20 (Catholic news)

Currents News reports secular and religious news from the Catholic perspective.

Some of the top stories on this newscast:

A growing pandemic, racial turmoil, the Church abuse crisis – the U.S. Bishops’ Conference is meeting to take on the major issues of the day.

Catholic schools in Brooklyn and Queens are vowing to stay open even if the rising COVID infection rate forces New York City public schools to close.

COVID-free flying – one airline is guaranteeing a safe on-board experience right in time for the holiday travel rush.

USCCB Tackles Faith Through the Lens of a Pandemic, Racial Justice During Day Two of Annual Meeting

By Jessica Easthope

Bishops from across the country coming together on the most important issues facing the Catholic Church, in a way they never have before – over Zoom.

“I’ve seen a new missionary spirit coming alive in many, the faithful are hungry to continue the mission of the church despite the obstacle of COVID restrictions and financial limitations and losses,” said Archbishop Paul Coakley, the Chairman of Domestic Justice and Human Development for the Conference.

On day two of the annual conference, bishops focused largely on how the pandemic has shaped our faith.

“A good way to bring them together is to launch a national campaign that simply says ‘Bring Someone Back to Church,’ so when you return, you bring someone with you,” said Bishop Robert Barron, the Chairman of Evangelization and Catechesis.

The bishops spoke about how the pandemic has presented a new opportunity, becoming a tool for evangelization. It’s a much different conversation from day one, that was when the bishops focused on the McCarrick Report and its shadow over the church.

“In light of the Holy See’s report on Theodore McCarrick, we again want to express our deep sorrow and pray that they might find healing and hope,” said Archbishop José Gomez, President of the USCCB.

But bishops are in lockstep with Pope Francis, committed to ousting abuse within the church while tackling other pro-life issues, like racial justice.

“We could not have known we would watch on screens numerous killings of African Americans and that these killings would spark worldwide peaceful demonstrations and protests and sadly and reprehensibly violence in some places,” said Bishop Shelton Fabre, Chairman of the Ad Hoc Committee Against Racism.

Bishops are urging church leaders to prepare for the honesty Black parishioners share with them, an honesty that’s not always easy to hear.

“As we began conversations and we did our listening sessions there was a lot of hurt, a lot of pain that came to the surface. And it was uncomfortable for clergy and laity to hear the stories and bring to light what had been in darkness, but I would see that as one of the fruits,” said Bishop Jaime Soto, with the Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc.

Soon-to-be Cardinal Wilton Gregory didn’t get to weigh in on the racial justice conversation, but that’s because he’s on the way to Rome to become the church’s first African American Cardinal.

Catholic Schools in Brooklyn and Queens Will Remain Open if NYC Public Schools Close

By Emily Drooby

Our schools will not close — it’s a strong message that came from Thomas Chadzutko, the Superintendent of Catholic Schools for Brooklyn and Queens.

“We really want the children in the classrooms,” he said while speaking with Currents News.

The firm stance comes as New York City public school students continue to learn whether or not they will be able to learn in-person, on a day-by-day basis.

Mayor Bill de Blasio has vowed to close schools if the city’s infection rate hits three percent. On Tuesday, Nov. 17, it was at 2.74. The rate has been hovering close to three for days.

Schools in the Diocese of Brooklyn are calming parents’ fears, announcing that even if the city hits that three percent benchmark, they will still keep all 69 of their schools open for in-person learning.

They added that they’re more than prepared to keep students safe.

“Our confidence really started when we submitted our reopening plans. We met with every principal and if possible board chair or pastor,” said Chadzutko. “They’ve documented all of the protocols.”

“We all have to make the basic minimum requirements that the Department of Health, both city and state, has put forth for us, we go beyond those requirements as well,” said Joan McMaster, Associate Superintendent for Principal and Teacher Personnel in the Diocese of Brooklyn.

Along with the normal health checks like daily screenings, they’ve been able to prevent the spread by staying diligent and communicating.

“The cases that have come in, been reported to us, are really when we traced them back, these are events that are beyond our control on the weekend. Events where there have been Halloween parties, sporting events, oddly enough, sleepovers,” said Chadzutko.

Principals report to the assistant superintendent, who works with the health department to deal with the potential spread. This will be especially important as students go into the holiday season.

“Even when there’s possible exposures, they call us right away and they say this happened, someone’s grandmother was over and might have gotten ill and what do we do?” asked McMaster.

The schools are also facing a steep financial hurdle: how to pay for mandatory testing in hot spot zones.

It can cost anywhere from $2,000 to $10,000 a week per school, which adds up. For example, all yellow zone schools testing combined is an estimated $84,000 a week. That’s money the schools have to cover.

“I was provided information about applying for a grant, I’m actually in the process of working that grant out,” Chadzutko said. “The grant would cover about 1.3 million, that’s the ask.”

They won’t have the final number for that grant until — and if — it comes through.

McCarrick Report, Pandemic Fallout and Racial Inequality Discussed During USCCB Annual Meeting

By Emily Drooby

The Archbishop of Los Angeles spent the beginning of his first presidential address speaking about the McCarrick report, which was released just six days prior to the Bishop Conference’s Fall General Assembly.

For the first time, the annual meeting was held virtually and the bishops are making sure they address the report.

McCarrick was laicized last year. At one time, he led dioceses in both New Jersey and Washington, D.C.

“The tragic outcome was not the result of a single failure, but rather resulted from multiple failures across many years,” added Archbishop Gomez, while starting a segment of time specifically dedicated to addressing the McCarrick report.

The report has long been on the group’s mind. During their last gathering in November of 2019, some bishops complained of the report’s delay.

In the wake of the report release, soon-to-be Cardinal, Archbishop Wilton Gregory of Washington, D.C., called for transparency and the need for accountability.

The election, pandemic, racial inequality and abortion were also covered.

“How could the response be more affective? What the Holy Father suggests is moving from seeing someone as a neighbor to viewing them as a brother or sister,” said Archbishop Christophe Pierre, the Vatican’s ambassador to the United States., speaking about challenges faced by both clergy and parishioners in the U.S. when it comes to migration, racism and abortion.

Issues many are now facing in the wake of the pandemic were also discussed during the meeting, from loss of livelihood to loss of loved ones.

“We see so many signs of despair throughout our society, people are losing hope,” said Archbishop Gomez.

A beacon of hope for many who were listening was that both Archbishop Pierre and Archbishop Gomez mentioned Blessed Michael McGivney, a Connecticut priest who founded the Knights of Columbus. He was beatified in early November. They referred to him as a great evangelizer, a crucial Church ministry.

Currents News full broadcast for Mon, 11/16/20 (Catholic news)

Currents News reports secular and religious news from the Catholic perspective.

Some of the top stories on this newscast:

Another new vaccine could be on the way in just weeks – the drug maker Moderna announcing it’s almost 95 percent effective.

American bishops are meeting virtually this year because of the pandemic.

Cardinal Timothy Dolan pays a visit to hard-hit Staten Island to celebrate Mass and offer a message of encouragement and thanks.

The Diocese of Brooklyn vows to keep its Catholic schools open, even if New York City public schools shutter their doors.

Dealing With Post-Election Stress? Mental Health Expert Offers Some Coping Tools

Currents News Staff

The contentious presidential election that happened in the middle of a global pandemic and as the dark and cold winter looms, has been the source of stress and anxiety for many.

So how does one deal with it? Mental health expert and co-founder of the licensed treatment facility, The Center: A Place of HOPE, Gregory Jantz joined Currents News with some post-election advice.

If you would like to learn more about how to deal with your post-election stress, check out Jantz’s new book, “Healing Depression for Life” available on Amazon.

Cardinal Dolan Encourages Staten Islanders to Continue to Worship Safely as Infection Rate Soars

Despite a pandemic, St. Clare’s Church on Staten Island was packed on Saturday Nov. 15, or packed as it could be.

Parishioners welcomed Cardinal Timothy Dolan, the head of the New York Archdiocese, who came for a few reasons, the first being to encourage parishioners to continue to practice their faith safely. The second, to commend the work they’ve already done to stop the spread of COVID-19.

“Staten Island is experiencing an uptick in the virus and I want to thank them for all the good work they’ve done in precaution and sanitation and looking out for one another just common-sense masks and cleansing, and I want to encourage them to keep it up,” Cardinal Dolan said.

Staten Island currently has the highest infection rate in New York City. Several areas on the island are soaring above a three percent positivity rate. COVID-19 has claimed the lives of more than 1,000 residents, among them two of St. Clare’s beloved priests, including Monsignor Richard Guastella who served as pastor of St. Clare’s, the largest parish in the archdiocese.

“With the history that’s gone on here at St Clare’s it’s been a tough couple of months losing Father Richard and seeing the new pastor come in, I think that was the driving force to get us out today,” said Tom and Cathy Adinolfi, long-time parishioners of the church.

“It was very devastating to us. He will be missed, when he gave you communion he knew your name,” said parishioners Nick Durante and Tina Turco.

Cardinal Dolan officially installed Father Arthur Mastrolia as the new pastor during Saturday night mass. For many in attendance, it was one of the first times back to Mass. Cardinal Dolan assured it would take extreme circumstances for the Archdiocese to close churches again.

“If we knew bringing people together in a big group would be dangerous to people’s health we would have to warn the people and say we shouldn’t do it but boy that’s an extreme measure where we don’t want to go,” Cardinal Dolan said.

That was a relief for those who say faith is what’s getting them through.

“We have to turn to our faith because it is a scary time, it’s all we have sometimes. It was hard to decide to come, I’ll be honest,” said Tom and Cathy Adinolfi.

“We’re a little scared, but coming to church just brings you so much closer to God, I can’t even explain. We’ve been through so much, and this is just a reinforcement of faith and that God is up there watching over us,” Nick Durante and Tina Turco said.

Meanwhile, the Brooklyn Diocese is asking the Supreme Court to block state restrictions on church capacities saying it violates religious freedom.

World Day of Poor Initiatives Adapt to Pandemic, Vatican Official Says

By Carol Glatz and Currents News Staff

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Even during a global pandemic, the World Day of the Poor will be an important opportunity for parishes to highlight the importance of charity and spiritual comfort for those in need, said a Vatican official.

Although restrictions meant to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus have meant some initiatives had to be canceled or modified, the Nov. 15 day remains an occasion for dioceses around the world to “keep alive a sense of attention and fraternity toward the most marginalized and disadvantaged,” said Archbishop Rino Fisichella, president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting New Evangelization, which coordinates the World Day of the Poor activities.

At a Vatican news conference Nov. 12, Archbishop Fisichella detailed what the Vatican and the Diocese of Rome had planned.

Pope Francis was to celebrate Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica Nov. 15 in the presence of 100 people, who will represent those around the world who face poverty as well as volunteers and benefactors who assist them, he said. The Mass will be livestreamed at vaticannews.va.

Instead of the mobile health clinic, which is usually set up in St. Peter’s Square for the week, and lunch for 1,500 people with the pope, he said the papal almoner’s office has been operating a smaller clinic under the colonnade in the square offering free COVID-19 swab tests for people who need them in order to stay at a homeless shelter or to return home abroad. For the past two weeks, they have conducted about 50 tests a day, he said.

Mobile units also will be parked in different locations on the outskirts of Rome offering free HIV and hepatitis-C tests, he added.

Thanks to the generosity of donors, 2.5 tons of pasta will be given to local soup kitchens and charities, and 5,000 care packages will be distributed to families in need in Rome. Each box will contain quality brand-name staple foods, face masks and a prayer card from the pope.

About 350,000 face masks will be given to 15,000 students in the city to alleviate costs for families in need and to invite students “not to underestimate the risks of the pandemic, especially with behaviors that could be harmful once they return from school to their families with the presence of elderly people,”Archbishop Fisichella said.

Priests and chaplains can download a pastoral guide in five languages from the council’s website, www.pcpne.va, to help make sure the day is not just dedicated to charitable activities, but is supported by prayer, eucharistic adoration and other spiritual endeavors “that can never be lacking in order for our witness to be complete and effective,” he said.

The pontiff’s message for the day was made public in June and the day’s theme is “Stretch forth your hand to the poor.”

Concrete signs and gestures are necessary every day, especially at a time when so many people find themselves in difficulty because of the pandemic, Archbishop Fisichella said.

“Now is a good time to recover the conviction that we need one another, that we have a shared responsibility for others and the world,” the Holy Father said in his message.

– – –

The text of the Holy Father’s message in English can be found here:
http://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/messages/poveri/documents/papa-francesco_20200613_messaggio-iv-giornatamondiale-poveri-2020.html

The text of the Holy Father’s message in Spanish is here:
http://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/es/messages/poveri/documents/papa-francesco_20200613_messaggio-iv-giornatamondiale-poveri-2020.html

Holy Child Jesus Parishioner Celebrates 100th Birthday During Pandemic

By Jessica Easthope

Margaret Philips has spent her life giving back.

“My mother would always take care of the neighbors who were sick, she would go and help them and spend several hours with them two three times a week,” said Ronnie Arikian, one of Margaret’s daughters.

On her one hundredth birthday, not even a pandemic could stop her family and friends from safely celebrating with her. Marge, as she’s known to those closest to her, isn’t taking her milestone birthday too seriously.

“Well according to my expectations, I don’t feel any different than yesterday,” Marge said.

But she’s the only one.

“You have made an impact on everybody in this room,” said one of her guests.

Masked with excitement, the guests paid tribute to Marge, who has devoted her life to others. As for her secret to living this long, Marge was always on the go, finding creative ways to improve the world around her.

“She was very much into doing tasks and painting the house, and putting things together and using the workshop down the basement,” said Margie Adams, Marge’s youngest daughter.

All these years later, she’s the glue that’s held her family together. Though she was the one opening presents, the real gifts are what she has passed on to her family.

“That’s where I think I got my calling from, was watching my mother all those years taking care of people in need,” Ronnie said.

Marge has been a parishioner at Holy Child Jesus for as long as the church has stood in Richmond Hill, Queens. These days church comes to her, but her faith is stronger than ever.

“It gave me stability, so I had something to fall back on if I felt bad,” Marge said.

Her faith has gotten her this far, and she’s confident it will take her to the next 100.

Currents News full broadcast for Fri, 11/13/20 (Catholic news)

Currents News reports secular and religious news from the Catholic perspective.

Some of the top stories on this special edition:

Religious freedom fight – the Diocese of Brooklyn is taking its case to the highest court in the land.

Closing again? Mayor Bill de Blasio warns schools could go fully remote as early as Nov. 16 if coronavirus rates rise.

A papal promise in the wake of the McCarrick report: Pope Francis vows to end abuse in the Church.

Closer to sainthood – Father Michael McGivney, the founder of the Knights of Columbus, is beatified.