Emergency Task Force Honored With Times Square Billboard After Helping Millions During the Pandemic

By Emily Drooby

On May 27, the DeSales Media Group Emergency Task Force was honored with a billboard in Times Square.

“We’ve been working straight through for the past two months, non-stop, so we are being thanked,” explained Vincent LeVien, Director of Government and External Affairs for DeSales Media Group, who has been running the Task Force.

Under the bright lights, fellow members watched as their name was projected high above the crossroads of the world. They were surrounded by the names of other groups who have also been fighting on the frontlines of the global pandemic.

There was another bright light in Times Square on Wednesday night; tens of thousands of masks, all on the way to churches in the Diocese of Brooklyn.

“We are in this together, we want to help people and we are grateful to be a volunteer in the crisis and to help people with need,” said Frank Yao. His group, the Life Preservation Initiative, donated the masks.

They have been working in tandem with the Emergency Task Force during the pandemic, and they were also behind the billboard idea.

They have already given the Diocese of Brooklyn 40,000 masks. Between Wednesday’s load at Times Square and a second load the Task Force picked up at the 14^th Street Salvation Army, they have given 120,000 masks.

They also gave 120,000 to the Salvation Army. These masks are essential, because they allow churches in Brooklyn and Queens to open their doors.

“I think it will help in bringing people back to our churches and make them feel comfortable when they walk into the church,” said LeVien.

Everyone parishioner must wear one during phase one of the Brooklyn Diocese church reopening plan.

Throughout the pandemic, the Task Force has been working on the front lines. They have done everything from bring food to hospitals, to getting the body of beloved Brooklyn priest Jorge Ortiz-Garay back to Mexico.

Getting these masks to the parishes who so desperately need them is the last pandemic task they will tackle as of now.

Protests of George Floyd’s Death Bring Minneapolis to State of Unrest

Currents News Staff

For a second night in a row, Minnesotans took to the streets over the death of one of their own: George Floyd.

The protests turned dangerous overnight with fires burning on the streets. Local firefighters rushed to extinguish a billowing fire at an AutoZone shop.

Some took advantage of the unrest, looting a local Target and clashing in the streets with police.

“Tonight was a different night of protesting than it was just the night before,” one police officer said.

Flash bangs and fireworks rang out on the streets well into the night, emblematic of a pain felt in this community and beyond over how in just a matter of minutes the 46-year-old father of two went from pleading for help, to what eventually became an eternal silence.

“I’m gonna hear my man say this, ‘I can’t breathe. I want my momma,’ and I’m coming to find out this man died two years on the day that his mom died?” asked Donald Williams, a witness. “I’m a momma’s boy bro, like that hurts me deep down inside bro, and like, something needs to be done. Something needs to be done.”

This witness says none of the officers responded to his pleas to let up at the scene. Jacob Frey, Mayor of Minneapolis, is calling for charges to be filed.

“i’ve been asking myself that core underlying question, ‘Why is the officer that killed George Floyd not in jail right now?’ And I can’t answer that question.”

Newly released records from the Minneapolis Fire Department show– when medics got to the scene they were working on a quote “unresponsive, pulseless male.”

Floyd was declared dead later at a nearby hospital.

The circumstances that led to the encounter is among what investigators are now trying to understand, including the FBI and the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.

All of it circles the question of whether the four officers involved will face more than just being fired: criminal charges.

That includes officer Derek Chauvin, the man seen on video restraining Floyd with his knee, according to his attorney.

The Police Officers Federation of Minneapolis says the officers are cooperating with the investigation.

The Floyd family wants murder charges to be filed.

“It hurts me that I’m crying on tv,” said his brother Rodney. “Another black family going through this nonsense.”

And within the community, a pain persists.

“As a black community, as America, we’re a family,” said Donald, “And we’ve gotta make a change bro.”

Knights of Columbus Celebrate Founder, on His Way to Beatification

By Jessica Easthope

For the Knights of Columbus, Father Michael McGivney has always been looked at as a saint.

“He was just a parish priest, there was nothing special about him in the sense that he was someone, already was like a Mother Theresa or someone like that who you could think of as a saint,” said John Baer, a Grand Knight at the Monsignor Sherman Council in Glendale, Queens.

Now Fr. McGivney is one step closer to official sainthood.

“It’s fitting that a man, a priest of this stature where miracles have taken place is being beatified,“ said Frank Kotnik, a fourth-degree Knight.

Earlier this week, Pope Francis approved a miracle attributed to Fr. McGivney’s intercession, paving the way to his beatification.

“There was a child that was in distress and it was healed in utero, the parents prayed to Father McGivney and the baby was healed and born perfect,” Father Michael Gelfant, Associate New York State Chaplain of the Knights of Columbus, said of Fr. McGivney’s miracle.

Fr. Gelfant says that knowing the history of the organization’s humble beginnings, possible sainthood for its founder would be a dream come true.

“It’s huge, but what does God have to say about it, and sanctity comes in many different ways,” Fr. Gelfant explained.

Father McGivney founded the Knights of Columbus in 1882 to provide financial support to families, often immigrants, who lost their breadwinners.

“These new immigrants today not only have their own families if they’re here, but they have us as well,” said John.

Fr. McGivney died at the age of 38 during a flu epidemic, and it’s his work that has inspired the more than two million Knights across the world to take action during this pandemic.

“The Knights of Columbus in Brooklyn and Queens have assisted Catholic Charities in feeding thousands and thousands of people,” Frank told Currents News.

“We still want to continue, one way or another to help those in need,” added John, “and in Fr. McGivney’s name.”

Currents News Wins 9 Telly Awards for Television Excellence

The Tablet Staff

WINDSOR TERRACE — Currents News is a winner!

The nightly program that covers news from the Catholic perspective on NET-TV was a big winner, in the 41^stAnnual Telly Awards, taking home nine statues in recognition of its excellence in journalism and video production.

The awards were announced on May 27.

Among the coveted prizes Currents News won were the prestigious Gold and People’s Choice Awards.

Currents News’ special projects unit took home both the Gold and Silver awards for investigative stories, Eyes on You and the multi-part series, Human Trafficking Exposed. Under Telly Award rules, Only the top 3% of all winners receive the Gold Award.

The Currents News digital unit won a Silver Telly Award for its provocative social media video titled Disgusting and Disgraceful, or Just a Joke. The video looks into the business of portraying celebrities as saints on religious candles.

The news team was recognized with a Bronze Telly Award for one of its on-location stories on the inferno that nearly destroyed Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris.

The Telly Awards Judging Council awarded a Silver and two Bronze statues to the Currents News 30-minute nightly news program. Currents News also won a Silver People’s Choice statue, by securing the popular vote. Currents News, anchored by Christine Persichette, airs Monday to Friday at 7 p.m. on NET-TV.

“This is one of the hardest working news teams in the business, dedicated to producing high-quality and engaging news content for our audience,” said Vito Formica, executive director of News Content & Development for DeSales Media Group, the communications arm for the Diocese of Brooklyn.

Established in 1979, the Telly is the premier award honoring video and television across all screens. The Telly Awards receives more than 12,000 entries each year. Entrants are judged by the Telly Awards Judging Council—an industry body of over 200 leading experts, including advertising agencies, production companies and major television networks.

“It’s a blessing and honor to be recognized. The awards motivate us to not only continue our work but also to keep reaching for new levels of excellence in journalism,” Formica said.

How a Brooklyn Graphic Designer Is Using Her Skills to Bring Closure to Families of COVID-19 Victims

By Jessica Easthope

Like thousands of others across the Brooklyn Diocese, Rita Piro lost a loved one to COVID-19.

“I lost a favorite and beloved uncle. And we too could not have any type of traditional mourning service which in our Catholic faith has an incredible role,” said Rita.

Rita began making online memorials for victims of the coronavirus.

“Some people like to put in several things from their life story, things they liked, favorite foods, music, films, their hobbies and then I arrange it in a very distinct and I’d like to think a tasteful manner,” Rita said.

Finding herself lost in grief, she thought of the countless others who were dealing with the same. So, she put her faith to work.

“I thought about how I could be of some type of solace to these people through my graphics work,“ Rita said.

Using her background as a graphic designer, Rita has made close to 100 online memorials for victims of the coronavirus, for free.

“They’re usually 8.5 by 11, they include all types of images, any types of quotes, prayers it’s very individualized, very personalized,” Rita said.

Her online memorials made closure a click away for those who were told funerals would be on hold.

“Some people have used them if they do a prayer service over Zoom,” she explained.

Rita said she’s been called serve God many times in her life, this is the latest way she’s living her faith.

“We are all called to serve,” she added. “It’s just another way to serve with the mission of Christ and we’re all compelled to do that as Catholics.”

Pro-Life Groups Want Mothers to Choose Life as COVID-19 Baby Boom Looms

By Emily Drooby

On May 26, Chris Slattery sorted through donations for moms and newborns that are facing a financial strain with the mounting jobs loses caused by the pandemic.

Slattery said, “We’re providing many more alternatives and much more help than we have normally given.”

He is the founder of pro-life organization Expectant Mother Care. The group has been helping mothers in need now and preparing for a potential baby boom as couples spend increasing amounts of time together at home.

“There might be an increase in birth rates, it’s great, that’s wonderful, the church is happy that it is alive and growing with little ones,” explained, Christian Rada, the Director of Marriage, Family Formation, and Respect Life Education for the Diocese of Brooklyn.

He says support is essential to help women choose life, especially during unstable times.

Rada said, “Families are wondering, how can I support another person, another mouth to feed, when I’m struggling to support myself?”

In NYC, the unemployment rate is 22 percent. City Comptroller Scott Stringer estimates another 900,000 could lose their jobs by the end of June.

If there is a baby boom, women would either be pregnant now or very soon which means they need help now, not just in nine months.

“What we are actually concerned about is, maybe when the pregnancies are towards the early signs like 12 weeks, that’s pretty soon now, we are really around the corner, so we just want to be able to support those women right away,” said Sister Magdalene Theresa of the Sisters of Life.

They’ve been expanding their efforts to keep up with the increased need caused by the financial hardships of the pandemic. They have been delivering essentials to those in need and have set up an extensive baby registry on Amazon.

Like the Sisters, Slattery’s organization has been doing all they can to help. For months, they have gathered and distributed everything from diapers to bikes.

Slattery said, “It offers the essential hope because people feel, when boyfriend abandon them, out of work fathers don’t come through, someone has to substitute, be there like their family, show there are people who care about them.”

Slattery estimating they’ll give out about a million dollars in goods over the next three months. He says the need is greater than ever.

Explaining, “We have seen a dramatic number of calls with interest in getting abortion.”

This could be because of increased financial pressure of having a baby. Slattery added he could be seeing more calls because some abortion facilities have closed in for the pandemic.

Adding it shows just how important it is to step up for mothers during this time, so they can choose life.

Catholic Headlines for Wednesday, 5/27/20 (Currents News full broadcast)

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

Some of the top stories on this newscast:

Police fire tear gas at protesters who are demanding answers after a Minneapolis man died in police custody. The FBI is launching a full-scale investigation into what happened.

Governor Cuomo arrived at the White House today wearing his face mask to sit down with President Trump. He wants support to get New York’s economy revitalized.

A baby boom. Could newborns be on the way? Pro-lifers are revving up their help for mom and baby in the face of the pandemic.

Advice from a Catholic expert on keeping marriages strong while under lockdown.

As FBI Investigates His Death, The Family of George Floyd Calls for Murder Charges

Currents News Staff

The arrest of George Floyd was caught on video – moaning on the ground – in handcuffs with an officer’s knee on his neck. Witnesses could be heard pleading with police.

About five minutes into the video Floyd stops moving, but the officer’s knee remains on his neck as another officer stands by. The 46-year-old died later at the hospital.

The cops say they were responding to an alleged forgery in progress on Monday and that Floyd physically resisted, so they placed him under arrest.

Protests have been intensifying in the city. Thousands flooded the streets on Tuesday, with police throwing tear gas and non-lethal projectiles to disperse the crowds.

The four police officers involved have been fired, a decision the mayor of Minneapolis supports.

“For five minutes…when you hear someone calling for help, you are supposed to help – this officer failed in the most basic human sense,” said Mayor Jacob Frey.

Floyd’s family wants the officers charged with murder.

“They treated him worse than they treat animals. They took a life now they deserve life. I don’t feel sorry for them. They hurt me and they hurt my family,” said Philonese Floyd, George Floyd’s Brother.

Floyd’s cousin, Tera Brown, said “They were supposed to be there to serve and protect. And I didn’t see a single one of them lift a finger to do anything to help. While he was begging for his life. Not one of them tried to do anything to help him. That I didn’t see. What I did see was murder.”

Following Death of George Floyd, Protesters Clash With Minneapolis Police

Currents News Staff

Protesters in Minneapolis, Minnesota clashed with police after the death of a black man following an arrest in which a white officer held him down with a knee pressed to the back of the man’s neck.

Part of the incident was caught on video, which some viewers will find the video disturbing.

George Floyd, 46, can be heard pleading with police, saying he couldn’t breathe.

“My stomach hurts, my neck hurts…I can’t breathe, officer,” he can be heard saying.

The video did not capture the incident leading up to the arrest, or parts of the arrest police describe as the victim resisting.

Floyd continued to plead with officers for several minutes before becoming silent, later dying at the hospital a short time after the arrest.

From the governor to local leaders, to a sitting U.S. senator from the state, officials in Minnesota are condemning the actions of the four Minneapolis police officers who were fired for their involvement in Floyd’s death.

The city’s police chief announced their terminations May 26.

“I’ve made that decision this afternoon,” Chief Medaria Arradondo said. “This is still an ongoing criminal matter that the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is investigating as well as our FBI.”

The city’s mayor, Jacob Frey, backed up the chief.

“i support your decision. 100 percent it is the right decision for our city, the right decision for our community, is the right decision for our Minneapolis police department,” he said.

George Floyd’s family wants the officers charged with murder

The police union urged against a rush to condemn the officers, who they said were cooperating in the investigation.

Catholic Headlines for Tuesday, 5/26/20

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

Some of the top stories on this newscast:

Open doors in the Diocese of Brooklyn. It’s a small step for Church-goers. The journey to a full recovery is underway.

Calls for an investigation of New York State nursing homes. Elected officials from across the aisle charge the State set the nursing homes up to fail during the pandemic.

The vaccine race is continuing with new human trials beginning, sparking a boost on Wall Street.

Louisiana Bishop Shelton Fabre is fighting another evil in the face of the Covid-19 crisis – racism.

Prayer is booming across the United States.

A ‘Map of Hope’ stretching from the East Coast to the West shows a rapid spread.