Pope Francis Visits Greccio to Sign Letter on Nativity Scene Tradition

Currents News Staff

Pope Francis visited the Franciscan shrine in Greccio on Dec. 1. It is the place where, in the thirteenth century, St. Francis started the tradition of the Nativity scene.

Upon arriving to the town, Pope Francis warmly greeted a group of sick and disabled people who waited for him with their family members.

At the sanctuary, the Holy Father was welcomed by the Bishop of Rieti and the Franciscan groundskeeper of the shrine.

A crowd holding colorful balloons cheered as the Holy Father walked by. A group of children sang this song about St. Francis.

Once inside the sanctuary, the pontiff stopped for a moment of silent prayer.

Then he signed “Admirabile signum,” an apostolic letter on the significance of the Nativity scene.

Afterward he stopped to talk to the religious men and women gathered in the grotto. They shared a moment of laughter after Pope Francis surprised them with an unexpected question. Then they all took a group photo.

He exited the grotto and greeted the people waiting for him outside. He was surprised to see them wearing traditional costumes for the living Nativity scene.

Pope Francis then offered a reflection on the Gospel reading of the Nativity of Jesus. The pontiff reminded those present of the importance of simplicity, wisdom, silence and prayer. He also spoke of the need to recognize in the Nativity the sign of God’s immense love for humanity.

“This simple and visible sign of the Nativity, which faith has grasped and passed from generation to generation, shows the great mystery of our faith: God loves us to the point of sharing our humanity and our life. He never leaves us alone,” said the Holy Father.

The Pope blessed those gathered, asking God to grant them peace. As he left to head back to Rome, this choir was in charge of saying goodbye.

Impeachment Hearings Continue as Trump Heads to NATO

Currents News Staff

President Trump and his lawyers declined an invitation to take part in the House’s impeachment hearing this week. They say they believe the President would not get a “semblance of a fair process.”

While the impeachment process rolls on, the president is heading out of the country – putting thousands of miles between himself and his impeachment woes. He and the first lady are attending a NATO event in London this week.

But even if he was in town, the president wouldn’t participate in the House Judiciary Committee impeachment hearing Wednesday.

White House lawyer Pat Cipollone released a letter Sunday night calling the inquiry “baseless and highly partisan.”

“This is entirely consistent with a strategy that’s been pursued by the president’s lawyers through the Mueller investigation, which is promising enormous levels of cooperation, promising that the president would be actively involved and then pulling back at the last minute,” said CNN Legal Analyst Paul Callan.

The letter accuses Chairman Jerrold Nadler of “purposely” scheduling the hearing during the NATO meeting. However, Cipollone left the door open for White House participation in future hearings.

Some believe that could be a good idea. “I think that it would be to the president’s advantage to have his attorneys there, that is his right,” said Rep. Tom McClintock.

Others say that could be a risky move for the White House. “By allowing his own attorneys to participate in the proceedings, he gives the proceedings legitimacy,” said CNN Legal Analyst Paul Callan.

And one democratic presidential candidate says she’s already made up her mind. “I’ve made very clear I think this is impeachable conduct,” said Sen. Amy Klobuchar.

President Trump is accused of abusing his power in order to get political dirt on presidential candidate Joe Biden and his son, Hunter.

The House Judiciary Panel is expected to have multiple public hearings, eventually considering articles of impeachment.

A House vote could come before Christmas.

Currents News for Wednesday, November 27, 2019

On the newscast: A massive fireball – after an explosion in Texas this Thanksgiving eve. There are injuries and evacuations. We’ll have the latest; Getting to grandma’s house for the holiday is challenging for so many with bad weather threatening a large swath of the nation; President Trump is speaking about the politics behind Thanksgiving – what he’s vowing will never happen; And navigating politics at the holiday dinner table: How to keep the peace.

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.

Queens Catholic Students Make Sandwiches for the Homeless

By Tim Harfmann

There were assembly lines of Catholic academy students spreading kindness before Thanksgiving this morning at Immaculate Conception Catholic Academy.

Fifth grader Raniel Pasaoa and his classmates made sandwiches for the less fortunate.

“They cannot afford food, and we want to help them out,” said Raniel.

Fourth grader Emma Palacio added, “It’s important because they’re homeless, so we need to give them a little gift.”

Immaculate Conception Catholic Academy in Jamaica Estates, Queens teamed up with ‘One Sandwich at a Time.’

The nonprofit feeds thousands of people in need by handing out peanut butter and jelly, or sunflower-based butter sandwiches.

“They actually love it because it doesn’t spoil, they can put it in their backpack, eat it when they’re hungry later in the day; it’s also soft, and people don’t realize that the homeless population very often don’t have the best of teeth and it’s hard for them to chew,” said George Kontogiannis from ‘One Sandwich at a Time.’

Today, the students made over a thousand of them.

The sandwiches will be distributed to three different shelters throughout the five boroughs.

Students say their desire to help others, along with their Catholic education, goes together like a good old fashioned PB&J sandwich.

Boys Deliver Plants to Terminally Ill Patients

By Emily Drooby

Once a month Sebastian Leipold puts a smile on hospital patients faces by gifting them Venus flytraps.

“I feel good because I am making smiles on the patients faces,” said Sebastian.

It’s a gesture born from love and loss.

Last September, Sebastian’s grandmother was a patient at Calvary Hospital.

He noticed she was sleeping with her mouth open. Terrified she would swallow a bug he thought of a solution, a Venus flytrap. He brought one to the hospital.

The gesture spread and others began asking for the plants.

Sebastian’s mother Malissa said, “They actually didn’t give her too long to live, about 72 hours, but she wound up here for two weeks It was just amazing how it evolved into kind of a mission.”

A mission Sebastian and his brother Lukas continued after their grandmothers passing.

Lyn Scheuring dedicated her life to helping others. She founded Lamp Catholic Ministries in the Bronx along with her husband, helping the poorest of the poor.

She instilled that Catholic teaching of loving thy neighbor in her grandchildren and now they’re carrying on her legacy.

The brothers have handed out about 150 plants so far, paying for them through donations collected through their gofundme page. It’s a child’s way to bring smiles to the dying, and through fundraisers like a recent one at Stop and Shop.

“I get to see other people have joy and to see that there are good people who care for them,” said Lukas.

Breaking Bread and Remaining Thankful

Currents News Staff

On November 28, friends and family will get together to break bread and count their blessings as the nation celebrates Thanksgiving.

Monsignor Guy Massie, Pastor of Sacred Hearts at Saint Stephen Church in Brooklyn and Rabbi Brad Hirschfield, the President of the National Jewish Center for Learning and Leadership, join Currents news to discuss bridging the possible divide that is bound to happen at the dinner table.

Pope Talks Arms Trade and Nuclear Weapons

By Melissa Butz

Pope Francis concluded his thirty-second apostolic journey of his pontificate by speaking to journalists aboard the lengthy flight back to Rome.

Highlights were the arms trade, nuclear weapons and the death penalty.

After a week in Thailand and Japan, in areas where sex tourism flourishes and numerous disasters have struck, Pope Francis had much to say reflecting on his trip. He explained the death penalty all the way to possession of nuclear arms is immoral.

“The death penalty has been clearly stated as immoral and that it cannot be carried out. This must be connected to developing consciousness,” Pope Francis said.

“For example, some countries cannot abolish it because of political problems, but they do suspend it, which is a way of sentencing someone to life in prison without declaring so,” he continued

Likewise, he called out Christian countries who live in hypocrisy. Those who talk peace, but participate in the arms trade to benefit their economy.

“Everything that can be done to stop arms production, to stop wars, to encourage negotiation, with the help of mediators, must always be done, and it produces results,” said the Holy Father.

The pope said his time at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial especially moved him. It is the symbol of the most destructive force ever created by humans.

“There I reiterated that the use of nuclear weapons is immoral, that is why it must be added to the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Not only their use, but also possessing them.”

The pope reiterated the use of arms should always be the last resort, after dialogue, diplomacy and mediation.

Pope Francis was also asked by journalists if he’d write an encyclical on non-violence. He chuckled saying it will have to be the next pope, as he must pray and discern the way to do it.

Catholic Charities Donates Hundreds of Thanksgiving Dinners

By Jessica Easthope

Bertha Duncan took her granddaughter Carmelle Ebony to get their Thanksgiving meal on Nov. 26. It’s a meal they feel blessed to have, which is why they’ll be sharing it on Thursday.

“We’re going to be sharing with some friends and another young couple who have a small child like they do,” she said, “and we’re going to come together and share with them to make sure they have a happy Thanksgiving. Some of them are coming, their families are not close, so we’ve become family to them.”

Even though Bertha’s granddaughter is young, she’s hoping moments like this will teach her the importance of generosity. The lesson is one she’s glad to pass on.

“I want her to know how to share her toys and her cookies, and that it will just make her smile to be happy with other children,” she said.

For most families, celebrating Thanksgiving with a feast is tradition. But for Mark D’Urso, he celebrates by giving.

For the last 20 years, the D’Urso family has donated all of the turkeys given out by Catholic Charities. It’s a tradition started by Mark’s late mother, Florence.

“It’s the smiles and the appreciation you get when they come up to you and they thank you, It’s a good feeling, you feel it inside,” he said. For Mark, the gratitude of the recipients makes his holiday season.

Although people come for the food, Catholic Charities hopes they leave feeling a sense of community.

“We provide help to people, that’s what the meal is. But we also try to create a sense of belonging: a sense of hope that people’s lives can be better and that they’re a part of our community even if maybe they don’t have as much as some of our neighbors,’ said Monsignor Kevin Sullivan, the Executive Director of Catholic Charities of New York.

More than 21,000 pounds of food was distributed for Thanksgiving. However, for many of these families, the Catholic Charities food pantry at the Kennedy Community Center in Harlem provides them with assistance all year long.

Currents News for Tuesday, November 26, 2019

On the newscast: Cardinal Dolan holds a Thanksgiving prayer service ahead of an annual turkey give-away to help those less fortunate; Pope Francis wraps up his Asia trip – with a message for young people and the future; A travel warning for the holiday getaway – powerful winter weather threatening to cause cancellations and delays; And a White House tradition – a presidential pardon for a Thanksgiving turkey.

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.

Alternative Health Court Offers Opportunity for Change

By Emily Drooby

Applause and congratulations are sounds rarely heard in court, but at Brooklyn Mental Health Court, they’re the norm.

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, an estimated 2,000,000 people with mental illness are booked into jails every year.

Alternative health courts have been popping up across the country. They allow people with serious and persistent mental illnesses to be linked with long-term treatment plans in lieu of being sent to prison.

Currents News spoke with Catholic Judge Matthew D’Emic, who presides over Brooklyn’s program — the first in New York State.

“It’s just a different way of working in the court system,” Judge D’Emic explains. “In a small way I feel like I’ve been given the opportunity to participate in the love that God has for all his creation.”

Fishel Sherman is one of those people. The recent graduate used to abuse his children.

Now, he says he’s a different person.

Sherman explained, “No question about it, it saved me.” He added, “I really desperately needed it, if they would have been any way differently, I wouldn’t have made it.”

These types of courts aren’t without their criticism especially when it comes to violent offenders. Many fear having them out on the street.

“I can understand how people might feel that violent criminals should not be given a second chance or a chance to redeem themselves, over 17 years of doing this I feel like that is wrong-headed. and I have seen the success of people and their ability to change their lives, Judge D’Emic explained.

Judge D’Emic invites any critics to court. That way they see the program isn’t easy. Participants have to stick to a specially designed treatment plan and they have weekly check ins with the judge.

“I can just imagine how many people walk out of here saying wow I am so lucky it must be that way with everybody, this place saves everybody’s lives,” said Sherman.

D’Emic says their success rate is over 70 percent.