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Catholic News Headlines for Thursday 10/24/2024

Pope Francis is calling for a renewed understanding of the devotion of the Sacred Heart with the release of the fourth encyclical of his papacy “Dilexit Nos,” or “He Loved Us.” In the document, he’s denouncing a world that is losing its heart during times of global turmoil.

Tonight is the annual Mass of Hope and Healing, which aims to reach out to survivors of clerical sex abuse. Brooklyn Bishop Robert Brennan will be celebrating the Mass at St. Pancras Church in Glendale, Queens.

Election Day is less than two weeks away–Bishop Brennan speaks with Currents News about how Catholics can vote with their conscience. We’ll also ask him about Proposition 1 which Bishop Brennan says, if passed, would be dangerous for society.

As we prepare for November 5th, we’re doing so with prayer over the course of a nine day Novena. Leading up to lining up at the polls a different priest in the Diocese of Brooklyn will lead us in prayer and ask God to guide us.

Queens Woman Credits Faith and St. Clare Church with Helping Her Overcome Stage 3 Breast Cancer

By Katie Vasquez

St. Clare Church has been a safe haven for parishioner Allison Attong-Rogers for nearly 40 years. The Rosedale parish became a source of hope when she was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer in 2016.

“I had a mastectomy, chemotherapy, radiation, and then reconstruction,” said Attong-Rogers. She was volunteering in the rectory when she got the call from her doctor after a routine mammogram. At that moment, Father Andrew Struzzieri, known as Father Andy, walked in.

“I call him my living angel,” she said. “He prayed with me and was deeply involved in my spiritual life.”

The office manager, Dianne Sealy-Soon, recalled how unusual it was for the priest to be there at that time.

“It felt like divine intervention,” said Sealy-Soon. “He was there for her during such an emotional moment.”

Father Andy passed away in 2020 after his own battle with cancer, but Attong-Rogers said his support never wavered.

“Even when I saw him struggling at Mass, his faith inspired me to keep going,” she said.

Now cancer-free, Attong-Rogers helps raise funds for the American Cancer Society and encourages others to get regular screenings.

“Ladies, get your mammogram. And men, you’re not exempt. If you feel something, go to the doctor,” she urged.

Though Father Andy is gone, she said his presence remains in her heart.

“Losing him was hard for me and the entire parish,” she said. “But St. Clare Church is truly a family, and we continue to support one another.”

Catholic Couple Credit Faith for Strengthening Their Marriage

by Katie Vasquez

Sixto and Maria Torres are in love, but they admit their marriage wasn’t always picture perfect. 

“We were having a lot of discussion, on the verge of divorce,” said Sixto Torres, a parishioner at Shrine and Parish Church of the Holy Innocents.  

The pair grew up Catholic in Ecuador but strayed from their faith as adults.

“By the time we arrived to the US, I was agnostic at that time. So in a matter of ten years i left my faith,” said Maria Torres, a parishioner at Shrine and Parish Church of the Holy Innocents.  

They married in a civil ceremony in March 2019, but soon the cracks in their relationship started to show as the pandemic hit. 

“Everything was shut down and we were pushed to do things by ourselves, in the marriage, and to start reflecting on whether we have to, whether we can continue living the way we’re living or we have to change,” said Sixto Torres. 

The couple says the lockdown was a blessing because it forced them to dig deeper and find their faith again. 

“We started having regular confession on a weekly basis, attending mass daily and, you know, started offering and sacrificing everything for God and for our marriage,” said Sixto Torres. 

And while their conversion of heart wasn’t easy,

“it’s not like you go to confession and everything, magically start changing. No, faith is not magic, but you have to be like you have to work with the graces of God. If I want to fix my life, I have to choose God. I have to follow what he has to say,” said Maria. 

Their hard work helped them recommit to God and each other, and they married at the Shrine and Parish church of the Holy Innocents in Manhattan on September 11, 2021.

“We’re in love. We are going to have arguments. but at the end of the day, when we are reflecting about it, we say, okay, we are at peace because we are we are willing to do that the will of God,” said Sixto Torres.  

Now the Torres’ are hoping to help other couples find marital bliss, recently taking part in a talk guiding partners to a more godly union. 

“You need the grace of God, to see clearly, what are the issues? What are the problems? without the help of God, you are dead, totally dead,” said Maria Torres.

Because the Torres’ understand their marriage became stronger, once they opened their hearts to God. 

Catholic News Headlines for Wednesday 10/23/2024

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month and tonight we’ll meet a survivor who says her church helped her get through her diagnosis and treatment.  Allison Attong-Rogers has been a parishioner at St. Clare Church for nearly 40 years. She calls the Rosedale parish her source of hope.

Church also became a source of hope for one catholic couple. Sixto and Maria Torres said when they arrived in the U.S. from Ecuador they had strayed from their faith, but when they started experiencing problems, they recommitted themselves to God and each other.

A special Mass was celebrated by Brooklyn Bishop Robert Brennan after a Brooklyn church turned 175-years old this week. The Mass was celebrated on Sunday, Oct. 20, at St Patrick’s in Bay Ridge to commemorate this milestone anniversary.

Election day is less than two weeks away and we are preparing with prayer. During each newscast before election day, a different priest in the diocese of Brooklyn will lead us in prayer.

Statue of Blessed Mother at St. Thérèse of Lisieux Church in Flatbush Vandalized

By Jessica Easthope

A shocking act of vandalism at St. Thérèse of Lisieux Church has left the parish community devastated after two beloved statues were desecrated early Monday, Oct. 21.

Father Liju Augustine, the church’s pastor, expressed his sadness over the incident.

One of the statues destroyed was of the Blessed Mother, which had been part of the church for nearly a century.

Recently restored and repainted, the statue’s right hand was shattered by the vandal.

In surveillance footage, a man can be seen on church property for about 30 minutes, behaving erratically. He kissed the statues inappropriately before proceeding to smash them.

“I’m not angry,” said Father Augustine. “I’m really saddened. But when I speak to my people, people of tremendous faith, we know how to forgive.”

Carmen Freeman and Jackie Lawrence, coordinators of the church’s food pantry, were among the first to witness the damage.

“I’m still in shock. I prayed for whoever did it,” said Freeman.

Lawrence echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing the community’s faith in finding the person responsible and their commitment to praying for them.

In response to the incident, Father Augustine announced that the church’s gate, which had previously been open 24/7, will now close daily at 5 PM to prevent further acts of vandalism.

Diocese of Brooklyn to Come Together for Annual Mass of Hope and Healing

The annual Mass of Hope and Healing, set for October 24th at St. Pancras Church, offers a space for survivors of clerical sexual abuse to seek solace, healing, and renewed faith in the Catholic Church.

Organized by and for survivors, the liturgy includes readings, songs, and prayers carefully chosen to support the emotional and spiritual recovery of those affected.

Elizabeth Harris, the Diocese of Brooklyn’s Victim Assistance Coordinator, emphasized the importance of this Mass as a platform for healing and solidarity among survivors.

“We hope this Mass provides an outlet for survivors to find hope and healing, and to know that their journey can be long and different for each individual.”

Maryellen Quinn, Director of the Office for the Protection of Children and Young People, reinforced the Church’s commitment to supporting survivors and preventing future abuse.

The bilingual Mass will be celebrated by Brooklyn Bishop Robert Brennan at 7 PM, and for those unable to attend in person, it will be broadcast live on NET TV.

Event Details:

Location: St. Pancras Church, 72-22 68th St, Glendale, Queens
Time: 7 PM
Broadcast: Live on NET fTV

March for Life 2025 Theme Revealed: ‘Every Life’ Calls Pro-Lifers to Unite in Washington D.C.

As the 2025 National March for Life approaches, organizers have revealed the theme: “Every Life: Why We March”.

The message aims to encourage pro-lifers to remain steadfast in their advocacy, especially as states across the country continue to introduce abortion-related measures at the ballot box.

This year’s march seeks to remind participants of the ongoing fight to protect the unborn, more than two years after the overturning of Roe v. Wade, which shifted abortion laws from federal to state control.

The Diocese of Brooklyn is planning to send a large group of pro-life supporters to Washington, D.C., for the event.

Those interested in joining can reach out to Christian Rada, Director of Marriage, Family, and Respect Life Education, via email at CRada@diobrook.org.

Event Information:
Theme: Every Life: Why We March
Event: National March for Life
Contact: CRada@diobrook.org

March for Life’s new president, Jennie Bradley Lichter, joins Currents News to talk more about this year’s theme.

The Bridge to Life Hosts Client Appreciation Day, Celebrating Pro-Life Choices

By Jessica Easthope

The Bridge to Life, a pro-life organization dedicated to supporting women facing unplanned pregnancies, recently hosted its first-ever Client Appreciation Day.

Mothers who chose life for their babies were welcomed with open arms, provided with essential supplies, and celebrated for their decision.

Tracy Tang, a former client and now a volunteer, reflected on her own journey.

Two years ago, she found herself grappling with an unplanned pregnancy and wasn’t sure if she was ready to become a mother. But after connecting with The Bridge to Life, she made the life-changing decision to keep her baby.

“They assured me everything would be okay. Francesca would call me regularly to see how I was doing,” said Tang, now married and expecting her second child. “It’s like family.”

During the event, moms received gift cards, supplies, food assistance, and clothing.

The joy was evident, as many walked away with extra items on top of what they regularly receive from the organization.

Francesca Yellico, The Bridge to Life’s Executive Director, emphasized that their mission goes beyond material support.

“We want them to know they’re valued, and that they’re not alone. We walk with them throughout their pregnancy and beyond.”

A highlight of the day was a fun activity called “Diaper Pong,” where moms won packs of diapers from EveryLife, a pro-life diaper company.

Earlier this year, EveryLife made headlines by offering lifetime supplies of diapers to expectant mothers near a Planned Parenthood mobile clinic.

The Bridge to Life continues its partnership with Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens, and plans to expand its collaboration with EveryLife to further support women and families in need.

Catholic News Headlines for Tuesday 10/22/2024

An act of vandalism at a Catholic parish in Brooklyn as a statue of Mary was damaged outside St. Therese of Lisieux Church.

The Diocese of Brooklyn’s annual Mass of Hope and Healing will be held at St. Pancras Church in Glendale. This special liturgy, planned by victim-survivors for victim-survivors of sexual abuse, aims to offer healing and rebuild trust within the Catholic Church.

The Bridge to Life, an organization serving thousands of women and families with essential supplies, held a Client Appreciation Day. The event was a heartfelt thank you to the mothers who chose life, celebrating the precious gift of family.

As the National March for Life approaches in three months, thousands are gearing up to walk the National Mall in support of the unborn. Meet the woman set to lead the March for Life organization and hear what she describes as her vision for the future.