Brooklyn Catholic School Students Learn How to Read and Write in Braille

By Emily Drooby

It’s an alphabet that’s rarely taught in schools. Antonio Caruso is only in the fourth grade, but now he knows how to read and write in braille.

“We learned how to do braille,” Antonio said. “Like, we used peas and then we put them on the dots of the alphabet and it was pretty cool.”

He learned it at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Academy in Gravesend, Brooklyn.

The activity stems from a lesson on American icon Helen Keller, who lost her sight and hearing at a very young age.

“I learned that Helen Keller has been through a lot of obstacles, like being blind and deaf at the same time,” said student Mariam Egiazarian.

Keller went on to become an author, disability rights advocate and American icon.

A devout Christian, Keller spent more than 20 years of her life living in Forest Hills, Queens. Today, a mural in her honor stands near her home.

Keller’s inspirational life story is a staple of American education. When it comes to braille, which is nearly 200 years old, it isn’t taught in schools as often as one would think.

According to the National Braille Press, only 10 percent of blind schoolchildren learn braille in school. That makes this lesson that the Brooklyn students are undertaking, all the more unique.

Teacher Christine Latona says this lesson goes deeper than just learning braille and highlights all different kinds of communication, including the ones kids might not always think about like voice recordings or sign language.

“So many people struggle with not knowing how to communicate,” Christine said. “That is something that we really need to teach them now, just knowing that there are so many different ways of expressing yourself. It’s not just verbal anymore.”

Christine taught this lesson for six years and says she plans on teaching it for many years to come.

New Mexico Church Prepares For Influx of Migrants

Currents News Staff

Rev. George Miller is the executive director of the Immigrant Advocacy Center at El Calvario United Methodist Church in Las Cruces, New Mexico.

“We’re a tiny little church,” Rev. George said. “We have a big heart though. We’ve always welcomed people, especially those that are not welcome in other places. So it’s been a refuge for people.”

As the center prepares to welcome migrants, the reverend met with New Mexico Sen. Martin Heinrich.

“We’re starting the process of meeting with the sorts of religious organizations, nonprofits and others who can help address those refugee needs on an on the ground basis,” the senator said, “and make sure that we have, that we’re not caught flat footed, that we have the capacity to do that in a humane and legal and efficient way.”

Senator Heinrich says unlike past years when these efforts were reimbursed, there’s now federal funding available ahead of time.

“We started working a number of months ago, to actually include funding in the American Rescue Plan,” Sen. Heinrich said, “to be able to build local capacity to meet and address the number of migrants that we typically see this time of year.”

In the past, they’ve been able to house 60 migrants at this facility. But now, because of the pandemic, that number has been reduced to just 30. Still, expenses have increased as they work to keep everyone safe and healthy.

“It just seems like when you’re doing the right thing, the money comes from somewhere,” Rev. George said.

They hope this visit contributes to work that will continue to help their shelter and others in New Mexico stay prepared.

“We hope to help with the senator to start building that Mexican infrastructure,” Rev. George added, “so we can meet these contingencies, as they come about every time.”

FEMA Allocates Billions for COVID-19 Funeral Reimbursements and Assistance

By Jessica Easthope

Starting Monday, April 12, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is taking applications from people who lost loved ones to COVID-19 and had the burden of expensive and unexpected funeral costs. They can get reimbursed for up to $9,000.

“It’s just gut-wrenching to realize that there are thousands of people, bodies, lying in morgues not being buried properly,” said New York Sen. Chuck Schumer. “It’s one of the many, many, many problems average people face — poor people, working people — with this COVID disaster.”

On Monday, Senator Schumer and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez held a news conference in Corona Plaza to lay out the ground rules for the program and why it matters to the immigrant-rich neighborhood.

“This community did not benefit from a lot of the relief efforts we had last year,” Rep. Ocasio-Cortez said. “This is one of the first programs that will allow mixed-status and undocumented families to get some semblance of relief after feeding this country, cleaning our schools, serving and holding this community up.”

According to the program, people can get reimbursed for expenses during every stage of the funeral process: from transportation to identifying a loved-one’s remains to the purchasing of a burial plot.

They’re required to provide a copy of a death certificate showing the primary or contributing cause of death was COVID-19, as well as proof of funeral expenses like receipts and contracts dated Jan. 20, 2020 and after. People can be reimbursed for expenses from that date until Dec. 31 of 2020.

As for current COVID-19 related deaths, people can get the help as they need it.

“Those now who can’t afford a funeral can get the money to pay for it now and on into the future,” Sen. Schumer said.

Lawmakers say this program won’t undo the damage done by the pandemic but it will help New Yorkers most in need.

“It also speaks to our capacity and power to organize,” Rep. Ocasio-Cortez said. “When we get knocked down and terrible things happen, we can organize and build community power and get families the justice they deserve.”

Father Manuel de Jesus Rodriguez, the pastor of Our Lady of Sorrows Church in Corona, Queens, had at least 100 parishioners die of COVID-19. He says his predominantly undocumented parish is in desperate need of the program.

“This initiative is certainly a blessing and we welcome it with open arms,” Father Manuel said. “Because this is a direct support and direct benefit that these families will be taking advantage of and it would be helping them to move forward. Many of them are still jobless and this will be so helpful.”

Unemployment rates in Queens and Brooklyn are both hovering around 13 percent. Elected officials encourage everyone to gather their paperwork and make the call to FEMA.

COVID-19 Funeral Assistance Line Number

Applications begin on April 12, 2021
844-684-6333 | TTY: 800-462-7585

Hours of Operation:
Monday – Friday
9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Eastern Time

Catholic News Headlines for Monday, April 12, 2021

People who lost a relative to COVID-19 could be reimbursed for funeral expenses.

A new study finds a coronavirus variant may be able to ‘break through’ one vaccine.

A church near the southern border is preparing for an influx of migrants.

The Tablet fundraiser — it’s the last week to help Catholic schools in the Diocese of Brooklyn.

One Week Left in The Tablet Newspaper’s COVID-19 Relief Fundraiser for Catholic Schools

By Emily Drooby

Flipping through the pages of The Tablet newspaper is something 20 more people will be doing thanks to seventh-grade student, Kiley Quinn.

That’s because Kiley is selling subscriptions for “The Tablet’s COVID Relief Fundraiser” where schools in the Diocese of Brooklyn compete to sell the most subscriptions or renewals to the paper.

Students like Kiley earn money for their school and for themselves. The month-long competition ends on April 16.

“I definitely, immediately wanted to get involved because it was a good thing for the school and also for me too,” Kiley said. “It’s like, you’re getting something.”

Since Kiley has passed the three-order milestone, she is making $10 a subscription. For every subscription sold, $5 also goes to her school, Good Shepherd Catholic Academy. That means 75 percent of the $20 subscription is going back to the school.

“Once I graduate, I won’t be here and I’m going to miss it,” Kiley said. “They’ve been good to me. My teachers are great. I want to give back to my school.”

The top-selling school and the top-selling student will get a $3,000 bonus.

No matter the outcome, The Tablet’s John Alexander says that everyone is still a winner.

“We thought that this was a way for students to earn money to help their schools coming out of a very difficult time,” John said, “and to help themselves.”

The pandemic halted many of the normal school fundraisers. Good Shepherd Catholic Academy Principal John O’Brien says this fundraiser will help improve school programs. The opportunity also helps kids learn more about The Tablet.

“There’s always lots to do,” he said, “but definitely what it will do, is it will go towards improving programs for the students. Whether its new resources, or improvements to our building. Maybe even opportunities to celebrate the school year.”

Good Shepherd had a unique first-hand experience with the power of the media this year. Even though the school was in a COVID hotspot, despite the school itself not having cases, they were forced to close by the city.

“The Tablet was a great voice advocating for Catholic education,” the principal explained, “since last March and certainly this fall, we were shut down.”

The competition is fierce: Good Shepherd is up against 51 other diocesan schools. Heading into the program’s last week, one thing is for sure, even though only one school can officially win — every single dollar raised is a victory.

To find out how you can support Catholic schools in the Diocese of Brooklyn: click here – The Tablet COVID Relief Fundraiser

Sharing Goods Not Communism But ‘Pure Christianity,’ Pope Francis Says

By Currents News Staff

For the second consecutive year, Pope Francis visited the church of Divine Mercy in Rome, April 11. Here he celebrated Mass in commemoration of Divine Mercy Sunday, which was established by John Paul II.

The church holds an image of Jesus as He appeared to Saint Faustina Kowalska. It was during these visions that the Polish nun came to better understand the Mercy of God.

Pope Francis stated that Christians who do not accept God’s mercy and who are not merciful to others live their faith half-heartedly.

“This is the starting-point of our Christian journey,” the Holy Father said. “But if we trust in our own abilities, in the efficiency of our structures and projects, we will not go far. Only if we accept the love of God, will we be able to offer something new to the world.”

The pontiff recalled how in His first apparitions after the resurrection, Jesus freed the disciples of their remorse. With His message to them he did not take away their problems, but he gave them hope.

“As far as God is concerned, no one is useless, discredited or a castaway,” Pope Francis said. “Today, Jesus also tells us, ‘Peace be with you! You are precious in my eyes. Peace be with you! You are important to me. Peace be with you! You have a mission. No one can take your place. You are irreplaceable. And I believe in you.'”

Due to restrictions from the pandemic, few people were admitted to the Mass. Among them were prisoners from different jails in Rome, patients from a nearby hospital, and other pilgrims.

These were whom the Holy Father chose to spend his day with.

Catholic News Headlines for Friday, 4/9/21

After Easter comes Eastertide – church leaders are using this time to fill up the pews.

A pop-up vaccination site is helping a Queens neighborhood hit hard by the pandemic.

A prominent doctor gunned down – the community now remembers him as a man of faith.

Prince Phillip passes away at 99 – Catholic leaders offer their condolences.

Coney Island Amusement Parks Reopen and Spark Hope After Long Pandemic Shutdown

By Emily Drooby

It has been a roller-coaster of a year for Coney Island. The pandemic forced amusement parks to stay closed. After 13 months, they’re back.

“The opening of Coney Island is a metaphor for NYC,” said New York Sen. Chuck Schumer to a group gathered on the boardwalk “We are getting back in business.”

Sen. Schumer was on-hand along with Mayor Bill de Blasio and Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul. They were all there to re-open Luna Park and Deno’s Wonder Wheel Amusement Park.

“And the comeback begins here,” said Lt. Gov. Hochul, “it begins here today.”

It’s a comeback that will affect the entire neighborhood. Last year, the neighborhood lost $100 million in revenue due to the closure of the two parks, aquarium, amphitheater and Brooklyn Cyclones field.

Alexandra Silversmith with the Alliance for Coney Island says when these cornerstone places close, it affects the whole area.

“They are all really important to each other and that’s sort of how Coney Island survives and thrives,” Alexandra said, “if they’re all open and operating.”

The pandemic has been tough for local businesses and for the parks. The partly-Catholic family who owns Deno’s dipped into their savings to keep the park afloat.

“It was a devastatingly hard time,” said the park’s Marketing Director Kenneth Hochman. “The family, however, was committed to making sure the park would be here for post pandemic. And that’s why you can see the roller-coaster Phoenix, rising.”

The new ride is rising – just like Coney Island. It’s something the parks have done before.

Dennis Vourderis, who co-owns Deno’s, explained the neighborhood’s economy.

“The economy of Coney Island has shown to be very resilient and bounce back very quickly,” Dennis said. “Take Hurricane Sandy for instance. Coney Island rebuilt, reopened and entertained millions of people once again.”

After the 36th Annual “Blessing of the Rides,” the park was officially open for business for their 100th season, since last year was canceled.

Front-line workers, like Carmen, rode for free. She has been coming to the park since she was a kid. However, this visit was special because it made her hopeful for the future.

“It’s refreshing,” Carmen said. “It’s rewarding, it’s encouraging and I think that’s one of the things we need as people right now.”

That leaves a spark of hope, for many, that not only is summer coming back, but New York City is too.

Father Cedric Pisegna’s New Book Offers Spiritually-Based Solutions to Harmful Addictions

Currents News Staff

As many of us can relate, the pandemic has been a source of stress in our lives. But coping with that stress has caused some to turn to drugs and alcohol.

Father Cedric Pisegna C.P. says, “there is a solution.” He joined Currents News to talk about his latest book on recovery and addictions, “There Is a Solution.”

If you would like a copy of “There Is a Solution,” head on over to www.frcedric.org.

Catholic News Headlines for Thursday, 4/8/21

Students use their spring break for good – to restore a family’s home.

Cardinal Dolan has a message to Catholics this Easter season – come back to Mass!

President Biden unveils sweeping plans to combat gun violence in America.

A behind the scenes look inside the reconstruction of the beloved Notre Dame Cathedral.