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Catholic High School Bans Girls From Wearing Skirts

Currents News Staff

Young women at Cathedral Catholic High School in San Diego area are no longer allowed to wear skirts on campus, and most of the students aren’t exactly head over heels with the ban.

It’s a call to decency or an immodest proposal, depending on who you ask.

“I think that the ban is very sexist,” said Cathedral student Lana Owad.

One student, Mimi Cleary, says the dress code ban is definitely coming from the adults.

“No one wants the skirts going, like literally no one wants the skirts gone,” said Cleary. “I think only the principal and teachers want the skirts gone.”

In a letter sent to parents and students, Cathedral says the dress code exists to foster a faith-based environment where students are focused on learning and not outward appearances, adding that they’ve issued thousands of hours of detention related to the lengths of girls’ skirts.

“We’ve had to have a tailor in the past because of the restriction of it, we spend money on that,” said student Riley Staal. “We spent money on buying different skirts because because they ban other styles.”

Students also say their families have spent enough on uniforms, and they should be able to present themselves how they feel comfortable.

“Everyone should just keep their eyes to themselves,” says Owad. “They don’t have to be looking down at our skirts. That’s not our issue. I think guys get to wear pants girls, get to wear skirts. It shouldn’t be banned.”

Doctor Vince

Joe Estevez talks with world-renowned neurologist, Dr. Vincent Fortanasce, a devout Catholic and member of the Knights of Malta. Dr. Vince discusses the need for awareness of God’s teaching in the medical field, and why more doctors need to understand a patient’s spiritual and psychological suffering in addition to their medical issues.

Currents News for Wednesday, May 22, 2019

On the newscast: Fleet Week begins as New York honors America’s War Heroes. And we’ll look at Catholics who sacrificed so much for the country; Religious freedom and Chick-fil-A, coming together in Texas for a proposed new law; Americans living in the Heartland are still on alert after violent weather ripped through the region; And we’ll have the story of a champion on the ice… and in her Catholic classroom.

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.

Fleet Week: Catholic Students Honor U.S. Armed Forces

By Tim Harfmann

On the morning of Wednesday, May 22, the sound of cannons could be heard as U.S. Navy ships navigated New York City’s coastline to honor America’s heroes. It signaled the kick-off to the week-long Fleet Week celebration.

Students from Fontbonne Hall Academy, Bay Ridge lined the Brooklyn shore to show their appreciation.

“They shouldn’t have to wait for the holidays to be shown that we appreciate them,” said Tommasina Cardone, a junior at the Catholic high school who said she is inspired by U.S. troops year-round.

To honor them, Tommasina started Fontbonne’s new ‘Students For Soldiers’ club, which raises money and sends care packages to the military.

Her two older brothers are in the Army and stationed in Fort Hood, Texas. Tommasina understands what it’s like for service members far from home.

“I really feel for them, and I feel that it’s hard to be away from your family, especially being deployed or anywhere overseas,” she said.

This is a gesture that U.S. Army Veteran Christopher Lewis appreciates.

“In the military, we have a code. One of them is selfless service,” he said, “that’s what these students are actually doing. They are selfless serving, they’re not thinking about themselves.”

Isabella Chirico, also a member of ‘Students For Soldiers’,  lives near Brooklyn’s Fort Hamilton Army Base, which is a great vantage point for the parade of ships.

“I was speechless, it gave me goosebumps. I was very inspired by the amount of patriotism.”

The Catholic high school students welcomed the chance to spend time with the sailors from the Navy.

“If my time in the service means that I can pass on my knowledge, and that the future gets to learn academically and learn to support our maritime services; it’s truly a blessing,” said Navy officer Alfredo Rosario.

Having enlisted in the navy two years ago, the Bronx native serves on the U.S.S. Virginia submarine.

“For a lot of people, they don’t really know what happens when we’re out to sea,” he said,
“and for them to see the technology, it allows them to want to be interested.”

Chirico dreams of attending a military academy and joining the R.O.T.C., while Tommasina wants to be a military doctor.

“Because I feel like if I need to help anyone, it would be our military members,” said Tommasina

This is the kind of service these students look forward to in the future, as they honor the selfless sacrifice of today’s military.

Pope Francis Prays For Murdered Nun During Papal Audience

Currents News Staff

At the beginning of his Papal Audience on May 22, Pope Francis greeted a group of military men with Ukrainian flags.

During the greetings in several languages, Pope Francis lamented the 77-year-old missionary murdered in the Central African Republic, Inés Nieves Sancho.

“She was educating poor girls for decades and was brutally killed in Central Africa. It was in the very place where she taught girls how to sew. She is one more woman who has given her life for Jesus in service to the poor. Let us pray together,” he asked the crowd.

Pope Francis also recalled that on Friday, May 24, the Feast of Our Lady Help of Christians will be celebrated, a holiday particularly venerated in China.

Meanwhile, the Vatican and Beijing have begun a new diplomatic phase since September 2018 agreement. This decision has not been well received by all Catholics in the country.

“Dear faithful of China,” he prayed, “may Our Mother of Heaven help you all to be witnesses of charity and fraternity, always keeping you united in communion with the universal Church. I pray and bless you all. Let us pray together to Our Lady: Hail Mary.”

He also invited a group of children to ride with him on the popemobile, and blessed babies, responding with affection to enthusiastic pilgrims.

Pope Francis concluded his catechesis on the “Our Father” prayer. He said it is a central prayer for Christians as it reflects the relationship one ought to maintain with God.

“This is the root of Christian prayer,” Pope Francis said.  

“It is to address God as ‘Father.’ This takes courage. In order to pray we must make ourselves become small. This is so the Holy Spirit may enter us and guide us in prayer,” he explained.

Catholic War Heroes Remembered Ahead Of Memorial Day

By Emily Drooby

Previously on Currents News, we witnessed the ships of the U.S. Navy arriving in New York for Fleet Week, a tribute to America’s war heroes on Memorial Day.

Joining us is the department Commander of the Catholic War Veterans Organization, Marvin Jeffcoat, to highlight Catholics who have served the country in extraordinary ways.

Tornadoes And Floods Continue To Plague Midwest

Currents News Staff

In a part of the country that has been dealing with storm after storm this year, this latest rash of weather is hammering an already exhausted region.

Several states saw more than three inches of rain Tuesday May 22, and remain under flood warnings Wednesday.

This includes parts of Oklahoma, Kansas and Missouri, areas that are already under water.

“I’ve spent 36 years here, it’s probably as bad as a flood as I’ve ever seen,” said one local.

Harrowing videos showed people getting caught up in swift moving waters Tuesday, with rescuers  risking their lives to pull them to safety.

Officials are stressing they are not out of the woods yet.

“We’ve got a lot of rain to the northwest of us,” said Mike Clark, the Fire Department Chief of Richland, Oklahoma.

Catholic Student Named National Ice Skating Champion

By Emily Drooby

Since she was a little kid, Emma Estrada has walked into an ice skating rink, laced up her skates and headed onto the ice.

Now all of her years of hard work and dedication have paid off. At only 17-years-old, she’s a national champion.

Emma and the 23 other members of the ‘Skyliners’ skating team captured the 2019 U.S. Synchronized Skating National Championship title in February.

Emma says, “It’s unreal and it honestly goes by so fast and it’s so much fun performing and doing what you love.”

Her love of the sport helped Emma glide to victory. She practices an average of 25 hours a week during the skating season.

Emma explained, “Skating is pretty much my whole world and social life…You always look forward to going to practice and while doing something that you love you are being rewarded, and you are meeting all of these amazing people. I mean it’s a win, win.”

The senior at Saint Francis Prep Catholic High School in Queens doesn’t let her grades slide. Emma says school helps her achieve success.

Emma said, “They were very supportive of missing school and helping me catch up on work and all of my teachers were completely for it.”

Cindy Zubli, the President of the Great Neck Figure Skating Club, who has known Emma since she was eight, says even with her busy schedule she is a perfect ten when it comes to being a role model.

“She has a lot of respect for the sport, she helps other skaters on the ice…We have little skaters out there now that are four and five years old and they’re out there and watching Emma and they’re like, ‘oh I want to be like that,’” Zubli explained.

Emma is jumping, winning, but most importantly, inspiring.