SAN FRANCISCO, CA — Disturbing reports out of the San Francisco County Detention Center revealed that inmates were using their iPad access to watch the San Francisco Giants.
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LONDON — Prime Minister Keir Starmer, amidst calls for his immediate resignation, sheepishly admitted to having no idea how to pronounce his own name.
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Fields in the Nilgiri mountains in early morning light, near Ooty, Tamil Nadu, India
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You’re allowed to play with your food when you’re on the International Space Station! To celebrate a delivery of fresh food, NASA astronauts Jack Hathaway (bottom left), Jessica Meir (middle left), and Chris Williams (bottom right), and ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Sophie Adenot (top right) pose for a group photo.
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Just in time for America’s 250th birthday celebrations, the liberal Associated Press is suddenly floating the idea of gun control for muskets.
The post BEYOND PARODY: The Associated Press Floats Idea of Gun Control for… MUSKETS (VIDEO) appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.
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Under Gavin Newsom, California has spent hundreds of millions of dollars to give electronic devices to prisoners.
The post California Bought iPads for People in Prison and You’ll Never Guess What the Inmates Are Using Them For appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.
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Chloe Cole is a young woman who was ‘transitioned’ to male as a young teen and then returned to female a few years later.
The post Detransitioner Forced to Cancel Talk at University of Washington Due to Alleged Threats From Antifa (VIDEO) appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.
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Canada’s March for Life takes in place in May to mark the month in 1969 when the omnibus bill that decriminalized abortion in Canada was passed. This year’s march fell on the anniversary of the vote.
Despite the “uphill battle” families face, Hebda encourages them: “Dear families, please take heart. You are not alone. The Church journeys with you, the Church loves you, and the Church needs you!”
“There are conflicts and issues in the world that cannot be solved diplomatically, no matter how hard you try,” Rubio said.
Following the roaring success of NASA’s Artemis 2 mission, the space agency is devising plans for a final test flight before attempting to land the first humans on the Moon in decades, as soon as 2028. Whereas Artemis 2 sent four astronauts slingshotting around the Moon and back — and farther from Earth than any human hasContinue reading “NASA shares new details on Artemis 3 pre-lunar landing mission”
The post NASA shares new details on Artemis 3 pre-lunar landing mission appeared first on Astronomy Magazine.
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Church leaders in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu call the election of actor-turned-politician Joseph Vijay a source of pride in a country where Christians face growing persecution.
Organizers of the Würzburg congress told EWTN News the group’s guidelines contain ‘no contradiction with the Catechism.’
The saint who settled a violent conflict #Catholic – 
The little town of Cascia, Italy, in the mountainous region of Umbria, is a pilgrimage destination for those wishing to visit the relics of St. Rita of Cascia. Today, St. Rita’s incorrupt remains are housed in the Basilica that bears her name and which was built in the early 20th century. But the town of Cascia has been a destination for pilgrims ever since her death on May 22nd, 1457, and we now celebrate her feast day on May 22nd.
Pilgrims continue to visit Cascia to pray for St. Rita’s intercession just as they have for hundreds of years. Carved into the holy door and façade of the basilica are scenes from her life. Many turn to her in difficult circumstances because she is a patron of impossible causes.
St. Rita wanted to become a nun from a young age but was given in marriage to a violent man embroiled in feuding that consumed Cascia. She worked tirelessly to convert her husband—and there are reports that she succeeded to a degree. But he eventually died a violent death at the hands of his enemies. Rita’s sons took up their father’s feud but later died of illness before they could exact revenge.
Having publicly forgiven her husband’s killers, Rita was happy to see her sons follow in her footsteps on their deathbeds by renouncing their feud and offering forgiveness. She mourned the loss of her sons but hoped to meet them again in heaven, confident in the state of their souls as they passed.
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At the age of 36, Rita decided to pursue her childhood dream of becoming a nun. But the Augustinian convent in Cascia she sought to enter was wary of her association with the feuding families of the town, so the nuns made a stipulation: “Bring peace to Cascia and you may enter the convent.”
What Rita accomplished next earned her the title “Peacemaker of Cascia.” To many, it seemed almost miraculous that she was able to intercede with factions at the center of the conflict to bring peace to the town and earn acceptance into the convent. Some also considered it a near miracle that Abbess Maria Teresa Fasce, head of the Augustinian convent in Cascia from 1920 to 1947, succeeded in having a basilica built to honor the enduring impact of St. Rita’s life.
But those who have shared a devotion to St. Rita throughout the centuries have always understood the importance of her example and her worthiness of such an honor. When St. Rita passed away in 1457, a local carpenter who had been partially paralyzed lamented the simple preparations for burial being made for her.
“If only I were well,” he said, “I would have prepared a place more worthy of you.” The moment he spoke those words, the carpenter was healed, and he crafted a beautiful coffin for her.
Today, the Basilica of St. Rita of Cascia displays her incorrupt body behind glass, where pilgrims can glimpse the miraculous and meditate upon the hope of being restored and reunited in peace with those we love.
The life story of St. Rita of Cascia demonstrates the immense influence we have on the world when we devote ourselves to cultivating peace. St. Rita made such a profound mark that she continues to inspire devotion. May she intercede on behalf of all those who turn to her, especially those in trying circumstances seeking help from God with the most impossible causes.
For free copies of the Christopher News Note NURTURING SEEDS OF FAITH AND HOPE, write: The Christophers, 264 West 40th Street, Room 603, New York, NY 10018; or e-mail: mail@christophers.org
– The little town of Cascia, Italy, in the mountainous region of Umbria, is a pilgrimage destination for those wishing to visit the relics of St. Rita of Cascia. Today, St. Rita’s incorrupt remains are housed in the Basilica that bears her name and which was built in the early 20th century. But the town of Cascia has been a destination for pilgrims ever since her death on May 22nd, 1457, and we now celebrate her feast day on May 22nd. Pilgrims continue to visit Cascia to pray for St. Rita’s intercession just as they have for hundreds of years. Carved
Catholic bishops in Africa urge end to xenophobic attacks in South Africa #Catholic – 
(OSV News) — As xenophobic attacks continued to unfold in South Africa, Catholic bishops in Africa urged the government to quickly tame the violence, amid reports of deaths and injuries.
Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu, president of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar, known as SECAM, condemned the violence as un-African amid armed groups marching to flush out the foreign black African migrants.
Cardinal Ambongo said SECAM is “deeply concerned” about the recent events, which “have been marked by acts of xenophobic violence against nationals of other African countries.”
The statement was issued May 5, following the attacks on black African migrants.
Such attacks are not new since the end of apartheid in South Africa, but fears have mounted as the latest wave continued to surge.
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Since late April, mobs — armed with clubs, machetes and spears — have been seen marching through the streets of key cities, demanding the departure of foreign nationals from other African countries. The protesters are rallying around lack of jobs, high unemployment and insecurity.
Attacks and intimidation have been reported in key towns, including Pretoria, Durban, Cape Town, East London and Johannesburg, among other places. In most regions, vigilantes have stopped people and asked them to present their documents before demanding they leave their country.
Properties believed to be owned by foreign nationals are being targeted, looted or vandalized, with several deaths confirmed, including five Ethiopians and two Nigerians, according to local press reports. The deaths and attacks have since drawn international concerns.
“Any violence directed against foreigners constitutes not only a grave violation of the human person but also a negation of the foundations of universal brotherhood and the Africa we want,” said the cardinal in the SECAM statement.
The cardinal expressed “fraternal and ecclesial solidarity” with the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference “for its prophetic stance in support of African migrants who are victims of discrimination and xenophobia,” and extended SECAM’s sympathy “to all victims of this violence and to their families, who have been severely affected.”
South African Catholic bishops have frequently condemned the violence, describing it as acts against human dignity.
“Irrespective of legal status, all have a right in South Africa to access medical care and a right to schooling,” Cardinal Stephen Brislin of Johannesburg emphasized in October, when attacks were already occurring. “No group has the authority to abrogate the prerogative of law enforcement by mob action.”
South Africa’s national statistics agency indicated that there are about 3 million immigrants living in the country, roughly 5% of the population, including from Zimbabwe, Nigeria and Ghana.
Nigeria has since announced voluntary repatriation with at least 130 nationals registering to return home. Ghana has repatriated a national who was captured in a video being harassed in Johannesburg.
Cardinal Ambongo said the South African attacks violated African principles and continental law, undermined Africa’s fundamental rights and contradicted the continent’s core values, such as African solidarity, the spirit of Ubuntu — “I am because we are.”
He called on the African Union to fully assume its role as guardian of continental values, ensure the effective implementation of African legal instruments on human rights, and to encourage the establishment of prevention and early warning mechanisms against xenophobic violence.
“The credibility of Africa, which aspires to become a key player on the international stage, is at stake,” said Cardinal Ambongo as he called on the people to reject all forms of violence, hatred and stigmatization, discourses that divides African peoples, and to promote a culture of encounter, dialogue, and African brotherhood.
“We are all called to rediscover an ethic of closeness, where the stranger is not perceived as a threat but recognized as a brother or sister of whom we are the guardians,” he added.
The African Union, through its Commission on Human and People’s Rights, expressed a grave concern at the attacks. Solomon Ayele Dersso, the AU’s country rapporteur in South Africa, called on the South African government to take action with prompt, concrete and sustained measures to prevent recurrence and ensure accountability.
“Take decisive measures to dismantle and prevent the operation of vigilante groups engaging in unlawful enforcement activities,” urged Dersso in an April 27 statement.
Fredrick Nzwili writes for OSV News from Nairobi, Kenya.
– (OSV News) — As xenophobic attacks continued to unfold in South Africa, Catholic bishops in Africa urged the government to quickly tame the violence, amid reports of deaths and injuries. Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu, president of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar, known as SECAM, condemned the violence as un-African amid armed groups marching to flush out the foreign black African migrants. Cardinal Ambongo said SECAM is “deeply concerned” about the recent events, which “have been marked by acts of xenophobic violence against nationals of other African countries.” The statement was issued May 5, following the attacks
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“Rise,” the Artemis II zero gravity indicator, is seen sitting on the dais as the Artemis II astronauts speak with congressional staff, Tuesday, May 12, 2026, in Washington.
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LOS ANGELES, CA — Mayor Karen Bass struck back at mayoral candidate Spencer Pratt on Wednesday, warning the surviving Angelenos who hadn’t been stabbed to death by a hobo that his rhetoric was dangerous.
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U.S. — The results of a groundbreaking new study appear to show that the reason today’s children routinely struggle with mathematics is because they no longer play computer games from the bestselling Math Blaster! franchise.
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Operating an aerial camera Wild Heerbrugg from a biplane Häfeli DH-5 (military) for aeronautical photogrammetry. Image captured in 1930.
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The remains of the second missing US soldier who disappeared earlier this month during African Lion, a training exercise in Morocco, have been recovered.
The post Remains of Second Missing US Soldier Recovered in Morocco appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.
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The CIA has significantly expanded covert operations against Mexican drug cartels, including alleged involvement in targeted lethal missions inside Mexico.
The post REPORT: CIA is Waging a Secret Assassination Campaign Against Mexican Cartels appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.
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“Contrary to news reports, Pope Leo has not bestowed an exclusive special honor on the Iranian ambassador to the Holy See,” the U.S. Embassy to the Holy See said.
![FDA Acting Commissioner Kyle Diamantas promises pro-life agenda, calls advocates – #Catholic – Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Acting Commissioner Kyle Diamantas called pro-life organizations to offer reassurance about his commitment to life after some people in the movement raised concerns.“Acting Commissioner Kyle Diamantas is personally committed to delivering on President Trump’s pro-life and pro-family agenda at the FDA,” Andrew Nixon, deputy assistant secretary for media relations at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, told EWTN News.“Both he and other administration officials will continue regularly interacting with stakeholders in this community to inform FDA decision-making,” he said.Diamantas is serving as acting commissioner after the May 12 resignation of Commissioner Marty Makary, who faced criticism from within the pro-life movement for failure to impose stricter regulations on the abortion drug mifepristone.Some pro-life leaders celebrated Makary’s departure but grew concerned about Diamantas because court records show him serving as legal counsel for a Planned Parenthood affiliate while working at the Baker Donelson law firm. The case was related to a property dispute.Alex Bruesewitz, an adviser to President Donald Trump, dismissed the concern in a post on X, saying he was a junior associate assigned to the case but removed himself because of his pro-life beliefs.Within the past two days, Diamantas has reached out to some pro-life advocates, including March for Life President Jennie Bradley Lichter. A spokesperson for Live Action confirmed he had scheduled a conversation with Live Action President Lila Rose as well. “Within a few hours of being handed this big new job, he was getting on the phone with pro-life leaders and that in itself, I think, is a really encouraging sign of where his priorities are going to be,” Lichter told “EWTN Pro-Life Weekly” host Abigail Galván.Lichter said she spoke with Diamantas about her concerns with mifepristone, specifically about “the lack of safety, the lack of guardrails, [and] its easy availability.”Under Makary, the FDA launched a study to review the 2023 deregulation of mifepristone, but so far no action has been taken to increase restrictions. Rather, in that same month, the FDA approved a generic version of the drug.Based on her conversation, Lichter said, “I think weʼre going to see real movement” on that study and “I think that the cause of life is going to have, you know, a real champion at the FDA” under Diamantas’ leadership.“I feel really comfortable that he is bringing in strong pro-life commitments and a commitment to transparency and to moving with all deliberate speed to take a close look at mifepristone and then take decisive action based on what that study shows,” she said.Mark Harrington, president of Created Equal, told EWTN News he had not received a call from Diamantas and expressed hesitations about his leadership of the FDA, saying his efforts “could just be viewed as nothing more than damage control.”“Talk is cheap,” he said. “But personnel is policy, and the fact that Diamantas [reportedly] represented Planned Parenthood makes me skeptical that he will advocate for the full mifepristone safety study. We will trust but verify. Action needs to be taken now on the abortion drug.”](https://unitedyam.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/fda-acting-commissioner-kyle-diamantas-promises-pro-life-agenda-calls-advocates-catholic-food-and-drug-administration-fda-acting-commissioner-kyle-diamantas-called-pro-life-organizations-to-of.jpg "FDA Acting Commissioner Kyle Diamantas promises pro-life agenda, calls advocates – #Catholic – Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Acting Commissioner Kyle Diamantas called pro-life organizations to offer reassurance about his commitment to life after some people in the movement raised concerns.“Acting Commissioner Kyle Diamantas is personally committed to delivering on President Trump’s pro-life and pro-family agenda at the FDA,” Andrew Nixon, deputy assistant secretary for media relations at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, told EWTN News.“Both he and other administration officials will continue regularly interacting with stakeholders in this community to inform FDA decision-making,” he said.Diamantas is serving as acting commissioner after the May 12 resignation of Commissioner Marty Makary, who faced criticism from within the pro-life movement for failure to impose stricter regulations on the abortion drug mifepristone.Some pro-life leaders celebrated Makary’s departure but grew concerned about Diamantas because court records show him serving as legal counsel for a Planned Parenthood affiliate while working at the Baker Donelson law firm. The case was related to a property dispute.Alex Bruesewitz, an adviser to President Donald Trump, dismissed the concern in a post on X, saying he was a junior associate assigned to the case but removed himself because of his pro-life beliefs.Within the past two days, Diamantas has reached out to some pro-life advocates, including March for Life President Jennie Bradley Lichter. A spokesperson for Live Action confirmed he had scheduled a conversation with Live Action President Lila Rose as well. “Within a few hours of being handed this big new job, he was getting on the phone with pro-life leaders and that in itself, I think, is a really encouraging sign of where his priorities are going to be,” Lichter told “EWTN Pro-Life Weekly” host Abigail Galván.Lichter said she spoke with Diamantas about her concerns with mifepristone, specifically about “the lack of safety, the lack of guardrails, [and] its easy availability.”Under Makary, the FDA launched a study to review the 2023 deregulation of mifepristone, but so far no action has been taken to increase restrictions. Rather, in that same month, the FDA approved a generic version of the drug.Based on her conversation, Lichter said, “I think weʼre going to see real movement” on that study and “I think that the cause of life is going to have, you know, a real champion at the FDA” under Diamantas’ leadership.“I feel really comfortable that he is bringing in strong pro-life commitments and a commitment to transparency and to moving with all deliberate speed to take a close look at mifepristone and then take decisive action based on what that study shows,” she said.Mark Harrington, president of Created Equal, told EWTN News he had not received a call from Diamantas and expressed hesitations about his leadership of the FDA, saying his efforts “could just be viewed as nothing more than damage control.”“Talk is cheap,” he said. “But personnel is policy, and the fact that Diamantas [reportedly] represented Planned Parenthood makes me skeptical that he will advocate for the full mifepristone safety study. We will trust but verify. Action needs to be taken now on the abortion drug.”")
A reading from the Book of the Acts of the Apostles
Acts 1:1-11
In the first book, Theophilus,
I dealt with all that Jesus did and taught
until the day he was taken up,
after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit
to the apostles whom he had chosen.
He presented himself alive to them
by many proofs after he had suffered,
appearing to them during forty days
and speaking about the kingdom of God.
While meeting with them,
he enjoined them not to depart from Jerusalem,
but to wait for “the promise of the Father
about which you have heard me speak;
for John baptized with water,
but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”
When they had gathered together they asked him,
“Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”
He answered them, “It is not for you to know the times or seasons
that the Father has established by his own authority.
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you,
and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem,
throughout Judea and Samaria,
and to the ends of the earth.”
When he had said this, as they were looking on,
he was lifted up, and a cloud took him from their sight.
While they were looking intently at the sky as he was going,
suddenly two men dressed in white garments stood beside them.
They said, “Men of Galilee,
why are you standing there looking at the sky?
This Jesus who has been taken up from you into heaven
will return in the same way as you have seen him going into heaven.”
A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Ephesians
1:17-23
Brothers and sisters:
May the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory,
give you a Spirit of wisdom and revelation
resulting in knowledge of him.
May the eyes of your hearts be enlightened,
that you may know what is the hope that belongs to his call,
what are the riches of glory
in his inheritance among the holy ones,
and what is the surpassing greatness of his power
for us who believe,
in accord with the exercise of his great might,
which he worked in Christ,
raising him from the dead
and seating him at his right hand in the heavens,
far above every principality, authority, power, and dominion,
and every name that is named
not only in this age but also in the one to come.
And he put all things beneath his feet
and gave him as head over all things to the church,
which is his body,
the fullness of the one who fills all things in every way.
From the Gospel according to Matthew
28:16-20
The eleven disciples went to Galilee,
to the mountain to which Jesus had ordered them.
When they saw him, they worshiped, but they doubted.
Then Jesus approached and said to them,
“All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father,
and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit,
teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.
And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”
With the Ascension, something new and beautiful happened: Jesus brought our humanity, our flesh, into heaven — this is the first time — that is, he brought it in God. That humanity that he had assumed on earth did not remain here. The risen Jesus was not a spirit, no. He had his human body, flesh and bones, everything. He will be there in God forever. We could say that from the day of the Ascension on, God himself “changed” — from then on, he is not only spirit, but such is his love for us that he bears our own flesh in himself, our humanity! The place awaiting us is thus indicated; that is our destiny. (…) What does Jesus do in heaven? He is there for us before the Father, continually showing our humanity to him — showing him his wounds. I like to think that Jesus, prays like this in front of the Father — showing him his wounds. “This is what I suffered for humanity: Do something!” He shows him the price of redemption and the Father is moved. This is something I like to think about. This is how Jesus prays. He did not leave us alone. In fact, before ascending, he told us, as the Gospel says today, “I am with you always, to the close of the age” (Mt 28:20). (Pope Francis, Regina caeli, 21 May 2023)
Read More![Legislation would ensure parents can arrange burial or cremation after pregnancy loss – #Catholic – Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kansas, said he is introducing legislation to ensure hospitals and freestanding birth centers provide clear information about the rights that grieving parents have regarding the cremation or burial of their miscarried or stillborn child.Marshall, who practiced as an obstetrician-gynecologist for more than 25 years, said he is naming the bill the “Bereaved Parents Rights Act.” Rep. Kat Cammack, R-Florida, who personally suffered an ectopic pregnancy, said she is sponsoring a companion version in the House.Laws on the handling of fetal remains following a miscarriage or stillbirth vary state to state, and many states have no clear legal requirements regarding the disposition of remains, leaving hospitals to rely on internal policies and procedures, according to Marshall.Students for Life Action backs the measure and is leading lobbying on Capitol Hill to urge lawmakers to back it, said Kristan Hawkins, the organization’s president.The legislation would amend Title XVIII of the Social Security Act “to say that the hospital that she is birthing her child into, whether the childʼs born stillborn or miscarried … has to notify the parents no less than six hours after the event or before discharge“ and ”how she can get her babyʼs body to the funeral home to have a funeral if she would like to,” Hawkins said.A standardized form from the secretary of Health and Human Services would ensure a parent has the right to cremate the child after miscarriage or stillbirth, and it would apply in every state, Hawkins said.The legislation “is a no-brainer,” Cammack said. “This is very simple in my mind. Any parent who has lost a child needs the space, opportunity, and resources to properly grieve that child.”To “provide a burial for your child to recover the remains of your child” is “not a partisan issue,” she said. “I believe that is a human issue and something that, if we are serious about honoring life and protecting people, we really do champion and pass this legislation to give closure to so many families around the country.”Bill sponsors said they have been trying to find a Democratic cosponsor for the bill without success.“Thereʼs a culture around the issue that doesnʼt allow people to get to the facts. And while you are entitled, certainly, to your own opinion, you are not entitled to your own facts,” Cammack said.“And the fact is that these are children, these are human beings that have heartbeats, and they deserve the same dignity that a child who was born and has been lost deserves," she said.“It should be something very simple that every woman, regardless of where you are in the country, what hospital you find yourself in, is given the exact same rights as a woman who is in a state that values and protects life,” she said.Personal testimonies“I see tremendous value in women coming together and reaching across the aisle saying, ‘Weʼve all experienced loss in some form or fashion, whether yourself personally or you know someone who has,’” Cammack said.A briefing by Students for Life Action on May 13 included numerous personal testimonials from women who have been affected by miscarriage and stillbirth who are urging lawmakers to advance the bill.Sarah Wirtz said: “I could not go to the hospital. I actually waited three days to go to the hospital because I just was trying to research … if I was going to be allowed to have my son," she said. "He had passed away, but I still had him inside of me."“I knew within at least the medical system, after 20 weeks I was afforded more protection” and “I was absolutely terrified what this meant legally for my baby,” she said.Wirtz said she was asking: “Would I be given my baby? When I went in to give birth, would they take him from me?”Wirtz said she risked her own health to spend time finding resources to ensure she was able to keep her sonʼs body. Once she found Heavenʼs Gain Ministries, a Catholic organization that helps families with pregnancy loss, she was told “Youʼre very blessed to be in Ohio,” because state law ensured she had the right to her baby.“So I went to the hospital, I gave birth to my son Noah, and I was able to bury him,” she said. “But I was also told at the time, if [I] had been in California … I wouldnʼt be afforded the same rights under the law."“He would have been deemed as his gestational size, which is under 20 weeks, and I wouldnʼt have been guaranteed right to disposition and … what happened to his body,” she said.Language of miscarriageHawkins also noted the importance of the language when discussing abortion and miscarriage, and ensuring women know the difference and understand the procedures.“Something we saw in the fall of the Dobbs … was Planned Parenthood intentionally started changing the language around abortion, direct intentional abortion, and they started using the phrase ‘induced miscarriage,’” she said.“Thatʼs largely because of the invention and the shifting of the abortion industry to the chemical abortion pill, where we know at least 70% of these abortions, that are still killing about a million children a year, are being committed using these pills,” she said.“The way theyʼre framing these abortions to many young confused women, very scared women, is youʼre just going to ‘induce a miscarriage. Itʼs going to be just like a miscarriage,’” she said.“We know those are two very different things. And I think apart from the evil of Planned Parenthood killing children and harming women … this is the third greatest evil theyʼve ever committed, which is trying to use the pain and the tragedy of a miscarriage to then justify and try to change the hearts of millions of Americans on their issue, which is the intentional destruction of a human being,” Hawkins said.](https://unitedyam.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/legislation-would-ensure-parents-can-arrange-burial-or-cremation-after-pregnancy-loss-catholic-sen-roger-marshall-r-kansas-said-he-is-introducing-legislation-to-ensure-hospitals-and-freestandi-scaled.jpg "Legislation would ensure parents can arrange burial or cremation after pregnancy loss – #Catholic – Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kansas, said he is introducing legislation to ensure hospitals and freestanding birth centers provide clear information about the rights that grieving parents have regarding the cremation or burial of their miscarried or stillborn child.Marshall, who practiced as an obstetrician-gynecologist for more than 25 years, said he is naming the bill the “Bereaved Parents Rights Act.” Rep. Kat Cammack, R-Florida, who personally suffered an ectopic pregnancy, said she is sponsoring a companion version in the House.Laws on the handling of fetal remains following a miscarriage or stillbirth vary state to state, and many states have no clear legal requirements regarding the disposition of remains, leaving hospitals to rely on internal policies and procedures, according to Marshall.Students for Life Action backs the measure and is leading lobbying on Capitol Hill to urge lawmakers to back it, said Kristan Hawkins, the organization’s president.The legislation would amend Title XVIII of the Social Security Act “to say that the hospital that she is birthing her child into, whether the childʼs born stillborn or miscarried … has to notify the parents no less than six hours after the event or before discharge“ and ”how she can get her babyʼs body to the funeral home to have a funeral if she would like to,” Hawkins said.A standardized form from the secretary of Health and Human Services would ensure a parent has the right to cremate the child after miscarriage or stillbirth, and it would apply in every state, Hawkins said.The legislation “is a no-brainer,” Cammack said. “This is very simple in my mind. Any parent who has lost a child needs the space, opportunity, and resources to properly grieve that child.”To “provide a burial for your child to recover the remains of your child” is “not a partisan issue,” she said. “I believe that is a human issue and something that, if we are serious about honoring life and protecting people, we really do champion and pass this legislation to give closure to so many families around the country.”Bill sponsors said they have been trying to find a Democratic cosponsor for the bill without success.“Thereʼs a culture around the issue that doesnʼt allow people to get to the facts. And while you are entitled, certainly, to your own opinion, you are not entitled to your own facts,” Cammack said.“And the fact is that these are children, these are human beings that have heartbeats, and they deserve the same dignity that a child who was born and has been lost deserves,\" she said.“It should be something very simple that every woman, regardless of where you are in the country, what hospital you find yourself in, is given the exact same rights as a woman who is in a state that values and protects life,” she said.Personal testimonies“I see tremendous value in women coming together and reaching across the aisle saying, ‘Weʼve all experienced loss in some form or fashion, whether yourself personally or you know someone who has,’” Cammack said.A briefing by Students for Life Action on May 13 included numerous personal testimonials from women who have been affected by miscarriage and stillbirth who are urging lawmakers to advance the bill.Sarah Wirtz said: “I could not go to the hospital. I actually waited three days to go to the hospital because I just was trying to research … if I was going to be allowed to have my son,\" she said. \"He had passed away, but I still had him inside of me.\"“I knew within at least the medical system, after 20 weeks I was afforded more protection” and “I was absolutely terrified what this meant legally for my baby,” she said.Wirtz said she was asking: “Would I be given my baby? When I went in to give birth, would they take him from me?”Wirtz said she risked her own health to spend time finding resources to ensure she was able to keep her sonʼs body. Once she found Heavenʼs Gain Ministries, a Catholic organization that helps families with pregnancy loss, she was told “Youʼre very blessed to be in Ohio,” because state law ensured she had the right to her baby.“So I went to the hospital, I gave birth to my son Noah, and I was able to bury him,” she said. “But I was also told at the time, if [I] had been in California … I wouldnʼt be afforded the same rights under the law.\"“He would have been deemed as his gestational size, which is under 20 weeks, and I wouldnʼt have been guaranteed right to disposition and … what happened to his body,” she said.Language of miscarriageHawkins also noted the importance of the language when discussing abortion and miscarriage, and ensuring women know the difference and understand the procedures.“Something we saw in the fall of the Dobbs … was Planned Parenthood intentionally started changing the language around abortion, direct intentional abortion, and they started using the phrase ‘induced miscarriage,’” she said.“Thatʼs largely because of the invention and the shifting of the abortion industry to the chemical abortion pill, where we know at least 70% of these abortions, that are still killing about a million children a year, are being committed using these pills,” she said.“The way theyʼre framing these abortions to many young confused women, very scared women, is youʼre just going to ‘induce a miscarriage. Itʼs going to be just like a miscarriage,’” she said.“We know those are two very different things. And I think apart from the evil of Planned Parenthood killing children and harming women … this is the third greatest evil theyʼve ever committed, which is trying to use the pain and the tragedy of a miscarriage to then justify and try to change the hearts of millions of Americans on their issue, which is the intentional destruction of a human being,” Hawkins said.")
Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kansas, who practiced as an obstetrician-gynecologist for more than 25 years, said he is naming the bill the “Bereaved Parents Rights Act.”
The pope also accepted Wednesday the resignation of Bishop Frank J. Dewane, 76, who led the Diocese of Venice, Florida, since 2007.
The Ortega regime’s repression of the Catholic Church could not silence God’s call to Cristhian Mendieta. Having fled Nicaragua as a seminarian, the young man was ordained to the priesthood in Miami.
Humanity has spent eons looking up at the stars and wondering whether we’re alone, or if there are others like us out there in the vast unknown. Our curiosity has only increased as we have become a technological civilization capable of scanning the heavens for potential signs or signals from other civilizations, called technosignatures. ButContinue reading “Should we keep looking for ET?”
The post Should we keep looking for ET? appeared first on Astronomy Magazine.
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8 men to be ordained permanent deacons May 30 #Catholic – 
Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney will ordain eight men of diverse backgrounds to the permanent diaconate of the Paterson Diocese, N.J., on Saturday, May 30, at 10 a.m. in the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Paterson, N.J.
This class of permanent deacons is the first to be ordained in the diocese since 2023.
The men received their spiritual and pastoral formation through the Paterson Diocese diaconate formation program and received their academic formation in theology from Immaculate Conception Seminary School of Theology in South Orange, N.J. Depending on their educational background at the start of formation, the men received a Master of Arts in Theology, and/or a Certificate in Diaconal Studies or a Certificate in Spirituality from the Seminary.
The men to be ordained are: Stephen Deehan of St. Luke Parish in the Long Valley of Washington Township, N.J., Paul DePinto of St. Joseph Parish in Lincoln Park, N.J., Timothy P. Dunmyer of St. Jude Parish in Hopatcong, N.J., James Gillespie of St. Catherine of Siena Parish in Mountain Lakes, N.J., Tobi Ippolito of Holy Family Parish in Florham Park, N.J., Tom Kimble of St. Jude Thaddeus Parish in the Budd Lake neighborhood of Mount Olive Township, N.J., Gregory Marchesi of St. Therese Parish in the Succasunna neighborhood of Roxbury Township, N.J., Elmer Lopez Maximo of Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in Rockaway, N.J.
“These are all men of deep faith and spiritual commitment,” said Deacon William Ruane, the director of the diocesan Office of the Permanent Diaconate. “They have studied and trained hard these past five years under the direction of the deacons in their formation team, led by Deacon John Mihalko. They will be a tremendous asset to the diocese and we take great joy in seeing them ordained to serve the Church of Paterson,” he said.
A permanent deacon is an ordained minister in the Catholic Church, belonging to the clergy but often married and holding a secular job. As a permanent member of the hierarchy—not on the way to priesthood — he acts as a “servant” to the bishop and pastor, focusing on the ministry of liturgy, word, and charity, according to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.
There are 125 active and retired permanent deacons serving 74 parishes in the diocese. The first were ordained in 1974. Since then, about 340 men have been ordained.
The permanent deacon candidates are:
DEEHAN
Stephen Deehan
Stephen Deehan, 59, belongs to St. Luke Parish in Washington Township. His faith journey started as an altar server and continued with years of ministry at St. Luke Parish. The call to pursue the diaconate grew in part from his and his family’s work establishing the St. Luke Food Pantry.
Deehan has been married to his wife, Yvonne, for 32 years, and together they are parents of four children: Patrick, 29, and his spouse, Nikki; Christian, 27; Stephen, 25, and his fiancée, Gillian; and Noelle, 22.
He graduated from Seton Hall Preparatory School in West Orange, N.J. and Seton Hall University in South Orange, N.J. He then earned his doctorate from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey–New Jersey Dental School in Newark, N.J.
Deehan has operated a private dental practice in Hackettstown, N.J., for 31 years.
“I look forward to the challenges and blessings of serving God and his Church on the path guided by the Holy Spirit,” Deehan said.
DEPINTO
Paul DePinto
Paul DePinto, 57, and his wife, Loren, have been married since 1997 and have lived in Lincoln Park for 25 years as members of St. Joseph Parish.
DePinto earned a bachelor’s in psychology from Rutgers University, a master’s in counseling from Montclair University, a master’s in educational leadership from St. Elizabeth University in the Convent Station neighborhood of Morris Township, N.J.
Paul and Loren have two children: Gia, 26, and Alec, 23.
DePinto has worked for Strength For Change private counseling practice as a licensed professional counselor since 2004. He also spent more than 12 years in the public school system, serving as a student assistance counselor, psychology teacher, and vice principal from 2001 to 2014.
DUNMYER
Timothy P. Dunmyer
Timothy P. Dunmyer, 61, and his wife Lisa, married for 20 years, serve as lectors, catechists, and extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion at St. Jude Parish in Hopatcong, N.J.
Dunmyer was grand knight and district deputy in the Knights of Columbus. He now belongs to the Hopatcong Knights of Columbus Council 9914.
Dunmyer is a recently retired police lieutenant with 36 years of service in the Livingston Police Department in New Jersey.
GILLESPIE
James Gillespie
James Gillespie, 60, and Beth, his wife of 30 years, have been members of St. Catherine of Siena Parish in Mountain Lakes, N.J., for 30 years. They have three adult children.
At St. Catherine, Gillespie has served as an extraordinary minister of Holy Communion, a lector, and an usher. He is a member of the Lazarus ministry, the men’s group, and the Blessed Sacrament Society. He also belongs to Knights of Columbus Council 3359, which supports St. Catherine’s and other parishes in the diocese.
In 1984, Gillespie graduated from Morris Catholic High School in Denville, N.J. He earned an associate’s degree in business administration from the County College of Morris in Randolph.
For many years, Gillespie has worked with his father in a family-owned business in the flooring industry. For the past 28 years, he has also been a member of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters Local 251. He installs commercial flooring in many hospitals, schools, and corporate office spaces.
About his journey to the permanent diaconate, Gillespie thanked his wife for her encouragement, support, and love. He acknowledged the bond he and his wife have created with the men and their wives in his cohort, “allowing us to be united in our shared love of the Church and our faith.”
“I have been truly humbled by the endless gifts of prayer and support my cohort and I have received during our faith journey,” Gillespie said. “As an ordained minister, I look forward to serving my parish and the Diocese of Paterson. I want to share my love of the faith and the knowledge I have gained during five years of formation,” he said.
IPPOLITO
Tobi Ippolito
Tobi Ippolito, 58, and his wife, Anne Brauner, married in 1995, belong to Holy Family Parish in Florham Park, N.J., where they are active in several ministries. They live in East Hanover with their three children: Toby, Michael, and Jessica.
Ippolito graduated from DePaul Catholic High School in Wayne, N.J. He earned a bachelor’s degree in biology at St. Peter’s University in Jersey City, N.J, where he met Brauner, and a doctor of medicine from Rutgers-New Jersey Medical School in Newark.
Ippolito completed an internal medicine residency and now practices with RWJ Barnabas Medical Group.
KIMBLE
Tom Kimble
Tom Kimble belongs to St. Jude Thaddeus Parish in the Budd Lake neighborhood of Mount Olive Township, N.J., where he serves as pastoral ministries director and directs the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults’ (OCIA) catechesis.
Previously, Kimble was director for Men’s Cornerstone at St. Jude’s, a parish trustee, and Diocesan Ministries Appeal chairman.
Kimble has been married to his wife, Karla, for 32 years; they have three children: Alex, 32, Cassie, 28, and Samie, 26. He is a mechanical Engineer who has been employed with Sealed Air Corporation since 1989.
MARCHESI
Gregory Marchesi
Gregory Marchesi, 57, belongs to St. Therese Parish in the Succasunna neighborhood of Roxbury Township, N.J., where he serves as the faith-formation director and co-director of OCIA. He also serves as a lector, an extraordinary minister of Holy Communion, and an acolyte.
For 29 years, Marchesi has been married to his wife, Jennifer; together they have three children: Alexander, 27, Nicholas, 23, and Madison, 21.
Marchesi graduated from Manalapan High School in Englishtown, N.J. He earned a bachelor’s degree in health and physical education from Kean University, where he played men’s soccer and received Second Team honors. Marchesi also earned a certification for teaching of the handicapped from Kean and a master’s degree in education from Marygrove College in 2002.
Marchesi worked 29 years for the Board of Education of West Orange, N.J., before retiring in 2023. There, he coached baseball at various high school levels, concluding his career as the West Orange Boys’ varsity soccer assistant coach. He also coached with the Player Development Academy in Zarephath, N.J., where his team won the Under-19 State Championship.
MAXIMO
Elmer Lopez Maximo
Elmer Lopez Maximo, 58, was born and raised in the Philippines and now belongs to Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in Rockaway, N.J. He serves as an extraordinary minister of Holy Communion, a lector, a liturgical coordinator, and a parish leader. He is also a member of the Rosary Society, the Pro-Life ministry, the Finance Board, and the Pastoral Council.
At the diocesan level, Maximo serves as president of the Diocesan Commission for Catholic Filipino Ministries. This group supports the faith formation and community life of Filipinos in our diocese.
Maximo earned a bachelor’s in commerce, specializing in business management, from San Beda College, now San Beda University, in Manila, the Philippines.
For 28 years, Maximo has been senior managing director of HR and administration at Seven Seven Softwares, Inc., an IT and global services company.
Reflecting on his call to the permanent diaconate, Maximo said, “My vocation developed through prayer, service, and love for the Eucharist.”
“Guided by the Blessed Virgin Mary, I learned to trust in God’s will. Through both joy and suffering, I came to see the diaconate as a call to serve as a bridge between the Church and the world,” Maximo said. “With gratitude, holiness, and humility, I offer my life in service to Christ and His people. I trust in His grace,” he said.
– Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney will ordain eight men of diverse backgrounds to the permanent diaconate of the Paterson Diocese, N.J., on Saturday, May 30, at 10 a.m. in the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Paterson, N.J. This class of permanent deacons is the first to be ordained in the diocese since 2023. The men received their spiritual and pastoral formation through the Paterson Diocese diaconate formation program and received their academic formation in theology from Immaculate Conception Seminary School of Theology in South Orange, N.J. Depending on their educational background at the start of formation, the men received
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NASA’s Perseverance Mars rover recently took a self-portrait against a sweeping backdrop of ancient Martian terrain at a location the science team calls “Lac de Charmes.”
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Platypus or Duck-billed platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus) near Scottsadale, Tasmania, Australia.
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“We’re in a battle today with the Chinese Communist Party and their authoritarian view,” Former Ambassador for International Religious Freedom Sam Brownback said at an event at the Hudson Institute.
![Pro-life groups praise FDA commissioner’s exit, flag acting leader’s Planned Parenthood role – #Catholic – Many pro-life advocates cheered Marty Makaryʼs resignation as commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) while raising concerns that the agencyʼs acting leader once represented a Planned Parenthood affiliate in court.Makary, who resigned on May 12, drew the ire of the pro-life community throughout his tenure for inaction to reimpose regulations on the abortion pill mifepristone.Deputy Commissioner for Human Foods Kyle Diamantas will serve as the acting commissioner of the FDA until President Donald Trump nominates and the Senate confirms a replacement. Some pro-life advocates lamented Diamantas' elevation to acting commissioner, saying he once served as counsel for Planned Parenthood of Greater Orlando.Court documents show that while he worked at the Baker Donelson law firm, he was part of the legal team that represented the Planned Parenthood affiliate in a property dispute. He was not an employee of Planned Parenthood, and a Trump administration adviser says it was just an assignment that he eventually backed out of due to moral objections.Students for Life President Kristan Hawkins posted concerns about Diamantas on X, saying: “Quite frankly, this is why our team at Students for Life did not call for Dr. Makary to resign, because I know the FDA is filled with pro-abortion leftists.”“The new FDA commissioner must be 100% committed to protecting innocent children in the womb AND their mothers,” she said.Live Action President Lila Rose posted on X that “we cannot allow someone who represented Planned Parenthood to oversee rules surrounding the deadly abortion pill mifepristone that has killed MILLIONS of babies.”In response to the concerns, Trump adviser Alex Bruesewitz said in a post on X that Diamantas was working as a junior associate “but he later removed himself from the case because of his personal beliefs.”“Kyle is a good man, is pro-life, and he is focused on delivering on President Trump’s promise to MAKE AMERICA HEALTHY AGAIN,” he said.Makary’s tenureDuring his tenure, Makary faced repeated criticism from pro-life advocates, who are expressing hope that Trump will nominate someone who will take stronger action against abortion.Makary launched a study in coordination with Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to review the safety of the abortion drug mifepristone in September 2025. No action has been taken to restrict the drug, but the FDA did move in the opposite direction by approving a generic version of mifepristone that same month.The Department of Justice also filed a motion on behalf of the FDA in January asking a federal court to pause a lawsuit from Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill that challenged the 2023 deregulation of mifepristone based on claims that it led to harm against residents.Marjorie Dannenfelser, who has been one of Makaryʼs top critics for months, said on X that “we must return immediately to the [first] Trump administration standard of in-person dispensing to protect women from coercion and abuse and allow the enforcement of pro-life state laws.”Live Action President Lila Rose similarly rejoiced about Makaryʼs exit, saying: “He tragically continued to allow sending the abortion pill through the mail and approved a new version of the abortion pill.”“The abortion pill has killed over 7 million preborn American children and harmed countless mothers,” she said and appealed to Trump to appoint a pro-life commissioner who will “ban the abortion pill now!”Some pro-life senators joined the voices cheering his resignation, including Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Missouri, who called the announcement “welcome news” in a post on X and accused Makary of being “uniquely destructive to the pro-life movement.”Hawley, who initially supported Makaryʼs nomination in January 2025, has been publicly critical of his leadership since December. In his post, he said Makary “slow walked” the mifepristone review while approving a generic version in spite of safety risks.The senator called Makary’s resignation “an opportunity for the FDA to reset.” Sarah Zagorski, senior director of public relations and communications for Americans United for Life, told EWTN News the Trump administration “has the opportunity to demonstrate real moral leadership by appointing a commissioner dedicated to protecting women and girls from the harms associated with abortion drugs” upon Makary’s resignation.“With these drugs increasingly available online, the risks of coercion, misuse, and medical complications have grown substantially. Strong oversight and patient safety must come first,” she said.Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-Louisiana, called Makary’s tenure “part of a broader symptom of an administration that has not paid attention to pro-life issues” in a post on X.“I care deeply about life, and I anticipate the next FDA nominee shall as well,” he said.Although many pro-life advocates see an opportunity for change, it’s unclear whether their criticisms contributed to Makary’s resignation, considering Trump himself committed during his campaign to ensuring the FDA would not threaten access to the abortion pill.Trump did not reference the life issue when asked by reporters about Makary’s resignation and declined to say whether he asked him to step down.“He was having some difficulty,” Trump said. “You know he’s a great doctor and he was having some difficulty, but he’s going to go on and he’s going to do well. We have — everybody wants that job, everybody.”](https://unitedyam.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/pro-life-groups-praise-fda-commissioners-exit-flag-acting-leaders-planned-parenthood-role-catholic-many-pro-life-advocates-cheered-marty-makarycabcs-resignation-as-commission.jpg "Pro-life groups praise FDA commissioner’s exit, flag acting leader’s Planned Parenthood role – #Catholic – Many pro-life advocates cheered Marty Makaryʼs resignation as commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) while raising concerns that the agencyʼs acting leader once represented a Planned Parenthood affiliate in court.Makary, who resigned on May 12, drew the ire of the pro-life community throughout his tenure for inaction to reimpose regulations on the abortion pill mifepristone.Deputy Commissioner for Human Foods Kyle Diamantas will serve as the acting commissioner of the FDA until President Donald Trump nominates and the Senate confirms a replacement. Some pro-life advocates lamented Diamantas' elevation to acting commissioner, saying he once served as counsel for Planned Parenthood of Greater Orlando.Court documents show that while he worked at the Baker Donelson law firm, he was part of the legal team that represented the Planned Parenthood affiliate in a property dispute. He was not an employee of Planned Parenthood, and a Trump administration adviser says it was just an assignment that he eventually backed out of due to moral objections.Students for Life President Kristan Hawkins posted concerns about Diamantas on X, saying: “Quite frankly, this is why our team at Students for Life did not call for Dr. Makary to resign, because I know the FDA is filled with pro-abortion leftists.”“The new FDA commissioner must be 100% committed to protecting innocent children in the womb AND their mothers,” she said.Live Action President Lila Rose posted on X that “we cannot allow someone who represented Planned Parenthood to oversee rules surrounding the deadly abortion pill mifepristone that has killed MILLIONS of babies.”In response to the concerns, Trump adviser Alex Bruesewitz said in a post on X that Diamantas was working as a junior associate “but he later removed himself from the case because of his personal beliefs.”“Kyle is a good man, is pro-life, and he is focused on delivering on President Trump’s promise to MAKE AMERICA HEALTHY AGAIN,” he said.Makary’s tenureDuring his tenure, Makary faced repeated criticism from pro-life advocates, who are expressing hope that Trump will nominate someone who will take stronger action against abortion.Makary launched a study in coordination with Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to review the safety of the abortion drug mifepristone in September 2025. No action has been taken to restrict the drug, but the FDA did move in the opposite direction by approving a generic version of mifepristone that same month.The Department of Justice also filed a motion on behalf of the FDA in January asking a federal court to pause a lawsuit from Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill that challenged the 2023 deregulation of mifepristone based on claims that it led to harm against residents.Marjorie Dannenfelser, who has been one of Makaryʼs top critics for months, said on X that “we must return immediately to the [first] Trump administration standard of in-person dispensing to protect women from coercion and abuse and allow the enforcement of pro-life state laws.”Live Action President Lila Rose similarly rejoiced about Makaryʼs exit, saying: “He tragically continued to allow sending the abortion pill through the mail and approved a new version of the abortion pill.”“The abortion pill has killed over 7 million preborn American children and harmed countless mothers,” she said and appealed to Trump to appoint a pro-life commissioner who will “ban the abortion pill now!”Some pro-life senators joined the voices cheering his resignation, including Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Missouri, who called the announcement “welcome news” in a post on X and accused Makary of being “uniquely destructive to the pro-life movement.”Hawley, who initially supported Makaryʼs nomination in January 2025, has been publicly critical of his leadership since December. In his post, he said Makary “slow walked” the mifepristone review while approving a generic version in spite of safety risks.The senator called Makary’s resignation “an opportunity for the FDA to reset.” Sarah Zagorski, senior director of public relations and communications for Americans United for Life, told EWTN News the Trump administration “has the opportunity to demonstrate real moral leadership by appointing a commissioner dedicated to protecting women and girls from the harms associated with abortion drugs” upon Makary’s resignation.“With these drugs increasingly available online, the risks of coercion, misuse, and medical complications have grown substantially. Strong oversight and patient safety must come first,” she said.Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-Louisiana, called Makary’s tenure “part of a broader symptom of an administration that has not paid attention to pro-life issues” in a post on X.“I care deeply about life, and I anticipate the next FDA nominee shall as well,” he said.Although many pro-life advocates see an opportunity for change, it’s unclear whether their criticisms contributed to Makary’s resignation, considering Trump himself committed during his campaign to ensuring the FDA would not threaten access to the abortion pill.Trump did not reference the life issue when asked by reporters about Makary’s resignation and declined to say whether he asked him to step down.“He was having some difficulty,” Trump said. “You know he’s a great doctor and he was having some difficulty, but he’s going to go on and he’s going to do well. We have — everybody wants that job, everybody.”")
Pro-life advocates said they hope President Donald Trump replaces Marty Makary with someone who will further regulate the abortion pill mifepristone.
A reading from the Book of the Acts of the Apostles
Acts 17:15, 22—18:1
After Paul’s escorts had taken him to Athens,
they came away with instructions for Silas and Timothy
to join him as soon as possible.
Then Paul stood up at the Areopagus and said:
"You Athenians, I see that in every respect
you are very religious.
For as I walked around looking carefully at your shrines,
I even discovered an altar inscribed, ‘To an Unknown God.’
What therefore you unknowingly worship, I proclaim to you.
The God who made the world and all that is in it,
the Lord of heaven and earth,
does not dwell in sanctuaries made by human hands,
nor is he served by human hands because he needs anything.
Rather it is he who gives to everyone life and breath and everything.
He made from one the whole human race
to dwell on the entire surface of the earth,
and he fixed the ordered seasons and the boundaries of their regions,
so that people might seek God,
even perhaps grope for him and find him,
though indeed he is not far from any one of us.
For ‘In him we live and move and have our being,’
as even some of your poets have said,
‘For we too are his offspring.’
Since therefore we are the offspring of God,
we ought not to think that the divinity is like an image
fashioned from gold, silver, or stone by human art and imagination.
God has overlooked the times of ignorance,
but now he demands that all people everywhere repent
because he has established a day on which he will ‘judge the world
with justice’ through a man he has appointed,
and he has provided confirmation for all
by raising him from the dead."
When they heard about resurrection of the dead,
some began to scoff, but others said,
"We should like to hear you on this some other time."
And so Paul left them.
But some did join him, and became believers.
Among them were Dionysius,
a member of the Court of the Areopagus,
a woman named Damaris, and others with them.
After this he left Athens and went to Corinth.
From the Gospel according to John
16:12-15
Jesus said to his disciples:
"I have much more to tell you, but you cannot bear it now.
But when he comes, the Spirit of truth,
he will guide you to all truth.
He will not speak on his own,
but he will speak what he hears,
and will declare to you the things that are coming.
He will glorify me,
because he will take from what is mine and declare it to you.
Everything that the Father has is mine;
for this reason I told you that he will take from what is mine
and declare it to you."
The Gospel of St John gives us part of the long farewell discourse pronounced by Jesus shortly before his Passion. In this discourse, he explains to the disciples the deepest truths about himself, and thus he outlines the relationship between Jesus, the Father and the Holy Spirit. Jesus knows that the fulfillment of the Father’s plan is approaching and will be completed with his death and resurrection. Because of this he wants to assure his followers that he won’t abandon them, because his mission will be prolonged by the Holy Spirit. It will be the Holy Spirit who continues the mission of Jesus, that is, guide the Church forward. Jesus reveals what this mission is. In the first place, the Spirit guides us to understand the many things that Jesus himself still had to say (cf. Jn 16:12). This doesn’t refer to new or special doctrines, but to a full understanding of all that the Son has heard from the Father and has made known to the disciples (cf. v. 15). The Spirit guides us in new existential situations with a gaze fixed on Jesus and at the same time, open to events and to the future. He helps us to walk in history, firmly rooted in the Gospel and with dynamic fidelity to our traditions and customs. (Pope Francis, Angelus, 22 May 2016)
Read MoreJohn Vermette, taken from Starfront Observatory, Texas Lying 1,000 light-years away, NGC 1333 is the most active star-forming region in the Perseus molecular complex, producing newborn stars that carve cavities in the surrounding dust. The imager collected 8 hours of exposure with a one-shot color camera and a 4-inch f/5 refractor.
The post A stellar nursery in Perseus appeared first on Astronomy Magazine.
Read More![Venezuelan archbishop: Maduro’s gone, but the same people are still in charge – #Catholic – Four months after U.S. special forces captured and removed President Nicolás Maduro, Venezuela remains trapped in a political no-manʼs-land.The leadership of the Venezuelan Bishops’ Conference updated the pope at the Vatican on May 4 about the situation: “Change has arrived, yes — but democracy has not yet," Archbishop Jesús González de Zárate, president of the Venezuelan Bishops’ Conference, told ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News. “Many unresolved questions remain regarding what Venezuela’s immediate future will be like,” Zárate explained, following the meeting with the leadership team held with Pope Leo XIV, to whom they laid out the complex and uncertain situation the country is currently facing.“Throughout these past months, we have asked ourselves many questions, and we still do not have sufficient answers,” he explained in a statement to ACI Prensa.The bishops “constantly” receive requests to mediate the release of political prisoners. However, “the channels are not always open,” Zárate said.More than 450 political prisoners remain behind bars, according to the count by Foro Penal, the promised amnesty has stalled, and fear of arbitrary detention persists in the streets.As pastors, he noted, the Venezuelan bishops “have highlighted the need to restore the primacy of human dignity, which is the fundamental point of the Church’s social doctrine.”“Upon this,” he clearly affirmed, “would rest the freedom of citizens, the right to participate, the paths toward democratization that we need, and overcoming of merely partisan or private interests for the sake of the common good.”Political continuity following Maduro’s departureAlthough he acknowledged that since Maduroʼs capture, “there is a change, a result of the fact that the person who previously held the highest office is no longer there,” he pointed out that “there is also continuity among the political actors,” which casts doubt on whether there will be political change.The prelate emphasized that the outlook remains uncertain: “More concrete decisions were expected in the political sphere, which have yet to materialize.”Relations with the United States have been normalized, but for Zárate, the advent of democracy does not appear to be imminent. “The reconstruction of political institutions, economic recovery, and the establishment of a new social dynamic constitute a slow, complex, and difficult undertaking,” he said.In this process, he insisted that “the participation of everyone is required,” particularly to overcome the “constant confrontation and conflict-ridden political rhetoric that have impoverished Venezuelan social life.”The prelate issued an urgent call to rebuild trust: “It is necessary to restore the population’s trust in institutions such as the National Electoral Council, the Supreme Tribunal of Justice, and other state institutions” in order to reestablish “healthy democratic coexistence.”The National Electoral Council tallies and announces election results and declared Maduro the winner of the last presidential election despite strong evidence to the contrary.The amnesty law passed in February benefited 8,616 people. However, that process appears to have stalled since Acting President Delcy Rodríguez announced that it had come to an end.For the Church, this represented a key opportunity to advance national reconciliation, even though the lawʼs implementation has been inconsistent. “What was particularly significant was the full liberty of political prisoners, not merely their release,” Zárate said.“Release would mean that they leave the detention facility, but their activities would still remain restricted; we are speaking of full liberty, that is, the recognition of full freedom for all,” the archbishop explained.The prelate acknowledged a loss of momentum after initial progress: “At first, there was greater diligence in the implementation of the amnesty law; subsequently, however, there has been something of a delay.”In light of this, he warned that as long as there remains a Venezuelan “imprisoned for their political ideas or personal opinions, we can hardly rest easy or build a better society in peace.”Víctor Hugo Quero, a Venezuelan political prisoner who died in custody, is one of many on a long list of citizens who have perished at the hands of the state over more than 25 years of authoritarian socialist rule.“Doubts therefore remain regarding the whereabouts of many others. At this moment, there is the open question whether those about whom there is no news may have met a similar fate,” he added.From initial hope to discouragementMaduro’s removal from power sparked a certain “hopeful expectation” among Venezuelans, he said, yet now there is growing frustration. “There is much talk of investments in oil, of better prices, and of agreements with various companies, but the concrete reality is the average Venezuelan continues to suffer from the same deprivations,” Zárate lamented.Among these difficulties, he cited “the constant rise in prices, the depreciation of buying power, the inability to access certain services, or the deficiencies within those very services” such as electricity or water supply. It’s a situation that “breeds discouragement.”The harsh reality of the Venezuelan diasporaAfter years of crisis, many who fled the country have been unable to return. “There are more than 8 million Venezuelans outside our country,” the archbishop noted.The impact of the diaspora is part of families' daily lives: “There are children who don’t have the opportunity to be close to their parents, and parents who cannot enjoy their children or their grandchildren.”This also impacts ecclesial life: “The migration of many Venezuelans also leaves parishes without catechists, without their ministers, and without the young people who were part of the youth ministry.” Economic deterioration further exacerbates this scenario. “The widespread impoverishment of the population — to which the Church has sought to respond through social programs [providing] food and healthcare — also affects the life of the Christian community,” he noted.Zárate said this reality even limits the Church’s pastoral outreach: “It finds itself weakened in its capacity to carry out its programs and to provide assistance to people.”The bishops’ priority: ‘Preserving internal unity’The president of the bishops’ conference stated that one of the episcopate’s constant efforts has been “to preserve internal unity."Unity was one of the key issues discussed during the meeting at the Vatican on May 4. The pope, he said, was “very attentive; he is well-informed about the reality in the country.”The pontiff centered his interest on the Church’s role as an agent of reconciliation: “His questions focused on the role we can play in the reunification of the Venezuelan people and in the internal unity of the Church.”Zárate emphasized that the credibility of the message depends on the witness: “We could hardly proclaim reunification, reconciliation, or harmonious coexistence if divergences were visible within the Church itself.”Some things never should have happenedZárate clarified that the Church’s message of reconciliation to Venezuelan society “is not that forgiving means forgetting.”“There are situations that never should have happened, and there are people who are responsible,” he pointed out.Nevertheless, Zárate emphasized that the response cannot be based on vengeance: “We cannot believe that revenge or retaliation will provide the answer. The healing of hearts must be based on the truth.”This story was first published by ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.](https://unitedyam.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/venezuelan-archbishop-maduros-gone-but-the-same-people-are-still-in-charge-catholic-four-months-after-u-s-special-forces-captured-and-removed-president-nicolas-maduro-venezuela-remai.jpg "Venezuelan archbishop: Maduro’s gone, but the same people are still in charge – #Catholic – Four months after U.S. special forces captured and removed President Nicolás Maduro, Venezuela remains trapped in a political no-manʼs-land.The leadership of the Venezuelan Bishops’ Conference updated the pope at the Vatican on May 4 about the situation: “Change has arrived, yes — but democracy has not yet,\" Archbishop Jesús González de Zárate, president of the Venezuelan Bishops’ Conference, told ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News. “Many unresolved questions remain regarding what Venezuela’s immediate future will be like,” Zárate explained, following the meeting with the leadership team held with Pope Leo XIV, to whom they laid out the complex and uncertain situation the country is currently facing.“Throughout these past months, we have asked ourselves many questions, and we still do not have sufficient answers,” he explained in a statement to ACI Prensa.The bishops “constantly” receive requests to mediate the release of political prisoners. However, “the channels are not always open,” Zárate said.More than 450 political prisoners remain behind bars, according to the count by Foro Penal, the promised amnesty has stalled, and fear of arbitrary detention persists in the streets.As pastors, he noted, the Venezuelan bishops “have highlighted the need to restore the primacy of human dignity, which is the fundamental point of the Church’s social doctrine.”“Upon this,” he clearly affirmed, “would rest the freedom of citizens, the right to participate, the paths toward democratization that we need, and overcoming of merely partisan or private interests for the sake of the common good.”Political continuity following Maduro’s departureAlthough he acknowledged that since Maduroʼs capture, “there is a change, a result of the fact that the person who previously held the highest office is no longer there,” he pointed out that “there is also continuity among the political actors,” which casts doubt on whether there will be political change.The prelate emphasized that the outlook remains uncertain: “More concrete decisions were expected in the political sphere, which have yet to materialize.”Relations with the United States have been normalized, but for Zárate, the advent of democracy does not appear to be imminent. “The reconstruction of political institutions, economic recovery, and the establishment of a new social dynamic constitute a slow, complex, and difficult undertaking,” he said.In this process, he insisted that “the participation of everyone is required,” particularly to overcome the “constant confrontation and conflict-ridden political rhetoric that have impoverished Venezuelan social life.”The prelate issued an urgent call to rebuild trust: “It is necessary to restore the population’s trust in institutions such as the National Electoral Council, the Supreme Tribunal of Justice, and other state institutions” in order to reestablish “healthy democratic coexistence.”The National Electoral Council tallies and announces election results and declared Maduro the winner of the last presidential election despite strong evidence to the contrary.The amnesty law passed in February benefited 8,616 people. However, that process appears to have stalled since Acting President Delcy Rodríguez announced that it had come to an end.For the Church, this represented a key opportunity to advance national reconciliation, even though the lawʼs implementation has been inconsistent. “What was particularly significant was the full liberty of political prisoners, not merely their release,” Zárate said.“Release would mean that they leave the detention facility, but their activities would still remain restricted; we are speaking of full liberty, that is, the recognition of full freedom for all,” the archbishop explained.The prelate acknowledged a loss of momentum after initial progress: “At first, there was greater diligence in the implementation of the amnesty law; subsequently, however, there has been something of a delay.”In light of this, he warned that as long as there remains a Venezuelan “imprisoned for their political ideas or personal opinions, we can hardly rest easy or build a better society in peace.”Víctor Hugo Quero, a Venezuelan political prisoner who died in custody, is one of many on a long list of citizens who have perished at the hands of the state over more than 25 years of authoritarian socialist rule.“Doubts therefore remain regarding the whereabouts of many others. At this moment, there is the open question whether those about whom there is no news may have met a similar fate,” he added.From initial hope to discouragementMaduro’s removal from power sparked a certain “hopeful expectation” among Venezuelans, he said, yet now there is growing frustration. “There is much talk of investments in oil, of better prices, and of agreements with various companies, but the concrete reality is the average Venezuelan continues to suffer from the same deprivations,” Zárate lamented.Among these difficulties, he cited “the constant rise in prices, the depreciation of buying power, the inability to access certain services, or the deficiencies within those very services” such as electricity or water supply. It’s a situation that “breeds discouragement.”The harsh reality of the Venezuelan diasporaAfter years of crisis, many who fled the country have been unable to return. “There are more than 8 million Venezuelans outside our country,” the archbishop noted.The impact of the diaspora is part of families' daily lives: “There are children who don’t have the opportunity to be close to their parents, and parents who cannot enjoy their children or their grandchildren.”This also impacts ecclesial life: “The migration of many Venezuelans also leaves parishes without catechists, without their ministers, and without the young people who were part of the youth ministry.” Economic deterioration further exacerbates this scenario. “The widespread impoverishment of the population — to which the Church has sought to respond through social programs [providing] food and healthcare — also affects the life of the Christian community,” he noted.Zárate said this reality even limits the Church’s pastoral outreach: “It finds itself weakened in its capacity to carry out its programs and to provide assistance to people.”The bishops’ priority: ‘Preserving internal unity’The president of the bishops’ conference stated that one of the episcopate’s constant efforts has been “to preserve internal unity.\"Unity was one of the key issues discussed during the meeting at the Vatican on May 4. The pope, he said, was “very attentive; he is well-informed about the reality in the country.”The pontiff centered his interest on the Church’s role as an agent of reconciliation: “His questions focused on the role we can play in the reunification of the Venezuelan people and in the internal unity of the Church.”Zárate emphasized that the credibility of the message depends on the witness: “We could hardly proclaim reunification, reconciliation, or harmonious coexistence if divergences were visible within the Church itself.”Some things never should have happenedZárate clarified that the Church’s message of reconciliation to Venezuelan society “is not that forgiving means forgetting.”“There are situations that never should have happened, and there are people who are responsible,” he pointed out.Nevertheless, Zárate emphasized that the response cannot be based on vengeance: “We cannot believe that revenge or retaliation will provide the answer. The healing of hearts must be based on the truth.”This story was first published by ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.")
The leadership of the Venezuelan Bishops’ Conference updated Pope Leo XIV on the political situation in the country, noting that only limited progress has been made and the economy hasn’t improved.
FBI Director Kash Patel on Tuesday went off on Democrat Senator Chris Van Hollen during a fiery exchange over accusations of ‘excessive drinking.’ “Multiple reports, including by The Atlantic, have alleged episodes of excessive drinking, unexplained absences and behavior that concern current and former FBI and DOJ officials…” Van Hollen said to Patel.
The post Kash Patel SHREDS Democrat Senator Chris Van Hollen in Fiery Exchange Over Accusations of “Excessive Drinking” (VIDEO) appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.
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The trespasser who walked in front of the Frontier Airlines plane on the Denver Airport runway has been identified a 41-year-old Michael Mott.
The post Man Who Was Sucked Into Engine of Frontier Airlines Plane on Denver Runway Identified appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.
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President Trump on Monday told reporters that the US ceasefire with Iran is in jeopardy, describing Tehran’s recent proposal to end the war as “garbage.” “I would say it’s one of the weakest right now; it’s on life support,” Trump said of the temporary truce between the US and Iran.
The post (VIDEO) Trump Says Iran Ceasefire on “Life Support” After “Garbage” Proposal from Iran appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.
Read More![The Solemnities of the Ascension and Pentecost #Catholic - “Accompany with your Blessing from this day forward O Lord those who have been anointed with the Holy Spirit and nourished by the Sacrament of your Son. So that, with all trials overcome, they may gladden your Church by their holiness and, by their works and their charity foster her growth in the world. Through Christ, Our Lord. Amen.
— Prayer after Communion, Ritual Mass of Confirmation
BISHOP KEVIN J. SWEENEY
The Prayer cited above has become one of my favorite prayers. Often, as I say that prayer after Communion at a Mass when I have celebrated confirmation, I am tempted to give a “second homily.” As much as I love the prayer, I have not (yet) fallen to that temptation (one homily is enough). I am hoping that this column will give me the opportunity to say something I have been wanting to say about that prayer for the past few years.
If you take some time to consider the words of the prayer above and the context in which the words are prayed, the bishop (or celebrant) is certainly asking God to bless those who have just received the gifts of the Holy Spirit through the sacrament of confirmation and who have also received Jesus in Holy Communion – “…those who have been anointed with the Holy Spirit and nourished by the Sacrament of you Son…”
Is the prayer asking God to bless ONLY the newly confirmed? Or, is the prayer not asking that the Lord’s blessing “accompany” ALL (especially those in church at that moment) who have received the gifts of the Holy Spirit and have received Jesus in Holy Communion? Something I do try to say during the homily at confirmation is that the celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation is a “blessed moment” for all in attendance. Whether someone was confirmed in the past year or many years ago, attending the celebration of the sacrament can be a reminder that we should all be prayerfully asking every day for the gifts of the Holy Spirit and praying that we can “live” or use those gifts so that they “bear fruit” in our lives so that, as the prayer asks, “… with all trials overcome, they (we – you and I) may gladden your Church by their holiness and, by their works and their charity foster her growth in the world…”
As we approach, in the Church’s calendar, the conclusion of the 50 days of the Easter season, the Solemnities of the Ascension of the Lord and Pentecost offer us a wonderful opportunity to consider the importance of the gifts and “fruits” of the Holy Spirit in our lives. I imagine that some readers of this column might continue to feel disappointed or upset by the decision of the bishops of New Jersey to “transfer” the Solemnity of the Ascension from a Thursday (10 days before Pentecost) to a Sunday (seven days before Pentecost). For those who may still have those feelings, I would ask your patience and understanding – a “fruit” and a gift of the Holy Spirit. I also invite you to try to “see the positive,” such as the beauty of the Solemnity of the Ascension, leading us to Pentecost, regardless of whether it is celebrated on a Thursday or Sunday.
As I ask for “patience and understanding,” I hope that provides an example of the circumstances and situations in which we find ourselves in our “day to day” lives when we need to ask that the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit be “enflamed” in our lives so that our “works and charity” can “foster the growth of the Church in the world” by producing and sharing the “fruits” of the Holy Spirit.
One of the blessings of my ministry as bishop, especially during this time of year, is the opportunity to frequently celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation. In the Prayer of Confirmation by which the bishop (or celebrant) “calls down” the gifts of the Holy Spirit on those being confirmed, the sevenfold Gifts are named: Wisdom, Understanding, Knowledge, Fortitude, Counsel, Piety, and Fear of the Lord. Can you recall the last time that you asked for or needed one of those gifts in particular? If you are not regularly in the habit of asking for or thinking about the gifts of the Holy Spirit, these days leading up to Pentecost are a great time to be reflecting upon and asking for the gifts of the Spirit in prayer.
I found a very interesting, informative, and thought-provoking article, available online, from the website “Catholic Answers,” with the subtitle: “What are the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit, and why do they matter?” After a brief description of each of the seven gifts, it says this:
“These are heroic character traits that Jesus Christ alone possesses in their plenitude but that he freely shares with the members of his mystical body (i.e., his Church). These traits are infused into every Christian as a permanent endowment at his baptism, nurtured by the practice of the seven virtues, and sealed in the sacrament of confirmation. They are also known as the sanctifying gifts of the Spirit, because they serve the purpose of rendering their recipients docile to the promptings of the Holy Spirit in their lives, helping them to grow in holiness and making them fit for heaven…” The Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit
I hope that most readers are aware that, as we speak of the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, the Church also identifies 12 “fruits” of the Holy Spirit. The Catechism of the Catholic Church names the gifts in articles 1830-31, fruits of the Holy Spirit in article 1832: “The fruits of the Spirit are perfections that the Holy Spirit forms in us as the first fruits of eternal glory. the tradition of the Church lists twelve of them: “charity, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, gentleness, faithfulness, modesty, self-control, chastity.” [ See: The Gifts and Fruits of the Holy Spirit.]
Father Mike Schmitz offers a very good (19-minute) summary of the gifts and Fruits of the Holy Spirit in a chapter/episode of his Catechism in a Year podcast that can be found on YouTube here.
One way to meditate and reflect on the importance of the fruits of the Holy Spirit is to just slowly read the list of those 12 virtues or character-traits and ask how needed (and valued?) they are in our world and culture today. We might also review the list and choose to reflect on one or two each day as we move toward the celebration of the Ascension and Pentecost, or choose one, two, or three of the fruits that you may want to “practice” or live out in your life and relationships?
With each Confirmation Mass I celebrate, and each time I pray that beautiful Prayer after Communion, I am more convinced that each of us should be asking for the grace to use the gifts of the Holy Spirit, day by day, so that we may “produce” and share the fruits of the Holy Spirit. So that, “with all trials overcome, (we) may gladden (the) Church by (our) holiness and, by (our) works and charity foster her growth in the world.”
Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.](https://unitedyam.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/the-solemnities-of-the-ascension-and-pentecost-catholic-accompany-with-your-blessing-from-this-day-forward-o-lord-those-who-have-been-anointed-with-the-holy-spirit-and-nourished-by-the-sac.jpg)
The Solemnities of the Ascension and Pentecost #Catholic – 
“Accompany with your Blessing from this day forward O Lord those who have been anointed with the Holy Spirit and nourished by the Sacrament of your Son. So that, with all trials overcome, they may gladden your Church by their holiness and, by their works and their charity foster her growth in the world. Through Christ, Our Lord. Amen.
— Prayer after Communion, Ritual Mass of Confirmation
BISHOP KEVIN J. SWEENEY
The Prayer cited above has become one of my favorite prayers. Often, as I say that prayer after Communion at a Mass when I have celebrated confirmation, I am tempted to give a “second homily.” As much as I love the prayer, I have not (yet) fallen to that temptation (one homily is enough). I am hoping that this column will give me the opportunity to say something I have been wanting to say about that prayer for the past few years.
If you take some time to consider the words of the prayer above and the context in which the words are prayed, the bishop (or celebrant) is certainly asking God to bless those who have just received the gifts of the Holy Spirit through the sacrament of confirmation and who have also received Jesus in Holy Communion – “…those who have been anointed with the Holy Spirit and nourished by the Sacrament of you Son…”
Is the prayer asking God to bless ONLY the newly confirmed? Or, is the prayer not asking that the Lord’s blessing “accompany” ALL (especially those in church at that moment) who have received the gifts of the Holy Spirit and have received Jesus in Holy Communion? Something I do try to say during the homily at confirmation is that the celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation is a “blessed moment” for all in attendance. Whether someone was confirmed in the past year or many years ago, attending the celebration of the sacrament can be a reminder that we should all be prayerfully asking every day for the gifts of the Holy Spirit and praying that we can “live” or use those gifts so that they “bear fruit” in our lives so that, as the prayer asks, “… with all trials overcome, they (we – you and I) may gladden your Church by their holiness and, by their works and their charity foster her growth in the world…”
As we approach, in the Church’s calendar, the conclusion of the 50 days of the Easter season, the Solemnities of the Ascension of the Lord and Pentecost offer us a wonderful opportunity to consider the importance of the gifts and “fruits” of the Holy Spirit in our lives. I imagine that some readers of this column might continue to feel disappointed or upset by the decision of the bishops of New Jersey to “transfer” the Solemnity of the Ascension from a Thursday (10 days before Pentecost) to a Sunday (seven days before Pentecost). For those who may still have those feelings, I would ask your patience and understanding – a “fruit” and a gift of the Holy Spirit. I also invite you to try to “see the positive,” such as the beauty of the Solemnity of the Ascension, leading us to Pentecost, regardless of whether it is celebrated on a Thursday or Sunday.
As I ask for “patience and understanding,” I hope that provides an example of the circumstances and situations in which we find ourselves in our “day to day” lives when we need to ask that the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit be “enflamed” in our lives so that our “works and charity” can “foster the growth of the Church in the world” by producing and sharing the “fruits” of the Holy Spirit.
One of the blessings of my ministry as bishop, especially during this time of year, is the opportunity to frequently celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation. In the Prayer of Confirmation by which the bishop (or celebrant) “calls down” the gifts of the Holy Spirit on those being confirmed, the sevenfold Gifts are named: Wisdom, Understanding, Knowledge, Fortitude, Counsel, Piety, and Fear of the Lord. Can you recall the last time that you asked for or needed one of those gifts in particular? If you are not regularly in the habit of asking for or thinking about the gifts of the Holy Spirit, these days leading up to Pentecost are a great time to be reflecting upon and asking for the gifts of the Spirit in prayer.
I found a very interesting, informative, and thought-provoking article, available online, from the website “Catholic Answers,” with the subtitle: “What are the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit, and why do they matter?” After a brief description of each of the seven gifts, it says this:
“These are heroic character traits that Jesus Christ alone possesses in their plenitude but that he freely shares with the members of his mystical body (i.e., his Church). These traits are infused into every Christian as a permanent endowment at his baptism, nurtured by the practice of the seven virtues, and sealed in the sacrament of confirmation. They are also known as the sanctifying gifts of the Spirit, because they serve the purpose of rendering their recipients docile to the promptings of the Holy Spirit in their lives, helping them to grow in holiness and making them fit for heaven…” The Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit
I hope that most readers are aware that, as we speak of the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, the Church also identifies 12 “fruits” of the Holy Spirit. The Catechism of the Catholic Church names the gifts in articles 1830-31, fruits of the Holy Spirit in article 1832: “The fruits of the Spirit are perfections that the Holy Spirit forms in us as the first fruits of eternal glory. the tradition of the Church lists twelve of them: “charity, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, gentleness, faithfulness, modesty, self-control, chastity.” [ See: The Gifts and Fruits of the Holy Spirit.]
Father Mike Schmitz offers a very good (19-minute) summary of the gifts and Fruits of the Holy Spirit in a chapter/episode of his Catechism in a Year podcast that can be found on YouTube here.
One way to meditate and reflect on the importance of the fruits of the Holy Spirit is to just slowly read the list of those 12 virtues or character-traits and ask how needed (and valued?) they are in our world and culture today. We might also review the list and choose to reflect on one or two each day as we move toward the celebration of the Ascension and Pentecost, or choose one, two, or three of the fruits that you may want to “practice” or live out in your life and relationships?
With each Confirmation Mass I celebrate, and each time I pray that beautiful Prayer after Communion, I am more convinced that each of us should be asking for the grace to use the gifts of the Holy Spirit, day by day, so that we may “produce” and share the fruits of the Holy Spirit. So that, “with all trials overcome, (we) may gladden (the) Church by (our) holiness and, by (our) works and charity foster her growth in the world.”
Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.
– “Accompany with your Blessing from this day forward O Lord those who have been anointed with the Holy Spirit and nourished by the Sacrament of your Son. So that, with all trials overcome, they may gladden your Church by their holiness and, by their works and their charity foster her growth in the world. Through Christ, Our Lord. Amen. — Prayer after Communion, Ritual Mass of Confirmation BISHOP KEVIN J. SWEENEY The Prayer cited above has become one of my favorite prayers. Often, as I say that prayer after Communion at a Mass when I have celebrated confirmation, I am
Cardinal Blase Cupich said Father Jose Molina was accused of “improper communications” and was barred from ministering in Chicago.
The Vatican’s message for Vesak calls Buddhists and Christians to promote an “unarmed and disarming” peace rooted in truth, compassion, and mutual trust.
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NASA astronaut Jessica Meir poses with an Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) spacesuit during an official portrait session at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston.
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ROCKVILLE, MD — Hantavirus has quickly become the biggest viral threat to humanity since COVID and as luck would have it, Dr. Fauci has announced that he has been working on a hantavirus vaccine this entire time. How convenient!
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