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Diocese of Brooklyn Eases Mass Restrictions, Churches Can Return to Full Capacity

By Currents News Staff and John Lavenburg

WINDSOR TERRACE — The Diocese of Brooklyn sent a letter to its pastors May 20 that ropes cordoning off pews can be removed, and churches can reopen at full capacity in light of new guidance from the state of New York and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

“It’s a good day,” Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio said. “We’re at full capacity now, though there are still some restrictions for those who aren’t vaccinated, our churches should be able to accommodate people coming back.”

[Related: With Travel Restrictions Easing, Catholics Eager to Visit Holy Sites]

Under the new diocesan guidelines, wearing face masks at services is still strongly recommended, out of consideration for those who are not yet vaccinated. And social distancing is still required for unvaccinated attendees, except for members of their household.

“When we’re giving out instructions, we still want people to wear masks, the sanitary conditions; all of those things we’re continuing as if everything was still in place,” Bishop DiMarzio said. “We’re not giving up our guard, we think it’s very important.”

The new guidelines will allow the celebration of Mass in the Diocese of Brooklyn to more closely resemble the way it was done before the COVID-19 pandemic. Other changes include:

  • Hymnals and missalettes can once again be used.
  • Lectors can read from the main ambo or the pulpit.
  • Extraordinary Ministers of holy Communion may resume their ministry with proper hand hygiene before and after holy Communion.
  • Collection baskets may resume as normal.
  • The Offertory Procession with the gifts of the bread and wine can resume.
  • Choirs with vaccinated members can operate as normal, while unvaccinated members must maintain social distancing.
  • Altar servers may resume their ministry with proper hygiene procedures.

There are a few protocols that won’t change. Hand hygiene, in general, is still required, and holy Communion is still to be given in the form of bread only. There are no shared Communion cups, and receiving Communion in the hand is still recommended.

The changes to the Mass guidelines come four days after New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced the state would adopt CDC guidelines issued last week that eased mask-wearing requirements for fully vaccinated people. The diocese’s letter indicates a combination of those announcements, falling COVID infection rates, and rising numbers of vaccinations led to the decision.

More than 50 percent of adults in both Brooklyn and Queens have received at least one dose of the vaccine, at 54.7 and 66.6 percent, respectively, according to New York State data updated 11 a.m. Thursday morning.

As vaccinations rise, the rates of infection in both counties continue to fall. Meanwhile,  the number of COVID-19 related deaths per day has hovered around 10, according to USAFacts, which aggregates data from the CDC and state and local public health agencies.

Speaking about the new mask guidelines, in particular, Bishop DiMarzio said it’s up to parishioners to be honest about their vaccination status.

“That’s going to have to be done by the people themselves,” the bishop said. “The unvaccinated should wear masks. We’re not going to segregate them to certain places, but they have to use their common sense.”

The letter also notes that the dispensation from the obligation to attend Mass that’s been in effect since the start of the pandemic will be lifted on June 3. It acknowledges, though, that “those who are ill, or feeling unwell, those who care for the sick and those truly at risk are automatically dispensed from the obligation, as is always the case.”

To accommodate parishioners that find themselves in compromised circumstances, Bishop DiMarzio said livestreaming of Masses should continue.

“It’s very important to have that,” he said. “We’ve learned something new again in the pandemic that we could do that, and it’s not that difficult and for the homebound and those that really cannot get out. It’s a great grace that they can see their own parish.”

Those circumstances aside, he looks forward to once again seeing full pews.

No one will be asked to prove their vaccination status. The Diocese of Brooklyn is encouraging pastors to use their best judgement in determining the best way to get parishioners back in the pews safely. 

Dispensation from the Sunday Mass obligation will be lifted on June 3 —  the Feast of Corpus Christi.

 

In-Person Graduation Ceremony Thrown for St. Francis College’s Class of 2020 and 2021

By Emily Drooby

After coming to the U.S. from Egypt as a child, Merna Abdelhalem became the first in her family to graduate. The proud occasion was caught on camera.

“Honestly, it’s more for my parents than it is for me,” Merna says.

The moment her parents dreamed of was almost lost forever. As a member of the Class of 2020, her original ceremony was cancelled because of the pandemic. Now, they’ve gotten that moment back.

“It just means that both my hard work, and their hard work paid off,” Merna says, “which is the point of hard work, right?”

Hundreds of other St. Francis College students and their families sacrificed and worked hard to  make their dreams come true.

“I mean I’ve had so many parents come to me, crying, tears in their eyes,” explained the college’s president, Miguel Martinez-Saenz. “My heart is uplifted because this is why we do what we do.”

The school held two commencement ceremonies in the same day at the Coney Island Amphitheater. The Class of 2021 graduated in the afternoon and the Class of 2020 graduated in the morning.

The amphitheater is technically outside and social distancing guidelines were in place. With those protocols, it safely gave the students the moment they’ve worked so hard to reach. At graduation, the moment they walked across stage was one that brought parents to their feet.

“My mom was a teacher in India and my dad also has his Masters in Accounting, but then when they came here, they had to start everything again,” explained Class of 2020 Masters graduate Ginal Patel. “So seeing me do it, make it here, it’ a big moment for them too.”

Ginal has already been working in Accounting for a year, but that didn’t stop her from coming back to celebrate her achievements.

“It feels really good,” she said, “and it feels like we got closure from a chapter of our life.”

Amazing Grace: Catholic Teen Battles Heart Disease and Inspires Others

Currents News Staff

When it’s nice outside, you’ll often find Grace Mallgraf in the backyard with her dad practicing her swing. But golf isn’t her only game. You can also catch her with her twin sister Abby hitting the volleyball. 

And when she wants to give her wrists a rest, she gives her fingers a workout on the keyboard and plays her heart out. All of it is music to her mother’s ears.

“It’s a miracle!” Lisa says.

You see, Grace’s physical heart almost kept her from doing all of the things she loves. 

“I’ve had four open heart surgeries,” Grace says.

That’s four open-heart surgeries before she was even three years old!  She was born with HLHS, or Hypoplastic left heart syndrome, a birth defect that affects normal blood flow through the heart.

Grace doesn’t remember any of it, but for mom Lisa, her own heart skipped a beat when she found out her newborn would need surgery.

“I mean it was terrifying and you just didn’t know what was gonna happen next,” Lisa said. “There was a time when we weren’t sure what she would be like as a 12-year-old.”

But Lisa had faith in the surgeon at Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital.

“He did some explanation on paper and then he just looked us in the eye and said ‘I’ll fix your baby’s heart,’” she said.

It was actually her faith in God that was put to the test.

“There was a time though where I questioned the faith and why,” Lisa said, “but I’ve learned through the years, you can’t do that, you have to kinda put your faith in God.”

The Mallgraf family keeps the faith as parishioners at St. Anthony of Padua in East Northport.

“Church was a big piece of it,” she said. “I find that it’s actually like my therapy almost. Sometimes when it’s hard, I just go and like focus and be thankful for what I have and I hate to ask for more, but sometimes ask for a little bit more.”

The seventh-grade honors student at Trinity Regional Catholic School isn’t out of the woods yet. Grace is regularly seen by heart specialists and there’s always the possibility she may need a heart transplant in the future. But that doesn’t get her down. 

“I feel fine,” Grace said. “Just like a normal kid.”

But if you ask anyone who knows her, she’s not normal, she’s amazing: Amazing Grace – which also happens to be the name of her team at the annual congenital heart walk. Grace works hard to raise money because her heart is in the right place.

“So that we can help other kids and people like me who have heart defects,” she said.

Grace is a heart warrior and to her mom, she’s a superhero who drives her family to give back to others facing the same challenges.

“We’ve been very involved in that and try to raise as much as we can because the research has gotten us where we are,” Lisa said. “So if it can get us further, can get another kid to this point, it’s all worth it.”

The Long Island Congenital Heart Walk is virtual this year. If you’d like to donate to Team Amazing Grace,  just head to childrensheartfoundation.org and search for the team “Amazing Grace.”

If you’d like to join in on the fun, you can participate in the New York City walk. It will be held on Sept. 26 at The Bronx Zoo.

Catholic News Headlines for Wednesday, 5/19/21

Enrollment in Catholic schools is plummeting and some are even closing. But that’s not the case in the Diocese of Brooklyn.

Most mask mandates and social distance guidelines in New York are gone.

The amazing little girl who went through four open-heart surgeries – and is on a mission to help others.

Brooklyn Food Pantry Fighting Against Hatred and Hunger Days After Vandalism at Local Church

By Emily Drooby

Different religions and ethnicities, but all of the people at a pop-up food pantry held on Wednesday have something important in common: the desire to stomp out hate through kindness.

How? By doing so through a food drive, which was put together by two different religious based-groups. The initiative, which is being run by the Met Council is being called, “Hate Has No Home Here.”

Working towards unity is something Msgr. Alfred LoPinto says is crucial right now.

“The country is falling apart,” the monsignor said. “Division seems to be more prevalent than it has been in the past.”

In the first four months of 2021, NYC saw a 73% increase in hate crimes, including attacks against the faithful.

“We’ve had a mosque vandalized within the last few days,” explained Brooklyn District Attorney, Eric Gonzalez. “We’ve seen a surge, last year, in anti-semitic crimes and this year, in the last few days, we have a few Catholic institutions and other property vandalized.”

The district attorney’s referring to the crucifix torn down in front of St. Athanasius Church in Bensonhurst and a statue depicting the Virgin Mary and her son Jesus, which was defaced in front of the diocesan offices.

“I grew up as a Catholic and to see images of our saints and others being desecrated is heartbreaking,” Eric said.

Asian Americans are under attack too. Hate crimes against the Asian American community has skyrocketed in 2021: five times higher than last year. That’s why the food drive initiative began – to fight against hate.

It’s a partnership between Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens and the Met Council – one of the most prominent Jewish nonprofits.

Two different religious groups and volunteers from all different backgrounds, like the Chinese American Planning Council, are coming together to help feed 400 families.

“It’s so heartbreaking to see hungry people standing in line for food in this country, but on the other hand, all these groups coming together to stand up against hatred, brings hope,” explained Robert Newman, the chief policy officer for the Met Council.

Looking out for one’s neighbor – no matter their background – are the first steps in creating a more unified city. While hate might have ‘no home here’, love, acceptance and kindness certainly do.

Diocese of Brooklyn Goes Against the Trend as Enrollment at Catholic Schools Nationwide Plummets

By Jessica Easthope

Space is tight on the walls and in the hallways of St. Francis de Sales Catholic Academy in Belle Harbor, Queens. That’s because it’s been 20 years since the school had this many students.

“We know that we’ve made great efforts in our diocese in trying to increase enrollment and have people try to see the value of Catholic education here in Brooklyn and Queens,” said Principal Christopher Scharbach.

More than 200 Catholic schools across the country have closed over the past year and nationwide enrollment fell 6.4 percent, but in the Diocese of Brooklyn, registration is up 1,500 students compared to this time last year. At St. Francis de Sales Catholic Academy, 569 students are currently enrolled and that number will be shooting up to 638 come September.

“We’ve had a very strong enrollment but the interesting thing has been how the enrollment has grown this year during the pandemic,” said Judy Lindner, a first grade teacher at the school.

Judy says her students have adapted seamlessly – watching her over and sometimes through the plastic shields on their desks. Her first graders don’t take up too much space – but next year, there’ll be more of them.

“Because we are growing in enrollment, instead of having two classes of say 30 in each class, Mr. Scharbach is able to make the first grade into three classes,” Judy said.

But it’s not only first grade that’s had to modify. As enrollment climbed, Principal Scharbach had to transform the entire school.

“We’re reusing rooms used for different reasons now as classrooms,” he said. “One thing the pandemic has had us do is really be creative with how we structure a school.”

He says it’s sad to see so many people forced out of Catholic schools by the economic effects of the pandemic – a problem they’ve tried to keep under control at the school.

“We’ve tried to keep tuition as low as possible and not have as large of increases as we’ve had in the past,” Principal Scharbach said, “and we’ve tried to work with families around it and we have a tuition assistance committee for anyone who has fallen on tough times.”

The school’s motto is “anchored in Christ” and staff say that mindset has kept them afloat.

“We are just continuing to put faith first,” Judy said.

So as the school continues to make room, repurpose and squeeze in where they can – Mr. Scharbach says it’s the artwork, prayers and projects on the walls that remind him that a Catholic education is a gift.

Catholic News Headlines for Tuesday, 5/18/21

Hate crimes against the Diocese of Brooklyn – clergy asking for police to step up patrols.

San Francisco’s Archbishop has a response to Nancy Pelosi.

No rockets were fired from Gaza overnight but Israel is launching a new round of airstrikes

Supermarket Shock: Why Are Food Prices On the Rise?

Currents News Staff

Making dinner and gathering around the table: it’s an important activity to the Carbones who live in Richmond Hill, queens.

 “An essential part of our family is dinner time,” Joseph said. “We’ve never strayed from that.”

 While family dinners remain a constant for them, something they can’t control is causing concern.

 “Especially the last year,” said Jenny. “It’s definitely noticeable how prices are higher.”

 The Carbones’ grocery bill is skyrocketing. It began when COVID starting spreading in New York.

 “It stabilized a little bit, but it’s still higher than before,” Jenny added.

 Jenny says a year ago, their average bill for one delivery would be just under $200.

“Now every time I place an order it’s either $240, $250,” she said, “and no matter how I tweak it or switch it around, it always ends up being over $200.”

The Carbones aren’t alone.

With current prices, half a gallon of milk is about four dollars; a dozen eggs are about three dollars and a package of bacon is about eight dollars. That’s 15 dollars for just three breakfast items. Someone making minimum wage in New York would have to work one hour to cover the cost of just one meal.

The pandemic is causing an unusual leap in food prices – the highest in almost a decade with the biggest jump in animal products like beef, veal, pork and eggs.

 Several factors play into the rise.

“I think the food sector has been profoundly disrupted,” said Nick Freudenberg, “and it’s been disrupted on every front.”

Nick is from CUNY’s Urban Food Policy Institute. He says it comes down to supply and demand.

“Because they didn’t follow safety precautions in some of those big meatpacking plants, a lot of their workers got sick, so they had to slow down,” he said.

The same goes with distribution, according to supermarket guru Phil Lempert, who runs Consumer Insight Group.

“It broke the supply chain,” he said. “We didn’t have trucks where we needed them. There’s containers that used to bring in imported foods that are stuck in other countries.”

While much of the U.S. is slowly reopening – these factors are expected to linger.

But even before COVID hit, food prices were already heading up with increases to the minimum wage.

“Somebody’s got to pay for that,” Phil added, “and that’s going to be you and me.”

Other shoppers like Marco Colacito are finding big savings at European grocery store chains Aldi and Lidl. New stores are popping up all over the tri-state area.

“I went to Lidl on a whim,” Marco said. “The shopping experience was really nice.”

Currents News decided to check it out too. We stopped by a Lidl, pronounced leedle, in New Jersey and found significantly lower prices for store brands and brand names.

  •   A dozen eggs are $1.52
  •  Half gallon of milk is $2.22
  •  And bacon is $3.99

 For a total of $7.73

That’s almost a 50 percent difference from average prices. 

“To me, it’s to supplement some of my other shopping,” Marco said. “I think that’s the best way that we’re using it right now, but it’s making a significant difference with the dollar, with stretching the dollar.”

And there are still other ways to save.

For families looking to cut costs, Phil suggests slowing down. That might sound silly, but since the pandemic hit, a person’s average trip to the grocery store has dropped from 22 minutes about 2 times a week – to 10 minutes only once a week, leaving less time to shop around for the best deal.

The question is: Will prices ever come down?

Phil says it will take time.

“Because when you think about the manufacturing of food, you can’t react overnight,” he said.

Even though the economy is recovering, people are still struggling to make ends meet. Catholic Charities of Brooklyn and Queens is helping. They have food pantries around the Diocese of Brooklyn.

If you need help or know a family who’s experiencing food insecurity, call 718-722-6001 or go to the site, ccbq.org

Here’s How To Save Money When Grocery Shopping While Still Eating Healthy

Currents News Staff

Trying to stay on budget while food prices rise has many people finding it hard to maintain healthy eating habits. 

Caitlin Self, licensed nutritionist and blogger behind Frugal Nutrition, joined Currents News to explain how to eat healthier and shop smarter.

Here are Tips for Saving Money on Your Grocery Bill

  • Cook from scratch
  • Plant-based protein
  • Shop perimeter of grocery store

Here are some recipes Caitlin recommends for budget-friendly cooking: 

Following Two Vandalism Incidents, Diocese of Brooklyn Calls for More Police Patrol and Security

By Emily Drooby

Baby Jesus’s head broken off: it’s the second act of vandalism in the Diocese of Brooklyn this week. Now, Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio is calling for big changes.

“Any statue that’s exposed outside, should be lit at night, and also have a camera focused on it,” the bishop said. “So that will deter people and if we can catch someone.”

The latest incident happened right outside the Brooklyn Diocese administrative offices.

“It’s clear they deliberately went after the head of the baby Jesus,” explained Msgr. Anthony Hernandez, as he showed Currents News the damage.

The statue depicts the Blessed Virgin Mary holding Jesus. It’s a very thick stone and all of the damage was really localized to the head.

“Well it’s disturbing, absolutely,” the monsignor said, “and we want to make sure that our people are safe and their religious traditions are respected and preserved.”

It’s the second attack in a week. In the first incident, an image of Christ on the cross was torn down at St. Athanasius Church in Bensonhurst.

The cross has special meaning to the church’s pastor, Msgr. David Cassato.

“It was put up there in 2010 in memory of my mother who passed in 2009,” he said.

An American flag was also burned, according to authorities.

Bishop DiMarzio said the increased amount of incidents is distressing.

“It’s obviously distressing and unfortunate that we are seeing so many incidents of destruction of sacred images that are really important to our faith,” he said.

Police released video of the suspect in the St. Athanasius Church vandalism. No one has been arrested in either incident. The diocese is asking priests to be alert and for the NYPD to increase patrols around churches.

“Basic tenant of our faith is to forgive, so we forgive, but at the same time, it doesn’t mean we retreat,” Bishop DiMarzio said. “We have to stick to our guns and do what we think is important for our faith.”

Both the statue and crucifix vandalism are being investigated by the NYPD’s Hate Crimes Task Force. Msgr. Hernandez said the question arises if it’s anti-Catholic hate.

“Well, you wonder if it’s an act of anti-Catholic hatred,” he said. “I’ve been in other parishes where statues have been vandalized, but this seemed very deliberate. It seemed like there was more intent to this one.”

The diocese does have the statue of baby Jesus’ head, which was found by the facilities manager. They’re already working towards repairing the statue to its original form.

If you have any information on who may have damaged the statue or crucifix, call Crime Stoppers at 800-577-TIPS.