Pope Leo’s Gift Supplants Peace Light for Annual Ceremony at JFK Airport

By Currents News and Bill Miller

JFK AIRPORT — This past Christmas season, the Peace Light, a continuous flame from the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, did not make its traditional stop in New York City.

For the past two decades, the flame has passed through John F. Kennedy International Airport, where it has served as a beacon of hope for people of many nations, carrying a message of peace from the birth of Christ.

But this year, the Peace Light could not travel because there was no peace in the Holy Land, according to Father Cezariusz Jastrzębski, the Catholic chaplain at the airport and pastor of St. Joseph Parish in Jamaica.

Nevertheless, Pope Leo XIV provided a solution for the guild and Father Jastrzębski to rally around during an event meant to inspire peace at the airport — the so-called “Crossroads of the World.”

Instead of a flame, the new pope sent a patinated bronze sculpture, set on a wooden base. Called the “Delicate Flower,” it depicts a dandelion and a small bird hidden within a crack of a stone wall.

“I think this beautiful sculpture describes peace perfectly,” Father Jastrzębski said, “because peace is a fragile flower.”

The sculpture was received just in time for a Ceremony of International Unity at the airport on Dec. 20, which was held instead of the annual Peace Light ceremony that had been organized by local scouts, and the airport’s Our Lady of the Skies Chapel and Catholic Guild.

Over the years, the Peace Light ceremony drew many participants, including airline passengers and airport workers, who joined in prayers for peace.

Father Jastrzębski said he was notified in November that the Peace Light would not be able to travel this year. Alternatively, he and the guild planned the Ceremony of International Unity.

The chaplain said he initially contacted the Vatican to explore the possibility of receiving a different flame — the Papal Light of Peace from the Vatican, which is lit from the Eternal Flame in St. Peter’s Basilica and blessed personally by the Holy Father.

“This gesture,” Father Jastrzębski wrote in his request to the Vatican, “would not replace the Bethlehem tradition but rather fulfill it spiritually — as a reminder that the light of Christ and the peace of Bethlehem radiate from the living heart of the Church.”

He added that the airport’s Ceremony of International Unity would align with Pope Leo’s efforts to foster peace through his visits to Turkey and Lebanon in late November and early December.

“The event,” he further wrote, “would stand as a visible testimony that, even in times of war, the Church continues to proclaim: ‘The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it,’ (John 1:5).”

Father Jastrzębski said he sent his request via email the morning of Nov. 3. A response came from Cardinal Christophe Pierre, the Apostolic Nuncio to the United States, stationed in Washington, D.C.

Cardinal Pierre wrote that the Papal Light of Peace was not available for the Dec. 20 event at the airport, but Pope Leo did not want to leave the organizers empty-handed.

Therefore, the Vatican sent the “Delicate Flower” sculpture by artist Daniela Fusco of Rome, as “an alternative symbolic gift.”

The profoundly grateful Father Jastrzębski and the supporting cast conducted the Ceremony of International Unity as planned, with prayers and performances by the musical group, Totus Tuus. Together, they proudly displayed the pope’s gift to the masses of holiday travelers in Terminal 4.

Now, Father Jastrzębski said he and the gui

Ridgewood Students Turn Compassion Into Action After Apartment Fire

By Katie Vasquez

A fire tore through a Madison Street apartment building on Jan. 6, displacing dozens of families and injuring five firefighters and one resident, according to fire officials.

The blaze left a lasting impression on students at nearby Notre Dame Catholic Academy, some of whom witnessed the fire firsthand or felt its impact in the days that followed.

“I was actually driving past when, like, the fire was happening, and it was really. I feel really bad for them,” said Stella Sewell, an eighth grader at the school.

Sophie Weremczuk, a sixth grader who lives a few blocks away, said the effects lingered.

“I could still smell the smoke to this day,” she said.

Moved by what they saw, students and staff at the Ridgewood Catholic school organized a community-wide donation drive to help families forced from their homes.

“We’re actually in the heart of what happened, only a few steps away,” said Lisa Leistman, assistant principal at Notre Dame Catholic Academy. “I thought that it was our duty as a Catholic school to come together, because we do serve our community and they’re very important to us.”

The school collected clothing, toiletries and other essential supplies, including items often overlooked during emergency relief efforts.

“I have been able to donate, like pet food because I’m a pet owner of two cats myself,” said Hanna Stsepaniuk, a sixth grader. “And I feel really, sad for these people.”

Fifth grader Sara Trejgis said participating in the drive made her feel hopeful.

“I wouldn’t want this to happen to me,” she said. “I feel like this will help them.”

Principal Judy Munno said the school was overwhelmed by the generosity of its families but not surprised.

“Our families are incredibly supportive,” Munno said. “Any time there’s a need, they step up, and we’re very grateful.”

Educators said the effort also served as a lesson in service and compassion for students.

“I wanted to help them get back on their feet faster,” Sewell said.

“It teaches us that even if we don’t know someone, we can still help,” Stsepaniuk added. “It’s about responsibility, caring, and love.”

The FDNY is continuing to investigate the cause of the fire. School leaders said they hope the donations will provide some comfort to families as they begin to rebuild.

Catholic News Headlines for Tuesday 1/13/26

Students at Notre Dame Catholic Academy in Queens are organizing a donation drive to help families displaced by a devastating fire.

A Vatican-gifted sculpture symbolizing peace and unity is unveiled at JFK Airport’s Our Lady of the Skies Chapel.

Students at a Mississippi Catholic school are celebrating their classmate after he was declared cancer-free following a battle with a rare stage 4 cancer.

The Diocese of Brooklyn gathers at St. Luke Church in Queens for its annual Mass praying for an end to cancer and offering hope to survivors and patients.

Queens Parishioner Prays For an End to Cancer at Special Mass

By Katie Vasquez

On a cold evening in Whitestone, parishioners gathered at St. Luke’s Church to pray for an end to cancer, a disease that has touched nearly every family in the pews.

Among them was Anne Nolan, a longtime parishioner whose fight with breast cancer began in 2003 during a routine mammogram.

“I wasn’t worried. I was in a great mood,” Nolan recalled.

That quickly changed when her doctor delivered the diagnosis.

“The doctor came out and said, ‘Mrs. Nolan, I have bad news and good news,’” she said. “The bad news is you have breast cancer. The good news is I don’t think it’s spread. When you hear the word cancer, you hear death.”

Nolan underwent a lumpectomy, followed by chemotherapy and radiation, while caring for her four children, her husband, and her elderly mother. She survived, but the disease returned 12 years later.

“Something showed up again — two new cancers in the same breast,” she said. “I couldn’t believe it.”

Now, a decade after that recurrence, Nolan is in remission.

Throughout her journey, she said her faith never wavered.

“A lot of people asked if I was mad at God,” Nolan said. “I’m not mad at God. I’m mad at the disease.”

The Mass was organized by the parish’s Golden Age Club, led by president Raquel Lombardozzi, herself connected personally to cancer.

“My husband is also a survivor,” Lombardozzi said. “We wanted the opportunity to pray together and make others aware of what we went through.”

Parishioners invited Auxiliary Bishop Raymond Chappetto to celebrate the Mass. Chappetto is also a cancer survivor and shared his experience during the homily, urging others not to face the disease alone.

“At first, the way I handled it was not the best,” Chappetto said. “But I learned through experience to reach out for help and to seek comfort and guidance from others.”

As Nolan venerated the relic of St. Peregrine, the patron saint of those suffering from cancer, she reflected on gratitude and hope for the future.

“You thank God every day of your life,” she said. “Everybody needs a cure. We’re losing so many people.”

TONIGHT AT 7: Survivors and Families Gather at Queens Parish to Pray for an End to Cancer

By Katie Vasquez

In Whitestone, a parish community came together for a powerful Mass dedicated to those battling cancer and the survivors who carry its scars. Through shared faith, the gathering offers comfort, strength, and hope to all who are facing the disease.

TONIGHT AT 7: Catholic Academy Assists Displaced Families After Queens Fire

By Katie Vasquez

After a devastating apartment fire displaced dozens of families in Ridgewood, Queens, students at a nearby Catholic school are stepping up to serve their neighbors by collecting necessities.

Staten Island Church Sees Rise in Mass Attendance After Violent Incident

By Jessica Easthope

Father Jacob Thumma, the pastor at St. Ann’s Church on Staten Island says he never expected someone to come in, damage the church, terrify parishioners and injure police officers.

That’s what happened at the church Jan. 9.

But what was even more unexpected is that in the days since, Mass attendance is up.

“I would say from bad to good, God works in mysterious ways,” Father Thumma told Currents News.

He says instead of living in fear — his Staten Island parish community is rallying. But what happened Friday was scary. Vito Amato opened the church for the 7 a.m. Mass like he does every day when he noticed a person he said was suspicious.

“So I called the priest upstairs and said come down, there’s one guy I don’t like,” Vito said.
The man threw a crucifix and the missal on the floor and as Fr. Fathimareddy Thumma began Mass — he got up.

“A couple of times he was touching his jacket and it really felt in my mind, like whether he has got a weapon,” Father Fathimareddy Thumma said.

9-1-1 was called and when police arrived he became violent, running away from them onto the altar, hitting the officers, knocking over a Christmas display and a solid marble angel statue that broke and damaged the marble steps on the altar.

Officers had to deploy their tasers several times in order to subdue the man.

“It was, really, a scary thing to be at that time,” Father Thumma said.

After the incident parishioners were swift to clean up.

“Dirt was everywhere, plants were everywhere. So there was a tremendous mess to clean up,” parishioner Lisa Randazzo said.

On Jan. 12 someone from the Archdiocese of New York’s Office of Church Patrimony was there to survey the tens of thousands of dollars worth of damage.

But in all of this, a positive was found:

“I’ve noticed in the past three days that morning, attendance has increased,” Randazzo said.

“What happened has brought people back to church, quite a few of them,” Father Thumma said.
The two officers did sustain minor injuries. They were taken to the hospital and are now okay.
The man has been identified as 28-year-old Matthew Caffrey.

According to police he’s been charged with assaulting a police officer, resisting arrest and obstruction.

The parishioners at St. Ann’s are praying for him.

Catholic News Headlines for Monday 1/12/26

A Staten Island parish is uniting in faith and resilience after a man vandalized the altar and violently confronted police during Mass at St. Ann’s Church.

Pope Leo XIV is calling for peace as deadly anti-government protests in Iran escalate and global tensions in the Middle East continue to rise.

The Holy Father met with Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado. She reportedly asked him to intercede for the release of political prisoners.

Young Catholics in the Diocese of Brooklyn gathered in prayer at the Cathedral Basilica of St. James, resolving to carry the spirit of the 2025 Jubilee forward.

Diocese of Brooklyn Youth End Jubilee Year with Prayer and Fellowship

By Katie Vasquez and Paula Katinas

DOWNTOWN BROOKLYN — Energized by their pilgrimage to Rome last summer, the diocese’s youth are determined to keep the spirit of Jubilee 2025 alive in their communities going forward.

Scores gathered at the Cathedral Basilica of St. James on Jan. 9 for a Holy Hour to close out the diocese’s celebration of Jubilee Year.

Bishop Robert Brennan, who led the devotion to the Blessed Sacrament, reminded the young people in attendance that “the Jubilee Year ended, but the journey goes on.”

To keep the Jubilee Year excitement alive, Elvis Toribio, a seminarian at St. Joseph’s Seminary and College, suggested that young people encourage their peers to attend church and pray more often.

“You don’t have to go across the world to have an encounter with Jesus,” Toribio said. “You can go to your local church.”

The Jubilee of Youth, held in Rome from July 28 to Aug. 3, drew young people from all over the world and included an overnight vigil and a Mass celebrated by Pope Leo XIV.

The Diocese of Brooklyn was represented by a group of nearly 90 young people accompanied by Bishop Brennan and Father James Kuroly, director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry for the diocese.

Amy Vu, a parishioner of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Astoria, said walking through the Holy Doors and other pilgrimage activities drew her closer to her faith.

“I want to push other young people to do the same,” she said.

Going forward, many young people said their mission is to inspire their peers.

Juan Vazquez, a parishioner of Regina Pacis and a second-year seminarian at Seton Hall University, said he attended the Holy Hour “to show that the faith is on fire, especially with young adults.”

Allison Pineda, a parishioner of St. Mary Star of the Sea Church in Far Rockaway, said the Jubilee Year gave her a different outlook on life.

“I feel like it opened my eyes even more and staying focused on God,” said Pineda, who added that she is determined to go to Mass every Sunday, spend time in the parish’s youth group, and “participate as much as possible.”

Bishop Brennan told The Tablet he hopes the Jubilee Year can serve as a springboard for young people so that they can “take those moments of prayer and live them out in our communities with hearts transformed in faith, hope, and charity.”

Father Kuroly said that now that Jubilee 2025 has passed, it’s time to move forward in faith, adding that it will be up to the young people to build on the momentum by bringing their talents and gifts to the church.

“It’s not my responsibility. It’s their responsibility,” Father Kuroly said. “And boy, are they ready to take on that responsibility!”

TONIGHT AT 7: After Disturbing Incident, Staten Island Parish Finds Strength in Faith

By Jessica Easthope

Following a violent disruption during morning Mass on Jan. 9, the community at St. Ann’s Church on Staten Island is coming together in prayer and healing. As parishioners lean on their faith, the parish is working to restore peace and rebuild in the wake of a frightening moment.