Brooklyn/Queens Catholic Charities Dinner Raises $1.3M, Honors Donors

By Allyson Escobar

Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio and Catholic Charities Brooklyn & Queens hosted on June 19 the agency’s annual humanitarian awards and benefit dinner, a fundraiser held this year at Cipriani Wall Street in Manhattan.

The event raised $1.3 million for the diocesan branch of Catholic Charities, which is the second-largest chapter of Catholic Charities in the country. The dinner benefits the more than 160 programs and services that Catholic Charities Brooklyn & Queens offers.

“Catholic Charities is the charitable arm of the diocese,” Bishop DiMarzio told The Tablet.

“We are called to do charity as a Church, and they make sure that in all of the areas that they work — in housing, mental health, in drug addictions — all of the issues that are part of our society, we are there, doing something. And that’s what Catholic Charities does, it represents us.”

“These people have been so helpful, and we are recognizing them for their good humanitarian efforts. Everybody can’t do their own charity personally — but through CC, they represent them. They do the work on our behalf for the things that are necessary.”

Bishop DiMarzio and the Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens honored Nicola DeAcetis, a principal at MDG Design + Construction; Richard Lagnese, Sr., CEO of Allied Construction; and the Russo family, owners of Gargiulo’s Restaurant, with the Bishop’s Humanitarian Award.

Nino Russo, a co-owner of Gargiulo’s Restaurant in Coney Island, shared his excitement over the honor.

“We call the restaurant the diocesan dining room. We have so many priests come from all of the parishes in the area,” he said.

“We were taught to respect the Church, respect our neighbors, and to always serve, philanthropy and giving back. We’ve always helped the church — from fundraisers, card parties, school graduation lunches and Church events. We’ve been with all the churches for over 50 years. It’s an amazing feeling — you always do, and you do without asking.”

Frank Fusaro, co-founder and president of The Forum Group, a staffing agency, received the Bishop Joseph M. Sullivan Service Award.

“This is a great honor that should really go to the employees of Catholic Charities who do incredible work — the people who feed the elderly, house them, clothe them, take their time with them, they’re the heroes, not me,” Fusaro told The Tablet.

Six employees of Catholic Charities Brooklyn & Queens received the John J. Farrell Award, honoring the late Farrell, a longtime member of the organization’s board.

CEO of Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens, Msgr. Alfred LoPinto thanked sponsors and attendees at the dinner awards, “You make us very happy with your presence here this evening… the number of people throughout Brooklyn and Queens that you are assisting, by being here, walking with them in their struggles, as they try to rebuild the fabric of their lives.”

Iran Shoots Down U.S. Military Drone, Fueling Tension in Middle East

Currents News Staff

With tensions already high between the two countries, Iran shot down a U.S. military drone under claims that the aircraft was in Iranian airspace.

“I find it hard to believe it was intentional, if you want to know the truth. I think it could’ve been somebody that was loose and stupid,” said President Trump, who believes the downing of the unmanned drone by Iran could have been an error.

The Pentagon has released a video of the incident, saying that the strike indicates otherwise.

“Obviously, you know, we’re not going to be talking too much about it. You’ll find out,” said Trump on whether the U.S. plans a response.

“This was an unprovoked attack on a U.S. surveillance asset that had not violated Iranian airspace at any time during its mission,” said General Joseph Guastella, Commander at the U.S. Air Force’s Central Command.

The incident adds to recent volatility. The U.S. also blamed Iran for last week’s attacks on oil tankers in the gulf of oman.

On June 17, the Trump administration decided to send an additional 1,000 troops to the Middle East.

Leaders on Capitol Hill have been eyeing the situation carefully.

“We have to be strong and strategic about how we protect our interests,” explained Democrat House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. “We also cannot be reckless in what we do.”

Republican Senator Lindsey Graham said he spoke with President Trump on June 20.

“I would encourage forceful action to stop this behavior before it leads to a wider conflict. Doing nothing has its own consequence,” he said.

Congressional leaders were invited to the White House for a briefing on Iran on June 20 in the afternoon.

Brooklyn Clergy Form Anti-Racism Commission, Honor Priest On Road To Sainthood

By Tamara Laine

The hate-filled rhetoric and violent clashes that led to a senseless death in Charlottesville, Virginia almost two years ago are a grim reminder that racism is still very much alive in this country.

The deadly altercation prompted the nation’s bishops to issue a pastoral letter against racism called, “Open Wide Our Hearts.” It acknowledges what many refer to as ‘America’s Original Sin,’ and resolves to work towards its end.

The bishops also called on Catholics of all races and backgrounds to begin the difficult conversation about race, one that parishioners and Church leaders say is long overdue.

Brooklyn Bishop DiMarzio brought the fight home to Brooklyn by organizing a commission to study racism within the Church.

The newly formed commission presented its findings for the first time on June 18.

“All of these things need time to eliminate, it won’t happen overnight,” said Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio.

“We need to change attitudes, change hearts, and understanding basically why we feel this way.”

After several listening sessions, the Commission on Racism and Social Justice shared its findings with parish priests from all over the diocese, highlighting the need for better communication, more participation between parishes, and a call for healing and reconciliation.

“Racism is an issue that at times is very difficult to discuss,” said the Commission’s Chair, Auxiliary Bishop Neil Edward Tiedemann.

“A day like today gave them resources, gave them a way and a method of dealing with racism within their own parishes,” he explained.

“Racism is not just a black/white issue. It’s an entire community issue to transform and change hearts for all eternity,” said Commission Secretary, Father Alonzo Cox.

One man who changed hearts and minds is Monsignor Bernard Quinn, the Brooklyn priest responsible for establishing the first African-American church in the borough, Saint Peter Claver. He was a relentless advocate for the rights of the disenfranchised African-American community in the early part of the 20th century.

“He was a Roman Catholic priest, a priest who was madly in love with Jesus, and it was this love that moved him to advocate for those who had no voice before the civil rights movement,” said Monsignor Paul Jervis, Postulator for the Cause.

Monsignor Quinn is now on the road to sainthood. His legacy was honored at evening vespers following the Commission’s forum on racism. His cause for canonization will now advance as Bishop DiMarzio accepted further documentation that will be sent to Rome for review.

“We dedicated this day to him, because he was our hero,” said Bishop DiMarzio at the vespers service.

“He was a saint. I’m sure in my heart that he was a saint. He really made a difference, and we look to him and pray to him that we can eliminate any vestiges of racism in our day.”

World Refugee Day: Pope Francis Denounces Situation of People Forced to Escape Their Country

Currents News Staff

This is Pope Francis’ most recent appeal to draw world attention to the plight of refugees. He did so a few days ago, recalling that since 2001 the UN has celebrated World Refugee Day every June 20.

“Today we want to remember in a special way the refugees on the day dedicated to them by the United Nations. This occasion invites everyone to stand together with the men, women and children who flee wars, persecutions and the violations of their fundamental rights,” Francis said on June 1, 2019.

One of the places that symbolizes this tragedy is the Mediterranean. There have been more than 400 deaths this year alone.

In 2013, Pope Francis’ first trip as pope was to Lampedusa. It is the first island in Europe where thousands of refugees disembark in search of a better life. There he condemned what he called the “globalization of indifference.”

“We see a person, on the brink of death, laying out on the street and we think ‘poor man.’ Yet we carry on with our day. We think: It’s not my responsibility…and we feel justified by this notion.’ Who has cried for these people who lost their lives on a boat? For the young mothers who traveled with their children? For those men, who are looking for means to support their families? We are a society that has forgotten the experience of shedding tears, of suffering amid,” Francis said on July 8, 2013.

A few months later, Pope Francis lamented upon hearing the news of a massive shipwreck that caused hundreds of deaths.

“I cannot remember without pain the many victims of today’s umpteenth tragic shipwreck on Lampedusa. The word shame comes to me: it is a shame!” Francis said on October 3, 2013.

The pope is constantly following these tragedies. This is possibly because being the son of immigrants, he feels he could have been one of those migrants or refugees. This is also what he said during a video conference.

“I, myself, was born in a family of migrants; my father, my grandparents, like many other Italians, left for Argentina and met the fate of those who are left with nothing. I could have very well ended up among today’s ‘discarded’ people. And that’s why I always ask myself, deep in my heart: ‘Why them and not me?’” Francis said on April 26, 2017.
For this reason, he has spoken out on numerous occasions in favor of migrants, refugees and their right to a better life. In January, he took the opportunity during his traditional address to ambassadors from all over the world to remember them.

“Every human being yearns for a better and happier life. The challenge of migration cannot be solved with the logic of violence and discarding people, nor with partial solutions,” Francis said on January 7, 2019.

Not only with words, but also with his gestures. The pope has met volunteers who rescue people in the Mediterranean. In Italy, he has also visited welcome centers for immigrants; and during his visit to Lesbos, in Greece, he went to a refugee camp.

“Let us pray together to God for those who have lost their lives: men, women, children. For their families and all the refugees. Let us unite our efforts so that similar tragedies do not happen again. Only a determined collaboration of all can help prevent them,” Francis said on October 3, 2013.

The pope wanted this collaboration to begin with the Vatican itself. This is why in 2015 he established the Migrants and Refugees Section, which he personally supervises. It is an organization coordinating the Church’s activity in the face of the situation of more than 70 million refugees in the world today.

Currents News for Wednesday, June 19, 2019

On the newscast: The findings are out from the special commission Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio appointed to tackle the evil sin of racism; There are a lot of developments in the migrant border crisis. The head of Catholic Migration Services is here to explore them; Security experts and religious leaders are confronting the dangers now facing churches; A Queens neighborhood is paying tribute to Helen Keller, a remarkable woman of faith.

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.

Keeping Worshippers Safe – How to Prevent Attacks

By Tim Harfmann

At Pace University on June 19, religious leaders and law enforcement officials tackled the issue of church attacks head-on, discussing recent attacks and ways of preventing future terror.

“People should understand that everybody has safety as a priority, but to maintain awareness of your surroundings, just as you would if you were walking down any street in any county, any state, any city,” said William Sweeney, the Assistant Director for the F.B.I.’s New York office.

He also said having cameras and alarms isn’t enough. Houses of worship need protocols in place to prevent attacks.

“Do you know what your exit plan is? Do you know the exits look like? Do you know what the inside of the building looks like? Have ushers talk to each other about a plan. Have the ushers talk with the pastors, the monsignors, the priests,” said Sweeney.

For Alan Hausman, acts of terror hit home. He worships at Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh.

It was October 27, 2018, when a gunman opened fire, killing 11 incident people at the synagogue.

“It was almost unbelievable to even think that in our small, little synagogue this could happen,” said Hausman.

The congregation is still in disbelief as mass shootings and bombings continue around the world. For Hausman, the Pittsburgh shooting has taken a toll on him personally.

“When the other attacks we read about occur, it is almost like it takes people right back to that day. I have good days and bad days, good hours and bad hours. To be honest with you, I still don’t sleep well. My mind is still running a million miles an hour,” he said.

But he has faith, and is helping the Tree of Life Synagogue to have a plan in place.

“One of our members that was killed was our greeter usher. So, it is my personal commitment to take his place and be there at the door to greet everybody,” he said.

Sweeney said worshippers shouldn’t be afraid either, but they must be prepared.

“Be aware of your surroundings and have a plan.”

Helen Keller Honored by the Queens Community She Called Home

By Emily Drooby

Under the railroad on Ascan avenue, onlookers watched a tribute built for Helen Keller.

She’s a national icon but as historian, Michael Perlman explains, she’s also a local one.

“She was very active in Forest Hills, every year on her birthday she opened up her home to many forest hills residents,” said Perlman

Keller lived in her Forest Hills home for over 20 years starting in 1917. Family friend, Robert Hof says her neighbors loved her.

“It was a very lovely tutelage considering her worldwide travels and connections she maintained a very indigenous connection with her community and friends,” said Hof.

Now her legacy is being remembered with a 48-foot mural. It features her former home, her dogs, her words and more. It’s the brainchild of Perlman who secured thousands of dollars to honor her legacy.

“To me, Helen Keller serves as a beacon of light and hope and integration to so many people countless generations,” said Perlman.

The tribute was done in spray paint by international muralists Crisp and Praxis.

“It was meaningful to us to celebrate Helen Keller, not just in Forrest Hills, and not just with the beautiful mural but also to have the painting of the mural take place at the exact spot where she once lived,” said Rabbi Mark Kaiserman of The Reform Temple of Forest Hills.

Her former home caught on fire and was demolished shortly after she moved. The Reform Temple of Forest Hills now sits on that land.

It’s a fitting spot for a house of worship because Keller was deeply devoted to her Christian faith. She even wrote a spiritual autobiography entitled light in my darkness.

“Well Helen Keller was a woman of deep conviction. And in our Synagogue, although Judaism is different than her Christianity, we all believe in the power of God and connection to other people,” said Rabbi Kaiserman.

Now just minutes away from her former home, Keller’s faith, determination, and strength will forever be remembered.

While Waiting for Asylum, Migrants at Border Not Allowed to Stay in U.S.

Currents News Staff

Under a new, expanded deal between the United States and Mexico, migrants are now unable to stay in the U.S. while waiting for their asylum cases to be decided.

I.C.E. reports that currently about 7,000 deportations occur per month, but is vowing to step up enforcement to coincide with President Trump’s threat to deport millions who are now in the country illegally.

Father Patrick Keating is the leader of Catholic Migration Services, an organization whose mission is dedicated to welcoming the stranger in our midst.

He joins us to discuss the crisis at the southern border.

Alabama Grandmother Holds Chase Suspect at Gunpoint

Currents News Staff

A 75-year-old grandmother helped capture a suspect wanted for a car theft Monday in Alabama.

When the man showed up on her property, she held him at gunpoint until police arrived.

“I walked out and said, Can I help you? And he said, Yes, ma’am, I’d like to use your phone,” said Marcia Black.

Black had just encountered Cameron Powers, a man who had been on the run for several hours after crashing a stolen car on E and L lane, near Black’s home.

“I was just calm as could be. I knew what I was doing. I was in control,” Black said.

She talked to Powers from her front porch, all while holding a rifle.

“I wanted to keep him at a distance. I didn’t intend to kill him. I just wanted him to think that I would shoot him,” she said.

When Powers inched closer to her home, Black reacted because two of her grandchildren were inside watching after calling 911.

“He wouldn’t get down, so I shot in the air, and he realized I meant business, so he got down on his knees,” said Black.

It wasn’t long after that that deputies arrived.

“He feared the deputy more than he feared my rifle. And he jumped up and ran zig-zag right across the field,” Black added.

But Powers didn’t make it far before he was put in handcuffs.

“It’s just amazing to me that I got to witness my grandmother in action,” said Marcia’s granddaughter Allie Ruth Black.

U.S. Senators Strike Bipartisan Deal on Emergency Border Funding

Currents News Staff

A bipartisan deal was reached on June 18 regarding the ongoing border battle.

This news comes one day after President Trump tweeted a vague threat toward migrants trying to enter the U.S.

Senators reached a 4.6 billion dollar deal for emergency border funding.

“We propose that we give those countries real aid to fight the gangs, the MS-13, the drug dealers,” said New York Democratic Senator Chuck Schumer.

The Appropriations Committee’s agreement ear-marks nearly three billion dollars for the Office of Refugee Resettlement.

Administration officials told lawmakers that the department would be broke within weeks without the infusion.

Republican majority leader Mitch McConnell wants to put it on the floor next week.

“I think that everybody is now convinced that we have an emergency at the border, a humanitarian crisis,” he said.

On a related note, the President brought up the border crisis as he officially launched his re-election bid Tuesday in Florida.

“We are building the wall, we’re going to have over 400 miles of wall built by the end of next year, it’s moving rapidly,” he said.

This is an issue many in his party say needs to be addressed immediately.

“In May we had over 140,000 illegal immigrants enter into this nation unlawfully,” said Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

On June 17 Trump tweeted that millions of migrants who are in the U.S. illegally will start being removed next week.

Critics questioned that plan.

“It’s just sort of a cover for his policies that have really been a failure and remember that under the trump administration, the arrivals at our southern border that are unauthorized have surged,” said attorney Raul Reyes.

The President and the White House are offering no specific details about the planned immigrant roundup.