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St. John’s Bread & Life Feeds the Hungry for Thanksgiving Despite Slash to Government Funding

By Jessica Easthope

Days before Thanksgiving, you’ll find that there’s a steady flow of people at Lizzie Gibbs’ window at St. John’s Bread & Life soup kitchen in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn. 

She knows what hunger feels like: she’s a volunteer, but she’s also a client.

“I had gotten ill, and I couldn’t bring in any income,” she explains. “So I had to humble myself and take help from outside sources.”

Last Thanksgiving Bread & Life handed out 6,500 meals. This year, they’ll be giving nearly 11,000 despite a major slash to government funding. 

“There are many more pantries popping up because the needs are greater,” Sister Caroline Tweedy, the Executive Director of Bread & Life tells Currents News. “And I guess the government feels they want to spread the wealth.”

She says Bread & Life has nearly $8,000 less than they did last year. It’s an issue when food insecurity is on the rise in Brooklyn. In 2024 it’s reached almost 20% – that’s 7 points higher than the national average according to the New York City council. Sr. Caroline says that between inflation and the migrant crisis, they’ve never seen so many hungry people at Bread & Life.

“And when you take that kind of a hit, you have to figure out, ‘How do we continue to serve the people in need?’ with what you have,” she adds. 

The work that’s done behind the scenes to provide the food Lizzie’s handing out of her window  isn’t easy. Sr. Caroline has had to pump up her fundraising efforts by securing money from the Amazin’ Mets Foundation, iHeart Radio and Food Bazaar. 

“Limiting the number of times a person can shop in the pantry, reducing the number of items a person could take, we haven’t had to do any of that because we have been very aggressive in our approach,” she says. 

Somehow Bread & Life continues to do more with less, and be a stable force in the lives of those New Yorkers in need.

“I look at it as seeing the face of God in the other,” explains Sr. Caroline. “And if we are true to our mission, we can’t turn anyone away… No funding or full funding, I don’t see a difference because we’re still here. And we never said no.”

St. John’s Bread & Life is on track to serve 4.5 million meals this year and continues to never turn anyone away.

Rondanini Pietà Replica Has a New Home in New Jersey Cemetery

By Jessica Easthope

It’s the first thing you see driving into Gate of Heaven Cemetery in East Hanover, New Jersey: a 10-foot statue – a replica of Michelangelo’s Rondanini Pietà – captures attention and elicits expressions of faith. The piece’s architect Lorenzo Pedrini says that’s the hope.

“We’re giving something different, something new, but giving justice to what the master did in the past,” he tells Currents News.

Lorenzo and his family are from the Carrara region of Italy, which is famous for its marble quarries. They are the same ones Michelangelo walked through to select the block of stone he used in the original two sculpture.

The beginning and the end of the process of making a statue like this have been the same for centuries, starting with a sketch and ending with a hammer and chisel in the hands of some of the most skilled artists in the world. But recently the middle of this process has become a bit more high tech: an anthropomorphic robot makes the first cuts through the 30,000-pound block of marble. Then, the last 20% is done just like Michelangelo did it.

“And that 20% is really the most important part, because we were able to give our craftsmanship, our passion for what we do,” Pedrini explains.

Francesca Lofaro, a representative for Pedrini Sculptors at the company’s office in the Diocese of Brooklyn, says the meaning of the statue guides the year-long process.

“That will help people to realize that it doesn’t end here, does it” she asks.

The Executive Director of Catholic Cemeteries of the Archdiocese of Newark, Joseph Heckel, says the inscription at the base of the pieta was chosen to help those grieving a loss.

“We think that whoever has Jesus in their life, all those people that come in to visit, they’re going to have eternal life and they’re going to be with their loved ones again,” he says.

The statue, which was installed in October, is not just for those visiting the cemetery. For construction director Michael Saul, it’s an invitation into faith.

“Just kind of, a beacon of hope to everyone driving by, it gives us an opportunity to evangelize to them,” he says.

Pedrini Sculptors has created three replicas for the Archdiocese of Newark, and they have two of the last remaining molds of Michelangelo’s original works.

Catholic News Headlines for Friday 11/22/2024

Studies show that male teachers can help boys stay on track in school. We’ll meet one such role model at Incarnation Catholic Academy in Queens, New York.

The police are looking for the man who stole a $3,000 gold-plated rose from a 9/11 memorial inside the Church of St. Francis of Assisi in Midtown, Manhattan.

Rome’s iconic sites, like the Trevi Fountain, are being repaired for the 2025 Jubilee. We take a look at how the restorations are shaping up.

Male Teachers Play Big Role in Learning for Boys

By Katie Vasquez

Young academics in Queens, New York, are burning off their energy by learning volleyball with Mr. Humza Robinson, the physical education teacher at Incarnation Catholic Academy. 

Studies show the real lesson could just be his presence in the classroom:  “I like Mr. Robinson because he gives us fun activities,” first grader Zachary Mangroo tells Currents News.

Researchers say male teachers can get boys on the right track in the early years of formal schooling.  Yet there are so few in early education, with men only accounting about three percent of kindergarten teachers. Principal Ivan Green says that was something he considered when hiring Mr. Robinson. 

“A male plays a significant role not just in the education of our students, but also in their family life and structure,” says Green. From experience, working with students over the years, I have seen historically that kids perform better.”

“I’m very grateful for this opportunity because I get to really impact the kid’s life.” explains Robinson. “And I see, I see it day to day.”

Seventh grader Nathan Lachhman says a male teacher can relate to boys like him in a different way: “I love how he pushes us. And even when we fall or do something wrong, he just keeps pushing us to do right and right again. That’s what I really admire about him.”

That positive impact from Mr. Robinson is even motivating Nathan to one day become a teacher. 

“That’s really my goal in life,” he says. “I want to inspire others and be somebody’s role model.”

It’s a feeling Mr Robinson understands because this job has always been his vocation. 

“It’s so humbling because I feel I’m giving back and this is always my life goal,” Robinson says. “To just give back to kids, and hopefully they can give back to the next generation.”

He hopes to continue to motivate these diocesan students. 

TONIGHT AT 7: Male Teacher Strives to Model Success for Catholic School Students

We all know teachers can have lasting impacts on the lives of their students, but on Currents News we’ll dig deep into studies that show how male teachers specifically can help boys stay on track in school.

There aren’t many in early education these days, but we’ll speak with one role model over at Incarnation Catholic Academy in Queens, New York who’s ready to challenge the teaching status quo.

Religious Sisters Welcomed by Bishop Brennan at Brooklyn Church

By Katie Vasquez

Three nuns from the Dominican Republic are getting a warm welcome at Transfiguration Parish in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. It’s now the first community that the sisters, called the “Hijas de la Altagracia,” have in the United States.

Bishop Robert Brennan of the Diocese of Brooklyn celebrated the first Mass they would attend in their new home parish on November 20, saying their presence will spiritually lift the parish.

“A lot of our institutions, much of our parish life, so many of our schools, have their foundations in the work of religious sisters,” Bishop Brennan told Currents News.

The convent las Hijas de la Altagracia will be occupying at the Williamsburg church has been vacant since 2019 when Sister Kathryn Margaret Walsh, known as “Sister Peggy,” passed away. 

Her death left a void for parishioners, and especially for fraternities or groups that meet for deeper spirituality.  

“Now we are looking for for the sisters, ‘Hijas de la Altagracia,’ to take care of that part,” said Transfiguration Parish’s pastor, Father Jeremias Castillo. “And also the youth ministry, and also we are asking them to help with the liturgy here.”

It’s work that the sisters did in their home country and are hoping to replicate  for their new parish that is 95% Hispanic with many of parishioners hailing from the Caribbean. 

There are “some differences I think but the mission is, that people love Jesus and Mary too,” Sister Yarelin Ventura of the Hijas de la Altagracia told Currents News.

The the move have come with some challenges, namely a language barrier and a shift in climate.

 “I think the idioma (langauge), English, I need to learn,” said Sister Damaina Anglada.

“I need a coat,” said Sister Idelma Hernandez of Hijas de la Altagracia. 

Priests and parishioners are excited to bring them into the flock. 

“We are so excited, so happy to have them here. And we welcome them with open arms,” said parishioner Esterlina Alvarez. 

“I’m sure that will be a really, really good, good add for us in the parish,” said Fr.Castillo. 

The sisters will also work with Mary of Nazareth church in Fort Greene, Brooklyn.

Catholic News Headlines for Thursday 11/21/2024

Nuns from the Dominican Republic are relocating to the Diocese of Brooklyn, eager to enhance the community’s religious education and youth programs.

St. Michael Catholic Academy students in Queens are spreading holiday cheer by generously donating to the church’s food pantry, ensuring everyone enjoys a happy Thanksgiving.

Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens deploys its community outreach team to the Brooklyn Public Library’s Literacy Career Fair.

Diocese of Brooklyn Students Struggle to Receive School Support After Missed Paperwork Deadline

By Jessica Easthope

In the Diocese of Brooklyn, students are essentially being locked out of the academic help they require to thrive in class. A missed deadline for submitting paperwork and the legal barriers surrounding it have caused heartache for students and their families. Now, the use of those services for students are delayed, and progress has come to a screeching halt.

Over 250 students across the diocese’s elementary and high schools aren’t receiving the special education services they require after their letters of intent allowing private and parochial school students to get access to support provided by the public school system were signed and handed in after a June 1 deadline per part of the state’s legal process.

Luisa Manzo, Associate superintendent of Diocese of Brooklyn schools, says that this school year the June 1 deadline was strictly enforced. Though some families didn’t meet it, she knows there’s still a problem that needs to be solved.

“I think that deadlines are extremely important and that parents really need to respect them,” she tells Currents News. “However, right now, there is a serious issue.. whether it’s OT, whether it’s speech, without that support they’re kind of taking a step back.”

At. St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Academy in Astoria, Queens, where student Joseph Salam goes to school, special education teacher support services provider Sabrina Cirabisi says she has a handful of students like him who she’s legally not allowed to interact with due to the missed form submission deadline. 

“Without that form, I am not able to provide them with any of their services,” she says. “You can basically see desperation in their eyes.”

Susan Salam and her son Joseph look at his good grades every single day before they head out the door to school. They keep him motivated to do well, but this year in 5th grade all the motivation in the world hasn’t changed his reality.

Without access to these resources, “school is hard,” Joseph admits. “ELA is hard. I’m failing science… I just think I need the services, because I’m struggling.”

The school’s principal Liz Reilly says the consequences of this will have lasting impacts. 

“The teacher moves forward and the divide between the students who can and the students who need help just grows,” she explains. 

New York City Public Schools say they’re committed to serving every child who needs it, but while Joseph waits, the goal of staying on track is slipping away. 

“This is damage that’s going to be irreversible,” says Cirabisi. “Self esteem suffers, their well-being suffers.”

Joseph’s mom is already seeing some of these effects in her son’s experience this academic year. “He did great last year, so why this year,” Salam asks. “My son is getting 50s and 40s and failing all his classes. “

“We spent three hours studying science and I got a bad grade,” he adds. “We spent hours on studying, and I still get a bad grade.”

Diocese of Brooklyn Superintendent Deacon Kevin McCormack says he understands the legal obligations of the New York City Public School system, but allowing bureaucratic red tape to hold up this kind of service is unacceptable. 

“We have to stop hiding behind rules and we have got to start dealing with human beings,” he says. “That’s what’s essential here. How are we going to take care of kids in need?” ]

Diocese of Brooklyn schools officials are continuing to push for these services. Currents News reached out to New York City Public Schools, and as of air time there is no date for these students to receive services again. 

The school system maintains their legal obligation is first to the families who had their paperwork in on time. 

While students are being offered extra help by their teachers, families are also taking extra measures, going into their own pockets to seek outside paid help from private tutors. 

That being said, the Diocese of Brooklyn is not pointing any fingers at parents who missed this deadline. They were notified of it, but they understand parents are sometimes inundated with emails and messaging can get lost in the mix. 

However, the deadline and this required form are part of state law, and legally it’s not possible for students to receive services until this paperwork is sorted out. 

The reality is that students won’t be able to meet the requirements they need to succeed in school until the circumstances improve.