By Currents News
Saint Aldabert Catholic Academy in Elmhurst, Queens just wrapped up a service project where they cleaned used prescription pill bottles they collected for an animal shelter in Manhattan.
The bottles will be sterilized by the shelter and used to sort the pets’ medication bought in bulk, resulting in a true act of service from the students.
By Katie Vasquez
When you walk through the doors of Times Square Tattoo, you’re welcomed by two images of the Miraculous Medal.
The shop’s owner is spreading his faith and using it to help guide his clients to get the right tattoo.
By Currents News
Students at a Brooklyn Catholic Academy went on an underwater adventure — and they just kept swimming.
The fifth through eighth graders at Bay Ridge Catholic Academy recently put on a production of the popular Pixar movie, “Finding Nemo.”
They played all kinds of sea animals from the film, including sharks, jellyfish, and turtles — for three performances of the school’s spring musical.
The kids spent months together rehearsing, memorizing lines, and learning choreography. It all paid off with close to 800 tickets sold!
By Katie Vasquez
The chords of this guitar are striking a note, and Deacon Juan Herrera hopes it will cause a stir in the hearts of the faithful.
“I like to play guitar with some people just to make fun and lift up the hearts of the people, make everybody happy,” Deacon Juan Herrera told Currents News. “I think it is also important outside of the sacraments to rally the people, to bring the people to church and show them, and a gentle and also kind face of the Church.”
The transitional deacon will be one of the new faces in the Diocese of Brooklyn as he prepares to be ordained in June.
“I’m waiting for this moment. It’s just unbelievable,” he explained. “I can’t believe it. I can’t believe that it is coming to fruition.”
At 6-years-old in Medellin, Colombia, he remembers being in awe of the priest at his local parish.
“I always asked my mom, ‘Who is that guy? Who is the guy?’ And she explained to me, ‘He’s a priest. He is celebrating Mass,'” he recalled.
RELATED: Harmony in Ministry – Deacon Juan Herrera Is Hitting the Right Notes
He told his parents of his desire to join the priesthood, but they were hesitant at first.
“My father said, ‘No, you got to go to to the university first,’” said Deacon Herrera.
Deacon Herrera eventually graduated from college and worked as a teacher for seven years, but it didn’t feel right.
“The desire is still there in my heart. It’s like when you have a table with four legs, but one of the legs is missing. That was my life. I was like, incomplete,” he told Currents News.
When he came to the Diocese of Brooklyn, he knew this was the place that God called him to.
“I saw the necessity of a Spanish-speaking priest here in the diocese. I can say I think the Lord is calling me to a specific ministry in a specific town, a specific place,” said Deacon Herrera.
On top of his musical talents, he spends his free time making rosaries. He believes both skills will help him to reach the people in the pews.
“It will be a great opportunity to open up that opportunity for those who are thirsting for the lord,” said Deacon Herrera.
Deacon Juan Herrera is preparing for his ordination in the Diocese of Brooklyn — and he’s bringing his guitar and handmade rosaries with him.
Pope Leo XIV welcomed members of the National Italian American Foundation to the Vatican.
Ten million pilgrims have already traveled to Rome for the Jubilee Year — young pilgrims from Brooklyn will soon join them.
Bay Ridge Catholic Academy students made a big splash with their “Finding Nemo” school musical.
By Currents News and Carol Glatz
VATICAN CITY (CNS) – God loves every person and wants to help everyone discover their inherent value and dignity, especially those who feel unworthy or unappreciated, Pope Leo XIV said.
“God wants to give his kingdom, that is, full, eternal and happy life, to everyone,” the pope said June 4 as he held his weekly general audience in St. Peter’s Square.
“And this is what Jesus does with us: he does not establish rankings, he gives all of himself to those who open their hearts to him,” the pope said.
Pope Leo continued a series of talks focusing on Gospel parables that give hope, focusing on “The Workers in the Vineyard” in the Gospel of St. Matthew (20:1-16), which reveals the equality of all the disciples in inheriting eternal life.
Pope Leo said it is “a story that fosters our hope,” because “at times we have the impression that we cannot find meaning for our lives: we feel useless, inadequate, just like the laborers who wait in the marketplace, waiting for someone to hire them to work.”
“The metaphor of the marketplace is very appropriate for our times, too, because the market is the place of business, where unfortunately even affection and dignity are bought and sold, in the attempt to earn something,” he said. “And when we do not feel appreciated, acknowledged, we risk selling ourselves to the first bidder.”
“Instead, the Lord reminds us that our life is worthy, and his wish is to help us discover this,” he said.
RELATED: Chicago Archdiocese, White Sox Team up To Celebrate Pope Leo and His ‘Message of Peace’
The Lord, represented by the owner of the vineyard in the parable, wants to establish a personal relationship with everyone he meets, and he repeatedly goes out looking for “those who are waiting to give meaning to their lives,” Pope Leo said.
“This tireless master, who wants at all costs to give value to the life of every one of us,” even goes out toward the end of the workday to take on those who are still waiting, he said. This shows that “even when it seems we are able to do little in life, it is always worthwhile. There is always the possibility to find meaning because God loves our life.”
The landowner pays each worker the same, even those who arrived late in the day and worked fewer hours in the field, because God believes “it is just that each person has what he needs to live” because he knows their dignity, the pope said.
“The story says that the laborers from the first hour are disappointed,” Pope Leo said. “They cannot see the beauty of the gesture of the landowner, who was not unjust, but simply generous, who looked not only at merit but also at need.”
The “payment” God wants to give is his kingdom, and he offers the same reward of a full, eternal and happy life to everyone without “rankings,” he said. The Lord gives everything to everyone who opens their hearts to him.
But, he said, “in the light of this parable, today’s Christian might be tempted to think, ‘Why start work immediately? If the pay is the same, why work more?’”
RELATED: God’s Love Is Generous, Not Calculating, Pope Says at First Audience
Pope Leo said St. Augustine responded to that question in a sermon asking why would someone delay when God is calling with a promise that they know is a sure thing. The saint warned that people do not know when their time will come, and they should be careful because a delay might mean they miss out on what God wants to give.
“I would like to say, especially to the young, do not wait, but respond enthusiastically to the Lord who calls us to work in his vineyard,” the pope said. “Do not delay, roll up your sleeves, because the Lord is generous and you will not be disappointed!”
It is by “working in his vineyard” that people find the meaning of their life, he said.
Do not be discouraged “even in the dark moments of life” when answers seem to be lacking, the pope told his listeners. “The Lord is generous, and he will come soon!”
Before the general audience, Pope Leo met with members of the board of directors of the National Italian American Foundation, which educates young people about Italian culture and history, as well as provides scholarships and other charitable assistance in both countries.
“A hallmark of many who immigrated to the United States from Italy was their Catholic faith, with its rich traditions of popular piety and devotions that they continued to practice in their new nation,” he said. “This faith sustained them in difficult moments, even as they arrived with a sense of hope for a prosperous future in their new country.”
“In an age beset by many challenges,” Pope Leo prayed that their visit to Rome would “renew your sense of hope and trust in the future.”
By Katie Vasquez
Deacon Juan Herrera will soon be ordained a priest.
He joins six other men who will bring their various talents and experiences to serve in the Diocese of Brooklyn.
In tonight’s installment of Meet the Priests, Currents News’ Katie Vasquez has Deacon Juan’s story – which includes some skilled guitar strumming in Sunset Park.
By Currents News
Students in Jamaica Estates, Queens learned how to care for God’s creation by coming together for a butterfly release in their school’s courtyard.
As part of the sixth through eighth grade curriculum pupils at Immaculate Conception Catholic Academy helped the butterflies grow their wings, nurturing them from their larval stage in designated classrooms.
They emerged from their cocoons and the students fed them sugar water and orange slices with the understanding from their teachers the value of protecting God’s creatures.
When the butterflies were ready to be released, the school gathered outside to watch them take flight.
By Currents News
Students at Bay Ridge Catholic Academy in Brooklyn put their books down for a day to celebrate their end-of-year Field Day.
The school-wide event was held on May 30.
The fun in the sun activities included a tug of war between parents and staff. Kids also got the chance to feast on pizza and ices – a great way to usher in the summer season.
After an antisemitic attack in Boulder, Colorado, faith communities around the country are coming together in solidarity to condemn the violence.
Rome’s economy is seeing a major boost after the election of Pope Leo XIV.
Students at a Catholic school in Chicago held a second mock papal conclave – this time joined by the city’s Cardinal Blase Cupich.
In Brooklyn, Bay Ridge Catholic Academy students swapped studying for a day of fun during their annual field day.