More Than a Year After the Pandemic Shut Down Pilgrimages, They’re Finally Back

By Emily Drooby

Pilgrimages are making a comeback after a year of being shut down.

“We have to celebrate! Actually, yes, it’s good news, it’s a positive news,” said Peter Bahou.

For 38 years, Peter owned Peter’s Way Tours. They specialize in pilgrimages and work with Catholics throughout the United States, including the Diocese of Brooklyn.

The pandemic forced them to cancel all of their trips since March of last year, which affected about 200 groups.

Now they’re back!

Twenty pilgrimage groups will head out between July and the end of this year.

“First and foremost, we want to make sure people are comfortable and traveling with confidence,” Peter said.

In terms of safety, Peter and his team have been keeping track of travel requirements as they change. There are precautions in place, like PCR testing, and limiting the amount of people allowed on the buses. Peter is so confident in the safety that he’s going on a pilgrimage himself this summer.

“It is not only business, for us, it’s a ministry,” explained Peter. “It gives us energy to see those pilgrims traveling, coming back so happy.”

The Diocese of Brooklyn’s first pilgrimage is scheduled starting May 17, 2022. It will be a trip to the Oberammergau Passion Play and will be led by Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus Octavio Cisneros.

Ironically, the Passion play dates back to 1633 and was started because of a pandemic.

“The people prayed to God that if they were spared the Bubonic Plague, every 10 years they would have a celebration of the passion of our Lord and since then, they have been celebrating it every 10 years,” said Bishop Cisneros.

The 2022 pilgrimage was a rescheduled trip. The original date was set for May 2020, but was cancelled because of the rapid spread of COVID-19. Eleven people are signed up for the new trip so far.

The pilgrimage is intended to deepen one’s Catholic faith and help them take one step closer to a return to normal.

“We go with a spiritual purpose,” Bishop Cisneros said, “to touch base with the faith of other people, to see the history of our faith lived out in others.”

‘Buddy Bench’ Inspires Kindness and Inclusion after Loss of Gianna Gambino

By Jessica Easthope

Gianna Gambino’s three younger siblings can’t name their happiest memory with their sister – there are just too many.

“She had a lot of great memories so I don’t really know,” said her sister Briella.

But one thing they’re sure of is she was the perfect role model. Gianna lost her battle with osteosarcoma on February 19, just two months shy of her 13th birthday.

The Gambino’s lives will never be the same – but through their loss – they want to inspire people to live like Gianna.

“Gianna gave everyone a reason to smile, the other kids would just brighten up when they were around here, she made everyone see the positive side of things,” said Gianna’s aunt and godmother, Taryn Cararo.

Now, her family and her elementary school PS 222 in Marine Park are making sure her legacy lives on. Sitting in her old schoolyard is Gianna’s Buddy Bench since she was known for being a friend to everyone. Now her name serves as a reminder to be kind – and the bench, a refuge for any kid who’s lonely or left out: two things Gianna never let anyone feel.

“We felt like this bench here and the colors in the middle of the schoolyard were inviting for kids who felt they needed a new friend of felt left out and it’s a way of just memorializing and reminding people live like Gianna, be kind and make someone feel good,” said Gianna’a mom, Jillian.

Even in her darkest day, Gianna’s life was full of faith. Father Thomas Doyle, the pastor of Good Shepherd Church where the Gambinos are parishioners and Gianna sang in the children’s choir says her impact on his life is forever.

“In 37 years of being a priest, this was the hard one because you saw how positive she was and you saw the community come together and that’s how we’re supposed to be,” said Father Doyle. “You had a 12-year-old who taught us how to live.”

Now with her buddy bench, Gianna’s memory will be one of inclusion. Her father Carl says it represents everything she was.

“If you don’t put yourself first and put others first … it’s basically living like Jesus,” Carl said. That’s the effect it has to have peace in the world.”

The next time the bench reminds someone to share a smile, warm a heart or be a friend – that’s all part of the ‘Gianna effect.’

Catholic News Headlines for Monday, 5/3/21

Scores are being tallied for The Tablet’s COVID relief fundraiser, with Catholic schools anxiously waiting to hear if they’ll take home the big money prize.

New York’s governor announces most COVID-19 capacity restrictions will be lifted by the 19th.

Pope Francis kicked off a prayer marathon to end the pandemic and is calling on you to help.

One archbishop says Catholics who support abortion should not accept communion.

During Teacher Appreciation Week, Astoria Teacher Recognized for Going Above and Beyond

By Emily Drooby

At first, school teacher Patricia Cavera was tepid about technology. But she did a complete 360 this year and is now tackling technology for one reason: her students.

For 25 years, Patricia taught in Catholic schools. She’s also a product of Catholic school education herself. At her current school, St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Academy in Astoria, Queens, she’s beloved.

Patricia’s principal says she was always iffy about technology, until the pandemic hit. It was already a difficult year.

“I think everybody felt it, especially the children that are experiencing this,” Patricia said.

Patricia knew she needed to step up and learn more about technology for the sake of her students. So, she did.

She learned how to use the school’s virtual whiteboard system. That meant she could seamlessly teach students in two different classrooms, as well as virtually.

Even with the personal face-to-face time split in half, students still felt like they can rely on her.

One of her students, Hudson Joseph Geiger, said she helps him understand how to do his work.

“She’s going to be there, teaching me, helping me when I need it,” Hudson said, “and I don’t have to worry too much if I make some mistakes, because she will help me understand.”

Her tenacity and drive makes her an inspiration to fellow teachers like Nicole Biscaglia.

“Nothing seems to frazzle her, nothing seems to phase her. She’s always very calm and composed, the way she speaks and talks to the kids and parents,” Nicole said. “That’s a trait that every teacher wants to have and I hope to have that one day.”

What fuels Patricia? That this isn’t just a job.

“I’m blessed to be here,” Patricia said, “because it doesn’t feel like work.”

Students Anxiously Await the Results of the Tablet COVID-19 Fundraiser

By Emily Drooby

The Tablet Newspaper’s COVID Relief Fundraiser is a tight race. The contest is now closed and the scores are being tallied.

Noelle Pianoforte thinks her school, St. Athanasius Catholic Academy in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn, has a good shot at winning. She personally sold over 25 newspaper subscriptions which means big money for both her and her school.

“What made me want to sell so many is so I could raise money for my school,” fifth grader Noelle said.

Each subscription was a $20 sale, with $5 going to the school and $10 going to the student. It’s money that can be a big relief explained Msgr. David Cassato.

“They can help their parents pay their tuition with that and it’s a great incentive for the kids to do it, help mom and dad out,” said Msgr. Cassato, the diocesan vicar for Catholic schools the pastor of St. Athanasius Church. “Everyone is struggling in this COVID time.”

He said it was a great competition.

“Many people participated and I’m praying St. Athanasius was the highest school,” Msgr. Cassato said.

Of 52 schools that participated in the fundraiser competition, St. Athanasius has emerged as a major contender for the top prizes including thousands of dollars.

However, principal Diane Competello says no matter what the results, their school already won.

“Even if we don’t win as the highest school, we have won in many other ways,” Diane said. “In getting our children to work together toward a common goal and to instill in everybody that you can help. This is a way you can help.”

Just as important was that the students had fun, which is something that was very much needed during this difficult year. Orders are still being tallied, but a winner will be named by the end of the month.

“It was good to see them excited about something because it was a hard year from the COVID,” Diane said. “We had so many limitations on so many things, so to be excited about something together as a school community is something beautiful to see.”

Pope Francis Inaugurates “Prayer Marathon” For an End to The Pandemic

Currents News Staff

Pope Francis has asked that this month of May be dedicated to praying insistently for an end to the pandemic.

That’s why he kicked off what the Vatican is calling a “prayer marathon.” Each day will feature a different Marian shrine.

The rosary will be the main prayer for the marathon. It will be streamed live from a different shrine every day at 6 p.m., Rome time.

Pope Francis inagurated the marathon at the Vatican, with a prayer in front of an ancient mosaic in St. Peter’s Basilica, on Saturday, May 1.

Each day after that, the rosary will be broadcast from a different place, like Guadalupe, Fatima, Lourdes, the Immaculate Conception in Washington, Medjugorje in Bosnia and la Caridad del Cobre in Cuba.

The Holy Father will conclude the marathon on May 31, in a chapel in the Vatican Gardens.

The Vatican wants to involve as many Catholics as possible and invites them to connect from their homes or parishes to pray for the end of the pandemic.

It’s no coincidence that the rosary is the chosen prayer, as May is traditionally the month the Catholic Church dedicates to the Virgin Mary.

In fact, on May 30, 2020, during the first wave of COVID-19 infections, Pope Francis invited doctors, nurses, hospital chaplains and family members of pandemic victims to pray the rosary together in the Vatican Gardens for the same cause.

Catholic News Headlines for Friday, 4/30/21

Pandemic prayer marathon – Pope Francis is calling for divine intervention to end the COVID-19 crisis worldwide.

New York City exodus – parishes are seeing their congregants move away.

Minority-owned businesses are struggling as well, but they hope the mayor’s plan to reopen the city this summer will help.

We mark ten years since the beatification of Pope John Paul II.

Ten Years Ago: The Beatification of John Paul II

Currents News Staff

Ten years ago one of the most significant ceremonies ever took place, the beatification of John Paul II. Some 1.5 million pilgrims traveled to Rome for the ceremony on May 1, 2011.

“I came because I felt something wonderful, and the two times I was close to him were beautiful moments,” said one pilgrim.

Many camped out near St. Peter’s to be the first to enter the square. “Africa, we come from Africa, from very far away because he was a great man of God. The Pope came to Nigeria and now we came to Rome,” added another pilgrim.

At five in the morning, the police began letting them in. Shortly after, hundreds of thousands of pilgrims were gathered around the Vatican.

There were 87 delegations from around the world, including seven heads of government, 16 heads of state and five royal households then entered the square. The ceremony began at 10 in the morning.

The Polish nun who cared for John Paul II until his death and the French nun who was miraculously cured of Parkinson’s through his intercession, presented Benedict XVI with a relic of his predecessor.

After the Mass, the Pope and cardinals prayed before the remains of the new Blessed. Hundreds of thousands of pilgrims were also able to approach the coffin.

A few days later, John Paul II’s remains were transferred to the Chapel of St. Sebastian inside of St. Peter’s Basilica, where they continue to rest today.

His tomb has become one of the most visited places in the Vatican.

Catholic News Headlines for Thursday, April 29 2021

New York City’s mayor wants to reopen by July. The news comes as a Godsend to businesses — especially ones owned by minorities who struggled through the pandemic.

The big takeaways from President Biden’s speech to Congress — and what he skipped over in his first address.

The U.S. is sending more than 100 million dollars worth of supplies to India as the country reels from a surge in COVID-19 cases.

Pope Francis signs a new measure to fight corruption at the Vatican.

An Inspirational Restaurant in Queens Gives Back to Their Community Despite Pandemic Struggles

By Emily Drooby

Sangria Tapas Bar & Restaurant has been a staple of the Jamaica, Queens neighborhood for 17 years. They’re located near a courthouse and a major stop on the Long Island Railroad, so normally there would be a large lunch rush. But with the pandemic, that’s gone.

“It has been very tough, very, very tough,” said co-owner, Rita Coutinho.

Rita and her family are faithful Catholics and longtime parishioners of St. Pius X Church in Rosedale, Queens. When the city first shut down last year, they lost about 80 percent of their business.

Now with less restrictions and both New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio and Gov. Andrew Cuomo announcing their intentions to fully open the city back up soon, they’re seeing an improvement.

“Thank God we are doing better, [but] it’s not the same thing like before COVID,” Rita said.

They’re now up to about 50 percent of their business. However, they did spend about $30,000 on COVID safety features. They had to dip into their own pockets to keep the place afloat. Like many restaurants, they’re calling on the government for financial help.

A new survey suggests that the pandemic has especially affected minority-owned small businesses. Ninety-percent of the survey’s respondents said they won’t last six months without financial relief. This is according to a survey done by nonprofit, Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) New York City.

That makes what Rita and her co-owners did even more incredible. While it was a time of struggling, they still gave away $11,000 worth of meals to first responders and local churches who distributed them to parishioners. They have another large drop planned for next month.

“We know that God is going to help us because we are helping the community,” Rita said, “and the community comes to support us, so it’s like a beautiful circle.”

Now, it seems that God is helping them. If all goes well, Mayor de Blasio plans to fully reopen the city in just two months, on July 1.

It’s an announcement that inspires hope. Rita told Currents News that every morning she thanks God that she still has her health and her business.

“Gives you the hope that something better is coming for everybody,” Rita added.