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.

How to Navigate The Tablet’s Virtual Catholic College Fair

By Gregg Ficarra and Currents News Staff

March 13, 2020, was the last, in-person, college fair I ran at Moraine Valley College in suburban Chicago. Then the COVID-19 restrictions hit and the rest, shall we say, is history.

While we are all settling into the new normal and adjusting to what we can and cannot do, in-person college fairs, at least temporarily, have been placed on hold. As most of you know, a typical college fair usually brings college admission folks and high school students with or without their parents together. Normally the event is held in a gym or large hall. For obvious health reasons, I don’t think that will be happening for a while!

The college admissions process continues but looks a little different. Colleges still need to recruit qualified students while students and their parents are interested in finding the perfect place for their higher education needs. Welcome to the virtual college fair world.

I know what you are thinking. Great, another virtual event. But wait, virtual college fairs really work! They are easy to navigate and are quite an effective way to start the college search process. So, let’s take a look at how a virtual college fair works. So that you have a complete understanding of the process, we are going to take a look through two lenses. First from the college perspective, then the student/parent side.

Once a college/university has decided to participate in a virtual college fair they have to build their booth. These virtual booths are chock full of pertinent information about their institution. They post information about campus life, courses of study, acceptance requirements, tuition, housing, and application deadlines. They can also include videos about financial aid, scholarships, or even a virtual campus tour. Everything you want to know about the participating colleges will be in these booths.

Students, Parents, and Guidance Counselors have to register online to attend the virtual college fair. You have to provide an email address and create a password. Once that is complete students will be asked to create a profile. This profile includes information that will be used by colleges to determine if you are a good fit for their school and if they are a good fit for you. On the day and time of the virtual college, fair students will log in using their email address and password. (By the way, the platform/website is completely secure and no information is shared with a third party). Once you enter the virtual fair you will see all of the college logos. If you click on a logo, you will enter the booth. Once you are in the booth you can communicate with a college admissions representative, in real-time, by joining a group chat or by requesting a one-on-one chat. You can also just enter the booth, look around, gather the information you need, and leave to visit another booth. Every time you click on a booth that institution gains access to your profile which they consider a lead.

The entire process is user-friendly, secure, and as I said earlier, a great first step in the college search process. Let me offer a few tips to make your participation in our virtual college fair a positive and productive experience:

Spend some time before the fair to develop questions you can ask the college admissions representatives. These questions should be based on what’s important to you.
Think about the location of the college. Do you want to attend a large university or a small college? Do you like city life or prefer to be in a rural setting?
Do you have a major in mind? If not, that’s ok, a lot of students enter college with an undeclared major.
While it is important to be aware of tuition costs, don’t let it be your only criteria. Most colleges/universities offer a variety of scholarships and financial aid.
It is good to have a list of colleges that are your top choices, but keep an open mind when attending the fair. You may find a school that you never heard of that turns out to be a perfect fit.
Please keep in mind that if you choose to chat with a college admissions representative, that person will probably be reviewing your application and deciding if you get accepted to their school. Make a good first impression!
The Tablet’s Virtual Catholic College Fair Friday, Nov. 13 from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. then again at 4:30 – 8:30 p.m. Registration ends at 7 a.m on Nov. 13. To get a head start at registration, check out the online college directory: https://nyc.educationconnectlive.com/

Be prepared! Bring your A-game to the virtual college fair! Best of luck and may God watch over you as you navigate the college search process.

Pete Marcolini

Renowned chef Pete Marcolini of Aunt Butchie’s of Brooklyn visits Msgr Jamie to talk about how he got into the food industry and his family, all while cooking a mouth-watering spaghetti al forno!

Currents News full broadcast for Thurs, 11/12/20 (Catholic news)

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

Some of the top stories on this newscast:

Record highs for coronavirus infections and hospitalizations around the globe.

Pope Francis calls to congratulate Joe Biden on his projected win – what the two men spoke about.

Why Saint Francis College in Brooklyn Heights is attracting so many new students.

Meet the nine-year-old entrepreneur from Saint Ephrem in Bay Ridge who is teaching a lesson in charity.

Catholic Student Gives Back Through Charity, Defies Odds With Instagram Business ‘Gigi’s Creations’

By Jessica Easthope

There’s nothing nine-year-old Gigi Solitario wanted more than a puppy.

“I started making bracelets so I could earn money for a puppy so I could get a puppy,” Gigi said.

Gigi’s mom Jill suggested she use her creativity to raise money for a dog, but Gigi’s goal quickly developed into something more.

“That one idea turned into ‘I want to raise enough money to adopt a dog.’ And that turned into ‘I have enough money to adopt a dog, now I want to help others,'” Jill explained.

With some colorful beads and time on their hands during the pandemic Gigi and Jill started Gigi’s Creations, a business on Instagram selling handmade bracelets, anklets and something Gigi knew people would really need.

“My mom keeps losing her mask a lot so me and my mom decided to make a mask holder so you can hold your mask around your neck,” Gigi said.

As the business grew, Gigi began giving the money to charities. She picks a different one every month and has donated more than $1,000. Gigi’s favorite charity is Save the Turtles, so it was an easy pick for her first donation.

“I like turtles and I like helping them because all the turtles keep getting stuck in plastic and getting hurt and stuff,” Gigi said.

If Gigi’s giving spirit wasn’t inspiring enough, Jill says there was a time when she thought her daughter would never be able to make something so intricate. In 2016 Gigi was diagnosed with the eye disorder exotropia.

“Her eyes doubled at one point, her eyes went outward, sometimes she was seeing blurry vision,” Jill said.

After months of intensive eye therapy didn’t work, the only option was surgery, but Gigi came out on top and is now defying the odds bead-by-bead.

“Especially, we use clear string,” said Jill. “For her to bead through the clear string is amazing to see.”

Tied in to every one of Gigi’s creations is faith. Jill says she’s taken what she’s learned at home and at her school, St. Ephrem’s Catholic Academy, and is wearing it right on her sleeve.

“She’s always thinking of others and helping others, so I think our Catholic faith is tying it all together,” Jill said.

With the same care and consideration she puts into picking every bead, Gigi’s in the process of picking a great shelter to find her dog. She started out raising money to get something she wanted. Now, Gigi is more focused on what she can give and spreading happiness — one bracelet at a time.

How the World Is Handling the Rising Number of COVID Cases

Currents News Staff

There are more than 10 million known COVID-19 cases in the U.S. and nearly every state is seeing a rise in week-to-week infections. That’s according to Johns Hopkins University.

“I’m really frightened with the spike we’re seeing in cases right now,” doctor and medical analyst Celine Gounder told Currents News.

However, drug-makers like Pfizer and Moderna are making medical strides.

“Vaccination is not going to be a fairy tale ending to the pandemic,” said Tom Frieden, the former director at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “We’re still going to be dealing with it at least through most or all of 2021, and quite possibly beyond that.”

Meanwhile, China says it is moving full steam ahead in the race for a vaccine. Reports say cases in the communist country are increasingly rare, due to strict lockdowns and mass testing.

This is a testing site in Japan, which is facing a third wave of infections. India’s capital region is also seeing it’s highest daily increase in cases. Doctors blame the rise on people not following social distancing rules.

That could be the case in Sweden too. The country plans to ban alcohol sales after 10 p.m. and close bars and restaurants at 10:30 p.m. Spain is putting restrictions on visitors from high-risk countries. Now requiring travelers to show proof of a negative test.

In Italy, a grim milestone has been reached. The country’s ministry of health says Italy has just passed one million cases. Back in the U.S., until a vaccine is available, health officials say we should take action to prevent the virus from spreading even faster.

“Wear a mask,” says President-elect Joe Biden’s COVID-19 Advisory Board Member Michael Osterholm. “Also make note that if you are sick, don’t go into the public. If you have symptoms that are similar to what might be COVID, be sure and get tested. Then isolate yourself and quarantine away.”

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

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

Some of the top stories on this newscast:

It’s Veteran’s Day and we have the story of a Catholic priest who is serving God and country.

The Holy Father makes a vow to end abuse in the Catholic Church.

Coronavirus infections are creeping up in New York City – will schools be forced to close down again?

The Affordable Care Act may have survived another challenge in the Supreme Court.

New Jersey Priest Fought on the Frontlines of the Pandemic as a Captain in the U.S. Army Reserves

By Emily Drooby

Father Andrew De Silva lives between two worlds.

He serves God and his parishioners as the parochial vicar at St. Agnes Catholic Church in Clark, N.J. He also serves his country as a captain in the U.S. Army Reserves.

“I do feel blessed that I’m able to help out a little bit,” said Father De Silva, “I benefit tremendously from my contact with soldiers, others who I can emulate.”

It’s a ministry that was made especially difficult this year. As the head chaplain for the 8th medical brigade on Staten Island, he was there as the Reserves navigated their role in fighting the pandemic.

“Usually medical brigade supports the forward components,” he explained. “Whereas all of a sudden, medical brigade is going to lead the way.”

Father De Silva got his first taste of army life while in college at Virginia Military Institute.

“I remember thinking at the time, I don’t want to be in the Army,” he said, “and look at me now.”

As the descendent of a long line of American heroes, the military was in his blood. His father and grandfather are both veterans.

Once he was out of college and working in the wine industry, Father De Silva says he was living for three purposes: marriage, money, and the freedom to travel. Then he came across the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal.

“These monks were way happier and more fulfilled than I was and they had the three opposite values,” he explained. That’s where his new path began.

He joined the Brothers of Saint John, he was sent to Seton Hall University where he worked with ROTC students, which led him to the Reserves.

After eight years as a religious brother, he felt the calling to become a priest and was ordained in 2019.

Now, he’s on his second year as a priest, and his seventh with the Chaplain Corps. He juggles both of his callings, ministering to his parishioners, while always keeping a packed to-go Army Chaplain bag nearby.

“I’ve kind of found this important niche where a lot of the soldiers, citizen soldiers are working two jobs,” Father De Silva said. “They don’t have the same structure. They’ve got a lot of stress a lot of difficulties, so there is a tremendous of need for people to be there for them, support them, to walk with them.”

This past year, as hospitals were overflowing and overwhelmed with COVID patients, being a chaplain meant supporting soldiers who were learning to set up field hospitals. Men and women fearlessly facing the coronavirus, a terrifying and deadly opponent, to protect their fellow Americans. Father De Silva’s help and guidance was greatly needed.

Now, he’s urging fellow clergy to follow on his path.

“I would recommend that all of us be ready to wear a hat that we didn’t expect to wear,” said Father De Silva. “I think that’s something that 2020 has taught us.”

Pope Francis Vows to End Abuse Within the Catholic Church

By Jessica Easthope

The Holy Father is leading the charge in seeking to erase former Cardinal Theodore McCarrick’s mark on the Catholic Church. After a report on the decades of misconduct at the hands of McCarrick was released by the Vatican, Nov. 10, Pope Francis is emphasizing the Church’s commitment to stamping out abuse.

“Yesterday the report on the painful case of former Cardinal Theodore McCarrick was published,” the Holy Father said on Nov. 11. “I renew my closeness to victims of all forms of abuse, and the Church’s commitment to eradicate this evil.”

Pope Francis has done more than any of his predecessors to stand with victims and eliminate abuse in the Catholic Church.

In addition to ordering the report on evidence of McCarrick’s abuse and laicizing the now 90-year-old former Cardinal, to date, Pope Francis has established the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors, holding a meeting with the world’s Bishops following the allegations against McCarrick. The pontiff also created a task force to help religious entities revise guidelines to further protect minors from abuse. In December of 2019 he waived the obligation of secrecy for those who have been abused by a priest or church leader and issued a document clarifying procedures on how to hold bishops and religious leaders accountable.

Though he has made many big strides, Pope Francis said we cannot move forward without confident prayer.

“If we do not pray, we will not have the strength to go forward in life,” he said. “Prayer is like the oxygen of life. Prayer draws the presence of the Holy Spirit, who leads us forward. There are dark moments in life, in which faith may seem to be an illusion. However, practicing prayer means accepting even this struggle.”

McCarrick has not been arrested or charged with any crimes. He is reported to be living in an undisclosed community of priests who have been removed from ministry.

Capodanno Film, ‘The Field Afar’, Showcases Priest’s Role in Serving on the Vietnam Frontlines

Currents News Staff

Father Vincent Capodanno was a young priest who walked New York’s streets. So how did he end up on the battlefield in Vietnam, on the other side of the world?

The Staten Island born priest is in line for sainthood and he’s being remembered in a big way this Veterans Day.

NET-TV is airing an award-winning documentary on his life. Tim Moriarty, the executive director of that documentary, The Field Afar, joins Currents News.