Pope Francis Invites All Christians to Pray a Global ‘Our Father’

By Melissa Butz

Pope Francis invites all Christians to join in through various means of communication.

Despite the coronavirus lockdown and virtual connection, Pope Francis is uniting all Christians in a special way this week to pray for an end of the pandemic.

Pope Francis has announced two important events for Christians of every denomination. The first one will take place Wednesday, March 25, and will be offered for an end of the coronavirus.

“Let us pray the Our Father on Wednesday, March 25 at noon, everyone together,” said Pope Francis.

The pontiff also announced this Friday, there will be a moment of prayer, which will finish with an Urbi et Orbi blessing. It is given only on special occasions, since it offers a plenary indulgence, which removes all temporal punishment for sin.

It will take place on Friday, March 27 at 6 p.m., Rome time, to an empty St. Peter’s Square.

“We will listen to the Word of God, lift our intentions, adore the Blessed Sacrament, and at the end, I will give the Urbi et Orbi Blessing, with the possibility to receive a plenary indulgence,” the Holy Father said.

He added that order to confront the virus and remain united, Christians must respond with prayer, compassion and mercy.

He once again affirmed his closeness to doctors, nurses and police, who are risking their lives for the good of everyone during the coronavirus.

Pope Francis’s desire for unity will carry on into Holy Week and Easter Sunday, when Christians still will not be together in person.

However, the religious events during that week will continue to be livestreamed from the Vatican for everyone to participate in from home.

New Yorkers Feed Healthcare Workers on Frontlines During Coronavirus

By Emily Drooby

Pizzas — cooked, cut and loaded into the car, are not just any old food delivery.

They’re a delivery of good will: food for New York healthcare workers who are fighting hard against COVID-19.

The idea for the fundraiser, “Feed Our Frontline,” came from co-creator Toni Sanseverino’s group of friends. One of his friend’s relatives works at a Manhattan hospital.

“She was talking to him about sending some food and he said, ‘You know, we are lucky if we even get the chance to run down to the vending machine and get a protein bar.’ That really broke her heart,” said Toni.

It started as a call to action to their friends on social media, but in less than a week the fundraiser has blown up, bringing in over $18,000 on GoFundMe.

“We never, ever expected this, but it just goes to show you how much everyone in a trying time like this wants to lend a hand,” Toni explained. “Sometimes they don’t know where to start, but they’re willing to do it.”

The money is providing free lunches for health care workers all across New York City, Westchester County and Long Island.

They’ve even partnered with local businesses who are offering discounted prices meaning the money goes even farther.

Radio City Pizza in midtown Manhattan is one of them.

“It’s all about those people who are in the hospitals, that are working, working overtime, the doctors, the nurses, the staff, everyone,” explained Gus Karayiannis, the pizzeria’s owner. “So if I can just do a little part of help, I’m happy.”

It’s a win-win: the fundraiser is helping those on the frontlines, but it’s also helping small businesses during a difficult time.

“Like I said before, I’m just very happy,” said Gus. “I have my employees working, we’re still open, and if you look on my block here, everything is shut down.”

Toni said they already have 17 orders booked for the week of March 23. They’re also urging anyone who’s able to, to donate, saying they would love to keep this going for as long as possible.

You can help get food to our medical heroes by donating to the drive. Go to https://www.gofundme.com/f/feedourfrontline and sign up to help out.

Coronavirus Crisis: Masses Continue Despite Church Closures

By Tim Harfmann

Father Joseph Fonti won’t let the coronavirus crisis get in the way of serving the Lord and His people.

March 22 was the first Sunday the Brooklyn Diocese put public Masses on hold.

Father Fonti was one of many priests celebrating at their parishes — behind closed doors. He live streamed the liturgy on the parish’s website so parishioners could participate.

He compared the experience to attending a prayerful retreat in solitude.

“I would say that’s probably something that has helped give me a little preparation for this and has kept me somewhat sane and stable in the midst of it,” said Father Fonti.

Even though parish life is being disrupted by the outbreak, Father Fonti’s still working hard as pastor of Saint Mel’s Church in Flushing, Queens.

“I keep my routine. I get up at the same hour I would if the church was packed, and I still get dressed as a priest and do my priestly duties.”

That includes celebrating Sunday Mass, which Father Fonti has live streamed more since the outbreak began.

He says the number of Saint Mel’s parishioners now watching is up 1,000 percent since he started the online service in September.

“I actually do feel the love of my people. I get some emails, I get some phone calls after the broadcasts. Many people have called just to check on us.”

It’s a connection growing stronger during this time apart.

“They love us, and we love them. and I think that brings a lot of comfort to the day.”

Currents News full broadcast for Fri, 3/20/20

On the newscast: The churches of the Brooklyn Diocese are being shut down around the clock to halt the spread of coronavirus. And workers in New York are facing big new restrictions; While the churches are closed, Brooklyn priests are creating new ways to reach out to parishioners; Even though public masses are on hold in the diocese, we’ll tell you how to watch live services; And a message to the world from Christ the Redeemer.

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.

How a Priest from Queens is Directing Prayerful Productions

By Emily Drooby

Father Peter Purpura is reaching out to the faithful through daily videos during the COVID-19 quarantine.

“People are overwhelmed, it seems like every day something else is dropping and so naturally people are very concerned,” said Purpura.

He’s trying to ease concerns and to spread a message of hope and faith.

“God will prompt in us what’s needed,” he continued.

With Masses temporarily on hold here in the Diocese of Brooklyn and across the country, that message is needed now more than ever.

“I think the great challenge of this time is the sense of isolation, to not be connected one to the other so that’s why I saw this as an immediate way of keeping people connected to their parish, making sure they’re hearing from me as their pastor. We’re just going to have to find new ways to be available and to continue to serve people,” said Purpura.

To make sure they do, he’s creating short video messages – sharing stories, inspiration, the gospel and more, for parishioners to see and interact with.

It’s a unique way to remind Catholics that while COVID-19 might keep them from the pews, they can still nourish their faith.

“So certainly, we are fasting from the sacraments, the sacramental rights of the church, but everything else, all other means of sanctifications are open to us, prayer, study, sacred scripture, so there are many ways that we can continue to keep our faith during this time,” Purpura said.

Father Purpura is encouraging other faith leaders to come up with their own creative ways of reaching their people during this difficult time, because staying home means shutting out the coronavirus – not God.

Governor Cuomo Tells New York’s Workforce to Stay Home

Currents News Staff

Governor Andrew Cuomo wants you to stay home.

Cuomo is calling it the most drastic action that can be taken – mandating 100% of New York’s workforce, except for essential services, work from home to try to stop the spread of the virus.

“I know that we’re going to put people out of work with what I did. I want to make sure that I don’t put them out of their house,” Cuomo said March 20.

Governor Cuomo says this step is necessary to protect New Yorkers. Starting Sunday night all workers in non-essential businesses across the state will be required to stay home in an effort to stop the spread of the coronavirus.

Cuomo insisted he wasn’t issuing a “shelter in place” order, which he said referred to active shooter situations. Rather, he says, the state is “closing the valve” of everyday life to limit the outbreak.

“We reduced it to 50% of the workforce. We then reduced it to 75% of the workforce must stay home, and today we’re bringing it to 100% of the workforce must stay home,” he continued.

It’s similar to what California is doing. That state is on lockdown after the mayors of both San Francisco and Los Angeles ordered residents to stay home to slow the spread, giving medical personnel more time to prepare.

“If we can slow the spread, we can buy days. And when we buy those days that means that we can get ventilators and we can get beds and kits and masks and tests and this will save lives,” said Los Angeles Mayor Mayor Eric Garcetti.

Cuomo says medical supplies are a major issue, so he’s got an incentive for businesses – saying the state will pay a premium for masks, gloves and gowns.

“If you can make them, we will give you funding to do it. And we will give you funding to get the right equipment, to get the personnel, etc,” Cuomo said.

Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security Act Unveiled

Currents News Staff

More financial aid may soon be on the way. Senate Republicans unveiled the Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security Act, a one-trillion dollar proposal that’s aimed to help those struggling financially due to the novel coronavirus pandemic.

“The widespread goal among all of us, both the White House and Senate Republicans is to get cash directly into the hands of the American people,” said Republican Senator Mitch McConnell, Senate majority leader.

The goal is to help those taking a financial hit from COVID-19.

“It’s a very stressful time for everyone,” explained bar owner Brett Allred. “Not only do you have to worry about not getting sick, but you also have to worry about if your bills are going to get paid.”

The Republican plan calls for “recovery rebates” of up to $1,200 for individuals and $2,400 for couples below a certain financial threshold.

Right now it’s just a proposal,and Senate Democrats say the plan is a non-starter and complain they weren’t part of the process.

“If we want to get this done quickly, the best way to do it is to have a four corners negotiation, House and Senate majority and minority,” Democratic Senator Chuck Schumer, Senate minority leader.

McConnell said bi-partisan talks were skipped to get things done faster.

“The Republicans are in the majority in the Senate. We wanted to put forward our proposal,” he said. “We feel like we have an obligation to do that as a majority and the Democrats, of course, need to be given an opportunity to react to it.”

Schumer and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi issued a statement March 19 saying the plan “puts corporations way ahead of workers.”

Jobless claims for last week rose to 281,000 Americans, a high not reached in two-and-a-half years.

Devotion Still Strong Amid Coronavirus Crisis on St. Joseph’s Day

By Tim Harfmann

Michael Addeo Jr. has a strong devotion to Saint Joseph, head of the Holy Family and patron of fathers.

March 19 marks the Feast of Saint Joseph, usually celebrated with prayer, Italian food and pastries.

“To me, it’s almost like Christmas Day,” said Michael.

For more than three decades, he would honor the saint by loading up his truck with pastries and going door-to-door, delivering sweet treats to family and friends.

His checklist of people has grown over the years. Michael started with 35. Now, it’s over 100.

“It makes people know that I care about them, and just to make people happy,” he said.

But because of the virus crisis, he’s celebrating from his office supply store in Ridgewood, Queens.

Michael mailed handwritten notes with prayer cards and other religious articles inside.

“If they got a card during these times, it would actually give them a little bit of faith and strength to know that we’re all in it together, and no matter what we will come back stronger, bigger and better,” he said.

Michael orders his desserts from Circo’s Pastry Shop in Bushwick, Brooklyn.

But this year, there wasn’t the usual rush — many customers are taking precautions.

Anthony Pierdipino said his shop makes 2,000 pastries on this feast day. But this year, they made only about half.

Anthony described the situation as “a little nerve wracking.”

“Everybody’s a little worried,” he explained. “We’re trying to stay on top of sanitizing and staying as safe as possible.”

Yet, customers are trickling in.

“I know people are home right now and staying indoors, but this gives them a sense of normalcy and celebrating the tradition together with the family,” said Anthony.

Dominican Sister Eva Mazzetta, who stopped by to order eight pastries, said her day’s not complete without them.

“My family was born in Sicily, Italy, and every single year we celebrate with prayers, but also coming to Circo’s,” said Sr. Mazzetta.

It’s a feast day celebration unlike any other, with a devotion growing ever stronger.

Currents News full broadcast for Thurs, 3/19/20

On the newscast: The coronavirus crisis is deepening tonight. Italy now has more deaths than another other place on earth; Catholic Charities in Brooklyn and Queens making heroic efforts to ensure senior citizens in the diocese are getting fed despite the virus outbreak; Information on participating in the celebration of the Eucharist, even though public masses are on hold; Plus, Italian solidarity in the face of the killer pandemic.

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.

Calm in the Time of Coronavirus

Currents News Staff

Unfortunately, in our country, the coronavirus pandemic is likely to get worse before things improve. Many people are afraid and isolated.

Father John Gribowich, a priest of the Diocese of Brooklyn, joins Currents News to discuss how our faith can be a strong fortress in troubled times and how can our religion help us get through it all.