Nashville Residents Join in Rebuilding, Prayer After Vandals Damage City During Protests

Currents News Staff

Nashville, Tennessee, residents are pitching in to clean up after vandals left their mark.

Volunteers aren’t only showing love for their city, but also for their police officers.

With nail polish remover and rubber gloves, Andrea Richardson hit the streets cleaning up graffiti and handing out water, wanting to send a message that the damage isn’t what she stands for.

“Simply just wanted to show that that’s not okay,” she explained. “We don’t support that. You can’t treat Nashville this way.”

She wasn’t alone. Gianna Grondona, who has lived in the city for about two years, said she loves Nashville, too.

“I love living here and the last thing I want is to see graffiti on places. That I think are some of my favorites.” she said.

She showed that love by also stopping to pray over police officers she met.

Some were almost moved to tears, and others gave handshakes and hugs.

“There’s transformation coming to our city and that’s going to start with us coming together as a family and as a unit,” said Andrea, “and that’s what we’re about. That’s what the protest is about.”

Andrea said May 30’s peaceful protest was a great show of solidarity, but wants there to be a lasting message.

“I want people to know that people who tried to hijack the protest from yesterday, you don’t get a chance to do that because this, our city, is going to defend itself,” she said, “and say, ‘This is our home, this is our city, this is our place.’

Brooklyn and Queens Catholic Youth Day Goes Virtual

By Jessica Easthope

Every year, Brooklyn and Queens Catholic Youth Day is when young people from across the Diocese celebrate their faith together.

This year because of the coronavirus, the event went virtual and young women and men embraced their new sense of community online.

“I want to welcome y’all to our very first virtual Brooklyn Queens Catholic Youth Day,” said Brandon Morel, who enthusiastically opened the event as the emcee.

Youth Day was streamed live Saturday, May 30 on the diocese’s evangelization YouTube channel, and countless parishes tuned in. Hundreds of participants shared their thoughts in the comments section, a common way young people communicate with each other during the pandemic.

“Although things are a little different this year, our faith, our enthusiasm, our joy and our love for Jesus remains,” said Father James Kuroly.

The virtual Youth Day had all the staples of celebrations in years past. There was music, prayer, a presentation of cultural foods from around the Diocese and the latest social media trend, TikTok.

Before the virus shook the diocese, the keynote speaker at this year’s Youth Day was supposed to be Father Jorge Ortiz-Garay. Fr. Jorge passed away of COVID-19 in March.

“There was a particular priest who we want to dedicate this whole thing to. Brooklyn Queens Catholic Youth Day was scheduled to be a live event, and he opened his doors to us and we know what’s been going on,” said Brandon

Father Henry Torres, the Parochial Vicar of St. Sebastian’s Parish in Woodside, Queens gave the keynote address instead. He told the young men and women that God entered their hearts at baptism, and called that a privilege they should cherish throughout their lives.

“That is the greatest gift you and I have ever received was our baptism, it is through that gift that I am honored and blessed to call God father,” said Fr. Henry.

From the comments on the live stream, the very first virtual Youth Day was a success.

George Floyd Protests Spread Nationwide

Currents News Staff

An afternoon of protests gave way to another night on Saturday.

Officials in cities across the country urged people to stop the violence that played out friday night.

That plea, especially important in the Twin Cities, where Minnesota’s governor says protests have lost their initial focus.

Coast-to-coast protests in New York, Chicago and Los Angeles, took a quick turn from peaceful to not peaceful.

Demonstrators Saturday blocked traffic in Austin, Texas.

Cleveland police say they saw a mix of lawful and disorderly crowds.

And protesters came as close to the White House as Secret Service would allow. While in Florida, President Trump and Vice President Pence watched the first launch of astronauts from U.S. soil in nine years.

“As the president has made clear, we will honor the memory of George Floyd. Justice will be served,” said Pence.

At the protests’ core, the death of 46-year old George Floyd, an unarmed black man who died in the custody of Minneapolis police Monday.

One officer has been arrested and charged. Charges against the other three officers involved are likely to come.

Our Lady of Angels Parish Offers Socially Distant Parking Lot Confessions

By Emily Drooby

A long-time parishioner of Our Lady of Angels parish in Bay Ridge, Karen O’Neill was emotional as she prepared to confess her sins on May 30.

“Such a blessing that they do this for us,” she told Currents News.

The Brooklyn church has been offering parking lot confessionals during lockdown.

When asked why this was so important to parishioners, Karen explained, “I think you don’t realize how much you depend upon it until it’s gone and you don’t have it. So, we are just really blessed that this has resumed, that they’ve given this for us. It’s a blessing, it really is.”

The clergy is doing all they can to keep everybody safe, wearing masks and staying six feet apart.

Their pastor, Monsignor Kevin Noone, says his church has always had a large amount of faithful who frequently take part in the sacrament of confession.

“It’s been a sacrament that’s appreciated in this Parish,” he said. “We sin from time to time, and in this sacrament, we can find the peace of soul and peace of heart and mind to know that when Christ does forgive through the ministry of the priest, that person is truly forgiven.”

When churches in the Diocese of Brooklyn shut down for safety during the pandemic, he and his fellow priests knew they needed to come up with a plan B. So, back in March, they converted the parking lot into two confessional booths.

People came from all over New York City to confess their sins. They even had to stop offering it for a few weeks to let the crowds die back down, so that everyone could remain socially distant and safe.

The reopening of Diocese of Brooklyn churches does permit confessions and private prayer in the initial phase. Still, Our Lady of Angels is going to continue the sacrament outdoors for now. They’re offering it on Saturdays between 11am and noon and between 3:30 p.m. and 4:45 p.m.

Catholic Headlines for Saturday, 5/30/20 (Currents News full broadcast)

Currents News reports secular and religious news from the Catholic perspective.

Some of the top stories on this newscast:

Many of the shuttered churches in the Diocese of Brooklyn are now open inviting all to come for private prayer.

The story of priests and their communities memorializing loved ones–in an effort to take that first step forward.

And could the silver lining to this pandemic be a baby boom? What pro-life advocates are doing to get ready for the blessing.

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Catholic Headlines for Friday, 5/29/20 (Currents News full broadcast)

Currents News reports secular and religious news from the Catholic perspective.

Some of the top stories on this newscast:

The ex-Minneapolis cop seen with his knee pinning George Floyd to the ground is under arrest, charged with murder.

Floyd’s death sparked riots in Minneapolis where troops are on patrol. In New York City, cops clashed with demonstrators, leading to dozens of arrests.

A new President Trump tweet about looting and shooting is getting flagged by the social media giant as a violation.

A date is being targeted for the reopening of New York City.

A diner in Queens is offering a family night out – in it’s parking lot. Social distancing rules are being kept and workers are back on the job.

The doctor is in. Could all this sanitizing actually weaken your immune system. He has the answer.

Nationwide Protests Over George Floyd’s Death

By Jessica Easthope

The National Guard is patrolling the streets of the city at this hour after riots raged for a third straight night.

Some of the worst violence took place at a Minneapolis police station. It was overrun and set on fire.

No one in the precinct was hurt because Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey ordered everyone to evacuate Friday morning.

Around six a.m. Friday, state police armed in riot gear lined up creating a barrier on the streets.

The move to restore order comes after days of looting and arson. Many Minneapolis businesses have been damaged or destroyed.

The initial outrage sparked by the death of George Floyd in police custody. He was pinned to the ground with a cop’s knee on his neck.

Floyd’s brother wants the officers at the scene to face charges. The justice department and state prosecutors are investigating the case.

Dozens of protesters have been arrested in Minneapolis.

CNN reporter Omar Jimenez and his crew were put in handcuffs early Friday morning. Omar’s reports have aired on Currents News. He and his team were released within an hour of being taken into custody.

Around the country, demonstrators took to the streets in Los Angeles Columbus, Ohio and Denver. In Memphis Tennessee, an ambulance and two cars were hit by gunfire.

In New York, a large demonstration kicked off in Union Square. A cop broke his baton while trying to control an unruly crowd that spilled onto the street.

Queens Diner Turns Parking Lot Into Movie Theater

By Emily Drooby

It’s a beloved all-American past-time, with a new twist.

The Bel Aire Diner in Astoria, Queens converting their parking lot, into a drive-in movie theater. Peter Dellaportas, whose family owns the diner, says the idea was born from the quarantine.

“Everyone wants to be out and be out in a safe way,” he said.

During the pandemic, parents have been racking their brains for ways to keep their kids entertain while also keeping them safe.

Dr. Robert Tiballi from our Ask the Doctor segments says activities like play dates and sleep away camps are fairly high risk. A drive-in is fairly low risk.

It’s providing good old fashion family fun but also security in a world where, for businesses, there is little.

Like many restaurants across the city, the diner saw a steep drop in their sales because of the pandemic – nearly 70%. The drive-in has kept the phones ringing and orders going out the door.

They only see a profit from concessions, offering a special drive-in menu. The food is ordered online and brought right to customers cars – wrapped up safely in to-go containers.

It has allowed them to hire back their waitstaff – no small feat with many New York service industry workers currently out of a job.

“It’s almost like, a dream, I didn’t think it would blow up like this.,” said Dellaportas.

They’ve also been giving back to the community, donating hundreds of meals to those on the frontlines.

Tickets are sold per car and up to 45 can fit in the lot.

Should You Wear A Mask While Exercising? We Ask The Doctor

Currents News Staff

We know wearing a mask protects others from you if you’re sick or you sneeze or cough but what about if you’re running or bike riding? There’s a lot of controversy around this. Some say it’s bad for your health to wear one. So, should you wear a mask while exercising?

Now that everyone is using anti-bacterial soap and hand sanitizer constantly – some are concerned there could be long term implications on our immune systems.

A new French study shows one in 10 COVID patients who have diabetes die within a week of entering the hospital. Does being diabetic put you at a higher risk of dying from coronavirus compared to other health problems?

It’s that time of week again when we get the doctor’s ear. Here with some answers is doctor Robert Tiballi, an infectious disease expert with The Catholic Medical Association.

Catholic Headlines for Thursday, 5/28/20 (Currents News full broadcast)

Currents News reports secular and religious news from the Catholic perspective.

Some of the top stories on this newscast:

The anger over George Floyd’s death turned to violence in Minneapolis. In New York City, an NYPD detective is taking aim at the cop who made the arrest, saying he violated his oath to serve and protect.

A Knight in shining armor, Father Michael McGivney, is on the way to sainthood and that’s being well received by the Knights of Columbus in the Diocese of Brooklyn.

Shining in bright lights over the “Crossroads of the World,” a Times Square salute to the emergency task force that’s helped so many in the Diocese of Brooklyn during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Advice from a St. John’s University expert to young people looking to build a career at a time of record unemployment.