Diocese of Scranton Priest Explains How Monks Used Beer to Fast During Lent

By Katie Vasquez

For thousands of years, beer has been part of the daily diet of various civilizations. But did you know it has ties to the Catholic Church?

In the 16th and 17th centuries, European monks would brew beer at their monasteries.

“People were not working as hard,” said Father Von Fossen. “They were tired. They were biting each other. It was just not a good fit for communal life.”

They created the doppelbock or double bock beer, which was more nutritious than the average pint.

“They’re able to create something that has high carbohydrates, also antioxidants, and a variety of other things that we would term nowadays, like super-food, almost into that beer,” said Father Von Fossen.

The monks would drink the beer four times a day for the full 40 days, and as they gathered for prayer, they discovered the beer helped.

“They found out that they were able to work harder, work stronger, work longer,” said Father Von Fossen.

According to Chris Miller, the co-owner of Breaker Brewing in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, the brewing process for beers like the doppelbock has mostly stayed the same.

“The process of making beers is real simple,” said Miller. “You’re getting grains, you’re milling them, you’re combining them with water, you’re extracting the sugar out of them, you’re going to boil that and add hops. and then when you’re done, you chill it, ferment it, and then finish it. Can it or keg it, drink it,” said Miller.

What has been updated is the technology.

“They would have to brew beer at a certain time of year when it’s still cold out so they can lager it,” said Miller. “Right now, all we have to do is turn our tank on, set it to 32 degrees, and we’re good to go.”

“I think we still have aspects of the prohibition,” said Father Von Fossen. You know, and we have this idea that giving up beer is a holy act. And it can be, but in the same sense of it all, beer could also be community bringing could bring us together.”

Catholic News Headlines for Wednesday 3/20/2024

The Diocese of Scranton says beer has the power to bring people together.

Pope Francis is urging bishops in Latin America to eradicate the indifference toward migrants.

The World Happiness Report is out, and the United States continues to fall.

Lenten Pilgrimage: Bishop Brennan Blesses Crucifix Honoring Monsignor Delendick

Tuesday’s Lenten pilgrimage stop included a dedication to a beloved chaplain in the diocese.

Bishop Robert Brennan blessed a new crucifix dedicated to Monsignor John Delendick at St. Jude’s Church in Canarsie, Brooklyn.

The FDNY chaplain, who died last year from 9/11 related cancer, was a pillar in the community following the attacks.

Download the Lenten Pilgrimage app to pray along with the pilgrims and see all the stops they will make.

Search “Lenten Pilgrimage” on the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.

Community Prays for Haiti at Lenten Pilgrimage Stop

by Katie Vasquez

The congregation at Holy Innocents church showed off their Haitian pride on Monday night,

from dozens of flags waved in the pews, to the Creole hymns filling the Flatbush church.

but among the joyful noise, sounds of sadness,as people of faith think of the havoc happening now in Haiti. Over the last few days, Haiti has been gripped by violence as gangs have been launching attack after attack against the government.

The constant gunfire has left people in the country locked in their homes,

So Brooklyn Bishop Robert Brennan wanted to offer some comfort to their families in Brooklyn, dedicating the latest stop in the Diocese of Brooklyn’s Lenten pilgrimage to prayers for peace in Haiti.

“The people here are connected to their families and they’re worried about their families. and it’s not just in these last couple of weeks with the big violence that’s been happening, but there have been kidnappings that people have told me about, cousins, brothers and sisters who’ve been kidnapped themselves and having to pay ransom.”

The mass gives those who are feeling the effects of this crisis a sense of purpose even though they are thousands of miles away.

“Our family there, this suffering, this suffering, we cannot even have the opportunity to send food for them. so it’s a terrible situation. They have to do something,” said Adeline Sanon, a parishioner at Holy Innocents Church.

“It was much needed because we feel so powerless. we feel, you know, we are in the lenten desert and even more so by what’s going on in Haiti,” said Michele Guerrier, a member of the Haitian apostolate.

And as they waved the flags of their heritage, they prayed that God will watch over the nation.

“What gives us hope and what gives us comfort is that the Lord has been so, so good to us. and the lord is always faithful,” said Bishop Brennan.

“The Haitian people, they are my family. so like the Bishop said, when one part of the body hurts, the entire body hurts. so, you know, I’m crying with all the Haitians,” said Guerrier.

Catholic News Headlines for Tuesday 3/19/2024

Led by Bishop Robert Brennan, the Diocese of Brooklyn comes together to pray for Haiti.

Bishop Robert Brennan leads the celebration of Mass today for the Lenten pilgrimage at St. Jude’s Church in Canarsie.

According to a new report from the Guttmacher Institute, more than a million abortions occurred last year.

Learn more about how young Catholic professionals make it their business to form their faith.

St. Joseph’s Day Treat: Staff at Brooklyn Bakery Working Overtime to Make Pastry

Tuesday is the feast of St. Joseph, and many will celebrate it with a tasty treat.

The dedicated staff at Brooklyn’s Fortunato Brothers Cafe works tirelessly to produce St. Joseph pastries for eager customers. The bakery starts making them around Valentine’s Day, producing hundreds of pastries.

It is a popular dessert in Italy, where St. Joseph’s Day is also Father’s Day. Fortunato Brothers offers a delightful array of St. Joseph pastries in different varieties, each adding a unique layer of fun and excitement to families celebrating the feast day.

If you want a St. Joseph’s pastry but can’t make it to Fortunato Brothers for the feast day, don’t worry—the bakery will continue to make the treat through Easter.

St. John’s Bread and Life On Lenten Mission to Fund 40,000 Meals

by Katie Vasquez

This box contains a full meal, complete with a hamburger, corn on the cob and fries.

It’s just one of the 1,500 hot meals that St. John’s bread and life provides four days a week to guests like Dawn Brabham.

“This place is extremely valuable. I really depend on this place,” said Brabham.

But this lent, that non-profit’s kitchen is on a mission, to provide even more of those life-saving meals to people in need.

That’s why during these forty days of preparation, they are trying to raise 40,000 dollars.

“The corporal works of mercy are very important during our Lenten experience and it’s, I think people feel the need to be able to do something concrete for their brothers and sisters,” said Sister Marie Sorenson, the associate executive director at St. John’s Bread and Life.

Already with more than half of lent over, they have reached more than half of their goal.

The kitchen’s collected 30 thousand dollars, thanks in part to generous donors, like longtime volunteer Juliet Thornhill.

“This month is a very serious month. we have to reflect on ourselves for us to deal with others and assist others, because this is a time and a season that we have to realize that everything have to be put aside and not about us, but the ones that we will take care of and what we will do to help others,” said Thornhill.

Every little bit helps to feed the wider community.

“The average donation that we receive is approximately $40, and that feeds a family of three for a week. right. so that’s significant. That means a lot to people,” said Sister Sorenson.

Making sure that guests like Dawn don’t go hungry.

“I think it’s great. They deserve it. they deserve it. I love it here,” said Brabham.

Catholic News Headlines for Monday 3/18/2024

A Bed-Stuy food pantry is reminding people to give back during this season of Lent, offering opportunities on how to get involved.

Amid the ongoing unrest and turmoil gripping Haiti, the Diocese of Brooklyn is dedicating today’s Lenten pilgrimage to praying for a peaceful resolution.

In preparation of the Feast of St. Joseph, many are celebrating with a tasty treat!

The 263rd annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade in New York City, the oldest and largest demonstration for the patron saint of Ireland in the world, marched up Fifth Avenue in Manhattan over the weekend.

The Pride of the Irish On Display at Annual NYC St. Patrick’s Day Parade

By Katie Vasquez

The sounds of bagpipes and drums filled Fifth Avenue on Saturday as nearly 2 million people gathered to wave the Irish flag and show off their Celtic pride.

“We’ve been coming for close to 30 some years,” said Cheryl Riley-Marano, who attended the New York City St. Patrick’s Day parade. “It’s a great time, really. You know, it’s a great time to celebrate your heritage.”

The New York City St. Patrick’s Day parade, a testament to the enduring spirit of Irish heritage, is the oldest and largest demonstration for the patron saint of Ireland in the world. It predates the signing of the Declaration of Independence, marking its historical significance.

“It’s the biggest, it’s the friendliest,” said Stacy Franco, who attended the New York City St. Patrick’s Day parade. “Everybody’s here. Everyone makes an effort to get out to New York City. It’s the best place to be.

A legacy New York’s Cardinal Timothy Dolan says continues to shine in New York City even to this day.

“The parishes, the charities, the schools, the hospitals, the health care, the joy in the hope, the fact that we continue to welcome the refugees like we welcome them,” said Cardinal Dolan. “This is the legacy of the Irish, the legacy of Patrick.”

In honor of the saint, parade-goers started the day in Mass.

Cardinal Dolan led the celebration, and the Bishop Emeritus of the Diocese of St. Petersburg, Bishop Robert Lynch, gave the homily, emphasizing the saint’s impact on Ireland.

“Under his guidance and direction, a pagan people once devoted to druids embraced Jesus Christ as their lord and savior,” said Bishop Lynch.

A missionary saint that Brooklyn Bishop Robert Brennan says can be a role model for Catholics today.

Vice President Kamala Harris Visits Abortion Clinic in Latest Stop on ‘Reproductive Freedoms’ Tour

More than 6,000 people greeted Pope Francis at the “pope’s hospital” in 2019. Doctors, nurses, staff, and children filled the hall. The Pope encouraged them to get closer to him. With the children all around him, he asked a tough question.

“Why does a child suffer?” Pope Francis asked. “No, there is no answer. There’s only serving the suffering child and looking for the Father of everything to do something.”

There have been many special moments like this one when some children brought the Pope a bouquet of flowers or when a little girl gave him a drawing. And this Saturday’s meeting will have its own touching encounters.

Around 3,000 people from the hospital will meet with Pope Francis to mark the 100th anniversary of the hospital being donated to the Vatican.

The Pope will be presented with a basket filled with notes written by children and young people hospitalized in the different branches of the Bambino Gesù.

The front rows of the Paul VI Audience Hall will be reserved for about 200 children and their parents. Among them will be patients from countries at war, such as Ukraine and Gaza.

All of them have been admitted to the hospital to receive the medical treatment they were unable to get in their home countries.

“We welcome everyone regardless of religion or wealth,” Said Tiziano Onesti, President Bambino Gesù Pediatric Hospital. “We provide healthcare for all children in a special way but here the door is always open for everyone. And we consider that the Bambino Gesù carries out a whole international activity that is very important, which then concretely expresses the mission of the Church in this sense.”

The Bambino Gesù was the first pediatric hospital founded in Italy. Today, about 300 patients have been admitted on a humanitarian basis.