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Emotional Farewell for 41

Currents News Staff

Former President of the United States George H.W. Bush is making his final journey back to his adopted home state of Texas.

Following an emotional farewell from former and current world leaders at the National Cathedral in Washington, including all living former Presidents, as well as President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump.

There were moving tributes from those who worked with him.

“The most decent and honorable person I ever met was my friend, George Bush. One of nature’s noble men,” said Alan Simpson, Former Wyoming Senator.

Also, from those who understand the legacy he leaves behind.

“I believe it will be said that no occupant of the Oval Office was more courageous, more principled, and more honorable, than George Herbert Walker Bush,” said Brian Mulroney, Former Prime Minister of Canada.

The most poignant words came from his son.

“Through our tears, let us know the blessings of knowing and loving you. A great and noble man. The best father a son or daughter could have. And in our grief, let us smile knowing that dad is hugging Robin and holding mom’s hand again,” said Former President George W. Bush.

Church of the Annunciation

In this episode, filmed on location in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, Anthony Mangano and Msgr. Jamie Gigantiello discuss the total restoration and renovation work involved in preserving this historic 1870 church for future generations of worshipers. Recorded over a one year period, the City of Churches camera crew captured much of the transformation of the Church of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The entire building undergoes a complete overhaul, from the bell tower and the outside brickwork to the interior walls and floors, the original hand carved wooden altar, the vintage pipe organ, stations of the cross, numerous antique statues, artwork and the original stained glass windows.

Currents News for Tuesday, December 4th, 2018

On the newscast: A New Jersey family says their township wants them to pay to display their eye-popping Christmas decorations; the Diocese of Syracuse releasing a list of priests accused of sexual abuse and the bishop is speaking about it; an outpouring of love and affection for George Herbert Walker Bush as he lies in state at the capitol.

Local Leaders Offer To Pay For Damaged Statues

By Tim Harfmann

Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams joined religious and other political leaders outside the 90th police precinct in Williamsburg. “We must send the right message to those who are attempting to divide us,” said Adams.

It’s an ecumenical effort after two angel statues were destroyed outside Our Lady of Consolation Church on Sunday, December 2nd. Leaders offered to make personal donations to replace the statues. “All of us have our particular faith traditions, but we’re all catholic with a small ‘c’ because it means universal,” said Rabbi Joseph Potasnik, executive vice president for the New York Board of Rabbis. “We must stand up and add our voice that we are our brother’s keeper. That is why we are here together,” said Adams.

Monsignor Kieran Harrington, vicar for communications for the Diocese of Brooklyn, said the gesture is appreciated, but encouraged them to donate towards issues such as homelessness and drug addiction. “Maybe we ought to be focusing, as a matter of public policy, on solving deeper problems that are causing some of the fracturing and breaking of our society,” said Monsignor Harrington.

The NYPD is investigating the incident as a possible hate crime. Surveillance video captured an individual urinating on the two sculptures before pushing them off their platforms, shattering to the ground. The suspect is described as a 30-year-old male around six-feet-tall and weighing 190 lbs. He has brown hair and was last seen wearing beige pants and a dark pea coat.

It is reportedly the sixth time in eight years that statues have been desecrated outside Our Lady of Consolation Church, located on Metropolitan Avenue between Bedford Avenue and Berry Street.

Religious leaders had a message for the vandal. “We welcome all people. We all have made mistakes — some worse than others. There’s room for everyone, but you have show that you’re sincere before you are forgiven,” said Rabbi Potasnik. “We’ll forgive you for breaking a statue. If you need help, we’re here to help you in any way we can,” said Monsignor Harrington.

No word yet on when the statues will be replaced at the Williamsburg church. Anyone with information is urged to contact CRIMESTOPPERS at 800-577-TIPS or texting their tip to CRIMES then enter TIP-5-7-7.

Bob Dole Stands To Salute Casket Of Late Former President George H.W. Bush

Currents News Staff

Former U.S. Senator and Republican Presidential Candidate Bob Dole gave an emotional tribute to the late former President George H.W. Bush on Tuesday.

The 95-year-old former U.S. Army captain was helped up from his wheelchair to salute the casket in the Capitol Rotunda.

Dole said that Bush’s passing marked the end of an era, with him being the last World War II Veteran President.

Bush died at 94 years old late last Friday.

Several memorial services have been planned since, leading up to when he will be buried Thursday in College Station, Texas.

IDF Launches Operation To Thwart Cross Border Attack

Currents News Staff

Israel announced Operation Northern Shield this morning to thwart and neutralize what they call cross-border attack tunnels dug by Hezbollah from Lebanon into Israel.

The military has put its Northern Command on alert and closed some areas near the border as military zones. That being said no reserves have been called up at this point and there are no restrictions on civilians for now.

The first tunnel the military is dealing with is near Metula a town that sits right on the Israel Lebanon border. But the operation will continue. The military says all along the border. It’s estimated that there are less than 10 tunnels.

The military is aware of now that enter some dozens of meters into Israel. But more could be discovered as the operation continues. Israeli military says none of the tunnels were operational yet. This is far from Israel’s first effort to shore up its northern border.

For a few years now, Israel has been working to build a defensive wall on some sensitive parts of the border as well as creating cliffs in the mountains there to make it more difficult to go through the border. Israel has also cleared away vegetation along the Lebanese border to improve visibility there.

Fight Over Christmas Light Display Expenses

By Emily Drooby

It’s one of the most revered Christmas light shows in the North East.  One spectator, Beata Tabachnik explains, “Watching it live is just, it’s unreal.”

The extravagant display, which features 70,000 synchronized lights, almost went dark this year after the Old Bridge, New Jersey homeowners say the Township told them they would have to pay $2,600 a night for police and bus shuttle service.

Homeowner Tom Apruzzi, a devout Catholic, says, “I’m not shutting down for nobody…you’re always going to have that couple of people that don’t agree with it but it’s about the happiness and smiles on people’s faces and if you look at all these people there’s smiles everywhere.”

Even with the looming threat of thousands of dollars in fees, Apruzzi and his wife Kris decided to debut their family’s 2018 Christmas light show this season. Much to the happiness of spectators like Tabachnik who said, “I think it’s absolutely crazy, he’s giving back to the neighborhood, he’s not doing this for himself.”

Police are still on hand to help with traffic for the home located at 18 Central Avenue which is located in a residential neighborhood. Apruzzi says he hasn’t gotten a bill from the township yet and doesn’t know if one will come. Apruzzi says, “When I get the bill then my attorney gets the bill and we work it out from there.”

A Go Fund Me page set up for the light display has raised about $4,600. Tom’s brother Al Apruzzi estimates the family has spent over 100,000 dollars on the light show over the years. Telling us it takes about two months to set up. They also use the Christmas display to raise thousands of dollars in donations for the organization, ‘Homes For Our Troops’.

Al Apruzzi explained, “For someone to try to put a kibosh on Christmas and veterans and Children, you’re not going to win.”

We reached out to the township’s mayor, Owen Henry, and the Township’s police department for comment multiple times but have not heard back.

As of now Apruzzi plans on continuing the light show – it will run Thursday through Sunday during December from 6pm to 10pm and will run the whole week of Christmas.

 

Muriel Spark’s “The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie”

Fr. Robert Lauder has a deep connection to the arts including film, stage and literature. THE CATHOLIC NOVEL is a lecture series that will focus on some of his favorite novels where Catholicism is treated favorably.