Blessed Carlo Acutis Classroom Offers Inspiration of Faith

By Katie Vasquez

Kids in Catholic schools do more than reading, writing and arithmetic.

They are also growing in faith and at Incarnation Catholic Academy in Queens Village, students now have a space dedicated just for that.

“This room was used as just a storage room. and I said, look, we’re going to have a new saint. we have to have models. we have to have better witness,” said Father Josephjude Gannon, Incarnation Catholic Academy Board Chair.

That model is what will soon be the church’s first millennial saint, Blessed Carlo Acutis.

The Italian teen brought people around the world closer to Christ by creating a website of all the Eucharistic miracles, and through this classroom dedicated to him at Incarnation, kids can learn and relate to his life.

“He was around our age so we can look up to him and try to do things that he did and make it more known,” said Kayla Russ, an 8th grade student at Incarnation Catholic Academy.

And his strong faith.

“He’s not that older than us, and he had to receive confirmation once, too,” said Nathan Lachhman, a 7th grader at the school.

The parish of Incarnation-St Gerard Majella hopes this space will inspire the youth to get closer to Christ and be a catechist like Carlo.

“I think it will benefit the school because if someone’s, like, down or upset about something and they feel like they want to pray, they could come here,” Evens Moise, a 7th grader student said.

There are still some updates to come to Carlo’s classroom, like a smart board and 3d printer-

But Father Gannon said the spiritual and technical elements are all things the tech wiz turned soon-to-be saint would appreciate.

“Blessed Carlo was somebody who loved technology, and so that’s one of the reasons why we want to use all of that in this room as we continue to grow. Because he used technology for evangelization,” Father Gannon said. “He used technology to outreach to the world and that’s really what we’re all called to do especially in Catholic schools.”

Christ The King Basketball Player Competes Against the Best in the World

By Katie Vasquez

It’s back to school for students like Josie Pinnock, but unlike many in her grade, this sophomore at Christ the King high school had an unusual summer.

She took a trip to Paris, France but it wasn’t a European Vacation.

The basketball player was one of only ten girls from around the world to compete in the Jordan Brand “Our Turn” competition facing college level athletes while still in high school.

“I got to meet a lot of new people, a lot of new faces. and I got to play really good competition,” said Pinnock.

She represented the entire east coast of the U.S. and was featured in a billboard outside Madison Square Garden.

“That’s the only thing I love to do. Just play basketball,” said Pinnock.

Unfortunately Josie lost in the semifinals but it hasn’t slowed her down.

“It was tough losing, but at the end of the day, I still made it there. and I should, that should be something I’m proud of,” said Pinnock.

It’s an accomplishment that the principal who also happens to be her uncle can’t help bragging about.

“As a principal, it lets you know that we’re doing the right thing at Christ the King, right? we’re letting her grow athletically. We’re letting her go academically. As an uncle, I’m just extremely proud that she’s able to accomplish all those things and keep her grade point average,” said Christ the King High School Principal, Joseph Arbitello.

The Queens student has three more years of school to work on her game and she wants to make every second count.

“You can’t get your head like your head get big or whatever. You just got to keep working,” said Pinnock.

With a dream of eventually playing professionally for the New York Liberty team.

Catholic News Headlines for Tuesday 9/17/2024

The legacy of Blessed Carlo Acutis grows, as a Queens Village classroom at Incarnation Catholic Academy, is named in his honor, continuing his mission to inspire youth through Eucharistic miracles.

Dioceses worldwide are celebrating World Youth Day on the Feast of the Christ the King in November, with Pope Francis encouraging youth to remain hopeful.

Tuesday, Sept. 17, marks 800 years since St. Francis of Assisi received the stigmata, the first appearance of bodily wounds like Christ’s crucifixion.

Christ the King High School sophomore Josie Pinnock was among ten global girls invited to a Paris basketball tournament, showcasing collegiate-level skills.

Tonight at 7: Incarnation Catholic Academy Unveils Blessed Carlo Acutis Classroom

Incarnation Catholic Academy in Queens Village unveiled the Blessed Carlo Acutis classroom on Catechist Sunday, Sept. 15, featuring modern technology for religious education. Auxiliary Bishop Raymond Chappetto celebrated Mass and brought a relic to bless the classroom. Currents News’ Katie Vasquez has the story tonight.

Catholic News Headlines for Monday 9/16/2024

Bishop Robert Brennan dedicated the new Sacred Heart of Jesus Chapel at Queens College, which is open for prayer and Mass on weekdays.

A Queens College student rediscovers his faith and passion for Mass at the Newman Center, hoping to inspire others.

Bishop Brennan joined a procession in Corona, Queens, for the Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows, honoring the Marian apparition and reflecting on the Blessed Mother’s suffering.

New Chapel at Queens College Aims to Draw Students Closer to Their Faith

By Katie Vasquez

Dozens of students gather for a midday mass on a Monday, taking a break from their busy new schedules at Queens College to welcome a new chapel at the school’s Newman Center.

Brooklyn Bishop Robert Brennan, who blessed the altar of the Sacred Heart of Jesus chapel, said it’s a sign of faith at the secular college.

“They dedicated themselves to making a place beautiful for God and to create a place where they could make room for God in their lives,” said Bishop Brennan.

At a time when, according to research, most young people are leaving the faith. Queens College is bucking that trend.

“Being a public college and having a lot of students here, that surprises me, honestly,” said Nina Palces, a senior student at Queens College.

Young people have been gathering at the Catholic center since it was spruced up last year.

“It looks like, it’s so beautiful,” said Odalis Castro, a junior student at Queens College. “Like if you saw this before and now it’s a difference.”

The space is part of an ongoing effort by Queens College’s Catholic ministry to keep the students connected to their faith.

“It’s a pivotal time, and one of our key challenges is to make people know that we’re here for them,” said Bishop Brennan. “And when we meet the young people where they are, we have the chance to draw them in, to draw them closer to the lord.”

Among the features of the new chapel include this altar, designed by St Leo parishioner, Anthony Rodriguez.

“I think the greatest thing is using my talents for something that’s for god’s glory,” said Rodriguez. and on top of that, that helps a lot of people in their faith lives.”

Every part of this sacred space was designed with students in mind, to give them a place to pray, and find peace during their hectic schedules.

“We wanted to make the chapel a place where physically they could be soothed out, you know, that the light, the colors, the lights are there, the color of red, right?” said Queens College campus minister, Omar Cortez. “We wanted everything to just be a part of that aspect as well. Mental health is a big deal and we hope that chapel could be a pivotal role for our students and others in the future to come in and check out.”

Sacred Heart of Jesus chapel will remain open for students 5 days a week during school hours.

Bishop Chappetto Blesses Classroom with Blessed Carlo Acutis Relic

The Diocese of Brooklyn is remembering one of the Church’s youngest evangelizers during Catechetical Sunday.

Brooklyn Auxiliary Bishop Raymond Chappetto used a relic of Blessed Carlo Acutis, an Italian teen who used his technical skills to talk about the Eucharist, to bless a new room at Incarnation Catholic Academy in Queens Village.

Bishop Chappetto also blessed the school’s religion teachers and parish catechists during Mass, whose important work he highlighted in his homily.

Incarnation also did tours of the academy for everyone present.

Catholic News Headlines for Friday 9/13/2024

A Brooklyn public school has been renamed to honor Detective Rafael Ramos, an NYPD officer who was tragically killed in 2014. His widow remembers him as a devoted father and man of faith committed to his community. P.S. 54 in Bed-Stuy is now known as the Detective Rafael Ramos School.

Pope Francis has concluded a 12-day tour of Asia and Oceania, visiting Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, East Timor, and Singapore. He is spreading a message of interfaith harmony.

The International Eucharistic Congress continues in Ecuador, focusing on themes of family and fraternity. Catholic leaders from 50 countries believe that we can begin to heal a wounded world by supporting families.

Brooklyn School Renamed In Honor of Fallen Detective

By Katie Vasquez

The NYPD band performed while children played nearby at Public School 54, now known as Detective Rafael Ramos elementary school.

As the sign was unveiled outside the Bedford-Stuyvesant school, his widow, Maritza, was filled with emotions.

“It’s a very exciting day, obviously, because there’s a school that’s going to live on way past all of us, and his legacy will continue forever. But also sad and missing him,” said Maritza Ramos, the widow of Detective Rafael Ramos.

Detective Ramos was sitting in his patrol car along with Detective Wenjian Liu at the corner of Tompkins and Myrtle Avenue on December 20, 2014 when a man walked up to the patrol car firing shots and killing both.

“As we made that promise almost 10 years ago that we will never forget, we never will,” said NYPD 79th precinct commanding officer, Deputy Inspector Hipolito Gil.

Ramos was not only a police officer and father but a man of unwavering faith.

He served as an usher at Christ Tabernacle in Ridgewood.

“My husband was a Christian man. We raised our family, you know, our faith in God has always been very strong, and we continue, we know that God had a plan and here we are,” said Maritza Ramos.

“He stood not just in the frontlines as a police officer but also in his faith, always ready to help those in need as he did during Superstorm Sandy,” said Zachary Iscol, the commissioner of the New York City Office of Emergency Management, “and he was studying to become a chaplain in the nypd showing us that his mission in life was not just to protect but to heal.”

The students are still learning about the life of the fallen detective but the principal will be there to guide them.

“I hope they know, the amazing man that he was and how he truly believed in a unified community, that he worked really hard to ensure that the relationships were positive between NYPD and our schools and our communities,” said Principal Emma Velasquez of Detective Rafael Ramos Elementary School/PS 54.

As the years go by, his widow hopes seeing his name up on the sign will inspire these young children to help their community.

“It’s kind of a way for them to see police officers in a positive light, and that’s my goal for the children. You know, maybe one day they’ll decide I want to be a police officer,” said Maritza Ramos.

Pope Francis Tells Political Leaders to Promote Peace During Mass in Singapore

On the Feast of the Most Holy Name of Mary, Pope Francis celebrated a Mass in front of approximately 50,000 people at Singapore’s National Stadium.

During his homily, the pope reflected on the city-state, known for its towering skyscrapers, and emphasized the importance of love in building up communities.

“Sometimes the magnificence of our achievements can cause us to lose sight of this, leading us to believe we are the sole architects of our lives, our prosperity, and our happiness,” Pope Francis remarked. “But ultimately, life always reminds us of one fundamental truth: without love, we are nothing.”

Singapore is one of the most economically powerful countries in the world.

It has strong relations with both China and the U.S., and in his address to political authorities, Pope Francis emphasized the country’s responsibility to promote peace.

“Singapore also has a specific role to play in the international system, which, let us not forget, is threatened today by bloody conflicts and wars,” Pope Francis said. “I’m glad that it has meritoriously promoted multilateralism and order based on rules shared by all. I encourage you to continue to work for the unity and fraternity of humankind.”

John Lavenburg, national correspondent for The Tablet and Crux, joins Currents News to talk more about the papal journey in Asia.