Biblical Restaurant Builds Bridges of Peace and Dialogue

Currents News Staff

Not far from the most sacred places in Jerusalem are exquisite dishes made with biblical ingredients. This means food cooked with artisan methods, using herbs and spices.

The owner of this biblical restaurant is Moshe Basson. He is a Jewish chef from Iraq. He specializes in ancient cuisine of the Middle East. It could be said he is an expert in archaeological gastronomy.

“I love the Bible; I love the Bible. I find connections such as the use of hyssop when Moses is commanding the Israelites. It is when they are leaving Egypt, they are told to take some hyssop with the blood of a lamb to mark their doors with three points. This is so it will be a sign for the angel not to kill these people,” said Basson.

Since 2001, Moshe Basson has been part of an initiative called “Chefs for Peace.” It is a group of around 30 Arab, Israeli, Jewish, Muslim and Christian cooks. They are all convinced that sitting at a table and sharing a good meal can build bridges of peace and dialogue.

“I started using the recipes of my mother and my grandmother, and also other mothers from this region,” said Basson.

In his restaurant, “The Eucalyptus,” people from all over the world and all religions sit together. He says that good gastronomy does not know creed, race or nationality.

“Food brings people together. When you eat, you open your mouth. When you open your mouth, you also talk. When there is a separation between people, there will be troubles and problems,” he said.

Founder and Board of Vatican Women’s Magazine Resign

By Emily Drooby

Lucetta Scaraffia, one of the most prominent women to work at the Vatican, has quit, along with the entire female editorial board of publication she founded.

‘Women Church World’ is the Vatican’s women’s magazine, published monthly by the Vatican’s newspaper, L’Osservatore Romano.

The magazine was created seven years ago under Pope Benedict XVI. Ms. Scaraffia said that until recent, ‘Women Church World’ had editorial independence and support from Pope Benedict and then from Pope Francis.

Scaraffia claimed after a new man took over the L’Osservatore Romano newspaper, there was a campaign to discredit them that increased after her publication denounced the sexual abuse of nuns by clergy. There were also attempts to put the women’s magazine under the direct control of men.

In an interview with the Associated Press, Scaraffia said, “After the attempts to put us under control, came the indirect attempts to delegitimize us…”

Further, different articles were written for L’Osservatore Romano, with a quote, “editorial line opposed to ours.”

She said that practice undermined the women’s magazine and its freedom to speak freely.

Pope Francis has frequently urged women receive important roles within the church and was said to be an admirer of the magazine.

Sister Maryann Lopiccolo is the delegate for religious in the Diocese of Brooklyn. She knows what it’s like to be a high-ranking woman working for the church.

Sister Lopiccolo, explained, “And in the seven years it’s been effective and it’s been recognized as the complementary women’s voice in the church. Coming from Vatican publications I think that holds a prestigious place.”

Sister Lopiccolo adding she’s she has always felt valued in the church. She said, “I have never felt disrespected, I have never felt not listened to. I have always been included where I am appropriately included in conversations and planning. So I feel sad, for these women, but for our reality, it’s not something that’s here in our Diocese.”

The resignations were announced in the planned April 1st edition of the magazine and in an open letter to Pope Francis.

Currents News did reach out to Scaraffia for comment but have yet to hear back.

In a statement to the AP, the man in charge of L’Osservatore Romano, Andrea Monda, denied meddling with the magazine, adding he has supported its autonomy.

The Holy Father Refuses Those Wishing to Kiss His Ring

Currents News Staff

It was an unusual sight as the Holy Father pulled back his papal ring from pilgrims who wanted to kiss it.

It all happened yesterday when Francis was at the Shrine of Loreto in Central Italy.

The national correspondent for The Tablet and Crux, Christopher White is here to break down the significance of it all.

New Lab Nourishes Minds and Environment

By Tim Harfmann

A new science classroom is nourishing young minds and the environment. At Saint Saviour in Park Slope, Brooklyn, the all-girls Catholic high school unveils its hydroponic lab. “It’s an environmentally friendly way to farm without taking up much space and bringing fruits and vegetables to kitchens in urban areas all year round,” said Deirdre Moran. She is a junior at the high school and excited to learn in the lab.

The hands-on technology involves soil-less planting to grow everything from spinach and lettuce to cucumbers and eggplants. But the lab teaches more than farming. “The hydroponic lab has really made everybody come alive in a sense. It’s really brought an environment of, not just awareness of what’s going on in the world, but fun,” said Alaina DiSalvo, a Saint Saviour junior. “We learn about the environment and how it affects our daily life. it also talks about climate change and how to prevent it from happening or how to decrease it,” said Naomi Thornill. She is also a junior.

It also echoes Pope Francis’ mission to care for God’s creations. Brooklyn Auxiliary Bishop James Massa blessed the lab, sprinkling the well-lit space with holy water. He said the project follows the Holy Father’s encyclical, ‘Laudato Si;’ “One can be contemporary and deeply committed to the care for the environment. At the same time, be rooted in our Catholic values and Catholic faith.”

The initiative is a collaboration with NY Sun Works, a non-profit organization devoted to bringing innovative science labs into urban schools. The vibrant little laboratory is dedicated to Roberta Willard, a retired teacher who was at the forefront of bringing environmental science to Saint Saviour students over three decades ago. “Nature surrounds us and the earth is our home, so the responsibilities we have get passed on from one generation to the other,” said Willard. Eileen Cush is part of that next generation to teach current students about the importance of saving the environment. “Maybe they won’t go out into the world and actually hydroponically farm, but perhaps they will be inspired to become engineers and innovators,” said Cush/ She is the chairperson of the school’s science department.

Everything the students grow will be donated to CHiPS, a Brooklyn soup kitchen founded by Catholics, which serves nearly 350 meals a day. The students of Saint Saviour are now enjoying the real fruits of their labor — the chance to help save the planet in one small way while continuing to grow in their Catholic faith.

Currents News for Monday, March 25th, 2019

On the newscast: Hundreds gathered in Foley Square today to spread the pro-life message at the International Gift of Life walk; A look at how the Diocese of Brooklyn celebrated the feast of the Annunciation at a rededicated Brooklyn church; Pope Francis signs the highly anticipated document addressing young people; and the latest reactions to Attorney General William Barr’s Mueller report.

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)

Catholics Take on Polar Plunge

By Matthew O’Connor

“Freezin’ for a Reason” was the fifth annual polar bear plunge hosted at Jacob Riis Park in Rockaway, March 23. Money was being raised for Special Olympics New York. Many of the athletes themselves came out to brace the water. With the help of their family, friends and supporters, $32,117 dollars were raised.

Special Olympics New York Associate Director of Development and event manager Pamela Parker was excited to see so many people come out and show their bravery.

“We are raising money for the amazing athletes of Special Olympics New York,” said Parker. “Our athletes are individuals with intellectual disabilities and our organization provides them opportunities to train and compete in 22 Olympic style sports with no charge. So, we are here for celebrating the Queens community for raising money to keep those programs available to our athletes.”

There are currently about 41,000 Special Olympic athletes in New York City that train throughout the city thanks to volunteers who help the organization.

The money is used to provide training and competition opportunities in different Olympic-style sports and to cover all costs from sports equipment and uniforms, to travel expenses and medals.

Howard Dy was one of the very brave plungers who jumped into the freezing Atlantic Ocean.

“I saw a seminar through the NYPD and thought that was something I could help with,” said Dy. “I was inspired and saw that this was a great cause to be able to be a part of and make a difference. There are so many athletes with special needs, so I wanted to see if I could do it and wanted to try and help.”

Staff from DeSales Media Group, the technology and communications arm of the Diocese of Brooklyn and parent company of The Tablet, came out to support and jump in the waves. They were able to raise $1,380.

Pro-Life Message Spread During NYC Walk

By Emily Drooby

Melissa Ohden defied the odds. She explained, “I was actually aborted and I survived.”

41 years ago, doctors performed a failed saline infusion abortion on her birth mother.

Ohden said, “Of course they believed that when I was delivered in the final step of the abortion procedure that it had been successful, but I was accidentally born alive.”

Ohden lived, and now she dedicates her life to fighting for those who might never have a chance at life.

Ohden and hundreds of other pro-life activists, including many Knights of Columbus and members of the Diocese of Brooklyn, gathering in Downtown Manhattan, Monday for the annual International Gift of Life Walk, a powerful march focused on preserving life from conception to natural death.

New York has long been known as the abortion capital of America. Abort 73, a Christian organization that collects data on abortions, estimates that 239 children are killed every single day in the state.

Pro-life activists are heartbroken by the high rates and by new state laws that severely limit restrictions on abortions. Activists, like Catherine Donohoe, now doing everything possible to push back. Donohoe says events like this walk, send a strong message.

She explained, “To let people know, that all of NY doesn’t follow suit with our Mayor and our Governor who signed into bill RHA [Reproductive Health Act] that allows abortion up until the day of the baby’s birthday so now we are praying to save the babies, unborn and newly born.”

Event organizer, Dawn Eskew adding the walk is a way to empower those with anti-abortion views who might be afraid to speak out.

Eskew, said, “This is one way to encourage New Yorkers you need to speak. If you can’t speak about pro-life issues in the public or try to educate people in the public than we will never advance.”

The walk was held on a Monday in an effort to reach more people.

Pope Signs Document From Youth Synod

By Currents News Staff

Five months after the final document was produced at the Synod of Bishops on “Young people, the faith and vocational discernment,” Pope Francis traveled by helicopter to the Shrine of Loreto to sign his resulting magisterial document entitled “Christ Lives.”

On the Feast of the Annunciation, the Pope wanted to especially entrust the document to the Blessed Mother. Thus, he celebrated mass at the “Holy House,” where tradition says Mary was born, grew up and the angel Gabriel visited her.

The Pope said this new apostolic exhortation is an invitation for all youth to seek out their vocation. He explained it can be done in three steps: stopping to listen, personally discerning what has been heard, and making a decision to act.

“We must be ready and available to listen and welcome God’s voice,” The Holy Father said, “His design for our personal and social life cannot be perceived by staying on the surface, but by going to a deeper level, where moral and spiritual forces act.”

Pope Francis was only in Loreto for six hours, but he greeted many of the sick and even a group of deaf people. Before returning to Rome, he ate lunch with the bishops from the region.

“Christ Lives” is the Pope’s sixth document. It will serve as a map, helping the global Church implement and follow up the ideas created during the Synod. While the full text has not yet been released, the Vatican says it will be presented during a press conference in the upcoming days.

Yet, the Synod on youth will not end here. Other initiatives are expected in June, when some Synod participants will return to Rome to touch base on how the ideas from the Synod are being carried out in each of their countries.

Pro Life Advocate: Make Your Voices Heard!

Currents News Anchor Liz Faublas speaks with the director of pro-life activities for the New York State Catholic Conference, Kathy Gallagher, on how to move the country toward a culture of life in the aftermath of the Reproductive Health Act.

New Life for Williamsburg Church

By Tim Harfmann

It was a celebration in Williamsburg, Brooklyn as Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio rededicated the Church of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The church received new life after a yearlong renovation. “Today’s a very exciting day because this is a church that probably should’ve been closed because it was such in bad repair. So, it’s a great joy to see a church being put back into service that can be very functional,” said Bishop DiMarzio.

Hundreds of worshipers filled the pews and the lobby of the nearly 150-year-old church. The March 24^th re-dedication included Bishop DiMarzio sprinkling the congregation with holy water — a reminder of their baptism; the bishop anointed the altar with sacred chrism, the same oil used during the sacrament of confirmation; and Bishop DiMarzio also installed Monsignor Jamie Gigantiello as the church’s new pastor. Monsignor oversaw the entire restoration of the church. “I feel like a kid’s first time in Disney World. I renovated a few churches and some parishes, but this truly is a gem. This is, probably, one of my greatest accomplishments,” said Monsignor Gigantiello.

Monsignor said a key to the church’s rebirth has been the Lithuanian Catholic community. Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary is believed to be the only church in the five boroughs with a weekly Lithuanian Mass. “They’re ecstatic because they were always living in the fear that the church would close, and they would have nowhere to go and would lose their home,” said Monsignor Gigantiello. Now, the parishioners are looking forward to a bright future. “It’s so exciting. We’ve been worshiping here since 1914. And to see the wonderful renovation of the church, it just ensures that we’ll be here for decades to come,” said Raymond Slizys, a member of the Lithuanian community. “Everybody is invited now and everybody feels that God is here. We’re invited to renew our home, new church. We like it a lot,” said Rasa Sbrindys, another member of the community.

The celebration was accompanied by the announcement that Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary parish will merge with Our Lady of Mount Carmel, which is located blocks away. “My goal is to make it one community,” said Monsignor Gigantiello. He also serves as pastor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel parish.