Currents News Update for Wednesday, 10/6/21

A friend, a brother and a real mentor – that’s how New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan describes Brooklyn Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio. Part two of our in-depth interview with Cardinal Dolan.

Pope Francis is addressing the issue of sexual abuse, following that decades-long report of more than 200 thousand underage victims in the French church.

If you visit the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican, you’ll want to bring binoculars. That’s how high up the ceiling displaying Michelangelo’s legendary artwork is. But for a limited time, you can get an up-close look at stunning replicas right here in New York City.

Sistine Chapel Exhibit Returns to New York City

By Jessica Easthope

Among the hustle and bustle of gritty Manhattan – a spiritual experience awaits. The Vatican is right outside your front door in a Sistine Chapel exhibit returning to New York City.

“Think of it like you’re walking 10 feet under the ceiling,” said Martin Biallas the CEO of SEE Global Entertainment and creator of the exhibit. “You’re seeing these from a perspective not even a pope has seen.”

The exhibit, which features all 34 of Michelangelo’s frescoes from the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, was created by Martin Biallas in 2015. Since then, the full-size photographic reproductions have toured the world attracting people who want to experience God, art and history through the iconic imagery.

“We want to present this for people of all different faiths because it’s a monumental art masterpiece,” Biallas said.

The exhibit has been designed to leave all the good of the Vatican experience without the rush or the crowds, and get this – you can take all the pictures and videos you like. The space is even open for weddings.

“You’re going to leave so relaxed and so inspired,” said Biallas.

While walking around the exhibit, visitors are encouraged to use an audio guide to learn about the frescoes. The handheld, electronic device signals to a blurb about each fresco: just wait for the beep and listen.

“For the people who really want to have this as a spiritual experience, this is the way to go because you get all the information on the audio guide,” Biallas said.

Biallas says the exhibit has already helped evangelization by drawing in a young crowd to timeless art – so close you could touch it.

You too can step into the Sistine Chapel like never before. Just head on over to chapelsistine.com and click on “the city near you.” New York’s exhibit ends Jan. 2, 2022.

Cardinal Dolan on Bishop-Designate Brennan: ‘I Think We’ve Got a Pro’

Currents News Staff

Migration, DACA and pro-life issues are just some of the topics Bishop-Designate Robert Brennan will be tackling as the new leader of the Diocese of Brooklyn.

Ahead of the new bishop’s installation, Currents News sat down with New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan to talk about Brooklyn’s new shepherd, the eighth bishop of Brooklyn. Bishop-Designate Brennan has been described as the ‘perfect choice’ to succeed Bishop DiMarzio.

Currents News Update for Tuesday, 10/5/21

A delegation of Haitian Catholics from here in the Diocese of Brooklyn journey to Del Rio, Texas, to aid the migrants on our border.

Half a million people signed a petition calling on the Supreme Court to overturn Roe -v- Wade.

We sat down with New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan to talk about Brooklyn’s new shepherd.

How Bishop Brennan’s Role in Catholic Schools Could Impact Education in New York City

Currents News Staff

Bishop Brennan had plenty of support in the Diocese of Columbus, particularly with students.

John Lavenburg, national correspondent for The Tablet and Crux is in Bexley, Ohio. He caught up with some Catholic school officials in the Diocese of Columbus and discussed how the bishop-designate’s impact in Ohio will be felt here in Brooklyn and Queens.

Haitian Advocacy Group from the Diocese of Brooklyn Travels to Del Rio Border

By Jessica Easthope

Now is the time to strategize. A small advocacy group is pulling together lawyers, money, supplies and medication to the Haitian families who made it up from the Del Rio border – and for the families who remain. Despite reports, there are still hundreds at Customs and Border Protection processing centers.

“We went to advocate, we didn’t know there were going to be any Haitians to touch any Haitians to advocate for, but we weren’t prepared for the many ways that God opened doors,” said Elsie Saint Louis, the CEO and executive director of HAUP, Haitian Americans United for Progress.

Last week the group led by father Hilaire Belizaire with representatives from Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens and HAUP, Haitian Americans United for Progress went down to Del Rio, Texas. For four days they helped migrants hoping to be received by families across the United States – they purchased plane tickets, called family members and mediated with ICE agents.

But the horrors of what migrants experienced stayed with them.

“They looked scared, they haven’t been eating for seven days, they haven’t showered,” said Father Hilaire.

“I saw my brothers and sisters in so much pain and misery and this is a crisis, it’s not a Haitian crisis, a black or white crisis but a humanitarian crisis,” said Deacon Jean Rameau.

Of the 15,000 Haitians who were camped out at the border, around 5,000 made it into the United States for processing and 1,000 made it to New York. But the Haitians already living here are suffering too, helpless in bringing their family into the country – only to see them return home to struggling Haiti.

“It’s heartbreaking, it’s painful, I put myself in their own shoes, they were seeking a place of refuge and now they’re going to a place with so much insecurity, that’s what keeps me up at night,” Father Hilaire said.

Now understanding the path forward – the group came back more energized than ever to help solve this crisis.

“The story’s not over, the Haitians are on the border and they need compassion and no Haiti cannot receive them, Haiti is too fragile,” Saint Louis said.

The group is meeting this week with members of congress to help the families here who need work and a place to stay, as well as those still hoping to make it out of Texas. According to U.S. immigration authorities 60 to 80,000 Haitians are still en route to the United States through South America.

Monsignor McClancy Memorial High School Offers a ‘Helping Hand’ to Others Through Special Art Class

By Emily Drooby

A delicate dance takes place as the hot end of a 3D printer slowly creates a finger at Monsignor McClancy Memorial high school in Elmhurst, Queens.

It’s an art class with a science component. However, for students, it’s so much more than just a class or a grade.

“It’s very exciting,” said Junior Nathan Atherley. “It kind of moves you a little bit to know that you’re still able to help another person.”

These students are lending a helping hand — literally by designing, creating and 3D printing functional limbs.

“It was important for us to not only show students that there are ways to use your skills in art in other ways but that they could be used potentially for service opportunities as well,” said art teacher Michael Savoca.

Learning while serving others is a key value of this Catholic school which is run by the Brothers of the Sacred Heart.

It’s a “STEAM” program: science; technology; engineering; art and math, and it is coordinator Ann Smith’s dream. She finally got it up and running, but the pandemic hit right after and forced it into a hiatus.

“And the kids in this class, they remember when we started this project and they also remember when we had to stop,” Ann said. “So, I think it’s going to mean even more to them that they’re going to be the ones to take that torch and go with it.”

With the program finally back up and running, the students are working on their second prototype.

Soon, they’ll be finding an actual recipient for the prosthetic limb.

“I think it’s definitely a cool feeling of knowing that something we are working on in school hours can potentially help someone outside of our school,” senior Anna Dobrzanska explained.

A unique art class that’s teaching students and serving a greater purpose.

Help Is On The Way For Undocumented New Yorkers Impacted By Hurricane Ida

By Emily Drooby

Any given day at the Chinese American Planning Council, or the CPC, immigrants from all over Brooklyn receive help.

Now, that help includes recovering from a disaster.

Tropical storm Ida devastated parts of New York, causing families to lose everything. FEMA is providing grants to help victims get back on their feet, but a whole community is being left out.

“When folks reached out a lot of people from the undocumented community were finding out they were not eligible for any of these grants,” explained Steve Mei. He’s the director of CPC Brooklyn Community Services.

The storm left undocumented New Yorkers very vulnerable, with no help finding new housing, replacing furniture or paying for funerals.

So the city and state stepped up – creating a 27-million-dollar fund to address this.

Steve said, “This will go a long way in terms of not only making folks be able to survive but be able to house them.”

The most one can get is $72,000 dollars; $36,000 for housing and $36,000 for other needs.

Five other non-profits throughout the city, upstate and Long Island are handling requests for their area. In the Bronx, Catholics are in charge. Catholic Charities New York is handling the requests there.

“These are families that really were left without anything. Their basements were flooded, their cars were flooded and they really have no other recourse,” explained Beatriz Diaz Taveras, the executive director of Catholic Charities NY Community Services. She added, “This is such a relief a welcome relief.”

Currents News Update for Monday, 10/4/21

The Diocese of Brooklyn’s Bishop-Designate Robert Brennan got a big “Welcome Back” from the diocese in New York where he was raised, educated and began his very ministry as a priest.

Retiring Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio was singled out for special honor over the weekend at Catholic Migration Services’ annual Shining Star Dinner.

Bishop DiMarzio attended the Italian Apostolate procession and celebrated Mass in honor of Mother Cabrini.

Many New Yorkers are still struggling after this summer’s terrible flooding from Tropical Storm Ida and one group in particular – undocumented immigrants – have been overlooked when it comes to financial aid.

Bishop DiMarzio and Catholic Migration Services Honored at Annual Shining Star Dinner

By Jessica Easthope

Catholic Migration Services’ annual Shining Star dinner was different than in years past – there were less people but the message of inclusion and diversity in the Diocese of Brooklyn remained.

Instead of honoring individuals from each of the ethnic apostolates like usual – there was only one honoree this year, Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio.

Bishop DiMarzio was recognized for his 25th episcopal anniversary and his years of advocacy on behalf of immigrants in the Diocese of Brooklyn. Catholic Migration Services was also honored for 50 years of helping and uplifting the more than two million immigrants of all races and religions who call the diocese home.

“It shows that we really do have a unity that’s unique to be able to do this here in Brooklyn,” Bishop DiMarzio said.

We have this wonderful organization to not just meet legal needs but pastoral needs and live out the gospel message of welcoming the stranger,” said Father Patrick Keating, the CEO of Catholic Migration Services.

There are millions of people on the move every day in the world and I think it’s going to be part of our future, part of our life,” said Msgr. Ronald Marino who founded the annual dinner.

The Shining Star dinner, which is normally held in two sessions, is Catholic Migration Services’ biggest fundraiser of the year. Proceeds from the dinner go toward keeping legal services free for immigrants in need.