FBI Wondering If Swearing Allegiance To ISIS Might Be Slight Red Flag #BabylonBee – WASHINGTON, D.C. — In the wake of another domestic terrorist attack this past week at Old Dominion, the FBI began wondering if perhaps a person swearing allegiance to ISIS might be a sort of red flag.
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FBI Wondering If Swearing Allegiance To ISIS Might Be Slight Red Flag #BabylonBee – WASHINGTON, D.C. — In the wake of another domestic terrorist attack this past week at Old Dominion, the FBI began wondering if perhaps a person swearing allegiance to ISIS might be a sort of red flag.

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WASHINGTON, D.C. — In the wake of another domestic terrorist attack this past week at Old Dominion, the FBI began wondering if perhaps a person swearing allegiance to ISIS might be a sort of red flag.

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FBI Wondering If Swearing Allegiance To ISIS Might Be Slight Red Flag #BabylonBee – WASHINGTON, D.C. — In the wake of another domestic terrorist attack this past week at Old Dominion, the FBI began wondering if perhaps a person swearing allegiance to ISIS might be a sort of red flag.
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FBI Wondering If Swearing Allegiance To ISIS Might Be Slight Red Flag #BabylonBee – WASHINGTON, D.C. — In the wake of another domestic terrorist attack this past week at Old Dominion, the FBI began wondering if perhaps a person swearing allegiance to ISIS might be a sort of red flag.

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WASHINGTON, D.C. — In the wake of another domestic terrorist attack this past week at Old Dominion, the FBI began wondering if perhaps a person swearing allegiance to ISIS might be a sort of red flag.

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March 15, 1713: The birth of Nicolas-Louis de La Caille

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After training in theology and becoming a deacon, Nicolas-Louis de La Caille (born March 15, 1713) turned his focus to geometry and astronomy. He studied at the Paris Observatory, and by 1739 had become professor of mathematics at Paris’ College Marzarin.  Though he constructed a rooftop observatory, published multiple textbooks, and took part in aContinue reading “March 15, 1713: The birth of Nicolas-Louis de La Caille”

The post March 15, 1713: The birth of Nicolas-Louis de La Caille appeared first on Astronomy Magazine.

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After Recent Terror Incidents, Americans Increasingly Demand a Stop to Third-World Immigration – The argument gaining traction is straightforward: if repeated acts of violence are linked to individuals arriving from unstable or heavily radicalized regions, immigration policy must reflect that security risk. The post After Recent Terror Incidents, Americans Increasingly Demand a Stop to Third-World Immigration appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.
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After Recent Terror Incidents, Americans Increasingly Demand a Stop to Third-World Immigration – The argument gaining traction is straightforward: if repeated acts of violence are linked to individuals arriving from unstable or heavily radicalized regions, immigration policy must reflect that security risk. The post After Recent Terror Incidents, Americans Increasingly Demand a Stop to Third-World Immigration appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

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Protesters hold a sign advocating for the abolition of ICE while law enforcement stands nearby, highlighting tensions during a public demonstration.

Protesters hold a sign advocating for the abolition of ICE while law enforcement stands nearby, highlighting tensions during a public demonstration.

The argument gaining traction is straightforward: if repeated acts of violence are linked to individuals arriving from unstable or heavily radicalized regions, immigration policy must reflect that security risk.

The post After Recent Terror Incidents, Americans Increasingly Demand a Stop to Third-World Immigration appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

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The Economist Blasted with Flurry of Posts for Bemoaning Death of Murderous Ayatollah – Iranian Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was recently killed in joint military operations by the United States and Israel. The post The Economist Blasted with Flurry of Posts for Bemoaning Death of Murderous Ayatollah appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

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Iranian Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was recently killed in joint military operations by the United States and Israel.

The post The Economist Blasted with Flurry of Posts for Bemoaning Death of Murderous Ayatollah appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

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Pope urges ceasefire in Middle East – #Catholic – Pope Leo XIV on Sunday urged those responsible for the escalating war in the Middle East to declare a ceasefire and open paths of dialogue, warning that violence can never lead to justice or peace.“In the name of the Christians of the Middle East and of all women and men of goodwill, I address those responsible for this conflict: Let the fire cease and let paths of dialogue be reopened,” the pope said after praying the Angelus with pilgrims gathered in St. Peter’s Square.The appeal came amid continuing regional tensions and exchanges of attacks in the Middle East. Earlier Sunday, U.S. President Donald Trump said in a telephone interview with NBC that Iran is seeking a ceasefire agreement to end U.S. and Israeli bombing, though he said he is not prepared to accept the proposal for now because the “terms are not good enough yet.”Israel also struck targets in Lebanon, where at least 14 people were reported killed, including four minors. Pope Leo described the situation in the country as “a cause for great concern.”“I hope that paths of dialogue will open that can help the authorities of the country implement lasting solutions to the serious crisis underway, for the common good of all Lebanese,” he said.The pope noted that for the past two weeks the peoples of the Middle East have been suffering “the atrocious violence of war.”“Thousands of innocent people have been killed and many others have been forced to abandon their homes,” he said, expressing his prayerful closeness to those who have lost loved ones in attacks on schools, hospitals, and residential areas.“Violence will never lead to the justice, stability, or peace that peoples hope for,” he added.‘Faith is not a renunciation of reason’Earlier during the Angelus reflection, Pope Leo emphasized that Christian faith does not require abandoning reason but instead allows believers to see reality more clearly.Reflecting on the Gospel account of the healing of the man born blind (John 9:1–41), the pope said the episode reveals the deeper meaning of salvation.“While humanity walked in darkness, God sent his Son as the light of the world to open the eyes of the blind and illuminate our lives,” he said.The pope stressed that faith “is not a blind act,” nor “a renunciation of reason,” nor a conviction that turns believers away from the world.Rather, he explained, “faith helps us to look from the point of view of Jesus, with his eyes.”“It is a participation in his way of seeing,” he said, quoting Lumen Fidei, the first encyclical of Pope Francis.For this reason, Christians are called to open their eyes to the suffering of others and to the wounds of the world.The Gospel, the pope said, contradicts the idea — widespread for centuries and still present today — that faith is a “leap into darkness.”“On the contrary, the Gospel tells us that in contact with Christ the eyes are opened,” he said.Pope Leo added that the Gospel invites believers to view the world with Christ’s eyes and not remain indifferent to human suffering.“Today, in particular, faced with the many questions of the human heart and the dramatic situations of injustice, violence, and suffering that mark our time, there is a need for an awake, attentive, and prophetic faith,” he said.Such faith, he explained, “opens our eyes to the darkness of the world and brings there the light of the Gospel through a commitment to peace, justice, and solidarity.”The pope concluded by encouraging Christians to live a “Christianity with open eyes,” with simplicity and courage.“Brothers and sisters, we too, healed by the love of Christ, are called to live a Christianity with open eyes,” he said.This story was first published in two parts by ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.
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Pope urges ceasefire in Middle East – #Catholic – Pope Leo XIV on Sunday urged those responsible for the escalating war in the Middle East to declare a ceasefire and open paths of dialogue, warning that violence can never lead to justice or peace.“In the name of the Christians of the Middle East and of all women and men of goodwill, I address those responsible for this conflict: Let the fire cease and let paths of dialogue be reopened,” the pope said after praying the Angelus with pilgrims gathered in St. Peter’s Square.The appeal came amid continuing regional tensions and exchanges of attacks in the Middle East. Earlier Sunday, U.S. President Donald Trump said in a telephone interview with NBC that Iran is seeking a ceasefire agreement to end U.S. and Israeli bombing, though he said he is not prepared to accept the proposal for now because the “terms are not good enough yet.”Israel also struck targets in Lebanon, where at least 14 people were reported killed, including four minors. Pope Leo described the situation in the country as “a cause for great concern.”“I hope that paths of dialogue will open that can help the authorities of the country implement lasting solutions to the serious crisis underway, for the common good of all Lebanese,” he said.The pope noted that for the past two weeks the peoples of the Middle East have been suffering “the atrocious violence of war.”“Thousands of innocent people have been killed and many others have been forced to abandon their homes,” he said, expressing his prayerful closeness to those who have lost loved ones in attacks on schools, hospitals, and residential areas.“Violence will never lead to the justice, stability, or peace that peoples hope for,” he added.‘Faith is not a renunciation of reason’Earlier during the Angelus reflection, Pope Leo emphasized that Christian faith does not require abandoning reason but instead allows believers to see reality more clearly.Reflecting on the Gospel account of the healing of the man born blind (John 9:1–41), the pope said the episode reveals the deeper meaning of salvation.“While humanity walked in darkness, God sent his Son as the light of the world to open the eyes of the blind and illuminate our lives,” he said.The pope stressed that faith “is not a blind act,” nor “a renunciation of reason,” nor a conviction that turns believers away from the world.Rather, he explained, “faith helps us to look from the point of view of Jesus, with his eyes.”“It is a participation in his way of seeing,” he said, quoting Lumen Fidei, the first encyclical of Pope Francis.For this reason, Christians are called to open their eyes to the suffering of others and to the wounds of the world.The Gospel, the pope said, contradicts the idea — widespread for centuries and still present today — that faith is a “leap into darkness.”“On the contrary, the Gospel tells us that in contact with Christ the eyes are opened,” he said.Pope Leo added that the Gospel invites believers to view the world with Christ’s eyes and not remain indifferent to human suffering.“Today, in particular, faced with the many questions of the human heart and the dramatic situations of injustice, violence, and suffering that mark our time, there is a need for an awake, attentive, and prophetic faith,” he said.Such faith, he explained, “opens our eyes to the darkness of the world and brings there the light of the Gospel through a commitment to peace, justice, and solidarity.”The pope concluded by encouraging Christians to live a “Christianity with open eyes,” with simplicity and courage.“Brothers and sisters, we too, healed by the love of Christ, are called to live a Christianity with open eyes,” he said.This story was first published in two parts by ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.

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Speaking at his Sunday Angelus, Pope Leo XIV urged Christians to bring the Gospel to a world marked by violence and injustice.

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Claudia Sheinbaum admitted that she did not personally give the order for the operation against El Mencho – This is a Gateway Hispanic article. The post Claudia Sheinbaum admitted that she did not personally give the order for the operation against El Mencho appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.
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Claudia Sheinbaum admitted that she did not personally give the order for the operation against El Mencho – This is a Gateway Hispanic article. The post Claudia Sheinbaum admitted that she did not personally give the order for the operation against El Mencho appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

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Female politician delivering a speech at a podium with the Mexican emblem, discussing important issues during a press conference in Mexico City.

Female politician delivering a speech at a podium with the Mexican emblem, discussing important issues during a press conference in Mexico City.

This is a Gateway Hispanic article.

The post Claudia Sheinbaum admitted that she did not personally give the order for the operation against El Mencho appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

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Preacher of the Papal Household: ‘Fraternity is where true conversion takes place’ – #Catholic – Preacher of the Papal Household Father Roberto Pasolini continued on March 13 with the second Lenten homily, inspired by the conversion of St. Francis of Assisi and titled “If Anyone Is in Christ, He Is a New Creation: Conversion to the Gospel According to St. Francis.”Before Pope Leo XIV and members of the Roman Curia gathered in the Paul VI Audience Hall, the Capuchin friar meditated on fraternity, referring to it as both a gift and a “serious and urgent” responsibility — especially in a society marked by division.In his sermon reported by Vatican News, Pasolini explained that conversion is truly realized within fraternity, describing it as “the most eloquent sign of what the Gospel can accomplish in our lives.”He also exhorted his listeners to “go beyond” and to view our brothers and sisters not merely as a source of support or sustenance but as someone entrusted to us “so that our lives may change.”In this context, Pasolini emphasized that brothers and sisters in Christ, therefore, do not merely serve to confirm “what we are” but rather call us to a true transformation: “They become the concrete space in which God works on our humanity, loosening our rigidities and teaching us to live with a truer heart, one more capable of love.”In light of the biblical account of Cain and Abel, the preacher to the papal household noted that a rift between brothers stems “from a problem of perspective” and urged the pope and the Roman Curia to ask themselves “who is Cain within us” and how much space resentment occupies.He also recalled that, for St. Francis, fraternity is an opportunity “to learn the merciful logic of the Gospel toward a neighbor who makes mistakes.”“When relationships crack and communion is wounded,” Pasolini noted, “the Gospel does not first suggest defending one’s own rights. Instead, it urges seeking the greatest and always possible good: the good that allows us to recognize in the other no longer an adversary or a debtor but a brother loved by the Lord,” he affirmed.Pasolini thus invited his audience to focus on the conversion that arises “precisely from what others do to us, even when they hurt us or put us to the test,” and, for this reason, “we must never lose sight of the horizon” or the perspective of eternal life.“Faith does not separate but reminds us that no one can be excluded from our hearts,” he remarked.By way of conclusion, Pasolini noted that, amid the divisions, wars, and conflicts of the present day, Christians “cannot limit ourselves to speaking of fraternity as an ideal to be achieved.” “We are called to receive it as a gift, and, at the same time,” he urged, “to take it on as a very serious and urgent responsibility.”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.
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Preacher of the Papal Household: ‘Fraternity is where true conversion takes place’ – #Catholic – Preacher of the Papal Household Father Roberto Pasolini continued on March 13 with the second Lenten homily, inspired by the conversion of St. Francis of Assisi and titled “If Anyone Is in Christ, He Is a New Creation: Conversion to the Gospel According to St. Francis.”Before Pope Leo XIV and members of the Roman Curia gathered in the Paul VI Audience Hall, the Capuchin friar meditated on fraternity, referring to it as both a gift and a “serious and urgent” responsibility — especially in a society marked by division.In his sermon reported by Vatican News, Pasolini explained that conversion is truly realized within fraternity, describing it as “the most eloquent sign of what the Gospel can accomplish in our lives.”He also exhorted his listeners to “go beyond” and to view our brothers and sisters not merely as a source of support or sustenance but as someone entrusted to us “so that our lives may change.”In this context, Pasolini emphasized that brothers and sisters in Christ, therefore, do not merely serve to confirm “what we are” but rather call us to a true transformation: “They become the concrete space in which God works on our humanity, loosening our rigidities and teaching us to live with a truer heart, one more capable of love.”In light of the biblical account of Cain and Abel, the preacher to the papal household noted that a rift between brothers stems “from a problem of perspective” and urged the pope and the Roman Curia to ask themselves “who is Cain within us” and how much space resentment occupies.He also recalled that, for St. Francis, fraternity is an opportunity “to learn the merciful logic of the Gospel toward a neighbor who makes mistakes.”“When relationships crack and communion is wounded,” Pasolini noted, “the Gospel does not first suggest defending one’s own rights. Instead, it urges seeking the greatest and always possible good: the good that allows us to recognize in the other no longer an adversary or a debtor but a brother loved by the Lord,” he affirmed.Pasolini thus invited his audience to focus on the conversion that arises “precisely from what others do to us, even when they hurt us or put us to the test,” and, for this reason, “we must never lose sight of the horizon” or the perspective of eternal life.“Faith does not separate but reminds us that no one can be excluded from our hearts,” he remarked.By way of conclusion, Pasolini noted that, amid the divisions, wars, and conflicts of the present day, Christians “cannot limit ourselves to speaking of fraternity as an ideal to be achieved.” “We are called to receive it as a gift, and, at the same time,” he urged, “to take it on as a very serious and urgent responsibility.”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.

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In a sermon to the pope and the Roman Curia, Preacher of the Papal Household Father Roberto Pasolini explained that achieving true fraternity poses many challenges and requires inner transformation.

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Ave Maria University to send first student group to new Ireland campus at former abbey - #Catholic - Ave Maria University in Florida is setting out to make its students a fixture in the historically Catholic community surrounding Mount Melleray Abbey in County Waterford, Ireland.“We are not here to give our students a cultural exchange; we’re here to have a campus that is steeped both in our culture and the tradition of Ireland,” Daniel Schreck, chief strategy officer for Ave Maria University, told EWTN News. “That means understanding the people of Ireland, County Waterford, the town of Cappoquin, and the Cistercian order,” he said. “I think that’s how you really make this a permanent home and not just a building we’re coming to once a semester with our given cohort of students.”Ave Maria University acquired the abbey after it closed in January 2025, prompted by dwindling numbers among the Cistercian community, which announced its plans to consolidate with monks from St. Joseph Abbey in Roscrea and Mellifont Abbey in Louth in December 2024.Ave Maria plans to bring its first cohort of 100 students to the abbey for the fall 2026 semester. The university had a launch event for the campus earlier this year, which Schreck said was attended by roughly 500 students, and saw 300 applications to the program. The university has accepted 150 so far and hopes one day to accept Irish students as well.Schreck appeared on “EWTN News Nightly” on March 5.An American liberal arts encounter with Irish tradition“The program will be a sort of encounter between the charisms and liberal arts curriculum at Ave Maria University, and the practices and charisms of the Cistercian community,” Mount Melleray Campus Executive Director Samuel Shephard told EWTN News.Students who participate in the program will take classes from Ave Maria’s liberal arts core curriculum of theology, philosophy, and science, as well as Ireland-specific courses, including Irish language courses, Irish Church history, and a course on Irish saints and their holy places. Aerial image of County Waterford, Ireland. | Credit: Photo courtesy of Ave Maria University In addition to their studies, Shephard said, students will live the Cistercian tradition of not only study but also work and prayer. The university is planning to rehabilitate the monastery’s farm so students can work on it. Shephard said he hopes to have animals on the land again and restore the abbey’s workshops.The campus will have a live-in priest, either from the university or the local diocese, and students will have access to two Masses per day as well as adoration, confession, and hopefully, Shephard said, Cistercian chant.“One thing I find so wonderful is [the Cistercians] make a vow of stability,” Shephard said. “They’re really focused on this rhythm of life in a particular place. So that’s one of the things we love to jump into, is that real sense of place, and history, and prayer.”Maintaining a local ‘beacon of faith’Shephard, who is originally from Ireland, emphasized the monastery’s historic importance as “a beacon of faith” to the town of Cappoquin. “It was very sad for them [when] the monks moved out,” he said of the local community. “Now that they know another authentic Catholic institution is coming back, and that we’re going to embrace that history, they seem to be generally very excited about the project.” The abbey was first established in 1832 by a group of Cistercian monks who were expelled from France during the French Revolution. “The townspeople of Cappoquin built Mount Melleray by hand, and so did the Cistercians,” Schreck said. “So, it’s important for the people of Ireland and our students who go there and for Americans reading this article to realize we’re part of that continuity of the faith that’s happened there in that county in Ireland.”Shephard also noted the shop, café, and pilgrim’s hostel located on the campus will remain open to those traveling along the Declan’s Way pilgrimage that runs through the property. “For us is very symbolic that there’s still this very public statement and purpose of Mount Melleray, even well beyond our students studying there,” he said regarding the pilgrimage.“We’re going to keep those open, but not in a proselytizing manner, just in the quiet friendship, ‘come and see’ type of quiet,” he said: “Come and see what we’re doing, come and meet the students, come and go to Mass. Just keep that Cistercian tradition of welcome.”A hope for vocationsOne aspect Schreck said is close to the hearts of Ave Maria University President Mark Middendorf and the university’s founder and chancellor, Tom Monaghan, is vocational discernment.Schreck emphasized that students will be encouraged to discern their vocations more clearly while studying at the Ireland campus, with limited Wi-Fi access, opportunities for silent retreats, and a prohibition on inter-visitation between men and women’s dorms.Ultimately, he said, “we hope this benefits the Cistercians because part of the reason the Cistercians have now moved from Mount Melleray is because there weren’t enough vocations.”“We feel like bringing 200 students per year, and in their case, 100 young men per year that believe in the Catholic Church and are happy and are smart, I’m sure we’ll get a few vocations for them each year,” Shephard said.
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Ave Maria University to send first student group to new Ireland campus at former abbey – #Catholic – Ave Maria University in Florida is setting out to make its students a fixture in the historically Catholic community surrounding Mount Melleray Abbey in County Waterford, Ireland.“We are not here to give our students a cultural exchange; we’re here to have a campus that is steeped both in our culture and the tradition of Ireland,” Daniel Schreck, chief strategy officer for Ave Maria University, told EWTN News. “That means understanding the people of Ireland, County Waterford, the town of Cappoquin, and the Cistercian order,” he said. “I think that’s how you really make this a permanent home and not just a building we’re coming to once a semester with our given cohort of students.”Ave Maria University acquired the abbey after it closed in January 2025, prompted by dwindling numbers among the Cistercian community, which announced its plans to consolidate with monks from St. Joseph Abbey in Roscrea and Mellifont Abbey in Louth in December 2024.Ave Maria plans to bring its first cohort of 100 students to the abbey for the fall 2026 semester. The university had a launch event for the campus earlier this year, which Schreck said was attended by roughly 500 students, and saw 300 applications to the program. The university has accepted 150 so far and hopes one day to accept Irish students as well.Schreck appeared on “EWTN News Nightly” on March 5.An American liberal arts encounter with Irish tradition“The program will be a sort of encounter between the charisms and liberal arts curriculum at Ave Maria University, and the practices and charisms of the Cistercian community,” Mount Melleray Campus Executive Director Samuel Shephard told EWTN News.Students who participate in the program will take classes from Ave Maria’s liberal arts core curriculum of theology, philosophy, and science, as well as Ireland-specific courses, including Irish language courses, Irish Church history, and a course on Irish saints and their holy places. Aerial image of County Waterford, Ireland. | Credit: Photo courtesy of Ave Maria University In addition to their studies, Shephard said, students will live the Cistercian tradition of not only study but also work and prayer. The university is planning to rehabilitate the monastery’s farm so students can work on it. Shephard said he hopes to have animals on the land again and restore the abbey’s workshops.The campus will have a live-in priest, either from the university or the local diocese, and students will have access to two Masses per day as well as adoration, confession, and hopefully, Shephard said, Cistercian chant.“One thing I find so wonderful is [the Cistercians] make a vow of stability,” Shephard said. “They’re really focused on this rhythm of life in a particular place. So that’s one of the things we love to jump into, is that real sense of place, and history, and prayer.”Maintaining a local ‘beacon of faith’Shephard, who is originally from Ireland, emphasized the monastery’s historic importance as “a beacon of faith” to the town of Cappoquin. “It was very sad for them [when] the monks moved out,” he said of the local community. “Now that they know another authentic Catholic institution is coming back, and that we’re going to embrace that history, they seem to be generally very excited about the project.” The abbey was first established in 1832 by a group of Cistercian monks who were expelled from France during the French Revolution. “The townspeople of Cappoquin built Mount Melleray by hand, and so did the Cistercians,” Schreck said. “So, it’s important for the people of Ireland and our students who go there and for Americans reading this article to realize we’re part of that continuity of the faith that’s happened there in that county in Ireland.”Shephard also noted the shop, café, and pilgrim’s hostel located on the campus will remain open to those traveling along the Declan’s Way pilgrimage that runs through the property. “For us is very symbolic that there’s still this very public statement and purpose of Mount Melleray, even well beyond our students studying there,” he said regarding the pilgrimage.“We’re going to keep those open, but not in a proselytizing manner, just in the quiet friendship, ‘come and see’ type of quiet,” he said: “Come and see what we’re doing, come and meet the students, come and go to Mass. Just keep that Cistercian tradition of welcome.”A hope for vocationsOne aspect Schreck said is close to the hearts of Ave Maria University President Mark Middendorf and the university’s founder and chancellor, Tom Monaghan, is vocational discernment.Schreck emphasized that students will be encouraged to discern their vocations more clearly while studying at the Ireland campus, with limited Wi-Fi access, opportunities for silent retreats, and a prohibition on inter-visitation between men and women’s dorms.Ultimately, he said, “we hope this benefits the Cistercians because part of the reason the Cistercians have now moved from Mount Melleray is because there weren’t enough vocations.”“We feel like bringing 200 students per year, and in their case, 100 young men per year that believe in the Catholic Church and are happy and are smart, I’m sure we’ll get a few vocations for them each year,” Shephard said.

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Students at Ave Maria’s new Ireland campus will buck standard Catholic university study abroad standards, opting instead to live a Cistercian lifestyle at a centuries-old abandoned monastery.

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The Sky Today on Sunday, March 15: Uranus meets 13 Tau

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Looking for a sky event this week? Check out our full Sky This Week column.  March 14: Io rounds Jupiter The distant ice giant Uranus is located in Taurus right now, not far from the famous (and easy-to-find) Pleiades star cluster, cataloged as M45. Tonight, the planet also sits a short distance due south of a 6th-magnitudeContinue reading “The Sky Today on Sunday, March 15: Uranus meets 13 Tau”

The post The Sky Today on Sunday, March 15: Uranus meets 13 Tau appeared first on Astronomy Magazine.

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Gospel and Word of the Day – 15 March 2026 – A reading from the Book of Samuel 1 Samuel 16:1b, 6-7, 10-13a The LORD said to Samuel: “Fill your horn with oil, and be on your way. I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem, for I have chosen my king from among his sons.” As Jesse and his sons came to the sacrifice, Samuel looked at Eliab and thought, “Surely the LORD’s anointed is here before him.” But the LORD said to Samuel: “Do not judge from his appearance or from his lofty stature, because I have rejected him. Not as man sees does God see, because man sees the appearance but the LORD looks into the heart.” In the same way Jesse presented seven sons before Samuel, but Samuel said to Jesse, “The LORD has not chosen any one of these.” Then Samuel asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?” Jesse replied, “There is still the youngest, who is tending the sheep.” Samuel said to Jesse, “Send for him; we will not begin the sacrificial banquet until he arrives here.” Jesse sent and had the young man brought to them. He was ruddy, a youth handsome to behold and making a splendid appearance. The LORD said, “There—anoint him, for this is the one!” Then Samuel, with the horn of oil in hand, anointed David in the presence of his brothers; and from that day on, the spirit of the LORD rushed upon David.   A reading from the Letter to the Ephesians 5:8-14 Brothers and sisters: You were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light, for light produces every kind of goodness and righteousness and truth. Try to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the fruitless works of darkness; rather expose them, for it is shameful even to mention the things done by them in secret; but everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for everything that becomes visible is light. Therefore, it says: “Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will give you light.”From the Gospel according to John 9:1-41 As Jesus passed by he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus answered, “Neither he nor his parents sinned; it is so that the works of God might be made visible through him. We have to do the works of the one who sent me while it is day. Night is coming when no one can work. While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” When he had said this, he spat on the ground and made clay with the saliva, and smeared the clay on his eyes, and said to him, “Go wash in the Pool of Siloam” —which means Sent—. So he went and washed, and came back able to see. His neighbors and those who had seen him earlier as a beggar said, “Isn’t this the one who used to sit and beg?” Some said, “It is, “ but others said, “No, he just looks like him.” He said, “I am.” So they said to him, “How were your eyes opened?” He replied, “The man called Jesus made clay and anointed my eyes and told me, ‘Go to Siloam and wash.’ So I went there and washed and was able to see.” And they said to him, “Where is he?” He said, “I don’t know.” They brought the one who was once blind to the Pharisees. Now Jesus had made clay and opened his eyes on a sabbath. So then the Pharisees also asked him how he was able to see. He said to them, “He put clay on my eyes, and I washed, and now I can see.” So some of the Pharisees said, “This man is not from God, because he does not keep the sabbath.” But others said, “How can a sinful man do such signs?” And there was a division among them. So they said to the blind man again, “What do you have to say about him, since he opened your eyes?” He said, “He is a prophet.” Now the Jews did not believe that he had been blind and gained his sight until they summoned the parents of the one who had gained his sight. They asked them, “Is this your son, who you say was born blind? How does he now see?” His parents answered and said, “We know that this is our son and that he was born blind. We do not know how he sees now, nor do we know who opened his eyes. Ask him, he is of age; he can speak for himself.” His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jews, for the Jews had already agreed that if anyone acknowledged him as the Christ, he would be expelled from the synagogue. For this reason his parents said, “He is of age; question him.” So a second time they called the man who had been blind and said to him, “Give God the praise! We know that this man is a sinner.” He replied, “If he is a sinner, I do not know. One thing I do know is that I was blind and now I see.” So they said to him, “What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?” He answered them, “I told you already and you did not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you want to become his disciples, too?” They ridiculed him and said, “You are that man’s disciple; we are disciples of Moses! We know that God spoke to Moses, but we do not know where this one is from.” The man answered and said to them, “This is what is so amazing, that you do not know where he is from, yet he opened my eyes. We know that God does not listen to sinners, but if one is devout and does his will, he listens to him. It is unheard of that anyone ever opened the eyes of a person born blind. If this man were not from God, he would not be able to do anything.” They answered and said to him, “You were born totally in sin, and are you trying to teach us?” Then they threw him out. When Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, he found him and said, Do you believe in the Son of Man?” He answered and said, “Who is he, sir, that I may believe in him?” Jesus said to him, “You have seen him, the one speaking with you is he.” He said, “I do believe, Lord,” and he worshiped him. Then Jesus said, “I came into this world for judgment, so that those who do not see might see, and those who do see might become blind.” Some of the Pharisees who were with him heard this and said to him, “Surely we are not also blind, are we?” Jesus said to them, “If you were blind, you would have no sin; but now you are saying, ‘We see,’ so your sin remains.Let us reflect briefly on the account of the man born blind (Jn 9: 1-41). According to the common mentality of the time, the disciples take it for granted that his blindness was the result of a sin committed by him or his parents. Jesus, however, rejects this prejudice and says: "It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be made manifest in him" (Jn 9: 3).What comfort these words offer us! They let us hear the living voice of God, who is provident and wise Love! In the face of men and women marked by limitations and suffering, Jesus did not think of their possible guilt but rather of the will of God who created man for life. (…)  Jesus reveals to the blind man whom he had healed that he had come into the world for judgement, to separate the blind who can be healed from those who do not allow themselves to be healed because they consider themselves healthy. Indeed, the temptation to build himself an ideological security system is strong in man: even religion can become an element of this system, as can atheism or secularism, but in letting this happen one is blinded by one’s own selfishness. Let us allow ourselves to be healed by Jesus, who can and wants to give us God’s light! Let us confess our blindness, our shortsightedness, and especially what the Bible calls the "great transgression" (cf. Ps 19[18]: 13): pride. (Benedict XVI – Angelus, 2 March 2008)

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A reading from the Book of Samuel
1 Samuel 16:1b, 6-7, 10-13a

The LORD said to Samuel:
“Fill your horn with oil, and be on your way.
I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem,
for I have chosen my king from among his sons.”

As Jesse and his sons came to the sacrifice,
Samuel looked at Eliab and thought,
“Surely the LORD’s anointed is here before him.”
But the LORD said to Samuel:
“Do not judge from his appearance or from his lofty stature,
because I have rejected him.
Not as man sees does God see,
because man sees the appearance
but the LORD looks into the heart.”
In the same way Jesse presented seven sons before Samuel,
but Samuel said to Jesse,
“The LORD has not chosen any one of these.”
Then Samuel asked Jesse,
“Are these all the sons you have?”
Jesse replied,
“There is still the youngest, who is tending the sheep.”
Samuel said to Jesse,
“Send for him;
we will not begin the sacrificial banquet until he arrives here.”
Jesse sent and had the young man brought to them.
He was ruddy, a youth handsome to behold
and making a splendid appearance.
The LORD said,
“There—anoint him, for this is the one!”
Then Samuel, with the horn of oil in hand,
anointed David in the presence of his brothers;
and from that day on, the spirit of the LORD rushed upon David.

 

A reading from the Letter to the Ephesians
5:8-14

Brothers and sisters:
You were once darkness,
but now you are light in the Lord.
Live as children of light,
for light produces every kind of goodness
and righteousness and truth.
Try to learn what is pleasing to the Lord.
Take no part in the fruitless works of darkness;
rather expose them, for it is shameful even to mention
the things done by them in secret;
but everything exposed by the light becomes visible,
for everything that becomes visible is light.
Therefore, it says:
“Awake, O sleeper,
and arise from the dead,
and Christ will give you light.”

From the Gospel according to John
9:1-41

As Jesus passed by he saw a man blind from birth.
His disciples asked him,
“Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents,
that he was born blind?”
Jesus answered,
“Neither he nor his parents sinned;
it is so that the works of God might be made visible through him.
We have to do the works of the one who sent me while it is day.
Night is coming when no one can work.
While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”
When he had said this, he spat on the ground
and made clay with the saliva,
and smeared the clay on his eyes,
and said to him,
“Go wash in the Pool of Siloam” —which means Sent—.
So he went and washed, and came back able to see.

His neighbors and those who had seen him earlier as a beggar said,
“Isn’t this the one who used to sit and beg?”
Some said, “It is, “
but others said, “No, he just looks like him.”
He said, “I am.”
So they said to him, “How were your eyes opened?”
He replied,
“The man called Jesus made clay and anointed my eyes
and told me, ‘Go to Siloam and wash.’
So I went there and washed and was able to see.”
And they said to him, “Where is he?”
He said, “I don’t know.”

They brought the one who was once blind to the Pharisees.
Now Jesus had made clay and opened his eyes on a sabbath.
So then the Pharisees also asked him how he was able to see.
He said to them,
“He put clay on my eyes, and I washed, and now I can see.”
So some of the Pharisees said,
“This man is not from God,
because he does not keep the sabbath.”
But others said,
“How can a sinful man do such signs?”
And there was a division among them.
So they said to the blind man again,
“What do you have to say about him,
since he opened your eyes?”
He said, “He is a prophet.”

Now the Jews did not believe
that he had been blind and gained his sight
until they summoned the parents of the one who had gained his sight.
They asked them,
“Is this your son, who you say was born blind?
How does he now see?”
His parents answered and said,
“We know that this is our son and that he was born blind.
We do not know how he sees now,
nor do we know who opened his eyes.
Ask him, he is of age;
he can speak for himself.”
His parents said this because they were afraid
of the Jews, for the Jews had already agreed
that if anyone acknowledged him as the Christ,
he would be expelled from the synagogue.
For this reason his parents said,
“He is of age; question him.”

So a second time they called the man who had been blind
and said to him, “Give God the praise!
We know that this man is a sinner.”
He replied,
“If he is a sinner, I do not know.
One thing I do know is that I was blind and now I see.”
So they said to him,
“What did he do to you?
How did he open your eyes?”
He answered them,
“I told you already and you did not listen.
Why do you want to hear it again?
Do you want to become his disciples, too?”
They ridiculed him and said,
“You are that man’s disciple;
we are disciples of Moses!
We know that God spoke to Moses,
but we do not know where this one is from.”
The man answered and said to them,
“This is what is so amazing,
that you do not know where he is from, yet he opened my eyes.
We know that God does not listen to sinners,
but if one is devout and does his will, he listens to him.
It is unheard of that anyone ever opened the eyes of a person born blind.
If this man were not from God,
he would not be able to do anything.”
They answered and said to him,
“You were born totally in sin,
and are you trying to teach us?”
Then they threw him out.

When Jesus heard that they had thrown him out,
he found him and said, Do you believe in the Son of Man?”
He answered and said,
“Who is he, sir, that I may believe in him?”
Jesus said to him,
“You have seen him,
the one speaking with you is he.”
He said,
“I do believe, Lord,” and he worshiped him.
Then Jesus said,
“I came into this world for judgment,
so that those who do not see might see,
and those who do see might become blind.”

Some of the Pharisees who were with him heard this
and said to him, “Surely we are not also blind, are we?”
Jesus said to them,
“If you were blind, you would have no sin;
but now you are saying, ‘We see,’ so your sin remains.

Let us reflect briefly on the account of the man born blind (Jn 9: 1-41). According to the common mentality of the time, the disciples take it for granted that his blindness was the result of a sin committed by him or his parents. Jesus, however, rejects this prejudice and says: "It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be made manifest in him" (Jn 9: 3).What comfort these words offer us! They let us hear the living voice of God, who is provident and wise Love! In the face of men and women marked by limitations and suffering, Jesus did not think of their possible guilt but rather of the will of God who created man for life. (…)  Jesus reveals to the blind man whom he had healed that he had come into the world for judgement, to separate the blind who can be healed from those who do not allow themselves to be healed because they consider themselves healthy. Indeed, the temptation to build himself an ideological security system is strong in man: even religion can become an element of this system, as can atheism or secularism, but in letting this happen one is blinded by one’s own selfishness. Let us allow ourselves to be healed by Jesus, who can and wants to give us God’s light! Let us confess our blindness, our shortsightedness, and especially what the Bible calls the "great transgression" (cf. Ps 19[18]: 13): pride. (Benedict XVI – Angelus, 2 March 2008)

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Jefferson bereavement group stays anchored to comfort in Christ #Catholic – After Joseph, her husband of 35 years, died of a pulmonary embolism on Thanksgiving Day in 2024 at age 80, Mary Beth Osiecki felt numb. A lifelong Catholic, she continued praying daily, though a month later, her grief made her question her faith. “I was so tender in my own mourning — in the loss and loneliness. Joseph was my everything,” Osiecki, who retired as religious education director of Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish in the Hewitt neighborhood of West Milford, N.J., in 2019. “I went to church on Sundays, but I wasn’t sure if I still believed that the Resurrection was true.” Last year, Osiecki’s strong faith began to return after she joined a Bereavement Ministry group at St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in the Oak Ridge neighborhood of Jefferson Township, N.J., and St. John Vianney Parish in the Stockholm neighborhood of Hardyston, N.J. She gathers with other men and women in mourning —including spouses, parents, siblings, children, and friends — to help each other navigate grief, share their loss, and find hope and comfort in Jesus. Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter. The Bereavement Ministry has grown to more than 30 people a month since it was founded more than four years ago by Maria Pasterchick, a retired social worker. She lost her husband, Jose, to colon cancer 21 years ago when he was 45 years old, leaving her with two children, ages 10 and 11. The group meets every other Wednesday from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at St. Thomas. The next meeting will occur on March 18. Osiecki said Pasterchick leads the group by “letting the spirit guide her,” even though she follows a set schedule. Members pray, reflect on related Scripture, and share stories, often focusing on life’s blessings. In one activity, they pass around photos or treasured objects, such as a fishing pole, while sharing memories of loved ones. Members also discuss practical topics, such as when to clean out a loved one’s closet. “Through the group, I realized there are different ways to grieve. I understand now that I will never get over my grief. I will always miss Joseph. Yet my Catholic faith and prayer can be part of the process,” said Osiecki, who spoke to the group about cleaning up Joseph’s large collection of computers and parts. “Maria helps people process their grief and bring out compassion in other members. She listens so well. She gets to know the members’ stories and puts them into context,” Osiecki said. Members come from St. Thomas and St. John Vianney, as well as from other parishes and communities up to 40 minutes away. The Bereavement Ministry also holds periodic social gatherings for lunch or dinner to encourage fun and fellowship. The group receives support from Father Benjamin Williams, pastor of the two parishes, and Deacon Kevin Combs. “The group is faith-based. You can’t get through grief without God. He is our anchor,” Pastorchick said. “Some leave the group and return. Some members come back to Mass. Also, we talk about how our roles have changed in grief. Are we still wives and husbands? The meetings affirm who we are now.” In recognition of her efforts, Pasterchick, who is now also a grandmother, received the Vivere Christus award from the Paterson Diocese in New Jersey. “When I lost Jose, I was angry at God. I would kneel and pray at Mass and wanted to scream,” Pasterchick said. “Then, one time at Mass, I looked at the crucifix. Peace came over me. I realized everything was going to be alright. Jose is in heaven. Once we surrender, Jesus will embrace us and grieve with us.” Email Pasterchick at Sisco9458@gmail.com to get more information about the Bereavement Ministry group or to ask her a mentor other churches seeking to start a group. Pictured above left is Maria Pasterchick, a retired social worker, who started a Bereavement Ministry at St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in the Oak Ridge neighborhood of Jefferson Township, N.J., and at St. John Vianney Parish in the Stockholm neighborhood of Hardyston, N.J. Next to her in the photo is her late husband, Jose, who died of colon cancer 21 years ago when he was 45 years old, leaving her with two children, ages 10 and 11. Their sons, Joseph and Matthew Ojeda, are also pictured. In the photo to the right is Mary Beth Osiecki, who lost her husband, Joseph, to a pulmonary embolism in 2024. Osiecki credits her participation in the growing Bereavement Ministry group for helping her regain her strong Catholic faith.  
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Jefferson bereavement group stays anchored to comfort in Christ #Catholic – After Joseph, her husband of 35 years, died of a pulmonary embolism on Thanksgiving Day in 2024 at age 80, Mary Beth Osiecki felt numb. A lifelong Catholic, she continued praying daily, though a month later, her grief made her question her faith. “I was so tender in my own mourning — in the loss and loneliness. Joseph was my everything,” Osiecki, who retired as religious education director of Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish in the Hewitt neighborhood of West Milford, N.J., in 2019. “I went to church on Sundays, but I wasn’t sure if I still believed that the Resurrection was true.” Last year, Osiecki’s strong faith began to return after she joined a Bereavement Ministry group at St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in the Oak Ridge neighborhood of Jefferson Township, N.J., and St. John Vianney Parish in the Stockholm neighborhood of Hardyston, N.J. She gathers with other men and women in mourning —including spouses, parents, siblings, children, and friends — to help each other navigate grief, share their loss, and find hope and comfort in Jesus. Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter. The Bereavement Ministry has grown to more than 30 people a month since it was founded more than four years ago by Maria Pasterchick, a retired social worker. She lost her husband, Jose, to colon cancer 21 years ago when he was 45 years old, leaving her with two children, ages 10 and 11. The group meets every other Wednesday from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at St. Thomas. The next meeting will occur on March 18. Osiecki said Pasterchick leads the group by “letting the spirit guide her,” even though she follows a set schedule. Members pray, reflect on related Scripture, and share stories, often focusing on life’s blessings. In one activity, they pass around photos or treasured objects, such as a fishing pole, while sharing memories of loved ones. Members also discuss practical topics, such as when to clean out a loved one’s closet. “Through the group, I realized there are different ways to grieve. I understand now that I will never get over my grief. I will always miss Joseph. Yet my Catholic faith and prayer can be part of the process,” said Osiecki, who spoke to the group about cleaning up Joseph’s large collection of computers and parts. “Maria helps people process their grief and bring out compassion in other members. She listens so well. She gets to know the members’ stories and puts them into context,” Osiecki said. Members come from St. Thomas and St. John Vianney, as well as from other parishes and communities up to 40 minutes away. The Bereavement Ministry also holds periodic social gatherings for lunch or dinner to encourage fun and fellowship. The group receives support from Father Benjamin Williams, pastor of the two parishes, and Deacon Kevin Combs. “The group is faith-based. You can’t get through grief without God. He is our anchor,” Pastorchick said. “Some leave the group and return. Some members come back to Mass. Also, we talk about how our roles have changed in grief. Are we still wives and husbands? The meetings affirm who we are now.” In recognition of her efforts, Pasterchick, who is now also a grandmother, received the Vivere Christus award from the Paterson Diocese in New Jersey. “When I lost Jose, I was angry at God. I would kneel and pray at Mass and wanted to scream,” Pasterchick said. “Then, one time at Mass, I looked at the crucifix. Peace came over me. I realized everything was going to be alright. Jose is in heaven. Once we surrender, Jesus will embrace us and grieve with us.” Email Pasterchick at Sisco9458@gmail.com to get more information about the Bereavement Ministry group or to ask her a mentor other churches seeking to start a group. Pictured above left is Maria Pasterchick, a retired social worker, who started a Bereavement Ministry at St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in the Oak Ridge neighborhood of Jefferson Township, N.J., and at St. John Vianney Parish in the Stockholm neighborhood of Hardyston, N.J. Next to her in the photo is her late husband, Jose, who died of colon cancer 21 years ago when he was 45 years old, leaving her with two children, ages 10 and 11. Their sons, Joseph and Matthew Ojeda, are also pictured. In the photo to the right is Mary Beth Osiecki, who lost her husband, Joseph, to a pulmonary embolism in 2024. Osiecki credits her participation in the growing Bereavement Ministry group for helping her regain her strong Catholic faith.  

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Jefferson bereavement group stays anchored to comfort in Christ #Catholic –

After Joseph, her husband of 35 years, died of a pulmonary embolism on Thanksgiving Day in 2024 at age 80, Mary Beth Osiecki felt numb. A lifelong Catholic, she continued praying daily, though a month later, her grief made her question her faith.

“I was so tender in my own mourning — in the loss and loneliness. Joseph was my everything,” Osiecki, who retired as religious education director of Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish in the Hewitt neighborhood of West Milford, N.J., in 2019. “I went to church on Sundays, but I wasn’t sure if I still believed that the Resurrection was true.”

Last year, Osiecki’s strong faith began to return after she joined a Bereavement Ministry group at St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in the Oak Ridge neighborhood of Jefferson Township, N.J., and St. John Vianney Parish in the Stockholm neighborhood of Hardyston, N.J. She gathers with other men and women in mourning —including spouses, parents, siblings, children, and friends — to help each other navigate grief, share their loss, and find hope and comfort in Jesus.

Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

The Bereavement Ministry has grown to more than 30 people a month since it was founded more than four years ago by Maria Pasterchick, a retired social worker. She lost her husband, Jose, to colon cancer 21 years ago when he was 45 years old, leaving her with two children, ages 10 and 11. The group meets every other Wednesday from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at St. Thomas. The next meeting will occur on March 18.

Osiecki said Pasterchick leads the group by “letting the spirit guide her,” even though she follows a set schedule. Members pray, reflect on related Scripture, and share stories, often focusing on life’s blessings. In one activity, they pass around photos or treasured objects, such as a fishing pole, while sharing memories of loved ones. Members also discuss practical topics, such as when to clean out a loved one’s closet.

“Through the group, I realized there are different ways to grieve. I understand now that I will never get over my grief. I will always miss Joseph. Yet my Catholic faith and prayer can be part of the process,” said Osiecki, who spoke to the group about cleaning up Joseph’s large collection of computers and parts. “Maria helps people process their grief and bring out compassion in other members. She listens so well. She gets to know the members’ stories and puts them into context,” Osiecki said.

Members come from St. Thomas and St. John Vianney, as well as from other parishes and communities up to 40 minutes away. The Bereavement Ministry also holds periodic social gatherings for lunch or dinner to encourage fun and fellowship. The group receives support from Father Benjamin Williams, pastor of the two parishes, and Deacon Kevin Combs.

“The group is faith-based. You can’t get through grief without God. He is our anchor,” Pastorchick said. “Some leave the group and return. Some members come back to Mass. Also, we talk about how our roles have changed in grief. Are we still wives and husbands? The meetings affirm who we are now.”

In recognition of her efforts, Pasterchick, who is now also a grandmother, received the Vivere Christus award from the Paterson Diocese in New Jersey.

“When I lost Jose, I was angry at God. I would kneel and pray at Mass and wanted to scream,” Pasterchick said. “Then, one time at Mass, I looked at the crucifix. Peace came over me. I realized everything was going to be alright. Jose is in heaven. Once we surrender, Jesus will embrace us and grieve with us.”

Email Pasterchick at Sisco9458@gmail.com to get more information about the Bereavement Ministry group or to ask her a mentor other churches seeking to start a group.

Pictured above left is Maria Pasterchick, a retired social worker, who started a Bereavement Ministry at St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in the Oak Ridge neighborhood of Jefferson Township, N.J., and at St. John Vianney Parish in the Stockholm neighborhood of Hardyston, N.J. Next to her in the photo is her late husband, Jose, who died of colon cancer 21 years ago when he was 45 years old, leaving her with two children, ages 10 and 11. Their sons, Joseph and Matthew Ojeda, are also pictured. In the photo to the right is Mary Beth Osiecki, who lost her husband, Joseph, to a pulmonary embolism in 2024. Osiecki credits her participation in the growing Bereavement Ministry group for helping her regain her strong Catholic faith.

 

– After Joseph, her husband of 35 years, died of a pulmonary embolism on Thanksgiving Day in 2024 at age 80, Mary Beth Osiecki felt numb. A lifelong Catholic, she continued praying daily, though a month later, her grief made her question her faith. “I was so tender in my own mourning — in the loss and loneliness. Joseph was my everything,” Osiecki, who retired as religious education director of Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish in the Hewitt neighborhood of West Milford, N.J., in 2019. “I went to church on Sundays, but I wasn’t sure if I still believed that

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Jefferson bereavement group stays anchored to comfort in Christ #Catholic – After Joseph, her husband of 35 years, died of a pulmonary embolism on Thanksgiving Day in 2024 at age 80, Mary Beth Osiecki felt numb. A lifelong Catholic, she continued praying daily, though a month later, her grief made her question her faith. “I was so tender in my own mourning — in the loss and loneliness. Joseph was my everything,” Osiecki, who retired as religious education director of Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish in the Hewitt neighborhood of West Milford, N.J., in 2019. “I went to church on Sundays, but I wasn’t sure if I still believed that the Resurrection was true.” Last year, Osiecki’s strong faith began to return after she joined a Bereavement Ministry group at St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in the Oak Ridge neighborhood of Jefferson Township, N.J., and St. John Vianney Parish in the Stockholm neighborhood of Hardyston, N.J. She gathers with other men and women in mourning —including spouses, parents, siblings, children, and friends — to help each other navigate grief, share their loss, and find hope and comfort in Jesus. Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter. The Bereavement Ministry has grown to more than 30 people a month since it was founded more than four years ago by Maria Pasterchick, a retired social worker. She lost her husband, Jose, to colon cancer 21 years ago when he was 45 years old, leaving her with two children, ages 10 and 11. The group meets every other Wednesday from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at St. Thomas. The next meeting will occur on March 18. Osiecki said Pasterchick leads the group by “letting the spirit guide her,” even though she follows a set schedule. Members pray, reflect on related Scripture, and share stories, often focusing on life’s blessings. In one activity, they pass around photos or treasured objects, such as a fishing pole, while sharing memories of loved ones. Members also discuss practical topics, such as when to clean out a loved one’s closet. “Through the group, I realized there are different ways to grieve. I understand now that I will never get over my grief. I will always miss Joseph. Yet my Catholic faith and prayer can be part of the process,” said Osiecki, who spoke to the group about cleaning up Joseph’s large collection of computers and parts. “Maria helps people process their grief and bring out compassion in other members. She listens so well. She gets to know the members’ stories and puts them into context,” Osiecki said. Members come from St. Thomas and St. John Vianney, as well as from other parishes and communities up to 40 minutes away. The Bereavement Ministry also holds periodic social gatherings for lunch or dinner to encourage fun and fellowship. The group receives support from Father Benjamin Williams, pastor of the two parishes, and Deacon Kevin Combs. “The group is faith-based. You can’t get through grief without God. He is our anchor,” Pastorchick said. “Some leave the group and return. Some members come back to Mass. Also, we talk about how our roles have changed in grief. Are we still wives and husbands? The meetings affirm who we are now.” In recognition of her efforts, Pasterchick, who is now also a grandmother, received the Vivere Christus award from the Paterson Diocese in New Jersey. “When I lost Jose, I was angry at God. I would kneel and pray at Mass and wanted to scream,” Pasterchick said. “Then, one time at Mass, I looked at the crucifix. Peace came over me. I realized everything was going to be alright. Jose is in heaven. Once we surrender, Jesus will embrace us and grieve with us.” Email Pasterchick at Sisco9458@gmail.com to get more information about the Bereavement Ministry group or to ask her a mentor other churches seeking to start a group. Pictured above left is Maria Pasterchick, a retired social worker, who started a Bereavement Ministry at St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in the Oak Ridge neighborhood of Jefferson Township, N.J., and at St. John Vianney Parish in the Stockholm neighborhood of Hardyston, N.J. Next to her in the photo is her late husband, Jose, who died of colon cancer 21 years ago when he was 45 years old, leaving her with two children, ages 10 and 11. Their sons, Joseph and Matthew Ojeda, are also pictured. In the photo to the right is Mary Beth Osiecki, who lost her husband, Joseph, to a pulmonary embolism in 2024. Osiecki credits her participation in the growing Bereavement Ministry group for helping her regain her strong Catholic faith.  
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Jefferson bereavement group stays anchored to comfort in Christ #Catholic – After Joseph, her husband of 35 years, died of a pulmonary embolism on Thanksgiving Day in 2024 at age 80, Mary Beth Osiecki felt numb. A lifelong Catholic, she continued praying daily, though a month later, her grief made her question her faith. “I was so tender in my own mourning — in the loss and loneliness. Joseph was my everything,” Osiecki, who retired as religious education director of Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish in the Hewitt neighborhood of West Milford, N.J., in 2019. “I went to church on Sundays, but I wasn’t sure if I still believed that the Resurrection was true.” Last year, Osiecki’s strong faith began to return after she joined a Bereavement Ministry group at St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in the Oak Ridge neighborhood of Jefferson Township, N.J., and St. John Vianney Parish in the Stockholm neighborhood of Hardyston, N.J. She gathers with other men and women in mourning —including spouses, parents, siblings, children, and friends — to help each other navigate grief, share their loss, and find hope and comfort in Jesus. Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter. The Bereavement Ministry has grown to more than 30 people a month since it was founded more than four years ago by Maria Pasterchick, a retired social worker. She lost her husband, Jose, to colon cancer 21 years ago when he was 45 years old, leaving her with two children, ages 10 and 11. The group meets every other Wednesday from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at St. Thomas. The next meeting will occur on March 18. Osiecki said Pasterchick leads the group by “letting the spirit guide her,” even though she follows a set schedule. Members pray, reflect on related Scripture, and share stories, often focusing on life’s blessings. In one activity, they pass around photos or treasured objects, such as a fishing pole, while sharing memories of loved ones. Members also discuss practical topics, such as when to clean out a loved one’s closet. “Through the group, I realized there are different ways to grieve. I understand now that I will never get over my grief. I will always miss Joseph. Yet my Catholic faith and prayer can be part of the process,” said Osiecki, who spoke to the group about cleaning up Joseph’s large collection of computers and parts. “Maria helps people process their grief and bring out compassion in other members. She listens so well. She gets to know the members’ stories and puts them into context,” Osiecki said. Members come from St. Thomas and St. John Vianney, as well as from other parishes and communities up to 40 minutes away. The Bereavement Ministry also holds periodic social gatherings for lunch or dinner to encourage fun and fellowship. The group receives support from Father Benjamin Williams, pastor of the two parishes, and Deacon Kevin Combs. “The group is faith-based. You can’t get through grief without God. He is our anchor,” Pastorchick said. “Some leave the group and return. Some members come back to Mass. Also, we talk about how our roles have changed in grief. Are we still wives and husbands? The meetings affirm who we are now.” In recognition of her efforts, Pasterchick, who is now also a grandmother, received the Vivere Christus award from the Paterson Diocese in New Jersey. “When I lost Jose, I was angry at God. I would kneel and pray at Mass and wanted to scream,” Pasterchick said. “Then, one time at Mass, I looked at the crucifix. Peace came over me. I realized everything was going to be alright. Jose is in heaven. Once we surrender, Jesus will embrace us and grieve with us.” Email Pasterchick at Sisco9458@gmail.com to get more information about the Bereavement Ministry group or to ask her a mentor other churches seeking to start a group. Pictured above left is Maria Pasterchick, a retired social worker, who started a Bereavement Ministry at St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in the Oak Ridge neighborhood of Jefferson Township, N.J., and at St. John Vianney Parish in the Stockholm neighborhood of Hardyston, N.J. Next to her in the photo is her late husband, Jose, who died of colon cancer 21 years ago when he was 45 years old, leaving her with two children, ages 10 and 11. Their sons, Joseph and Matthew Ojeda, are also pictured. In the photo to the right is Mary Beth Osiecki, who lost her husband, Joseph, to a pulmonary embolism in 2024. Osiecki credits her participation in the growing Bereavement Ministry group for helping her regain her strong Catholic faith.  

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Jefferson bereavement group stays anchored to comfort in Christ #Catholic –

After Joseph, her husband of 35 years, died of a pulmonary embolism on Thanksgiving Day in 2024 at age 80, Mary Beth Osiecki felt numb. A lifelong Catholic, she continued praying daily, though a month later, her grief made her question her faith.

“I was so tender in my own mourning — in the loss and loneliness. Joseph was my everything,” Osiecki, who retired as religious education director of Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish in the Hewitt neighborhood of West Milford, N.J., in 2019. “I went to church on Sundays, but I wasn’t sure if I still believed that the Resurrection was true.”

Last year, Osiecki’s strong faith began to return after she joined a Bereavement Ministry group at St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in the Oak Ridge neighborhood of Jefferson Township, N.J., and St. John Vianney Parish in the Stockholm neighborhood of Hardyston, N.J. She gathers with other men and women in mourning —including spouses, parents, siblings, children, and friends — to help each other navigate grief, share their loss, and find hope and comfort in Jesus.

Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

The Bereavement Ministry has grown to more than 30 people a month since it was founded more than four years ago by Maria Pasterchick, a retired social worker. She lost her husband, Jose, to colon cancer 21 years ago when he was 45 years old, leaving her with two children, ages 10 and 11. The group meets every other Wednesday from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at St. Thomas. The next meeting will occur on March 18.

Osiecki said Pasterchick leads the group by “letting the spirit guide her,” even though she follows a set schedule. Members pray, reflect on related Scripture, and share stories, often focusing on life’s blessings. In one activity, they pass around photos or treasured objects, such as a fishing pole, while sharing memories of loved ones. Members also discuss practical topics, such as when to clean out a loved one’s closet.

“Through the group, I realized there are different ways to grieve. I understand now that I will never get over my grief. I will always miss Joseph. Yet my Catholic faith and prayer can be part of the process,” said Osiecki, who spoke to the group about cleaning up Joseph’s large collection of computers and parts. “Maria helps people process their grief and bring out compassion in other members. She listens so well. She gets to know the members’ stories and puts them into context,” Osiecki said.

Members come from St. Thomas and St. John Vianney, as well as from other parishes and communities up to 40 minutes away. The Bereavement Ministry also holds periodic social gatherings for lunch or dinner to encourage fun and fellowship. The group receives support from Father Benjamin Williams, pastor of the two parishes, and Deacon Kevin Combs.

“The group is faith-based. You can’t get through grief without God. He is our anchor,” Pastorchick said. “Some leave the group and return. Some members come back to Mass. Also, we talk about how our roles have changed in grief. Are we still wives and husbands? The meetings affirm who we are now.”

In recognition of her efforts, Pasterchick, who is now also a grandmother, received the Vivere Christus award from the Paterson Diocese in New Jersey.

“When I lost Jose, I was angry at God. I would kneel and pray at Mass and wanted to scream,” Pasterchick said. “Then, one time at Mass, I looked at the crucifix. Peace came over me. I realized everything was going to be alright. Jose is in heaven. Once we surrender, Jesus will embrace us and grieve with us.”

Email Pasterchick at Sisco9458@gmail.com to get more information about the Bereavement Ministry group or to ask her a mentor other churches seeking to start a group.

Pictured above left is Maria Pasterchick, a retired social worker, who started a Bereavement Ministry at St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in the Oak Ridge neighborhood of Jefferson Township, N.J., and at St. John Vianney Parish in the Stockholm neighborhood of Hardyston, N.J. Next to her in the photo is her late husband, Jose, who died of colon cancer 21 years ago when he was 45 years old, leaving her with two children, ages 10 and 11. Their sons, Joseph and Matthew Ojeda, are also pictured. In the photo to the right is Mary Beth Osiecki, who lost her husband, Joseph, to a pulmonary embolism in 2024. Osiecki credits her participation in the growing Bereavement Ministry group for helping her regain her strong Catholic faith.

 

– After Joseph, her husband of 35 years, died of a pulmonary embolism on Thanksgiving Day in 2024 at age 80, Mary Beth Osiecki felt numb. A lifelong Catholic, she continued praying daily, though a month later, her grief made her question her faith. “I was so tender in my own mourning — in the loss and loneliness. Joseph was my everything,” Osiecki, who retired as religious education director of Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish in the Hewitt neighborhood of West Milford, N.J., in 2019. “I went to church on Sundays, but I wasn’t sure if I still believed that

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Pope Leo XIV to move into papal apartment of Apostolic Palace #Catholic Pope Leo XIV on March 14 took possession of the traditional papal apartment within the Apostolic Palace, moving into the quarters traditionally reserved for his predecessors. The move was announced on March 14 by the Holy See Press Office, more than ten months after Leoʼs election.The Holy Father had been staying at an apartment at the Palace of the Holy Office but will now reside in what has long served as the home of the reigning pontiff. The custom was discontinued in March of 2013 by Pope Francis, who chose to reside at Casa Santa Marta from the beginning of his pontificate.Pope Leo XIV has also reinstated the papal tradition of staying at the summer residence of Castel Gandolfo. In the summer of 2025 the pope stayed at Villa Barberini; subsequently, he decided to travel to Castel Gandolfo almost every week, staying from Monday evening until Tuesday evening.The papal apartment has undergone a lengthy and meticulous restoration, having remained unoccupied since the conclusion of Pope Benedict XVI’s pontificate on February 28, 2013. The previous renovation dated back to the spring of 2005, following the death of Pope John Paul II and prior to Benedict XVI taking up residence in the quarters.In addition to the bedrooms, the apartment comprises a private study for the pope — from the window of which he appears every Sunday to recite the Angelus — as well as a dining room and a private chapel, where pontiffs have traditionally celebrated Mass at the start of each day.Residing alongside Pope Leo XIV in the papal apartment within the Apostolic Palace will likely be his two secretaries, the Peruvian Monsignor Edgard Iván Rimaycuna Inga and the Italian Father Marco Billeri.This story was first published by ACI Stampa, the Italian-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.
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Pope Leo XIV to move into papal apartment of Apostolic Palace #Catholic Pope Leo XIV on March 14 took possession of the traditional papal apartment within the Apostolic Palace, moving into the quarters traditionally reserved for his predecessors. The move was announced on March 14 by the Holy See Press Office, more than ten months after Leoʼs election.The Holy Father had been staying at an apartment at the Palace of the Holy Office but will now reside in what has long served as the home of the reigning pontiff. The custom was discontinued in March of 2013 by Pope Francis, who chose to reside at Casa Santa Marta from the beginning of his pontificate.Pope Leo XIV has also reinstated the papal tradition of staying at the summer residence of Castel Gandolfo. In the summer of 2025 the pope stayed at Villa Barberini; subsequently, he decided to travel to Castel Gandolfo almost every week, staying from Monday evening until Tuesday evening.The papal apartment has undergone a lengthy and meticulous restoration, having remained unoccupied since the conclusion of Pope Benedict XVI’s pontificate on February 28, 2013. The previous renovation dated back to the spring of 2005, following the death of Pope John Paul II and prior to Benedict XVI taking up residence in the quarters.In addition to the bedrooms, the apartment comprises a private study for the pope — from the window of which he appears every Sunday to recite the Angelus — as well as a dining room and a private chapel, where pontiffs have traditionally celebrated Mass at the start of each day.Residing alongside Pope Leo XIV in the papal apartment within the Apostolic Palace will likely be his two secretaries, the Peruvian Monsignor Edgard Iván Rimaycuna Inga and the Italian Father Marco Billeri.This story was first published by ACI Stampa, the Italian-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.

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The move was announced on March 14 by the Holy See Press Office, more than ten months after Leo’s election.

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Psychiatrist Paul McHugh speaks about decades-long career, opposition to sex-reassignment surgeries – #Catholic – Psychologist Dr. Paul McHugh spoke with “EWTN News In Depth” about his decades-long career, detailing how sexual reassignment surgeries are not the answer for transgender individuals.McHugh is a 94-year-old American psychiatrist and educator. He is a distinguished service professor of psychiatry at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, where he was previously the Henry Phipps professor and psychiatrist-in-chief from 1975 to 2001.McHugh has conducted years of research on sexual reassignment surgeries, which are medical procedures that alter a person’s physical sex characteristics such as the chest, genitals, or facial features. McHugh found they do not resolve underlying psychological issues. While some may believe McHugh’s view on the surgeries comes from his faith as a Catholic, he said it is also based in research.“I am Catholic, and I can’t tell in what way my faith influences any of the things I do. I’m sure it’s important in everything I do. So I can’t deny that it may play a role,” he said. “But … I try to use the information that everybody else uses in determining the fixity or the ‘born that way’ idea.”McHugh’s careerMcHugh is known for many actions in his career, including a move to shut down Johns Hopkins Gender Identity Clinic in 1979 that was performing sex reassignment operations.When McHugh started to work at Johns Hopkins, the treatment had been going on for about 10 years at the clinic. There were some faculty members following up on the cases to decide if the patients were getting better or worse.While “most of the patients at the time felt that they had done the right thing when they subjected themselves to the surgery,” all of the issues that they were told would be corrected “didn’t improve,” he said.“Their difficulties in interpersonal relationships, their difficulties in their jobs. They had difficulty with their families, which was the whole reason for doing it. They were not better,” he said.“So it didn’t seem to me that this experiment was working out,” McHugh said, noting that it was in fact “an experiment,” because “it wasn’t that they knew perfectly well that these patients would benefit from it.” “And when they weren’t benefiting … I thought: ‘Well, why do it? Let’s find another way of helping them.’” The clinic was then shut down because of “the evidence,” McHugh said. “I didn’t think at the time that we had enough experience to be able to justify such a radical procedure.”After years of further research, in 2016, McHugh released a special report in The New Atlantis, “Sexuality and Gender: Findings from the Biological and Psychological and Social Sciences.” Among other findings, the report detailed that there’s no scientific evidence to support that sexual orientation is biologically fixed.At the time, McHugh’s colleagues at Johns Hopkins took out an op-ed in the Baltimore Sun with pushback on his views. “I suppose I shouldn’t have been surprised because the truth of the matter is many people want to know the answer to a question, but they don’t want to have an answer that they don’t like,” McHugh said.“And if you start asking, just asking the question, it causes them anxiety because they want a particular answer. So I wasn’t particularly surprised that it didn’t go down easily. But I just think we ought to continue asking the question because it’s a very important question,” he said.Transgender movement todayMcHugh has been “astonished” by the momentum from 1979 to today of the transgender movement, the social and political effort advocating for the rights and inclusion of people whose say their gender identity differs from their biological sex.By closing the clinic, “it didn’t seem to me that we were doing anything terribly radical,” McHugh said. “But gradually, the idea became that somehow or another we were denying these people their honest sex. And I kept saying, ‘Look, we have two things here. We have the facts of the body, and we got the ideas of the patient.’”Instead of the program building upon “facts,” it was “generating more concern about the ideas and giving the ideas primary focus,” McHugh said. “And I thought that was one of the kinds of things where psychiatry has gone wrong in the past and could go wrong again — imagining things rather than knowing things.”“We don’t know enough” about the psychiatric impact, especially on children who undergo these operations, “because we’re not spending enough time studying them,” McHugh said.“The whole idea of doing this to children to … presumably get them to think more about what they’re experiencing has been a track towards … persuading them and has not been a good idea,” he said.“I’ve, after all, seen a lot of young people … especially young girls, being persuaded that there are some aspects of themselves, in their body, that needs correction,” he said. “It’s really the foundation of anorexia nervosa and things of that sort.”Children need to be “encouraged to just grow up and let their body take it,” McHugh said. “It turns out that 85% to 90% of them drop off of this. So if you don’t treat them with so-called gender affirming treatments, hormones, or surgery, they gradually give it up.”Puberty is “a very vulnerable time … all kinds of things are changing in your body and in your mind,” McHugh said. “Once you get through puberty, a new kind of person comes to think about what life is going to be like, what they would commit themselves to.”“Human beings are different from animals,” he said. “Animals, when they go through puberty, just become what they were from the start. Human beings have a rebirth after puberty as they think in terms of who they are, and what they would like to do. And those ideas would be best appreciated, and filled out, if you were what God made you, as it were.”“But if you are changed, then you have to spend your life committed to this change, and defending it, rather than moving forward,” he said.‘Many more lawsuits’ to comeMcHugh has stated publicly over the years that he thought it would be lawsuits that ultimately cease the surgeries for minors.In February, a New York jury awarded million to a woman who underwent a double mastectomy at age 16 in what is believed to be the first U.S. malpractice case of its kind to reach a trial verdict.Following the first malpractice suit, “it should be” the end of transgender surgeries for minors, McHugh said. “But there are going to be many more lawsuits coming down the pike now, as I predicted it would come.”The “ million is a small thing,” McHugh said. “It’s going to be a lot higher as more and more people come to realize, and they’re going to be mostly women in their mid-20s.”Next steps At 94, McHugh said “I’m not retiring yet.” He added: “I’m going to see if I can go a bit further. God got me this far. Maybe he’ll carry me on another while. I’ve got wonderful grandchildren I want to see more of and see how they flourish.”While he has no plans to retire yet, when that day comes he spoke to what he hopes his legacy is. He said: “I want people to think … that I was part of my times and that I didn’t shy away from the things that occupied the attention of my fellow Americans.”“I think it’s really important to see that the role you have calls for certain kinds of courage. And if you don’t have that, you shouldn’t have that role. And I had some adventures. And it turns out I was right about a lot of things — that’s the fun part.”
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Psychiatrist Paul McHugh speaks about decades-long career, opposition to sex-reassignment surgeries – #Catholic – Psychologist Dr. Paul McHugh spoke with “EWTN News In Depth” about his decades-long career, detailing how sexual reassignment surgeries are not the answer for transgender individuals.McHugh is a 94-year-old American psychiatrist and educator. He is a distinguished service professor of psychiatry at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, where he was previously the Henry Phipps professor and psychiatrist-in-chief from 1975 to 2001.McHugh has conducted years of research on sexual reassignment surgeries, which are medical procedures that alter a person’s physical sex characteristics such as the chest, genitals, or facial features. McHugh found they do not resolve underlying psychological issues. While some may believe McHugh’s view on the surgeries comes from his faith as a Catholic, he said it is also based in research.“I am Catholic, and I can’t tell in what way my faith influences any of the things I do. I’m sure it’s important in everything I do. So I can’t deny that it may play a role,” he said. “But … I try to use the information that everybody else uses in determining the fixity or the ‘born that way’ idea.”McHugh’s careerMcHugh is known for many actions in his career, including a move to shut down Johns Hopkins Gender Identity Clinic in 1979 that was performing sex reassignment operations.When McHugh started to work at Johns Hopkins, the treatment had been going on for about 10 years at the clinic. There were some faculty members following up on the cases to decide if the patients were getting better or worse.While “most of the patients at the time felt that they had done the right thing when they subjected themselves to the surgery,” all of the issues that they were told would be corrected “didn’t improve,” he said.“Their difficulties in interpersonal relationships, their difficulties in their jobs. They had difficulty with their families, which was the whole reason for doing it. They were not better,” he said.“So it didn’t seem to me that this experiment was working out,” McHugh said, noting that it was in fact “an experiment,” because “it wasn’t that they knew perfectly well that these patients would benefit from it.” “And when they weren’t benefiting … I thought: ‘Well, why do it? Let’s find another way of helping them.’” The clinic was then shut down because of “the evidence,” McHugh said. “I didn’t think at the time that we had enough experience to be able to justify such a radical procedure.”After years of further research, in 2016, McHugh released a special report in The New Atlantis, “Sexuality and Gender: Findings from the Biological and Psychological and Social Sciences.” Among other findings, the report detailed that there’s no scientific evidence to support that sexual orientation is biologically fixed.At the time, McHugh’s colleagues at Johns Hopkins took out an op-ed in the Baltimore Sun with pushback on his views. “I suppose I shouldn’t have been surprised because the truth of the matter is many people want to know the answer to a question, but they don’t want to have an answer that they don’t like,” McHugh said.“And if you start asking, just asking the question, it causes them anxiety because they want a particular answer. So I wasn’t particularly surprised that it didn’t go down easily. But I just think we ought to continue asking the question because it’s a very important question,” he said.Transgender movement todayMcHugh has been “astonished” by the momentum from 1979 to today of the transgender movement, the social and political effort advocating for the rights and inclusion of people whose say their gender identity differs from their biological sex.By closing the clinic, “it didn’t seem to me that we were doing anything terribly radical,” McHugh said. “But gradually, the idea became that somehow or another we were denying these people their honest sex. And I kept saying, ‘Look, we have two things here. We have the facts of the body, and we got the ideas of the patient.’”Instead of the program building upon “facts,” it was “generating more concern about the ideas and giving the ideas primary focus,” McHugh said. “And I thought that was one of the kinds of things where psychiatry has gone wrong in the past and could go wrong again — imagining things rather than knowing things.”“We don’t know enough” about the psychiatric impact, especially on children who undergo these operations, “because we’re not spending enough time studying them,” McHugh said.“The whole idea of doing this to children to … presumably get them to think more about what they’re experiencing has been a track towards … persuading them and has not been a good idea,” he said.“I’ve, after all, seen a lot of young people … especially young girls, being persuaded that there are some aspects of themselves, in their body, that needs correction,” he said. “It’s really the foundation of anorexia nervosa and things of that sort.”Children need to be “encouraged to just grow up and let their body take it,” McHugh said. “It turns out that 85% to 90% of them drop off of this. So if you don’t treat them with so-called gender affirming treatments, hormones, or surgery, they gradually give it up.”Puberty is “a very vulnerable time … all kinds of things are changing in your body and in your mind,” McHugh said. “Once you get through puberty, a new kind of person comes to think about what life is going to be like, what they would commit themselves to.”“Human beings are different from animals,” he said. “Animals, when they go through puberty, just become what they were from the start. Human beings have a rebirth after puberty as they think in terms of who they are, and what they would like to do. And those ideas would be best appreciated, and filled out, if you were what God made you, as it were.”“But if you are changed, then you have to spend your life committed to this change, and defending it, rather than moving forward,” he said.‘Many more lawsuits’ to comeMcHugh has stated publicly over the years that he thought it would be lawsuits that ultimately cease the surgeries for minors.In February, a New York jury awarded $2 million to a woman who underwent a double mastectomy at age 16 in what is believed to be the first U.S. malpractice case of its kind to reach a trial verdict.Following the first malpractice suit, “it should be” the end of transgender surgeries for minors, McHugh said. “But there are going to be many more lawsuits coming down the pike now, as I predicted it would come.”The “$2 million is a small thing,” McHugh said. “It’s going to be a lot higher as more and more people come to realize, and they’re going to be mostly women in their mid-20s.”Next steps At 94, McHugh said “I’m not retiring yet.” He added: “I’m going to see if I can go a bit further. God got me this far. Maybe he’ll carry me on another while. I’ve got wonderful grandchildren I want to see more of and see how they flourish.”While he has no plans to retire yet, when that day comes he spoke to what he hopes his legacy is. He said: “I want people to think … that I was part of my times and that I didn’t shy away from the things that occupied the attention of my fellow Americans.”“I think it’s really important to see that the role you have calls for certain kinds of courage. And if you don’t have that, you shouldn’t have that role. And I had some adventures. And it turns out I was right about a lot of things — that’s the fun part.”

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McHugh told “EWTN News In Depth” that “we don’t know enough” about the psychiatric impact of gender reassignment surgeries.

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Scotland bishops on assisted suicide legislation: ‘Safeguards do not work’ – #Catholic – Here is a roundup of Catholic world news from the past week that you might have missed:Scotland bishops on assisted suicide legislation: ‘Safeguards do not work’The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Scotland is urging Catholics to express opposition to the latest assisted suicide legislation proposed in the country to their representatives in Parliament.“One of the most serious concerns about assisted suicide legislation is this: Safeguards do not work,” the bishops wrote in a March 6 statement. “We only have to look at countries that have already introduced these laws. In places such as Holland, Belgium, and Canada, what began with strict limits has steadily expanded. Boundaries shift. Protections weaken. And the most vulnerable are placed at risk.” The bishops’ latest statement comes ahead of a final vote on March 17 for the bill that would give terminally ill adults access to assisted suicide.Italian Church calls for day of prayer and fasting for peaceItaly’s bishops designated Friday, March 13, as a national day of prayer and fasting for peace, responding to growing alarm over widening conflict in the Middle East and the risk of broader international destabilization.The initiative, backed by the presidency of the Italian Bishops’ Conference, aligns with Pope Leo’s repeated warnings against allowing violence to spiral beyond control, ACI MENA, the Arabic-language sister service of EWTN News, reported Thursday. The bishops said war cannot become a solution and insisted that diplomacy, dialogue, and the pursuit of the common good remain the only serious path forward.Parishes and Catholic communities across the country were invited to mark the day through special liturgical intentions, the Stations of the Cross offered for the Middle East, and acts of fasting in solidarity with those enduring war, displacement, and deprivation. The Church in Italy is also urging prayers for world leaders, refugees, the wounded, and grieving families, while calling the faithful to recover charity as the true foundation of peace.Diocese of Hong Kong anticipates thousands of baptisms this EasterThe Diocese of Hong Kong is preparing for 2,500 baptisms at Easter, according to a report from Fides News Agency.The new members of the Church in China include 1,600 adults and 900 infants, according to a recent diocesan bulletin cited in the report, which said this year’s numbers were comparable to those in 2025. Cardinal Stephen Chow Sau-yan celebrated the rite of scrutiny with catechumens in the diocese at Christ the King Church on March 8 and instructed the future members of the Church to “be bearers of hope.”Syria feeling fallout of Iranian war despite lack of involvementSyria is once again absorbing the shockwaves of regional war, as Iranian missiles and drones headed toward Israel pass through its airspace, with projectiles frequently falling inside southern Syria and areas with a Christian presence, ACI MENA reported March 9.Along the Syrian-Lebanese border, the city of Damascus has increased its military deployment, describing the move as defensive and aimed at border control, anti-smuggling efforts, and preventing infiltration as fighting intensifies inside Lebanon. The war has also deepened Syria’s humanitarian and economic strain: Thousands of Syrians have returned from Lebanon to escape Israeli strikes, fuel stations have seen panic buying, cooking gas has become harder to obtain, and electricity shortages have worsened amid reduced natural gas flows.Ethiopian bishops call for investigations into Christian killings Catholic bishops in Ethiopia have expressed “profound sorrow and unequivocal condemnation” of the recent killings of innocent civilians across the country, including the brutal attacks in the Arsi Zone, a major administrative division within the Oromia Region, located in the southeastern highlands.“The deliberate taking of innocent human life is a grave sin before God and a violation of the sacred dignity bestowed upon every person created in the image of God,” the bishops said in a statement to ACI Africa, the sister service of EWTN News in Africa, on March 10. “Such violence against defenseless civilians can never be justified by religion, ethnicity, or political interest. We call upon the responsible authorities to undertake investigations and to ensure that those responsible for these crimes are brought to justice.”Tanzanian bishop condemns police use of tear gas at cathedral Bishop Michael George Msongazila of Tanzania’s Diocese of Musoma has condemned what he described as “the excessive use of force” by the Tanzania Police Force after officers reportedly hurled tear gas canisters at Holy Mother of God Cathedral.“I condemn this act of police using force at the headquarters of the Catholic Diocese of Musoma,” Msongazila said in a statement on March 10, ACI Africa reported. In his statement, Msongazila recounted that a group of women reportedly affiliated with an opposition political party joined other faithful for Mass on March 8 at the cathedral and that, as they were leaving, police officers threw tear gas canisters into the cathedral compound.The bishop further described the police action as “an act of oppression and cruelty,” insisting that such conduct undermines public trust and calls for urgent reform within the country’s law enforcement structures.Catholic Church in Philippines to establish mission on island disputed with ChinaApostolic Vicar Socrates Calamba Mesiona of Puerto Princesa in the Philippines is establishing a Catholic presence on Pag-asa Island, part of the Philippines-occupied Spratly Islands in the South China Sea. The islands are a strategic and contested archipelago in the South China Sea and a source of tension between China and the Philippines due to its natural resources, according to Asia News.Mesiona met with government officials to discuss building a church on the island. The bishop said he expected to complete initial preparations for the mission by the end of March. A groundbreaking ceremony is also expected to take place by the end of the month. A parish name and patron saint have yet to be announced, the report said.
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Scotland bishops on assisted suicide legislation: ‘Safeguards do not work’ – #Catholic – Here is a roundup of Catholic world news from the past week that you might have missed:Scotland bishops on assisted suicide legislation: ‘Safeguards do not work’The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Scotland is urging Catholics to express opposition to the latest assisted suicide legislation proposed in the country to their representatives in Parliament.“One of the most serious concerns about assisted suicide legislation is this: Safeguards do not work,” the bishops wrote in a March 6 statement. “We only have to look at countries that have already introduced these laws. In places such as Holland, Belgium, and Canada, what began with strict limits has steadily expanded. Boundaries shift. Protections weaken. And the most vulnerable are placed at risk.” The bishops’ latest statement comes ahead of a final vote on March 17 for the bill that would give terminally ill adults access to assisted suicide.Italian Church calls for day of prayer and fasting for peaceItaly’s bishops designated Friday, March 13, as a national day of prayer and fasting for peace, responding to growing alarm over widening conflict in the Middle East and the risk of broader international destabilization.The initiative, backed by the presidency of the Italian Bishops’ Conference, aligns with Pope Leo’s repeated warnings against allowing violence to spiral beyond control, ACI MENA, the Arabic-language sister service of EWTN News, reported Thursday. The bishops said war cannot become a solution and insisted that diplomacy, dialogue, and the pursuit of the common good remain the only serious path forward.Parishes and Catholic communities across the country were invited to mark the day through special liturgical intentions, the Stations of the Cross offered for the Middle East, and acts of fasting in solidarity with those enduring war, displacement, and deprivation. The Church in Italy is also urging prayers for world leaders, refugees, the wounded, and grieving families, while calling the faithful to recover charity as the true foundation of peace.Diocese of Hong Kong anticipates thousands of baptisms this EasterThe Diocese of Hong Kong is preparing for 2,500 baptisms at Easter, according to a report from Fides News Agency.The new members of the Church in China include 1,600 adults and 900 infants, according to a recent diocesan bulletin cited in the report, which said this year’s numbers were comparable to those in 2025. Cardinal Stephen Chow Sau-yan celebrated the rite of scrutiny with catechumens in the diocese at Christ the King Church on March 8 and instructed the future members of the Church to “be bearers of hope.”Syria feeling fallout of Iranian war despite lack of involvementSyria is once again absorbing the shockwaves of regional war, as Iranian missiles and drones headed toward Israel pass through its airspace, with projectiles frequently falling inside southern Syria and areas with a Christian presence, ACI MENA reported March 9.Along the Syrian-Lebanese border, the city of Damascus has increased its military deployment, describing the move as defensive and aimed at border control, anti-smuggling efforts, and preventing infiltration as fighting intensifies inside Lebanon. The war has also deepened Syria’s humanitarian and economic strain: Thousands of Syrians have returned from Lebanon to escape Israeli strikes, fuel stations have seen panic buying, cooking gas has become harder to obtain, and electricity shortages have worsened amid reduced natural gas flows.Ethiopian bishops call for investigations into Christian killings Catholic bishops in Ethiopia have expressed “profound sorrow and unequivocal condemnation” of the recent killings of innocent civilians across the country, including the brutal attacks in the Arsi Zone, a major administrative division within the Oromia Region, located in the southeastern highlands.“The deliberate taking of innocent human life is a grave sin before God and a violation of the sacred dignity bestowed upon every person created in the image of God,” the bishops said in a statement to ACI Africa, the sister service of EWTN News in Africa, on March 10. “Such violence against defenseless civilians can never be justified by religion, ethnicity, or political interest. We call upon the responsible authorities to undertake investigations and to ensure that those responsible for these crimes are brought to justice.”Tanzanian bishop condemns police use of tear gas at cathedral Bishop Michael George Msongazila of Tanzania’s Diocese of Musoma has condemned what he described as “the excessive use of force” by the Tanzania Police Force after officers reportedly hurled tear gas canisters at Holy Mother of God Cathedral.“I condemn this act of police using force at the headquarters of the Catholic Diocese of Musoma,” Msongazila said in a statement on March 10, ACI Africa reported. In his statement, Msongazila recounted that a group of women reportedly affiliated with an opposition political party joined other faithful for Mass on March 8 at the cathedral and that, as they were leaving, police officers threw tear gas canisters into the cathedral compound.The bishop further described the police action as “an act of oppression and cruelty,” insisting that such conduct undermines public trust and calls for urgent reform within the country’s law enforcement structures.Catholic Church in Philippines to establish mission on island disputed with ChinaApostolic Vicar Socrates Calamba Mesiona of Puerto Princesa in the Philippines is establishing a Catholic presence on Pag-asa Island, part of the Philippines-occupied Spratly Islands in the South China Sea. The islands are a strategic and contested archipelago in the South China Sea and a source of tension between China and the Philippines due to its natural resources, according to Asia News.Mesiona met with government officials to discuss building a church on the island. The bishop said he expected to complete initial preparations for the mission by the end of March. A groundbreaking ceremony is also expected to take place by the end of the month. A parish name and patron saint have yet to be announced, the report said.

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The bishops of Scotland speak out on assisted suicide legislation, Italy’s bishops call for prayer and fasting for peace, the Hong Kong Diocese prepares for thousands of baptisms at Easter, and more.

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March 14, 1879: The birth of a genius

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On March 14, 1879, Albert Einstein was born in Germany. Early in his life, he demonstrated passion for music and science; in 1896, he began studying physics and mathematics at the Swiss Federal Polytechnic School in Zurich. When his degree was completed, he was unable to find a position as a teacher, and instead beganContinue reading “March 14, 1879: The birth of a genius”

The post March 14, 1879: The birth of a genius appeared first on Astronomy Magazine.

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Man’s 47-minute Video Of Son’s Pee Wee Soccer Game Snubbed For Oscar #BabylonBee – PHOENIX, AZ — Local dad Ben Grant was disappointed to learn that the 47-minute-long video he took of his 5-year-old son’s pee wee soccer game was snubbed for any consideration at the Oscars this year.
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Man’s 47-minute Video Of Son’s Pee Wee Soccer Game Snubbed For Oscar #BabylonBee – PHOENIX, AZ — Local dad Ben Grant was disappointed to learn that the 47-minute-long video he took of his 5-year-old son’s pee wee soccer game was snubbed for any consideration at the Oscars this year.

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PHOENIX, AZ — Local dad Ben Grant was disappointed to learn that the 47-minute-long video he took of his 5-year-old son’s pee wee soccer game was snubbed for any consideration at the Oscars this year.

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Protestant Quarterback Throws Beautiful Hail Christ Alone Pass #BabylonBee – SAN DIEGO, CA — A local protestant quarterback in a competitive amateur spring league made waves this week after throwing a beautiful Hail Christ Alone pass for the game-winning touchdown.
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Protestant Quarterback Throws Beautiful Hail Christ Alone Pass #BabylonBee – SAN DIEGO, CA — A local protestant quarterback in a competitive amateur spring league made waves this week after throwing a beautiful Hail Christ Alone pass for the game-winning touchdown.

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SAN DIEGO, CA — A local protestant quarterback in a competitive amateur spring league made waves this week after throwing a beautiful Hail Christ Alone pass for the game-winning touchdown.

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New biblical series depicts Book of Genesis through eyes of its best-known women – #Catholic – A new biblical series will depict the Book of Genesis through the eyes of the book’s most well-known women. “The Faithful: Women of the Bible” follows the stories of Sarah, Hagar, Rebekah, Leah, and Rachel and how each of these women, and their descendants, shaped the story of salvation.The three-week event will begin airing on March 22 on Fox and end on Easter Sunday, April 5.René Echevarria, executive producer and showrunner of the series, told EWTN News that the creators “set out to try to tell these stories in an emotionally grounded way and really try to understand what their lives were like — what their emotional lives were like.”“One thing that emerges is that all of the three stories that we chose to tell … all of these women stumble,” he said. “They’re trying to figure out how to proceed in life against different complicated circumstances — sometimes encounters with the divine that are asking them to do difficult things — and so that was our sort of North Star, was always to try to understand them on an emotional level.”The filmmaker highlighted the idea of the relatability behind these stories and how they resonate with modern audiences, especially that of Sarah and Abraham, who were unable to conceive a child for decades.Echevarria shared that he and his wife struggled with infertility for several years. They realized they needed to place their trust in God’s plan for them. Eventually, they were blessed with three children. Actress Minnie Driver as Sarah in Fox’s “The Faithful: Women of the Bible.” | Credit: Fox Broadcasting Company He also pointed out the importance he and his team placed on staying true to Scripture.“Our guiding principle was that if we were going to dramatize some part of the story, a scene, let’s call it, that’s described in the Bible, then we’re going to dramatize it the way it’s described and including dialogue if there is some,” he explained.“If we choose not to show something from the Bible, we wanted to make sure that there was nothing that we didn’t present that would make those sort of off-camera scenes impossible to have had occurred,” Echevarria added. “And then the rest was filling in the blanks. The Bible can be very specific, but it can also be profound in its silences … We need to do the research to find out about life at that time to fill in those gaps.”Echevarria said he hopes viewers are reminded that the men and women in these stories were “flawed, strong, people dealing with extraordinary circumstances and sometimes they made mistakes and yet God always made a good work of it.”Reflecting on the release of the series being during Lent and the start of Easter, Echevarria said: “We’re coming out of a time for many of us, a time of fasting, a time of reflection.”“We all love Christmas but Easter is the heart of our faith, isn’t it? So to be able to present these stories, which are the beginning of the Easter story in a sense, the beginning of God’s unfolding story, and his love for his children, and how he set it all in motion 4,000 years ago through Sarah and Abraham.”
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New biblical series depicts Book of Genesis through eyes of its best-known women – #Catholic – A new biblical series will depict the Book of Genesis through the eyes of the book’s most well-known women. “The Faithful: Women of the Bible” follows the stories of Sarah, Hagar, Rebekah, Leah, and Rachel and how each of these women, and their descendants, shaped the story of salvation.The three-week event will begin airing on March 22 on Fox and end on Easter Sunday, April 5.René Echevarria, executive producer and showrunner of the series, told EWTN News that the creators “set out to try to tell these stories in an emotionally grounded way and really try to understand what their lives were like — what their emotional lives were like.”“One thing that emerges is that all of the three stories that we chose to tell … all of these women stumble,” he said. “They’re trying to figure out how to proceed in life against different complicated circumstances — sometimes encounters with the divine that are asking them to do difficult things — and so that was our sort of North Star, was always to try to understand them on an emotional level.”The filmmaker highlighted the idea of the relatability behind these stories and how they resonate with modern audiences, especially that of Sarah and Abraham, who were unable to conceive a child for decades.Echevarria shared that he and his wife struggled with infertility for several years. They realized they needed to place their trust in God’s plan for them. Eventually, they were blessed with three children. Actress Minnie Driver as Sarah in Fox’s “The Faithful: Women of the Bible.” | Credit: Fox Broadcasting Company He also pointed out the importance he and his team placed on staying true to Scripture.“Our guiding principle was that if we were going to dramatize some part of the story, a scene, let’s call it, that’s described in the Bible, then we’re going to dramatize it the way it’s described and including dialogue if there is some,” he explained.“If we choose not to show something from the Bible, we wanted to make sure that there was nothing that we didn’t present that would make those sort of off-camera scenes impossible to have had occurred,” Echevarria added. “And then the rest was filling in the blanks. The Bible can be very specific, but it can also be profound in its silences … We need to do the research to find out about life at that time to fill in those gaps.”Echevarria said he hopes viewers are reminded that the men and women in these stories were “flawed, strong, people dealing with extraordinary circumstances and sometimes they made mistakes and yet God always made a good work of it.”Reflecting on the release of the series being during Lent and the start of Easter, Echevarria said: “We’re coming out of a time for many of us, a time of fasting, a time of reflection.”“We all love Christmas but Easter is the heart of our faith, isn’t it? So to be able to present these stories, which are the beginning of the Easter story in a sense, the beginning of God’s unfolding story, and his love for his children, and how he set it all in motion 4,000 years ago through Sarah and Abraham.”

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“The Faithful: Women of the Bible” follows the stories of Sarah, Hagar, Rebekah, Leah, and Rachel and how each of these women shaped the story of salvation.

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‘God wants to cover us in robes of grace,’ Catholic fashion writer says #Catholic According to Catholic author Mary Harper, the way we dress can be a way to express faith, human dignity, and personal identity.Harper, author of “The Liturgical Style Guide,” in which she explores how faith should influence how we dress, noted that the Bible shows the symbolic importance of clothing: “It’s actually pretty amazing how, throughout both the Old Testament and the New … clothing is mentioned over 100 times... The majority of times, it’s meant to be a sign of God’s mercy and providence.”This symbolism appears from the very beginning of the Bible, she said in a recent interview posted by the Archdiocese of Miami. Mary Harper, author of “The Liturgical Style Guide,” explores how faith can influence even everyday dress. | Credit: Archdiocese of Miami After original sin, Adam and Eve tried to cover themselves by sewing together fig leaves, which Harper called “flimsy.”“What does God do? He literally slaughters an animal, the first sacrifice in Scripture. He covers them in leather garments because he wants them to have something that’s worthy, something that’s good, something that’s actually going to protect them and be lasting,” she explained.According to Harper, this biblical image helps us understand human dignity. “God wants to cover us in robes of grace,” she said, also recalling the parable of the prodigal son, when the father “puts a robe on him and a ring on him, as a reminder of his goodness and his dignity and his identity.”That’s why even something as ordinary as getting dressed every day can have a spiritual dimension. “Even through something that we do every day — getting dressed for the day — the Lord is speaking his providence over you. He desires to lavish you in grace. Even getting dressed in the morning is a way to remember putting on Christ, putting on your baptismal garment again, remembering who you are and who you’re called to be in Christ,” she pointed out.Harper grew up Catholic in New Orleans. She earned her master’s and bachelor’s degrees in theology from Ave Maria University and is the founder of LiturgicalStyle.com, a project dedicated to reflecting on the theological significance of clothing based on the Bible, the stories of the saints, and the liturgical calendar.She also writes for litanynyc.com a Catholic made-to-measure clothing company that seeks to apply the Church’s social teaching in its production process.Clothing as a form of Christian witness“Whether I intend it or not, my clothing is going to communicate something. You wear a school uniform, it tells you what school you go to; priests put on vestments that tell you about the liturgical season. Well, there’s great power in that,” she said.From that perspective, she added, clothing can become a form of Christian witness. “I have the capacity to communicate the Gospel through my very garments, through intentionality, creativity, and beauty.”The author also cautioned that the Christian view of modesty avoids two extremes: absolute individualism and fear of the body.“One extreme is, I can wear whatever I want, I don’t care what anyone else thinks about it. At the same time, we don’t want to get to the point of, ‘I don’t know how to dress myself well, and I’m so scared of doing the wrong thing … [and] nothing can show because my body is bad,’” she explained.“The Church has never said that,” Harper added, noting that Christian teaching on the goodness of the human body is developed in depth in St. John Paul II’s theology of the body.More than strict rules, she argued, the key lies in discerning: “What is it that I want to communicate through what I’m wearing?” Harper also explained that modesty involves considering the context and the activity.“It is my responsibility to wear something that makes sense for the activity at hand, for the environment that I’m in, and that allows me to be fully present. That’s a service to everyone around me and to myself,” she stated, citing as an example the impracticality of wearing flip flops to hike in the Rocky Mountains.Drawing inspiration from the saintsHarper also proposed a creative idea for living out one’s faith in everyday life: finding inspiration in the saints when choosing what to wear.This does not mean, she clarified, that we imitate them literally. “I’m not telling you to go around wearing a Carmelite habit,” she joked.Rather, she suggested small symbolic gestures: “If you have Western boots, you can say you’re wearing them in honor of St. Teresa of the Andes,” who loved horseback riding. Or “when you wear jeans, you can think of her, because she just loved to be this great adventurer and going into the mountains” and “I’m going to ask her to pray for me."Creativity and freedom in the Christian lifeFor Harper, the relationship between faith and clothing should not become a source of scrupulosity or pressure.“Sometimes we can get so caught up saying, ‘If I’m a ‘real Catholic,’ then I’m going to dress in this particular way.’ I think it’s really easy to get kind of scrupulous when it comes to clothing,” she reflected.Instead, she recommended bringing the matter to prayer and discernment with trusted individuals. “If you have any concern about, ‘Am I dressing in a way that is good?’, talk to someone who knows your heart,” she advised.Finally, Harper encouraged living out Christian creativity in these everyday details as well: “The Holy Spirit is creative."“When you get dressed for the day, if you just say, ‘Come, Holy Spirit,’ he’s going to show up. It’s going to be awesome and joyful, and it’ll be more fun.”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.
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‘God wants to cover us in robes of grace,’ Catholic fashion writer says #Catholic According to Catholic author Mary Harper, the way we dress can be a way to express faith, human dignity, and personal identity.Harper, author of “The Liturgical Style Guide,” in which she explores how faith should influence how we dress, noted that the Bible shows the symbolic importance of clothing: “It’s actually pretty amazing how, throughout both the Old Testament and the New … clothing is mentioned over 100 times… The majority of times, it’s meant to be a sign of God’s mercy and providence.”This symbolism appears from the very beginning of the Bible, she said in a recent interview posted by the Archdiocese of Miami. Mary Harper, author of “The Liturgical Style Guide,” explores how faith can influence even everyday dress. | Credit: Archdiocese of Miami After original sin, Adam and Eve tried to cover themselves by sewing together fig leaves, which Harper called “flimsy.”“What does God do? He literally slaughters an animal, the first sacrifice in Scripture. He covers them in leather garments because he wants them to have something that’s worthy, something that’s good, something that’s actually going to protect them and be lasting,” she explained.According to Harper, this biblical image helps us understand human dignity. “God wants to cover us in robes of grace,” she said, also recalling the parable of the prodigal son, when the father “puts a robe on him and a ring on him, as a reminder of his goodness and his dignity and his identity.”That’s why even something as ordinary as getting dressed every day can have a spiritual dimension. “Even through something that we do every day — getting dressed for the day — the Lord is speaking his providence over you. He desires to lavish you in grace. Even getting dressed in the morning is a way to remember putting on Christ, putting on your baptismal garment again, remembering who you are and who you’re called to be in Christ,” she pointed out.Harper grew up Catholic in New Orleans. She earned her master’s and bachelor’s degrees in theology from Ave Maria University and is the founder of LiturgicalStyle.com, a project dedicated to reflecting on the theological significance of clothing based on the Bible, the stories of the saints, and the liturgical calendar.She also writes for litanynyc.com a Catholic made-to-measure clothing company that seeks to apply the Church’s social teaching in its production process.Clothing as a form of Christian witness“Whether I intend it or not, my clothing is going to communicate something. You wear a school uniform, it tells you what school you go to; priests put on vestments that tell you about the liturgical season. Well, there’s great power in that,” she said.From that perspective, she added, clothing can become a form of Christian witness. “I have the capacity to communicate the Gospel through my very garments, through intentionality, creativity, and beauty.”The author also cautioned that the Christian view of modesty avoids two extremes: absolute individualism and fear of the body.“One extreme is, I can wear whatever I want, I don’t care what anyone else thinks about it. At the same time, we don’t want to get to the point of, ‘I don’t know how to dress myself well, and I’m so scared of doing the wrong thing … [and] nothing can show because my body is bad,’” she explained.“The Church has never said that,” Harper added, noting that Christian teaching on the goodness of the human body is developed in depth in St. John Paul II’s theology of the body.More than strict rules, she argued, the key lies in discerning: “What is it that I want to communicate through what I’m wearing?” Harper also explained that modesty involves considering the context and the activity.“It is my responsibility to wear something that makes sense for the activity at hand, for the environment that I’m in, and that allows me to be fully present. That’s a service to everyone around me and to myself,” she stated, citing as an example the impracticality of wearing flip flops to hike in the Rocky Mountains.Drawing inspiration from the saintsHarper also proposed a creative idea for living out one’s faith in everyday life: finding inspiration in the saints when choosing what to wear.This does not mean, she clarified, that we imitate them literally. “I’m not telling you to go around wearing a Carmelite habit,” she joked.Rather, she suggested small symbolic gestures: “If you have Western boots, you can say you’re wearing them in honor of St. Teresa of the Andes,” who loved horseback riding. Or “when you wear jeans, you can think of her, because she just loved to be this great adventurer and going into the mountains” and “I’m going to ask her to pray for me."Creativity and freedom in the Christian lifeFor Harper, the relationship between faith and clothing should not become a source of scrupulosity or pressure.“Sometimes we can get so caught up saying, ‘If I’m a ‘real Catholic,’ then I’m going to dress in this particular way.’ I think it’s really easy to get kind of scrupulous when it comes to clothing,” she reflected.Instead, she recommended bringing the matter to prayer and discernment with trusted individuals. “If you have any concern about, ‘Am I dressing in a way that is good?’, talk to someone who knows your heart,” she advised.Finally, Harper encouraged living out Christian creativity in these everyday details as well: “The Holy Spirit is creative."“When you get dressed for the day, if you just say, ‘Come, Holy Spirit,’ he’s going to show up. It’s going to be awesome and joyful, and it’ll be more fun.”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.

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Mary Harper explains the positive dimension of choosing what to wear and what it can express, urging Catholics to invite the Holy Spirit into their fashion choices.

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Michigan teen starts Catholic online newspaper for other teens #Catholic Luis Nava, a high school freshman at the International Academy in Michigan, takes to heart that he wants to be ready to answer any questions from his peers but also to better understand his Catholic faith. He began an online newspaper called The Catholic Michigander, where he tackles some of those questions and more.Nava is a parishioner at St. Joseph Parish in Lake Orion, Michigan, and spent his first few years attending school there. He recently spoke to students at the Catholic school about a project he started to help spread the Catholic faith among teens and to help young people understand what the faith is all about.“A lot of the times, if I’m facing questions from classmates that don’t have the same beliefs as me, I want to know exactly what I believe and exactly why I believe it,” Nava said.Learning about his faith became more of a quest after Nava attended a pro-life conference in 2024 at his parish. While he was there, Nava picked up a quote from William Wilberforce that he says inspired him to fulfill what he believes is his calling: “Let it not be said that I was silent when they needed me,” he said. The saying is posted above his desk. “I see it every day.”Nava, who plans to study neuroscience, said he has always been passionate about writing and hoped to start a newspaper one day. After the conference, he felt the prompting of the Holy Spirit guiding him, and he got to work on a website.“It all came from a project that I had when I was in middle school,” he said. “I was on the newspaper for my middle school in sixth grade, and then in seventh grade I took over as the editor.”Nava takes ideas for content for the newspaper from his daily experiences and conversations with classmates. He also invites others to write with him.The newspaper contains a wide variety of articles on different topics, from infertility and natural family planning to life issues and the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist. Nava said he writes “if a particular issue sparks my interest.” Father Jim Kean advises Nava on Catholic theology to ensure that all of the content adheres to Catholic teaching.“There was a report that a huge amount of Catholics don’t know that Christ is really present in the Eucharist, so I thought topics like those would be good to address,” Nava said.Each month, Nava writes and edits the copy and posts it to the website, featuring not only his writing but also that of some of his peers. A middle school student at St. Joseph School in Lake Orion, Michigan, reviews an article in Luis Nava’s online newspaper, The Catholic Michigander. | Credit: Photo courtesy of Luis Nava/Detroit Catholic “A couple of them are parishioners here at St. Joseph Parish, but they were public school students,” said Doris Fornasiero, principal at St. Joseph School. “I think that’s also a remarkable piece, that he’s reaching and pulling in students from all over the public school, private school, but students who are passionate about their faith.”Nava doesn’t just write about his faith, but he brings it to life, said Lindy Cubba, a middle school religion teacher at St. Joseph.“As teachers and educators, listening to him, it was remarkable because he had captured this passion for faith and yet this way to inspire and nurture beliefs that people already have and bring them into the open,” Cubba said.In addition to his work with the newspaper, Nava is also active in the youth group and as an athlete, where he encourages others to live their lives of faith. Recently he spoke to St. Joseph students about his project.“He’s just an incredibly positive, strong influence in the right way,” Fornasiero said. “He inspired the kids and encouraged them to speak out, that they didn’t have to keep their beliefs and their feelings about their faith to themselves. He was giving them a safe place to voice their beliefs.”Nava said he is grateful to the Holy Spirit, as well as mentors such as Fornasiero and Cubba, and said he wants to encourage other students to be courageous enough to do what they dream.“Well, I try to be a model to imitate, but I mean it’s a work in progress,” he said.“Like with everything, we’re all called to be saints, so I’m trying to walk down that road, as I’m sure everybody is,” Nava said. “I hope this can inspire other people to maybe take action and realize they can do anything. Hopefully, we can get all of the youth of today to really grow in their love for God.”Nava believes his newspaper project and his interest in neuroscience are related.“It’s really perfect, because neuroscience and religion and spirituality go hand in hand so well together,” Nava said. “We need God at the center of our lives if we want to have good mental health. I thought that would integrate very well with the writing and with religion.”With three more years of high school ahead of him, Nava said he hopes he can continue the newspaper for several more years.“I’m not sure how it’s going to evolve,” he said, “but I hope that we can continue to put out articles that teenagers can see and be inspired by.”This story was first published by the Detroit Catholic and is reprinted here with permission.
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Michigan teen starts Catholic online newspaper for other teens #Catholic Luis Nava, a high school freshman at the International Academy in Michigan, takes to heart that he wants to be ready to answer any questions from his peers but also to better understand his Catholic faith. He began an online newspaper called The Catholic Michigander, where he tackles some of those questions and more.Nava is a parishioner at St. Joseph Parish in Lake Orion, Michigan, and spent his first few years attending school there. He recently spoke to students at the Catholic school about a project he started to help spread the Catholic faith among teens and to help young people understand what the faith is all about.“A lot of the times, if I’m facing questions from classmates that don’t have the same beliefs as me, I want to know exactly what I believe and exactly why I believe it,” Nava said.Learning about his faith became more of a quest after Nava attended a pro-life conference in 2024 at his parish. While he was there, Nava picked up a quote from William Wilberforce that he says inspired him to fulfill what he believes is his calling: “Let it not be said that I was silent when they needed me,” he said. The saying is posted above his desk. “I see it every day.”Nava, who plans to study neuroscience, said he has always been passionate about writing and hoped to start a newspaper one day. After the conference, he felt the prompting of the Holy Spirit guiding him, and he got to work on a website.“It all came from a project that I had when I was in middle school,” he said. “I was on the newspaper for my middle school in sixth grade, and then in seventh grade I took over as the editor.”Nava takes ideas for content for the newspaper from his daily experiences and conversations with classmates. He also invites others to write with him.The newspaper contains a wide variety of articles on different topics, from infertility and natural family planning to life issues and the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist. Nava said he writes “if a particular issue sparks my interest.” Father Jim Kean advises Nava on Catholic theology to ensure that all of the content adheres to Catholic teaching.“There was a report that a huge amount of Catholics don’t know that Christ is really present in the Eucharist, so I thought topics like those would be good to address,” Nava said.Each month, Nava writes and edits the copy and posts it to the website, featuring not only his writing but also that of some of his peers. A middle school student at St. Joseph School in Lake Orion, Michigan, reviews an article in Luis Nava’s online newspaper, The Catholic Michigander. | Credit: Photo courtesy of Luis Nava/Detroit Catholic “A couple of them are parishioners here at St. Joseph Parish, but they were public school students,” said Doris Fornasiero, principal at St. Joseph School. “I think that’s also a remarkable piece, that he’s reaching and pulling in students from all over the public school, private school, but students who are passionate about their faith.”Nava doesn’t just write about his faith, but he brings it to life, said Lindy Cubba, a middle school religion teacher at St. Joseph.“As teachers and educators, listening to him, it was remarkable because he had captured this passion for faith and yet this way to inspire and nurture beliefs that people already have and bring them into the open,” Cubba said.In addition to his work with the newspaper, Nava is also active in the youth group and as an athlete, where he encourages others to live their lives of faith. Recently he spoke to St. Joseph students about his project.“He’s just an incredibly positive, strong influence in the right way,” Fornasiero said. “He inspired the kids and encouraged them to speak out, that they didn’t have to keep their beliefs and their feelings about their faith to themselves. He was giving them a safe place to voice their beliefs.”Nava said he is grateful to the Holy Spirit, as well as mentors such as Fornasiero and Cubba, and said he wants to encourage other students to be courageous enough to do what they dream.“Well, I try to be a model to imitate, but I mean it’s a work in progress,” he said.“Like with everything, we’re all called to be saints, so I’m trying to walk down that road, as I’m sure everybody is,” Nava said. “I hope this can inspire other people to maybe take action and realize they can do anything. Hopefully, we can get all of the youth of today to really grow in their love for God.”Nava believes his newspaper project and his interest in neuroscience are related.“It’s really perfect, because neuroscience and religion and spirituality go hand in hand so well together,” Nava said. “We need God at the center of our lives if we want to have good mental health. I thought that would integrate very well with the writing and with religion.”With three more years of high school ahead of him, Nava said he hopes he can continue the newspaper for several more years.“I’m not sure how it’s going to evolve,” he said, “but I hope that we can continue to put out articles that teenagers can see and be inspired by.”This story was first published by the Detroit Catholic and is reprinted here with permission.

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Luis Nava, a high school freshman in Lake Orion, Michigan, felt inspired to help peers find their voice and live their Catholic faith.

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REPORT: Democrats Already Plotting Investigations of Companies, Colleges, and Law Firms for Working With Trump – Democrats in the Senate and the House are apparently already planning to investigate companies, schools, and even law firms for the crime of working with President Trump. The post REPORT: Democrats Already Plotting Investigations of Companies, Colleges, and Law Firms for Working With Trump appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.
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REPORT: Democrats Already Plotting Investigations of Companies, Colleges, and Law Firms for Working With Trump – Democrats in the Senate and the House are apparently already planning to investigate companies, schools, and even law firms for the crime of working with President Trump. The post REPORT: Democrats Already Plotting Investigations of Companies, Colleges, and Law Firms for Working With Trump appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

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Democrats in the Senate and the House are apparently already planning to investigate companies, schools, and even law firms for the crime of working with President Trump.

The post REPORT: Democrats Already Plotting Investigations of Companies, Colleges, and Law Firms for Working With Trump appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

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HUH? Dem Senator Elissa Slotkin Says ‘We Must Fund the Department of Homeland Security’ Right After She Voted Against It (VIDEO) – This week, after the terror attack on a synagogue in Michigan, Dem Senator Elissa Slotkin stood in front of TV cameras and said that we need to fund the Department of Homeland Security, which is odd considering she voted against doing that just hours before then. The post HUH? Dem Senator Elissa Slotkin Says ‘We Must Fund the Department of Homeland Security’ Right After She Voted Against It (VIDEO) appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.
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HUH? Dem Senator Elissa Slotkin Says ‘We Must Fund the Department of Homeland Security’ Right After She Voted Against It (VIDEO) – This week, after the terror attack on a synagogue in Michigan, Dem Senator Elissa Slotkin stood in front of TV cameras and said that we need to fund the Department of Homeland Security, which is odd considering she voted against doing that just hours before then. The post HUH? Dem Senator Elissa Slotkin Says ‘We Must Fund the Department of Homeland Security’ Right After She Voted Against It (VIDEO) appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

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This week, after the terror attack on a synagogue in Michigan, Dem Senator Elissa Slotkin stood in front of TV cameras and said that we need to fund the Department of Homeland Security, which is odd considering she voted against doing that just hours before then.

The post HUH? Dem Senator Elissa Slotkin Says ‘We Must Fund the Department of Homeland Security’ Right After She Voted Against It (VIDEO) appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

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J.D. Vance Applauded in North Carolina After Saying We Must Keep Illegals From Voting in Our Elections (VIDEO) – Vice President J.D. The post J.D. Vance Applauded in North Carolina After Saying We Must Keep Illegals From Voting in Our Elections (VIDEO) appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.
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J.D. Vance Applauded in North Carolina After Saying We Must Keep Illegals From Voting in Our Elections (VIDEO) – Vice President J.D. The post J.D. Vance Applauded in North Carolina After Saying We Must Keep Illegals From Voting in Our Elections (VIDEO) appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

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Vice President J.D.

The post J.D. Vance Applauded in North Carolina After Saying We Must Keep Illegals From Voting in Our Elections (VIDEO) appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

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Prayer for God’s Help in Daily Actions: Prayer of the Day for Saturday, March 14, 2026 – #Prayer – Our Father, may everything I do begin with Your Inspiration, continue with Your Help, and reach perfection under Your Guidance. With Your loving care guide me in my daily actions. Help me to persevere with love and sincerity. Teach me to judge wisely the things of earth and to love the things of Heaven. Keep me in Your presence and never let me be separated from You. Your Spirit made me Your child, confident to call You Father. Make Your Love the foundation of …

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Our Father, may everything I do begin with Your Inspiration,
continue with Your Help,
and reach perfection under Your Guidance.
With Your loving care guide me in my daily actions.
Help me to persevere with love and sincerity.
Teach me to judge wisely the things of earth
and to love the things of Heaven.
Keep me in Your presence
and never let me be separated from You.
Your Spirit made me Your child,
confident to call You Father.
Make Your Love the foundation of …

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Gospel and Word of the Day – 14 March 2026 – A reading from the Book of Hosea 6:1-6 "Come, let us return to the LORD, it is he who has rent, but he will heal us; he has struck us, but he will bind our wounds. He will revive us after two days; on the third day he will raise us up, to live in his presence. Let us know, let us strive to know the LORD; as certain as the dawn is his coming, and his judgment shines forth like the light of day! He will come to us like the rain, like spring rain that waters the earth." What can I do with you, Ephraim? What can I do with you, Judah? Your piety is like a morning cloud, like the dew that early passes away. For this reason I smote them through the prophets, I slew them by the words of my mouth; For it is love that I desire, not sacrifice, and knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.From the Gospel according to Luke 18:9-14 Jesus addressed this parable to those who were convinced of their own righteousness and despised everyone else. “Two people went up to the temple area to pray; one was a Pharisee and the other was a tax collector. The Pharisee took up his position and spoke this prayer to himself, ‘O God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of humanity — greedy, dishonest, adulterous — or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week, and I pay tithes on my whole income.’ But the tax collector stood off at a distance and would not even raise his eyes to heaven but beat his breast and prayed, ‘O God, be merciful to me a sinner.’ I tell you, the latter went home justified, not the former; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”Both the Pharisee and the tax collector go up to the Temple to pray. We could say that they “go up together” or, at least, they find themselves together in the sacred place. Yet they are divided; and there is no communication between them. Both take the same path, but they do not walk together. Both are in the Temple; but one takes the first place, and the other remains behind. Both pray to the Father, but without being brothers and without having anything in common. This division depends above all on the Pharisee’s attitude. His prayer, though seemingly addressed to God, is only a mirror in which he looks at, justifies and praises himself. As Saint Augustine writes, he “went up to pray: he had no mind to pray to God, but to laud himself” (Discourse 115, 2). Feeling superior, he judges the other with contempt and looks down on him. The Pharisee is obsessed with his own ego and, in this way, ends up focused on himself without having a relationship with either God or others. Brothers and sisters, this can also happen in the Christian community. It happens when the ego prevails over the collective, causing an individualism that prevents authentic and fraternal relationships. It also occurs when the claim to be better than others, as the Pharisee does with the tax collector, creates division and turns the community into a judgmental and exclusionary place; and when one leverages one’s role to exert power, rather than to serve. We should, however, focus our attention on the tax collector. With the same humility that he showed, we too must recognize within the Church that we are all in need of God and of one another, which leads us to practice reciprocal love, listen to each other and enjoy walking together. It is based on the knowledge that Christ belongs to those who are humble, not to those who elevate themselves above the flock (cf. Saint Clement of Rome, Letter to the Corinthians, c. XVI). (Leo XIV – Homily for the Jubilee of the Synodal Teams and Participatory Bodies, 26 October 2025)

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A reading from the Book of Hosea
6:1-6

"Come, let us return to the LORD,
it is he who has rent, but he will heal us;
he has struck us, but he will bind our wounds.
He will revive us after two days;
on the third day he will raise us up,
to live in his presence.
Let us know, let us strive to know the LORD;
as certain as the dawn is his coming,
and his judgment shines forth like the light of day!
He will come to us like the rain,
like spring rain that waters the earth."

What can I do with you, Ephraim?
What can I do with you, Judah?
Your piety is like a morning cloud,
like the dew that early passes away.
For this reason I smote them through the prophets,
I slew them by the words of my mouth;
For it is love that I desire, not sacrifice,
and knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.

From the Gospel according to Luke
18:9-14

Jesus addressed this parable
to those who were convinced of their own righteousness
and despised everyone else.
“Two people went up to the temple area to pray;
one was a Pharisee and the other was a tax collector.
The Pharisee took up his position and spoke this prayer to himself,
‘O God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of humanity —
greedy, dishonest, adulterous — or even like this tax collector.
I fast twice a week,
and I pay tithes on my whole income.’
But the tax collector stood off at a distance
and would not even raise his eyes to heaven
but beat his breast and prayed,
‘O God, be merciful to me a sinner.’
I tell you, the latter went home justified, not the former;
for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled,
and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Both the Pharisee and the tax collector go up to the Temple to pray. We could say that they “go up together” or, at least, they find themselves together in the sacred place. Yet they are divided; and there is no communication between them. Both take the same path, but they do not walk together. Both are in the Temple; but one takes the first place, and the other remains behind. Both pray to the Father, but without being brothers and without having anything in common. This division depends above all on the Pharisee’s attitude. His prayer, though seemingly addressed to God, is only a mirror in which he looks at, justifies and praises himself. As Saint Augustine writes, he “went up to pray: he had no mind to pray to God, but to laud himself” (Discourse 115, 2). Feeling superior, he judges the other with contempt and looks down on him. The Pharisee is obsessed with his own ego and, in this way, ends up focused on himself without having a relationship with either God or others. Brothers and sisters, this can also happen in the Christian community. It happens when the ego prevails over the collective, causing an individualism that prevents authentic and fraternal relationships. It also occurs when the claim to be better than others, as the Pharisee does with the tax collector, creates division and turns the community into a judgmental and exclusionary place; and when one leverages one’s role to exert power, rather than to serve. We should, however, focus our attention on the tax collector. With the same humility that he showed, we too must recognize within the Church that we are all in need of God and of one another, which leads us to practice reciprocal love, listen to each other and enjoy walking together. It is based on the knowledge that Christ belongs to those who are humble, not to those who elevate themselves above the flock (cf. Saint Clement of Rome, Letter to the Corinthians, c. XVI). (Leo XIV – Homily for the Jubilee of the Synodal Teams and Participatory Bodies, 26 October 2025)

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Mathematicians can become ‘signs of hope for the world,’ Pope Leo XIV says #Catholic In a message conveyed through Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Pope Leo XIV on Friday said that mathematicians can become “signs of hope for the world,” particularly in a context marked by rapid technological advancements and challenges facing humanity.The pope’s message was addressed to the Turkish mathematician and university professor Betül Tanbay, chair of the International Day of Mathematics, which was observed March 13. Tanbay had informed the pontiff of a webinar dedicated to the theme “Mathematics and Hope.” In response, the pope sent a letter extending his cordial greetings and best wishes to all participants in the initiative.In the text, Leo XIV invited reflection on the role that mathematics can play in the face of “the multiple challenges confronting the human family,” citing rapid technological development, with all its potential “for both good and evil.”The pontiff encouraged participants to consider how mathematicians can offer a positive witness to society. “A particularly fruitful area of ​​research is the use of algorithms, especially in the field of artificial intelligence,” he noted.However, the pope emphasized that work in these fields demands something more than technical competence. As he pointed out, this task requires “not only intellectual effort and ingenuity but also the integral growth of the whole person,” capable of taking into account the moral dimension of emerging technologies.Recalling his own experience as a mathematics and physics teacher, Leo XIV quoted words he addressed to students during the Jubilee of the World of Education, held on Oct. 30, 2025: “Possessing vast knowledge is not enough if we don’t know who we are or what the meaning of life is.”Along these lines, the pontiff expressed his hope that participants would be attentive “to the profound spiritual needs of the human heart” and seek ways to humanize the digital realm so that it may become an opportunity for fraternity and creativity.Likewise, he encouraged mathematicians to be “prophets of hope, truth, and goodness in the world.”The message concluded with a prayer from the pope for all participants in the International Day of Mathematics, upon whom he invoked “abundant divine blessings of wisdom, joy, and peace.”Pope Leo XIV’s mathematical backgroundRobert Francis Prevost, now Pope Leo XIV, graduated in 1977 from Villanova University in Pennsylvania, earning a bachelor of arts degree in mathematics alongside studies in philosophy. This preceded the beginning of his theological studies upon his formal entry into the Augustinian novitiate that same year.During his time at the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, Prevost combined his religious formation with teaching: He taught mathematics part time at Mendel Catholic High School in Chicago and worked occasionally as a substitute physics teacher at St. Rita of Cascia High School.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.
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Mathematicians can become ‘signs of hope for the world,’ Pope Leo XIV says #Catholic In a message conveyed through Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Pope Leo XIV on Friday said that mathematicians can become “signs of hope for the world,” particularly in a context marked by rapid technological advancements and challenges facing humanity.The pope’s message was addressed to the Turkish mathematician and university professor Betül Tanbay, chair of the International Day of Mathematics, which was observed March 13. Tanbay had informed the pontiff of a webinar dedicated to the theme “Mathematics and Hope.” In response, the pope sent a letter extending his cordial greetings and best wishes to all participants in the initiative.In the text, Leo XIV invited reflection on the role that mathematics can play in the face of “the multiple challenges confronting the human family,” citing rapid technological development, with all its potential “for both good and evil.”The pontiff encouraged participants to consider how mathematicians can offer a positive witness to society. “A particularly fruitful area of ​​research is the use of algorithms, especially in the field of artificial intelligence,” he noted.However, the pope emphasized that work in these fields demands something more than technical competence. As he pointed out, this task requires “not only intellectual effort and ingenuity but also the integral growth of the whole person,” capable of taking into account the moral dimension of emerging technologies.Recalling his own experience as a mathematics and physics teacher, Leo XIV quoted words he addressed to students during the Jubilee of the World of Education, held on Oct. 30, 2025: “Possessing vast knowledge is not enough if we don’t know who we are or what the meaning of life is.”Along these lines, the pontiff expressed his hope that participants would be attentive “to the profound spiritual needs of the human heart” and seek ways to humanize the digital realm so that it may become an opportunity for fraternity and creativity.Likewise, he encouraged mathematicians to be “prophets of hope, truth, and goodness in the world.”The message concluded with a prayer from the pope for all participants in the International Day of Mathematics, upon whom he invoked “abundant divine blessings of wisdom, joy, and peace.”Pope Leo XIV’s mathematical backgroundRobert Francis Prevost, now Pope Leo XIV, graduated in 1977 from Villanova University in Pennsylvania, earning a bachelor of arts degree in mathematics alongside studies in philosophy. This preceded the beginning of his theological studies upon his formal entry into the Augustinian novitiate that same year.During his time at the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, Prevost combined his religious formation with teaching: He taught mathematics part time at Mendel Catholic High School in Chicago and worked occasionally as a substitute physics teacher at St. Rita of Cascia High School.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.

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On the International Day of Mathematics, Pope Leo XIV sent a message inviting reflection on the role good mathematics can play in today’s world.

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Suspect arrested after Nebraska deacon found murdered, police say #Catholic Local police have arrested a suspect in connection with the murder of a Catholic deacon in the Archdiocese of Omaha, Nebraska, this week. The Omaha Police Officers Association said in a March 13 Facebook post that a “person of interest” was taken into custody on March 12 after Deacon John Zak was reportedly murdered the previous night. Zak “was an active member of the community and a deacon at St. Peter’s Catholic Church” in the city’s Leavenworth neighborhood, the police association said. Father John Broheimer, the pastor of St. Peter’s, said in a statement on the parish website that Zak had been a member of the parish for more than 30 years and served as a deacon there for 25 years. “Through his ministry he touched countless lives, especially the young people of our parish, whom he served with generosity and sincere faith,” the pastor said. The priest urged parishioners to pray for Zak’s family and to “support them with your charity in the days ahead.”Police had not publicly identified a motive in the killing as of March 13, but local news reports said a “family member” named Martin Zak had been booked in local jail on homicide and felony theft charges.Jail records showed that an individual named Martin Zak was being held without bond.The Archdiocese of Omaha did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the tragedy.
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Suspect arrested after Nebraska deacon found murdered, police say #Catholic Local police have arrested a suspect in connection with the murder of a Catholic deacon in the Archdiocese of Omaha, Nebraska, this week. The Omaha Police Officers Association said in a March 13 Facebook post that a “person of interest” was taken into custody on March 12 after Deacon John Zak was reportedly murdered the previous night. Zak “was an active member of the community and a deacon at St. Peter’s Catholic Church” in the city’s Leavenworth neighborhood, the police association said. Father John Broheimer, the pastor of St. Peter’s, said in a statement on the parish website that Zak had been a member of the parish for more than 30 years and served as a deacon there for 25 years. “Through his ministry he touched countless lives, especially the young people of our parish, whom he served with generosity and sincere faith,” the pastor said. The priest urged parishioners to pray for Zak’s family and to “support them with your charity in the days ahead.”Police had not publicly identified a motive in the killing as of March 13, but local news reports said a “family member” named Martin Zak had been booked in local jail on homicide and felony theft charges.Jail records showed that an individual named Martin Zak was being held without bond.The Archdiocese of Omaha did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the tragedy.

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Deacon John Zak was “an active member of the community” before he was killed on March 11, police said.

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Cuban government to release 51 prisoners following Vatican talks #Catholic The Cuban government announced that it will release 51 people from prison because of its “smooth” relations with the Vatican — a move that coincides with the upcoming observance of Holy Week.“In the spirit of goodwill, and of the close and smooth relations between the Cuban state and the Vatican — with which communication regarding processes for the review and release of persons deprived of liberty has historically been maintained — the government of Cuba has decided to release, in the coming days, 51 individuals sentenced to deprivation of liberty [prison],” the Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported in a March 12 statement.The director of the Holy See Press Office, Matteo Bruni, confirmed to ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News, on March 13 that “conversations regarding the release of prisoners have recently taken place.”The statement from the Cuban ministry notes that all these individuals “have served a significant portion of their sentences and have maintained good conduct in prison”; however, it does not indicate whether the group includes political prisoners.The communist regime states that since 2010, it “has granted pardons to 9,905 inmates, while — over the last three years, as part of Cuban practice and pursuant to the provisions of our legislation — another 10,000 individuals sentenced to deprivation of liberty were released based on certain conditions.”This announcement comes amid renewed tensions between Cuba and the United States, which began in January, and the recent meetings that representatives from both countries have held with Vatican officials.On Feb. 20, the U.S. chief of mission in Cuba, Mike Hammer, held a meeting at the Vatican with Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, the Holy See’s secretary for relations with states.Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin stated on March 9 that the Holy See has taken “the necessary steps” regarding the situation in Cuba, “always with a view to a solution to the existing problems through dialogue.”In January 2025, the Cuban regime also announced the release of 553 prisoners following mediation by Pope Francis and “in the spirit of the Ordinary Jubilee of 2025.”Victoria Cardiel, EWTN News correspondent in Rome, contributed to this report.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.
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Cuban government to release 51 prisoners following Vatican talks #Catholic The Cuban government announced that it will release 51 people from prison because of its “smooth” relations with the Vatican — a move that coincides with the upcoming observance of Holy Week.“In the spirit of goodwill, and of the close and smooth relations between the Cuban state and the Vatican — with which communication regarding processes for the review and release of persons deprived of liberty has historically been maintained — the government of Cuba has decided to release, in the coming days, 51 individuals sentenced to deprivation of liberty [prison],” the Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported in a March 12 statement.The director of the Holy See Press Office, Matteo Bruni, confirmed to ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News, on March 13 that “conversations regarding the release of prisoners have recently taken place.”The statement from the Cuban ministry notes that all these individuals “have served a significant portion of their sentences and have maintained good conduct in prison”; however, it does not indicate whether the group includes political prisoners.The communist regime states that since 2010, it “has granted pardons to 9,905 inmates, while — over the last three years, as part of Cuban practice and pursuant to the provisions of our legislation — another 10,000 individuals sentenced to deprivation of liberty were released based on certain conditions.”This announcement comes amid renewed tensions between Cuba and the United States, which began in January, and the recent meetings that representatives from both countries have held with Vatican officials.On Feb. 20, the U.S. chief of mission in Cuba, Mike Hammer, held a meeting at the Vatican with Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, the Holy See’s secretary for relations with states.Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin stated on March 9 that the Holy See has taken “the necessary steps” regarding the situation in Cuba, “always with a view to a solution to the existing problems through dialogue.”In January 2025, the Cuban regime also announced the release of 553 prisoners following mediation by Pope Francis and “in the spirit of the Ordinary Jubilee of 2025.”Victoria Cardiel, EWTN News correspondent in Rome, contributed to this report.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.

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The regime stated the decision was made in a “spirit of goodwill” and because of its good relations with the Holy See, but did not indicate if any of those to be released are political prisoners.

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Renovación Carismática Católica de la Diócesis de Paterson presenta su nueva coordinación y plan pastoral 2026 #Catholic – En un ambiente de oración, comunión fraterna y presencia del Espíritu Santo, el comité de la Renovación Carismática Católica (RCC) de la Diócesis de Paterson sostuvo un significativo encuentro el jueves 5 de marzo con el Padre Duberney Villamizar, Vicario para Asuntos Hispanos de la diócesis. Durante la reunión, el comité diocesano presentó formalmente la nueva coordinación de la Renovación y el plan pastoral que guiará las actividades y proyectos para el año 2026. También se compartieron los primeros frutos y avances alcanzados desde el inicio de esta nueva etapa pastoral, comenzada en diciembre de 2025. Uno de los puntos centrales del encuentro fue la presentación del lema pastoral del año: “Alma Sana, Corazón Libre”, una invitación a vivir una vida interior sanada, renovada por la gracia del Espíritu Santo y abierta a una experiencia más profunda del amor del Padre Celestial. Para suscribirse a nuestro boletín electrónico semanal, haga click aquí. El Padre Duberney recibió con entusiasmo las iniciativas presentadas y ofreció valiosos aportes pastorales, ideas y orientaciones que fortalecerán el desarrollo de las actividades programadas en la diócesis. La RCC Paterson cuenta además con el acompañamiento pastoral del Padre Yasid Salas como Director Espiritual y con la misión de intercesión confiada a Yamily Rosario, Coordinadora del Ministerio de Intercesión.  
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Renovación Carismática Católica de la Diócesis de Paterson presenta su nueva coordinación y plan pastoral 2026 #Catholic – En un ambiente de oración, comunión fraterna y presencia del Espíritu Santo, el comité de la Renovación Carismática Católica (RCC) de la Diócesis de Paterson sostuvo un significativo encuentro el jueves 5 de marzo con el Padre Duberney Villamizar, Vicario para Asuntos Hispanos de la diócesis. Durante la reunión, el comité diocesano presentó formalmente la nueva coordinación de la Renovación y el plan pastoral que guiará las actividades y proyectos para el año 2026. También se compartieron los primeros frutos y avances alcanzados desde el inicio de esta nueva etapa pastoral, comenzada en diciembre de 2025. Uno de los puntos centrales del encuentro fue la presentación del lema pastoral del año: “Alma Sana, Corazón Libre”, una invitación a vivir una vida interior sanada, renovada por la gracia del Espíritu Santo y abierta a una experiencia más profunda del amor del Padre Celestial. Para suscribirse a nuestro boletín electrónico semanal, haga click aquí. El Padre Duberney recibió con entusiasmo las iniciativas presentadas y ofreció valiosos aportes pastorales, ideas y orientaciones que fortalecerán el desarrollo de las actividades programadas en la diócesis. La RCC Paterson cuenta además con el acompañamiento pastoral del Padre Yasid Salas como Director Espiritual y con la misión de intercesión confiada a Yamily Rosario, Coordinadora del Ministerio de Intercesión.  

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Renovación Carismática Católica de la Diócesis de Paterson presenta su nueva coordinación y plan pastoral 2026 #Catholic –

En un ambiente de oración, comunión fraterna y presencia del Espíritu Santo, el comité de la Renovación Carismática Católica (RCC) de la Diócesis de Paterson sostuvo un significativo encuentro el jueves 5 de marzo con el Padre Duberney Villamizar, Vicario para Asuntos Hispanos de la diócesis.

Durante la reunión, el comité diocesano presentó formalmente la nueva coordinación de la Renovación y el plan pastoral que guiará las actividades y proyectos para el año 2026. También se compartieron los primeros frutos y avances alcanzados desde el inicio de esta nueva etapa pastoral, comenzada en diciembre de 2025.

Uno de los puntos centrales del encuentro fue la presentación del lema pastoral del año: “Alma Sana, Corazón Libre”, una invitación a vivir una vida interior sanada, renovada por la gracia del Espíritu Santo y abierta a una experiencia más profunda del amor del Padre Celestial.

Para suscribirse a nuestro boletín electrónico semanal, haga click aquí.

El Padre Duberney recibió con entusiasmo las iniciativas presentadas y ofreció valiosos aportes pastorales, ideas y orientaciones que fortalecerán el desarrollo de las actividades programadas en la diócesis.

La RCC Paterson cuenta además con el acompañamiento pastoral del Padre Yasid Salas como Director Espiritual y con la misión de intercesión confiada a Yamily Rosario, Coordinadora del Ministerio de Intercesión.

 

– En un ambiente de oración, comunión fraterna y presencia del Espíritu Santo, el comité de la Renovación Carismática Católica (RCC) de la Diócesis de Paterson sostuvo un significativo encuentro el jueves 5 de marzo con el Padre Duberney Villamizar, Vicario para Asuntos Hispanos de la diócesis. Durante la reunión, el comité diocesano presentó formalmente la nueva coordinación de la Renovación y el plan pastoral que guiará las actividades y proyectos para el año 2026. También se compartieron los primeros frutos y avances alcanzados desde el inicio de esta nueva etapa pastoral, comenzada en diciembre de 2025. Uno de los puntos

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Webb Spots Details in Nearby Spiral Galaxy – Two powerful instruments of the NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope joined forces to create this scenic galaxy view. This spiral galaxy is named NGC 5134, and it’s located 65 million light-years away in the constellation Virgo.
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Webb Spots Details in Nearby Spiral Galaxy – Two powerful instruments of the NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope joined forces to create this scenic galaxy view. This spiral galaxy is named NGC 5134, and it’s located 65 million light-years away in the constellation Virgo.

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Two powerful instruments of the NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope joined forces to create this scenic galaxy view. This spiral galaxy is named NGC 5134, and it’s located 65 million light-years away in the constellation Virgo.

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Nicaraguan dictator Ortega bans ordinations in dioceses of 4 exiled bishops – #Catholic – Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega and his wife and co-president, Rosario Murillo, have banned the ordination of priests and deacons in four dioceses in Nicaragua whose bishops remain in exile. The measure exacerbates a pastoral crisis already marked by years of religious persecution, although vocations continue.The four dioceses without a bishop present in the country are Jinotega, Siuna, Matagalpa, and Estelí. Bishop Carlos Herrera of Jinotega, president of the bishops’ conference, was expelled in November 2024 after criticizing a mayor aligned with the regime who had interfered with a Mass Herrera was celebrating by blasting loud music outside.Months earlier, in July of that year, Herrera had ordained a priest and seven deacons in the neighboring Diocese of Matagalpa, whose bishop, Rolando Álvarez, after spending 18 months in detention, was deported to Rome by the regime in January 2024.This ordination represented a “liturgical oasis” for the Church, in the words of Martha Patricia Molina, author of the report “Nicaragua: A Persecuted Church.” “It occurred six months after Álvarez, who is also apostolic administrator of Estelí, and Bishop Isidoro Mora of Siuna were deported by the dictatorship.”The dictatorship’s ‘hatred’ of Álvarez prevents ordinationsACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News, spoke with three Nicaraguan priests in exile who requested anonymity for fear of reprisals from the regime.“The government is the one affecting the ordinations. And besides the ordinations, there are many other things, like a little more surveillance” of the priests, said one of the clergy.He pointed out that “the police are the ones enforcing all of this” and attributed the ban in Matagalpa to “the dictatorship’s hatred of Bishop Rolando.”The same priest charged that the regime seeks to “supplant the bishops” and that some clergy “don’t put up a fight to avoid making their lives more difficult, with the idea of ​​saving their dioceses, but in the end they are surrendering their mandate to whatever the government says.”The priest noted that Matagalpa is probably the most affected diocese, with at least 32 of its priests outside the country.‘More extreme surveillance’ where there is no bishop“Especially in dioceses without a bishop, surveillance is even more extreme to prevent a bishop from another diocese from coming” for some liturgical event, the second priest contacted by ACI Prensa stated.According to this priest, there are currently about seven candidates for the priesthood in Siuna who completed their studies in 2025, plus another group that finished in 2024, and both groups are still waiting to be ordained. Despite this situation, the phenomenon “does not seem to have affected new admissions” to the seminary.Why can some dioceses perform ordinations while others cannot?The third priest explained that “León, Granada, Juigalpa, and Bluefields are dioceses that have their diocesan bishop there and maintain a very prudent approach, even though some media outlets have labeled one of [the bishops] as an ally of the regime. That’s not true; they are simply more practical for the good of their pastors and their flock.”He also explained that to carry out an ordination, a letter of authorization from the bishop is required, which “can be easily obtained because it can be sent by email, and they can allow candidates to be ordained in other dioceses.”However, the obstacle is political. “The problem is that the government interprets that permission, those letters, as an intrusion into their sovereignty and sees as a threat a bishop who is away but continues to govern his diocese,” he explained.Problems caused by the lack of ordinationsFor Molina, the ban on ordinations has an “alarming” impact since, for example, “Matagalpa is currently operating with barely 30% of its active clergy. Seven out of 10 priests have been forced into exile or banishment,” while “Estelí and Jinotega have experienced reductions of up to 50% in their pastoral capacity, leaving entire communities without the regular celebration of the Eucharist.”“The human drama is concentrated in the seminaries. Dozens of young men who have successfully completed their studies in philosophy, theology, and pastoral training find themselves in a legal and spiritual limbo. They possess the aptitude and the calling, but they cannot receive the sacrament [of holy orders],” the researcher told ACI Prensa.“Without replacements for the priests who have been banished, expelled, or who have died, the Catholic Church in Nicaragua faces the real possibility of a gradual closure of parishes,” she warned, adding that “the absence of a priest means” for the faithful “the end of social support and the loss of [the graces of] the sacraments.” ACI Prensa contacted the five dioceses where priestly and diaconal ordinations are permitted to inquire why they are allowed there but not in the other four but has not yet received a response.The dioceses where ordinations are permitted are the Archdiocese of Managua along with the dioceses of León, Juigalpa, Granada, and Bluefields. In December 2025, three deacons were ordained in Juigalpa, and in January of this year, two were ordained in Bluefields.In June 2025, eight deacons were ordained in Managua, and in November they were ordained priests. Six of them were assigned their pastoral missions in February, while in León a deacon was ordained on Feb. 28.ACI Prensa also contacted the dioceses where ordinations are prohibited to inquire about the issue but has not yet received a response.Vocations continue to flourishOne point on which the three exiled priests agree is that vocations continue to flourish in Nicaragua and “the Lord continues to raise up courageous young men who listen to him and enter into the process of vocational discernment.”The third priest contacted by ACI Prensa emphasized that “even though the government wants to prevent priestly ordinations, there have been ways in which the Church, the bishops, have managed and sought to make them happen without the government noticing. This demonstrates the Church’s resourcefulness in the face of adversity, how it reinvents itself, how it continues to evangelize.”Mosaico CSI reported in February that “two Nicaraguans were ordained priests in the Diocese of Limón, Costa Rica, in a secretly held ceremony” to avoid reprisals from the Nicaraguan regime.The third priest emphasized that “obstacles are not a problem for the Church, but rather a cross that the Church bravely embraces, as Our Lord taught us, and that propels it on this path to resurrection.”The Church is ‘crucified but not immobilized’This last priest offered a reflection on the dictatorship’s persecution of the Catholic Church, which has intensified since the anti-regime protests of 2018.“One day, those people who ordered us not to celebrate these ordination rites will also find that glorious cross in the Church and will realize the harm they are doing, but in the meantime, the Church has continued working,” he emphasized.“The Church in Nicaragua is crucified, but it’s not immobilized; that is to say, the cross continues to bear even more fruit because the Church is not complacent, it’s not static. It’s on the move,” he said.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.
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Nicaraguan dictator Ortega bans ordinations in dioceses of 4 exiled bishops – #Catholic – Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega and his wife and co-president, Rosario Murillo, have banned the ordination of priests and deacons in four dioceses in Nicaragua whose bishops remain in exile. The measure exacerbates a pastoral crisis already marked by years of religious persecution, although vocations continue.The four dioceses without a bishop present in the country are Jinotega, Siuna, Matagalpa, and Estelí. Bishop Carlos Herrera of Jinotega, president of the bishops’ conference, was expelled in November 2024 after criticizing a mayor aligned with the regime who had interfered with a Mass Herrera was celebrating by blasting loud music outside.Months earlier, in July of that year, Herrera had ordained a priest and seven deacons in the neighboring Diocese of Matagalpa, whose bishop, Rolando Álvarez, after spending 18 months in detention, was deported to Rome by the regime in January 2024.This ordination represented a “liturgical oasis” for the Church, in the words of Martha Patricia Molina, author of the report “Nicaragua: A Persecuted Church.” “It occurred six months after Álvarez, who is also apostolic administrator of Estelí, and Bishop Isidoro Mora of Siuna were deported by the dictatorship.”The dictatorship’s ‘hatred’ of Álvarez prevents ordinationsACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News, spoke with three Nicaraguan priests in exile who requested anonymity for fear of reprisals from the regime.“The government is the one affecting the ordinations. And besides the ordinations, there are many other things, like a little more surveillance” of the priests, said one of the clergy.He pointed out that “the police are the ones enforcing all of this” and attributed the ban in Matagalpa to “the dictatorship’s hatred of Bishop Rolando.”The same priest charged that the regime seeks to “supplant the bishops” and that some clergy “don’t put up a fight to avoid making their lives more difficult, with the idea of ​​saving their dioceses, but in the end they are surrendering their mandate to whatever the government says.”The priest noted that Matagalpa is probably the most affected diocese, with at least 32 of its priests outside the country.‘More extreme surveillance’ where there is no bishop“Especially in dioceses without a bishop, surveillance is even more extreme to prevent a bishop from another diocese from coming” for some liturgical event, the second priest contacted by ACI Prensa stated.According to this priest, there are currently about seven candidates for the priesthood in Siuna who completed their studies in 2025, plus another group that finished in 2024, and both groups are still waiting to be ordained. Despite this situation, the phenomenon “does not seem to have affected new admissions” to the seminary.Why can some dioceses perform ordinations while others cannot?The third priest explained that “León, Granada, Juigalpa, and Bluefields are dioceses that have their diocesan bishop there and maintain a very prudent approach, even though some media outlets have labeled one of [the bishops] as an ally of the regime. That’s not true; they are simply more practical for the good of their pastors and their flock.”He also explained that to carry out an ordination, a letter of authorization from the bishop is required, which “can be easily obtained because it can be sent by email, and they can allow candidates to be ordained in other dioceses.”However, the obstacle is political. “The problem is that the government interprets that permission, those letters, as an intrusion into their sovereignty and sees as a threat a bishop who is away but continues to govern his diocese,” he explained.Problems caused by the lack of ordinationsFor Molina, the ban on ordinations has an “alarming” impact since, for example, “Matagalpa is currently operating with barely 30% of its active clergy. Seven out of 10 priests have been forced into exile or banishment,” while “Estelí and Jinotega have experienced reductions of up to 50% in their pastoral capacity, leaving entire communities without the regular celebration of the Eucharist.”“The human drama is concentrated in the seminaries. Dozens of young men who have successfully completed their studies in philosophy, theology, and pastoral training find themselves in a legal and spiritual limbo. They possess the aptitude and the calling, but they cannot receive the sacrament [of holy orders],” the researcher told ACI Prensa.“Without replacements for the priests who have been banished, expelled, or who have died, the Catholic Church in Nicaragua faces the real possibility of a gradual closure of parishes,” she warned, adding that “the absence of a priest means” for the faithful “the end of social support and the loss of [the graces of] the sacraments.” ACI Prensa contacted the five dioceses where priestly and diaconal ordinations are permitted to inquire why they are allowed there but not in the other four but has not yet received a response.The dioceses where ordinations are permitted are the Archdiocese of Managua along with the dioceses of León, Juigalpa, Granada, and Bluefields. In December 2025, three deacons were ordained in Juigalpa, and in January of this year, two were ordained in Bluefields.In June 2025, eight deacons were ordained in Managua, and in November they were ordained priests. Six of them were assigned their pastoral missions in February, while in León a deacon was ordained on Feb. 28.ACI Prensa also contacted the dioceses where ordinations are prohibited to inquire about the issue but has not yet received a response.Vocations continue to flourishOne point on which the three exiled priests agree is that vocations continue to flourish in Nicaragua and “the Lord continues to raise up courageous young men who listen to him and enter into the process of vocational discernment.”The third priest contacted by ACI Prensa emphasized that “even though the government wants to prevent priestly ordinations, there have been ways in which the Church, the bishops, have managed and sought to make them happen without the government noticing. This demonstrates the Church’s resourcefulness in the face of adversity, how it reinvents itself, how it continues to evangelize.”Mosaico CSI reported in February that “two Nicaraguans were ordained priests in the Diocese of Limón, Costa Rica, in a secretly held ceremony” to avoid reprisals from the Nicaraguan regime.The third priest emphasized that “obstacles are not a problem for the Church, but rather a cross that the Church bravely embraces, as Our Lord taught us, and that propels it on this path to resurrection.”The Church is ‘crucified but not immobilized’This last priest offered a reflection on the dictatorship’s persecution of the Catholic Church, which has intensified since the anti-regime protests of 2018.“One day, those people who ordered us not to celebrate these ordination rites will also find that glorious cross in the Church and will realize the harm they are doing, but in the meantime, the Church has continued working,” he emphasized.“The Church in Nicaragua is crucified, but it’s not immobilized; that is to say, the cross continues to bear even more fruit because the Church is not complacent, it’s not static. It’s on the move,” he said.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.

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Having deported four bishops for their criticism of the regime, the Nicaraguan dictator seeks to punish them further by not allowing any ordinations in their dioceses.

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Miami archbishop warns on ending Haiti temporary protective status and deepening crisis in Cuba – #Catholic – Ending temporary residency protections for Haitians would be “sending people into a burning building,” Archbishop Thomas Wenski of Miami said.This week the Trump administration asked the U.S. Supreme Court to strip legal protections from Haitians living in the United States with temporary protected status (TPS).TPS provides hundreds of thousands of eligible Haitians in the U.S. with protection from deportation and work authorization, due to ongoing safety concerns in Haiti. The Justice Department requested the court to lift a judge’s Feb. 2 decision that blocked the Trump administration from ending TPS that was granted in 2010.“I would hope that the court does not support the Trump initiative at this time because this would create tremendous pain … both with the Haitians affected by the end of TPS, but also of the local community here, which today benefits from these people’s participation in our labor force,” Wenski said in an interview March 12 with “EWTN News Nightly.”It is not only relevant to “the humanitarian aspects” but also “the business aspects,” Wenski said. “And the president is a businessman; he should understand that this would hurt business in a very, very real way.”Working Haitians in the Miami Archdiocese “pay millions of dollars in taxes,” Wenski said. The city would lose workers benefiting the “full labor market” Miami has within the agriculture business, construction business, hospitality business, and health care.Ending TPS would ultimately be “sending people into a burning building,” he said. “Haiti is a country that is in free fall.”“It has not had an elected official, it has not had a real government, in over six years. There’s no end in sight to the violence that is affecting about a third of the country, especially the capital area, where gangs control many parts of the neighborhoods, which make schooling impossible,” Wenski said.“And that’s the exact opposite of what the TPS provisions when passed by Congress in the ’90s was designed to prevent,” Wenski said. “Of course, TPS means temporary protective status, but there’s no way for us to determine what temporary means because it’s beyond our control, because the situation in Haiti obviously hasn’t improved for a very long time.”“That’s true as well as Nicaragua to a great degree, still true of Venezuela, and it’s certainly true of Cuba,” as “a lot of people came here during the Biden administration on a special humanitarian visa,” he said. “Over 500,000 people came to this country in that way. That means that they never spent a day illegal in this country because they came here legally, invited by the U.S. government, if you will, given a humanitarian visa, and then all of a sudden, in one fell swoop, they become without legal status and are told to go home,” Wenski said.Situation in CubaWenski also discussed how “Cubans in Miami are very hopeful that there will be some type of a regime change,” following the Trump administration suggesting a possible “friendly takeover” of the island nation.“I would say Cubans in Cuba are also very hopeful, but everybody’s a bit nervous too,” he said. Based on conversation with members of the Cuban Church, “they’ve always been advocating a soft landing for when necessary changes come to Cuba.”“They need a soft landing, not a landing that would be harsh, that would cause more violence,” Wenski said. “Whether the Trump administration has the ability to engineer such a soft landing still remains to be seen.”“But right now, Cuba is being choked. There’s no food, there’s no fuel, there’s no freedom, and for many people, no hope,” he said. “And so even with some changes coming to Cuba, it’ll be a long time before the economy can be rebooted to provide for the needs of the population on an island.”Church’s roleThe Church has been a source to promote “dialogue” and “reconciliation,” Wenski said. “Right now, the Church in Cuba is cooperating with the United States because after Hurricane Melissa that affected Cuba several months ago, the first aid that reached Cuba was from the Archdiocese of Miami.”Then, Secretary of State Marco Rubio “approved million from the U.S. government, and for the first time in history, the Cuban government accepted money coming from the U.S. government. It was going to be distributed through Cáritas, which is … the charity agency of the Church in Cuba.”“After that first million was distributed, the Trump administration also granted another million for that hurricane,” he explained. “But it’s the Catholic Church that is leading the aid and distributing it on the island, cooperating with the United States, and at the same time, cooperating with the Cuban authorities, because the Cuban authorities have to step back and allow the Church to distribute the aid, and things are happening.”“So the Church is a very important player in Cuba and beyond,” he said.
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Miami archbishop warns on ending Haiti temporary protective status and deepening crisis in Cuba – #Catholic – Ending temporary residency protections for Haitians would be “sending people into a burning building,” Archbishop Thomas Wenski of Miami said.This week the Trump administration asked the U.S. Supreme Court to strip legal protections from Haitians living in the United States with temporary protected status (TPS).TPS provides hundreds of thousands of eligible Haitians in the U.S. with protection from deportation and work authorization, due to ongoing safety concerns in Haiti. The Justice Department requested the court to lift a judge’s Feb. 2 decision that blocked the Trump administration from ending TPS that was granted in 2010.“I would hope that the court does not support the Trump initiative at this time because this would create tremendous pain … both with the Haitians affected by the end of TPS, but also of the local community here, which today benefits from these people’s participation in our labor force,” Wenski said in an interview March 12 with “EWTN News Nightly.”It is not only relevant to “the humanitarian aspects” but also “the business aspects,” Wenski said. “And the president is a businessman; he should understand that this would hurt business in a very, very real way.”Working Haitians in the Miami Archdiocese “pay millions of dollars in taxes,” Wenski said. The city would lose workers benefiting the “full labor market” Miami has within the agriculture business, construction business, hospitality business, and health care.Ending TPS would ultimately be “sending people into a burning building,” he said. “Haiti is a country that is in free fall.”“It has not had an elected official, it has not had a real government, in over six years. There’s no end in sight to the violence that is affecting about a third of the country, especially the capital area, where gangs control many parts of the neighborhoods, which make schooling impossible,” Wenski said.“And that’s the exact opposite of what the TPS provisions when passed by Congress in the ’90s was designed to prevent,” Wenski said. “Of course, TPS means temporary protective status, but there’s no way for us to determine what temporary means because it’s beyond our control, because the situation in Haiti obviously hasn’t improved for a very long time.”“That’s true as well as Nicaragua to a great degree, still true of Venezuela, and it’s certainly true of Cuba,” as “a lot of people came here during the Biden administration on a special humanitarian visa,” he said. “Over 500,000 people came to this country in that way. That means that they never spent a day illegal in this country because they came here legally, invited by the U.S. government, if you will, given a humanitarian visa, and then all of a sudden, in one fell swoop, they become without legal status and are told to go home,” Wenski said.Situation in CubaWenski also discussed how “Cubans in Miami are very hopeful that there will be some type of a regime change,” following the Trump administration suggesting a possible “friendly takeover” of the island nation.“I would say Cubans in Cuba are also very hopeful, but everybody’s a bit nervous too,” he said. Based on conversation with members of the Cuban Church, “they’ve always been advocating a soft landing for when necessary changes come to Cuba.”“They need a soft landing, not a landing that would be harsh, that would cause more violence,” Wenski said. “Whether the Trump administration has the ability to engineer such a soft landing still remains to be seen.”“But right now, Cuba is being choked. There’s no food, there’s no fuel, there’s no freedom, and for many people, no hope,” he said. “And so even with some changes coming to Cuba, it’ll be a long time before the economy can be rebooted to provide for the needs of the population on an island.”Church’s roleThe Church has been a source to promote “dialogue” and “reconciliation,” Wenski said. “Right now, the Church in Cuba is cooperating with the United States because after Hurricane Melissa that affected Cuba several months ago, the first aid that reached Cuba was from the Archdiocese of Miami.”Then, Secretary of State Marco Rubio “approved $3 million from the U.S. government, and for the first time in history, the Cuban government accepted money coming from the U.S. government. It was going to be distributed through Cáritas, which is … the charity agency of the Church in Cuba.”“After that first $3 million was distributed, the Trump administration also granted another $6 million for that hurricane,” he explained. “But it’s the Catholic Church that is leading the aid and distributing it on the island, cooperating with the United States, and at the same time, cooperating with the Cuban authorities, because the Cuban authorities have to step back and allow the Church to distribute the aid, and things are happening.”“So the Church is a very important player in Cuba and beyond,” he said.

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Ending temporary protected status would be “sending people into a burning building,” he said. “Haiti is a country that is in free fall.”

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Who was Father Pierre al-Rahi, the Maronite priest who died helping the wounded in Lebanon? – #Catholic – Thousands of people gathered March 11 in the border town of Qlayaa in southern Lebanon to bid farewell to Father Pierre al-Rahi, a Maronite priest who died after being wounded in an Israeli attack during the recent offensive in the region.The funeral was held at St. George’s Church and drew crowds of local families, displaced people who had sought refuge in the area, Maronite priests from across the country, and civil authorities, according to The Eastern Church.Many of those present felt “as if they were burying their own father,” a reflection of the close relationship the priest had forged with the community over the years.Al-Rahi was the parish priest of St. George’s Church in Qlayaa, a predominantly Christian village of about 8,000 inhabitants, near the border with Israel.The parish became the center of his ministry within the Maronite Church, an Eastern Catholic Church in full communion with the pope and the Maronite patriarchate in Bkerke.A shepherd who chose to stay with his flockAmid the escalating violence in southern Lebanon, the priest reiterated his decision to remain with his community, even as many residents of the region were forced to flee their homes.In one of his last television interviews, according to the National Catholic Register, the sister partner of EWTN News, he stated that he would stay there “until death.”Southern Lebanon’s Christian communities have refused to comply with Israeli evacuation orders fearing that if they left they would never get their land back, as it would be occupied by some group — whether it be Israelis or other local groups. In his last public statement, reported by France24 on March 8 from the steps of his parish, the priest explained the spirit with which the Christian community was facing the crisis.“We are obliged to stay despite the danger, when we defend our land, and we do so peacefully. None of us carry weapons. We all bring peace, kindness, and love. All the churches are gathered, all the religions together … it can only be for peace.”On March 9, hours before he died, al-Rahi addressed his community again with words that today resonate with many as a spiritual testament: “You know that we are walking the path of the Passion; there is death, and after it, resurrection with Our Lord Jesus Christ … I am ready to die in my house, because this is my house.”He died while helping the woundedThe priest died in Marjayoun Hospital after suffering shrapnel wounds during a shelling of a house in Qlayaa.According to María Lozano, project director for the Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) foundation, the priest died while trying to help victims of the first strike.“Father Pierre went to see how he could help the wounded … and that’s when a second projectile hit and killed him,” she explained.“He was a very dedicated person, very dedicated to his people,” Lozano added in an interview with ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News.The ACN project director explained that the Christian communities in southern Lebanon “had decided to stay despite the war, saying: ‘We are a Christian population and we have nothing to do with this war and we don’t want to leave.’”‘The father of the community’French journalist Nathalie Duplan, who specializes in the Middle East, described the priest as a figure deeply beloved by the villagers.“He truly was the father of the community, a symbol,” she stated in an interview with ACI Prensa. “He used to say something incredible: ‘Yes, there is death, but I am not afraid, because after death there is resurrection.’”According to The Eastern Church, testimonies gathered after his death consistently describe al-Rahi as a man who was approachable, present, and deeply committed to his people.He was frequently seen on the streets of Qlayaa, visiting the sick, accompanying families at births and funerals, and knowing children by name.Al-Rahi was born in 1975 in the village of Dibeh in northern Lebanon and was ordained a Maronite priest in the early 2000s.His most significant pastoral assignment was at St. George’s Parish in Qlayaa, where he served for many years.For many villagers, his death symbolizes the determination of southern Lebanese Christians to remain in their land despite the violence. As he himself said in one of his last public statements: “We are here, in our land.”His name in Arabic, al-Rahi, means “the shepherd,” an interesting fact that Pope Leo XIV highlighted this week: “Father Pierre was a true shepherd who always remained with his people with the love and sacrifice of Jesus, the Good Shepherd.”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.
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Who was Father Pierre al-Rahi, the Maronite priest who died helping the wounded in Lebanon? – #Catholic – Thousands of people gathered March 11 in the border town of Qlayaa in southern Lebanon to bid farewell to Father Pierre al-Rahi, a Maronite priest who died after being wounded in an Israeli attack during the recent offensive in the region.The funeral was held at St. George’s Church and drew crowds of local families, displaced people who had sought refuge in the area, Maronite priests from across the country, and civil authorities, according to The Eastern Church.Many of those present felt “as if they were burying their own father,” a reflection of the close relationship the priest had forged with the community over the years.Al-Rahi was the parish priest of St. George’s Church in Qlayaa, a predominantly Christian village of about 8,000 inhabitants, near the border with Israel.The parish became the center of his ministry within the Maronite Church, an Eastern Catholic Church in full communion with the pope and the Maronite patriarchate in Bkerke.A shepherd who chose to stay with his flockAmid the escalating violence in southern Lebanon, the priest reiterated his decision to remain with his community, even as many residents of the region were forced to flee their homes.In one of his last television interviews, according to the National Catholic Register, the sister partner of EWTN News, he stated that he would stay there “until death.”Southern Lebanon’s Christian communities have refused to comply with Israeli evacuation orders fearing that if they left they would never get their land back, as it would be occupied by some group — whether it be Israelis or other local groups. In his last public statement, reported by France24 on March 8 from the steps of his parish, the priest explained the spirit with which the Christian community was facing the crisis.“We are obliged to stay despite the danger, when we defend our land, and we do so peacefully. None of us carry weapons. We all bring peace, kindness, and love. All the churches are gathered, all the religions together … it can only be for peace.”On March 9, hours before he died, al-Rahi addressed his community again with words that today resonate with many as a spiritual testament: “You know that we are walking the path of the Passion; there is death, and after it, resurrection with Our Lord Jesus Christ … I am ready to die in my house, because this is my house.”He died while helping the woundedThe priest died in Marjayoun Hospital after suffering shrapnel wounds during a shelling of a house in Qlayaa.According to María Lozano, project director for the Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) foundation, the priest died while trying to help victims of the first strike.“Father Pierre went to see how he could help the wounded … and that’s when a second projectile hit and killed him,” she explained.“He was a very dedicated person, very dedicated to his people,” Lozano added in an interview with ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News.The ACN project director explained that the Christian communities in southern Lebanon “had decided to stay despite the war, saying: ‘We are a Christian population and we have nothing to do with this war and we don’t want to leave.’”‘The father of the community’French journalist Nathalie Duplan, who specializes in the Middle East, described the priest as a figure deeply beloved by the villagers.“He truly was the father of the community, a symbol,” she stated in an interview with ACI Prensa. “He used to say something incredible: ‘Yes, there is death, but I am not afraid, because after death there is resurrection.’”According to The Eastern Church, testimonies gathered after his death consistently describe al-Rahi as a man who was approachable, present, and deeply committed to his people.He was frequently seen on the streets of Qlayaa, visiting the sick, accompanying families at births and funerals, and knowing children by name.Al-Rahi was born in 1975 in the village of Dibeh in northern Lebanon and was ordained a Maronite priest in the early 2000s.His most significant pastoral assignment was at St. George’s Parish in Qlayaa, where he served for many years.For many villagers, his death symbolizes the determination of southern Lebanese Christians to remain in their land despite the violence. As he himself said in one of his last public statements: “We are here, in our land.”His name in Arabic, al-Rahi, means “the shepherd,” an interesting fact that Pope Leo XIV highlighted this week: “Father Pierre was a true shepherd who always remained with his people with the love and sacrifice of Jesus, the Good Shepherd.”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.

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Amid a new Israeli military incursion into southern Lebanon, a local parish priest embodied Christ in the way he lived and died.

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Morbidly Obese Pete Hegseth Denies Any Knowledge Of What Happened To Leftover Lobster For The Troops #BabylonBee – WASHINGTON, D.C. — An uncharacteristically rotund Pete Hegseth held a press conference to deny having any knowledge of what happened to all the leftover lobster that had been procured for the troops.
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Morbidly Obese Pete Hegseth Denies Any Knowledge Of What Happened To Leftover Lobster For The Troops #BabylonBee – WASHINGTON, D.C. — An uncharacteristically rotund Pete Hegseth held a press conference to deny having any knowledge of what happened to all the leftover lobster that had been procured for the troops.

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WASHINGTON, D.C. — An uncharacteristically rotund Pete Hegseth held a press conference to deny having any knowledge of what happened to all the leftover lobster that had been procured for the troops.

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Jew Converts To Christianity After Internet Commenter Says, ‘Christ Is King, You Filthy Money-Grubbing Jew’ #BabylonBee – NEW YORK, NY — Heaven rejoiced today after a Jewish man accepted Jesus and converted to Christianity. Sources confirmed that the man was converted thanks to the powerful witness of an X user who proclaimed, "Christ is King, you filthy money-grubbin’ Jew."
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Jew Converts To Christianity After Internet Commenter Says, ‘Christ Is King, You Filthy Money-Grubbing Jew’ #BabylonBee – NEW YORK, NY — Heaven rejoiced today after a Jewish man accepted Jesus and converted to Christianity. Sources confirmed that the man was converted thanks to the powerful witness of an X user who proclaimed, "Christ is King, you filthy money-grubbin’ Jew."

unitedyam

NEW YORK, NY — Heaven rejoiced today after a Jewish man accepted Jesus and converted to Christianity. Sources confirmed that the man was converted thanks to the powerful witness of an X user who proclaimed, "Christ is King, you filthy money-grubbin’ Jew."

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UPDATE: ROTC Students at Old Dominion Beat Shooter to Death With Their Bare Hands (VIDEO) – When a shooter attacked at Old Dominion University today, he managed to kill at least one person and injure others, but he didn’t last long. The post UPDATE: ROTC Students at Old Dominion Beat Shooter to Death With Their Bare Hands (VIDEO) appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.
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UPDATE: ROTC Students at Old Dominion Beat Shooter to Death With Their Bare Hands (VIDEO) – When a shooter attacked at Old Dominion University today, he managed to kill at least one person and injure others, but he didn’t last long. The post UPDATE: ROTC Students at Old Dominion Beat Shooter to Death With Their Bare Hands (VIDEO) appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

unitedyam

When a shooter attacked at Old Dominion University today, he managed to kill at least one person and injure others, but he didn’t last long.

The post UPDATE: ROTC Students at Old Dominion Beat Shooter to Death With Their Bare Hands (VIDEO) appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

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REPORT: As a Public School Teacher, Texas Democrat James Talarico Had Students Write ‘Obama Memoirs’ and Encouraged Them to Watch the DNC – Prior to getting into politics, Texas Democrat James Talarico was a middle school teacher in San Antonio. The post REPORT: As a Public School Teacher, Texas Democrat James Talarico Had Students Write ‘Obama Memoirs’ and Encouraged Them to Watch the DNC appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.
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REPORT: As a Public School Teacher, Texas Democrat James Talarico Had Students Write ‘Obama Memoirs’ and Encouraged Them to Watch the DNC – Prior to getting into politics, Texas Democrat James Talarico was a middle school teacher in San Antonio. The post REPORT: As a Public School Teacher, Texas Democrat James Talarico Had Students Write ‘Obama Memoirs’ and Encouraged Them to Watch the DNC appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

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Man in a suit smiling in front of a bookshelf filled with various books, showcasing a professional and academic environment.

Man in a suit smiling in front of a bookshelf filled with various books, showcasing a professional and academic environment.

Prior to getting into politics, Texas Democrat James Talarico was a middle school teacher in San Antonio.

The post REPORT: As a Public School Teacher, Texas Democrat James Talarico Had Students Write ‘Obama Memoirs’ and Encouraged Them to Watch the DNC appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

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