The Tri-State Italian-American Congress awarded scholarships to students in the Diocese of Brooklyn, helping families afford a Catholic education.
TSA officers are working without pay during the shutdown, prompting volunteers in Chicago to deliver meals to those struggling under the financial strain.
Following a child’s tragic death, an Iowa Fire Department installed a new Safe Haven Baby Box, which allows a parent to safely relinquish custody of their child.
By Katie Vasquez
Students from Diocese of Brooklyn schools prayed with Bishop Robert Brennan at a special service at the Cathedral Basilica of St. James in Brooklyn.
Among the faces included 5th grader Joseph Marcellino.
“It’s good to be in a school that they love God and pray with God,” said Marcellino.
When he was in 2nd grade, the Catholic student lost his father who he was named after.
“It’s been tough for us because just me and my mom, we just knew we didn’t know what to do since he was gone,” said Marcellino.
His mother worried that she wouldn’t be able to continue paying the tuition for Good Shepherd Catholic Academy. Getting a faith based education was important to his dad.
“My husband, he graduated in the Catholic school, and, he loves the Catholic school. So I put my son in the Catholic school,” said Joseph’s mother, Yim Marcellino.
Fortunately that financial burden was lifted through a $ 2,000 scholarship, about half a year’s tuition from the Tri-State Italian-American Congress. It was a gift that brought tears to Yim’s eyes.
“For me, it’s very difficult. I am very worried. Right now it’s very big help for us,” she told Currents News.
The organization donated $75,000 to Futures in Education’s ‘Be an Angel’ program to support 38 students of Italian descent.
“I remember when I went to Catholic school, I used to pay, I think tuition was only $2 a month,” said Louis Vele, president of Tri-State Italian-American Congress, “I know today it’s impossible to do that.”
Bishop Brennan says these partnerships allow students to continue learning at Diocese of Brooklyn schools.
“You could see in the sense that these investments in our young people are already paying dividends to hear them pray, to hear their voices as, we’re praying the our father,” said Bishop Brennan.
Joseph knows his dad is probably beaming with pride that he’s not only continuing his education but honoring his heritage.
“I think he would be really proud of me. He would be really happy that I got this scholarship,” he said.
By Katie Vasquez
The Tri-State Italian-American Congress is awarding scholarships to help students receive a quality Catholic education. At a special ceremony in Brooklyn, the scholarships being handed out ensure heritage and faith are passed on to the next generation.
By Christine Persichette
The government shutdown, now the longest in history at 36 days as of Nov. 5, has led to the expiration of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, affecting nearly 42 million Americans.
As food pantries across New York step up to address the crisis, Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens have opened their doors to struggling SNAP recipients.
This mission to aid the poor and hungry resonates deeply, especially among young people in Manhattan.
At the Church of the Ascension on the Upper West Side, a teen-run food pantry, launched about ten years ago, keeps youth engaged in the Church after confirmation.
The initiative, born from a desire to maintain their connection to faith, has grown so popular that organizers must turn away volunteers each month.
Service is a passion for these teens, not a chore.
Camila Jaquez, a sophomore at St. Jean Baptiste High School in Manhattan, who has volunteered since age seven, said, “Not only am I helping people in need who are really struggling, but the fact that I’m doing it in my community and I’m having fun — that’s something you don’t get every day.”
The pantry was founded by parishioner and former catechist Robin Klueber, who aimed to instill the Church’s values in the youth.
“This is teaching them about our church and the strength of our church, and it is instilling in them the love to do the ministry of Jesus,” Klueber explained.
Dozens of teens from various Catholic high schools gather monthly—setting up on Fridays and serving clients on Saturdays along West 107th Street in Manhattan.
Kevin O’Neill, a senior at Regis High School in Mahattan and the church’s sacristan, finds community in the work. “It’s more about building the community that we have within our parish… and that’s one important aspect of what keeps me coming back,” he said.
He added, “Seeing their smiles just makes me feel so much better because I feel like I’m actually helping someone.”
For clients like Veronica Williams, who relies on the pantry for groceries, the teens’ kindness shines through.
“They’re kind and respectful, and I tell them ‘Thank you.’ And they look like they’re happy with what they’re doing,” she noted.
The goal, as Klueber puts it, is to “make the world better, one kid at a time,” echoing their motto of “wiping out hunger one bite at a time and changing the world one kid at a time.”
Those interested in volunteering or donating dried goods like rice and pasta can visit ascensionchurchnyc.org/ascension-food-pantry for more information.
The current U.S. government shutdown is now the longest in history – with SNAP benefits at a halt, food pantries across New York are stepping up to help.
One food pantry confirmation project started by teenagers at a Manhattan church has gone the distance: 10 years later, they’re still working to help people in need.
Democratic candidate Zohran Mamdani is the winner of the 2025 New York City mayoral election – we’ll tell you how voters in the Diocese of Brooklyn cast their ballots.
Pope Leo XIV recently visited his predecessor Pope Francis’ tomb at the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome before taking a rest at Castel Gandolfo.
By Currents News
On Nov. 4, Brooklyn Bishop Robert Brennan paid tribute to his predecessors with a moment of silent prayer at the Immaculate Conception Center in Douglaston, queens.
The leader of the Diocese of Brooklyn offered a blessing at the tombs of past bishops during an annual Memorial Mass, held to remember all clergy from Brooklyn and Queens who passed away within the last year.
Joined by around 50 priests and deacons, Bishop Brennan led the gathering in honoring the faithful servants of God who have recently returned to the Lord.
By Currents News
The votes are in, and Democratic candidate Zohran Mamdani has emerged victorious in the 2025 New York City mayoral race, securing just over 50% of the vote with 50.4%.
Trailing closely behind is former Governor Andrew Cuomo, running as an Independent, who garnered more than 41% with 41.6%. Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa finished with a distant 7.1%.
A deeper dive into the results reveals how the Diocese of Brooklyn cast its ballots.
In Brooklyn, Mamdani led with 56.8%, followed by Cuomo with 37.3%, and Sliwa with 4.9%.
The race was tighter in Queens, where Mamdani took 47.3%, Cuomo received 42.2%, and Sliwa captured 9.7%.
Breaking down the ballots by religion, Catholics formed the largest voting bloc at 27%, with a majority—53%—supporting Andrew Cuomo, while 33% backed Mamdani and 14% favored Sliwa.
The next significant group, the “Nones” (those claiming no religion), accounted for 24% of the vote, overwhelmingly supporting Mamdani with 75%, compared to 21% for Cuomo and 4% for Sliwa.
These results highlight the diverse influences shaping the election outcome across the city.
By Currents News
With one-third of New York City residents identifying as Catholic, their voting power could be pivotal in deciding this year’s mayoral race.
Political analyst Brian Browne from St. John’s University weighs in on whether this significant demographic holds the key to the outcome.
New York is widely known as a blue state, with the city traditionally favoring Democratic candidates. However, historical trends reveal surprises. Some analysts suggest that Catholic voters played a crucial role in electing Republicans Rudy Giuliani and Michael Bloomberg in past mayoral races.
Despite this, current polls show GOP candidate Curtis Sliwa trailing far behind.
The question remains: Could the Big Apple turn red on this Election Day?
The candidates’ relationships with the Church also come under scrutiny: Zohran Mamdani, a Muslim candidate, recently held a private meeting with New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan.
Meanwhile, both Sliwa and former Governor Andrew Cuomo, who are Catholic, have had their own tensions with Church leadership.
Cuomo has clashed with Cardinal Dolan over abortion laws, while Sliwa has criticized Catholic Charities for its work with immigrants.
Browne shared his analysis on these critical factors.
New Yorkers are at the polls making their voices heard on Election Day — the Catholic vote could have a big impact on who wins the city’s mayoral race.
The U.S. government shutdown is top-of-mind for voters across the nation: with SNAP benefits expired, people are praying for help and waiting for hours outside of food pantries.
For the first time in American history, a Catholic institution has returned land to a tribal nation as a form of reparation.
By Katie Vasquez
Voters at the Central Public Library in Brooklyn didn’t have to wait long to make their voices heard, and that’s because many already cast their ballots.
New York City broke a record on Nov. 4:, more than 735,000 people had voted early by 5 p.m. on Tuesday.
There was a lot of buzz as voters headed to the polls and get their ballots in.
“I just want to make sure that the place that we’re all growing up in is shaped to protect us. and that’s why it’s important for me to vote,” Maggie Ruiz Diaz, who was at the polls, told Currents News.
Maria Giampappa brought her two daughters to an election site at Our Lady of Hope Catholic Academy in Middle Village, Queens so that they could see democracy in action.
“I think it’s very important that they get to understand that this part of our duties as citizens is to vote and because of our votes, we influence what happens in our community,” she explained.
The most contentious mayoral race in New York City history has three candidates vying for the seat: former governor and Independent candidate Andrew Cuomo, Democrat Zohran Mamdani, and Republican Curtis Sliwa.
“I think it’s very important because I feel like the candidates are going to make a really big impact on the rest of the next four years,” added Giampappa.
Some of the key issues for voters Currents News spoke with include affordability.
“As I grow up, obviously, taxes become more important, and I don’t want to be paying a lot more in taxes for things that I don’t believe are going to work,” said voter, Jack Prendergast.
Crime and public safety were also among top issues for voters.
“There are men and women that are dying for me. Right now in this country there is a need,” said voter Mickey Eberlein. “We’re spitting on cops, throwing things at firemen.”
But regardless of where they stand, voters are encouraging their fellow New Yorkers to hit the ballot box.
“We all collectively are trying to want to shape our community and understand that we have that say,” said voter Ruiz Diaz.