Lincoln Center’s ‘Memorial for Us All’ Provides Hope and Healing During Pandemic

By Jessica Easthope

Lincoln Center has already made its mark on music, the arts and New York City and now it’s looking to leave a lasting impression on the hearts of those who have lost someone to COVID-19.

The latest of Lincoln Center’s musical endeavors is called “Memorial for Us All.”

The difference is this mini concert series is not taking place within the vast, historic performing arts center, but in the home of anyone who tunes in.

“The aspect of a funeral really allows people to come together in community and really honor and remember an individual and that is l missing right now,” said Leah Johnson, Lincoln Center’s Executive Vice President and Chief Communications and Marketing Officer.

Launching the series was an easy decision for Lincoln Center.

“Music is such an important part of the funeral ritual whether you have faith or not and we thought that is something that we could provide,” Johnson said.

“Memorial for Us All” premieres Sundays at 6 p.m. on NET TV. The first concert was hosted by famed jazz trumpet player Wynton Marsalis.

Marsalis performed a take on music from a New Orleans-style funeral. People also submitted hundreds of names of those who have passed away to be displayed during the concert.

Leading the charge on getting names and the word out about “Memorial for Us All” is Interfaith Center of New York and Father Michael Lynch.

“I think the goal for ‘Memorial for Us All’ is for people to be consoled and for people to have hope,” said Fr. Lynch, who also serves as the Vicar for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs for the Brooklyn Diocese.

Fr. Lynch said at a time when so many are in mourning, “Memorial for Us All” provides more than music.

“We can help people of all faiths or no faith or who are struggling with their faith to face the reality of death, the crisis of COVID, honor the dead together and live in hope together,” Fr. Lynch said.

Originally Lincoln Center had planned on premiering only four memorials but has since decided to extend the series. On Mother’s Day, world-renowned celloist Yo-Yo Ma will be performing.

NET-TV will broadcast these pre-recorded tributes at 6 p.m. The Tablet is a sponsor of “Memorial for Us All.”

The Tablet and NET-TV Facebook pages will premiere the pre-recorded tribute at 6 p.m. for four consecutive Sunday eves, beginning May 10.

To watch on The Tablet’s Facebook page, go to https://www.facebook.com/thetablet.

To watch on NET TV’s page, go to https://www.facebook.com/NETTVny.

Viewers can submit names to “Memorial for Us All” at lincolncenter.org.

Do I Have Immunity to COVID-19 If I Test Positive for the Antibodies? We Ask the Doctor

Currents News Staff

It appears our pets aren’t immune to the coronavirus, as a few have tested positive for it.

In this week’s “Ask the Doctor” segment, Currents News gains some insight on protecting our furry little friends during the pandemic.

We’ve also spoken about hydroxychloroquine, as a new study says it didn’t help COVID-19 patients in New York City. Given the possible dangerous side effects of the drug – including heart arrhythmia – should hydroxychloroquine be used to treat the virus?

Researchers in Arizona discovered a new mutation of the coronavirus, which suggests it might be weakening.

Meanwhile, many people have been getting the antibody test. President Trump said May 8 that he will also receive the antibody, but the CDC says even if you have the antibodies, it doesn’t necessarily mean you’re immune to the virus.

To help Currents News answer some of these questions and debates is Dr. Robert Tiballi, an infectious disease expert with the Catholic Medical Association.

Send Currents News your questions about the coronavirus at [email protected]. And tune in on Fridays – the doctor could have an answer.

These Strict Guidelines Are Now in Place as Italy Begins to Open Churches for Mass

By Melissa Butz

Masses can soon be celebrated with the presence of the faithful.

Masses in Italy have been suspended since March 8, with bishops protesting the fact that they didn’t resume with phase two of the country’s lockdown lift on May 4.

However, a compromise has been found – the first public Mass will be held Monday, May 18.

After a tug-of-war between the Church and State, Italian bishops signed an agreement with their government to specify how to safely celebrate Mass again.

“The defined protocol lays out some sanitary measures, so we can return to celebrate, while respecting everyone’s health,” explained Stefano Russo, Secretary of the Italian Episcopal Conference.

The new protocols refer to the parish, the priest and the faithful.

Churches must limit the number of participants, to ensure a circumference distance of three-feet at all times.

Parishes that can, should have designated entrances and exits.

Hand sanitizer must be at the door, there is to be no holy water, liturgical items or microphone.

The priest can celebrate baptisms, weddings and funerals; but not confirmation. He must give communion with a mask and gloves.

There won’t be a collection, but donations can be placed in baskets positioned around the church.

Those with fever, coronavirus, or in contact with an infected person cannot attend Mass. All must wear masks, regardless.

There will be no sign of peace and no choir, but an organist is allowed

Like the rest of the measures, if the number of infected people increases, religious ceremonies will be suspended again to stop the spread.

The Vatican has not announced when they will start celebrating public Masses, but they will likely follow in Italy’s footsteps and rebegin in the month of May.

Currents News full broadcast for Thursday, 5/7/20

On the newscast:

– The coronavirus crisis is ripping through Queens, taking a heavy toll on the body and the mind. Suicides are rising at an alarming rate but there is help available.

– Job losses continue to mount in the pandemic. Millions more Americans are out of work.

– Getting a vaccine to stop the outbreak could force Catholics to confront a big moral issue. America’s leader on pro-life activities, Archbishop Joseph Naumann, examines the role of abortions.

– Nurse Colleen Donovan is confronting Covid-19 head-on. She’s counting on God to keep her going in the fight. It is Nurses Appreciation Week.

Watch weeknights at 7:00 pm EST on NET-TV in the New York City area on Spectrum, Optimum, and Fios. Subscribe to our YouTube channel to receive notifications about new content.

Now Is the Moment to Advocate for Ethically Developed COVID-19 Vaccine, Says Archbishop Naumann

Currents News Staff

As researchers try to find a COVID-19 vaccine, an ethical issue for Catholics has surfaced.

Some research involves the use of cell lines from aborted fetuses.

Everyone wants to protect themselves from this virus, but what course of action should Catholics take if a vaccine is discovered using this method?

Meanwhile, abortion centers have remained open for business during the crisis while other medical procedures are being postponed. The head of Planned Parenthood says the pandemic may have what she calls a “silver lining”: increased access to chemical abortions provided through prescriptions.

Will the coronavirus pandemic cause people to have a greater appreciation of the value of all life, or is that wishful thinking?

Joining Currents News to discuss this issue is Kansas City Archbishop Joseph Naumann, Chair of the Committee on Pro-Life Activities for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Expert Gives Tips on How to Stay Mentally Healthy During Pandemic After Spike in Queens Suicides

By Jessica Easthope

New York City has suffered a tremendous loss as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, but not all have fallen victim to the virus.

“People who have lost their jobs, who have lost loved ones feel a profound sense of hopelessness,” said Republican Councilman Eric Ulrich of Queens.

Councilman Ulrich says the number of suicides in his borough since mid-March is shocking. In 2019, from January 1 until April 29, Queens saw 17 suicides. There have been 16 in the last six weeks since schools closed and people have been forced to stay home.

“I don’t think people have paid enough attention to the mental health impacts the COVID crisis has had,” Councilman Ulrich added. He believes those numbers could be even higher because so many suicides go unreported.

Queens has been hit especially hard by the virus with more than 48,000 confirmed cases. Nearly 3,600 Queens residents have died from COVID-19.

Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens Director of Field Operations, Holly Jaskiewicz Schatz, says the trauma of a global health crisis combined with a spike in unemployment and the loneliness of social isolation can be dangerous.

“It can have an extremely significant impact, with this we don’t really have an end in sight so then it makes the mind wander, what if, what will go on and it can just spiral out of control,” Holly said.

Catholic Charities is urging people to reach out for help at one of its five outpatient clinics or through it’s call center, which can be reached at 718-722-6001 and is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Counselors are also giving tips on how to stay mentally well from home during social distancing.

“It’s important for folks to continue with structure in their day,” Holly explained. “I’s easy when you’re not home, not doing anything to not shower or get dressed or eat healthily, so it’s important to continue to have structure.”

Experts say a great way to do your part to combat the mental health aspect of the COVID crisis is to call your friends and family and leave notes for neighbors, because making that human connection might save a life.

If you or someone you know might need help, call (718) 722-6001 or go to https://www.ccbq.org/.

Catholic Nurse Leans on God for Support While Treating COVID-19 Patients

By Emily Drooby

Nurses have been called to the frontlines as the country continues the fight against COVID-19. They’re heroes, willing to risk everything to help people they don’t even know, but who is helping them?

For nurse Colleen Donovan, God is.

“I think my faith has gotten me through a lot of things in my life,” she told Currents News.

Donovan normally works in the OR at NYU Winthrop Hospital in Long Island, but like so many of her fellow nurses across the country, her job has changed with the pandemic. Now she’s helping in the intensive care units and taking care of COVID-19 patients.

“It was totally different, totally different, I was very scared,” said Colleen, who has been a nurse for 34 years.

She says her co-workers and her strong Catholic faith have helped her throughout this difficult time.

“I find great strength in prayer, I pray a lot,” she explained. “I don’t step out of bed in the morning without saying my prayers and thanking God for giving me another day.”

She’s not the only one who feels this way. Catholics across the country are leaning on their faith for strength during the outbreak.

According to a Pew Research Center poll, 27 percent of people say their faith has grown stronger during the outbreak. Fordham University reports that among regular churchgoers, 68 percent saying their faith has helped them to get through the crisis.

Colleen has been a devout Catholic her whole life. She says at the hospital, she’s seen people’s faith grow firsthand. Many there have been taking part in daily prayer groups.

“A lot of people are praying and a lot of people have come back to their faith and they’re drawn to prayer, and finding great comfort in it,” she said. “After report we would all gather in the middle of the room and pray, and it just kind of calmed you. It just really gave you a good sense of calm and that we could do this, we could take care of it.”

How One Priest Is Helping African-Americans Cope With COVID-19

By Paula Katinas and Currents News Staff

BEDFORD-STUYVESANT — The African-American community has been devastated by COVID-19. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has found that while blacks comprise 13% of the U.S. population, they account for an astounding 33% of coronavirus hospitalizations.

In New York City, African-Americans are dying from coronavirus at twice the rate of whites, according to the city’s Department of Health.

Father Alonzo Cox knows the statistics well. As coordinator of the African-American Apostolate in the Diocese of Brooklyn, he has been offering advice, prayer and comfort to people in need.

“African-Americans are terrified of catching the virus,” said Father Cox, pastor of St. Martin de Porres Parish in Bedford-Stuyvesant. The parish consists of three churches – Our Lady of Victory, Holy Rosary, and St. Peter Claver.

A Pew Research Center survey found that fear of COVID-19 is far more prevalent among African-Americans than among whites.

When researchers asked respondents if they were “very concerned” about getting the virus, 31% of African-Americans said yes while 18% of whites confessed to having such fears.

African-Americans, who comprise a sizable portion of the Diocese, are increasingly turning to Father Cox for help in coping with the pandemic.

Even with social distancing rules in place, Father Cox is able to stay in contact with parishioners and serve as a sounding board for scared Catholics in Brooklyn and Queens. He does this by livestreaming his Masses every day and hosting Zoom meetings.

The message he wants to impart to the African-American community is simple: Stay home and stay safe.

As the nation continues to grapple with COVID-19, health experts are investigating the racial disparity in cases.

One reason African-Americans have contracted COVID-19 in larger numbers is that they often have underlying health issues, Father Cox said. “There are usually underlying conditions such as diabetes and heart issues,” he said.

COVID-19 patients with serious underlying medical conditions are at higher risk to suffer life-threatening consequences, according to the CDC.

But there have also been studies pointing out that African-Americans have high levels of stress brought on by racial discrimination. That might be a contributing factor to the stark COVID-19 picture, experts said. “I would agree with that. The fight for equality and justice has been borne on the shoulders of the African-American community,” said Father Cox, who served as secretary of the Diocesan Commission on Racism and Social Justice.

One of the biggest questions facing Catholics in the coronavirus-era is how to grieve for the dead.

“In our parish, we’ve had a few deaths, unfortunately,” said Father Cox. He expressed sympathy for the family of one elderly parishioner of Our Lady of Victory who recently died. Her whole life revolved around the church, he said.

As terrible as it is to lose a loved one in the middle of a pandemic, the pain is compounded by the fact that there are no funeral masses taking place. “We want to celebrate the life of our dead. And we can’t do it as we have in the past. It breaks my heart,” Father Cox said.

The highly contagious nature of COVID-19 prevents him from visiting the sick in hospitals. He frequently gets calls from people asking for prayers.

“We get a number of phone calls from parishioners telling us their Mom or their Dad is sick,” he said.

In addition to health issues, Father Cox also hears from his parishioners on other matters. One woman living in rapidly gentrifying Bedford-Stuyvesant told him that her landlord was insisting that she pay her rent, despite the fact that she lost her job.

“One of the questions we have to answer is whether this pandemic is going to allow us to have compassion for people who are suffering,” he said.

Church officials across the nation are expressing growing concern over the impact the coronavirus pandemic is having on African-Americans.

Bishop Shelton J. Fabre of Houma-Thibodaux, chairman of U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Ad Hoc Committee Against Racism; Archbishop Paul S. Coakley, chairman of USCCB’s Domestic Justice and Human Development; Archbishop Nelson J. Perez, chairman of the Committee on Cultural Diversity in the Church and Bishop Joseph N. Perry, chairman of Subcommittee on African-American Affairs, released a statement urging lawmakers to investigate how the situation became so devastating.

“Our hearts are wounded for the many souls mourned as African-American communities across the nation are being disproportionately infected with and dying from the virus that causes COVID-19. We raise our voices to urge state and national leaders to examine the generational and systemic structural conditions that make the new coronavirus especially deadly to African-American communities,” the statement read.

Yet, there are signs of hope, according to Father Cox.

“People are longing to hear the word of Christ,” he said. “When I look at my Easter Candle, I am reminded of Christ’s love.”

Currents News full broadcast for Wednesday, 5/6/20

On the newscast:

– A top American Church leader, Archbishop Gregory Hartmayer, is installed in his new post but from a distance.

– A famous Diocese of Brooklyn institution, the Giglio feast, won’t grace the skies this year but organizers are vowing to come back strong after the pandemic.

– A coronavirus treatment could be here by summer. The search is on in New York City.

– It is Nurses Appreciation Week. We honor one of the bravest. She’s on the frontlines despite her own illness.

Watch weeknights at 7:00 pm EST on NET-TV in the New York City area on Spectrum, Optimum, and Fios. Subscribe to our YouTube channel to receive notifications about new content.

http://netny.tv

Brooklyn Nurse With Cystic Fibrosis Continues Working During Pandemic

By Michelle Powers

Megan DiBenedetto knows what it’s like to gasp for air. She knows what it’s like to not have the lung capacity to even sit up.

“I couldn’t even get out of bed, which is not like me at all,” Meg says, reflecting back on her latest bout with illness. She’s not a COVID-19 survivor, instead she’s a Cystic Fibrosis (CF) warrior; she has been for as long as she can remember.

“My mom found out when I was nine months old,” Megan told Currents News.

The news that their baby had CF changed the DiBenedetto family’s life. Their little girl would always have persistent lung infections that would limit her ability to breathe. Meg’s condition would flare up 27 years later, just as the coronavirus was brewing.

“I dropped like 20 pounds. My doctor was like, ‘We are just going to do a diabetes test because you have no explanation for this weight loss.’ And that test came back positive,” Meg explained.

People with diabetes and CF are considered to be at high risk to the coronavirus. They’ve been advised to “cocoon,” to literally not leave their homes. But Meg isn’t cocooning, she’s flourishing, in perhaps the most dangerous place for her.

She’s a nurse at a New York City hospital in the epicenter of the pandemic.

“It’s on my floor,” Meg said, “It’s not like I’m excluded, my whole hospital has it.”

When New York had its first case, Meg thought about taking a leave of absence, but she hasn’t. After years of her own suffering, and nurses coming to her aid in surgeries and with pick lines, she decided that her place was on the front line, just as long as her co-workers and friends watched out for her.

“They are doing everything they could,” Meg explained, “It is very difficult because I can’t help them.” But, Meg is helping her fellow nurses. Since she can’t directly treat COVID patients, she’s been doing everything else necessary to keep the hospital and her co-workers going. Even now, in the face of a pandemic, the go-getter has never let a sickness get the best of her.

“My parents raised me to do everything every other kid did,” Meg said. And till this day, it is that attitude that motivates her. The DiBenedettos put their daughter in every sport, and Meg went on to swim Division I. Her parents still support her today, banging pots and pans outside every night.

Just like in her own life, Meg has accepted the sickness, and every day she fights to overcome it. “There’s nowhere to run,” she says, “You just have to deal with it.”

The pandemic is no different, in her opinion. She says that sometimes, you just have to run head on into your biggest challenges. Since the crisis started, that’s what she’s been doing, running.

She takes long runs by her church in Dyker Heights, and she stops and always says a prayer. But the prayer isn’t for her, it’s for everyone else.