Nine Americans Slaughtered in Mexico

By Emily Drooby

A burnt-out car riddled with bullet holes as just one result of a deadly attack on Americans near the U.S./Mexico border.

The attack claimed the lives of nine family members: three mothers and six children, including two infants.

“Every one of them were young. All of them,” said Taylor Langford, a relative of the family.

The ambush was likely carried out by one of Mexico’s vicious drug cartels.

The dead were dual citizens of the U.S. and Mexico.

They were cut down while on a trip to a family gathering. Family members who stayed home could see what had happened.

“They saw the smoke and went up to see what was going on,” said Langford.

Langford explained the car belonged to his cousin Rhonita. And he’s saying she and four of her children are among the dead.

Langford’s is also identifying his aunt Dawna, and cousin Christina as victims.

Mexican authorities are reporting eight people survived the slaughter – some have serious injuries.

Leah Staddon, who says her family members killed in Mexico, said “I think a lot of us are just speechless. Its horrific.”

Staddon says the family was thinking about getting out of Mexico because of violence. “Things that have happened with family members being pulled over by the mafia, guns pointed at their vehicle.”

Staddon added she has no idea why anyone would want to harm the family. “We just can’t believe this is actually happening to our family, it just seems like a bad dream.”

The terrifying attack on the women and children is spreading fear through the area.

“It’s not just got caught in gunfire, in the wrong place at the wrong time. This was a whole new level of cartel violence. Most of them are hunkered down. They don’t know what else to do,” said Langford.

Brooklyn Christians Stand in Solidarity with Lebanon

By Tim Harfmann

Christians in Brooklyn are taking a stand and praying for their endangered brothers and sisters in Lebanon.

Paul Moshy is one of many attending a prayer service at Our Lady of Lebanon Cathedral in Brooklyn Heights. He’s worried about his loved ones who are still in Lebanon.

“I heard Lebanon needs its support of the people. I came right in. I just hope to God my family and everybody else over there is safe,” said Moshy.

The prayers come amid turmoil in the country. Protests began nearly three weeks ago against widespread corruption.

The unrest prompted Maronite Brooklyn Bishop Gregory Mansour to hold the service.

“We are coming to pray for Lebanon. Simple. We are not doing any politics,” Mansour told Currents News.

Bishop Mansour was joined by members of other Christian denominations, including Armenian Orthodox Archbishop Danielian.

“As Christians, it is our primary duty to pray, to pray together for all those who are in different parts of the world,” said Danielian.

At the Vatican, Pope Francis has encouraged the protestors while pushing both sides to respect the dignity and freedom of everyone in Lebanon, saying “I urge everyone to seek solutions in the way of dialogue.”

Until it’s resolved, these Christians will continue to pray for peace in Lebanon.

“We can resolve every political difficulty without violence,” said Mansour.

Pope Francis Visits Papal Grotto in St. Peter’s Basilica

By Melissa Butz

Accompanied by Cardinal Angelo Comastri, the archpriest of St. Peter’s Basilica, Pope Francis visited the crypt underneath the basilica.

It houses the tombs of several past popes. Pope Francis prayed for and remembered them.

He prayed before the tombs of Paul VI and Benedict XV before he made his way to various chapels. One in particular was the Clementine Chapel, which is closest to the bones of St. Peter buried within the necropolis.

He then prayed before Pius XII and Pius XI. The papal grottoes are one of the most visited places in Vatican City by tourists. It is marked by tombs, sarcophagus, tunnels, art and even models of the Vatican before it was what it is today.

Election Day 2019: Keeping the Faith at the Ballot Box

Currents News Staff

Currents News is joined by Monsignor Guy Massie, Pastor of Sacred Hearts and Saint Stephen Church in Brooklyn, and Rabbi Brad Hirschfield, President of The National Jewish Center for Learning and Leadership, to discuss how voting is influenced by faith.

Americans are Giving Less Money to Charity

By Emily Drooby

As someone who works for Hour Children, Jeffery Smith constantly sees the importance of donations. From the non-profit’s food pantry, to their day care, to their thrift shop; the lifelong Catholic sees giving turn into an opportunity for someone in need.

“That’s really what motivates me, to be able to live the gospel, and to give expression to the gospel in what I do. It’s a great gift,” explained Smith.

The Queens based non-profit helps incarcerated and formerly incarcerated women and their children. It’s one of over a million non-profits in the country relying on donations to stay afloat but those donations are decreasing. The percentage of Americans giving money to charity has dropped from 66 percent to 53 percent between 2000 and 2016.

“It doesn’t come as a surprise to me. I think the challenge for organizations like us, is to continue to do what we do with passion and with integrity,” said Smith.

Sister Tesa Fitzgerald who runs Hour Children says despite some drop off, they are still in good shape.

Sister Fitzgerald explained, “We are testimony to people’s goodness.”

There’s many different ways to give to Hour Children and one of those ways is through time.

“We have endless, endless amount of volunteers coming from churches, companies, school groups that really make the world of Hour Children happen,” explained Sister Fitzgerald.

The recession and a lack of extra cash among millennials are cited as two reasons for the decrease in giving.

“We are all people, everybody has a hard time everybody struggles and to be able to build other people up, why wouldn’t you do it. Why would you look at another person and say, you’re not worth your time,” said Hour Children volunteer Kaylee Konczal.

The study also points to the rise of the ‘nones’, a nickname for people with no religion. They are less likely than people of faith to give.

“Jesus said very clearly, look to the less fortunate, and not only did he say it, that’s what he did,” explained Sister Fitzgerald.

As the season of giving approaches, Sister Fitzgerald says even giving a little could mean a lot.

Currents News for Monday, November 4, 2019

On the newscast: A hate crime at a Brooklyn parish in Williamsburg. A man went on a rampage, stomping on the statue of Saint Jude; The Iowa Caucuses are getting close. The Democrats are stepping up their attacks on each other; The Pope goes underground in Rome to celebrate Mass in the catacombs of the early Christian martyrs; And the remarkable discovery of the face of a saint. A skilled 3D designer made it happen.

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.

NYPD Charges Suspect in Attack on Brooklyn Church

By Tim Harfmann

The NYPD arrested 34-year-old Michael Gould Wartofsky for an attack on a Brooklyn church, charging him with criminal mischief.

The violence happened before dawn, Sunday November 3 at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.

Monsignor Jamie Gigantiello is the church’s pastor. He was on his way to Mass when he realized something was wrong.

“I looked on the floor and I saw all the plants were on the floor. I said, ‘we didn’t have a storm last night.’ I said, ‘I wonder what happened.”

That’s when Monsignor Gigantiello checked his security cameras.

“[Gould Wartofsky] actually took the plants, threw them at the rectory door, and started screaming at the camera.”

Monsignor Gigantiello said after that, Gould Wartofsky walked down to the statue of Saint Jude, ripped it off of its pedestal, and dragged it into the street.

Then, he stomped on the statue and left it in the middle of the street.

“A couple of cars went around it, but one guy stopped, got out of his car; and there was someone walking, and the both of them picked up the statue and put it on the pedestal,” said Monsignor Gigantiello.

Despite the attack, Monsignor Gigantiello forgives him.

“We can talk and try to say, ‘why are you so angry at the church?’ and maybe we can make peace,” the Brooklyn pastor said.

Monsignor also wants to acknowledge the passersby who helped.

“If they would just identify themselves, I would like to personally thank them for doing that.”

The statue of Saint Jude cost $5,000 and Monsignor Gigantiello plans on buying a new one.

Catholics Remember All Souls During Cemetery Field Masses

By Tim Harfmann

On this All Souls Day, hundreds remembered those who have returned to the Lord.

“Today you celebrate this special day for all our family and friends. I have to pray, too, for dead people that nobody remembers,” said Miria Castro, a Catholic who attended Mass on All Souls Day.

To make it possible, Brooklyn’s auxiliary bishops celebrated outdoor field Masses at five Catholic cemeteries.

Family and friends were there to be close to their loved ones.

“It’s their bodies: the arms that held you and the lips that kissed you. That’s really what you’re coming back [to] because you know that their souls are in heaven,” said Ann Furlong, who traveled from Long Island with her husband, Wilfrid, to remember his parents. They passed away more than four decades ago.

“It’s moving,” added Wilfrid.

Auxiliary Bishop Paul Sanchez celebrated Mass at Saint John’s Cemetery in Middle Village, Queens, on Saturday, November 2.

“We gather with our loved ones and pray that they rest in peace and pray that they are able to intercede for us; as we, the Church on earth, continue to look forward to the Kingdom of God,” said Bishop Sanchez.

Flora Wieczorek visited the cemetery’s mausoleum to pray for her husband, Steve, who lost his fight with cancer five years ago.

“[He was] my husband [for] 22 years. I come here to pray for my husband,” Flora said.

Thinking of her husband during Mass moved her to tears.

“He’s a special man in my life,” said added.

Wieczorek, and everyone at the Saint John’s field Mass, were grateful for the All Souls Day opportunity to pray for the faithful departed.

Currents News for Friday, November 1, 2019

On the newscast: Catholic kids in Queens are honoring all the saints in a special way today. The Church remembers the holy women and men in heaven; Pope Francis is getting ready to celebrate mass in a Roman catacomb tomorrow in memory of All Souls.; President Trump is saying goodbye to New York City. Governor Cuomo has a message for him; A shakeup at City Hall amid the Mother Cabrini controversy.

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.

Cardinal Dolan Weighs in on Biden-Communion Controversy

Currents News Staff

New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan is tackling the question of Holy Communion for politicians who support abortion.

He told Fox News that he would have handled the Joe Biden controversy differently.

A South Carolina priest refused the Eucharist to the former Vice President.

Cardinal Dolan argues that the episode is a great teaching moment about the sacrament and Church teachings.

The priest, Father Robert Morey, was acting under the Diocese of Charleston policy that prohibits communion for politicians who back abortion.

Biden has said he won’t comment on the issue because it involves his personal life.