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Catholic News Headlines for Friday 10/4/2024

Today is the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals. Catholics around the world participate in blessing their pets, including parishioners at St. Patrick’s Church in Bay Ridge, who held a special ceremony for the occasion.

Brooklyn Bishop Robert Brennan is on a retreat in Assisi, Italy, alongside 12 priests. They met with the Bishop of Assisi and visited the sacred site where St. Francis received the stigmata, Christ-like wounds symbolizing his devotion.

St. Francis of Assisi has inspired millions, including Pope Francis, who took his name. The Pope reflects St. Francis’ values of caring for the poor and protecting our shared home, the Earth.

Meet Kara McCarthy, the new principal at Our Lady of Hope Catholic Academy in Middle Village, Brooklyn. As an alum of the school, Kara is thrilled to return and plans to bring more student engagement through additional student Masses and a daily Angelus prayer. Learn more in the second installment of Currents News’ “Meet the New Principals” series.

Students at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Academy Learn of Italy’s Response During WWII at “Museum of Memory”

by Katie Vasquez

It was the largest and deadliest conflict in human history, but a new traveling exhibit is telling a side of World War II that not many people know about.

“It’s a museum showing what the city of Assisi and the Bishop of Assisi did during the holocaust and helping thousands of jews and making sure that they wouldn’t get killed,” said Vincent LeVien, director of external affairs at DeSales Media Group. 

The Pave the Way foundation, an organization that looks to build bridges between faiths, helped to start the exhibit on Assisi’s Museum of Memory.

It was brought to the Diocese of Brooklyn by Vincent LeVien, director of external affairs at DeSales Media group, who spoke to principals about bringing it to schools. 

Principal Elizabeth Reilly at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic academy was immediately interested. 

“Italian culture is celebrated here very much as is our catholic identity,” said Elizabeth Reilly, Principal at St Francis of Assisi Catholic Academy, “we pride ourselves in this school on teaching religion and having that feeling of community and faith.”

“It gives them a better appreciation for, you know, the efforts and the work of people who are the unsung heroes,” said St Francis of Assisi Pastor, Monsignor Ralph Maresca.

And students were excited to see this untold part of history.  

“Even though it is a sad topic, it’s pretty interesting to understand, like what was going on through people’s minds and like why they were doing this and also like how they countered the negatives to this and made it a positive in life,” said 8th grader, Christian Duran.

The kids say the actions of the Catholics in the hill town in central Italy to save the Jewish people, from hiding them in monasteries and convents to making fake ids, make the students feel proud of their faith. 

“There were a lot of people that basically dedicated their lives to helping others and that makes me feel like I’m part of a religion that does a lot for other people and is very beneficial to society,” said 7th grader, Arianna Soberal.

These pictures portray the bravery of a people and inspiring the next generation.

DeSales Media Creates “The Pope Video” for October

Catholic News Headlines for Thursday 10/3/2024

Students at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Academy in Astoria are engaging in a unique history lesson today with a traveling “Museum of Memory,” which educates them on Italy’s response to refugees, war, and genocide during World War II, following their attendance at Mass.

Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, has begun, heralding ten days of reflection and repentance leading to Yom Kippur. Bishop Robert Brennan offered the Jewish community heartfelt prayers for peace and prosperity during this significant time.

The Diocese of Brooklyn is praying for vocations! Since October is the month of the rosary, the Diocese is dedicating this month to praying for and meditating on vocations.

“We are community.” This powerful message from Pope Francis for October resonates deeply with us. It underscores the unity and strength we derive from our shared faith. You can hear more from the Holy Father in a special video from the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network, a production by the Diocese of Brooklyn with the support of NET TV’s parent company, DeSales Media Group.

Pope Francis to Pray Rosary for Peace Ahead of One Year of War in Gaza

The Mass for the beginning of the final phase of the Synod started like this, with all the members walking down the central aisle of St. Peter’s Square.

During the homily, Pope Francis told the participants that the Synod demands that they use both heart and mind on the delicacy of topics being discussed. But he pointed out that it is important to not lose humility.

“We cannot allow ourselves to look away from the children, whom Jesus continues to place at the center of our meetings and work tables, to remind us that the only way to be “up to” the task entrusted to us is to lower ourselves, to make ourselves small and to accept ourselves as such, with humility,” said Pope Francis.

And at the end, the Pope made an announcement: he said he would go to the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome on October 6 to pray a rosary for peace.

“To invoke from the intercession of the Virgin Mary the gift of peace, next Sunday I will go to the Basilica of St. Mary Major, where I will pray the Holy Rosary and address to Our Lady a heartfelt supplication; if possible, I also ask you, members of the Synod, to accompany me on that occasion,” said Pope Francis. “On the following day, October 7, I ask everyone to observe a day of prayer and fasting for peace in the world.”

Pope Francis used the opening Synod Mass to bring attention to October 7, the day of fasting and prayer that marks one year since the beginning of the war in Gaza.

Veiling Makes Comeback with Scarves Inspired by Saints Devotions

By Jessica Easthope

Veronica Marrinan uses her grandmother’s sewing machine to put a hem on a scarf in her new collection.

As the co-founder of Litany NYC, her goal is to clothe not just the body but the soul.

“As a Catholic, how does my clothing express my soul,” said Marrinan. “You know, how can I share my personality, the unique way God made me, through what I wear.”

Over her shoulder is assistant designer Rebecca Kreamer. The pair talk through every stitch, making sure the product they send out gets the stamp of approval.

“Fast fashion doesn’t have a lot of modesty wear,” said Kreamer. “And if it is, it’s not very flattering, so Litany offers that modesty look.”

The two women, both graduates of the Fashion Institute of Technology, are on the heels of a cultural revival, filling a void for Catholics who choose to veil during Mass.

Litany’s scarf designs, inspired by saints, devotions, and Gospel stories, are different from the common lace veils women were required to wear before the Second Vatican Council in 1962—the same veil Veronica grew up wearing.

“I’m aware that I’m in my special place of worship,” said Marrinan. “I put my veil on, it helps me remember that.”

Now, as popularity grows, so do sales.

Litany made more money in the last year than they did in the first three years of the business. Sales of this ‘Holy Family’ scarf are up 34 percent from 2023. Sales of the St. Joseph, Spouse of Our Lady scarf are up 81 percent.And sales on this scarf, called Mary, Mother of the Church, are up 100 percent from last year.

Litany says last year, before more people were veiling, that design was purchased 33 times. This year, it’s been purchased 67 times.

“What are people buying, what do they want, and how can we fulfill that need” said Marrinan.

“The empowerment behind it that we’re giving these women—I want to veil,” said Kreamer. “I feel confident, I feel comfortable, and I’m happy to be doing it.”

Litany’s scarves allow Catholics to display their faith in a personal way.

“Knowing a little bit of the design behind it is going to help them believe the truth that they are so beautiful and so beloved by God,” said Marrinan.

The team says though veils are making a comeback, the devotion behind them never went out of style. In Crown Heights, Jessica Easthope, Currents News.

Catholic News Headlines for Wednesday 10/2/2024

The global synod’s final phase begins in Rome with Pope Francis and hundreds of delegates.

Chinese officials are removing crosses from churches, replacing religious images with those of President Xi Jinping.

Santa Clara University is offering full scholarships to Cristo Rey graduates, easing college cost worries for students.

A Brooklyn design house is crafting faith-inspired scarves for Catholics who wear veils during Mass.

Catholics Mobilize in North Carolina as Diocese of Charlotte Collects Supplies for Hurricane Relief

Catholics in North Carolina are uniting to support their neighbors affected by the devastation of Hurricane Helene. The torrential rain caused significant damage and tragically claimed dozens of lives.

In response, churches within the Diocese of Charlotte are stepping up to serve as aid distribution points, offering much-needed supplies to those impacted by the storm.

Msgr. Patrick Winslow, Vicar and Chancellor of the Diocese of Charlotte, joins Currents News to talk more about those relief efforts and how others can help.

You can contribute to the relief efforts and support the community in its time of need. 

Just go to: https://giving.classy.org/campaign/624511/donate

Manhattan University Has Hundreds of Relics Stored in Archives

By Katie Vasquez

Deep inside O’Malley Library at Manhattan University in the Bronx sits a treasure trove of sacred objects.

“I would say close to about 600 different relics of a variety of saints,” said Amy Surak, director of archives and special collections.

Surak said the university started collecting the relics as communities and retreat centers shuttered.

“What do you do with them once an institution closes?” Surak said. “We want to safe house these.”

It created a secret prayer spot within the library for people who discovered the relics and wished to be among the saints.

But now, Surak said that’s all going to change, as they prepare to display the relics in a reliquary at the school’s chapel.

“We want to keep them, and we also want to make them available so that people can learn about the history of the Church, the history of saints, and the history of relics,” Surak said.

The collection includes hundreds of physical remains or personal effects of these holy people, like a piece of bone from Saint Thérèse of Lisieux.

“She was also known as the ‘Little Flower,'” Surak said. “She was basically otherwise known as a household saint. She lived a very pious life, where small things she did had a profound effect on her spirituality and piety.”

It’s an experience those at this Lasallian university say you have to see to believe.

“The fact that they have these and we have access to them,” Surak said. “You know, no one would think that we have relics of the apostles in the Bronx.”

If you would like to visit the relics, you can make an appointment by emailing archives@manhattan.edu.