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Panama’s Emberá Natives: Having A Person Like The Pope Defending Us Is Very Important

Currents News Staff

Only a 20-minutes canoe ride separates this group of people from the rest of the world. This is one of the Emberá communities that have populated the territory of Panama for centuries.

There are about 80,000 Emberá peoples in different parts of the country. This particular group is made up of 26 families, a total of 84 people who have been living there for 11 years. They decided to embrace their roots to make sure they are not forgotten.

“It’s the way and style we have decided to live by, we don’t do it to put on a show for people. We do it because we’ve decided to live like this. People want to come and get to know us and we can’t turn them away. Instead, our goal is to make more want to come meet about us,” said Elvin Flaco of the Emberá Community.

They have been open to visitors for a while now. Each is welcomed with all the best the Emberá’s ancestral culture has to offer.

In a world where climate change is more and more tangible, the Emberá want to show that another kind of life is possible. It’s a life that is is in harmony with nature.“Our coexistence with nature is at risk. So, this is our way of transmitting knowledge and respect, not only for indigenous peoples, but also for nature so that future generations can live our same experience with nature,” said Flaco.

For this reason, they also appreciate the speech by Pope Francis in favor of indigenous cultures and how he highlights the important role of these peoples.“For us, as indigenous peoples, it is important that a public figure like the pope, endorses and respects indigenous peoples. Also, that he takes into account our rights and our territories. That validation of our right to land and to live in community is what we, as indigenous people, seek,” said Flaco.

The Emberá community is not shying away from the next World Youth Day, which will take place in Panama in just a few weeks. Dozens of pilgrims have already expressed interest in getting to know them and the community.

“We have around 150 pilgrims who have already told us they are visiting,” Flaco added.

The Emberás, like any other Panamanian, want to take part in the great event that includes a visit from the pope. And although Pope Francis’ schedule for the visit is already full, they hope he will make time to acknowledge the reality of one of the oldest communities on the continent.

Concerts Spread Important Messages During Advent

By Emily Drooby

It’s an Advent tradition. Christmas concerts help to celebrate this important season through the power of music.

Rebecca Pitcher the cantor at St. Ann Catholic Church said, “Everybody says to me, singing is praying twice.”

A tradition carried out at St. Ann Church in Hoboken with their 2018 Wintertide concert.

Jeremy Beck, the church’s music director said, “I think when people do experience it in a different way as opposed to just hearing it nonchalantly on the radio, it touches people a lot deeper.”

Hundreds attended the sold-out concert which raised at least $7,000 for local non-profit, Family Promise of Hudson County, which helps to house homeless families.

On a deeper level, concerts like this one, are very important. As Father Remo DiSalvatore, the Pastor at St. Ann Church, explained, they help to spread the important advent message of hope.

Father DiSalvatore, “We’re always trying to share that message with people. And so, music is a great way that maybe some people who don’t really come to church all the time would be interested in coming in, hearing the message in a different way.”

While music in general also helps to fill the pews.

Pitcher said, “The church has grown in the last 6 years that I have been here and I do think it has something to do with the music.”

Also brining parishioners closer to God. Father DiSalvatore said, “It’s all connected and it’s all part of us giving our praise and worship to God.”

A Christmas Gift for Those Who Made the Ultimate Sacrifice

By Katie Engesser

Students from Holy Angels Catholic Academy in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn place a symbol of the Christmas season in a solemn place.

“For what they’ve done for us, they deserve to be honored,” said Sean Powers, a 7th grader at the academy.

Unlike many visitors to Cypress Hills Cemetery, these girls and boys aren’t remembering relatives. In fact, they don’t know those buried there. What they do know is that in these graves lie America’s heroes.

“They risked their lives to give us freedom,” said Joseph Chelales, another 7th grader at the school.

The students are taking part in ‘Wreaths Across America,’ which shows respect to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.

“Maybe their family can’t visit them so it would be right for us to visit them if they don’t have people to visit them,” Joseph explained.

The thousands of soldiers laid to rest in the Brooklyn cemetery are from the branches of the U.S. military.  Some date back to the Civil War. The many graves are adorned with wreaths.

Major Jose Martinez from the Civil Air Patrol, U.S. Airforce Auxiliary explained “It’s not for the glory, it’s not for the notoriety. It’s a chance for us to give back. They gave to us, let’s give back to them.”

The students helped to place around 2,000 wreaths around Cyprus Hills Cemetery but honoring the veterans has become a school-wide project. For those who couldn’t attend the service, they donated money to help pay for the wreaths.

Michael Long, Chairman of the Board at Holy Angels, said “I think it’s a huge sign of respect to put a wreath on a military grave.”

Long introduced the program at the school last year. He wanted the students to take part so they would better understand the sacrifices of veterans.

“It’s very important,” Long explained, “because one of the reasons we’re able to celebrate Christmas, one of the reasons we’re able to sit down with our families and go to church and say our prayers is because people fought and died to keep us free.”

‘Wreaths Across America’ is honoring veterans in about 1,400 locations in all 50 states this Christmas with a mission to remember the fallen, honor those who serve, and teach the next generation the cost of freedom. Certainly for the kids from Holy Angels, many of whom told me their parents and grandparents are veterans, this is a lesson they are learning well.

“I would like to have other people celebrating them and put wreaths on their graves,” said 5th grader, Caroline Chelales.

You Be The Judge!

You Be The Judge! Judge Patricia DiMango puts Monsignor Jamie on the bench this week as she dishes up a clam sauce over pasta al dente. Tune in to find out Monsignor Jamie’s verdict on Judge DiMango’s Italian dish on this episode of Breaking Bread.

Charlie Romo

Like many young people, 22-year-old Charlie Romo dreams of being a renowned singer. But he’s not busy performing pop songs or auditioning for American Idol. Instead, he’s following in the footsteps of his heroes, entertainers like Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett. Charlie talks to host Craig Syracusa about his inspiration for pursuing this old-fashioned style of music and the role his faith plays in his life & career.

Currents News for Friday, December 14, 2018

On the newscast: Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio installing a new pastor in Park Slope; They all visited St. Patrick’s Cathedral and now these Popes are memorialized inside; Students perform scenes from the nativity during the annual Bishop Dimarzio Christmas Luncheon.

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

Currents News for Thursday, December 13, 2018

On the newscast: Cardinal George Pell – at one time a powerful figure at the Vatican – tonight is convicted of sexual abuse; On the Feast Day Of Saint Lucy – patroness of the blind – an extraordinary mass is celebrated by a blind priest; A very special way to love the Lord is on the rise – there’s been a significant increase in women who are consecrated virgins.

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

Visually Impaired Celebrate Patron Saint

By Tim Harfmann

Father Jamie Dennis doesn’t prepare for Mass like other Catholic priests. He needs help because he’s lost almost all of his eyesight. “It’s like looking through a straw. That’s what I have left. And what I can see through that is not clear at all,” said Father Dennis.

But that didn’t stop him from celebrating a special Mass at Saint Francis Xavier Church in Chelsea. It was the feast day of Saint Lucy — patron saint of the visually impaired. A Kentucky priest, Father Dennis traveled to New York to honor the fourth-century Italian saint. After having her eyes ripped out for being Catholic, it is believed Saint Lucy was still able to see. She was tortured and died a martyr for the faith. “Her name means light, so she’s also a light pointing to the greater light of Christ for us,” said Father Dennis.

During the liturgy, the priest used braille books to follow along. The Xavier Society for the Blind provided them. For over a century, the nonprofit organization gives free braille and audio books so thousands of Catholics across the united states and 20 other countries can grow closer to Christ. Members of the faithful in the pews for Mass also used the braille. “It really embodies what we do because folks are able to witness our clients, our patrons, using our materials to practice their faith,” said Malachy Fallon. He’s the executive director of the society.

Sharlene Kraft is a lector. She’s legally blind and a parishioner at Holy Family Church in Fresh Meadows, Queens. “If there’s something I can do that benefits the Church, that’s good. Xavier allows me to do that. Without Xavier, I wouldn’t be able to participate in the way I do,” said Kraft.

Twelve-year-old Mara Hug also uses braille books so she can serve at the altar. “It’s easier to read so I can focus more on the serving.” Hug prays to Saint Lucy and plans to take the name Lucy when she receives the sacrament of confirmation next year.

Following Mass, Hug and other worshipers venerated a sacred relic, touching and kissing a piece of Saint Lucy.

For the blind, their patron saint guides them.

Cardinal George Pell Convicted of Sexual Abuse

After four full days of deliberations, the verdict is now in.
Cardinal George Pell was found guilty of sex abuse. National Correspondent for the Tablet and Crux, Christopher White, joins Currents News anchor Liz Faublas to discuss.

Consecrated Virgins on the Rise

By Emily Drooby

While flipping through a photo album, Angela Scannapieco reflected one of the most important days of her life.

On that day, Scannapieco stood at St. James Cathedral Basilica in a wedding dress from David’s Bridal with a ring on her finger; but it wasn’t her wedding, it was her consecration ceremony.

Scannapieco, said: “They never had consecrated virgins in Brooklyn before.”

Scannapieco is one of only about 5,000 consecrated virgins in the world — and one of only two in Brooklyn; there is a third woman currently working towards becoming a consecrated virgin. The position is growing rapidly. The United States Association of Consecrated Virgins tells us while there is no central registry, they believe the number has grown between 10 to 15 percent since December 2015, when there were about 4,000. Even Scannapieco didn’t know what a consecrated virgin was when the idea was first introduced by her spiritual director.

Scannapieco, said “He said have you thought about consecrated virginity, and I said excuse me?”

She has now seen more recognition.

Scannapieco, said: “I have spoken at a couple of parishes and things like that so there is more awareness, I don’t know if I have seen people come up to me and say oh I know all about consecrated virginity, because it’s still not all that well known.”

Being a consecrated virgin is similar to being a nun, but consecrated virgins don’t live in enclosed communities, they don’t wear special clothing on a daily basis, and they have jobs. For example, while Scannapieco works at Divine Mercy parish in Brooklyn, another consecrated virgin she knows works in the banking industry.

Scannapieco explained one thing is similar, the calling: “If there is something that doesn’t feel like it’s all together there, then surround yourself with good, Holy people and seek some council and they’ll point you in the right direction and then God knows, God will use them.”