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Currents News Update for Thursday, 10/7/21

A federal judge in Texas is blocking the state’s new six-week abortion ban.

Bishop DiMarzio joins students in prayer before a relic of the first possible millennial saint.

Pfizer asks the FDA for vaccine approval for kids under 12.

Sacred Heart Students Venerate Relic of Blessed Carlo Acutis and Pray for Life at Rosary Rally

By Jessica Easthope

Praying for life and that young people are inspired to create change: that’s the mission of a rosary rally for Blessed Carlo Acutis that began Thursday, Oct. 7, at Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Bayside, Queens.

“This is one of the evils of our society,” said Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio. “That we’re snuffing out life before it even sees the light of day and that’s why we pray that young people especially who are looking for a better way of life will see the way of the Church is the best way.”

Right now, across the country, the fight for life is ongoing. Especially with the recent setback to the Heartbeat Law in Texas, officials in the Diocese of Brooklyn are looking to Blessed Carlo to show students they can make a difference.

“His devotion to life comes through his devotion to the body and blood of Christ,” said Father Joseph Gibino, Vicar for Evangelization and Catechesis. “He is an example of what happens when we revive our devotion to the Eucharist because then we grow in respect for all of God’s creation and all life everywhere.”

Carlo Acutis died as a teenager of leukemia, but in his short life he was dedicated to the Eucharist, creating a website compiling all of the Eucharistic miracles. A first-class relic, a few pieces of Acutis’ hair arrived in the Diocese of Brooklyn this summer. Monsignor Thomas Machalski requested the relic, he says one of his favorite quotes of Blessed Carlo “all people are born as originals but many die as photocopies” shows us all we should respect God’s plan for life.

“That was basically saying to people, remember you’re created as a unique individual in the image and likeness of God,” Msgr. Machalski said. “God has a purpose for you, fulfill that purpose.”

Students had the chance to venerate the relic after saying the rosary, hoping it will allow them to see clearly that they too can fight for life the way Carlo did and maybe even become a saint.

You too can witness the holiness of Blessed Carlo Acutis. The relic of the first possible millennial saint will be traveling from school to school in the Diocese of Brooklyn.

We’ll let you know where it’ll head next, right here on Currents News, or online at currentsny.tv.

Stay tuned!

Federal Judge’s Order Temporarily Blocks Texas’ Abortion Ban

Currents News Staff

The ruling from U.S. District Judge Robert Pitman allows abortions after the detection of a baby’s cardiac activity. That typically starts around six weeks — before most women know they’re pregnant. It suspends the Texas law which took effect in September. That law also forbids exceptions in the case of rape or incest.

A group of Texas abortion clinics says the procedures will resume for now, but the State Attorney General’s office says it will appeal — and it’s likely to win in higher courts.

Both the region’s appellate court and the U.S. Supreme Court have allowed the law to stand previously. Over the weekend, thousands of pro-life advocates rallied outside the Supreme Court in counter to a pro-abortion rally in our nation’s capital.

“There’s always someone that gets hurt,” said Students For Life of America member Elizabeth Nogueras. “It ends a life.”

Meanwhile, Planned Parenthood in Colorado is reporting a 520 percent increase in Texas residents crossing state lines seeking its services. But Nissa Lapointe of Catholic Charities Denver says services for women is exactly what they offer.

“No matter where you’re at, where you’re coming from, what the law might be, Catholic Charities is here to help women,” Nissa said.

Currents News Update for Wednesday, 10/6/21

A friend, a brother and a real mentor – that’s how New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan describes Brooklyn Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio. Part two of our in-depth interview with Cardinal Dolan.

Pope Francis is addressing the issue of sexual abuse, following that decades-long report of more than 200 thousand underage victims in the French church.

If you visit the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican, you’ll want to bring binoculars. That’s how high up the ceiling displaying Michelangelo’s legendary artwork is. But for a limited time, you can get an up-close look at stunning replicas right here in New York City.

Sistine Chapel Exhibit Returns to New York City

By Jessica Easthope

Among the hustle and bustle of gritty Manhattan – a spiritual experience awaits. The Vatican is right outside your front door in a Sistine Chapel exhibit returning to New York City.

“Think of it like you’re walking 10 feet under the ceiling,” said Martin Biallas the CEO of SEE Global Entertainment and creator of the exhibit. “You’re seeing these from a perspective not even a pope has seen.”

The exhibit, which features all 34 of Michelangelo’s frescoes from the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, was created by Martin Biallas in 2015. Since then, the full-size photographic reproductions have toured the world attracting people who want to experience God, art and history through the iconic imagery.

“We want to present this for people of all different faiths because it’s a monumental art masterpiece,” Biallas said.

The exhibit has been designed to leave all the good of the Vatican experience without the rush or the crowds, and get this – you can take all the pictures and videos you like. The space is even open for weddings.

“You’re going to leave so relaxed and so inspired,” said Biallas. 

While walking around the exhibit, visitors are encouraged to use an audio guide to learn about the frescoes. The handheld, electronic device signals to a blurb about each fresco: just wait for the beep and listen.

“For the people who really want to have this as a spiritual experience, this is the way to go because you get all the information on the audio guide,” Biallas said.

Biallas says the exhibit has already helped evangelization by drawing in a young crowd to timeless art – so close you could touch it.

You too can step into the Sistine Chapel like never before. Just head on over to chapelsistine.com and click on “the city near you.” New York’s exhibit ends Jan. 2, 2022.

Cardinal Dolan on Bishop-Designate Brennan: ‘I Think We’ve Got a Pro’

Currents News Staff

Migration, DACA and pro-life issues are just some of the topics Bishop-Designate Robert Brennan will be tackling as the new leader of the Diocese of Brooklyn.

Ahead of the new bishop’s installation, Currents News sat down with New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan to talk about Brooklyn’s new shepherd, the eighth bishop of Brooklyn. Bishop-Designate Brennan has been described as the ‘perfect choice’ to succeed Bishop DiMarzio.

Currents News Update for Tuesday, 10/5/21

A delegation of Haitian Catholics from here in the Diocese of Brooklyn journey to Del Rio, Texas, to aid the migrants on our border.

Half a million people signed a petition calling on the Supreme Court to overturn Roe -v- Wade.

We sat down with New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan to talk about Brooklyn’s new shepherd.

How Bishop Brennan’s Role in Catholic Schools Could Impact Education in New York City

Currents News Staff

Bishop Brennan had plenty of support in the Diocese of Columbus, particularly with students.

John Lavenburg, national correspondent for The Tablet and Crux is in Bexley, Ohio. He caught up with some Catholic school officials in the Diocese of Columbus and discussed how the bishop-designate’s impact in Ohio will be felt here in Brooklyn and Queens.

Haitian Advocacy Group from the Diocese of Brooklyn Travels to Del Rio Border

By Jessica Easthope

Now is the time to strategize. A small advocacy group is pulling together lawyers, money, supplies and medication to the Haitian families who made it up from the Del Rio border – and for the families who remain. Despite reports, there are still hundreds at Customs and Border Protection processing centers.

“We went to advocate, we didn’t know there were going to be any Haitians to touch any Haitians to advocate for, but we weren’t prepared for the many ways that God opened doors,” said Elsie Saint Louis, the CEO and executive director of HAUP, Haitian Americans United for Progress.

Last week the group led by father Hilaire Belizaire with representatives from Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens and HAUP, Haitian Americans United for Progress went down to Del Rio, Texas. For four days they helped migrants hoping to be received by families across the United States – they purchased plane tickets, called family members and mediated with ICE agents.

But the horrors of what migrants experienced stayed with them.

“They looked scared, they haven’t been eating for seven days, they haven’t showered,” said Father Hilaire.

“I saw my brothers and sisters in so much pain and misery and this is a crisis, it’s not a Haitian crisis, a black or white crisis but a humanitarian crisis,” said Deacon Jean Rameau.

Of the 15,000 Haitians who were camped out at the border, around 5,000 made it into the United States for processing and 1,000 made it to New York. But the Haitians already living here are suffering too, helpless in bringing their family into the country – only to see them return home to struggling Haiti.

“It’s heartbreaking, it’s painful, I put myself in their own shoes, they were seeking a place of refuge and now they’re going to a place with so much insecurity, that’s what keeps me up at night,” Father Hilaire said.

Now understanding the path forward – the group came back more energized than ever to help solve this crisis.

“The story’s not over, the Haitians are on the border and they need compassion and no Haiti cannot receive them, Haiti is too fragile,” Saint Louis said.

The group is meeting this week with members of congress to help the families here who need work and a place to stay, as well as those still hoping to make it out of Texas. According to U.S. immigration authorities 60 to 80,000 Haitians are still en route to the United States through South America.