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Bishop DiMarzio Symbolically Washes Parishioners Feet

By Emily Drooby

One of the most important Catholic liturgies of the year is the Mass of the Lord’s Supper.

It was celebrated Thursday night by Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio at the Cathedral Basilica of Saint James. The liturgy commemorates both the institution of the Holy Eucharist and the beginning of the priesthood, which Jesus accomplished at the Last Supper.

Bishop DiMarzio explained, “He left us his presence in the Eucharist so that’s the greatest gift we have. Especially as Catholics, because we believe it’s the real presence, it’s not just the commemoration, it’s not just symbolic, it’s a real presence.”

Much of the Mass is similar to one you would see on a Sunday but there are some important additions. One is the washing of the feet of twelve members of the Brooklyn Diocese. Bishop DiMarzio following the example of Jesus, washing the feet of his twelve Apostles at the Last Supper.

The Bishop elaborated on its significance, “It’s important because it does show the humility of Christ and he showed us that we need to do the same thing and that’s why the celebrant of the Mass would be washing the feet of twelve people.”

The Cathedral Basilica’s Rector, Father Peter Purpura, helped choose the twelve this year. He picked people he thinks represent the community.

Father Purpura added, “We’re the only parish in Brooklyn that has Mass interpreted every Sunday so two of the twelve will be from the deaf community…There’s [also] a college student who has been very active here, from another state, who’s graduating in May.”

One of the twelve, Michael Gilbride is a victim-survivor of clergy sexual abuse.

After taking part in the ceremony he said, “Having my feet washed by the Bishop was very humbling, it means service to me, it means we are to do what the Lord did.”

At the conclusion of Mass there was a transition from celebrating to recalling the suffering and death of Jesus. During that time, the Blessed Sacrament is moved from the tabernacle to another location called the “Altar of Repose.” Parishioners continued the adoration well into the night, taking a moment to remember and reflect on Christ’s sacrifices.

‘The Missionary of Wall Street’

Stephen Auth is a chief investment officer at one of the country’s largest investment firms and a Catholic missionary. He talks to Currents News about his work bringing people back to their faith.

Looking To The Future On Holy Thursday In Paris

By Michelle Powers

Arnaud Boutheon remembers when he first saw Notre Dame light up. He’s an ambassador for the Knights of Columbus in France. Arnaud was behind the popular project that attracted hundreds of thousands, but now he’s unsure if the cathedral will ever light again.

“Through this dramatic event, there is this question. ‘What does God want to tell us?’”, he said.

Nearly one billion in donations has poured in for the vast restoration. Though a sadness fills Arnaud’s heart, he sees the fire as a sign from god, and an opportunity to evangelize.

“Time is a huge opportunity for us to evangelize. Because many people many people abroad, many people from France, have said ‘Wow, we will come back,’” he added.

Sounds of rebuilding can already be heard at the cathedral, and hosts of specialized artisans and skilled workmen from around the world will soon meet in Paris.

President Emmanuel Macron is pledging to restore the cathedral on a five-year plan, but that is at odds with art historian Louis Manaranche.

He says restoring the jewel of gothic architecture could take much longer.

“When you have a real historical monument like that, you can’t be too in a hurry. You have to do it properly and to respect the history – and that’s also respecting that it can last decades,” he said.

Cathedrals often took centuries to build and Notre Dame itself taking 200 years.

Louis says the damage to the cathedral is the worst in its history. Even worse than damages made during the French Revolution and World War II.

Around the cathedral many people are mentioning a new sense of resiliency, one like never before.

A resilience to not only rebuild the church, but to restore the faith.

Mueller Report Released

By Currents News Staff

The Mueller Report is out after nearly 2 years of investigating President Trump, the Russians, and the 2016 U.S. elections.

“The Russian government-sponsored efforts to illegally interfere with the 2016 presidential election but [the report] did not find that the Trump campaign or other Americans colluded in those schemes,” Attorney General William Bar said.

Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s redacted report noted the Trump campaign showed interest in emails stolen from Democrats by Russians meant to hurt Hillary Clinton but found no evidence the Trump campaign committed a crime.

“That is something that all Americans can and should be grateful to have confirmed,” Barr explained.

But on the question on obstruction of justice, Mueller is less clear. His report identified 10 instances where the President or his aides may have attempted to curtail the investigation, including firing former FBI Director James Comey.

Barr said, “The evidence developed by the Special Counsel is not sufficient to establish that the President committed an obstruction-of-justice offence.”

According to the report, once the President found out about Mueller’s appointment he said: “this is the end of my presidency.”

Kellyanne Conway, counselor to the President, said in reply “That was not the reaction of the President that day when I was there.”

Just moments after the report’s release President Trump claimed victory, saying “It’s called no collusion no obstruction.”

Congressional Democrats want more answers and for Mueller to testify publicly.

Rep. Jerry Nadler, the Judiciary Committee Chairman, said today “The special counsel made clear that he did not exonerate the President and the responsibility now falls to Congress to hold the President accountable for his actions.”

 

 

Currents News for Thursday, April 18, 2019

On the newscast: Currents News Michelle Powers reports from Paris on the rebuilding of Notre Dame Cathedral as Holy Thursday has taken on a different meaning this year; The Pope and Brooklyn’s Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio celebrate Holy Thursday mass as the Church commemorates the Holy Eucharist and the priesthood; A man was arrested for attempted arson at Saint Patrick’s Cathedral; The Mueller Report is out but the controversy isn’t over.

Today’s top news from the Catholic perspective anchored by Liz Faublas. Currents News airs Monday through Friday at 7:00 p.m. ET on NET-TV (netny.tv)

Preparations Are Underway for Holy Thursday Mass With Bishop DiMarzio

By Emily Drooby

On Thursday afternoon, Father Peter Purpura, worked to get the St. James Cathedral Basilica in Downtown Brooklyn, ready for one of the most important Catholic liturgies of the year, the Mass of the Lord’s Supper.

Father Purpura, who is also the Diocese of Brooklyn’s Vice Chancellor, explained, “We have kind of formally concluded the period of Lent which is the period of preparation and now we are entering into these final days which celebrate the central mysteries of our faith, of the dying and the rising of Jesus Christ.

The Mass is celebrated on Holy Thursday and commemorates both the institution of holy Eucharist and the beginning of the priesthood.

This Mass will look similar to a typical Sunday Mass, but with some crucial additions.

Father Purpura explained, “Because we are focusing on these important themes like the gift of the Eucharist from Christ at the Last Supper and the example of humility in service, there are some aspects of the liturgy that are a little bit different.”

Those differences have to do with the transition from one set of mysteries to another,

Father Purpura further explained, “Tonight’s celebrating enjoy the gift of the priesthood, of the Eucharist, but tomorrow we are commemorating the suffering and death of Christ. So there is a bit of a transition at the end of Mass. After Mass, we remove the Blessed Sacrament from the body of the church.

Then the Blessed Sacrament is reserved at another location called the “Altar of Repose.” In the new location, parishioners will be able to continue the adoration of the Blessed Sacrament well into the night.

All linens, flowers, and candles will also be stripped from the church. The items will be hidden away until Easter Sunday.

Hope After Notre Dame Inferno

Amidst both pain and hope, Parisian faithful found a new home in the Basilica of Saint-Sulpice for the Chrism Mass Wednesday evening, after a blaze nearly destroyed the famed Cathedral of Notre Dame on Monday.
Crux Faith and Culture Correspondent, Claire Giangravè, described the scene and the mood from Paris.

Man Charged With Attempted Arson at St. Patrick’s Cathedral

By Tim Harfmann

Police arrested a man after he allegedly carried gasoline canisters, lighter fluid and lighters into St. Patrick’s Cathedral. The apparent threat came on the heels of the Notre Dame disaster. Cardinal Timothy Dolan talked about security at St. Patrick’s. “Our [security guards] were suspicious, walked the man out, immediately called the police department; They apprehended him, and now he’s secure. So, the system works. Does that mean it’s fail-safe? No, but that’s why we come to church, to pray for God’s protection,” said Cardinal Dolan.

Thirty-seven-year-old Marc Lamparello of New Jersey is charged with attempted arson, reckless endangerment and trespassing. Police said Lamparello parked a minivan outside St. Patrick’s around 8 p.m. on Wednesday, April 17th. Lamparello allegedly entered with two large containers filled with gasoline, two bottles of lighter fluid and two lighters. Cathedral security stopped Lamparello inside the entrance. Monsignor Robert Ritchie is St. Patrick’s rector and said security guards and surveillance cameras help prevent situations; “Almost every church has emotional disturbed people come to them. The bigger the church, the more people that come, and so it’s something that we’re aware of.”

Worshipers visiting St. Patrick’s were shocked. “These kinds of things make you feel insecure,” said one visitor. “I would’ve hated to see that happen here [after] what just happened back in Paris. It’s just devastating,” said another.

All this came as Cardinal Dolan joined interfaith and other leaders to announce a fundraiser for Notre Dame Cathedral. It’s called the ‘From St. Patrick’s to Notre Dame Fund.’ The cardinal pointed to the role cathedrals play in helping the poor. “As Pope Francis says, ‘the poor have a right to beauty. The poor have a right to a sanctuary. The poor have a right to have their spirits, which are often crushed down, lifted up. That’s what Notre Dame does. That’s what St. Patrick’s does. So, in a way, this is almsgiving,” said Cardinal Dolan.

The ‘From St. Patrick’s to Notre Dame Fund’ has already surpassed $100,000.

Fr. Robert Mucci

For decades, Robert Mucci traveled the world conducting business as an extremely successful insurance executive. But there was always something missing. Father Mucci talks with Ed Wilkinson about why he decided to give it all up to dedicate his life to the Lord.