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Bishop Loughlin Memorial High School in Brooklyn unveiled a brand-new turf field, thanks to support from alumni and the Loughlin Foundation.
Twelve-year-old Sophia Forcha, who was shot at Annunciation Catholic Church in Minneapolis, is making a remarkable recovery after doctors initially warned she may not survive.
New York City is proposing a bill that would raise pay, expand benefits, and require additional crisis training for the city’s 80,000 private security officers following July’s Park Avenue shooting.
Five friends from Rockland County, New York, who began scouting together in first grade, have earned the rank of Eagle Scout after years of hard work.
Whether they are playing soccer or frisbee or flag football, the 552 students at Bishop Loughlin Memorial High school have new turf on the Brian C. Connelly field.
Soccer and lacrosse player Xavier Pierre says it’s an upgrade from the concrete that was there before.
“It has allowed me to be in a more comfortable space with my teammates without having to worry about the risk of getting injured due to the concrete,” said Pierre, a senior.
Isidora Fuentes hasn’t had a chance to play softball here yet, but it was a welcome sight when she returned to school.
“Once I step into the school and I saw the beautiful field, I’m like, ‘wow.’ I can’t wait to play our home games here,” said Fuentes, a senior.
None of the cost fell on the students with alumni and the Loughlin Foundation contributing to pay the more than half a million dollars necessary to build.
“The tuition here is steep, and many of our families struggled to pay that tuition, so we want to give them a value proposition for their tuition dollars,” said Edward Bolan, principal.
Before, teams would have to travel to other fields, making the days long for student athletes.
“So this is going to radically, drastically save time for our students, get them home earlier, more time at home, homework, food, dinner, family. And it’s really, really beneficial for the kids,” said Dilonardo.
It’s also a competitive advantage for the school since Nicholas says most private schools do not have their own field.
Now, these students are just excited to get out and play.
“I can’t wait to have an amazing senior year with my team. I’m just excited to play,” said Fuentes.
“I love the turf. We’ve been able to practice soccer more frequently to get more adjusted to the field itself,” said Pierre.
Bishop Loughlin High School in Brooklyn has transformed its athletic program with a brand-new turf field. Staff is eager for students to make the most of the new facility.
St. John’s Bread and Life in Brooklyn is running its “Fill the Truck” campaign to provide meals for families in need as the nonprofit faces cuts in government funding.
Catholic women leaders and students at St. John’s Preparatory High School in Queens planted a tree in honor of Pope Francis.
Today marks 10 years since Pope Francis celebrated a memorable Mass at Madison Square Garden.
Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt, Loyola University’s beloved 106-year-old chaplain known for inspiring the men’s basketball team, is officially retiring due to health concerns.
Pasta, canned goods and fresh produce are being loaded onto a truck with the goal of stocking it floor to ceiling, as part of St. John’s Bread & Life’s “Fill the Truck” campaign.
“For every dollar that we raise, we can provide one hot meal, which is outstanding considering the cost of food,” Sister Caroline Tweedy, RSM, the executive director of St John’s Bread & Life, told Currents News.
The Brooklyn emergency food program sends the supplies to 26 locations as part of their mobile market.
It is much needed as the Bed-Stuy non-profit has had to do more with less, thanks to cuts in government funding.
“We are in the ballpark of almost $1 million loss, less revenue, of food and and grant money, for us to provide for the people that live in this community and the other community,” Sister Marie Sorenson, SC, director of St. John’s Bread & Life, explained. “That impact kind of takes our breath away sometimes. But we are working very hard to try to make up that shortfall.”
Sister Marie described how the generosity of others helps their guests like one woman who has to feed four teenage sons.
“Anybody who has raised children knows that teenage sons, teenagers in general, can really put a dent in your food budget,” said Sister Marie. “So she’s come in, every day or every time she’s able to shop, and she makes a point of saying how important Bread & Life has been to be able to provide the food that her sons need as growing young men.”
The organization is continuing their Vincentian mission to serve others with joy “to bring awareness during this time of fall and harvest, of abundance, food that is needed in our community” Sister Marie noted.
“No one should be hungry. No one should go without a home. No one should go without healthcare,” added Sister Caroline Tweedy, “all of those basic necessities that we often take for granted.”
They hope to reach their $50,000 goal by the end of the month, but always welcome donations.
MIDLAND BEACH — CompassCare Pregnancy Services CEO Jim Harden said Staten Island is the perfect place to open their sixth medical office. Although the goal is to have offices across all five of New York City’s boroughs, Staten Island is key for the organization, he said.
“Between Staten Island and Brooklyn … this particular region is the largest abortion hub in the nation,” said Harden, who is also a Methodist reverend. “So we need a team of nurses throughout this particular region of the city to address that emergency.
“So Staten Island is the perfect place to have a base of operations.”
On Sept. 25, CompassCare celebrated its grand opening in the borough with a ribbon-cutting event that, according to Harden, marks not a beginning, but the “next step” in a long line of pro-life efforts that are “carried out by God’s people.”
The opening is also part of an expansion and partnership with Pregnancy Care Center of New York, a nonprofit Christian organization serving women and their families who seek help relating to an unexpected pregnancy.
The new medical office offers free, pro-life medical care to women, including baseline obstetrician care, such as pregnancy and STD testing and treatment, along with abortion pill reversal, according to Harden. CompassCare’s other medical offices, which offer similar services, are in Buffalo, Rochester, Albany, Brooklyn, and the Bronx.
The new office is located in the Pregnancy Care Center of New York’s Staten Island building, with discrete signage due to safety and security concerns, according to Harden.
On June 7, 2022, the CompassCare medical office in Buffalo was firebombed after individuals threw Molotov cocktails at the center, causing significant damage. According to a statement from the FBI’s Buffalo Field Office, one of the perpetrators spray-painted the words “Jane was here” on the building — a phrase Harden attributes to Jane’s Revenge, a pro-abortion extremist group.
“I’ve gotten death threats. My house has been doxed. I’ve had to relocate my family for security reasons,” Harden said. “So there are concerns, but we have no intention of backing down; we have no intention of shrinking.
“This is not our time to take our foot off the gas — this is the time to lean in, because we know it’s just that important.”
The Staten Island office becomes the third CompassCare office in New York City. The others are in Flatlands, Brooklyn, and the Concourse Village section of The Bronx.
Kathy Mauer, a registered nurse and vice president of patient services at CompassCare, has been with the organization for 17 years. She said she is grateful for the opportunity to expand the organization’s “influence” through the new medical center, calling it “a dream come true.”
“We believed a couple of years ago that the Lord was opening up doors for us to come to New York City,” Mauer said. “And miraculously that happened.”
ASTORIA — On the front lawn of St. John’s Preparatory High School, a new symbol of hope is taking root — a tree dedicated to the late Pope Francis, who championed environmentalism throughout his 12-year pontificate.
The dedication was led by the Ladies of Charity USA, part of the International Association of Charities (AIC), which has embarked on an environmental initiative to plant trees around the world. Locally, the effort was supported by the Junior Ladies of Charity at St. John’s Prep, under the guidance of moderator Pat Mulé, who also holds the same role at Immaculate Conception Catholic Academy in Astoria. Mulé is also the chair of Immaculate Conception’s Board of Trustees.
Ariana Yebez, a senior at St. John’s Prep, said the Junior Ladies want the tree to inspire others.
“We’re hoping that the future generations here will have an idea of what we did now,” Ariana said, “and we’re giving them hope that there’s something that they can continue.”
The Sept. 24 dedication ceremony coincided with a visit from Tayde de Callataÿ, the international president of the AIC, who met with the Junior Ladies at both St. John’s Prep and Immaculate Conception.
“I’m always so impressed by all the beautiful work, the commitment, the creativity, the joy, the caring and love of all these ladies and all generations, and it’s really nice to see younger girls wanting to join and be so touched by the charism we all share,” de Callataÿ said. “For us, it’s most important that it continues.”
She said she was especially touched by the dedication of the tree to Pope Francis, who she described as someone who “represented joy” and emphasized the importance of nature.
“He had been supporting us all those years when he was pope,” de Callataÿ said. “I’m really happy that they chose to dedicate to him this beautiful tree.”
After the tree was planted with a white ribbon symbolizing remembrance and hope, it was blessed by Father Charles Gilley, director of guidance and counseling at St. John’s Prep. He said it was a great way to honor Pope Francis’ legacy.
“It’s very nice continuing the mission of Pope Francis to beautify the earth and preserve the earth,” Father Gilley said. “It’s always a wonderful thing to look at creation for all its beauty and to maintain it.”
Faithful across the U.S. are fighting for life by taking part in a nationwide 40-day campaign of praying for the unborn and women considering getting an abortion.
Every year Catholic couples in the Diocese of Brooklyn renew their vows at an annual wedding anniversary Mass. In 2025, the wedding bells will be ringing at one church in Queens.
In this newscast’s installment of “Pulse of the Parish,” you’ll meet a man whose connection to his Queens parish goes back generations. Learn how he gives back to his community in any way he can – even in the face of tragedy.
Outside of Kings County Hospital in Brooklyn, a group of people is praying for the unborn. They plan to be here for the next 40 days, from Sept. 24 to Nov. 2.
“Abortions are done here in New York, unfortunately, all the way up to 40 weeks,” explained Linda Harrison, the Brooklyn leader of the “40 Days for Life” campaign. “We’re here to pray for an end to that in this hospital, and every hospital in New York City,”
The national campaign “40 Days for Life” calls on the faithful to give at least an hour of prayer a day to end abortion.
Before heading out, they attended Mass at St. Catherine of Genoa Church in Brooklyn.
Denise Collins says she was fueled by the readings at Mass.
“The reading was from Luke 9, 1 to 6. Jesus sending out the disciples, as missionaries,” Collins, a parishioner of Immaculate Heart of Mary in Brooklyn, told Currents News.
“We are all missionaries. The Gospel is very compelling,” she explained. “You know, the choice for life is really God’s grace.”
Legion of Mary member Donica Allen believes it’s part of her calling.
“To bring souls back to Christ and not only bring in the soul, but bring the souls of these mothers to Christ to let them know that without his mother, there wouldn’t be him,” said Allen.
Richard Harris is outside the Brooklyn hospital once a week year round hoping to change minds.
“You don’t have a right to choose who lives or dies, no matter what circumstances,” said Harris, a parishioner at St. Francis of Assisi-St Blaise Parish in Brooklyn.
Linda Harrison said the recent closure of Planned Parenthood in Manhattan is an indicator of the power of prayer.
“God wants us to be out here and being and, especially in this city where we’re being very heavily, pro-choice, unfortunately, we want people to know that there are pro-life people here,” she told Currents News. “We believe God, we trust God.”