RNC Speakers Focus on Trump’s Vision for America in Re-Election Campaign

Currents News Staff

New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan kicked off the Republican National Convention in primetime with a prayer.

“Pray we must that all lives may be protected and respected in our troubled cities and the police who guard them,” he prayed, “intense swirled situations, where our men and women in uniform keep the peace for the innocent life of the baby in the womb.”

The subject of religion was something the speakers at the GOP convention didn’t shy away from.

“People of faith are under attack. You’re not allowed to go to church, but mass chaos in the streets gets a pass,” said Donald J. Trump. “It’s almost like this election is shaping up to be church, work and school versus rioting, looting and vandalism.”

The Republicans went on the attack, beginning their rebuttal to the Democrats’ convention last week. Senator Tim Scott spoke about former Vice President Joe Biden.

“Look at what he already did, and what he didn’t do while he’s been in Washington for 47 years,” he said.

With President Donald Trump facing sharp criticism for his handling of the coronavirus pandemic the convention’s first night put front-line workers in the spotlight.

“Our hearts overflow with appreciation for the incredible front-line workers,” he said.

Trump also sought to counter the Democrats’ charge that he lacks empathy.

“I got to see who President Trump really is,” said Andrew Pollack, whose daughter died in the Parkland school shooting. “He’s a good man and a great listener.”

Others drew contrasts of their own between the two candidates, like former United Nations ambassador Nikki Haley, on foreign policy.

“This president has a record of strength and success, “she said. “The former vice president has a record of weakness and failure.”

Preparations are being made at the White House, including the newly-renovated Rose Garden, where First Lady Melania Trump will speak Tuesday night. President Trump will give his acceptance speech from the South Lawn August 27.

“I think you’ll see a very hopeful vision for America that he’s going to be unleashing,” said Jared Kushner. “You’re going to see a real diversity of the Republican party he’s built.”

Currents News full broadcast for Tues, 8/25/20

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

Some of the top stories on this newscast:

A Catholic high school that already survived one battle is gearing up take on the pandemic.

And another story of perseverance – will small business in college towns survive?

New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan setting the tone on the first night of the Republican National Convention.

The National Guard on the streets of Kenosha, Wisconsin as violence after a police shooting accelerates.

Are Virtual Conventions Cutting It During the Pandemic?

Currents News Staff

Just like the Democratic National Convention last week, the Republican National Convention is a scaled down version of the traditional event.

But, are these unconventional conventions cutting it? What’s working, and what’s not?

Former journalist and media expert Frank Cipolla from “Contacts Media” gives his insight as to how different the two have been compared to traditional conventions.

Nazareth Regional High School, Once At Risk of Closing, Now Battles Pandemic in New Academic Year

By Jessica Easthope

If Nazareth Regional High School’s Kingsmen mascot is any indication, the school community knows how to fight for what matters.

“Perseverance, wellness and balance, I think throughout the pandemic and continuing into the new year, I think is something we’ve already experienced and can continue to reflect on moving forward,” said Principal John Amelio.

Principal Amelio is new to the job and the Brooklyn Diocese. Though he’s facing a global health crisis, he’s sticking to what he knows best: letting academics and faith lead the way.

“Being a Catholic myself I believe that now I will be able to fully instill my values in the students and learn from them and really cater to their needs and their background,” said Amelio.

When learning moved online in March the school didn’t miss a beat, or a class. The first quarter of this school year will also be online.

“We truly decided that it would be the best possible way to open the school in terms of safety and security for our students and staff,” Amelio said.

Nazareth Regional stands out in the Brooklyn Diocese. The school is 99 percent minority, and has had a 100 percent graduation rate for the last four years.

“We’re incredibly proud of our kids that they work so hard and they understand dedication, hard work and we will continue to educate our kids moving forward to make sure they continue the long tradition of what is Nazareth,” said Providencia Quiles, the president of the school.

Principal Amelio has big shoes to fill. Quiles is his predecessor, and was principal of the school for nine years. Nazareth has suited up for battle in the past with Quiles leading the charge. Long before the pandemic was a threat, another danger loomed in the halls.

“Nazareth was slated to close, many years ago,” Quiles said.

In 2012 the school was losing more money and students than it could handle, and was in a dire financial state. But Quiles managed to do the impossible with her students motivating her fighting spirit the whole way.

“I worked 20 hours a day for months to ensure that we got the guidance, the support, the finances and we pulled everything together,” said Quiles.

Now the pandemic is a new obstacle for Nazareth, as the first day of school on September 14 fast approaches. But Amelio and Quiles say it’s nothing they can’t handle together.

“As you continue to work through all adversity your faith gets stronger, and I think that this has made us stronger. We are a bigger unit, we are with God all the time and we are going to continue moving forward,” Quiles said.

If community is the school’s suit of armor and academics its sword, faith is its shield.

Businesses Near Bronx’s Manhattan College Anticipate Return of Students

By Emily Drooby

Claudia and Richard Berroa have always dreamed of having a restaurant.

“It’s been so many years, we’ve been dreaming of this place and finally it’s open,” said Claudia.

Not part of that dream? A pandemic. The Catholic husband and wife team opened Claudy’s Kitchen in June. They had to open in the middle of the pandemic because they leased the space in September and made renovations, then COVID struck.

“It was horrifying, scary,” Richard said.

The Peruvian restaurant is about to get a new surge of customers: students. Manhattan College is just around the corner.

“All the other business owners that have been here for a long time told me, ‘Wait until you see a change. You’ll see a pickup.’ So we are hopeful, very hopeful,” Richard added.

The Catholic school is reopening on August 31, with both in-person and remote classes. Students are already moving into the dorms, and local businesses can’t wait for the nearly 4,000 students to return.

New Riverdale Gourmet Deli is a hot spot for students, located right near both a dorm and off-campus housing.

“We are totally excited for seeing the students back. The neighborhood was so quiet and the businesses, everyone was closed because we depend on the college and the high school, Fieldston High School,” their manager, Mohamed Saleh, said. “But now we start noticing a lot of kids coming back, and the businesses is doing much better.”

Riverdale’s restaurants, delis, hair salons and more are all glad to see the students return to the Catholic college and their business roll back into the neighborhood.

“We’re excited, excited, but we also know they’re not going to be here full-time,” explained Najial Humaidi, the manager of another local hot-spot, Jasper’s Deli.

Some students are commuters and won’t be living on campus. For those who are there, if the COVID crisis gets worse, everything could change. For many businesses in Riverdale, losing the students again could be a major hit.

“Well of course, every business around the college is going to be worried,” Nahial said. “They’re telling you they’re not, they’re lying.”

Richard at Claudy’s Kitchen says not having the students for the past few months has actually prepared them, in case they need to do without them again

“Having the students is great, but not having them here allowed us to do that beforehand, to cater exclusively to our neighbors,” he explained.

Manhattan College has strict plans in place to keep everyone safe, including reduced capacity in dorms, staggered move ins and COVID-19 testing.

Cities Nationwide See Protests Following Shooting of Jacob Blake in Wisconsin

Currents News Staff

Protests are occurring across the country as demonstrators voice their anger about the police shooting of Jacob Blake.

Blake, who was shot in front of his children, is hospitalized and an investigation is underway.

Police say they responded to a domestic incident on the evening of August 23. Shortly afterward at least one officer fired a weapon into Blake’s back.

“Right now we are demanding something, and that is that the cop be arrested and charged,” one protestor told Currents News.

“They just shoot him with the kids in the back, screaming,” said Blake’s fiancée, Laquisha Booker. “That don’t make no sense that you treat somebody like that, who is not armed, not giving you no problem. He ain’t thrown no punch or nothing.”

The Kenosha Professional Police Association of Wisconsin says the video of the shooting posted to social media “does not capture all the intricacies” and asks the public to “withhold from passing judgment until all the facts are known.”

“The commitment that I make to everyone and make to their family, to the officer and everyone else is justice will be served, people will be held responsible for their actions and we will know the truth,” said Kenosha Mayor John Antaramian.

Blake’s family is calling for non-violent protests.

“We want justice, and we’re going to get justice,” said Justin Blake, Jacob Blake’s uncle. “We’re going to demand justice. but we’re going to do that without tearing apart our own communities.”

Blake is in stable condition in an intensive care unit, according to lawyer Ben Crump, who is representing Blake’s family. Two officers are on administrative leave.

Cardinal Dolan’s Prayer Opens Republican National Convention

By Currents News Staff and Catholic New Service

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (CNS) — New York Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan thanked God for living in a country that respects religious freedom and prayed for people battling COVID-19 and those caring for them, the unborn, the elderly, immigrants and refugees during the opening evening of the Republican National Convention.

Cardinal Dolan offered the prayer, which was prerecorded, prior to a full evening of speakers Aug. 24.

He also prayed “that all lives may be protected and respected, in our troubled cities and the police who guard them.”

The minutelong invocation recalled the men and women of the U.S. military serving “in tense world situations” working to “keep the peace.”

Cardinal Dolan also prayed for people facing serious challenges including those whose lives are “threatened by religious persecution throughout the world, or by plague, hunger, drugs, human trafficking or war.”

“Pray we must in thanksgiving, in thanksgiving, dear God for democracy.”

The prayer concluded with a request that God bless the convention, the presidential nominees of both major political parties and for God’s “wisdom upon an electorate so eager to perform its duty of faithful citizenship.”

Cardinal Dolan was invited to offer the prayer. He and President Donald Trump have spoken publicly of their friendship that has existed over the years.

The Republican convention was scaled back to include a limited number of delegates and party officials to be in line with North Carolina limits on gatherings because of the coronavirus pandemic and is largely an online event.

Trump and Vice President Mike Pence were nominated by delegates nationwide for a second term earlier in the day Aug. 24.

Addressing political conventions is not new for Cardinal Dolan. In 2012, he offered prayers at both the Republican and Democratic national conventions.

Then president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, Cardinal Dolan prayed for the unborn, alluded to same-sex marriage and urged a renewed commitment to religious liberty during the GOP convention eight years ago.

A week later, during the Democratic National Convention, he also prayed for the unborn in his closing benediction “that they may be welcomed and protected.”

How ‘Fatima’ Actress Stephanie Gil Says She Prepped for Film on Apparitions of the Blessed Virgin

Currents News Staff

“Fatima” the movie is a powerful and uplifting drama that tells the story of the three young children who received apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Fatima, Portugal.

Actress Stephanie Gil portrays young Lucia, a child living in Fatima during the Spanish Flu. She joins Currents News to discuss the new film, and how the film’s portrayal of life in the1900s compares to our society during the pandemic today.

The film, directed by Marco Pontecorvo, has a soundtrack featuring the voice of Andrea Bocelli. Click here for additional information on how to view “Fatima” online.

Currents News full broadcast for Mon, 8/24/20 (Catholic news)

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

Some of the top stories on this newscast:

The GOP national convention is underway and the President is already there.

An emergency green-light for a coronavirus treatment involves plasma – we’ll explain how it works.

A sneak peek at Fatima the movie. One of the film’s stars joins us.

Aimed at Re-Election, President Trump Makes First Appearance at Republican National Convention

Currents News Staff

As Republicans kicked off their convention and their pitch for four more years in the White House, President Trump made his first appearance in Charlotte, North Carolina, ready for the fight ahead.

“This is the most important election in the history of our country,” he said.

The president delivered a list of grievances, along with misleading claims over mail-in voting and state shut-downs due to the pandemic

“This is the greatest scam in the history of politics,” said President Trump in regards to the mail-in voting claims.

“You know, these Democratic governors love the shut down until after the election is over because they make the numbers look as bad as possible for the economy,” he added, referencing the state shutdowns, while touting his administration’s accomplishments.

“We had the best employment numbers,” he said,

He also promised more to come, saying, “We are getting ready to do things like nobody’s ever seen before.”

The president, down in the polls to Joe Biden, faces a steep challenge to re-brand his pandemic response as successful despite more than 175,000 deaths.

“I always say and I’ll say it again: Never been a person that needed a ventilator that didn’t get a ventilator. you will soon see vaccines pouring out,” he said.

But as President Trump rallies his supporters with his unique brand of political rhetoric, his surrogates are also making the case against Joe Biden.

“Joe Biden and the Democratic party have been overtaken by the radical left,” he said, hoping a strong economic message will ensure re-election.