St. Peter Claver Parishioner Rings Church Bell in Prayer for Those Lost to COVID-19

By Jessica Easthope

Stanley Davis has been retired for more than a decade but every day he has a job to do.

He gets up, leaves the house and walks, but the trip isn’t far. It’s just across the street to St. Peter Claver Church in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, where he has a duty to fulfill, ringing the bell.

Every day of the pandemic, Stanley’s been ringing the bell at St. Peter Claver to pray for those who have lost their lives to COVID-19.

“When people hear the bell I want people to know that we’re still praying for them, day and night, I don’t care what the weather is. We’re praying. We’re praying constantly,” Stanley said.

His orders came from the top – Pope Francis asked everyone to pray, Brooklyn Bishop Nicholas DeMarzio asked that bells in the Diocese of Brooklyn be rung at 3 p.m. signifying the time Jesus died on the cross. So when that message got to Father Alonzo Cox, the pastor of St. Peter Claver, he knew exactly who to ask.

“St Peter Claver Church is his second home, there would be days when I would walk in there, all the lights are off and Stanley was there, praying the rosary or praying in front of the Blessed Sacrament. So that’s how I knew the person to ring the bell at 3 o’clock would be Stanley,” Father Cox told Currents News.

But it’s not just the time of day that’s significant. Stanley rings the bell, praying for the intercession of St. Therese the Little Flower.

“When I ring the bell, I ring it 24 times for St. Therese, for when she died at the age of 24,” he explained.

Stanley stopped ringing the bell during Lent to mark a solemn time in the liturgical year, but on Tuesday April 6, he was back at it.

Like many New Yorkers, Stanley lost a family member to COVID-19: his younger brother, Franklin.

“Nobody could even visit with him and you just had to accept what the reports were, and then he passed,” Stanley said of Franklin, who was in a nursing home.

He wants everyone who’s lost someone to know their loved ones are not forgotten. It’s Stanley’s way of living out his faith.

“Nothing else matters. If you’re trying to please Him, you know you’re doing something right,” he said.

More New Yorkers are now becoming eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine, but until the last coronavirus death Stanley will be at the bell at 3 o’clock.

As COVID Vaccination Numbers Rise, U.S. Sees Uptick in New Cases and Spread of Variants

Currents News Staff

Soon, all 50 U.S. states will have expanded COVID-19 vaccine eligibility to everyone 16 years and older.

It’s happening as COVID-19 variants continue to spread and new variants keep popping up.

Now there’s a race between vaccinations and variants.

From production, to packaging, to planes, to the pavement and to the people, vaccine rollout is going strong.

But Dr. Ashish Jha, epidemiologist Michael Osterholm, and Dr. Paul Offit, worry it’s creating false hope.

Average new case counts are up more than 16% over the past two weeks, and the Centers for Disease Control and prevention says part of the reason for the rise is because of variants like the one first spotted in the U.K.

“It’s not long before it is going to sweep across the country,” said Osterholm.

“And the variants make it particularly concerning,” added Dr. Jha.

There are still so many questions about the variants.

“To date we don’t know that the variants have completely escaped immunity, where for example, if you’ve been naturally infected or immunized you still may be hospitalized or in a ICU or die,” explained Dr. Offit, a member of the FDA Vaccines Advisory Committee:

There are also other variants popping up like the one first identified in India that’s also been reported in California, not to mention the variants still to come as viruses mutate over time.

“Where will these new variants come from that we couldn’t even imagine today,” asked Osterholm.

Still, all three experts agree that vaccinations are our best bet.

“We either get vaccinated, or if we haven’t had a chance to get a vaccine yet, at least wear a mask and social distance,” said Dr. Offit.

“We really do have to hunker down for a few more weeks,” urged Dr. Jha.

Eastertide: Celebrating the Season for 50 Days From Easter to Pentecost

By Jessica Easthope

It’s common knowledge that Easter marks the end of Lent but it also marks a beginning – another part of the Easter season that goes on for almost two months.

“It’s continued for the 50 days until the feast of Pentecost,” said Monsignor David Cassato, the pastor of St. Athanasius Church in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn. “The coming of the Holy Spirit – it’s a very special time. There’s no greater time than Easter.”

It’s called Eastertide, the time between Easter and Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit descended on Jesus’ disciples on the seventh Sunday after Easter. Msgr. Cassato says the Polish, Irish, and Italians have their own ways of celebrating Easter Monday and observing this time.

“In the Italian tradition, it’s called ‘Pasquetta,’ after the work of Easter, Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday and Easter Sunday,” he said. “Most people in Italy take the day off and go to the country and celebrate with all the leftover food.”

St. Athanasius parishioners, Nila Ruggieri and Vittoria Spagnolo, came to church to celebrate Easter Monday. They said Eastertide is a time to live the joy of Easter and the hope of the Resurrection.

“This is the biggest celebration,” Nila said. “It lasts a long time. 50 days until the Holy Spirit comes and enables us with his power and strength and joy.”

“That was the way to go,” Vittoria said. “The disciples show that he’s there with us.”

On any given day, you can find Carlo Formisano at St. Athanasius, alone, praying the rosary. For him, Eastertide is a time to give, using the power of the Holy Spirit to help others.

“That’s what I feel these next days,” Carlo said, “Pentecost Sunday coming up where you get that spirit. The Holy Spirit comes into you like he gave it to the disciples. If you can feel that for just one day, one hour, it’s the best feeling in the world.”

Msgr. Cassato says it’s also the best time of year for evangelization.

“Why is it the perfect time of the year to bring people into church and back to church?” he asked. “It’s interesting because during this Eastertide, after the pandemic especially, it’s time to come back to the church. It’s time to reach out to people who have fallen away.”

This year, Eastertide is celebrated until May 23 on Pentecost.

Catholic News Headlines for Monday, 4/5/21

Eastertide – that means Catholics are now in a new season.

Big numbers of parishioners are making their way back to church. But will they stay?

Pope Francis is calling world leaders to make the COVID vaccine reach those who need it the most.

New Catholics join the church – their plans for the faithful future.

This Teen Became a Catholic and Brought His Whole Family Along on the Faith Journey

Currents News Staff

Each year on Holy Saturday during the Easter Vigil, thousands are baptized into the Catholic Church in the U.S.

The pandemic has been a challenge for many entering the faith, but one family in upstate New York faced that challenge head-on, and is all thanks to teenager: Marco Pantoja.

He was raised a Protestant but at the age of 16 became Catholic, and helped his family convert to Catholicism. Marco joins Currents News to share his story.

When It Comes to COVID Variants, Kids Play a Role in Transmission

Currents News Staff

B.1.1.7 is the COVID-19 variant first identified in the U.K.

“Please understand, this B.1.1.7 variant is a brand new ball game,” said epidemiologist Michael Osterholm.

Michael is making the rounds to talk about one of the challenges of this variant.

“It infects kids very readily,” he said. “Unlike previous strains of the virus, we didn’t see children under eight grade get infected often or they were not frequently very ill. They didn’t transmit to the rest of the community.”

But he says now, that’s changed.

Statistics point to Minnesota, where more than 740 schools have had cases of the U.K. variant.

In Michigan, more and more young people are being hospitalized as cases rise.

It’s something medical experts in other countries called attention to nearly two months ago when the British Medical Journal said there was “emerging evidence from Israel and Italy that more young children are being infected with new variants of COVID-19.”

Now that it’s happening here in the states, Michael is questioning his own recommendation to send kids back for in-person learning.

“These kids now are really major challenges in terms of how they transmit.”

Getting kids vaccinated is crucial, but Michael says a hurdle could exist.

“We’re not going to have nearly enough in the next six to eight weeks to get through this surge,” he said. “We’re going to have to look at other avenues to do that, just as every other country in the world who’s had a B.1.1.7 surge has had to do.”

After Being Unable to Spend Last Easter in Church, Faithful Flock to St. James Cathedral Basilica

By Emily Drooby

Glory to God rang out at the St. James Cathedral Basilica on Easter Sunday — the Lord has risen.

Having hope is an important lesson learned after a difficult year, one of pain and loss stemming from the pandemic.

“That’s what Easter is about,” Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio of Brooklyn told Currents News. “It teaches us how to deal with the sin and death and evil that happens in the world.”

It has also been a difficult year for church attendance. The quarantine forcing closures for over three months. When churches finally could reopen their doors, it was only for a fraction of what they had before.

There was a fear. How would parishes rebuild their flock? Would parishioners return? And what would Holy Week, historically some of the most attended Masses and services, look like in 2021?

However, hope came in many forms this Easter, one of them was full pews.

“To see the Church coming back to life again, at the same time that we are celebrating the Resurrection, it’s very encouraging. And I think it’s a wonderful sign and symbol of the power of our faith,” said Father Bryan Patterson, pastor and rector of St. James Cathedral Basilica.

The Cathedral Basilica was as full as it could safely be. People traveled from all over to be there, like Shiloh Frederick who came from East Flatbush.

After missing out on being at church on Easter last year, she wanted this year to feel extra special.

“We are feeling more hopeful this year than last year, so we wanted to be in a church that kind of reflected that atmosphere,” she explained.

The Cathedral Basilica had full Masses and services during the entirety of Holy Week.

However, Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio said that they still have a ways to go to get back to pre-pandemic levels, especially since churches are still capped at half capacity.

It seems like from last night and this morning, what we have heard, it’s decent,” he said. “But again it’s not full. We are only at 50 percent capacity, so it will take time until everyone comes back.”

‘When people are ready and able to come back they’ll be welcomed,” added Father Patterson. “God is still God and God is still there for me, and I can still come back to God and God will always welcome me back. I think it’s important for people to know that God hasn’t gone anywhere.”

At Holy Saturday Easter Vigil Parishioners Are Welcomed Into to the Catholic Faith

By Jessica Easthope

Fire burned bright in the darkness of St. Joseph’s Co-Cathedral in Brooklyn. The Paschal candle was lit at the beginning of the Easter Vigil, symbolizing the Light of Christ as the last moments of sunlight peered through the stained-glass windows.

The solemn vigil starts the most joyous celebration of the liturgical year: Jesus’ Resurrection.

“Tonight is the vigil of all vigils, the Easter vigil. We celebrate the Resurrection in all the glory we have: music, lights, candles. It’s ‘pulling out all of the stops,’ as you might say,” said Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio.

Suddenly, the Co-Cathedral is illuminated. Then one of the most special parts of the vigil, which was canceled last year due to the pandemic, is celebrated: the welcoming in of newcomers to the Catholic faith.

On Saturday six people received confirmation and communion and four others received those sacraments and were baptized.

“I feel relieved. I feel like I let go of all my sins and like they said, I’m a new person,” said Milaidi Spencer, who received her confirmation and communion.

Milaidi said her son made her realize she needed to take that next step in her faith.

“My son goes to Catholic school and me seeing him make his communion was very emotional for me, and I wanted to take that next step and he motivated me.”

Emerson Wite received three sacraments, Saturday, taking his first steps as a Catholic. His journey also started in Catholic school. He says his education made him want to grow closer to his faith.

“It felt like I was starting a new journey, a new life,” said Emerson.

Emerson also says the ongoing health crisis solidified his commitment.

“It’s been a very hard year, and I’ve been lucky to not experience what a lot of people have with COVID. So I thank God every day for everything I have and I feel like this step has pushed me to be a more grateful person under God,” he explained.

Bishop DiMarzio says he admires their dedication, and that administering these sacraments has been one of the most joyous parts of his time as the leader of the Diocese of Brooklyn.

“It was great to see that we have people because it wasn’t easy this year for people to get together, doing some of it online or how they did it, but they did it so they’re ready,” he told Currents News.

At the end of the vigil, Monsignor Kieran Harrington asked parishioners to thank Bishop DiMarzio in light of his upcoming retirement. Saturday was likely his last Easter Vigil.

Catholic News Headlines for Friday, 4/2/21

Pope Francis’ Way of the Cross, with meditations written by children.

The Diocese of Brooklyn commemorates the Passion of Jesus Christ. We have exclusive coverage.

Cardinal Timothy Dolan explains the deeper meaning behind one of the darkest hours.

Easter guidance – what you need to know before heading out to celebrate.

At Good Friday Service, Faithful of Brooklyn and Queens Reflect on the Lord’s Passion

By Emily Drooby

No bells, no candles, no crosses – the St. James Cathedral Basilica in Brooklyn was bare on Good Friday.

“It’s a symbol of mourning, a symbol that Christ is in the tomb,” said Brooklyn Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio. “So, we take away most of the symbols that would distract us from concentrating on the death of Christ.”

Betrayed by Judas the night before, Jesus carried his cross to the place of his death while being flogged and ridiculed, on what is now Good Friday.

In the Diocese of Brooklyn, Bishop DiMarzio presided over the Solemn Liturgy of the Lord’s Passion and Death, complete with the reading of the Passion and the universal prayers. However, the Adoration of the Cross was different this year because of the pandemic.

“We will not kiss the cross, but it will be shown to the people,” explained Bishop DiMarzio.

The communion was also different, but not because of the pandemic — because it’s part of Good Friday. It’s not a Mass, but instead they use the host that was consecrated the night before on Holy Thursday. It’s another way to remember the sacrifices that were made.

“Jesus died for our sins, he saved us, he’s our savior and redeemer,” explained Deacon Ronald Rizzuto of St. James Cathedral Basilica.

For parishioner Charles Lee, this was his first Good Friday Service. He came to Brooklyn all the way from Bayside, Queens, and told Currents News he’s hoping it will deepen his faith.

“Being in the presence here and seeing what goes on, I’ll be able to experience and gain something that I’ve never thought about and hopefully that will be meaningful too,” he said.