Catholic Charities Donates Washer/Dryer to Public School

By Emily Drooby

A washer and dryer are a miracle for many at P.S. 132 in Manhattan — ones that came from Catholic Charities.

At the Washington Heights grade school, almost a quarter of the students are homeless or housing insecure. They’re not alone, in New York City public schools, one in every ten students is homeless.

B”Many of us take for granted that we can wash our clothes, and we do it every day if we want to, go to the laundromat, go to our basement. But it was not something that could happen for many of the families here,” explained Beatriz Diaz Taveras, the executive director of Catholic Charities Community New York explained.

When a family is homeless or housing insecure, finding a way to do laundry can be impossible.

Soraya Rodriguez, a parent at P.S. 132, said that can be difficult for kids. “They don’t want to come to school because they feel like, ‘They’re clean, we’re not that clean. We’re kind of dirty,’ and emotionally it’s more important to make sure they’re excited to come to school.”

The school’s principal, Wendy Poveda, said it was affecting attendance.

“When I would ask students, ‘Why weren’t you at school? We missed you,’ [they would say] ‘My uniform was dirty.’”

In the past, to help students staff members would wash clothes at their homes, but Principal Poveda knew they needed a more permanent fix.

She reached out to Catholic Charities of New York’s Alianza Youth Services, who donated the machines.

The room comes fully stocked with laundry baskets detergent and even dryer sheets. The school is accepting detergent, dryer sheets and more.

Catholic Charities is now in talks with a few other yet-to-be-named schools to create similar programs.

Millions of Voters Head to Polls on Super Tuesday

Currents News Staff

Millions of Americans are headed to the polls in 14 states and one U.S. territory in the biggest cluster of presidential nominating contest to date, known as “Super Tuesday.”

A full third of the total Democratic delegates are up for grabs in a race that has completely changed overnight.

It has been a major boost for presidential candidate Joe Biden, who earned three endorsements on the eve of Super Tuesday.

“I’m encouraging everybody who was part of my campaign to join me because we have found that leader in vice president, soon-to-be president Joe Biden,” said Pete Buttigieg, who ended his campaign and threw his support behind the candidate.

Following suit was Beto O’Rourke, who said, “We need somebody who can beat Donald Trump, and in Joe Biden we have that man.”

As did Senator Amy Klobuchar, who said, “I am ending my campaign and endorsing Joe Biden for president.”

One time rivals, all three joined Biden in a show of force to consolidate the moderate lane behind the former vice president.

“Look folks, this time we’ve got to bring along everybody: Democrats, Republicans, Independents,” Biden said. “That’s why I’m so excited about Amy’s endorsement of our campaign and Mayor Pete who endorsed our campaign earlier, we’ll thank him as well.”

Biden borrowed the rallying cry of some of his former rivals to explain why he’s a better choice than frontrunner Bernie Sanders.

“I think what it’s going to all be about with me and Bernie, is that I don’t think people are looking for revolution. I think they’re looking for results.”

Meanwhile, Sanders made a call to unity, saying, “to all the millions of Amy and Pete’s supporters, the door is open, come on in.”

Sanders called out the political establishment endorsing Biden.

“From day one we have been taking on the establishment,” he said. “Let me be very clear, it is no surprise they do not want me to become president. There is a massive effort trying to stop Bernie Sanders. They are really getting nervous that working people are standing up.”

Elizabeth Warren is vowing to stay in the race until the convention this summer.

“This is about both beating Donald Trump and about delivering real change in January 2021. That’s why I laid out all of the plans in such detail, and showed how we can pay for it and build alliances and actually get it done. I’m in this fight to win and make real change.”

For the first time, billionaire Michael Bloomberg will be on the ballot. He has spent millions trying to emerge as a top contender in Super Tuesday states.

“I can beat Donald trump, and I don’t know that any of the other Democratic candidates can. And I am ready for the job, and I don’t think any of the others are,” he said.

The biggest prize of the day is California, with over 400 delegates at stake. Polls there close at 11 p.m. eastern time.

Pope Francis Tests Negative for the Coronavirus

By Melissa Butz

Eighty-three-year-old Pope Francis, who has been suffering from a cold for nearly a week now, has tested negative for the coronavirus.

The Vatican did not comment on the diagnosis, but last week said the Pope was feeling “slightly unwell.”

Even with his cold, Pope Francis prayed the Angelus on Sunday and greeted people during the few meetings he had last week, including at the General Audience.

However, for the first time, the Pope did not attend his spiritual exercises out of Rome. They were scheduled this week, from Sunday to Friday. Instead, he is participating from his home at Casa Santa Marta, inside the Vatican.

By resting in this way, he is hoping to make a full recovery and pick up his normal schedule next week.

In Italy, out of more than 2,000 infected, 52 have died from the disease, while 149 have been cured.

Vatican Unveils Secret Archives On War-Time Pope Pius XII

By Melissa Butz

Secrets surrounding the controversial papacy of Pius the XII are being revealed to the world from the Vatican’s archives.

Church historians are expecting a clear understanding of the pope’s work to protect the Jewish people against the Nazi Holocaust.

The 52 miles contained in the Vatican’s Apostolic Archives have opened, for scholars and researchers to study the documents on Pope Pius XII from March 1939 to October 1958.

The goal is to better understand the Holy Father’s role during World War II. Critics claim he didn’t do enough, but the record shows Pope Pius XII not only confronted the Nazis, but hid people of Jewish faith in Rome.

“The person itself of Pius XII will come out in a different way, of course, because there are answers to questions that are open today,” explained Dr. Johan Ickx, head of Vatican secretary of state archives.

The archives were scheduled to open in 2028, 70 years after his papacy, as is Vatican policy. But Pope Francis moved it up eight years, due to prejudice surrounding the persona of Pope Pius XII.

“With a serene and confident mind, sure that serious and objective historical research will be able to evaluate, in the proper light and with appropriate criticism, the praiseworthy moments of the Pontiff. Without any doubt, also moments of serious difficulties,” said Pope Francis.

For 14 years, 20 scholars have been classifying the documents, preparing for the opening. More than 3,000 boxes contain millions of documents on Pope Pius XII.

The researchers are eager to dive into the documents, including correspondences with ambassadors and letters informing him of Nazi concentration camps.

Pope Francis has said “the Church is not afraid of history” and hopes this glance into the past will display the Holy See’s humanitarian, religious and political efforts during World War II.

In 2009, Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI declared Pope Pius XII venerable, advancing his cause for sainthood.

But the cause has not moved forward, since Pope Pius XII lacks the two miracles needed for beatification and canonization.

After these archives are examined, perhaps something could be found for his cause.

A Look at Archbishop Nelson Perez’s New Role in Philadelphia

Taking Philadelphia by storm is their new Archbishop, Nelson Perez.

The former Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese of Rockville Centre and head of the Diocese of Cleveland was installed as Philadelphia’s archbishop almost two weeks ago.

He is Philadelphia’s first Hispanic archbishop. According to catholicphilly.com, there are an estimated 82,000 Catholics in the archdiocese who are of Latino or Hispanic origin.

Among the U.S. bishops, Archbishop Perez is also the Chairman of their Committee on Cultural Diversity, and was very involved with the V Encuentro, a process that looked to increase Hispanic ministry in the Church.

Archbishop Perez Currents News from Philadelphia to talk about his new role, the Church in Philadelphia today and how he plans to minister to the Pennsylvania community.

Currents News full broadcast for Monday, 3/2/20

On the newscast: A lingering cold is keeping the Holy Father from attending an annual Lenten retreat; Coronavirus hits New York City: A woman who just returned from Iran is diagnosed. Governor Cuomo and Mayor De Blasio react; Jack Welsh – a retired Catholic businessman who built General Electric into a powerhouse – has died; And the story behind a Rembrandt painting brought back to Rome after 200 years.

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.

Pope Francis to Name Nine Brooklyn Priests Monsignors

Currents News Staff

Pope Francis is granting big honors to nine priests in the Brooklyn Diocese.

Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio announced March 2 today that the Holy Father is conferring the title “Chaplain of His Holiness” upon the clergy, it’s an honor that carries the title of Reverend Monsignor.

The priests are:

Monsignor Richard Ahlemeyer

Monsignor Joseph Cunningham

Monsignor Edward Doran

Monsignor Casper Furnari

Monsignor John Gildea

Monsignor John Harrington

Monsignor William Hoppe

Monsignor Raymond Roden

Monsignor John Vesey

The date for when the honors are bestowed will be announced later.

First New York Coronavirus Case Puts City Officials on High Alert

By Emily Drooby

Coronavirus has made its way to New York City. On March 2, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and city Mayor Bill de Blasio teamed up to give details on the case: a 39-year-old woman who is a healthcare worker.

She was working in Iran and flew back to New York Feb. 25.

“She did not take any public transportation,,” said Gov. Cuomo. “As she was a healthcare worker, she was very aware of this situation and the potential for this situation. We don’t believe that she was contagious when she was on the plane.”

Still, they’re contacting the other passengers just in case. They did not say which airport or airline were involved, and the woman took a private car to her home.

According to Gov. Cuomo, the woman was tested at Mount Sinai. She’s now quarantined inside her home along with her husband, who health officials say is the only person she had prolonged contact with.

The governor also said that while they’re taking precautions, more cases are likely.

“You’re not going to eliminate the spread, but you can limit the spread and testing is very important,” he explained, “and that’s why the federal government allowing us to test is a very big deal.”

New York City should be able to test for coronavirus starting March 6. Officials are calling that a big deal when it comes to prevention – results will take hours instead of day.

Along with New York, first cases have also been reported in Rhode Island and Florida, meaning the virus is now in at least 10 U.S. states.

Some schools in Washington and Oregon have closed for cleaning, and top U.S. officials say they’re working on a vaccine.

President Trump is asking that vaccine production to be accelerated, and will be sitting down with pharmaceutical CEOs to discuss.

Gov. Cuomo said he understands the anxiety regarding the coronavirus, but he told everyone to relax, adding that the city is working hard to fight the virus and putting new cleaning protocols into place in schools and on public transportation.

Officials added that if you think you might be sick, get to a healthcare provider right away – you can call 3-1-1 if there are any issues getting to one.

Pope Francis Cancels Annual Lenten Retreat Due to Cold

By Tim Harfmann

Pope Francis was visibly sick Sunday, March 1 as he delivered the Angelus in Saint Peter’s Square.

The 83-year-old pontiff said a cold forced him to cancel plans to attend a Lenten retreat.

“Unfortunately, this cold is keeping me from participating this year. I will follow the reflections from here,” he told the crowd.

The Holy Father usually attends the annual, week-long retreat in southern Italy with top officials of the Roman Curia.

“I unite myself spiritually to the Curia and all the people living moments of prayer by doing the spiritual exercises at home,” he said.

Pope Francis stopped several times during Sunday’s audience. It was his first public appearance in days. The Holy Father has been under the weather since last week.

On Ash Wednesday, he could be seen coughing and wiping his nose.

Riding around Saint Peter’s Square last week, the popemobile didn’t stop as pilgrims shouted to the Holy Father.

“We pray for you. We pray for you, Holy Father. We pray for you,” a group of pilgrims yelled.

As of now, Pope Francis continues to celebrate early morning Mass in Santa Marta and keep individual meetings

‘Fatima’ Film Tells True Story of Marian Apparitions

Currents News Staff

In 1917, three children in the town of Fatima, Portugal, received a number of Marian apparitions. 100 years later, their experience continues to impact the world.

The film “Fatima” is inspired by real events and tells the story of siblings Francisco and Jacinta, and their cousin, Lucia, who at a young age receive several apparitions from the Blessed Mother.

“Who are you?” they asked.

“I come from Heaven,” the Blessed Mother told them.

The film shows how the children’s communication of these episodes is met with mixed reactions. Some respond with skepticism and even anger.

“It is a sin to be making lies up,” the mother of the children told them.

“It’s true, momma,” they said. “She was as real as you are.”

“Why would the Mother of God choose you? What’s so special about you?” she asked the youth.

Others in the film, however, are drawn to the mystery of the Lady of which the children speak.

Thousands of pilgrims then travel to Fatima, hoping to see a miracle. What they see there changes them forever.

The film is directed by Marco Pontecorvo, and the soundtrack features the voice of Andrea Bocelli in the song, “Gratia Plena.”

The apparitions in Fatima remain widely known even today. After the Church verified the legitimacy of the miracles, the town became one of Portugal’s most popular pilgrimage sites, drawing over five million visitors each year.

Even Pope Francis visited in 2017, for the 100-year anniversary of the apparitions.

The film will be released in theaters throughout North America, on April 24, 2020.