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Back-to-School, Including Virtually, Begins for Millions of American Students

Currents News Staff

It’s the first day of school for more than 1.8 million students.

But for those attending 14 of the nation’s 16 largest school districts opening today, Sept.8, classes will be held entirely online.

The American Academy of Pediatrics reported over 70,000 new cases in children over the two weeks ending August 27. That’s an increase of 17 percent.

While grade schools evaluate the safest way to begin the academic year, some college towns are already turning into coronavirus hotspots.

In upstate New York, SUNY Oneonta reported at least 651 cases since the start of the semester. At Iowa State, at least 900 students tested positive since August 1.

At the University of New Hampshire, a cluster of cases has been linked to a fraternity party attended by more than 100 people.

Beth Daly, Chief at NH DHHS Bureau of Infectious Disease Control says room for concern is understandable.

“So we’re concerned about any other individuals who may have been attending events there or visiting their friends at this location just because we know there have been at least 11 people who have tested positive,” Beth says.

That risk is why NYU says it suspended 20-plus students for violating the university’s health and safety guidelines.

This occurred as health experts fear celebrations and crowds over Labor Day Weekend could fuel another round of dangerous spikes, as seen over Memorial Day and the Fourth of July holidays.

Former CDC Official William Schaffner says it’s a marathon not a sprint.

“It is very, very important that we continue to have all the social distancing, mask wearing, avoiding large groups,” William says. “We’re all very concerned that the behaviors this weekend will be an accelerant and spread COVID virus even further. Flu is on the way. That will double the danger.”

President Donald Trump once again implying a vaccine could be ready by November.

“So, we’re going to have a vaccine very soon,” President Trump says, “maybe even before a very special date. You know what date I’m talking about.”

But health experts say there’s no guaranteed timeline, emphasizing that delivering a safe and effective preventative is key. Former U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy remains hopeful.

“I’m really hopeful that we will have a vaccine by year end or by early next year,” Vivek says, “but the key thing about the process for getting a vaccine is that it has to be driven by science and scientists, not by political figures or by political timelines.”

 

Pope Will Sign New Encyclical in Assisi Oct. 3

By Cindy Wooden

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis will travel to Assisi Oct. 3 to sign an encyclical on the social, political and economic obligations that flow from a belief that all people are children of God and therefore brothers and sisters to one another.

The Vatican press office, confirming the Holy Father’s trip, said the document will be titled “Fratelli Tutti” in Italian. In English, the phrase could be translated as “Brothers and Sisters All,” but apparently it is inspired by what is known as St. Francis of Assisi’s “sixth admonition” to the friars, all of whom were men.

Conventual Franciscan Father Mauro Gambetti, custodian of the Assisi convent, said the document “will indicate to the world a style for the future and will give the church and people of goodwill the responsibility for building it together.”

“The pope is clearly inspired by Francis of Assisi who, in following Jesus, recognized in fraternity, lived under the sign of mutual and loving service, the horizon of a fulfilled and happy humanity,” Father Gambetti added.

Pope Francis is scheduled to arrive at the Assisi convent at 3 p.m. to celebrate Mass at the tomb of St. Francis and sign the document.

Because of ongoing concerns and restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Mass and the rest of the pontiff’s visit will be private, the Vatican press office said.

The encyclical is expected to echo many of the themes Pope Francis has been discussing in his general audience talks on Catholic social teaching in light of the pandemic: human fraternity, the equal dignity of all people, the preferential option for the poor, the universal destination of goods and the obligation of solidarity. Care for the environment and the virtue of peacemaking also are expected to be part of the encyclical.

After Pope Francis signs the document on the eve of the feast of St. Francis, the text is expected to be published in a variety of languages the first week of October.

Alumna of Holy Trinity Catholic Academy, Now Closed, Recalls How Catholic Education Shaped Her Life

It was a bittersweet moment, as Maureen Reichert stood in her former classroom at Holy Trinity Catholic Academy in Whitestone, Queens. The school closed its doors for good on August 31, 2020.

Maureen was in their very first class in 1967, one of 63 students.

“We had no uniforms yet, that was to come,” she reminisced. “We had no doors, blackboards yes, no closets.”

However, it’s what they did have that stuck with Maureen: strong teachers, a tight-knit community and a life-long commitment to her faith.

“It has truly formed me, this school,” she told Currents News

She even sent her two children there. But now, just a few pieces of furniture and empty bulletin boards remain — part of her forever gone.

“It’s really sad, it’s a fact of life,” she explained. “I know it’s financial issues. It’s always very difficult.”

Holy Trinity was one of six Catholic academies in the Diocese of Brooklyn to close on August 31. The pandemic took the school’s final breath, decimating their enrollment and finances.

This disappointing trend is being seen around the country. 140 Catholic schools have had to permanently close because of the pandemic, according to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. They warn that hundreds more could be in danger without federal aid.

Maureen is urging all families to keep sending their children to Catholic schools. She and her pastor, Father Joseph Gibino explain that they’re essential, because they help instill a lifelong love for God.

They also create a lifelong community, one Maureen especially felt, after losing her mom ten years ago.

“All these people from Holy Trinity were there, it was so comforting, and I think we miss that now,” she said. “So this has been my base, for life.”

While Holy Trinity Catholic Academy might be closed, it’s memory and the impact it had on alumni will forever live on.

Xaverian High School Graduate Perfects His Cooking, Grows His Passion Through Faith During Pandemic

By Jessica Easthope

With a dash of determination and a whole lot of parmesan cheese, Nathan Berg’s culinary career is heating up.

“I would love to own a restaurant or multiple restaurants, take a managerial position but start off in the kitchen,” said 18-year-old Nathan.

Though the pandemic took some of the steam out of his senior year at Xaverian High School, Nathan said it added zest to his passion for cooking.

“I’ve had a lot more time to experiment in the kitchen and I’ve also been able to cook for my family more and do more comprehensive meals every night so I think I’ve done some of my best cooking during the pandemic,” Nathan said.

Born and raised in Bay Ridge, Nathan’s love of being in the kitchen started early.

“I always loved to cook, watch my mom and grandmother cook, I grew up in a predominantly Italian American household so it kind of came as second nature,” he said.

He credits his Catholic education with kickstarting his career. Having recently graduated, Nathan was lifted up by his school community, especially when it came to his food Instagram account called Mangia My Dudes.

“Teachers and faculty started to follow me,” he told Currents News. “People would tell me the next day in class, ‘Guess what we had last night, what you made!'”

And the food he makes is just as authentic as he is. As for secret ingredients, he has a few, but you won’t find any of them on a spice rack.

“To be Catholic, it’s all about sharing something from yourself and giving it to others and I feel like that’s also the basis of cooking and food in general, even in the Bible. I love all the food verses, bread and wine and the loaves and fishes,” Nathan said.

Now Nathan is just beginning his freshman year at Cornell University where he’ll study hospitality. Though his life’s menu will be constantly changing, Nathan’s recipe for success will always be the original: faith, family and food.

Currents News full broadcast for Fri, 9/4/20 (Catholic news)

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

Some of the top stories on this newscast:

Steps, statues, saints, fountains and faith – summer in Rome. We are taking you there on this special edition of Currents News.

Americans may not be able to travel to Europe, but we have an exclusive itinerary, complete with tour guides.

Discover forgotten Catholic histories in piazzas and even in prisons. Plus, statues with a voice as we roam around the Eternal City.

NYC Public Schools to Mandate Random COVID Tests. In Brooklyn Diocese, Any Test Will Be Voluntary

By Emily Drooby

Starting October 1, New York City public schools will be required to randomly test 10 to 20 percent of their in-house students and staff. Mayor Bill de Blasio says the free tests will be the self-swab ones. Parental consent is required to perform them.

“Per the agreement, we will start the systematic testing in October,” said NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio during a press conference on September 3, doubling down on the city’s plan to have monthly mandatory coronavirus testing in public schools.

Students whose parents don’t give consent will be moved to remote learning. Any staff member refusing to take part will be placed on unpaid leave.

The Mayor was optimistic about parents’ reactions.

“From what we’ve seen so far we think we’re going to get a very strong, positive response when parents hear,
” he said.

However, that was not the case. Many quickly took to social media to blast the plan. One of those parents is NYC Councilman Joe Borelli of Staten Island.

“I am angry that a bunch of guys – two of whom none of us trust – sat in a room and decided on my kid getting a medical test without my presence,” he wrote on social media.

He further called it an, “astounding stretch of authority,” adding that dozens of families have called his office to complain.

At first the city and unions said testing would happen in schools. Now they’re saying it’ll happen at third party healthcare facilities.

On the flip side, Catholic schools in the Diocese of Brooklyn say they will not be doing this.

Associate superintendent, Joan McMaster, said, “We will be sending out and encouraging our teachers completely voluntarily if they would like to be tested. We will be providing them with available testing sites for their convenience, but we will not be doing random testing of anyone in our school communities.”

Instead of mandatory random testing they’ll follow the core four guidelines; stay home if you are sick, social distance, cover your face and practice healthy hand hygiene.

Many parish schools and Catholic academies in the Diocese of Brooklyn are still hard at work, preparing to open to students on September 9.

Currents News full broadcast for Thurs, 9/3/20 (Catholic news)

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

Some of the top stories on this newscast:

New York City School’s mandatory COVID testing – does Mayor de Blasio’s plan have an impact on schools in the Brooklyn Diocese?

Heading back to school and trying to shed weight gained during quarantine – we’ve got expert tips from Saint John’s University’s campus dietitian.

The final installment of our special series “Roaming the Eternal City.”

Congress Divided on Budget for America’s Second COVID Relief Stimulus Package

Currents News Staff

Americans hit hard by COVID-19’s economic impact have gone from disappointed to desperate. 

One Kentucky man felt the economic impact directly.

“When it hit, I lost my job. So it took me like a month to get another job,” he said. “This is my check, but I ain’t making it with $300.”

Senators will return to Capitol Hill after Labor Day, likely taking another look at stimulus legislation meant to ease the pain. As regular citizens navigate the devastation, Republicans and Democrats remain oceans apart. Senate Majority Leader Sen. Mitch McConnel says the timing remains uncertain.

“All I can tell you at the moment is, we’re at a stalemate, so I don’t know if we’re going to get another package here in the next few weeks or not,” Sen. McConnell said.

Democrats suggested a multi-trillion dollar relief bill, but Republicans won’t sign off on the cost and propose smaller legislation to fund schools, small businesses, and scaled-back federal unemployment benefits.

Democrats accuse Republicans of ignoring the totality of the crisis. 

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer wrote to his colleagues, “Republicans may call their proposal ‘skinny,’ but it would be more appropriate to call it ’emaciated.'” 

South Carolina Democratic Rep. Jim Clyburn hopes to find an answer.

“Secretary Mnuchin, I hope you will return the negotiating table and be prepared to find common cause on legislation that meets the pressing needs of Americans,” said Rep. Clyburn.

Adding pressure to the situation, the budget deadline is at the end of the month. If they can’t agree on a deal to fund the government, lawmakers will face yet another shutdown.

Rome’s Castel Sant’Angelo: Reimagining the Human Path to Salvation Through Architecture

By Melissa Butz

Known for its appearance in “Angels and Demons,” Rome’s Castel Sant’Angelo or Castle of the Holy Angel is a popular tourist spot. However, many overlook the bridge in front – a significant spot that takes us back to a critical moment in Christianity.

The Holy Angel bridge was originally built in 134 AD as a passageway to pagan Roman Emperor Hadrian’s mausoleum. But in 590, after the fall of the Roman Empire, St. Michael the Archangel miraculously appeared to Pope Gregory the Great above the castle giving it a new religious meaning.

Art historian, Elizabeth Lev, says the castle became even more noteworthy as Christian pilgrims flocked to Rome in the 1300s. But it took another 300 years before the iconic angels were erected.  

“Clement IX starts thinking, ‘You know what? We need to jazz up this bridge,’” says Elizabeth. “In the 1670s, 1675 is going to be a Jubilee Year, so why not make it even more exciting for the pilgrims? They do it by adding these angels.”

The statues were designed by a 70-year-old Bernini, who, as a devout Catholic, was thinking about the end of his life. The angels represent the artist’s thoughts on the way to salvation, shown through Jesus’ passion.

“You start at the beginning of the road with St. Peter and St. Paul. St. Peter is telling you, ‘This is the road where the humble find forgiveness,’” says Elizabeth. “St. Paul is telling you, ‘This is the road where the proud find their comeuppance’ and you see these instruments.” 

They are displayed in each angels’ hands: ranging from the whips, to Jesus’ garments, to the cross and the sponge with vinegar that quenched Jesus’ thirst. 

“These angels were really designed,” says Elizabeth, “as you go to St. Peter’s, where you will receive your plenary indulgence… this is a way of reminding you what that salvation, what that forgiveness cost you.”

Elizabeth explains that today, tourists in the Eternal City often miss the importance of the bridge. Now, the pathway is crowded with vendors selling items on the ground, causing pilgrims to look down, instead of up at the angelic portrayal of the Way of the Cross.

Just as this pathway is a symbolic crossing over into salvation, pope’s also used it to save themselves. Escaping from the Holy See in a secret tunnel that led all the way to Castel Sant’Angelo. In fact, in 1527, Pope Clement VII was the very first one to use this escape route while fleeing the Sack of Rome.