One Brooklyn Catholic academy is empowering its students to choose baskets over bullying.
The program is run by the Harlem Magic Masters, who visited Our Lady of Grace Catholic Academy in Gravesend on Thursday. The players educated, stimulated, and motivated the students, inspiring the kids to stomp out bullying.
When Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio stepped out onto the balcony of St. Peter’s Square as pope, few expected that the Jesuit would choose the name Francis for his pontificate, in honor of the saint of Assisi.
Along with this gesture, Pope Francis has also shown the values of the patron saint, such as closeness to the poor with the care of the common home.
St. Francis of Assisi was born in 1182. The son of a merchant, he renounced his inheritance to follow the austerity of Christ. He lived in strict poverty, with a simple life. The Pope has tried to apply this lifestyle to himself as well as to the universal Church.
The Pope has actually been to Assisi several times. For example, in 2016, Pope Francis was in the basilica of St. Mary of the Angels. There, he prayed at the place where the Franciscan movement began.
St. Francis is known for having made the first nativity scene in history. It was in 1223 on his return from a trip to the Holy Land. The village, Greccio, reminded him of the place where Jesus was born. Francis visited this village in 2019.
The nativity scene, which St. Francis made for the first time in this small space, in imitation of the narrow grotto of Bethlehem, speaks for itself. There is no need to multiply words here, because the scene that is placed before our eyes expresses the wisdom we need to grasp the essential.
Pope Francis not only tries to model a life of poverty like his namesake, but he also spends time with the poor often. Just last weekend, the Holy Father made an unplanned stop to have breakfast with them while in Belgium.
The Pontiff also established the World Day of the Poor in 2017, which he often commemorates with a lunch alongside hundreds of poor people in the Vatican’s Paul VI Hall.
By Jessica Easthope
As the Catholic Church’s patron saint of animals and the environment, every year on the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi, Catholics bring their furry, scaly, and feathered friends to be blessed in a tradition that dates back centuries.
With every sprinkle of holy water, these people hope for good health and long lives—not for themselves, but for their pets.
Canines, felines, reptiles, and even stuffed animals made their way to St. Patrick’s Church in Bay Ridge Thursday for the annual tradition. St. Francis of Assisi started blessing animals back in the 13th century, but newly ordained priest Father Randy Nguyen is doing it for the first time.
“The blessing was very special today because, as St. Francis of Assisi said, animals are part of God’s creation, and we should appreciate and love them just like we love other people,” Father Nguyen said.
Chloe Carnella and her Cavalier King Charles, Cookie, are best friends.
“She always snuggles up in a ball, curls herself around, and looks like a fluff ball,”Carnella said.
Eddie Khzam was excited to talk about everything his bearded dragon, Bella, can do.
“She’s a very good eater, and she’s more active than my other ones,” Khzam said. “Her back feels like a rock. She climbs around her tank, sometimes runs, and sometimes goes underneath the couch.”
Daniel Freeland, a parishioner at St. Pat’s for nearly 30 years, says recently his service dog, Perceus, has been a true companion.
“Well, right now he’s everything. I take him everywhere, do everything with him,” Freeland said. “I lost my wife a year ago, so it’s tough. He makes up for that a little bit.”
Proving that emotional support from a pet comes in all shapes and sizes.
Father Nguyen says if you missed your parish’s Blessing of the Animals, not to worry. You can pray for or even with your pets at home by saying a prayer to St. Francis of Assisi.
Today is the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals. Catholics around the world participate in blessing their pets, including parishioners at St. Patrick’s Church in Bay Ridge, who held a special ceremony for the occasion.
Brooklyn Bishop Robert Brennan is on a retreat in Assisi, Italy, alongside 12 priests. They met with the Bishop of Assisi and visited the sacred site where St. Francis received the stigmata, Christ-like wounds symbolizing his devotion.
St. Francis of Assisi has inspired millions, including Pope Francis, who took his name. The Pope reflects St. Francis’ values of caring for the poor and protecting our shared home, the Earth.
Meet Kara McCarthy, the new principal at Our Lady of Hope Catholic Academy in Middle Village, Brooklyn. As an alum of the school, Kara is thrilled to return and plans to bring more student engagement through additional student Masses and a daily Angelus prayer. Learn more in the second installment of Currents News’ “Meet the New Principals” series.
This year the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals, falls on Friday, Oct. 4. In honor of the saint, St. Patrick’s Church in Bay Ridge celebrated the annual Blessing of the Animals tradition on Thursday, Oct. 3. With every sprinkle of holy water, people hope for good health and long lives for their pets.
by Katie Vasquez
It was the largest and deadliest conflict in human history, but a new traveling exhibit is telling a side of World War II that not many people know about.
“It’s a museum showing what the city of Assisi and the Bishop of Assisi did during the holocaust and helping thousands of jews and making sure that they wouldn’t get killed,” said Vincent LeVien, director of external affairs at DeSales Media Group.
The Pave the Way foundation, an organization that looks to build bridges between faiths, helped to start the exhibit on Assisi’s Museum of Memory.
It was brought to the Diocese of Brooklyn by Vincent LeVien, director of external affairs at DeSales Media group, who spoke to principals about bringing it to schools.
Principal Elizabeth Reilly at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic academy was immediately interested.
“Italian culture is celebrated here very much as is our catholic identity,” said Elizabeth Reilly, Principal at St Francis of Assisi Catholic Academy, “we pride ourselves in this school on teaching religion and having that feeling of community and faith.”
“It gives them a better appreciation for, you know, the efforts and the work of people who are the unsung heroes,” said St Francis of Assisi Pastor, Monsignor Ralph Maresca.
And students were excited to see this untold part of history.
“Even though it is a sad topic, it’s pretty interesting to understand, like what was going on through people’s minds and like why they were doing this and also like how they countered the negatives to this and made it a positive in life,” said 8th grader, Christian Duran.
The kids say the actions of the Catholics in the hill town in central Italy to save the Jewish people, from hiding them in monasteries and convents to making fake ids, make the students feel proud of their faith.
“There were a lot of people that basically dedicated their lives to helping others and that makes me feel like I’m part of a religion that does a lot for other people and is very beneficial to society,” said 7th grader, Arianna Soberal.
These pictures portray the bravery of a people and inspiring the next generation.
A prayer from the Pope, brought to you from the Vatican by your very own Currents News team!
The Diocese of Brooklyn, in collaboration with our parent company DeSales Media Group, created the Pope’s October prayer intention video. This month’s theme is “For a Shared Mission.” As you watch, pray that the Church continues to sustain a synodal lifestyle in every way.
Let us pray that the Church continue to sustain a synodal lifestyle in every way, as a sign of coresponsibility, promoting the participation, communion and mission shared by priests, religious and laity.
Pope Francis – October 2024
We Christians are all responsible for the Church’s mission. Every priest. Everyone.
We priests are not the bosses of the laity, but their pastors. Jesus called us, one and others – not one above others, or one on one side and others on another side, but complementing each other. We are community. That is why we need to walk together, taking the path of synodality.
Sure, you could ask me, What can I do as a bus driver? A farmer? A fisher? What all of us need to do is to witness with our lives. Be co-responsible for the Church’s mission.
The laity, the baptized are in the Church, in their own home, and need to take care of it. So do we priests and consecrated persons. Everyone contributes what they know how to do best. We are co-responsible in mission, we participate and we live in the communion of the Church.
Let us pray that the Church continue to sustain a synodal lifestyle in every way, as a sign of co-responsibility, promoting the participation, communion and mission shared by priests, religious and laity.
Students at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Academy in Astoria are engaging in a unique history lesson today with a traveling “Museum of Memory,” which educates them on Italy’s response to refugees, war, and genocide during World War II, following their attendance at Mass.
Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, has begun, heralding ten days of reflection and repentance leading to Yom Kippur. Bishop Robert Brennan offered the Jewish community heartfelt prayers for peace and prosperity during this significant time.
The Diocese of Brooklyn is praying for vocations! Since October is the month of the rosary, the Diocese is dedicating this month to praying for and meditating on vocations.
“We are community.” This powerful message from Pope Francis for October resonates deeply with us. It underscores the unity and strength we derive from our shared faith. You can hear more from the Holy Father in a special video from the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network, a production by the Diocese of Brooklyn with the support of NET TV’s parent company, DeSales Media Group.
The Mass for the beginning of the final phase of the Synod started like this, with all the members walking down the central aisle of St. Peter’s Square.
During the homily, Pope Francis told the participants that the Synod demands that they use both heart and mind on the delicacy of topics being discussed. But he pointed out that it is important to not lose humility.
“We cannot allow ourselves to look away from the children, whom Jesus continues to place at the center of our meetings and work tables, to remind us that the only way to be “up to” the task entrusted to us is to lower ourselves, to make ourselves small and to accept ourselves as such, with humility,” said Pope Francis.
And at the end, the Pope made an announcement: he said he would go to the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome on October 6 to pray a rosary for peace.
“To invoke from the intercession of the Virgin Mary the gift of peace, next Sunday I will go to the Basilica of St. Mary Major, where I will pray the Holy Rosary and address to Our Lady a heartfelt supplication; if possible, I also ask you, members of the Synod, to accompany me on that occasion,” said Pope Francis. “On the following day, October 7, I ask everyone to observe a day of prayer and fasting for peace in the world.”
Pope Francis used the opening Synod Mass to bring attention to October 7, the day of fasting and prayer that marks one year since the beginning of the war in Gaza.
Veronica Marrinan uses her grandmother’s sewing machine to put a hem on a scarf in her new collection.
As the co-founder of Litany NYC, her goal is to clothe not just the body but the soul.
“As a Catholic, how does my clothing express my soul,” said Marrinan. “You know, how can I share my personality, the unique way God made me, through what I wear.”
Over her shoulder is assistant designer Rebecca Kreamer. The pair talk through every stitch, making sure the product they send out gets the stamp of approval.
“Fast fashion doesn’t have a lot of modesty wear,” said Kreamer. “And if it is, it’s not very flattering, so Litany offers that modesty look.”
The two women, both graduates of the Fashion Institute of Technology, are on the heels of a cultural revival, filling a void for Catholics who choose to veil during Mass.
Litany’s scarf designs, inspired by saints, devotions, and Gospel stories, are different from the common lace veils women were required to wear before the Second Vatican Council in 1962—the same veil Veronica grew up wearing.
“I’m aware that I’m in my special place of worship,” said Marrinan. “I put my veil on, it helps me remember that.”
Now, as popularity grows, so do sales.
Litany made more money in the last year than they did in the first three years of the business. Sales of this ‘Holy Family’ scarf are up 34 percent from 2023. Sales of the St. Joseph, Spouse of Our Lady scarf are up 81 percent.And sales on this scarf, called Mary, Mother of the Church, are up 100 percent from last year.
Litany says last year, before more people were veiling, that design was purchased 33 times. This year, it’s been purchased 67 times.
“What are people buying, what do they want, and how can we fulfill that need” said Marrinan.
“The empowerment behind it that we’re giving these women—I want to veil,” said Kreamer. “I feel confident, I feel comfortable, and I’m happy to be doing it.”
Litany’s scarves allow Catholics to display their faith in a personal way.
“Knowing a little bit of the design behind it is going to help them believe the truth that they are so beautiful and so beloved by God,” said Marrinan.
The team says though veils are making a comeback, the devotion behind them never went out of style. In Crown Heights, Jessica Easthope, Currents News.