Bayside Church Attracts New Member of Its Flock From Oregon Thanks to YouTube

By Emily Drooby

Monsignor Thomas Machalski, who ministers in Queens, was surprised to receive this letter all the way from Eugene, Oregon.

The pastor of Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Bayside was amazed that a Catholic woman from across the country was watching his parish’s Masses online.

Monsignor Machalski explained, “she found us by chance on YouTube and she liked my homily on the Feast of Corpus Christi.”

The parish started posting their Masses to YouTube because of the pandemic. Mary Arendt found them while searching Google.

“I’m certainly not really conversant in computer things and I just was really lucky to stumble across Sacred Heart Parish in Bayside, NY,” said Arendt.

Mary’s church wasn’t online. Instead, she watched a Mass from California but it ended when the churches reopened. She went on the hunt for a new parish and discovered Monsignor Machalski talking about healing divisiveness and accepting diversity.

Arendt said, “It was just such a great message, and his sermon was so well put together, sometimes sermons go on and on and wonder all over the place, his does not.”

The next Sunday, Arendt went back to Sacred Heart of Jesus’s YouTube page and liked the homily about the pandemic delivered by the parochial vicar, Father Alex Lee.

Monsignor Machalski said, “You never know how the Holy Spirit is going to use what you say and it’s just what somebody else needs to hear. And in this case, it was somebody way on the other side of the country who found us through the modern wonders of technology.”

Mary was inspired to send a donation and write this letter. It was intended as a thank you, but it became much more.

Monsignor Machalski called it, “…a good morale booster,” adding, “What we are doing really makes a difference in people’s lives. As she said, ‘please know you reach people far across the country who are very grateful’.”

Monsignor Machalski wrote back to Arendt, and thanked her for watching.

Arendt said, “I did not expect to get really any type of acknowledgement and to get a hand-written one was incredible.”

Two letters leading to one beautiful new friendship and a Catholic connection spanning the country.

Pro-Life, Religious Freedom Take Central Stage at RNC

Currents News Staff

The Aug. 25 Republican National Convention theme was “land of opportunity” and religious freedom was a big part of that.

“To all houses of worship and to all people of faith, stripped of our religious freedoms and religious liberties – my father will fight for you,” said Eric Trump, son of President Donald Trump.

Cissie Graham Lynch, Reverend Billy Graham’s granddaughter, claimed that the left has tried to silence the religious.

“Even during the pandemic, we saw how quickly life could change,” Cissie said. “Some Democrat leaders banned church services while marijuana shops and abortion clinics were declared “essential.”

Abortion was a big topic of the night. Former Planned Parenthood employee – turned anti-abortion activist Abby Johnson – rallied voters to get behind President Trump.

“He has done more for the unborn than any other president … during his first month in office, he banned federal funds for global health groups that promote abortion,” Abby said.

Nicholas Sandmann, the Covington Catholic teen who attended the March For Life rally in Washington D.C. in 2019 and was caught on video during an encounter with protesters on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, spoke out about “cancel culture.”

“Cancelled is what’s happening to people around this country who refuse to be silenced by the far left,” Nicholas said. “Many are being fired, humiliated or even threatened.”

First Lady Melania Trump spoke from the Rose Garden and reached out to women voters while making a case for her husband.

“Just as you are fighting for your families, my husband, our family, and the people in this administration are here fighting for you,” Melania said.

The president’s daughter Tiffany Trump graduated from law school during the pandemic. She made an appeal to young voters.

“My father built a thriving economy once, and believe me, he will do it again,” Tiffany said.

Maronite Catholic Community Gathers in Prayer in Wake of Beirut Explosion

By Paula Katinas and Jessica Easthope

The power of prayer is needed to help heal Lebanon, according to religious leaders who gathered at Our Lady of Lebanon Maronite Cathedral on Aug. 25 for a prayer service that doubled as a fundraising event for the victims of the Beirut explosion.

“We are all coming together in the spirit of cooperation to help the good people of Lebanon,” said Bishop Gregory Mansour of the Eparchy of St. Maron of Brooklyn.

The Eparchy had already embarked on a major fundraising drive to help Lebanon rebuild and Bishop Mansour said he was hopeful the prayer service, which included a collection, could add to the nearly $800,000 in funds that have already been pledged, including $250,000 from the Knights of Columbus.

The prayer service attracted a wide variety of religious leaders of different Christian denominations.

Cardinal Timothy Dolan of the Archdiocese of New York was among those who spoke at the service. Lebanon, which gained a reputation over the years as a country where people of different religions can live side-by-side peacefully, is a special place, he said.

“Lebanon is more than a word. Lebanon is an icon. Lebanon is a dream,” Cardinal Dolan told the congregation.

Also in attendance was Abir Taha Audi, the consul general of Lebanon.

“We are here to pray together as one,” she told The Tablet. “We’re still mourning. We’re still sad. We’re still angry.”

But Audi added that the service reveals the positive side of people and that “today, you’re going to see the best of Lebanon.”

Vivian Akel, a parishioner of Our Lady of Lebanon Maronite Cathedral, told The Tablet she felt she needed to come to the prayer service because “Lebanon represents the best of us. It’s important to support them.”

The blast took place in a building in the port of Beirut on Aug. 4, killing 181 people, injuring thousands, and leaving 300,000 displaced from their homes. The force of the explosion flattened buildings, destroyed cars, and left shattered glass all over the area. The cause of the explosion is still under investigation by the Lebanese government but the building where the blast took place contained 2,700 tons of ammonium nitrate.

The two recurring themes throughout the prayer service were the resiliency of the Lebanese people and the power of prayer.

“It will take more than 2,700 tons of ammonium nitrate to destroy Lebanon,” said Father Dominique Hanna, the rector of Our Lady of Lebanon Maronite Cathedral.

Archbishop Joseph Zahlawi, the Metropolitan of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America, who delivered the homily, said “letting the light of Christ shine through us,” is what will save Lebanon.

“Beirut is crying for our help and calling on us to be united,” he said.

Covington High School Teen, Nick Sandmann, Speaks at RNC

by Bill Miller

MANHATTAN — Nick Sandmann returned to the Lincoln Memorial Tuesday to decry media reports of his encounter at the same spot last year with a drum-playing demonstrator for Native American rights.

Sandmann’s comments were made in a pre-recorded message played at the Republican National Convention.

Sandmann told the RNC audience that the “full war machine of the mainstream media revved up into attack mode” against him without knowing all the facts.

Sandmann on Tuesday said he believes news outlets were driven by “anti-Christian, anti-conservative, anti-Donald Trump” bias while reporting about him. “But I would not be canceled,” said Sandmann, as he donned his MAGA cap. “I fought back hard to expose the media for what they did to me and I won a personal victory.”

The Kentucky teenager made national headlines when video footage of his face-to-face moments with demonstrator Nathan Phillips showed him smiling at Phillips, a Native American elder, which some commentators described as mocking and racist.

In January 2019, Sandmann came to Washington, D.C. to attend the March for Life. During the incident on the steps of the memorial, Sandmann and some of his Covington Catholic High School classmates wore red “Make America Great Again” (MAGA) hats.

The teenager and Phillips said later in separate interviews that they were trying to defuse tensions at the memorial. Sandmann said he smiled to show he was not being aggressive or confrontational. Video footage that came out after the initial reports confirmed Sandmann’s version of the incident.

He sued CNN and the Washington Post, claiming the news outlets were biased and their reporting fueled a campaign of harassment against him. Both cases were later settled for undisclosed amounts.

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.