After standing back for about a minute or so,” said Specialist Stephen, “one of the doctors said, ‘Do you know CPR?’ And I said, ‘yes I do.’ So he said, ‘Great, glove up, get in there.’” 

The patient was resuscitated and Specialist Stephen went back to work, cleaning rooms and transporting patients. It’s a mission the Guard is ready, even if it’s not a mission they ever imagined.

Kathleen Gallagher to Retire as New York State Catholic Conference Pro-Life Activities Director

By Currents News Staff and Melissa Enaje

Served as a ‘giant of the pro-life movement’ for nearly 40 years 

PROSPECT HEIGHTS — After serving as the director of pro-life activities for the New York State Catholic Conference (NYSCC) for almost four decades, Kathleen M. Gallagher is retiring at the end of January.

“No one in New York State, or across the country, has done more to advocate on behalf of all human life from conception until natural death than Kathy Gallagher,” Cardinal Timothy Dolan, the archbishop of New York and president of the NYSCC, said in a statement.

He thanked Gallagher for her service in the organization that represents the state’s bishops in areas of government and public policy and called her a “giant of the pro-life movement” who fought for the “most vulnerable.”

“In that time, she has not only represented the New York State bishops, but has been a national leader in the pro-life movement, advocating against abortion, capital punishment, and euthanasia, and in favor of supports for pregnant women in need and people near the end of life,” Cardinal Dolan added.

Even in Gallagher’s retirement, Cardinal Dolan said she will still serve as a consultant to the NYSCC: “God knows we need her voice.”

A Long Island native, Gallagher graduated from the New York Institute of Technology and joined the NYSCC in 1984 after a brief stint working in the New York Legislature. At that time, she served as the organization’s pro-life lobbyist and spokesperson. Her initiatives helped spearhead pro-life advocacy groups including New Yorkers for Life and the New York Alliance Against Assisted Suicide.

She has received the Diocesan Pro-Vita Award from the dioceses of Brooklyn, Rockville Centre, and Buffalo, and the Bishop Broderick Award from the Diocese of Albany.

“I am grateful to Cardinal Dolan and the bishops for allowing me to represent them for so long,” Gallagher said, “and blessed beyond measure to have received a salary to advocate for moral principles in which I deeply believe.”

In addition to being an outspoken advocate for pro-life policies regarding abortion, the death penalty, and assisted suicide, Gallagher’s efforts have resulted in several state-approved programs including the Prenatal Care Assistance Program that serves low-income mothers and their children; the continuation of the state-funded abortion alternatives; and the Health Care Proxy Law that allowed competent adults to appoint agents who can help decide health care options in the event they become unable to decide for themselves.

“Pro-life work is not an easy vocation, but Kathy never lost faith,” said NYSCC Executive Director Dennis Poust. “She has continued to put all of her passion into her work to implement policies that protect human life in the law and to convert hearts toward a culture of Life.”