A Display of Faith During a Time of Hate

by Katie Vasquez

It’s a holiday tradition Joseph Borgen remembers fondly from his childhood, lighting the menorah every year with his Modern Orthodox Jewish family.

“When I grew up in my household, it was always a big thing for us to gather around the menorahs, light the candles as a family,” Borgen said.

On the first night of Hanukkah, Borgen proudly placed his menorah in the window of his Upper East Side apartment.

It’s a display of faith he says is just as important as lighting the candles.

“Part of the commitment to light a menorah it’s called in Hebrew pirusumei nisa, which means publicizing the miracle,” Borgen said.

But more Jewish families are opting not to display their menorahs this year, afraid that the lights in their windows will attract antisemitism.

“I’m not afraid to display my menorah and I hope no one else would be,” Borgen said.

Since the conflict between Israel and Hamas began on October 7th, hatred towards the jewish people has skyrocketed.

The Anti-Defamation League reported a 388 percent spike in harassment, vandalisms, and assaults that month alone.

In New York City –the NYPD said crimes against Jewish people increased by 214% in October.

“I hate to say it, but, you know, you look around the United States, you look around New York and the imagery of what we saw 75, 80 years ago in Germany is, it’s not so dissimilar,” Borgen said.

Borgen isn’t a stranger to antisemitism. In May 2021, as he headed to a pro Israel rally near Times Square, he was attacked.

“They kicked me, punched me, hit me with weapons, cursed at me, shouted anti-semitic chants and slurs at me,” Borgen said.

Even now, more than two years later, he continues to deal with emotional and physical pain from the incident.

But he refuses to let it stop him from celebrating his faith and proudly proclaim his jewish heritage.

“I just don’t want what happened that day to change how I live my life,” Borgen said.

So Borgen’s menorah will stay in his window until the last night of Hanukkah, as he continues to pray for peace for his people.

Traditions Are Passed on at Annual Lithuanian Kūčios

by Katie Vasquez

The tables were packed at Our Lady of Mount Carmel-Annunciation Parish in Williamsburg as 200 people celebrated Christmas Eve early.

“I like that there’s so many food and stuff,” said Kristupis Sadzevius, a parishioner at Our Lady of Mount Carmel-Annunciation Parish.

“You feel happy because, like, you’re with your family, everybody’s, like, joyful,” said Vakaris Vidugirs, a parishioner at Our Lady of Mount Carmel-Annunciation Parish.

They’re taking part in a special Lithuanian holiday tradition called Kūčios. The festivities are typically held on Dec. 24, and include 12 dishes meant to symbolize the Twelve Apostles.

“This is Jesus Christ, the coming,” said Father Valdemaras Lisovski, the parochial vicar at Our Lady of Mount Carmel-Annunciation parish. “So we have Twelve Apostles that he gathered together and 12 dishes remind us of this tradition.”

Christ was at the center of the Mount Carmel celebration from hosts called plotkeles.

“It’s like the host and it has been blessed,” said Vida Jankaus, a parishioner at the parish.

The candles on the table were lit by the Lithuanian Scouts from the Peace Light, a flame that has been burning in the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem for more than 1,000 years.

“It’s a symbolic way of sharing the peace of Bethlehem and the celebration of Christmas,” said parishioner Nida Stankunas Schmedlen, “And it’s meant to bring warmth and light and hope to everyone.”

Kūčios centers on Christ’s birth, but it’s also about spending time together with loved ones.

“We come together as a family. We come to the table, we share experiences that we had,” Father Lisovski said. “We ask for forgiveness if we offended somebody because the coming of Jesus Christ is the celebration.”

As the kids put on a story about God’s creation of the world and eat the traditional dishes their parents brought, the older generation hopes the meal will be passed on.

“We’re very proud of our heritage and we want our children to be proud of it also,” said Arnas Nemickas, a Lithuanian Scouts leader.

Catholic News Headlines for Monday 12/11/2023

The Jewish holiday of Hanukkah has begun.

New York’s Cardinal Timothy Dolan and Brooklyn’s Bishop Robert Brennan met with survivors of the attack that prompted the terror in the Holy Land.

Pope Francis sent his prayers to those suffering in the Holy Land on Saturday during the unveiling of this year’s Vatican nativity scene.

Our Lady of Mount Carmel-Annunciation Parish in Williamsburg threw a Kucios, a Lithuanian Christmas Eve feast.

Volunteer Baby Cuddler Group Spends Time With NICU Infants

It’s a story that will warm your heart, with some cuddles.

Bob McElwain, is part of a NICU Cuddlers Program.

A group of volunteers at St. Luke’s Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri, one of the largest faith-based care hospitals in the region, cuddle and talk to the infants.

His service helps the new parents- who can use some rest while their babies spend months at the hospital.

McElwain spends up to 3 hours cuddling NICU babies and sometimes that’s just one baby during that entire time.

Terror in the Holy Land: Gaza Pastor Says the Pope Calls Daily

Catholics in Gaza are turning to Christ this Christmas as the terror in the Holy Land continues.

The pastor of the city’s lone Catholic church sat down for an interview with the Director of the Media Office at the Latin Patriarchate to report on how they are doing.

He said the Holy Father calls daily and gives his blessing and that is giving strength and courage to the parish.

John Lavenburg, National Correspondent for The Tablet and Crux joins Currents News to talk more about it.

Symbol of the Christmas Season: Grand Army Plaza Illuminated With Christmas Tree

By Katie Vasquez

A symbol of the Christmas season at an iconic Brooklyn landmark.

Bishop Robert Brennan blessed the more than 20-foot tall tree that now illuminates Grand Army Plaza in Prospect Park.

“It’s prominent and it’s beautiful and it’s a sign of joy and hope to all who pass by,” Bishop Brennan said.

The Diocese of Brooklyn, with help from Net TV’s parent company DeSales Media Group, brought the tree to life Wednesday, Dec. 6.

Turning on 17,000 multicolored lights that symbolize the diversity of the “Diocese of Immigrants” and remind passersby of the reason for the season.

DeSales Media Board Chairman Msgr. Sean Ogle said the tree is a beacon of hope during an otherwise dark time

“This is such a remarkable thing, especially when you consider that this year, sadly, even in Bethlehem, the birthplace of Christ, they’re not able to put up any Christmas regalia because of the situation, understandably,” Msgr. Ogle said.

Due to construction, this year’s tree and Nativity scene are located behind the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Arch.

Still, plenty of people stopped to marvel at its beauty.

“Oh, amazing, when I walked and seen it, it’s like, wow” said Aysia Thomas, a resident in the area who came to visit the tree lighting.

These bright lights will sparkle for all to see through Jan. 6, the Epiphany.

Catholic News Headlines for Thursday 12/7/2023

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas in the Diocese of Brooklyn.

The Tablet’s Bright Christmas Campaign is in full swing.

As the Advent season begins the pastor of the only Catholic church in Gaza is speaking out.

We’ll have the story of some volunteers who give hope to preemies in the hospital.

Annual Bishop’s Christmas Luncheon: Fundraising Event to Support Education and Youth Ministry

By Jessica Easthope

It’s the biggest turnout the annual Bishop’s Christmas Luncheon has ever had.

Some 900 people all showed support for the same cause, getting the youth of the Diocese of Brooklyn closer to Christ.

It was only fitting that students from St. Elizabeth Catholic Academy in Ozone Park were front and center at Russo’s On The Bay catering hall in Howard Beach.

Money raised at this year’s event will go toward Futures in Education scholarships, helping low-income students go to Catholic school and a new youth ministry program called Generations. As the Catholic Foundation for Brooklyn and Queens turns 25, it’s launching a program that looks to empower young people to explore their faith.

“It just is really tremendous to keep us going with our program’s youth ministry, get a youth minister in all of our parishes,” said Samuel Romanzo, board chairman of Catholic Foundation for Brooklyn and Queens. “It’s really gonna be a great thing and we hope all the people really embrace it and support it.”

Bishop Robert Brennan said he only has one thing on his Christmas list this year and it can’t be found under a tree.

“What I want more than anything is to provide opportunities for our young people to know that gift of friendship with Jesus Christ,” Bishop Brennan said.

This year’s event honored three people who have championed Catholic education, past, present, and future. Thomas Sorrentino Jr. received the Emma E. Daniels Award, Michelle Stoddart received the Spirit of Hope Award, and Father Joseph Gibino received the St. John Paul II Distinguished Stewardship Award.

“From Pope Paul VI through our present pontiff, Francis, each and every one of the popes have asked us to be evangelizers,” Father Gibino said. “Those who work to spread the good news of the Gospel, and this event is all about how we do that.”

The Catholic Foundation for Brooklyn and Queens raised more than $300,000 at the event.

You too can help the young Catholics of Brooklyn and Queens, just go to catholicfoundationbq.org to donate.

Christmas Canceled in Holy Land in Show of Solidarity

By Katie Vasquez

The place of Christ’s birth, quiet for Christmas.

No trees, lights, or decorations gracing the streets of Bethlehem.

Instead, Christmas in the Holy Land is looking different this year.

“There will not be any Christmas tree lightning, no toys, nothing,” said Lina Canavati, a Christian woman in Bethlehem. “But we’ll only focus on praying.”

The Christmas festivities have been canceled.

City and Church leaders called off their usual preparations to show solidarity for those suffering in Gaza.

“This time is so different,” Canavati said. “Parents are ashamed to buy gifts, toys, for their children, when there are a lot of families who cannot provide the basic needs of milk, food and a safe shelter for their children.”

Since the war between Israel and Hamas started on Oct. 7, Gaza officials said the death toll has risen to more than 15,000.

Those numbers include more than 6,000 children and 4,000 women.

“We’re witnessing the killing of kids and women and elderly people,” said Hanna Hanania, mayor of Bethlehem. “So we can’t celebrate while we are in this situation.”

The war and the canceling of the usual festivities is taking its toll on the holiday spirits and Bethlehem’s economy.

“The tourism industry was recovering in a very positive way after the pandemic,” said Majed Ishaq, general director of the Marketing Department, Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities of Palestine. “Now we can say that tourism is zero. Maybe during the war we had only two groups coming to visit Bethlehem.”

Gift shops like the one owned by Roni Tabash are open but no customers are coming.
“This is usually the busiest period for our work,” Tabash said. Now we come here and open not for work, because there is no work.

But Christmas in Bethlehem is now returning to its roots, while most festivities are canceled, all liturgical celebrations will continue, bringing the city of Christ’s birth back to the true reason for the season.

“To pray for God to have peace in the land of the peace, because Jesus Christ, the prince of peace, was born in Bethlehem and always we’re looking to have a real peace in our land,” Hanania said.

“Concentrating on prayer, concentrating on the meaning of Christmas more than concentrating on showing Christmas,” said Father Rami Asakrieh, Latin parish priest of Bethlehem.

Catholic News Headlines for Wednesday 12/6/2023

Diocese of Brooklyn Bishop Robert Brennan is spreading some Christmas cheer today.

The Tablet’s annual Bright Christmas campaign is underway.

Christmas has been canceled in the Holy Land.

The Peace Light has arrived in the Diocese of Brooklyn.