Lithuanian “Shining Star” Honoree Helps Restore Brooklyn Church

By Tim Harfmann

Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church in Williamsburg, Brooklyn is undergoing a complete renovation thanks, in part, to the Lithuanian community.

“They’re very much a part of this parish. They’re very much a reason why this parish is in existence today,” said Monsignor Jamie Gigantiello. He is the church’s pastor.

Raimundas Slizys, better known as Ray, is part of that community. In all of New York State, there are less than 50,000 people who identity as Lithuanian.

He’s the recipient of this year’s Lithuanian Shining Star, a prestigious honor presented by Catholic Migration Services.

The annual event acknowledges Catholics for their contributions to immigrant communities and the Church. There are 28 honorees this year.

“It’s a tremendous honor to me. I feel like I’m continuing in the footsteps of my parents and the Lithuanians that migrated to the United States following World War II,” Ray said.

“Ray is the official spokesperson for the Lithuanian community here in the parish,” said Monsignor Gigantiello. “I get a call or an email from Ray almost every other day.”

That’s because Ray believes it’s important to continue the legacy of his ancestors, like his parents, who fled Lithuania.

“What they wanted to do was preserve a community here in the United States where they could keep their religious and cultural traditions.”

Ray is active at the Williamsburg parish, which includes serving on multiple committees and organizing events.

Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary is believed to be the only Catholic Church in the five boroughs with a weekly Lithuanian Mass.

“It’s really important for us to be a welcoming community.,” Ray said. “We have people here who have lived in the United States for the past 50 years, and other people have just come directly from Lithuanian. We want people to feel welcome. That they have a home away from home.”

Ray and 11 other honorees received their Shining Star Awards on October 12th at Garguilo’s Restaurant in Coney Island. Catholic Migration Services recognized the 16 additional recipients on October 19th.

Religious Sister Counsels Synod

Currents News anchor Liz Faublas is joined by Sister Nathalie Becquart, one of the top leaders at the Synod of Bishops. She is recognized around the globe as an expert on young people and is the first woman to ever lead France’s Evangelization and Vocations office.

Hurricane Michael Thursday Update

Currents News Staff

In the Florida panhandle residents are sorting through the aftermath of the strongest storm to hit the continental u-s in more than 25 years. “This hurricane was an absolute monster,” said Florida Governor Rick Scott.

Hurricane Michael slammed into Mexico Beach, Florida, Wednesday afternoon with 155 mile per hour winds. This morning offered a first look at the storm’s power and its destruction.
“This was never in our imagination. This here was such a tremendous thing that I never imagined this was what was going to happen to our home here,” said one resident.

Along with Mexico Beach, Apalachicola also seeing some of the storm’s worst.

FEMA Administrator Brock Long said rescues are a priority today. “Right now, the focus is on life safety and making sure that we are helping people who may be trapped.”

Hundreds of thousands of customers in Florida, Alabama, And Georgia, and North and South Carolina are without power.

Michael is moving through the Carolinas, bringing tropical storm force winds and heavy rain to some areas that took the brunt of Florence, just weeks ago. “This storm will not go down without a fight. And it’s still a threat. And it should be taken seriously,” said North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper.

President Trump issued a disaster declaration for Florida, and the administration has pledged its support during the response and long recovery.

Justice Kavanaugh Serves Food To Homeless

Currents News Staff

Brett Kavanaugh isn’t letting his first week on the high court throw him off his routine. The newly confirmed Supreme Court Justice teamed up with Catholic Charities Washington D.C., as he frequently does, to dish out meals to the homeless. Kavanaugh was joined by his former pastor, Monsignor John Enzler, who stood by him throughout the senate hearings.

Historic Catholic Church Vandalized

Currents News Staff

One of the oldest catholic churches in California has been desecrated. Vandals spray-painted Old Mission Santa Barbara with the words “rape” and a misspelled “genocide.” On the side of the building the vandals wrote “never forget the lives and land stolen.” Windows were also broken.

The damages to the building total about 30-thousand dollars, making the vandalism a felony. The mission was established in 1786 and is one of 21 California missions founded by the Spanish Franciscans.

Queens Catholics to Attend Oscar Romero’s Canonization

By Tim Harfmann

Father Carlos Quijano has pictures of Oscar Romero around his office at Blessed Sacrament Church in Jackson Heights, Queens. They’re visible signs of a devotion to the future saint.

Growing up in El Salvador, the priest remembered Oscar Romero as humble person who could be powerful during Mass.

“It was something in his face. His way to talk was the inspiration of God or the Holy Spirit,” said Father Carlos.

The priest is leading a group from the Brooklyn diocese to Rome to attend the October 14th ceremony.

Sofia Contreras is going because she, too, is devoted. She said, “He was a martyr for the Church!”

Oscar Romero was the archbishop of San Salvador and assassinated by a right-wing government death squad while celebrating Mass in 1980.

He was known for helping the poor and being outspoken against military oppression during the country’s bloody civil war, which took the lives of an estimated 75,000 people.

Father Carlos recalled when militants showed up at his family’s home and took his brother into custody as a political prisoner.

“It was a moment that changed our life forever as a family,” said Father Carlos, “because, for a month, my brother was totally — We never knew where he was.”

His mother had hope and prayed for her son’s return. One night, Oscar Romero appeared to her in a dream.

“My mother saw Archbishop Romero coming to her and told her, ‘don’t worry, your son will be fine, but you have to leave the country.”

Father Carlos and his mother fled El Salvador, but not before stopping at the archbishop’s grave to pray.

Now, decades later, Father Carlos and other Catholics from the Brooklyn diocese will watch Archbishop Romero get elevated to sainthood.

Currents News for Wednesday, October 10, 2018

On the newscast: One of the strongest hurricanes in modern history makes landfall along the Florida Gulf Coast; An update on the deadly limousine crash that killed twenty people – an arrest has been made; We sit down with a Queen’s priest to talk about his experiences with future saint Oscar Romero.

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)

The Tablet Preview: How A Synod Works

Editor in chief, Jorge Dominguez, discusses the latest edition of The Tablet. Among the top headlines, how a synod works and what the bishops are talking about in this year’s meeting.

To subscribe to The Tablet, visit thetablet.org/home55 or call 877-883-8356.

Hurricane Michael Makes Landfall

Currents News Staff

Hurricane Michael is slamming into the Florida panhandle. It’s a monster storm – gaining intensity – with the potential to cause catastrophic damage. “Right now, the winds are extremely high, and it’s as bad as I have ever seen it,” said Chief Bobby Varnes of the Apalachicola, FL Police.

Florida’s Governor issued a stark warning to any residents who did not evacuate. “Now the storm is here. The time to evacuate in coastal areas has come and gone,” said Governor Rick Scott.

Many bridges connecting islands to the mainland are now closed. Officials warn of a storm surge that could reach 14 feet in some areas. “The storm surge is going to be the worst where the eye makes landfall. So not only is it going to bring 14 feet of ocean water and coastal flood inundation, they’ll be wave action on top of that,” said FEMA Administrator Brock Long.

Tens of thousands of customers are already without power. Officials say it may not be restored for days or possibly weeks. President Trump received a briefing on the storm by FEMA. “I had a long talk with Governor Rick Scott and we’re very well coordinated with all of the states,” said President Trump.

Millions of people across six states are under hurricane warnings and watches as the storm is expected to blow over Georgia and the Carolinas in the next few days.

Limo Crash Update

Currents News Staff

“It just really hurts to think that this could happen. How could this ever happen? I don’t know how this could have happened,” said Karina Halse. She is the sister of one of the 19 victims killed in a deadly limo crash.

The operator of the limousine company now under arrest, facing charges with criminally negligent homicide.

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo ordering flags to be half-staff in honor of the victims. He says the modified-suv limousine failed inspection last month and was not supposed to be on the road.

But the attorney for prestige limousine says that is under dispute. “You know, windshield wipers and a latch on a window had broken and they fixed it, so little things like that. But as recently as last week they were told by the Department of Transportation that they could that this vehicle was road-worthy and they could drive it,” said Lee Kindlon.

Authorities have identified all of the victims. Among them, Matthew Coons, who worked as a personal trainer. “I know that God is cradling him in Heaven. And we will see him again one day and work out in Heaven’s gym. I know he’s up there doing curls,” said Jim Evans. He was a friend of Matthew Coons. Coons’ girlfriend died with him in the crash.

Amy King Steenburg and her three sisters were also in the limo. They were celebrating her 30th birthday. “They were fun-loving, they were wonderful girls, they’d do anything for you and they were very close to each other and they loved their family,” said Valerie Abeling, a relative of the family.