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Rabbis Organize Protests At The Border

Currents News Staff

The tour started at the Paso Del Norte Bridge, where the group saw first-hand the governments presence and the location where hundreds begin the process of seeking asylum.

They then took a bus to the Tornillo port of entry, where they held a vigil for the immigrant children being held at a detention center.

Rabbi Josh Whinston came all the way from Ann Arbor, Michigan.

He spoke about the Jewish community’s involvement in this issue following the recent shooting at a synagogue in Pittsburgh.

The group then tried to get to the detention center, but a homeland security officer gave them a warning.

The group also consisted of other religious leaders from the borderland, including Father Tom Smith from Holy Cross Church in Mesilla Park, New Mexico.

Deputy Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan said Thursday that the number of U.S. troops at the border has “peaked” at 59-hundred. He said that number is not expected to increase.

Catholic Charities Trot Out The Turkeys For Thanksgiving

By Tim Harfmann

People like Kenneth Dillard can now cook a Thanksgiving meal with help from catholic charities.

“I think it’s great! I mean, I… used to not need it. But at some point, in my life, I learned humility,” he said.

A line wrapping around the pews of Saint Jerome Church in East Flatbush as those in need wait to get food like they were at the supermarket.

Monsignor Alfread Lopinto is the CEO of Catholic Charities.

“It gives us the opportunity to share with them because we’re thankful for all the gifts we get at Catholic Charities, and those gifts are given to us to give to others,” he said.

Catholic Charities held a similar event in Queens Thursday.

All of these items are donated.

Al Catanese and his wife, Maria, donated seven-hundred turkeys. It’s a tradition the couple started two years ago

They’re parishioners at Saint Francis De Sales Church in Belle Harbor, Queens and want to help fellow Catholics.

“It’s nice to come here and see the end result other than just writing a check. You don’t know how much of your money goes anywhere. But when you hand the person a turkey and they put it in their basket, you know it’s going home to their table. It puts a smile on their face, and it puts a smile on our face,” he said.

Lakeisha Jordan has her hands full with donated food – and children. With her nine-month-old strapped to her chest, the Brownsville resident tells us she has two other children and takes care of her younger sister. She’s grateful for the help.

“I’m able to get, and they’re able to eat and everything. And they can have a wonderful Thanksgiving,” she said.

This is one of one-hundred-sixty programs Catholic Charities runs throughout the year to help nearly one-hundred-thousand residents. That includes donating one-million meals through food pantries.

 

 

 

 

Several Hundred Still Missing From Ca Wildfires

Currents News Staff

The state of California is reeling after more than a week of devastating wildfires.

Officials continue the disheartening task of combing through debris and burned down structures, looking for additional human remains.

They hope the hundreds of people missing are still alive – either in shelters, or safe with family or friends – unaware that the state is looking for them.

The deadly camp fire that nearly wiped out the city of paradise is roughly 45% contained.

In southern California, where the Woolsey fire killed at least three people and wiped out more than 98,000 acres, several mandatory evacuations remain in place.

The good news for residents and firefights – winds are expected to die down over the weekend, and rain is the forecast next week.

President Trump is expected to visit the region on Saturday to meet with first responders and victims.

Pope Makes Surprise Visit To Hospital For Homeless Near The Vatican

Currents News Staff

The Pope ventured out of Vatican walls to St. Peter’s Square to visit the field hospital open this week for people in need.

He arrived by foot to the square, where many pilgrims had the opportunity to greet him personally.

The temporary hospital is offering free medical care for homeless during this week. The Pope entered the waiting room to greet the patients and excitement ensued.

The Pope wanted to greet the nurses and the doctors. The doctors told him they’ve already treated two people for heart attacks.

Pope Francis even underwent some medical examinations. Some took the opportunity to ask for his advice.

It was a brief visit, about 15 minutes long, but it was special. These tents represent an area where besides healing the wounds of the body, they also try to cure those of the soul.

Lasagna By The Sea

Seafood lasagna? No problem. Monsignor Jamie mixes it up for City of Churches’ host, Anthony Mangano, when he dishes up a lasagna with crab meat, shrimp, and vodka sauce.

Currents News for Thursday, November 15, 2018

On the newscast: Flames continue to tear through California as the number of missing persons rises; The recount deadline has come and gone in Florida – a key race still remains up in the air; Generational evangelization: what it means to talk to your grandkids about the faith.

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, November 15, 2018

On the newscast: Flames continue to tear through California as the number of missing persons rises; The recount deadline has come and gone in Florida – a key race still remains up in the air; Generational evangelization: what it means to talk to your grandkids about the faith.

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)

New Amazon Headquarters Could Affect Evangelization

By Tim Harfmann

Amazon plans to create 25,000 jobs when the shipping giant builds its new headquarters in Long Island City, Queens.

The announcement is on Giovanna Varlese’s mind. She grew up in Long Island City and is a parishioner at St. Mary Church, which is located blocks away from where Amazon will develop. “Amazon coming could be good. It could be bad. Nobody ever knows. The future will let us know,” said Varlese.

Long Island City is already an up-and-coming-area.

Varlese has volunteered outside of church, evangelizing with new residents by passing out bulletins. “They take the bulletin, open it, and they start saying, ‘okay, this sounds interesting. Let me come by and check it out,” said Varlese.

She said those efforts have increased Mass attendance. A book in the front of the church is proof. It’s filled with prayer intentions from Catholics and non-Catholics alike. “We have people from everywhere coming in. Our parish, sort of, became ‘on the map,” said Varlese.

Now, the neighborhood is on the global map thanks to Amazon. Though the company’s main headquarters is in Seattle, it will split its second headquarters between Arlington, Virginia and Long Island City. But not everyone is happy about it. “If you look around, there’s like 20 buildings being built in this area. And they’re all luxury buildings,” said Francisco. He works in the Queens neighborhood. “There’s a lot that’s happening here already. There are other parts of the country that don’t, necessarily, have as many opportunities,” said Brie Arthur, who was visiting Long Island City.

About 80,000 residents live in the neighborhood. That’s a 21 percent jump from five years ago, according to Long Island City Partnership, a local development group. The population is expected to surpass 100,000 by 2021. Though not every Amazon employee is expected to live in Long Island City, it will create more traffic.

But Varlese said Amazon may be able to deliver. “It could be good. We’ll have more people and, hopefully, they’ll join us at the parish.”

Prime real estate that could evangelize the faith.

California Wildfires Ongoing

Currents News Staff

As firefighters in California make progress on containing several wildfires throughout the state, the focus now shifts to the daunting task of recovery- and identifying the victims.

In northern California – the camp fire has killed at least 56 people, as over 460 rescue workers and officials comb through debris, searching for human remains.

“They already have the capability of beginning to collect samples from the general public or people who suspect a loved one may have perished in the fire,” said Sheriff Kory Honea, Butte County, CA.

It’s the deadliest and most destructive wildfire in California history.

“A week ago tonight most of us went to bed not knowing that we would wake up in the morning to a fire that burns 55,000 acres, burns approximately 8,000 structures, in the first 12 hours,” said Dave Russell, Cal Fire Incident Commander.

In southern California – the Woolsey fire, which started seven days ago – is more than 57 percent contained.

That fire has destroyed over 500 structures, but with more favorable weather conditions expected, officials are optimistic that they have a handle on this blaze.

More than 230 thousand acres have burned through the state over the past week.