Pope Francis to Lead Centuries Old Tradition for Ash Wednesday

By Melissa Butz

On Ash Wednesday, the streets will be full of faithful processing from the church of St. Anselm to the Basilica of St. Sabina, and they will all be led by Pope Francis.

For centuries, beginning with Gregory the Great, popes have participated in the penitential procession to St. Sabina. It’s the basilica traditionally marked as the first station church to visit in Rome for Lent.

The rector of St. Sabina, Father Philipp Wagner, said walking to the basilica on Ash Wednesday is a time to recall the way to Calvary.

“It could be a kind of remembrance of the heavy way we have to go for Lent,” he explained.

The Holy Father then not only participates in the procession, but is the first one to receive ashes inside the basilica, before they are given to all the faithful.

“The imposing of ashes is also a symbol of the confession of our own sins,” said Fr. Wagner. “The pope is the first one to get it, also He takes part, like every man, as a sinner.”

Fr. Wagner said the Eucharistic celebration is not only for the people of Rome, but attracts a diverse, global crowd.

“You will have people here from every continent, from every generation, and you can see them all in one spot,” he said.

Dating back to the 400s AD, the basilica was home to St. Dominic and St. Thomas Aquinas for a period. Since 1222, it has been run by Dominican friars, who eagerly await the papal Mass on Ash Wednesday.

Located on one of Rome’s seven hills, simplicity and centuries old history contained inside the Basilica of St. Sabina makes it the perfect place to kick off the liturgical season of Lent.

P.S. 87 Parents Skeptical of Student Safety as Asbestos Removal Project Begins

By Jessica Easthope

For any parent, sending a young child off to school can be scary. They face challenges with schoolwork, bullying and sometimes worse.

Now parents at P.S. 87, the William T. Sherman school have another, very real concern: asbestos.

P.S. 87 was built in 1889, and now requires some much needed repairs. The school is just weeks away from undergoing a major renovation to replace its roof, windows and boiler, not to mention removing asbestos, the very thing that has parents terrified to send their kids off to school.

“This is a kind of scary thing but it’s also something that has to get done,” said parent Bernie McCormick. “But it also has to get done for the school to improve, so overall I think it’s a good thing, but it doesn’t come without risk.”

“Taking the precautions they need, they do things to separate the areas to make it safe, but it would still be a concern of mine,” said Chris Jones, whose child also goes to the school.

The school construction authority has assured parents all the work done to the school will be well within local, state and federal guidelines. The agency has also insisted it’s taking every precaution.

“They know what needs to be done and they’re trying,” Chris added, “but they can’t stop every single microscopic particle from being moved to the wrong area. It’s the reality of how things work.”

The removal can cause microscopic asbestos fibers to be released into the air, and if breathed in can, cause life-threatening illnesses such as lung cancer, mesothelioma and asbestosis that could go undetected for years.

“The residual effects of asbestos are years down the line, and that’s concerning to us as well because it’s not immediate,” explained parent Karinna Dancourt.

In a statement, the school construction authority said in part, “air samples are collected before, during and at the completion of projects.”

One expert, Jacob Singer, said the safety measures are so strong he wouldn’t worry about sending his own child to the school.

“They should feel like New York City has their best interest in mind, and that the company is being compliant,” he said.

The work gets underway in March, and should be done by 2022.

Coronavirus Cancels Mass in Italy Days Before the Start of Lent

Currents News Staff

The streets in Milan, Italy are empty. Stores are closed and supermarket shelves have been cleaned out.

Cafés are vacant too, all as cases of the coronavirus surge from just three on Feb. 21 to more than 200 to date, forcing local governments to ban public gatherings.

Those gatherings include Mass. Catholics in northern Italy won’t be allowed to go to church during this lenten season. The quarantine was issued in the hopes of stopping the spread of the virus across the country, where at least five people have died.

At the airport in Milan, travelers are getting their temperatures checked before entering security lines. Novel coronavirus cases have been spreading quickly outside China’s borders.

‘Me and my mother, parents and friends are worried, very worried,” said one traveler.

There’s also concern in South Korea, where cases have also surged to more than 830, prompting a national “red alert.”

A religious group is at the heart of the spike in cases there, where hundreds have contracted the illness. A former member says the nature of the group makes it easy for a virus to spread.

“They’re packed together like sardines in one area,” said Duhyen Kim, a former church member. “They are forced to sit line in line and literally, your knees will be touching the other person’s knee.”

Meanwhile, in the U.S., the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated its coronavirus tally, saying there are now at least 53 confirmed cases. That number is up 18 since Feb. 21. The new cases are all from the Diamond Princess cruise ship, whose passengers — recently released from quarantine in Japan — have now come home.

Currents News full broadcast for Monday, 2/24/20

On the newscast: An emotional memorial for Kobe Bryant – his daughter and the 7 others killed last month in a helicopter crash in California; Pope Francis warning against inequitable solutions to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict; Then, the unusual move to help public school students who are experiencing homelessness; And a tradition shared by Nigerian Catholics in Brooklyn to promote love and kindness for all – including immigrants fleeing from harm.

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.

Faithful Catholic, Kobe Bryant, Remembered by Family, Friends and the NBA’s Elite

Currents News Staff

An emotional, and at times joyful celebration of life was held at the Staples Center in Los Angeles Feb. 24, for Lakers legend Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna, almost one month after the died in a helicopter crash with seven friends.

More than 20,000 fans, friends, and family gathered to say goodbye to one of the greatest basketball players of all time, Kobe Bryant, and his 13-year old daughter Gianna.

“I don’t think any of us could have imagined this,” said host Jimmy Kimmel. “Everywhere you go, you see his face, his number. Gigi’s face, Gigi’s number.”

Many of Bryant’s former Los Angeles Lakers teammates were in the audience, with the team’s general manager giving a touching tribute to Mamba.

“Kobe the best friend, Kobe the father, and Kobe the husband,” is how Rob Pelinka described the star player.

Kobe’s wife of 18 years, Vanessa, gave an emotional tribute to Gigi, and Kobe, the M.V.P. of “girl dads.”

“Gigi would have most likely become the best player in the WNBA,” she said. “She would have made such a difference.”

“I couldn’t see him as a celebrity, nor just an incredible basketball player,” she said of Kobe. “He was my sweet husband, the beautiful father of our children. He was mine.”

“In the game of basketball, in life as a parent, Kobe left nothing in the tank,” said NBA star Michael Jordan. “He left it all on the court.

Secret Documents on Pope Pius XII to Be Revealed

Currents News Staff

In one week, the secret documents on Pope Pius XII will be revealed. Critics have long attacked the World War II pope for not doing enough to stop the slaughter of millions of Jewish people during the Holocaust.

One of the people who has fought to clear his name is Gary Krupp, co-founder of the Pave the Way Foundation, which helps promote interfaith understanding.

The organization has done a lot of research on the actions of Pope Pius XII during World War II, including reading these documents, which have been unavailable for many years.

Krupp joins Currents News to share Pave the Way’s findings.

Pope Francis to Bishops: ‘War Can Never Be Considered Normal’

By Melissa Butz

Pope Francis returned from South Italy, where he met with nearly 60 bishops to find solutions for peace and protection for persecuted Christians in the Middle East.

The pontiff condemned war and violence while speaking to Catholic bishops from North Africa, Europe and the Middle East. He met them in Bari to conclude a five-day synod-style meeting seeking solutions for peace in the Middle East.

“War can never be considered normal, or accepted as an inevitable means of settling differences and conflicts of interest,” Pope Francis said.

The encounter’s goal was to find solutions for how the 19 countries surrounding the Mediterranean can help Christian minorities.

Pope Francis asked the bishops to involve governments in protecting the vulnerable.

“The persecution experienced above all – but not only – by Christian communities is a heart-rending fact that cannot leave us indifferent,” he said.

The pontiff called the Mediterranean a cemetery, saying countless migrants have died while seeking a better life or fleeing persecution in their home countries. He asked that they be welcomed.

“As I said, it is unthinkable that this process of acceptance and dignified integration can be accomplished by building walls,” the Holy Father said.

He asked religious leaders to lead efforts of respect, dialogue and justice in order to combat this drama, instead of succumbing to the evils of the throwaway culture.

Pope Francis recalled his last encounter in Bari with the same theme: peace in the Middle East.

While the encounter in July 2018 involved Protestant, Catholic and Orthodox church leaders, this one was organized by the Italian bishops conference for bishops bordering the Mediterranean.

Inclusion on Full Display as Knight with Special Needs Turns 50

By Jessica Easthope

A newly inducted Knight of Columbus celebrated a milestone birthday, and those who helped him along the way were highlighted through family and faith.

On Saturday, February 22, Robert Rubino turned 50. His party was held at the Archbishop John Hughes Council’s Headquarters in Dyker Heights, Brooklyn.

Robert has a developmental disability and doesn’t speak a lot, but all you need to see is the smile on his face to know how he felt about his birthday.

Linda Rubino, Robert’s mother, has been affiliated with the Knights of Columbus as a Columbiette for decades. Her son has attended many of their events at her side. Just a few months ago, Robert was inducted as a Knight.

“It means a lot to Robert — he’s been anxious all week. All I’ve heard all week is, ‘birthday, birthday, birthday’. I didn’t think it would ever happen. I guess if we dream or we try, things do happen. I’ve always had him reach for the stars, no matter how far he can get,” Linda said.

Mike Grazidei was Robert’s sponsor. He feels as if God put the two men in each other’s lives.

“My faith is stronger since I became a Knight, it’s always with me, I hope that I am a better man for sponsoring Robert,” said Mike.

Joe Sbarra, Deputy Grand Knight of the Archbishop John Hughes Council, said that through Robert, he can see what the organization is all about.

“It’s putting faith into action. It’s what we’re about as Knights. Our first principal is charity — that doesn’t always mean someone outside of the council. We can be charitable toward each other. This is a great way to be inclusive,” he said.

Robert’s birthday is remarkable for a number of reasons, but especially so because he shares it with his sister Kathleen. They were born on the same day 10 years apart and despite that difference, they grew up like twins. To this day, they remain inseparable.

Now, there’s another family Robert belongs to: the Knights.

“They still accept him for being a person, he comes to all the events, he helps out at fundraisers as much as he can, maybe he carries a basket or something but that’s okay, that’s enough,” said Linda.

For his friends, family and now the Knights, Robert will always be enough.

Black History Month: Celebrating Culture and Faith Through Music

By Tim Harfmann

At Saint Matthew Church in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, Chris and Colleen Chasteau play steel pans to express themselves.

“I see the steel pan as kind of my voice through worship. It’s a great way to tie in my culture with my Catholic faith, as well,” said Colleen.

The brother-sister duo uses the instruments each Sunday to honor their ancestors from Grenada, while bringing back memories of the West Indies for Catholics from the islands.

“It reminds them of back home and also gives them that kind of comfort in a place of worship,” Colleen said, particularly as they celebrate Black History Month.

“It’s great that we have a month devoted to that, the recognition of how many things we’ve been able to accomplish,” Colleen said.

“Remembering everyone before us and what they fought for,” is what Black History Month means to Chris. “That there’s a lot of culture that a lot of people, we don’t really hear about.”

It’s a culture Father Frank Black, coordinator for the West Indian Ethnic Ministry for the Brooklyn Diocese, said was misunderstood when people started arriving from the Caribbean.

“They thought we were almost like a different population,” he explained. “I said, ‘No, it’s Africa.’ That’s where we all come from.”

Eventually they hit the right note in supporting one another.

“It just shows me how powerful God is, that He can take people who have been victimized and turn them into a blessing for so many people,” Father Black added.

It’s a blessing of using music to remember history while building pride for their heritage.

Currents News full broadcast for Fri, 2/21/20

On the newscast: An amazing event at a New Jersey Catholic hospital… Three decades apart the same nurse helps a family; The Russians are at it again… new reports claim that they’re tampering with our elections; A fiery crash put a truck driver’s life in jeopardy. Never underestimate the power of a mom…. who risked her life to save a stranger; And there’s good news tonight from Paris about Notre Dame Cathedral.

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.