NEW YORK, NY — MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred, reportedly infuriated by news of ball players defiling their pride hats with Bible verses, has ordered anyone who refuses to bow to the pride flag be cast into the fiery furnace.
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SAN FRANCISCO, CA — With California adopting a new system to reward LGBTQ+ businesses, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz showed up uninvited at the offices of the California Public Utilities Commission volunteering to personally inspect every California business to see if the owners are gay enough.
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On June 18, the pope issued a decree recognizing the heroic virtue of the foundress of the Parish Visitors of Mary Immaculate in New York, among several others.
The pontiff met with the board of governors of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem on June 18.
Another horrible video has surfaced of James Talarico, the bizarre, supposedly Christian Democrat running for a U.S.
The post James Talarico Praised Left Wing Climate Change Group Fighting to Eliminate the Oil Business in Texas in Resurfaced Video appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.
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Just yesterday, it was reported that Hollywood insiders fear the city is turning into the next Detroit.
The post Failing Hollywood Wants a Bailout From Taxpayers and Adam Schiff is Trying to Give it to Them appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.
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This year may be America’s 250th birthday but that doesn’t seem to matter to most Democrats.
The post Poll Finds Only 27 Percent of Democrats Plan to Display the American Flag on July 4th appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.
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Flower buds of a shrubby St. John’s wort (Hypericum androsaemum). Focus stack of 25 photos.
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A reading from the Book of Sirach
48:1-14
Like a fire there appeared the prophet Elijah
whose words were as a flaming furnace.
Their staff of bread he shattered,
in his zeal he reduced them to straits;
By the Lord’s word he shut up the heavens
and three times brought down fire.
How awesome are you, Elijah, in your wondrous deeds!
Whose glory is equal to yours?
You brought a dead man back to life
from the nether world, by the will of the LORD.
You sent kings down to destruction,
and easily broke their power into pieces.
You brought down nobles, from their beds of sickness.
You heard threats at Sinai,
at Horeb avenging judgments.
You anointed kings who should inflict vengeance,
and a prophet as your successor.
You were taken aloft in a whirlwind of fire,
in a chariot with fiery horses.
You were destined, it is written, in time to come
to put an end to wrath before the day of the LORD,
To turn back the hearts of fathers toward their sons,
and to re-establish the tribes of Jacob.
Blessed is he who shall have seen you
And who falls asleep in your friendship.
For we live only in our life,
but after death our name will not be such.
O Elijah, enveloped in the whirlwind!
Then Elisha, filled with the twofold portion of his spirit,
wrought many marvels by his mere word.
During his lifetime he feared no one,
nor was any man able to intimidate his will.
Nothing was beyond his power;
beneath him flesh was brought back into life.
In life he performed wonders,
and after death, marvelous deeds.
From the Gospel according to Matthew
6:7-15
Jesus said to his disciples:
“In praying, do not babble like the pagans,
who think that they will be heard because of their many words.
Do not be like them.
Your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
“This is how you are to pray:
‘Our Father who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name,
thy Kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread;
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.’
“If you forgive others their transgressions,
your heavenly Father will forgive you.
But if you do not forgive others,
neither will your Father forgive your transgressions.”
Today’s Gospel presents Jesus teaching his disciples the Our Father (…). This is the prayer that unites all Christians. (…) The Catechism of the Catholic Church expresses this very well: “Thus the Lord’s Prayer reveals us to ourselves at the same time that it reveals the Father to us” (ibid., 2783). Indeed, how true this is, for the more we pray with confidence to our heavenly Father, the more we discover that we are beloved children and the more we come to know the greatness of his love (…).
The Lord always listens to us when we pray to him. If he sometimes responds in ways or at times that are difficult to understand, it is because he acts with wisdom and providence, which are beyond our understanding. Even in these moments, then, let us not cease to pray — and pray with confidence — for in him we will always find light and strength.
When we recite the Our Father, in addition to celebrating the grace of being children of God, we also express our commitment to responding to this gift by loving one another as brothers and sisters in Christ. (…). We cannot pray to God as “Father” and then be harsh and insensitive towards others. Instead, it is important to let ourselves be transformed by his goodness, his patience, his mercy, so that his face may be reflected in ours as in a mirror. (Pope Leo XVI, Angelus, 27 luglio 2025)
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Fidelity to God, family, and country are the founding principles that bind American society together, according to Princeton University professor Robert P. George.
![2 newly ordained men thankful for gift of priesthood #Catholic - Sunlight streamed through the stained-glass windows of the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Paterson, N.J., on the morning of June 13 as Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney ordained two seminarians as the newest priests of the Paterson Diocese, N.J. In his homily, Bishop Sweeney told the two men that Jesus calls them to “have a missionary spirit in care for those who are most in need.”
The newest priests are Father Lucas Sebastian Mateo Folan, a member of Notre Dame of Mount Carmel Parish in the Cedar Knolls neighborhood of Hanover Township, N.J., and Father Jender Arley Medina Palencia, who was born and raised in Colombia. He served St. Margaret of Scotland Parish in Morristown, N.J., as a temporary deacon before priesthood.
Before the ordination, Father Folan and Father Medina both told BeaconNJ.org that they were “excited” to begin their ministries as priests. The men especially looked forward to consecrating the Eucharist and hearing confessions, and both thanked God for the beautiful “gift of the priesthood.”
Bishop Sweeney, that sunny Saturday, celebrated the English and Spanish ordination Mass, rooted in early Church tradition, at St. John’s, the mother church of the diocese. [Read a detailed description of the Rite of Ordination in the story below.] Priests of the diocese and beyond concelebrated, while deacons and seminarians assisted.
A broad spectrum of well-wishers — including family, friends, priests, parishioners, and diocesan faithful — attended the ordination to support the new priests. The Diocesan Choir and musicians, led by Preston Dibble, diocesan music minister and choir director, performed worship music for the Mass, which was livestreamed for family and loved ones unable to attend.
“Before Christ’s pierced heart, give yourselves entirely to me so that you may love his people with the same love that he loves them,” Bishop Sweeney told the men in his homily. “The priesthood is the love of the heart of Jesus. This love is our pledge as priests. If we surrender and offer ourselves completely, nothing of us will be lost,” he said.
Father Medina celebrated his first Mass as a priest the next day, June 14, at St. Margaret’s in Morristown. His younger sister, Liz, traveled from their native Colombia with her boyfriend for the Masses. Other family and friends watched on a livestream. Father Medina’s first assignment as a priest will be as a parochial vicar of the cathedral.
Father Folan celebrated his first Mass at Notre Dame the next day, in the presence of family and loved ones. In the fall, he will travel to Rome to complete a licentiate in sacred theology, with a focus on fundamental and dogmatic theology, at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas. Before that, Father Folan will serve at Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in Boonton, N.J.
Also in his homily, Bishop Sweeney reminded the two men to “be true priests of the New Testament, in order to preach the Gospel. Shepherd God’s people, and celebrate divine worship, especially the Eucharist and reconciliation of the sacraments, especially in the Lord’s sacrifice,” he said.
At the conclusion of Mass, Bishop Sweeney thanked the families of the new priests and their parishes and seminaries, which had representatives present, for nurturing their vocations. He urged the faithful at the liturgy to continue praying for the priests.
Immediately following the recessional at the end of the Mass, the new priests returned to the front of St. John’s altar to give their first blessing as priests to family members and well-wishers.
At the end of Mass, Bishop Sweeney told the new priests, “May God, who founded the Church and guides her still, protect you constantly with his grace that you may faithfully discharge the duties of the priesthood.”
“May he make you servants and a witness and witnesses in the world to divine charity and truth and faithful ministers of reconciliation,” Bishop Sweeney continued. “May he make you two shepherds to provide the living bread and word of life to the faithful so that they may continue to grow in the unity of the one body of Christ,” he said.
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Ordination liturgy steeped in rich traditions of the early Church
The two newest priests for the Paterson Diocese received the Sacrament of Holy Orders and were ordained Saturday, June 13, at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Paterson, N.J., in an ordination liturgy steeped in ceremony and in the rich traditions of the Church.
First, the men were called forward by name. Msgr. Mark Condon, diocesan vicar general, moderator of the Curia, and pastor of Our Lady of the Holy Angels Parish in Little Falls, N.J., requested that Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney ordain the candidates. With that, the bishop announced that he had chosen the candidates for the priesthood, and the congregation greeted the announcement with enthusiastic applause.
Then the priest candidates were asked if they were willing to discharge the Office of Priesthood, to celebrate the mysteries of Christ faithfully and religiously, to preach the Gospel worthily and wisely, to consecrate their lives to God, and to grow closer to Christ. They knelt before the bishop, placing their hands between his, promising obedience to him and his successors.
During the Litany of Saints, the candidates prostrated themselves before the altar and the bishop as a sign of humility and their total reliance on God’s grace. They received the strength of the Holy Spirit as the bishop imposed hands on them in silence. Then, the assembled priests were invited to lay hands on the seven men, part of the ancient sign of ordination.
In the Prayer of Consecration, Bishop Sweeney implored God’s help so the priesthood may continue in the Church. He prayed that the dignity of the priesthood be granted to the candidates. Priests vested the newly ordained with a stole and chasuble. Then the bishop anointed the new priests’ palms with Sacred Chrism as a sign that they now share in Christ’s mission.
Bishop Sweeney accepted the Offertory gifts and then, in turn, handed them to the newly ordained. The new priests and many other diocesan priests were concelebrants at the Mass. Later, the new priests exchanged the sign of peace with Bishop Sweeney and the concelebrating priests as a sign of welcome into the presbyterate.
At the end of the Mass, the new priests gave their first blessing to the Bishop. Then, in front of the altar after Mass, they gave blessings to their family members and friends who had come from near and far to show their support on their ordination day.
BEACON PHOTOS | JOE GIGLI
[See image gallery at beaconnj.org]](https://unitedyam.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/2-newly-ordained-men-thankful-for-gift-of-priesthood-catholic-sunlight-streamed-through-the-stained-glass-windows-of-the-cathedral-of-st-john-the-baptist-in-paterson-n-j-on-the-morning-of-june.jpg)
2 newly ordained men thankful for gift of priesthood #Catholic – 
Sunlight streamed through the stained-glass windows of the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Paterson, N.J., on the morning of June 13 as Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney ordained two seminarians as the newest priests of the Paterson Diocese, N.J. In his homily, Bishop Sweeney told the two men that Jesus calls them to “have a missionary spirit in care for those who are most in need.”
The newest priests are Father Lucas Sebastian Mateo Folan, a member of Notre Dame of Mount Carmel Parish in the Cedar Knolls neighborhood of Hanover Township, N.J., and Father Jender Arley Medina Palencia, who was born and raised in Colombia. He served St. Margaret of Scotland Parish in Morristown, N.J., as a temporary deacon before priesthood.
Before the ordination, Father Folan and Father Medina both told BeaconNJ.org that they were “excited” to begin their ministries as priests. The men especially looked forward to consecrating the Eucharist and hearing confessions, and both thanked God for the beautiful “gift of the priesthood.”
Bishop Sweeney, that sunny Saturday, celebrated the English and Spanish ordination Mass, rooted in early Church tradition, at St. John’s, the mother church of the diocese. [Read a detailed description of the Rite of Ordination in the story below.] Priests of the diocese and beyond concelebrated, while deacons and seminarians assisted.
A broad spectrum of well-wishers — including family, friends, priests, parishioners, and diocesan faithful — attended the ordination to support the new priests. The Diocesan Choir and musicians, led by Preston Dibble, diocesan music minister and choir director, performed worship music for the Mass, which was livestreamed for family and loved ones unable to attend.
“Before Christ’s pierced heart, give yourselves entirely to me so that you may love his people with the same love that he loves them,” Bishop Sweeney told the men in his homily. “The priesthood is the love of the heart of Jesus. This love is our pledge as priests. If we surrender and offer ourselves completely, nothing of us will be lost,” he said.
Father Medina celebrated his first Mass as a priest the next day, June 14, at St. Margaret’s in Morristown. His younger sister, Liz, traveled from their native Colombia with her boyfriend for the Masses. Other family and friends watched on a livestream. Father Medina’s first assignment as a priest will be as a parochial vicar of the cathedral.
Father Folan celebrated his first Mass at Notre Dame the next day, in the presence of family and loved ones. In the fall, he will travel to Rome to complete a licentiate in sacred theology, with a focus on fundamental and dogmatic theology, at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas. Before that, Father Folan will serve at Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in Boonton, N.J.
Also in his homily, Bishop Sweeney reminded the two men to “be true priests of the New Testament, in order to preach the Gospel. Shepherd God’s people, and celebrate divine worship, especially the Eucharist and reconciliation of the sacraments, especially in the Lord’s sacrifice,” he said.
At the conclusion of Mass, Bishop Sweeney thanked the families of the new priests and their parishes and seminaries, which had representatives present, for nurturing their vocations. He urged the faithful at the liturgy to continue praying for the priests.
Immediately following the recessional at the end of the Mass, the new priests returned to the front of St. John’s altar to give their first blessing as priests to family members and well-wishers.
At the end of Mass, Bishop Sweeney told the new priests, “May God, who founded the Church and guides her still, protect you constantly with his grace that you may faithfully discharge the duties of the priesthood.”
“May he make you servants and a witness and witnesses in the world to divine charity and truth and faithful ministers of reconciliation,” Bishop Sweeney continued. “May he make you two shepherds to provide the living bread and word of life to the faithful so that they may continue to grow in the unity of the one body of Christ,” he said.
Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.
Ordination liturgy steeped in rich traditions of the early Church
The two newest priests for the Paterson Diocese received the Sacrament of Holy Orders and were ordained Saturday, June 13, at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Paterson, N.J., in an ordination liturgy steeped in ceremony and in the rich traditions of the Church.
First, the men were called forward by name. Msgr. Mark Condon, diocesan vicar general, moderator of the Curia, and pastor of Our Lady of the Holy Angels Parish in Little Falls, N.J., requested that Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney ordain the candidates. With that, the bishop announced that he had chosen the candidates for the priesthood, and the congregation greeted the announcement with enthusiastic applause.
Then the priest candidates were asked if they were willing to discharge the Office of Priesthood, to celebrate the mysteries of Christ faithfully and religiously, to preach the Gospel worthily and wisely, to consecrate their lives to God, and to grow closer to Christ. They knelt before the bishop, placing their hands between his, promising obedience to him and his successors.
During the Litany of Saints, the candidates prostrated themselves before the altar and the bishop as a sign of humility and their total reliance on God’s grace. They received the strength of the Holy Spirit as the bishop imposed hands on them in silence. Then, the assembled priests were invited to lay hands on the seven men, part of the ancient sign of ordination.
In the Prayer of Consecration, Bishop Sweeney implored God’s help so the priesthood may continue in the Church. He prayed that the dignity of the priesthood be granted to the candidates. Priests vested the newly ordained with a stole and chasuble. Then the bishop anointed the new priests’ palms with Sacred Chrism as a sign that they now share in Christ’s mission.
Bishop Sweeney accepted the Offertory gifts and then, in turn, handed them to the newly ordained. The new priests and many other diocesan priests were concelebrants at the Mass. Later, the new priests exchanged the sign of peace with Bishop Sweeney and the concelebrating priests as a sign of welcome into the presbyterate.
At the end of the Mass, the new priests gave their first blessing to the Bishop. Then, in front of the altar after Mass, they gave blessings to their family members and friends who had come from near and far to show their support on their ordination day.
BEACON PHOTOS | JOE GIGLI
– Sunlight streamed through the stained-glass windows of the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Paterson, N.J., on the morning of June 13 as Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney ordained two seminarians as the newest priests of the Paterson Diocese, N.J. In his homily, Bishop Sweeney told the two men that Jesus calls them to “have a missionary spirit in care for those who are most in need.” The newest priests are Father Lucas Sebastian Mateo Folan, a member of Notre Dame of Mount Carmel Parish in the Cedar Knolls neighborhood of Hanover Township, N.J., and Father Jender Arley Medina Palencia,
Architect of the Italian Church’s “cultural project,” he led high‑stakes fights over life, family, and secularism while seeking to re‑anchor Catholic witness in national culture.
Diocesan stops energize Catholics along National Eucharistic Pilgrimage route #Catholic – 
More than 1,700 faithful happily joined Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney for a 3.2-mile Eucharistic procession through the streets of Passaic in the late afternoon of June 14. Even though crowds along the route had gathered to watch FIFA World Cup broadcasts on outdoor screens, many of them paused to honor Christ’s presence in the Eucharist.
This week, the Paterson Diocese hosted a historic first: stops on the 2026 National Eucharistic Pilgrimage (NEP) on June 14 and 15 in Passaic and Paterson, N.J. The event inspired thousands of faithful, near and far, to renew their love for Jesus in the Eucharist.
Guided by the theme “One Nation Under God,” the 18-stop pilgrimage up the Eastern Seaboard this summer is a nationwide call to national renewal, unity, and mission. That call is rooted in the Eucharist, in honor of the United States’ 250th birthday. The NEP also highlights immigrants’ contributions to the country.
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Luis Martinez, 18, a youth-group member at St. Therese Parish in Paterson, was stirred when, at each parish, the faithful knelt outside, waiting and praying for the arriving pilgrims, and then joined the procession.
“This was a great opportunity. I didn’t want to miss it,” said Martinez, adding that the pilgrims sang hymns in Spanish and English and prayed the rosary, especially the Divine Mercy Chaplet. Speaking about the Eucharist, Martinez said, “I go to daily Mass if I can. I wants to be present to Jesus. I don’t know what he wants with me yet, but I know he’s working on my heart.”
Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney of Paterson led the well-attended events on the local pilgrimage. He and several guest speakers encouraged the faithful to allow Jesus in the Eucharist to call them to a sense of mission: sharing his love with others.
The NEP began in St. Augustine, Fla., where the first Catholic Mass in the United States was held on Memorial Day. From there, it moved up the East Coast to New England and will visit Philadelphia, Penn., the nation’s birthplace, for the 250th anniversary celebrations. The journey ends on July 5. These pilgrimages occur between National Eucharistic Congresses.
A group of young-adult Perpetual Pilgrims and media missionaries are traveling by van through most of the original 13 colonies on the St. Francis Xavier Cabrini Route. The route is named after the first American citizen canonized as a saint. Special guests on the pilgrimage will be three priests with strong social media presence: Father Rafael Capo, Father Heriberto Garcia, and Franciscan Father Casey Cole.
The procession started at the Diocesan Shrine of St. John Paul II/Holy Rosary in Passaic passed by several churches, and ended at Boverini Stadium for the opening Mass. It’s considered one of NEP’s largest processions so far.
A Knights of Columbus honor guard accompanied Bishop Sweeney as he walked under a processional canopy, holding the monstrance that contained the Blessed Sacrament.
Pilgrims were moved by the overwhelming devotion displayed throughout the procession.
“The crowd grew at every corner,” one pilgrim reflected. “The entire community sang and prayed with their whole breath. Looking at the monstrance, I thought: ‘Behold this Heart which loves so much, and now receives the love of all these people gathered here,’” according to Our Sunday Visitor.
Among the faithful waiting for the pilgrims to arrive at Boverini Stadium on June 14 was Lizette Canari of Passaic. She considers receiving the Eucharist at Mass each week a “beautiful moment” that nourishes her soul — and has comforted her in dark times.
Canari, a catechist at Our Lady of Fatima and St. Nicholas Parish in Passaic, called the pilgrimage a “beautiful occasion.”
“The pilgrimage celebrates the 250th birthday of the country and the Eucharist, which is a wonderful thing,” said Canari, who attended the opening Mass for the pilgrimage with her husband and two daughters She told BeaconNJ.com, “Through the Eucharist, Jesus has pulled me out of the darkness, like when I was grieving after my father died.”
Then, Bishop Sweeney celebrated an outside opening Mass at Boverini Stadium — another first for the diocese. Among the celebrants were three auxiliary bishops from the Archdiocese of Newark, N.J. Father Capó delivered a homily in English, while Father Garcia spoke in Spanish.
“We have been gathered around the Eucharistic Lord to be sent out on a mission into the world from our parishes,” Father Capó told worshippers in his homily.
At the end of the Mass, Bishop Sweeney thanked the pilgrimage volunteers and organizers, including Father Cesar Jaramillo, pastor of Holy Spirit Parish in Pequannock, N.J. The bishop also said, “We love and pray for our community and our one nation under God.” He led the large congregation in singing “God Bless America.”
Afterwards, Malgorzata Tyszko, a Holy Rosary parishioner and mother of Father Krzysztof Tyszko, parochial vicar of Assumption Parish in Morristown, N.J., called the liturgy “special — something that doesn’t happen every day.”
Reflecting on the Eucharist, Tyszko said, “Some days are easier and others are challenge. The Eucharist gives me the strength to fight through each day with God.”
The first day of the pilgrimage, June 14, began with Eucharistic adoration, followed by witness talks by Father Capó in English at the Diocesan Shrine of St. John Paul II/Holy Rosary and by Father García in Spanish at Our Lady of Fatima and St. Nicholas Parish. The priests focused on how lives are transformed when influenced by the Eucharist.
“Let the Eucharist influence your mission until it becomes your way of life — until you stop keeping Christ to yourself and share him with the world,” Father Capó said in his talk.
That pilgrimage experience continued on Monday, June 15. In the morning, Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney met with a gathering of Catholic middle-school and high-school students of the Paterson Diocese, N.J., at St. Peter the Apostle Parish in Parsippany, N.J. There Bishop Sweeney led Eucharistic adoration and a Eucharistic procession. Franciscan Father Casey Cole delivered a talk, “Influenced by the Eucharist.”
Later that afternoon, a Eucharistic procession took place in Paterson, starting at Father English Food Pantry of diocesan Catholic Charities and ending at Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, the mother church of the diocese.
After the procession, Bishop Sweeney celebrated a closing Mass for the NEP visit at the cathedral. In his homily, Franciscan Father Casey Cole said that God invites us to participate in his salvific will — his desire for the salvation of all humanity — and that God can make the impossible possible.
Father Jaramillo called the diocesan NEP stops “a moment of profound grace for all who participated and reminded everyone that a true Pastoral de Conjunto, or Coordinated Pastoral Ministry, is possible if our hearts are centered in Christ.”
“Only then can we truly appreciate each other’s gifts and talents and realize we all have a role to play in building up God’s Kingdom here in our local Church,” Father Jaramillo said.
– More than 1,700 faithful happily joined Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney for a 3.2-mile Eucharistic procession through the streets of Passaic in the late afternoon of June 14. Even though crowds along the route had gathered to watch FIFA World Cup broadcasts on outdoor screens, many of them paused to honor Christ’s presence in the Eucharist. This week, the Paterson Diocese hosted a historic first: stops on the 2026 National Eucharistic Pilgrimage (NEP) on June 14 and 15 in Passaic and Paterson, N.J. The event inspired thousands of faithful, near and far, to renew their love for Jesus in the Eucharist.
The relic needs to be relocated because the convent where it is kept is scheduled to close due to a lack of vocations.
The wait is almost over. The Vera C. Rubin Observatory is just weeks, maybe even just days, away from officially beginning its landmark 10-year sky survey, according to officials at the 248th American Astronomical Society (AAS) meeting in Pasadena this week. “A lot of people in the community are waiting for that moment for theContinue reading “Vera C. Rubin Observatory days away from launching decade-long sky survey”
The post Vera C. Rubin Observatory days away from launching decade-long sky survey appeared first on Astronomy Magazine.
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The pontiff reflected on his recent apostolic journey to Spain during his general audience on June 17.
NEW YORK, NY — According to sources, Vice President JD Vance stumbled upon an incredible discovery on Tuesday when he made contact with a tribe of illiterate, feral women.
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RAMSES — Archaeologists excavating at ancient Egyptian historical sites discovered evidence of another biblical plague, this one believed to have consisted of a horde of cyclists blocking Pharaoh’s morning commute.
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God’s “divine love gives meaning to the life of every person and, far from ending with death, invites us to a new fullness in eternity,” the pope said.
Students at Harvard are experiencing mental illness at a rate that is DOUBLE the general population, according to a shocking new report.
The post REPORT: Shocking Percentage of Harvard Students Say They Have Experienced MENTAL ILLNESS During Their Time at the Ivy League School appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.
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Hollywood insiders and people who work in the entertainment industry are saying that they fear the city is going to become the next Detroit.
The post Entertainment Industry Insiders Say They’re Afraid Hollywood is Turning Into the Next Detroit appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.
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People from Scotland who are in the United States for the World Cup absolutely love America and are having the time of their lives.
The post Scottish People in the U.S. for the World Cup LOVE AMERICA – Make American Democrats Look Even More Miserable and Hateful (VIDEO) appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.
Read MoreA reading from the Second Book of Kings
2:1, 6-14
When the LORD was about to take Elijah up to heaven in a whirlwind,
he and Elisha were on their way from Gilgal.
Elijah said to Elisha, “Please stay here;
the LORD has sent me on to the Jordan.”
“As the LORD lives, and as you yourself live,
I will not leave you,” Elisha replied.
And so the two went on together.
Fifty of the guild prophets followed and
when the two stopped at the Jordan,
they stood facing them at a distance.
Elijah took his mantle, rolled it up
and struck the water, which divided,
and both crossed over on dry ground.
When they had crossed over, Elijah said to Elisha,
“Ask for whatever I may do for you, before I am taken from you.”
Elisha answered, “May I receive a double portion of your spirit.”
“You have asked something that is not easy,” Elijah replied.
“Still, if you see me taken up from you,
your wish will be granted; otherwise not.”
As they walked on conversing,
a flaming chariot and flaming horses came between them,
and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind.
When Elisha saw it happen he cried out,
“My father! my father! Israel’s chariots and drivers!”
But when he could no longer see him,
Elisha gripped his own garment and tore it in two.
Then he picked up Elijah’s mantle that had fallen from him,
and went back and stood at the bank of the Jordan.
Wielding the mantle that had fallen from Elijah,
Elisha struck the water in his turn and said,
“Where is the LORD, the God of Elijah?”
When Elisha struck the water it divided and he crossed over.
From the Gospel according to Matthew
6:1-6, 16-18
Jesus said to his disciples:
"Take care not to perform righteous deeds
in order that people may see them;
otherwise, you will have no recompense from your heavenly Father.
When you give alms, do not blow a trumpet before you,
as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets
to win the praise of others.
Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward.
But when you give alms,
do not let your left hand know what your right is doing,
so that your almsgiving may be secret.
And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.
"When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites,
who love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on street corners
so that others may see them.
Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward.
But when you pray, go to your inner room, close the door,
and pray to your Father in secret.
And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.
"When you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites.
They neglect their appearance,
so that they may appear to others to be fasting.
Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward.
But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face,
so that you may not appear to others to be fasting,
except to your Father who is hidden.
And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you."
“When you pray”, says Jesus, “go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you” (Mt 6:6). First of all, the Lord calls us to enter this hidden place of the heart, patiently delving into it; he invites us to make an inner immersion that demands a journey of emptying and divesting ourselves. Once we have entered, he asks us to close the door to bad thoughts in order to safeguard a pure, humble and meek heart, through vigilance and spiritual combat. Only then can we abandon ourselves with confidence to intimate dialogue with the Father, who dwells and sees in secret, and in secret fills us with his gifts. (…) This vocation to worship and inner prayer, proper to every believer, in an exemplary way, in order to be witnesses in the Church to the beauty of the contemplative life. It is not an escape from the world, but a regeneration of the heart, so that it may be capable of listening, a source of the creative and fruitful action of the charity that God inspires in us. This call to interiority and silence, to live in contact with oneself, with one’s neighbour, with creation and with God, is needed today more than ever, in a world increasingly alienated by the media and technology. From intimate friendship with the Lord, in fact, the joy of living, the wonder of faith and the taste for ecclesial communion are reborn. (Pope Leo XIV, Address to Italian Hermits, 11 October 2025)
Read More![‘Casting out demons’ also means denouncing cruelty of dictatorships, exiled Nicaraguan bishop says – #Catholic – In a homily over the weekend, Auxiliary Bishop Silvio Báez of Managua, Nicaragua, compared “casting out demons” to denouncing the cruelty and irrationality of dictatorships that violate human dignity.“Casting out demons means committing ourselves to processes of personal and social liberation, and helping those trapped by idols, fear, or hopelessness to regain their freedom,” the bishop noted during a Mass he celebrated at St. Agatha Parish in Miami on June 14.“It also means denouncing the irrationality and cruelty of regimes that violate human dignity and multiply peopleʼs misery, often even invoking the name of God,” he emphasized.Báez, who was forced to leave Nicaragua in 2019, now lives in exile and serves at the Miami parish where his compatriots gather. Like many others, Báez was a victim of persecution by the Nicaraguan dictatorship, which intensified its ruthless campaign against the Catholic Church in 2018, a campaign that continues to this day.The Nicaraguan prelate reflected on a passage from the Gospel of Matthew, stating that Jesus saw the crowd and “had compassion for them, because they were weary and dejected, like sheep without a shepherd.”This image, he noted, “has lost none of its relevance. Today, too, there are many people living like sheep without a shepherd: individuals who are sad, lonely, disoriented, and disillusioned by deceptive idols; families torn apart by poverty, forced migration, or violence; entire peoples deprived of freedom and a future due to war or dominated by dictatorial regimes that impose themselves through fear and repression.”In this situation, the bishop explained, “prayer is the first and most urgent response,” not because it “replaces action but because it is the root and foundation of action, making it fruitful and strong.”Through prayer, one can be in tune with the Lord and move toward effective action, he noted. “From this compassion and this prayer came forth the choice of the Twelve [Apostles],” the prelate emphasized.“The power Jesus grants is a power at the service of life and human dignity. It is exactly the opposite of the power that seduces the world — the power that crushes, controls, intimidates, and subjugates. This power, received to serve rather than to subjugate, did not end with the Twelve; it continues today through us,” he said.In addition to casting out demons, he said every member of the Church is called to perform various actions, such as “healing the sick, raising the dead, and cleansing lepers.”The bishop explained that resurrecting the dead “is restoring hope to those who no longer expect anything, helping them discover glimmers of Godʼs light in the middle of the nights of life. It’s announcing, without tiring, the God of life.”“And it is also to oppose the oppressive powers that subjugate people, with the conviction that God accompanies and blesses the efforts made for the freedom and dignity of people,” he noted.The Nicaraguan prelate also emphasized that “cleansing the lepers means striving to restore dignity to those marginalized by society or religion, through gestures of inclusion, solidarity, and respectful dialogue.”He remarked that “the laborers remain few. The Lord continues to seek those today who are willing to extend his compassionate gaze into the world. May that gaze be ours.”This story was first published by ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.](https://unitedyam.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/casting-out-demons-also-means-denouncing-cruelty-of-dictatorships-exiled-nicaraguan-bishop-says-catholic-in-a-homily-over-the-weekend-auxiliary-bishop-silvio-baez-of-managua.webp "‘Casting out demons’ also means denouncing cruelty of dictatorships, exiled Nicaraguan bishop says – #Catholic – In a homily over the weekend, Auxiliary Bishop Silvio Báez of Managua, Nicaragua, compared “casting out demons” to denouncing the cruelty and irrationality of dictatorships that violate human dignity.“Casting out demons means committing ourselves to processes of personal and social liberation, and helping those trapped by idols, fear, or hopelessness to regain their freedom,” the bishop noted during a Mass he celebrated at St. Agatha Parish in Miami on June 14.“It also means denouncing the irrationality and cruelty of regimes that violate human dignity and multiply peopleʼs misery, often even invoking the name of God,” he emphasized.Báez, who was forced to leave Nicaragua in 2019, now lives in exile and serves at the Miami parish where his compatriots gather. Like many others, Báez was a victim of persecution by the Nicaraguan dictatorship, which intensified its ruthless campaign against the Catholic Church in 2018, a campaign that continues to this day.The Nicaraguan prelate reflected on a passage from the Gospel of Matthew, stating that Jesus saw the crowd and “had compassion for them, because they were weary and dejected, like sheep without a shepherd.”This image, he noted, “has lost none of its relevance. Today, too, there are many people living like sheep without a shepherd: individuals who are sad, lonely, disoriented, and disillusioned by deceptive idols; families torn apart by poverty, forced migration, or violence; entire peoples deprived of freedom and a future due to war or dominated by dictatorial regimes that impose themselves through fear and repression.”In this situation, the bishop explained, “prayer is the first and most urgent response,” not because it “replaces action but because it is the root and foundation of action, making it fruitful and strong.”Through prayer, one can be in tune with the Lord and move toward effective action, he noted. “From this compassion and this prayer came forth the choice of the Twelve [Apostles],” the prelate emphasized.“The power Jesus grants is a power at the service of life and human dignity. It is exactly the opposite of the power that seduces the world — the power that crushes, controls, intimidates, and subjugates. This power, received to serve rather than to subjugate, did not end with the Twelve; it continues today through us,” he said.In addition to casting out demons, he said every member of the Church is called to perform various actions, such as “healing the sick, raising the dead, and cleansing lepers.”The bishop explained that resurrecting the dead “is restoring hope to those who no longer expect anything, helping them discover glimmers of Godʼs light in the middle of the nights of life. It’s announcing, without tiring, the God of life.”“And it is also to oppose the oppressive powers that subjugate people, with the conviction that God accompanies and blesses the efforts made for the freedom and dignity of people,” he noted.The Nicaraguan prelate also emphasized that “cleansing the lepers means striving to restore dignity to those marginalized by society or religion, through gestures of inclusion, solidarity, and respectful dialogue.”He remarked that “the laborers remain few. The Lord continues to seek those today who are willing to extend his compassionate gaze into the world. May that gaze be ours.”This story was first published by ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.")
Nicaraguan auxiliary bishop Silvio Báez, reflecting on Jesus’ empowering of the Twelve Apostles to drive out demons, drew an analogy to resisting today’s dictatorships.
![America at 250: U.S. bishop calls on Catholics to lead renewal – #Catholic – As the United States prepares to celebrate the 250th anniversary of its founding, Bishop Mark Brennan is calling Catholics to reflect on the nation’s blessings and shortcomings while recommitting themselves to building a “culture of life” and a “civilization of love.”In a pastoral letter released ahead of the nation’s semiquincentennial, Brennan, apostolic administrator of Wheeling-Charleston, West Virginia, reflected on America’s history, praised the contributions of Catholics to the common good, and warned that the nation risks moral decline if it abandons God’s law.The letter, which Brennan noted would likely be his final pastoral letter as bishop, comes 50 years after his priestly ordination during the country’s bicentennial celebrations in 1976. Bishop Evelio Menjivar-Ayala is succeeding Brennan, and a Mass of installation will be celebrated on July 2 at the Cathedral of St. Joseph in Wheeling.“Catholics of West Virginia, be truly Catholic and truly patriotic,” Brennan wrote. “Work for the genuine good of your country and trust that God will bless your efforts.”Progress and persistent challengesBrennan acknowledged significant advances in American society since the nation’s founding, including the abolition of slavery, the end of legal racial segregation, and expanded opportunities for women.At the same time, he pointed to ongoing problems including racial disparities, domestic violence, human trafficking, abortion, and hostility toward immigrants.The bishop highlighted the contributions immigrants have made throughout American history, noting that Catholicism itself grew from roughly 1% of the population in 1776 to about 20% today, largely because of immigration.While praising the stability of the nation’s constitutional system, religious liberty protections, and tradition of public service, Brennan warned that Americans should not take God’s blessings for granted.Quoting both Thomas Jefferson and Abraham Lincoln, Brennan argued that nations will face divine judgment when they ignore moral truths and permit injustice.Defense of human lifeA central theme of the letter was the dignity of human life from conception to natural death.Brennan condemned abortion, assisted suicide, and the death penalty while also calling for greater care for immigrants, the elderly, and the vulnerable.“The God who gave us life does not want us to take it,” he wrote, referring to unborn children and the sick.The bishop praised the work of the pro-life movement, highlighting the role Catholics have played in organizing marches, supporting pregnancy resource centers, and providing housing and assistance for mothers in need.He specifically pointed to the legacy of Nellie Gray, the Catholic lawyer who founded the annual March for Life, and commended the efforts of countless Catholics who have worked to defend unborn children.Catholic contributions to American societyBrennan also emphasized the Church’s historic contributions to social reform in the United States.Among his examples was Cardinal James Gibbons, whose advocacy for workers influenced Pope Leo XIII’s landmark 1891 encyclical Rerum Novarum and helped strengthen support for labor rights.He also cited the efforts of Archbishop Patrick O’Boyle, who desegregated Catholic schools in Washington, D.C., in 1948, years before the Supreme Court’s ruling in Brown v. Board of Education.According to Brennan, these examples demonstrate how Catholic teaching has advanced both human dignity and the common good.‘Culture of life’ and ‘civilization of love’The bishop devoted a substantial portion of the letter to outlining what he called a “culture of life,” rooted in respect for every human person.Such a culture, he said, includes opposition to abortion, support for marriage and family life, care for the sick and elderly, and welcoming immigrants while respecting the dignity of every person.Brennan also drew on the teachings of St. John Paul II, who promoted the concept of a “civilization of love.”He pointed to hospice programs, soup kitchens, food pantries, charitable organizations, youth mentorship programs, and service groups such as the Knights of Columbus as examples of that vision in action.Warning against secularismBrennan warned that secularism, relativism, and excessive individualism pose significant challenges to American society.Echoing concerns raised by Pope Benedict XVI, he argued that excluding religion from public life weakens the moral foundations necessary for self-government.The bishop also criticized cultural trends that prioritize personal autonomy over the common good and cautioned against what he described as distractions that prevent Americans from addressing deeper social and moral concerns.Looking aheadAs the nation approaches its 250th birthday, Brennan expressed hope that reform and renewal remain possible.Drawing on biblical examples and the Church’s own history of reform, he urged Catholics to engage actively in public life while remaining faithful to Catholic teaching.“The very soul of our country” is at stake, Brennan wrote, calling on Catholics to educate future generations, defend human dignity, and help shape a society grounded in faith, virtue, and concern for the common good.“As we joyfully celebrate our nation’s 250th anniversary of independence,” he concluded, “we are the Americans who must keep it [America].”](https://unitedyam.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/america-at-250-u-s-bishop-calls-on-catholics-to-lead-renewal-catholic-as-the-united-states-prepares-to-celebrate-the-250th-anniversary-of-its-founding-bishop-mark-brennan-is-calling-catholics.jpg "America at 250: U.S. bishop calls on Catholics to lead renewal – #Catholic – As the United States prepares to celebrate the 250th anniversary of its founding, Bishop Mark Brennan is calling Catholics to reflect on the nation’s blessings and shortcomings while recommitting themselves to building a “culture of life” and a “civilization of love.”In a pastoral letter released ahead of the nation’s semiquincentennial, Brennan, apostolic administrator of Wheeling-Charleston, West Virginia, reflected on America’s history, praised the contributions of Catholics to the common good, and warned that the nation risks moral decline if it abandons God’s law.The letter, which Brennan noted would likely be his final pastoral letter as bishop, comes 50 years after his priestly ordination during the country’s bicentennial celebrations in 1976. Bishop Evelio Menjivar-Ayala is succeeding Brennan, and a Mass of installation will be celebrated on July 2 at the Cathedral of St. Joseph in Wheeling.“Catholics of West Virginia, be truly Catholic and truly patriotic,” Brennan wrote. “Work for the genuine good of your country and trust that God will bless your efforts.”Progress and persistent challengesBrennan acknowledged significant advances in American society since the nation’s founding, including the abolition of slavery, the end of legal racial segregation, and expanded opportunities for women.At the same time, he pointed to ongoing problems including racial disparities, domestic violence, human trafficking, abortion, and hostility toward immigrants.The bishop highlighted the contributions immigrants have made throughout American history, noting that Catholicism itself grew from roughly 1% of the population in 1776 to about 20% today, largely because of immigration.While praising the stability of the nation’s constitutional system, religious liberty protections, and tradition of public service, Brennan warned that Americans should not take God’s blessings for granted.Quoting both Thomas Jefferson and Abraham Lincoln, Brennan argued that nations will face divine judgment when they ignore moral truths and permit injustice.Defense of human lifeA central theme of the letter was the dignity of human life from conception to natural death.Brennan condemned abortion, assisted suicide, and the death penalty while also calling for greater care for immigrants, the elderly, and the vulnerable.“The God who gave us life does not want us to take it,” he wrote, referring to unborn children and the sick.The bishop praised the work of the pro-life movement, highlighting the role Catholics have played in organizing marches, supporting pregnancy resource centers, and providing housing and assistance for mothers in need.He specifically pointed to the legacy of Nellie Gray, the Catholic lawyer who founded the annual March for Life, and commended the efforts of countless Catholics who have worked to defend unborn children.Catholic contributions to American societyBrennan also emphasized the Church’s historic contributions to social reform in the United States.Among his examples was Cardinal James Gibbons, whose advocacy for workers influenced Pope Leo XIII’s landmark 1891 encyclical Rerum Novarum and helped strengthen support for labor rights.He also cited the efforts of Archbishop Patrick O’Boyle, who desegregated Catholic schools in Washington, D.C., in 1948, years before the Supreme Court’s ruling in Brown v. Board of Education.According to Brennan, these examples demonstrate how Catholic teaching has advanced both human dignity and the common good.‘Culture of life’ and ‘civilization of love’The bishop devoted a substantial portion of the letter to outlining what he called a “culture of life,” rooted in respect for every human person.Such a culture, he said, includes opposition to abortion, support for marriage and family life, care for the sick and elderly, and welcoming immigrants while respecting the dignity of every person.Brennan also drew on the teachings of St. John Paul II, who promoted the concept of a “civilization of love.”He pointed to hospice programs, soup kitchens, food pantries, charitable organizations, youth mentorship programs, and service groups such as the Knights of Columbus as examples of that vision in action.Warning against secularismBrennan warned that secularism, relativism, and excessive individualism pose significant challenges to American society.Echoing concerns raised by Pope Benedict XVI, he argued that excluding religion from public life weakens the moral foundations necessary for self-government.The bishop also criticized cultural trends that prioritize personal autonomy over the common good and cautioned against what he described as distractions that prevent Americans from addressing deeper social and moral concerns.Looking aheadAs the nation approaches its 250th birthday, Brennan expressed hope that reform and renewal remain possible.Drawing on biblical examples and the Church’s own history of reform, he urged Catholics to engage actively in public life while remaining faithful to Catholic teaching.“The very soul of our country” is at stake, Brennan wrote, calling on Catholics to educate future generations, defend human dignity, and help shape a society grounded in faith, virtue, and concern for the common good.“As we joyfully celebrate our nation’s 250th anniversary of independence,” he concluded, “we are the Americans who must keep it [America].”")
Bishop Mark Brennan of Wheeling-Charleston is urging Catholics to reflect on the nation’s blessings and shortcomings while renewing their commitment to faith, human dignity, and the common good.
“We are brought together by love for Colombia and the certainty that, without God, we will not be able to build the civilization of love we all long for, nor sustain our common home,” they said.
| Picture of the day |
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Zapornia pusilla (Baillon’s Crake) in Baruipur, West Bengal, India.
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Massimo Di Fusco, taken via Chilescope NGC 6727 is a reflection nebula and star-forming region in Corona Australis, part of the larger Corona Australis Molecular Cloud. It is accompanied in this image by globular cluster NGC 6723, sometimes called the Chandelier Cluster. This wide-field portrait combines 54 minutes of RGB exposure with a 20-inch f/3.8Continue reading “A glob and a stellar nursery”
The post A glob and a stellar nursery appeared first on Astronomy Magazine.
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The Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad chugs slowly along the shoreline, offering unhurried ocean views.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/TAL-oregon-coast-scenic-railroad-ORCOASTRR0625-0910df83b3584cb39be0f96da8f92775.jpg)
A beautiful Gospel for a beautiful weekend! #Catholic – 
“At the sight of the crowds, Jesus’ heart was moved with pity for them because they were troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples,
“The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest
to send out laborers for his harvest.”
(Mt. 9:36-38)
BISHOP KEVIN J. SWEENEY
This past Saturday, June 13, during my homily at the Mass of Ordination to the Priesthood, I mentioned that the original date on our Diocesan Calendar for priesthood ordinations in 2026 was Saturday, May 30. This past fall, as we were looking ahead, we realized that, for a few reasons, it would be better to move the priesthood ordinations to Saturday, June 13 (and schedule the ordination of eight men as permanent deacons on May 30).
In the homily, I mentioned that I had spoken to the two men who would be ordained priests, Father Lucas Folan and Father Jender Medina, to let them know the date of the ordination and telling them that I hoped they had or would have a devotion to St. Anthony of Padua, as they would, God willing, be ordained priests on the Feast of St. Anthony. At that time, I had not realized that, in 2026, St. Anthony would “share” his Feast Day with the Immaculate Heart of Mary. The Church celebrates the Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary on the day after we celebrate the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, which we celebrated on Friday, June 12.
In his encyclical letter, Dilexit Nos, Pope Francis emphasized the close relationship that the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary share, “Thanks to the abundant graces streaming from the open side of Christ, in different ways the Church, the Virgin Mary, and all believers become themselves streams of living water.” It is a grace for our newly ordained and all of us who pray for them to remember this special association that their ordination has with the Sacred Heart and the Immaculate Heart.
In recent months, although it would mean that we would have a very busy few days/weekend, I had been happy to realize that, from Thursday, June 11 through Monday, June 15, we would share in: (on Thursday, June 11) the bishops of the United States consecration of our country to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, in anticipation of the 250th anniversary of our independence; (on Friday, June 12) the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, priesthood ordinations on Saturday, June 13, and the presence of the National Eucharistic Procession in our diocese on Sunday and Monday, June 14 and 15 – a “full weekend,” to put it mildly.
Like most priests or deacons and many lay people, I usually try to look at the Readings for an upcoming Sunday on the Monday or Tuesday before. Due to travel (to Florida for the USCCB meeting) and some other responsibilities, I did not have a chance to look at the Readings for Sunday, June 14 (the 11th Sunday in Ordinary Time) until Friday, June 12, as I was returning from Florida. At the same time, I was putting the “finishing touches” on my homily for the Mass of Ordination to the Priesthood. When I read the Gospel for the 11th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Mt. 9:36 – 10:8, I was amazed by the connections.
As I quoted above, in verse 36 of Chapter 9, Matthew’s gospel offers us a “glimpse” of our Lord’s Sacred Heart: “At the sight of the crowds, Jesus’ heart was moved with pity for them…” As He speaks to His disciples, in v. 37-38, we can hear Jesus telling us that, “…The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few…” and then asking or instructing us to pray (for Vocations), “…so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest.”
As Matthew tells us, at the beginning of Chapter 10, Jesus then “summoned his twelve disciples”. In verses 2 – 4, we are told the names of the 12 apostles. Hearing the names of the 12 apostles can be an opportunity for us to remember that we believe that Jesus, from our baptism, calls us each “by name.” The gift and blessing of the ordination of two new priests is also a reminder of the ways in which parents, families, priests (and bishops), consecrated religious, parishioners, catechists, youth ministers, and others can be instruments of grace by praying, inviting and encouraging youth and young adults to be open to “hearing” and responding to God’s call, especially if the Lord may be calling someone to priesthood or consecrated religious life. “The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest.
As we heard at the conclusion of Sunday’s Gospel, after Jesus “called” the disciples, He then sent them out: “… As you go, make this proclamation: ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, drive out demons. Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give.” (Mt. 10: 6-8).
In the homily at the Ordination Mass, I shared some of Pope Leo XIV’s words, from a homily he gave on April 26, when he ordained 10 new priests for the Diocese of Rome. After reflecting on the way in which a vocation, “… comes to us in a deeply personal encounter with the person of the Son…”, Pope Leo spoke to the men about to be ordained about being “sent”:
In the communities where you will be sent, the risen One is already present, and many have already followed him commendably. You will recognize his wounds and distinguish his voice. You will encounter people who will direct you towards him. These communities will also help you to become saints! For your part, help them to walk together, following Jesus, the Good Shepherd, so that they may become places — gardens — of life that rise anew and share themselves with others…”
I write these words on Monday morning, June 15, after having participated last night in the National Eucharist Pilgrimage. There was a procession through the streets of Passaic, leading to a beautiful Mass in Boverini Stadium. More than 1,000 people participated. The Lord blessed us with beautiful weather. I look forward to another Eucharistic procession in Paterson this evening, followed by Mass in our cathedral. The National Eucharistic Pilgrimage is just one of countless ways that we do what Jesus asks us to do as he sends us out to His people, the sheep of His flock, “As you go, make this proclamation: ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ ”
P.S. It truly was a beautiful (long) weekend. For some of us, something else took place on the weekend that made it even more enjoyable – (in case you had not heard) on Saturday evening, the New York Knicks won their first NBA Championship in 56 years!
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– “At the sight of the crowds, Jesus’ heart was moved with pity for them because they were troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest.” (Mt. 9:36-38) BISHOP KEVIN J. SWEENEY This past Saturday, June 13, during my homily at the Mass of Ordination to the Priesthood, I mentioned that the original date on our Diocesan Calendar for priesthood ordinations in 2026 was Saturday, May 30. This past fall, as we were
![Church bells in Mexico to toll for peace and in memory of victims of violence #Catholic Catholic church bells in Mexico will be rung on June 20 “as a call to build peace” and in memory of victims of violence in the country, marking the fourth anniversary of the murders of Jesuit priests Javier Campos Morales and Joaquín César Mora Salazar.In a statement released on June 14, the National Dialogue for Peace called for placing a “white ribbon or small flag” on the doors of homes, schools, and workplaces on June 20 to make “visible the commitment to peace, dialogue, reconciliation, or hope.”The group also called for “ringing church bells on June 20 at 3 p.m. as a call to all sectors of society to build peace and to renew our commitment to forming the community that Mexico needs today.”Campos Morales and Mora Salazar were killed on June 20, 2022, inside their parish church in the town of Cerocahui in the Mexican state of Chihuahua while attempting to protect a man who was being pursued by a criminal. The organization also asked Mexicans to “place photographs of missing persons at church altars during the celebrations on Sunday, June 21,” as well as to “offer a special prayer for families searching [for their loved ones] and invite adolescents and young people to present the offerings as a sign of a Church that recognizes their place and accompanies them in building hope.”The National Dialogue for Peace was started following the murder of the Jesuits as an initiative of the Catholic Church in Mexico formed by the Mexican Bishops’ Conference, the Bishops’ Commission for the Laity, the Conference of Major Religious Superiors of Mexico, and the Society of Jesus in Mexico.In its statement, the National Dialogue for Peace stated that on June 20, “we remember the murdered religious leaders, the thousands of missing persons, the families living amid violence, the merchants suffering extortion, and the forests illegally logged.”“It’s a day to remember the suffering that we are standing against throughout Mexico and to call upon all sectors of society to redouble their efforts to sow peace. Amid the pain this country is experiencing, Jesus continues to call us to build peace,” the statement explained.Reflecting on the efforts made since 2022, the organization noted that “over these four years, we have learned that the great challenge is to build a responsible and participatory community capable of deciding its own destiny.”While “violence isolates people and stifles social participation, paving the way for the imposition of criminal projects and ideas,” the National Dialogue for Peace said, noting that “the process of building peace entails reaching out to others to heal, participate, and form one’s own judgment.”“Building peace today entails healing the wound caused by the forced disappearance of loved ones, having concern for abandoned youth, and envisioning the institutional framework Mexico needs. That wound is healed through truth, political will, and reparation for the harm done,” the National Dialogue for Peace stated.This story was first published by ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.](https://unitedyam.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/church-bells-in-mexico-to-toll-for-peace-and-in-memory-of-victims-of-violence-catholic-catholic-church-bells-in-mexico-will-be-rung-on-june-20-as-a-call-to-build-peace-and-in-memory.webp "Church bells in Mexico to toll for peace and in memory of victims of violence #Catholic Catholic church bells in Mexico will be rung on June 20 “as a call to build peace” and in memory of victims of violence in the country, marking the fourth anniversary of the murders of Jesuit priests Javier Campos Morales and Joaquín César Mora Salazar.In a statement released on June 14, the National Dialogue for Peace called for placing a “white ribbon or small flag” on the doors of homes, schools, and workplaces on June 20 to make “visible the commitment to peace, dialogue, reconciliation, or hope.”The group also called for “ringing church bells on June 20 at 3 p.m. as a call to all sectors of society to build peace and to renew our commitment to forming the community that Mexico needs today.”Campos Morales and Mora Salazar were killed on June 20, 2022, inside their parish church in the town of Cerocahui in the Mexican state of Chihuahua while attempting to protect a man who was being pursued by a criminal. The organization also asked Mexicans to “place photographs of missing persons at church altars during the celebrations on Sunday, June 21,” as well as to “offer a special prayer for families searching [for their loved ones] and invite adolescents and young people to present the offerings as a sign of a Church that recognizes their place and accompanies them in building hope.”The National Dialogue for Peace was started following the murder of the Jesuits as an initiative of the Catholic Church in Mexico formed by the Mexican Bishops’ Conference, the Bishops’ Commission for the Laity, the Conference of Major Religious Superiors of Mexico, and the Society of Jesus in Mexico.In its statement, the National Dialogue for Peace stated that on June 20, “we remember the murdered religious leaders, the thousands of missing persons, the families living amid violence, the merchants suffering extortion, and the forests illegally logged.”“It’s a day to remember the suffering that we are standing against throughout Mexico and to call upon all sectors of society to redouble their efforts to sow peace. Amid the pain this country is experiencing, Jesus continues to call us to build peace,” the statement explained.Reflecting on the efforts made since 2022, the organization noted that “over these four years, we have learned that the great challenge is to build a responsible and participatory community capable of deciding its own destiny.”While “violence isolates people and stifles social participation, paving the way for the imposition of criminal projects and ideas,” the National Dialogue for Peace said, noting that “the process of building peace entails reaching out to others to heal, participate, and form one’s own judgment.”“Building peace today entails healing the wound caused by the forced disappearance of loved ones, having concern for abandoned youth, and envisioning the institutional framework Mexico needs. That wound is healed through truth, political will, and reparation for the harm done,” the National Dialogue for Peace stated.This story was first published by ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.")
The National Dialogue for Peace, a Church-led organization in Mexico, is calling a day of remembrance for the victims of violence.
“This is certainly deliberate,” Ukraine Freedom Project Founder Steven Moore said of the attack on the historic 11th-century Dormition Cathedral of Kyiv Pechersk Lavra.
Homeschool families used to be easy to spot, as twenty years ago the kids were all giant dorks. These days, it’s a lot more difficult to figure out. Take a close look at this picture and see if you can spot all seven clues that this is a homeschool family:
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U.S. — The U.S. Men’s National Team surged into contention as a World Cup betting favorite after bringing in LeBron James to help the team flop around on the grass and act like he’s hurt.
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American Singer Oliver Tree was killed in a midair helicopter collision over Brazil on Sunday, as police are still working to identify the bodies of others on board. The 32-year-old “Alien Boy” singer was reportedly on tour in South America this month.
The post Horrifying Footage Shows Helicopter Plunging to Ground in Brazil During Crash That Killed Singer Oliver Tree (VIDEO) appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.
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An Indiana mother was fatally shot in the head while protecting her son amid a deadly ambush during a Facebook Market exchange last week.
The post HORROR: Indiana Mother Fatally Shot While Protecting Her Son Amid Deadly Ambush During Facebook Marketplace Exchange appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.
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President Trump’s newly renovated Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool is green again.
The post Mainstream Meltdown Over Stinchfield’s Claim of Reflecting Pool Sabotage (VIDEO) appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.
Read MoreA reading from the First Book of Kings
21:17-29
After the death of Naboth the LORD said to Elijah the Tishbite:
"Start down to meet Ahab, king of Israel,
who rules in Samaria.
He will be in the vineyard of Naboth,
of which he has come to take possession.
This is what you shall tell him,
‘The LORD says: After murdering, do you also take possession?
For this, the LORD says:
In the place where the dogs licked up the blood of Naboth,
the dogs shall lick up your blood, too.’"
Ahab said to Elijah, "Have you found me out, my enemy?"
"Yes," he answered.
"Because you have given yourself up to doing evil in the LORD’s sight,
I am bringing evil upon you: I will destroy you
and will cut off every male in Ahab’s line,
whether slave or freeman, in Israel.
I will make your house like that of Jeroboam, son of Nebat,
and like that of Baasha, son of Ahijah,
because of how you have provoked me by leading Israel into sin."
(Against Jezebel, too, the LORD declared,
"The dogs shall devour Jezebel in the district of Jezreel.")
"When one of Ahab’s line dies in the city,
dogs will devour him;
when one of them dies in the field,
the birds of the sky will devour him."
Indeed, no one gave himself up to the doing of evil
in the sight of the LORD as did Ahab,
urged on by his wife Jezebel.
He became completely abominable by following idols,
just as the Amorites had done,
whom the LORD drove out before the children of Israel.
When Ahab heard these words, he tore his garments
and put on sackcloth over his bare flesh.
He fasted, slept in the sackcloth, and went about subdued.
Then the LORD said to Elijah the Tishbite,
"Have you seen that Ahab has humbled himself before me?
Since he has humbled himself before me,
I will not bring the evil in his time.
I will bring the evil upon his house during the reign of his son."
From the Gospel according to Matthew
5:43-38
Jesus said to his disciples:
"You have heard that it was said,
You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.
But I say to you, love your enemies
and pray for those who persecute you,
that you may be children of your heavenly Father,
for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good,
and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust.
For if you love those who love you, what recompense will you have?
Do not the tax collectors do the same?
And if you greet your brothers only,
what is unusual about that?
Do not the pagans do the same?
So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect."
“You, therefore, must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Mt 5:48).
But who could become perfect? Our perfection is living humbly as children of God, doing his will in practice. St Cyprian wrote: “that the godly discipline might respond to God, the Father, that in the honour and praise of living, God may be glorified in man (De zelo et livore [On jealousy and envy], 15: CCL 3a, 83).
How can we imitate Jesus? He said: “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in Heaven” (Mt 5:44-45). Anyone who welcomes the Lord into his life and loves him with all his heart is capable of a new beginning. He succeeds in doing God’s will: to bring about a new form of existence enlivened by love and destined for eternity. (…)
A medieval author wrote: “When the whole of man’s being is, so to speak, mingled with God’s love, the splendour of his soul is also reflected in his external aspect” (John Climacus, The Ladder of Divine Ascent, XXX: PG 88, 1157 B), in the totality of life. “Love is an excellent thing”, we read in the book the Imitation of Christ. “It makes every difficulty easy, and bears all wrongs with equanimity…. Love tends upward; it will not be held down by anything low… love is born of God and cannot rest except in God” (III, V, 3). (Pope Benedict XVI, Angelus, 20 February 2011)
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More than academics: What families are really seeking in education today #Catholic – 
In conversations with parents today, one theme comes up again and again.
Yes, they care about academics. Yes, they want their children to succeed. But increasingly, families are asking a deeper question:
Who is helping my child become a saint?
It is a question that sits at the heart of Catholic education — and one that we encounter every day in both the school and parish communities we serve.
At a time when so much of the educational landscape is focused on outcomes that can be measured — test scores, rankings, college placements — Catholic education continues to hold fast to a broader vision: the formation of the whole child.
That formation is rooted in something very concrete: a relationship with Jesus Christ, who calls each of us to live with purpose, compassion, and integrity.
This formation is not abstract. It takes shape in daily habits, relationships, and experiences. It is present in classrooms where faith and reason are not separate, but integrated – where students are invited to see the world through the lens of the Gospel. It is nurtured in parish life, where students encounter the rhythms of prayer, sacrament, and service and come to know not just about God, but God’s presence in their lives. It is strengthened in a community where families, educators, and clergy walk together with a shared purpose.
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For many families, this is what sets Catholic education apart.
They are not simply looking for the “best” school in a conventional sense. They are looking for a place where their children will be guided — not only intellectually, but morally and spiritually. A place where success is not defined solely by achievement, but by character. A place where their children are known, loved, and called to grow in the example of Christ.
This is especially true in the earliest years of education.
In early childhood, the foundation is laid not just for academic learning, but for identity, belonging, and confidence. Children begin to understand how they relate to others, how they navigate challenges, and how they see themselves in the world.
When that foundation is rooted in faith — and in the love and example of Jesus — it carries forward in powerful ways.
Students who experience this kind of formation are often marked by a sense of purpose that extends beyond themselves. They come to see their gifts not simply as tools for personal advancement, but as opportunities to serve others, just as Christ calls us to do.
This is the enduring promise of Catholic education.
It is not a rejection of academic excellence — far from it. Rather, it is a commitment to ensuring that excellence is grounded in something deeper. That knowledge is paired with wisdom. That achievement is accompanied by humility. That success is understood in the context of a life of faith.
In a world that can often feel uncertain and fragmented, this kind of formation matters.
It is why, even today, families continue to seek out Catholic schools — not only for what their children will learn, but for who they will become.
Leanne Gonzalez is principal of All Saints Academy and Father Nico Quintos is pastor of St. Ann Parish, both in Parsippany, N.J.
– In conversations with parents today, one theme comes up again and again. Yes, they care about academics. Yes, they want their children to succeed. But increasingly, families are asking a deeper question: Who is helping my child become a saint? It is a question that sits at the heart of Catholic education — and one that we encounter every day in both the school and parish communities we serve. At a time when so much of the educational landscape is focused on outcomes that can be measured — test scores, rankings, college placements — Catholic education continues to hold fast
![U.S. vice president, second lady share family Mass attendance practices – #Catholic – Vice President JD Vance and Second Lady Usha Vance discussed their family’s Mass attendance practices ahead of the release of Vance’s memoir, “Communion: Finding My Way Back to Faith,” which is available June 16.JD Vance is the second Catholic to serve as U.S. vice president, following President Joe Biden, who held the office from 2009 to 2017. Vance has discussed his Catholic faith and shared about his conversion but is not seen or reported by the media attending Mass in the Washington, D.C., area.Vance said in a June 14 interview with “CBS Sunday Morning” that Mass is sometimes said in his home or he attends small churches.Having priests come to celebrate Mass at home is “one of the rare privileges of this life,” Vance said. “I try not to do it too much” because “I try to … have a little bit more of a ritual to it,” he said. “So we do try to leave the house and actually go to church. And thatʼs important.”“But sometimes … you have a late day at work, or somethingʼs going on at the White House, or somethingʼs going on in the world and you say, ‘Could a priest just come by and say Mass at our house?’” Vance said.“It makes it very easy, but itʼs one of those creature comforts of being vice president I try not to use too much because I think it makes us a little lazy,” he said.“Itʼs a perk,” Usha Vance added. “But I think itʼs also important to say that itʼs sometimes a necessity, because a motorcade just shuts down streets.”“It means sometimes people canʼt get into Mass when they arrive,” she said. “It means that you have people trickling in after the start because theyʼre being put through magnetometers.”The second lady, who practices Hinduism, said they try to adjust the “timing of Mass and location” in order “to mitigate all of these discomforts for all the other people who are just trying to live their lives.” “We try to go to smaller churches and we try to get there exactly on time, because if we get there 10 minutes earlier,” security becomes “a nightmare for everybody else,” JD Vance said.“So you try to obviously take your kids to church, but you also try to do it in a way that doesnʼt inconvenience everybody. Thatʼs very important to us,” he said.Vance has attended some highly publicized liturgies. The vice president attended Pope Leo XIV’s inaugural Mass on May 18, 2025, in St. Peter’s Square. He led the U.S. delegation for the ceremony and was joined by Usha Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.He also attended a private Mass celebrated by Franciscan monks at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem during a three-day diplomatic trip to Israel in October 2025.Vance met with a group of bishops and went to confession prior to Mass, according to the White House press pool report.Memoir on Vance’s Catholic conversionVance’s memoir discusses why he left his faith and describes his conversion to Catholicism. The book has been published by HarperCollins Publishers, which also produced Vance’s 2016 bestselling book “Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis.” The book addresses the “story of how I regained my faith,” which “only happened because I had lost it to begin with,” Vance wrote in a HarperCollins press release. “The interesting question that hangs over this book, and over my mind, is why I ever strayed from the path. Why the Christian faith of my youth failed to properly take root.”In the “CBS Sunday Morning” interview, Vance explained some of what the book uncovers about finding his “home” in the Catholic Church.“I was raised in evangelical tradition that in a lot of ways I really loved,” he said.The evangelical faith offered an “incredible generosity of spirit” and an “incredible spirit of ‘welcomingness,’” Vance said. While he said he still tries to “apply” these aspects to his life, he “drift[ed] away from that faith.”“I donʼt think that I was properly rooted,” Vance said. “I started to see myself as too smart, maybe too high-minded. I was going to make decisions based on rationality and science and not on this religious mumbo jumbo.”Then, he said, “as I started to think to myself, ‘Maybe there is some real truth to these Christian ideas that I grew up with‘ … I was just incredibly attracted to the tradition of the church that I ultimately selected.”“Things are constantly changing. Social media is changing how we communicate with each other,” he said. “You go to one church and itʼs … one thing. You go to another church and itʼs something different.”Catholicism “felt rooted” and “if I went to a foreign country and I didnʼt understand the language, I kind of knew what was going on. And I liked that feeling of rootedness.”“Fundamentally, when I started thinking to myself, ‘Maybe I do believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. Maybe I do believe in the core tenets of the Christian faith.’ A lot of the people who [were] encouraging me on that journey … were Catholic, and they took me to Catholic churches, and I felt at home there, and eventually I converted,” Vance said.“God put a lot of people in my path who were very good Christians and ended up being Catholics. And thatʼs where … I found a home,” he said.](https://unitedyam.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/u-s-vice-president-second-lady-share-family-mass-attendance-practices-catholic-vice-president-jd-vance-and-second-lady-usha-vance-discussed-their-familys-mass-attendance-practices-ahea.webp "U.S. vice president, second lady share family Mass attendance practices – #Catholic – Vice President JD Vance and Second Lady Usha Vance discussed their family’s Mass attendance practices ahead of the release of Vance’s memoir, “Communion: Finding My Way Back to Faith,” which is available June 16.JD Vance is the second Catholic to serve as U.S. vice president, following President Joe Biden, who held the office from 2009 to 2017. Vance has discussed his Catholic faith and shared about his conversion but is not seen or reported by the media attending Mass in the Washington, D.C., area.Vance said in a June 14 interview with “CBS Sunday Morning” that Mass is sometimes said in his home or he attends small churches.Having priests come to celebrate Mass at home is “one of the rare privileges of this life,” Vance said. “I try not to do it too much” because “I try to … have a little bit more of a ritual to it,” he said. “So we do try to leave the house and actually go to church. And thatʼs important.”“But sometimes … you have a late day at work, or somethingʼs going on at the White House, or somethingʼs going on in the world and you say, ‘Could a priest just come by and say Mass at our house?’” Vance said.“It makes it very easy, but itʼs one of those creature comforts of being vice president I try not to use too much because I think it makes us a little lazy,” he said.“Itʼs a perk,” Usha Vance added. “But I think itʼs also important to say that itʼs sometimes a necessity, because a motorcade just shuts down streets.”“It means sometimes people canʼt get into Mass when they arrive,” she said. “It means that you have people trickling in after the start because theyʼre being put through magnetometers.”The second lady, who practices Hinduism, said they try to adjust the “timing of Mass and location” in order “to mitigate all of these discomforts for all the other people who are just trying to live their lives.” “We try to go to smaller churches and we try to get there exactly on time, because if we get there 10 minutes earlier,” security becomes “a nightmare for everybody else,” JD Vance said.“So you try to obviously take your kids to church, but you also try to do it in a way that doesnʼt inconvenience everybody. Thatʼs very important to us,” he said.Vance has attended some highly publicized liturgies. The vice president attended Pope Leo XIV’s inaugural Mass on May 18, 2025, in St. Peter’s Square. He led the U.S. delegation for the ceremony and was joined by Usha Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.He also attended a private Mass celebrated by Franciscan monks at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem during a three-day diplomatic trip to Israel in October 2025.Vance met with a group of bishops and went to confession prior to Mass, according to the White House press pool report.Memoir on Vance’s Catholic conversionVance’s memoir discusses why he left his faith and describes his conversion to Catholicism. The book has been published by HarperCollins Publishers, which also produced Vance’s 2016 bestselling book “Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis.” The book addresses the “story of how I regained my faith,” which “only happened because I had lost it to begin with,” Vance wrote in a HarperCollins press release. “The interesting question that hangs over this book, and over my mind, is why I ever strayed from the path. Why the Christian faith of my youth failed to properly take root.”In the “CBS Sunday Morning” interview, Vance explained some of what the book uncovers about finding his “home” in the Catholic Church.“I was raised in evangelical tradition that in a lot of ways I really loved,” he said.The evangelical faith offered an “incredible generosity of spirit” and an “incredible spirit of ‘welcomingness,’” Vance said. While he said he still tries to “apply” these aspects to his life, he “drift[ed] away from that faith.”“I donʼt think that I was properly rooted,” Vance said. “I started to see myself as too smart, maybe too high-minded. I was going to make decisions based on rationality and science and not on this religious mumbo jumbo.”Then, he said, “as I started to think to myself, ‘Maybe there is some real truth to these Christian ideas that I grew up with‘ … I was just incredibly attracted to the tradition of the church that I ultimately selected.”“Things are constantly changing. Social media is changing how we communicate with each other,” he said. “You go to one church and itʼs … one thing. You go to another church and itʼs something different.”Catholicism “felt rooted” and “if I went to a foreign country and I didnʼt understand the language, I kind of knew what was going on. And I liked that feeling of rootedness.”“Fundamentally, when I started thinking to myself, ‘Maybe I do believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. Maybe I do believe in the core tenets of the Christian faith.’ A lot of the people who [were] encouraging me on that journey … were Catholic, and they took me to Catholic churches, and I felt at home there, and eventually I converted,” Vance said.“God put a lot of people in my path who were very good Christians and ended up being Catholics. And thatʼs where … I found a home,” he said.")
Having priests come to celebrate Mass at home is “one of the rare privileges of this life,” Vice President JD Vance said.
Pope Leo XIV addressed a delegation of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church, encouraging them to preserve and promote “the inestimable treasures incarnated by all the Eastern Churches.”
![Catholic-backed religious liberty lawsuit asks Supreme Court to address ‘finality’ rule – #Catholic – A long-running legal dispute against a city in Ohio has received the backing of the U.S. Catholic bishops as it seeks to both assert a religious liberty claim and challenge a long-standing U.S. rule over when a lawsuit can be brought before a court. Daniel Grand filed a lawsuit against the city of University Heights, Ohio, in September 2022 after the city blocked his efforts to convene a minyan, or Jewish prayer group, of about a dozen friends at his home. The city directed that he would have to acquire a special-use permit to host the group. “They said if I got the permit, I could have the prayer group,” he told EWTN News. “But halfway into this ordeal, I learned that if anybody qualifies for this permit, there is no residence allowed [where the permit is granted].” His family would have to move in the event the permit was granted, he said. The federal district court dismissed his case on the grounds of a legal concept known as “finality,” a rule that holds that a lawsuit can only be brought if a plaintiff has exhausted all other relevant options first. Jonathan Gross, an attorney who is representing Grand in the ongoing dispute, said governments will sometimes use this rule in order to thwart a lawsuit attempt. “Certain jurisdictions recognize that the government controls everything and that if they want they can 'jerk you around’ and table your case indefinitely to prevent you from ever getting finality that allows you to sue,” he said. “If local government can do whatever they want with your application and make it so you never get a final decision, then you’re ultimately blocked from ever suing them, and they know that,” he said. The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio dismissed the case on finality grounds; the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit upheld that dismissal. Grand and his attorneys are asking the Supreme Court to review the case and rule on the finality question so that the religious liberty suit can proceed.“We obviously assert that Daniel was harmed,” Gross said. “But we didn’t even go to court because we didn’t get the final decision.”Decision would ‘open up the Hoover Dam’ for some lawsuitsGrand and his attorneys are hoping to resolve the finality question at the Supreme Court for the sake of both themselves and plaintiffs in other lawsuits. A favorable decision from the high court would “open up the Hoover Dam for everyone who wants to get into federal court but is being denied because you didn’t complete some sort of process,” Grand told EWTN News. Yet Grand himself is still focused on resolving the religious liberty dispute as well. Among other supporters, the lawsuit has received backing from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, which filed an amicus brief in appeals court arguing that Grandʼs religious liberty claims should be considered without being subject to “finality.” Religious plaintiffs have standing to sue “as soon as a credible threat arises,” the bishops said in their filing, arguing that court processes that play out over “months or years” due to finality rules serve as a “constitutional harm” in and of themselves. In his filing with the Supreme Court, Grand argued that the case is “a playbook for government-sponsored religious discrimination.” Speaking to EWTN News, Grand disputed the implicit contention that “10 Jews in a room makes it a synagogue.” He said his aim was simply to host a small group to speak to God. “It was on my heart to have a prayer gathering, and I thought nothing more than that,” he said.](https://unitedyam.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/catholic-backed-religious-liberty-lawsuit-asks-supreme-court-to-address-finality-rule-catholic-a-long-running-legal-dispute-against-a-city-in-ohio-has-received-the-backing-of-th.png "Catholic-backed religious liberty lawsuit asks Supreme Court to address ‘finality’ rule – #Catholic – A long-running legal dispute against a city in Ohio has received the backing of the U.S. Catholic bishops as it seeks to both assert a religious liberty claim and challenge a long-standing U.S. rule over when a lawsuit can be brought before a court. Daniel Grand filed a lawsuit against the city of University Heights, Ohio, in September 2022 after the city blocked his efforts to convene a minyan, or Jewish prayer group, of about a dozen friends at his home. The city directed that he would have to acquire a special-use permit to host the group. “They said if I got the permit, I could have the prayer group,” he told EWTN News. “But halfway into this ordeal, I learned that if anybody qualifies for this permit, there is no residence allowed [where the permit is granted].” His family would have to move in the event the permit was granted, he said. The federal district court dismissed his case on the grounds of a legal concept known as “finality,” a rule that holds that a lawsuit can only be brought if a plaintiff has exhausted all other relevant options first. Jonathan Gross, an attorney who is representing Grand in the ongoing dispute, said governments will sometimes use this rule in order to thwart a lawsuit attempt. “Certain jurisdictions recognize that the government controls everything and that if they want they can 'jerk you around’ and table your case indefinitely to prevent you from ever getting finality that allows you to sue,” he said. “If local government can do whatever they want with your application and make it so you never get a final decision, then you’re ultimately blocked from ever suing them, and they know that,” he said. The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio dismissed the case on finality grounds; the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit upheld that dismissal. Grand and his attorneys are asking the Supreme Court to review the case and rule on the finality question so that the religious liberty suit can proceed.“We obviously assert that Daniel was harmed,” Gross said. “But we didn’t even go to court because we didn’t get the final decision.”Decision would ‘open up the Hoover Dam’ for some lawsuitsGrand and his attorneys are hoping to resolve the finality question at the Supreme Court for the sake of both themselves and plaintiffs in other lawsuits. A favorable decision from the high court would “open up the Hoover Dam for everyone who wants to get into federal court but is being denied because you didn’t complete some sort of process,” Grand told EWTN News. Yet Grand himself is still focused on resolving the religious liberty dispute as well. Among other supporters, the lawsuit has received backing from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, which filed an amicus brief in appeals court arguing that Grandʼs religious liberty claims should be considered without being subject to “finality.” Religious plaintiffs have standing to sue “as soon as a credible threat arises,” the bishops said in their filing, arguing that court processes that play out over “months or years” due to finality rules serve as a “constitutional harm” in and of themselves. In his filing with the Supreme Court, Grand argued that the case is “a playbook for government-sponsored religious discrimination.” Speaking to EWTN News, Grand disputed the implicit contention that “10 Jews in a room makes it a synagogue.” He said his aim was simply to host a small group to speak to God. “It was on my heart to have a prayer gathering, and I thought nothing more than that,” he said.")
The U.S. Catholic bishops have backed the lawsuit brought by Jewish resident Daniel Grand against the city of University Heights, Ohio, in a dispute over a planned prayer group.
![Making history: St. Paul Inside the Walls honors archivist #Catholic - On June 6, Msgr. Raymond J. Kupke, Ph.D., a retired priest with 53 years actively serving the Paterson Diocese, N.J., and respected Church historian, delighted in receiving the 2026 Bishop Arthur J. Serratelli Evangelization Award from St. Paul Inside the Walls Catholic Center for Evangelization in Madison, N.J. Msgr. Kupke received the award for his fruitful years in the priesthood and evangelization.
That Friday evening, Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney presented Msgr. Kupke received the award during St. Paul’s Fifth Annual Garden Party, its largest annual fundraiser, which was held on the center’s front lawn. Msgr. Kupke has been the diocesan archivist since 1976 and is the co-host of “Coffee with Kupke,” a popular podcast that delves into the history of Catholicism in the Church of Paterson. He hosts the podcast with his friend, Father Paul Manning, diocesan vicar for evangelization and education.
Msgr. Kupke is an adjunct professor of Church history at Immaculate Conception Seminary School of Theology in South Orange, N.J. He has also taught many courses at St. Paul’s, notably helping form candidates for the permanent diaconate. He also authored the book, “Living Stones: A History of the Catholic Church in the Diocese of Paterson.”
Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.
Over the years, Msgr. Kupke has held numerous pastoral assignments. Most recently, he served as pastor of St. Anthony Parish in Hawthorne, N.J., from 2011 until his retirement last year.
During the Garden Party, Father Manning also welcomed Father Pawel Tomczyk back to St. Paul’s. For years, Father Tomczyk has assisted St. Paul’s evangelization efforts.
Father Tomczyk, who has served as pastoral formation director and assistant moral theology professor at Immaculate Conception Seminary School of Theology, will assume Father Manning’s role as diocesan vicar for evangelization while living at St. Paul’s, effective July 1.
On that date, Father Manning will become pastor of St. Joseph Parish in Mendham, N.J., while continuing as vicar for education. Father Manning will celebrate his final Mass at St. Paul’s, the young adult Mass, on Sunday, June 21, at 11 a.m., followed by a reception.
Founded by Bishop Serratelli, St. Paul’s is a leader, catalyst, and model for the new evangelization. Through both traditional and innovative programs, the center has inspired people of all ages, beliefs, cultures, perspectives, and professions to fully experience the Catholic faith. The Garden Party celebrated St. Paul’s lasting impact and growth around the diocese and beyond.
The event’s attendees included staff from St. Paul’s, members of the Young Adult Ministry, benefactors, and friends and family of community members. The event included a dinner.
BEACON PHOTOS | JOE GIGLI
[See image gallery at beaconnj.org]](https://unitedyam.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/making-history-st-paul-inside-the-walls-honors-archivist-catholic-on-june-6-msgr-raymond-j-kupke-ph-d-a-retired-priest-with-53-years-actively-serving-the-paterson-diocese-n-j-and-respect.jpg)
Making history: St. Paul Inside the Walls honors archivist #Catholic – 
On June 6, Msgr. Raymond J. Kupke, Ph.D., a retired priest with 53 years actively serving the Paterson Diocese, N.J., and respected Church historian, delighted in receiving the 2026 Bishop Arthur J. Serratelli Evangelization Award from St. Paul Inside the Walls Catholic Center for Evangelization in Madison, N.J. Msgr. Kupke received the award for his fruitful years in the priesthood and evangelization.
That Friday evening, Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney presented Msgr. Kupke received the award during St. Paul’s Fifth Annual Garden Party, its largest annual fundraiser, which was held on the center’s front lawn. Msgr. Kupke has been the diocesan archivist since 1976 and is the co-host of “Coffee with Kupke,” a popular podcast that delves into the history of Catholicism in the Church of Paterson. He hosts the podcast with his friend, Father Paul Manning, diocesan vicar for evangelization and education.
Msgr. Kupke is an adjunct professor of Church history at Immaculate Conception Seminary School of Theology in South Orange, N.J. He has also taught many courses at St. Paul’s, notably helping form candidates for the permanent diaconate. He also authored the book, “Living Stones: A History of the Catholic Church in the Diocese of Paterson.”
Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.
Over the years, Msgr. Kupke has held numerous pastoral assignments. Most recently, he served as pastor of St. Anthony Parish in Hawthorne, N.J., from 2011 until his retirement last year.
During the Garden Party, Father Manning also welcomed Father Pawel Tomczyk back to St. Paul’s. For years, Father Tomczyk has assisted St. Paul’s evangelization efforts.
Father Tomczyk, who has served as pastoral formation director and assistant moral theology professor at Immaculate Conception Seminary School of Theology, will assume Father Manning’s role as diocesan vicar for evangelization while living at St. Paul’s, effective July 1.
On that date, Father Manning will become pastor of St. Joseph Parish in Mendham, N.J., while continuing as vicar for education. Father Manning will celebrate his final Mass at St. Paul’s, the young adult Mass, on Sunday, June 21, at 11 a.m., followed by a reception.
Founded by Bishop Serratelli, St. Paul’s is a leader, catalyst, and model for the new evangelization. Through both traditional and innovative programs, the center has inspired people of all ages, beliefs, cultures, perspectives, and professions to fully experience the Catholic faith. The Garden Party celebrated St. Paul’s lasting impact and growth around the diocese and beyond.
The event’s attendees included staff from St. Paul’s, members of the Young Adult Ministry, benefactors, and friends and family of community members. The event included a dinner.
BEACON PHOTOS | JOE GIGLI
– On June 6, Msgr. Raymond J. Kupke, Ph.D., a retired priest with 53 years actively serving the Paterson Diocese, N.J., and respected Church historian, delighted in receiving the 2026 Bishop Arthur J. Serratelli Evangelization Award from St. Paul Inside the Walls Catholic Center for Evangelization in Madison, N.J. Msgr. Kupke received the award for his fruitful years in the priesthood and evangelization. That Friday evening, Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney presented Msgr. Kupke received the award during St. Paul’s Fifth Annual Garden Party, its largest annual fundraiser, which was held on the center’s front lawn. Msgr. Kupke has been the diocesan
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Photographic art based on the multicolored columns in the portal hall in Freiburg Minster, Freiburg im Breisgau, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
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A period of unsettled weather brought scattered showers and thunderstorms to California’s Bay Area on May 27, 2026. That afternoon, a break in the clouds left downtown San Francisco and nearby communities beneath mostly cloud-free skies, allowing an astronaut aboard the International Space Station to take this photograph.
Read More![Morristown pastor thanks God for 10 years of priesthood #Catholic - Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney visited St. Margaret of Scotland Parish in Morristown, N.J., on June 6 to celebrate the 10th ordination anniversary of its pastor, Father Duberney Villamizar, during a Mass the bishop celebrated in the church. The pastor also serves as diocesan vicar for Hispanic Affairs — the first such position established in the diocese.
In his homily, Father Villamizar thanked God, the Blessed Mother, Bishop Sweeney, Bishop Emeritus Arthur J. Serratelli, the parishes he has served and all the people he met who supported him during his first 10 years of priesthood.
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Father Villamizar was born on July 16, 1990, in La Esmeralda, Arauquita-Arauca, Colombia, and studied in Colombia and the United States. He was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Serratelli on May 28, 2016.
Since his priestly ordination, Father Villamizar has served as parochial vicar of St. Anthony of Padua Parish in Passaic, N.J., and then of Our Lady of the Valley and Holy Cross parishes in Wayne, N.J. He currently serves as pastor of St. Margaret’s.
BEACON PHOTOS | JOE GIGLI
[See image gallery at beaconnj.org]](https://unitedyam.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/morristown-pastor-thanks-god-for-10-years-of-priesthood-catholic-bishop-kevin-j-sweeney-visited-st-margaret-of-scotland-parish-in-morristown-n-j-on-june-6-to-celebrate-the-10th-ordination-anni.jpg)
Morristown pastor thanks God for 10 years of priesthood #Catholic – 
Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney visited St. Margaret of Scotland Parish in Morristown, N.J., on June 6 to celebrate the 10th ordination anniversary of its pastor, Father Duberney Villamizar, during a Mass the bishop celebrated in the church. The pastor also serves as diocesan vicar for Hispanic Affairs — the first such position established in the diocese.
In his homily, Father Villamizar thanked God, the Blessed Mother, Bishop Sweeney, Bishop Emeritus Arthur J. Serratelli, the parishes he has served and all the people he met who supported him during his first 10 years of priesthood.
Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.
Father Villamizar was born on July 16, 1990, in La Esmeralda, Arauquita-Arauca, Colombia, and studied in Colombia and the United States. He was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Serratelli on May 28, 2016.
Since his priestly ordination, Father Villamizar has served as parochial vicar of St. Anthony of Padua Parish in Passaic, N.J., and then of Our Lady of the Valley and Holy Cross parishes in Wayne, N.J. He currently serves as pastor of St. Margaret’s.
BEACON PHOTOS | JOE GIGLI
– Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney visited St. Margaret of Scotland Parish in Morristown, N.J., on June 6 to celebrate the 10th ordination anniversary of its pastor, Father Duberney Villamizar, during a Mass the bishop celebrated in the church. The pastor also serves as diocesan vicar for Hispanic Affairs — the first such position established in the diocese. In his homily, Father Villamizar thanked God, the Blessed Mother, Bishop Sweeney, Bishop Emeritus Arthur J. Serratelli, the parishes he has served and all the people he met who supported him during his first 10 years of priesthood. Click here to subscribe to our
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Astronomers have created a comprehensive census of active galactic nuclei (AGN) — galaxies powered by a feeding central black hole. The new census, led by data pipeline developer Mugdha Polimera at the Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian, began while she was a graduate student at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill,Continue reading “Active black holes are more common than we thought”
The post Active black holes are more common than we thought appeared first on Astronomy Magazine.
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