Day: April 19, 2026

Children’s Prayer For Parents: Prayer of the Day for Monday, April 20, 2026 – #Prayer – Dear Lord! Fill our parents with Thy choicest blessings; enrich their souls with Thy holy grace; grant that they may faithfully and constantly guard that likeness to Thy union with Thy Church, which Thou didst imprint upon them on their wedding day. Fill them with Thy spirit of holy fear, which is the beginning of wisdom; inspire them to impart it to their children. May they ever walk in the way of Thy commandments, and may we their children be their joy on earth …

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Dear Lord! Fill our parents with Thy choicest blessings;
enrich their souls with Thy holy grace;
grant that they may faithfully
and constantly guard that likeness to Thy union with Thy Church,
which Thou didst imprint upon them on their wedding day.
Fill them with Thy spirit of holy fear,
which is the beginning of wisdom;
inspire them to impart it to their children.
May they ever walk in the way of Thy commandments,
and may we their children be their joy on earth …

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Gospel and Word of the Day – 20 April 2026 – A reading from the Acts of the Apostles 6:8-15 Stephen, filled with grace and power, was working great wonders and signs among the people. Certain members of the so-called Synagogue of Freedmen, Cyreneans, and Alexandrians, and people from Cilicia and Asia, came forward and debated with Stephen, but they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he spoke. Then they instigated some men to say, "We have heard him speaking blasphemous words against Moses and God." They stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes, accosted him, seized him, and brought him before the Sanhedrin. They presented false witnesses who testified, "This man never stops saying things against this holy place and the law. For we have heard him claim that this Jesus the Nazorean will destroy this place and change the customs that Moses handed down to us." All those who sat in the Sanhedrin looked intently at him and saw that his face was like the face of an angel.From the Gospel according to John 6:22-29 [After Jesus had fed the five thousand men, his disciples saw him walking on the sea.] The next day, the crowd that remained across the sea saw that there had been only one boat there, and that Jesus had not gone along with his disciples in the boat, but only his disciples had left. Other boats came from Tiberias near the place where they had eaten the bread when the Lord gave thanks. When the crowd saw that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they themselves got into boats and came to Capernaum looking for Jesus. And when they found him across the sea they said to him, "Rabbi, when did you get here?" Jesus answered them and said, "Amen, amen, I say to you, you are looking for me not because you saw signs but because you ate the loaves and were filled. Do not work for food that perishes but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him the Father, God, has set his seal." So they said to him, "What can we do to accomplish the works of God?" Jesus answered and said to them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in the one he sent."Stephen, "full of grace and power" (Acts 6: 8), presented in Jesus’ Name a new interpretation of Moses and of God’s Law itself. He reread the Old Testament in the light of the proclamation of Christ’s death and Resurrection. He gave the Old Testament a Christological reinterpretation and provoked reactions from the Jews, who took his words to be blasphemous (cf. Acts 6: 11-14). For this reason he was condemned to stoning. And St Luke passes on to us the saint’s last discourse, a synthesis of his preaching. Just as Jesus had shown the disciples of Emmaus that the whole of the Old Testament speaks of him, of his Cross and his Resurrection, so St Stephen, following Jesus’ teaching, interpreted the whole of the Old Testament in a Christological key. He shows that the mystery of the Cross stands at the centre of the history of salvation as recounted in the Old Testament; it shows that Jesus, Crucified and Risen, is truly the goal of all this history. St Stephen also shows that the cult of the temple was over and that Jesus, the Risen One, was the new, true "temple". (Pope Benedict XVI, General Audience, 10 January 2007)  

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A reading from the Acts of the Apostles
6:8-15

Stephen, filled with grace and power,
was working great wonders and signs among the people.
Certain members of the so-called Synagogue of Freedmen,
Cyreneans, and Alexandrians,
and people from Cilicia and Asia,
came forward and debated with Stephen,
but they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he spoke.
Then they instigated some men to say,
"We have heard him speaking blasphemous words
against Moses and God."
They stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes,
accosted him, seized him,
and brought him before the Sanhedrin.
They presented false witnesses who testified,
"This man never stops saying things against this holy place and the law.
For we have heard him claim
that this Jesus the Nazorean will destroy this place
and change the customs that Moses handed down to us."
All those who sat in the Sanhedrin looked intently at him
and saw that his face was like the face of an angel.

From the Gospel according to John
6:22-29

[After Jesus had fed the five thousand men, his disciples saw him walking on the sea.]
The next day, the crowd that remained across the sea
saw that there had been only one boat there,
and that Jesus had not gone along with his disciples in the boat,
but only his disciples had left.
Other boats came from Tiberias
near the place where they had eaten the bread
when the Lord gave thanks.
When the crowd saw that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there,
they themselves got into boats
and came to Capernaum looking for Jesus.
And when they found him across the sea they said to him,
"Rabbi, when did you get here?"
Jesus answered them and said,
"Amen, amen, I say to you, you are looking for me
not because you saw signs
but because you ate the loaves and were filled.
Do not work for food that perishes
but for the food that endures for eternal life,
which the Son of Man will give you.
For on him the Father, God, has set his seal."
So they said to him,
"What can we do to accomplish the works of God?"
Jesus answered and said to them,
"This is the work of God, that you believe in the one he sent."

Stephen, "full of grace and power" (Acts 6: 8), presented in Jesus’ Name a new interpretation of Moses and of God’s Law itself. He reread the Old Testament in the light of the proclamation of Christ’s death and Resurrection. He gave the Old Testament a Christological reinterpretation and provoked reactions from the Jews, who took his words to be blasphemous (cf. Acts 6: 11-14).

For this reason he was condemned to stoning. And St Luke passes on to us the saint’s last discourse, a synthesis of his preaching. Just as Jesus had shown the disciples of Emmaus that the whole of the Old Testament speaks of him, of his Cross and his Resurrection, so St Stephen, following Jesus’ teaching, interpreted the whole of the Old Testament in a Christological key. He shows that the mystery of the Cross stands at the centre of the history of salvation as recounted in the Old Testament; it shows that Jesus, Crucified and Risen, is truly the goal of all this history.

St Stephen also shows that the cult of the temple was over and that Jesus, the Risen One, was the new, true "temple". (Pope Benedict XVI, General Audience, 10 January 2007)

 

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PHOTOS: Pope Leo XIV celebrates Mass, leads rosary in Angola – #Catholic – Pope Leo XIV continued his apostolic journey in Africa on April 19 in Angola, celebrating Mass in Kilamba before leading the rosary in a gathering at the Marian shrine of Mama Muxima.Addressing young people, members of the Legion of Mary, and other pilgrims gathered at the shrine, the pope said he was “pleased to share this moment of Marian prayer” with them.Here are some of the highlights of Pope Leo’s activities on Sunday: Pope Leo XIV waves to crowds gathered before Mass in Kilamba, Angola, on April 19, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV makes the sign of the cross at the beginning of Mass in Kilamba, Angola, on April 19, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV celebrates Mass in Kilamba, Angola, on April 19, 2026. About 100,000 faithful packed the large esplanade where the Eucharistic celebration took place. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV celebrates Mass in Kilamba, Angola, on April 19, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV incenses the altar during Mass in Kilamba, Angola, on April 19, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV looks out the window during his ride to the Marian shrine of Mama Muxima in Kimbaxe, Angola, on April 19, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV waves to crowds gathered to pray the rosary at the Marian shrine of Mama Muxima in Kimbaxe, Angola, on April 19, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV greets a baby during his visit to the Marian shrine of Mama Muxima in Kimbaxe, Angola, on April 19, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV lays flowers at the Marian shrine of Mama Muxima in Kimbaxe, Angola, on April 19, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV prays at the Marian shrine of Mama Muxima in Kimbaxe, Angola, on April 19, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV leads the rosary at the Marian shrine of Mama Muxima in Kimbaxe, Angola, on April 19, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Crowds gather to pray the rosary with Pope Leo XIV at the Marian shrine of Mama Muxima in Kimbaxe, Angola, on April 19, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media
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PHOTOS: Pope Leo XIV celebrates Mass, leads rosary in Angola – #Catholic – Pope Leo XIV continued his apostolic journey in Africa on April 19 in Angola, celebrating Mass in Kilamba before leading the rosary in a gathering at the Marian shrine of Mama Muxima.Addressing young people, members of the Legion of Mary, and other pilgrims gathered at the shrine, the pope said he was “pleased to share this moment of Marian prayer” with them.Here are some of the highlights of Pope Leo’s activities on Sunday: Pope Leo XIV waves to crowds gathered before Mass in Kilamba, Angola, on April 19, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV makes the sign of the cross at the beginning of Mass in Kilamba, Angola, on April 19, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV celebrates Mass in Kilamba, Angola, on April 19, 2026. About 100,000 faithful packed the large esplanade where the Eucharistic celebration took place. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV celebrates Mass in Kilamba, Angola, on April 19, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV incenses the altar during Mass in Kilamba, Angola, on April 19, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV looks out the window during his ride to the Marian shrine of Mama Muxima in Kimbaxe, Angola, on April 19, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV waves to crowds gathered to pray the rosary at the Marian shrine of Mama Muxima in Kimbaxe, Angola, on April 19, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV greets a baby during his visit to the Marian shrine of Mama Muxima in Kimbaxe, Angola, on April 19, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV lays flowers at the Marian shrine of Mama Muxima in Kimbaxe, Angola, on April 19, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV prays at the Marian shrine of Mama Muxima in Kimbaxe, Angola, on April 19, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV leads the rosary at the Marian shrine of Mama Muxima in Kimbaxe, Angola, on April 19, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Crowds gather to pray the rosary with Pope Leo XIV at the Marian shrine of Mama Muxima in Kimbaxe, Angola, on April 19, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media

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A look in photos at Pope Leo XIV’s seventh day of his apostolic visit to Africa.

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55 religious jubilarians honored for joyful service in Parsippany #Catholic - On April 18, Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney joyfully commemorated 55 dedicated religious sisters and priests as they reached major anniversaries in consecrated life — from 25 to an inspiring 80 years — during the jubilant annual Mass for Religious of the Paterson Diocese in New Jersey at St. Ann Church in Parsippany, N.J. The bishop wholeheartedly thanked the jubilarians for their remarkable combined 3,280 years of selfless service to the diocese and the Church. Several priests, including Father Nico Quintos, pastor of St. Ann’s and minister to the diocesan retired senior priests, concelebrated the Mass. Meanwhile, Father Jared Brogan, director of the diocesan Office of Worship, served as master of ceremonies for the liturgy, which was organized by the office of Salesian Sister Theresa Lee, diocesan chancellor and delegate for religious. Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter. During the joyful Mass, Bishop Sweeney led the jubilarians in renewing their heartfelt commitment as religious “to follow Christ in chastity, poverty, and obedience.” With Sister Lee’s help, Bishop Sweeney then handed out anniversary certificates to the 24 jubilarians who attended. Afterward, worshippers proceeded to St. Ann’s parish hall for a festive reception. Jubilarians of the Paterson Diocese for 2026 80 Years Sr. Domenica Di Peri, FMA Sr. Anna Grace Mascolo, MPF Sr. Raphael Santitoro, MPF 75 Years Sr. Lorraine Chaudron, MPF Sr. Joan Digan, SC Sr. Louise Lauretti, MPF Sr. Santa Priolo, MPF Sr. Livia Setti, FMA Sr. Helen Sholander, MPF Sr. Mary Catherine Slattery, SCC 70 Years Sr. Mary Culhane, SC Sr. Eileen Eager, SC Sr. Carmela Falcone, MPF Sr. Mary Gintilla, MPF Sr. Joan Daniel Healy, SCC Sr. Rose Marie O’Brien, SC Sr. Mary Bertha Paquin, FMA Sr. Geraldine Romano, MPF Sr. Jean Ann Trainor, SC 65 Years Sr. Maureen Ann Corcoran, SC Sr. Anna DeCarli, MPF Sr. Balbina Lopez, FMA Sr. Barbara Quandt, MPF Sr. Carmela Santarsiero, MPF Sr. Rosemary Smith, SC Sr. Alice Swartz, RSM Sr. Carmela Termine, FMA 60 Years Sr. Donna Brady, SCC Sr. Ellen Byrnes, FSP Fr. Bernard Creighton, OFM Sr. Shawn Donnolly, SCC Sr. Geraldine Frisk, MPF Sr. Margaret Gaffikin, FSP Sr. Maureen Himchak, MPF Sr. Janice Jolin, SMIC Sr. Justina Lanasa, SCC Sr. Merris Larkin, SC Sr. Josita Marks, SCC Sr. Diane Moughan, SCC Sr. Gale Pankowski, SCC Sr. Joan Repka, SC Sr. Gerardine Tansits, SCC Sr. Inez Valentin, FMA 50 Years Sr. Marie Cecilia Landis, SCC Sr. Ann Lavelle, SCC Sr. Joyce O’Shea, SC Sr. Teresita Teran, FMA 40 Years Sr. Elaine Bebyn, MPF Sr. Fran DaGrossa, FMA Sr. Emy De Fillippi, FMA 25 Years Fr. John C. Coughlin, OFM Sr. Maria Goretti Nguyen, SCC Sr. Araceli Soldevilla, FSSE Fr. Agustino Miguel Torres, CFR Br. Matthias Kwang-Jae Yoo, OSB BEACON PHOTOS | JOE GIGLI [See image gallery at beaconnj.org]  
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55 religious jubilarians honored for joyful service in Parsippany #Catholic – On April 18, Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney joyfully commemorated 55 dedicated religious sisters and priests as they reached major anniversaries in consecrated life — from 25 to an inspiring 80 years — during the jubilant annual Mass for Religious of the Paterson Diocese in New Jersey at St. Ann Church in Parsippany, N.J. The bishop wholeheartedly thanked the jubilarians for their remarkable combined 3,280 years of selfless service to the diocese and the Church. Several priests, including Father Nico Quintos, pastor of St. Ann’s and minister to the diocesan retired senior priests, concelebrated the Mass. Meanwhile, Father Jared Brogan, director of the diocesan Office of Worship, served as master of ceremonies for the liturgy, which was organized by the office of Salesian Sister Theresa Lee, diocesan chancellor and delegate for religious. Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter. During the joyful Mass, Bishop Sweeney led the jubilarians in renewing their heartfelt commitment as religious “to follow Christ in chastity, poverty, and obedience.” With Sister Lee’s help, Bishop Sweeney then handed out anniversary certificates to the 24 jubilarians who attended. Afterward, worshippers proceeded to St. Ann’s parish hall for a festive reception. Jubilarians of the Paterson Diocese for 2026 80 Years Sr. Domenica Di Peri, FMA Sr. Anna Grace Mascolo, MPF Sr. Raphael Santitoro, MPF 75 Years Sr. Lorraine Chaudron, MPF Sr. Joan Digan, SC Sr. Louise Lauretti, MPF Sr. Santa Priolo, MPF Sr. Livia Setti, FMA Sr. Helen Sholander, MPF Sr. Mary Catherine Slattery, SCC 70 Years Sr. Mary Culhane, SC Sr. Eileen Eager, SC Sr. Carmela Falcone, MPF Sr. Mary Gintilla, MPF Sr. Joan Daniel Healy, SCC Sr. Rose Marie O’Brien, SC Sr. Mary Bertha Paquin, FMA Sr. Geraldine Romano, MPF Sr. Jean Ann Trainor, SC 65 Years Sr. Maureen Ann Corcoran, SC Sr. Anna DeCarli, MPF Sr. Balbina Lopez, FMA Sr. Barbara Quandt, MPF Sr. Carmela Santarsiero, MPF Sr. Rosemary Smith, SC Sr. Alice Swartz, RSM Sr. Carmela Termine, FMA 60 Years Sr. Donna Brady, SCC Sr. Ellen Byrnes, FSP Fr. Bernard Creighton, OFM Sr. Shawn Donnolly, SCC Sr. Geraldine Frisk, MPF Sr. Margaret Gaffikin, FSP Sr. Maureen Himchak, MPF Sr. Janice Jolin, SMIC Sr. Justina Lanasa, SCC Sr. Merris Larkin, SC Sr. Josita Marks, SCC Sr. Diane Moughan, SCC Sr. Gale Pankowski, SCC Sr. Joan Repka, SC Sr. Gerardine Tansits, SCC Sr. Inez Valentin, FMA 50 Years Sr. Marie Cecilia Landis, SCC Sr. Ann Lavelle, SCC Sr. Joyce O’Shea, SC Sr. Teresita Teran, FMA 40 Years Sr. Elaine Bebyn, MPF Sr. Fran DaGrossa, FMA Sr. Emy De Fillippi, FMA 25 Years Fr. John C. Coughlin, OFM Sr. Maria Goretti Nguyen, SCC Sr. Araceli Soldevilla, FSSE Fr. Agustino Miguel Torres, CFR Br. Matthias Kwang-Jae Yoo, OSB BEACON PHOTOS | JOE GIGLI [See image gallery at beaconnj.org]  

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55 religious jubilarians honored for joyful service in Parsippany #Catholic –

On April 18, Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney joyfully commemorated 55 dedicated religious sisters and priests as they reached major anniversaries in consecrated life — from 25 to an inspiring 80 years — during the jubilant annual Mass for Religious of the Paterson Diocese in New Jersey at St. Ann Church in Parsippany, N.J. The bishop wholeheartedly thanked the jubilarians for their remarkable combined 3,280 years of selfless service to the diocese and the Church.

Several priests, including Father Nico Quintos, pastor of St. Ann’s and minister to the diocesan retired senior priests, concelebrated the Mass. Meanwhile, Father Jared Brogan, director of the diocesan Office of Worship, served as master of ceremonies for the liturgy, which was organized by the office of Salesian Sister Theresa Lee, diocesan chancellor and delegate for religious.

Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

During the joyful Mass, Bishop Sweeney led the jubilarians in renewing their heartfelt commitment as religious “to follow Christ in chastity, poverty, and obedience.” With Sister Lee’s help, Bishop Sweeney then handed out anniversary certificates to the 24 jubilarians who attended. Afterward, worshippers proceeded to St. Ann’s parish hall for a festive reception.

Jubilarians of the Paterson Diocese for 2026

80 Years

Sr. Domenica Di Peri, FMA
Sr. Anna Grace Mascolo, MPF
Sr. Raphael Santitoro, MPF

75 Years

Sr. Lorraine Chaudron, MPF
Sr. Joan Digan, SC
Sr. Louise Lauretti, MPF
Sr. Santa Priolo, MPF
Sr. Livia Setti, FMA
Sr. Helen Sholander, MPF
Sr. Mary Catherine Slattery, SCC

70 Years

Sr. Mary Culhane, SC
Sr. Eileen Eager, SC
Sr. Carmela Falcone, MPF
Sr. Mary Gintilla, MPF
Sr. Joan Daniel Healy, SCC
Sr. Rose Marie O’Brien, SC
Sr. Mary Bertha Paquin, FMA
Sr. Geraldine Romano, MPF
Sr. Jean Ann Trainor, SC

65 Years

Sr. Maureen Ann Corcoran, SC
Sr. Anna DeCarli, MPF
Sr. Balbina Lopez, FMA
Sr. Barbara Quandt, MPF
Sr. Carmela Santarsiero, MPF
Sr. Rosemary Smith, SC
Sr. Alice Swartz, RSM
Sr. Carmela Termine, FMA

60 Years

Sr. Donna Brady, SCC
Sr. Ellen Byrnes, FSP
Fr. Bernard Creighton, OFM
Sr. Shawn Donnolly, SCC
Sr. Geraldine Frisk, MPF
Sr. Margaret Gaffikin, FSP
Sr. Maureen Himchak, MPF
Sr. Janice Jolin, SMIC
Sr. Justina Lanasa, SCC
Sr. Merris Larkin, SC
Sr. Josita Marks, SCC
Sr. Diane Moughan, SCC
Sr. Gale Pankowski, SCC
Sr. Joan Repka, SC
Sr. Gerardine Tansits, SCC
Sr. Inez Valentin, FMA

50 Years

Sr. Marie Cecilia Landis, SCC
Sr. Ann Lavelle, SCC
Sr. Joyce O’Shea, SC
Sr. Teresita Teran, FMA

40 Years

Sr. Elaine Bebyn, MPF
Sr. Fran DaGrossa, FMA
Sr. Emy De Fillippi, FMA

25 Years

Fr. John C. Coughlin, OFM
Sr. Maria Goretti Nguyen, SCC
Sr. Araceli Soldevilla, FSSE
Fr. Agustino Miguel Torres, CFR
Br. Matthias Kwang-Jae Yoo, OSB

BEACON PHOTOS | JOE GIGLI

– On April 18, Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney joyfully commemorated 55 dedicated religious sisters and priests as they reached major anniversaries in consecrated life — from 25 to an inspiring 80 years — during the jubilant annual Mass for Religious of the Paterson Diocese in New Jersey at St. Ann Church in Parsippany, N.J. The bishop wholeheartedly thanked the jubilarians for their remarkable combined 3,280 years of selfless service to the diocese and the Church. Several priests, including Father Nico Quintos, pastor of St. Ann’s and minister to the diocesan retired senior priests, concelebrated the Mass. Meanwhile, Father Jared Brogan, director

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Pope Leo XIV urges Angola’s young people to build a world free of war, injustice, and poverty – #Catholic – KIMBAXE, Angola — Pope Leo XIV on Sunday urged young people in Angola to help build “a better, welcoming world, where there is no more war, injustice, poverty, or dishonesty,” during a rosary gathering at the Marian shrine of Mama Muxima.The shrine, whose name means “Mother of the Heart” in Kimbundu, is one of Angola’s best-known Marian sanctuaries. Built by the Portuguese in the 17th century on a hill overlooking the Kwanza River, it has long been a place of pilgrimage and prayer for Angolan Catholics.Addressing young people, members of the Legion of Mary, and other pilgrims gathered at the shrine, the pope said he was “pleased to share this moment of Marian prayer” with them.“Together we have recited the holy rosary, an ancient and simple devotion that originated in the Church as a form of prayer for everyone,” Leo said.Quoting St. John Paul II, the pope described the rosary as the prayer of a Christianity that has preserved the “freshness of its beginnings and feels drawn by the Spirit of God to ‘set out into the deep’ … to proclaim, and even cry out, before the world that Jesus Christ is Lord and Savior.”Leo said that in the “living and young Church of Angola,” one can “truly feel the freshness of faith and the power of the Spirit.”He reflected on the history of the shrine, saying it has been a place where “for centuries, many men and women have prayed in times of joy and also in moments of sorrow and great suffering in the history of this country.”“For a long time now, Mama Muxima has quietly worked to keep the heart of the Church alive and beating,” he said. “Her heart contains a multitude of hearts: yours, and those of many people who love, pray, celebrate, weep, and sometimes — even when unable to come in person — entrust their requests and petitions to letters and postal messages.”“Mama Muxima welcomes everyone, listens to everyone, and prays for everyone,” he added.Meditating on the glorious mysteries, the pope said the faithful were contemplating both their destiny in Christ and their mission in his love.“At Easter, Christ conquered death, showing us the way back to the Father,” Leo said. “And so that we too may walk this luminous and demanding path, sharing its beauty with the whole world, he has given us his Spirit, who animates and sustains us on our journey and in our mission.”“Like Mary, we too are made for heaven,” he continued. “As we journey toward heaven with joy, we look to her as our good Mother and model of holiness. Following her example, we bring the light of the risen One to the brothers and sisters we meet.”The pope also reflected on the popular title of the shrine, saying that although it is dedicated to the Immaculate Conception, the faithful have spontaneously renamed it the shrine of the “Mother of the Heart.”“It is a beautiful title, which makes us reflect on the heart of Mary: a pure and wise heart, capable of treasuring and pondering the extraordinary events in the life of the Son of God,” he said.Leo said praying the rosary means taking on a concrete responsibility toward others.“Praying the rosary, then, commits us to loving every person with a mother’s heart — concretely and generously — and to dedicating ourselves to the good of one another, especially the poorest,” he said.“A mother loves all her children in the same way and with her whole heart, even though each one is different,” the pope continued. “In the presence of the Mother of the Heart, we too want to promise to do likewise.”“We strive without measure so that no one may lack love,” he said. “We also seek to provide the necessities for living with dignity and happiness: that the hungry may have enough to eat, that the sick may receive the necessary care, that children may be guaranteed a proper education, and that the elderly may live their later years in peace.”“A mother thinks of all these things. Indeed, Mary thinks of all these things, and she also invites us to share in her maternal concern,” he added.Turning again to the young people gathered at the shrine, Leo pointed to the construction of a new sanctuary there as a sign of a larger calling.“Dear young people, members of the Legion of Mary, brothers and sisters, Our Lady asks us to let ourselves be moved by the sentiments of her heart, so that like her, we may be workers for justice and bearers of peace,” he said.“Here, a great project is underway: the construction of a new shrine, able to welcome all who come on pilgrimage. Everyone — especially you young people — should take this as a sign,” the pope said.“For the Mother of Heaven entrusts a great project to you as well: to build a better, welcoming world, where there is no more war, injustice, poverty or dishonesty, and where the principles of the Gospel increasingly inspire and shape hearts, structures, and programs, for the good of all.”“It is love that must triumph, not war!” Leo said. “This is what the heart of Mary — the heart of the Mother of all — teaches us.”“Let us set out, then, from this shrine as ‘messenger angels’ of life, bringing Mary’s tender embrace and God’s blessing to everyone,” he said.At the end of his address, the pope invoked a hymn familiar to devotees of Mama Muxima: “Mother of the Heart, we come to you to offer you everything.”“Dearest friends, let us offer everything to Mary, giving ourselves entirely to our brothers and sisters, and let us joyfully receive, through her intercession, the Lord’s blessing, so that we may bring it to everyone we meet,” he said. “Amen.”In his greeting, Bishop Emilio Sumbelelo of Viana highlighted the importance of devotion to Mama Muxima in Angola and noted that in 2022 the cornerstone of a future basilica was laid by the president of the republic and blessed by the late Cardinal Alexandre do Nascimento. The basilica will be dedicated to Our Lady of the Conception of Muxima, fulfilling a promise made by the Angolan government to the Catholic Church during St. John Paul II’s 1992 visit to the country.For many Angolans, the shrine remains a powerful symbol of faith, national memory, and hope.This story was first published by ACI Stampa, the Italian-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.
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Pope Leo XIV urges Angola’s young people to build a world free of war, injustice, and poverty – #Catholic – KIMBAXE, Angola — Pope Leo XIV on Sunday urged young people in Angola to help build “a better, welcoming world, where there is no more war, injustice, poverty, or dishonesty,” during a rosary gathering at the Marian shrine of Mama Muxima.The shrine, whose name means “Mother of the Heart” in Kimbundu, is one of Angola’s best-known Marian sanctuaries. Built by the Portuguese in the 17th century on a hill overlooking the Kwanza River, it has long been a place of pilgrimage and prayer for Angolan Catholics.Addressing young people, members of the Legion of Mary, and other pilgrims gathered at the shrine, the pope said he was “pleased to share this moment of Marian prayer” with them.“Together we have recited the holy rosary, an ancient and simple devotion that originated in the Church as a form of prayer for everyone,” Leo said.Quoting St. John Paul II, the pope described the rosary as the prayer of a Christianity that has preserved the “freshness of its beginnings and feels drawn by the Spirit of God to ‘set out into the deep’ … to proclaim, and even cry out, before the world that Jesus Christ is Lord and Savior.”Leo said that in the “living and young Church of Angola,” one can “truly feel the freshness of faith and the power of the Spirit.”He reflected on the history of the shrine, saying it has been a place where “for centuries, many men and women have prayed in times of joy and also in moments of sorrow and great suffering in the history of this country.”“For a long time now, Mama Muxima has quietly worked to keep the heart of the Church alive and beating,” he said. “Her heart contains a multitude of hearts: yours, and those of many people who love, pray, celebrate, weep, and sometimes — even when unable to come in person — entrust their requests and petitions to letters and postal messages.”“Mama Muxima welcomes everyone, listens to everyone, and prays for everyone,” he added.Meditating on the glorious mysteries, the pope said the faithful were contemplating both their destiny in Christ and their mission in his love.“At Easter, Christ conquered death, showing us the way back to the Father,” Leo said. “And so that we too may walk this luminous and demanding path, sharing its beauty with the whole world, he has given us his Spirit, who animates and sustains us on our journey and in our mission.”“Like Mary, we too are made for heaven,” he continued. “As we journey toward heaven with joy, we look to her as our good Mother and model of holiness. Following her example, we bring the light of the risen One to the brothers and sisters we meet.”The pope also reflected on the popular title of the shrine, saying that although it is dedicated to the Immaculate Conception, the faithful have spontaneously renamed it the shrine of the “Mother of the Heart.”“It is a beautiful title, which makes us reflect on the heart of Mary: a pure and wise heart, capable of treasuring and pondering the extraordinary events in the life of the Son of God,” he said.Leo said praying the rosary means taking on a concrete responsibility toward others.“Praying the rosary, then, commits us to loving every person with a mother’s heart — concretely and generously — and to dedicating ourselves to the good of one another, especially the poorest,” he said.“A mother loves all her children in the same way and with her whole heart, even though each one is different,” the pope continued. “In the presence of the Mother of the Heart, we too want to promise to do likewise.”“We strive without measure so that no one may lack love,” he said. “We also seek to provide the necessities for living with dignity and happiness: that the hungry may have enough to eat, that the sick may receive the necessary care, that children may be guaranteed a proper education, and that the elderly may live their later years in peace.”“A mother thinks of all these things. Indeed, Mary thinks of all these things, and she also invites us to share in her maternal concern,” he added.Turning again to the young people gathered at the shrine, Leo pointed to the construction of a new sanctuary there as a sign of a larger calling.“Dear young people, members of the Legion of Mary, brothers and sisters, Our Lady asks us to let ourselves be moved by the sentiments of her heart, so that like her, we may be workers for justice and bearers of peace,” he said.“Here, a great project is underway: the construction of a new shrine, able to welcome all who come on pilgrimage. Everyone — especially you young people — should take this as a sign,” the pope said.“For the Mother of Heaven entrusts a great project to you as well: to build a better, welcoming world, where there is no more war, injustice, poverty or dishonesty, and where the principles of the Gospel increasingly inspire and shape hearts, structures, and programs, for the good of all.”“It is love that must triumph, not war!” Leo said. “This is what the heart of Mary — the heart of the Mother of all — teaches us.”“Let us set out, then, from this shrine as ‘messenger angels’ of life, bringing Mary’s tender embrace and God’s blessing to everyone,” he said.At the end of his address, the pope invoked a hymn familiar to devotees of Mama Muxima: “Mother of the Heart, we come to you to offer you everything.”“Dearest friends, let us offer everything to Mary, giving ourselves entirely to our brothers and sisters, and let us joyfully receive, through her intercession, the Lord’s blessing, so that we may bring it to everyone we meet,” he said. “Amen.”In his greeting, Bishop Emilio Sumbelelo of Viana highlighted the importance of devotion to Mama Muxima in Angola and noted that in 2022 the cornerstone of a future basilica was laid by the president of the republic and blessed by the late Cardinal Alexandre do Nascimento. The basilica will be dedicated to Our Lady of the Conception of Muxima, fulfilling a promise made by the Angolan government to the Catholic Church during St. John Paul II’s 1992 visit to the country.For many Angolans, the shrine remains a powerful symbol of faith, national memory, and hope.This story was first published by ACI Stampa, the Italian-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.

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The pontiff told young Angolans that Our Lady entrusts them with the task of building a better world shaped by the Gospel.

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Wife of Ex-Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer Bails Out NPR With Million Donation After Trump Cut Federal Funding – National Public Radio (NPR) has secured 3 million in donations as it continues to grapple with the fallout from major federal funding cuts under the Trump administration. The post Wife of Ex-Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer Bails Out NPR With Million Donation After Trump Cut Federal Funding appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.
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Wife of Ex-Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer Bails Out NPR With $80 Million Donation After Trump Cut Federal Funding – National Public Radio (NPR) has secured $113 million in donations as it continues to grapple with the fallout from major federal funding cuts under the Trump administration. The post Wife of Ex-Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer Bails Out NPR With $80 Million Donation After Trump Cut Federal Funding appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

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Close-up of a woman with short gray hair and green eyes, expressing a thoughtful emotion in a softly lit indoor setting.

Close-up of a woman with short gray hair and green eyes, expressing a thoughtful emotion in a softly lit indoor setting.

National Public Radio (NPR) has secured $113 million in donations as it continues to grapple with the fallout from major federal funding cuts under the Trump administration.

The post Wife of Ex-Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer Bails Out NPR With $80 Million Donation After Trump Cut Federal Funding appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

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‘Clearly a Human in a Bear Suit’: California Trio Jailed for Staging Fake Bear Attacks on Rolls-Royce and Mercedes in 2K Insurance Scam (VIDEO) – Three Los Angeles-area residents have been sentenced to jail time after pleading no contest to felony insurance fraud in a bizarre scheme that involved dressing in a bear costume to stage fake attacks on luxury vehicles and then filing fraudulent insurance claims. The post ‘Clearly a Human in a Bear Suit’: California Trio Jailed for Staging Fake Bear Attacks on Rolls-Royce and Mercedes in 2K Insurance Scam (VIDEO) appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.
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‘Clearly a Human in a Bear Suit’: California Trio Jailed for Staging Fake Bear Attacks on Rolls-Royce and Mercedes in $142K Insurance Scam (VIDEO) – Three Los Angeles-area residents have been sentenced to jail time after pleading no contest to felony insurance fraud in a bizarre scheme that involved dressing in a bear costume to stage fake attacks on luxury vehicles and then filing fraudulent insurance claims. The post ‘Clearly a Human in a Bear Suit’: California Trio Jailed for Staging Fake Bear Attacks on Rolls-Royce and Mercedes in $142K Insurance Scam (VIDEO) appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

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Surveillance footage shows a mysterious figure near a car, alongside a collection of Bigfoot costume parts laid out indoors.

Surveillance footage shows a mysterious figure near a car, alongside a collection of Bigfoot costume parts laid out indoors.

Three Los Angeles-area residents have been sentenced to jail time after pleading no contest to felony insurance fraud in a bizarre scheme that involved dressing in a bear costume to stage fake attacks on luxury vehicles and then filing fraudulent insurance claims.

The post ‘Clearly a Human in a Bear Suit’: California Trio Jailed for Staging Fake Bear Attacks on Rolls-Royce and Mercedes in $142K Insurance Scam (VIDEO) appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

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OUCH! Parachuter Crashes Into Scoreboard at Virginia Tech Game, Left Dangling Above Stadium (VIDEO) – A parachuter slammed into Virginia Tech’s stadium scoreboard moments before kickoff on Saturday, leaving the jumper dangling above the field and delaying the school’s spring football game. The post OUCH! Parachuter Crashes Into Scoreboard at Virginia Tech Game, Left Dangling Above Stadium (VIDEO) appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.
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OUCH! Parachuter Crashes Into Scoreboard at Virginia Tech Game, Left Dangling Above Stadium (VIDEO) – A parachuter slammed into Virginia Tech’s stadium scoreboard moments before kickoff on Saturday, leaving the jumper dangling above the field and delaying the school’s spring football game. The post OUCH! Parachuter Crashes Into Scoreboard at Virginia Tech Game, Left Dangling Above Stadium (VIDEO) appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

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Skydiver parachuting near Virginia Tech sign with an American flag backdrop, showcasing school spirit and excitement during an event.

Skydiver parachuting near Virginia Tech sign with an American flag backdrop, showcasing school spirit and excitement during an event.

A parachuter slammed into Virginia Tech’s stadium scoreboard moments before kickoff on Saturday, leaving the jumper dangling above the field and delaying the school’s spring football game.

The post OUCH! Parachuter Crashes Into Scoreboard at Virginia Tech Game, Left Dangling Above Stadium (VIDEO) appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

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National Infertility Awareness Week: 4 Catholic ministries walking with couples #Catholic According to the World Health Organization, about 1 in 6 people globally experience infertility in their lifetime. In the United States, 1 in 8 couples deal with infertility.This year, National Infertility Awareness Week (NIAW) runs from April 19–25. Established in 1989 by RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association, NIAW is an annual initiative held each April that raises public awareness, promotes policy change — especially regarding insurance coverage — and fosters open conversations to support those struggling to build their families.RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association was founded in 1974 as a nonprofit dedicated to supporting individuals and couples facing infertility through education, advocacy, and community support.The Catholic Church offers couples struggling with infertility a wide range of resources that aim to address the root of the issue in a holistic manner and in a way that aligns with Church teaching.Here are four Catholic ministries that work with couples carrying the cross of infertility:Springs in the DesertSprings in the Desert is a Catholic infertility ministry founded in 2019 by Kimberly Henkel and Ann Koshute after they recognized how isolating infertility can be and how little pastoral support existed within the Church. The ministry exists to accompany women and couples spiritually and emotionally, helping them encounter God’s love and discover a broader understanding of fruitfulness beyond biological parenthood. Rooted deeply in Catholic teaching on marriage, human dignity, and reproductive ethics, it also works to educate clergy and lay leaders about the unique grief and needs associated with infertility.The ministry offers a wide range of resources, including retreats, small groups, blog reflections, a podcast, and virtual and in-person events designed to foster community and healing.For this year’s National Infertility Awareness Week, Springs in the Desert has partnered with Ascension to launch two free spiritual resources designed specifically for couples experiencing this hardship. They are a 15-part “Scripture and Saints” audio series featuring biblical figures such as Sarah and Abraham, Ruth and Naomi, Hannah and Elkanah, St. Joseph, Elizabeth and Zechariah, the woman with the hemorrhage, and St. Paul who connect the listener to the lived experience of infertility, and a novena inviting couples to pray with titles of Our Lady such as Our Lady of Sorrows and Queen of Families in order to invoke the Blessed Mother during times of grief and loss.Both resources will be available beginning April 19 in the Ascension app.The Fruitful HollowThe Fruitful Hollow is an online Catholic infertility ministry founded in 2021 by Lauren Allen after her own experience of infertility inspired her to create a space rooted in Church teaching and authentic support. The ministry focuses on helping women and couples live out their vocation with purpose during infertility, emphasizing that fruitfulness is not limited to having children but can be lived out in many spiritual and relational ways. It aims to address the lack of conversation and resources within Catholic circles and to guide people toward holiness in the midst of suffering. Lauren Allen, the founder of the Catholic infertility ministry the Fruitful Hollow, with her husband. | Credit: Photo courtesy of Lauren Allen The ministry provides weekly blog reflections, a mentorship program titled “Sisters of Hannah,” and a wide range of downloadable resources that address grief, medical decisions, marriage, and spiritual growth. It also offers tools for prayer, education on ethical fertility treatments, and even a memorial space for those who have experienced loss.Lily of the ValleyLily of the Valley is a Catholic lay ministry founded in 2022 to support families facing infertility, pregnancy loss, and difficult prenatal or postnatal diagnoses. Rooted in Catholic teaching and devotion — especially to St. Gianna Molla — the ministry’s mission is to accompany those carrying the cross of early-life suffering with prayer, compassion, and spiritual solidarity.The ministry’s work focuses on providing both spiritual and community-based support, particularly through tangible and relational resources. One of its most distinctive offerings is personalized prayer care packages, which include sacramentals, prayer cards, and handwritten notes designed to bring comfort and encourage prayer during difficult times.In addition, Lily of the Valley offers online support groups, curated spiritual resources, and opportunities for prayer accompaniment, helping women and families feel less alone and more supported within a faith-filled community as they navigate infertility and related struggles.Elizabeth MinistryA parish-based Catholic outreach founded in 1991 in Wisconsin, Elizabeth Ministry is designed to support women and families during critical reproductive and family life experiences, including infertility, miscarriage, pregnancy, and adoption. The ministry is inspired by the Visitation of Mary to Elizabeth, emphasizing accompaniment, presence, and shared faith. Its mission is to affirm the dignity of life and provide emotional, spiritual, and practical care to women navigating difficult or unexpected journeys.The ministry operates primarily through local parish chapters, offering one-on-one mentoring, meal support, prayer networks, and companionship for women experiencing infertility or loss. It also provides training materials, spiritual reflections, and structured programs to help parishes build supportive communities.Elizabeth Ministry’s work is especially valuable for women seeking in-person, relational support within their local Catholic community rather than solely online resources.Several parishes and dioceses have their own programs for couples struggling with infertility. For example, the Archdiocese of Denver and the Diocese of Des Moines, Iowa, have a program called Behold Your Child, which offers spiritual and emotional support for those experiencing infertility and hosts memorial Masses for those who have lost a child due to miscarriage, stillbirth, or infant loss.
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National Infertility Awareness Week: 4 Catholic ministries walking with couples #Catholic According to the World Health Organization, about 1 in 6 people globally experience infertility in their lifetime. In the United States, 1 in 8 couples deal with infertility.This year, National Infertility Awareness Week (NIAW) runs from April 19–25. Established in 1989 by RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association, NIAW is an annual initiative held each April that raises public awareness, promotes policy change — especially regarding insurance coverage — and fosters open conversations to support those struggling to build their families.RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association was founded in 1974 as a nonprofit dedicated to supporting individuals and couples facing infertility through education, advocacy, and community support.The Catholic Church offers couples struggling with infertility a wide range of resources that aim to address the root of the issue in a holistic manner and in a way that aligns with Church teaching.Here are four Catholic ministries that work with couples carrying the cross of infertility:Springs in the DesertSprings in the Desert is a Catholic infertility ministry founded in 2019 by Kimberly Henkel and Ann Koshute after they recognized how isolating infertility can be and how little pastoral support existed within the Church. The ministry exists to accompany women and couples spiritually and emotionally, helping them encounter God’s love and discover a broader understanding of fruitfulness beyond biological parenthood. Rooted deeply in Catholic teaching on marriage, human dignity, and reproductive ethics, it also works to educate clergy and lay leaders about the unique grief and needs associated with infertility.The ministry offers a wide range of resources, including retreats, small groups, blog reflections, a podcast, and virtual and in-person events designed to foster community and healing.For this year’s National Infertility Awareness Week, Springs in the Desert has partnered with Ascension to launch two free spiritual resources designed specifically for couples experiencing this hardship. They are a 15-part “Scripture and Saints” audio series featuring biblical figures such as Sarah and Abraham, Ruth and Naomi, Hannah and Elkanah, St. Joseph, Elizabeth and Zechariah, the woman with the hemorrhage, and St. Paul who connect the listener to the lived experience of infertility, and a novena inviting couples to pray with titles of Our Lady such as Our Lady of Sorrows and Queen of Families in order to invoke the Blessed Mother during times of grief and loss.Both resources will be available beginning April 19 in the Ascension app.The Fruitful HollowThe Fruitful Hollow is an online Catholic infertility ministry founded in 2021 by Lauren Allen after her own experience of infertility inspired her to create a space rooted in Church teaching and authentic support. The ministry focuses on helping women and couples live out their vocation with purpose during infertility, emphasizing that fruitfulness is not limited to having children but can be lived out in many spiritual and relational ways. It aims to address the lack of conversation and resources within Catholic circles and to guide people toward holiness in the midst of suffering. Lauren Allen, the founder of the Catholic infertility ministry the Fruitful Hollow, with her husband. | Credit: Photo courtesy of Lauren Allen The ministry provides weekly blog reflections, a mentorship program titled “Sisters of Hannah,” and a wide range of downloadable resources that address grief, medical decisions, marriage, and spiritual growth. It also offers tools for prayer, education on ethical fertility treatments, and even a memorial space for those who have experienced loss.Lily of the ValleyLily of the Valley is a Catholic lay ministry founded in 2022 to support families facing infertility, pregnancy loss, and difficult prenatal or postnatal diagnoses. Rooted in Catholic teaching and devotion — especially to St. Gianna Molla — the ministry’s mission is to accompany those carrying the cross of early-life suffering with prayer, compassion, and spiritual solidarity.The ministry’s work focuses on providing both spiritual and community-based support, particularly through tangible and relational resources. One of its most distinctive offerings is personalized prayer care packages, which include sacramentals, prayer cards, and handwritten notes designed to bring comfort and encourage prayer during difficult times.In addition, Lily of the Valley offers online support groups, curated spiritual resources, and opportunities for prayer accompaniment, helping women and families feel less alone and more supported within a faith-filled community as they navigate infertility and related struggles.Elizabeth MinistryA parish-based Catholic outreach founded in 1991 in Wisconsin, Elizabeth Ministry is designed to support women and families during critical reproductive and family life experiences, including infertility, miscarriage, pregnancy, and adoption. The ministry is inspired by the Visitation of Mary to Elizabeth, emphasizing accompaniment, presence, and shared faith. Its mission is to affirm the dignity of life and provide emotional, spiritual, and practical care to women navigating difficult or unexpected journeys.The ministry operates primarily through local parish chapters, offering one-on-one mentoring, meal support, prayer networks, and companionship for women experiencing infertility or loss. It also provides training materials, spiritual reflections, and structured programs to help parishes build supportive communities.Elizabeth Ministry’s work is especially valuable for women seeking in-person, relational support within their local Catholic community rather than solely online resources.Several parishes and dioceses have their own programs for couples struggling with infertility. For example, the Archdiocese of Denver and the Diocese of Des Moines, Iowa, have a program called Behold Your Child, which offers spiritual and emotional support for those experiencing infertility and hosts memorial Masses for those who have lost a child due to miscarriage, stillbirth, or infant loss.

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In honor of National Infertility Awareness Week, here are four Catholic ministries helping couples carry the cross of infertility.

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Beloved Catholic kids book series ‘Chime Travelers’ becomes animated TV show #Catholic The beloved children’s book series “Chime Travelers” has now made an exciting leap from page to screen with its development into an animated TV series, bringing its imaginative world to life in a whole new way. Known for its blend of adventure, time travel, and meaningful life lessons, the Catholic series has captivated young readers with its charming characters and heartfelt storytelling for over 10 years.“Chime Travelers,” written by Catholic author Lisa Hendey, follows twins Patrick and Katie as they travel to different places and time periods — all thanks to some magical church bells — to learn valuable life lessons from the saints.Developed by Family Theater Productions and Herald Entertainment, the new animated series depicts the same stories from the book series and includes episodes on St. Patrick, St. Francis of Assisi, St. Clare of Assisi, St. Kateri Tekakwitha, and the Holy Family.In an interview with EWTN News, Hendey said she’s “absolutely thrilled with the outcome” of the animated series.She shared that she had been in conversations with Family Theater Productions — a Catholic production studio in Hollywood — since 2017 about adapting the books for television.“They really saw at an early point the potential for the books to become a very dynamic [series], something even bigger than what they were as books, and itʼs been a long path enough to get to where we are now,” Hendey said. Katie meets St. Kateri Tekakwitha in an episode of “Chime Travelers.” | Credit: Family Theater Productions Father David Guffey, executive producer of “Chime Travelers” and the national director of Family Theater Productions, told EWTN News that he believed this series needed to be made because there aren’t many options in terms of Catholic media for children.“If you look at all the media thatʼs out there, thereʼs not much for Catholic children,” he said. “Thereʼs a lot for Catholic teens. Thereʼs a lot for Catholic adults. Thereʼs not a lot of Catholic childrenʼs programming. And we decided just to take a risk on this animated series so that thereʼd be another option for parents that wanted something solid to show their children.”While the book series only included five stories, the animated series will have more saint stories made into episodes for future seasons. For these additional stories, Hendey is serving as a consultant.“Iʼm so delighted that they continue to involve my voice and to give me the chance to say, ‘Well, I donʼt think my character would say that, or have we tried this, or have we thought about this?’ But the new stories are — theyʼre so exciting because theyʼre brand-new. I didnʼt write books about them,” she said. “And now the question will be, do we adapt books from those or what happens next?”Guffey, who is also a biblical consultant on the hit series “The Chosen," said he believes the rise in popularity in faith-based movies and shows being created has “been a long time in coming.”“For a long time, executives in Hollywood didnʼt believe that Christians were an audience,” he explained. “They didnʼt believe there was a faith-based audience and so they were very reluctant to fund or distribute projects. Weʼve had some big signs that there is an audience. Christians have proved themselves.”He highlighted “The Passion of the Christ” as the faith-based movie that opened the doors for other faith-based films to be created and “The Chosen” for doing the same for faith-based television series.“Christians and Catholics are showing they will seek out the kind of content that suits their families and their faith. And thatʼs going to change Hollywood — the business side of Hollywood especially,” Guffey added.The Catholic priest also emphasized the importance of creating faith-based media specifically for children.“With an adult show, adults will watch it once and theyʼre done. But with childrenʼs shows, if theyʼre of any quality at all, children will watch them over and over and over again. So, these shows and these stories really form young people in a really significant way,” he said.Hendey added that she’s grateful “we have now programming thatʼs not only faithful — because we always wanted to be faithful and we always wanted to really speak to the truth and the beauty and the goodness of our Church — but also thatʼs fun, thatʼs compelling, that kids want to watch over and over again.”As for her hopes for the series, Hendey said: “I hope that the kids who watch this, in particular, understand the agency that they have in their own lives to learn valuable lessons from the community of saints and to be a force for good in our world. We need them. We need their hearts and their purity and the love that they have, and so I hope they feel emboldened to realize that they really can make change in their world and in our world.”Guffey added: “When youʼre a kid, you think the problem youʼre going through, youʼre the only one that ever had it and you think you can be a very lonely place. I hope the series shows that first of all, Katie and Patrick go through some of the things they go through at school or at home, but also that the saints and the people whoʼve gone before us have gone through the same thing. And we can draw on the wisdom and the experience of others to gracefully move through the problems, the troubles that we encounter in our lives today.”“The lives of the saints are the lives of the Gospel in action. And I think itʼs important that children see how faith is put into practice,” Guffey shared. “And when we tell the stories of the saints, we are really telling the story of people who put their faith into practice in the good times and in the more difficult times.”“Chime Travelers” can be watched on Formed and on Hallow.
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Beloved Catholic kids book series ‘Chime Travelers’ becomes animated TV show #Catholic The beloved children’s book series “Chime Travelers” has now made an exciting leap from page to screen with its development into an animated TV series, bringing its imaginative world to life in a whole new way. Known for its blend of adventure, time travel, and meaningful life lessons, the Catholic series has captivated young readers with its charming characters and heartfelt storytelling for over 10 years.“Chime Travelers,” written by Catholic author Lisa Hendey, follows twins Patrick and Katie as they travel to different places and time periods — all thanks to some magical church bells — to learn valuable life lessons from the saints.Developed by Family Theater Productions and Herald Entertainment, the new animated series depicts the same stories from the book series and includes episodes on St. Patrick, St. Francis of Assisi, St. Clare of Assisi, St. Kateri Tekakwitha, and the Holy Family.In an interview with EWTN News, Hendey said she’s “absolutely thrilled with the outcome” of the animated series.She shared that she had been in conversations with Family Theater Productions — a Catholic production studio in Hollywood — since 2017 about adapting the books for television.“They really saw at an early point the potential for the books to become a very dynamic [series], something even bigger than what they were as books, and itʼs been a long path enough to get to where we are now,” Hendey said. Katie meets St. Kateri Tekakwitha in an episode of “Chime Travelers.” | Credit: Family Theater Productions Father David Guffey, executive producer of “Chime Travelers” and the national director of Family Theater Productions, told EWTN News that he believed this series needed to be made because there aren’t many options in terms of Catholic media for children.“If you look at all the media thatʼs out there, thereʼs not much for Catholic children,” he said. “Thereʼs a lot for Catholic teens. Thereʼs a lot for Catholic adults. Thereʼs not a lot of Catholic childrenʼs programming. And we decided just to take a risk on this animated series so that thereʼd be another option for parents that wanted something solid to show their children.”While the book series only included five stories, the animated series will have more saint stories made into episodes for future seasons. For these additional stories, Hendey is serving as a consultant.“Iʼm so delighted that they continue to involve my voice and to give me the chance to say, ‘Well, I donʼt think my character would say that, or have we tried this, or have we thought about this?’ But the new stories are — theyʼre so exciting because theyʼre brand-new. I didnʼt write books about them,” she said. “And now the question will be, do we adapt books from those or what happens next?”Guffey, who is also a biblical consultant on the hit series “The Chosen," said he believes the rise in popularity in faith-based movies and shows being created has “been a long time in coming.”“For a long time, executives in Hollywood didnʼt believe that Christians were an audience,” he explained. “They didnʼt believe there was a faith-based audience and so they were very reluctant to fund or distribute projects. Weʼve had some big signs that there is an audience. Christians have proved themselves.”He highlighted “The Passion of the Christ” as the faith-based movie that opened the doors for other faith-based films to be created and “The Chosen” for doing the same for faith-based television series.“Christians and Catholics are showing they will seek out the kind of content that suits their families and their faith. And thatʼs going to change Hollywood — the business side of Hollywood especially,” Guffey added.The Catholic priest also emphasized the importance of creating faith-based media specifically for children.“With an adult show, adults will watch it once and theyʼre done. But with childrenʼs shows, if theyʼre of any quality at all, children will watch them over and over and over again. So, these shows and these stories really form young people in a really significant way,” he said.Hendey added that she’s grateful “we have now programming thatʼs not only faithful — because we always wanted to be faithful and we always wanted to really speak to the truth and the beauty and the goodness of our Church — but also thatʼs fun, thatʼs compelling, that kids want to watch over and over again.”As for her hopes for the series, Hendey said: “I hope that the kids who watch this, in particular, understand the agency that they have in their own lives to learn valuable lessons from the community of saints and to be a force for good in our world. We need them. We need their hearts and their purity and the love that they have, and so I hope they feel emboldened to realize that they really can make change in their world and in our world.”Guffey added: “When youʼre a kid, you think the problem youʼre going through, youʼre the only one that ever had it and you think you can be a very lonely place. I hope the series shows that first of all, Katie and Patrick go through some of the things they go through at school or at home, but also that the saints and the people whoʼve gone before us have gone through the same thing. And we can draw on the wisdom and the experience of others to gracefully move through the problems, the troubles that we encounter in our lives today.”“The lives of the saints are the lives of the Gospel in action. And I think itʼs important that children see how faith is put into practice,” Guffey shared. “And when we tell the stories of the saints, we are really telling the story of people who put their faith into practice in the good times and in the more difficult times.”“Chime Travelers” can be watched on Formed and on Hallow.

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The new animated series depicts the same stories from the books, including episodes on St. Patrick, St. Francis of Assisi, St. Clare of Assisi, St. Kateri Tekakwitha, and the Holy Family.

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Pope Leo XIV in Angola: ‘Build the hope of the future’ – #Catholic – KILAMBA, Angola — Pope Leo XIV celebrated his first Mass in Angola on Sunday in Kilamba, a fast-growing city about 20 miles from the capital, Luanda, telling the faithful that Angola must “look to the future with hope” and “build the hope of the future.”Kilamba, inaugurated in 2011, has grown into a city of about 130,000 inhabitants, according to the most recent Angolan government census. Built with financing tied to a Chinese public investment company, the city’s layout and architecture evoke the urban planning of Chinese population centers more than that of a typical African city.Yet the atmosphere at the papal Mass was unmistakably African.About 100,000 faithful packed the large esplanade where the Eucharistic celebration took place. Many wore traditional Angolan dress. Scouts were present in large numbers, along with members of the military, doctors, nurses, priests, and missionaries — lay and religious — who have worked in Angola for years and did not want to miss the occasion.“This visit is an occasion of celebration and hope, for us and for this beautiful land that is Angola,” a Polish missionary from the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary told EWTN News.At around 10:15 a.m. local time, Pope Leo began the Mass. The entrance procession was accompanied by a hymn marked by both faith and enthusiasm, hallmarks of the African crowds that have greeted the pontiff throughout this trip.“I celebrate the Eucharist here among you with a grateful heart. Thanks be to God for this gift, and thank you for your warm welcome!” the pope said at the start of his homily.Reflecting on the Gospel account of the disciples on the road to Emmaus, Leo said he saw in that scene “a reflection of the history of Angola, of this beautiful yet wounded country, which hungers and thirsts for hope, peace, and fraternity.”He continued: “Indeed, the conversation along the road between the two disciples, who reflected with sorrow on what had happened to their Master, brings to mind the pain that has marked your country: a long civil war with its aftermath of enmities and divisions, of squandered resources and poverty.”“When one is long immersed in a history so characterized by pain, one can risk losing hope and remaining paralyzed by discouragement, just like the two disciples,” he said.The pope then pointed to what he called the central Christian answer to such suffering: “Dear friends, the good news of the Lord, even for us today, is precisely this: He is alive, he has risen, and he walks beside us as we journey along the path of suffering and bitterness, opening our eyes so that we may recognize his work and granting us the grace to start afresh and rebuild the future.”Recalling how Christ accompanied the two disciples in their disappointment, Leo said the same path is now set before Angola.“Here, too, is the path laid out for us, for you, dear Angolan brothers and sisters, to begin anew. On the one hand, there is the certainty that the Lord accompanies us and has compassion on us, and on the other, the commitment that he asks from us,” he said.The pope stressed prayer, Scripture, and especially the Eucharist as the place where believers encounter God and renew hope. He also warned against distortions of faith.“For this reason, we must always be vigilant regarding those forms of traditional religiosity that certainly belong to the roots of your culture, but at the same time risk confusing and mixing magical and superstitious elements that do not aid your spiritual journey,” he said.“Remain faithful to what the Church teaches, trust your pastors, and keep your gaze fixed on Jesus, who reveals himself in the word and in the Eucharist,” he added.Leo then turned to the mission of the Church in Angola, saying the country’s continuing hardships require “the presence of a Church that knows how to walk alongside you and how to heed the cry of its children.”“A Church that, with the light of the word and the nourishment of the Eucharist, knows how to rekindle lost hope,” he said. “A Church made up of people like you who give of themselves just as Jesus gave of himself in the breaking of the bread for the two disciples on the road to Emmaus.”“Angola needs bishops, priests, missionaries, men and women religious, and laypeople who carry in their hearts the desire to ‘break’ their own lives and give them to others, to commit themselves to mutual love and forgiveness, to build spaces of fraternity and peace, and to perform acts of compassion and solidarity towards those most in need,” the pope said.In the final part of the homily, Leo appealed for national renewal, saying that “it is possible to build together a country where old divisions are overcome once and for all, where hatred and violence disappear, and where the scourge of corruption is healed by a new culture of justice and sharing.”“Only in this way will a promising future be possible, especially for the many young people who have lost hope,” he said.He concluded with a direct appeal: “Brothers and sisters, today we need to look to the future with hope and to build the hope of the future. Do not be afraid to do so!”The pope assured those present of his closeness and prayers and entrusted the people of Angola to the protection of the Virgin Mary, under the title of Our Lady of Muxima.Before leading the “Regina Coeli” after the Mass, Pope Leo turned to several international crises. He lamented the “recent intensification of attacks against Ukraine,” noting that civilians continue to suffer, and said: “I express my closeness to all who suffer and assure my prayers for all the Ukrainian people. I renew my appeal for the weapons to fall silent and for the path of dialogue to be followed.”The pope also referred to the announced truce in Lebanon, saying it “is a cause for hope” and “a sign of relief for the Lebanese people.”He added: “I encourage those engaged in a diplomatic solution to continue peace talks for the end of hostilities throughout the Middle East.”Even after the celebration ended, the enthusiasm of the faithful did not fade. The crowd seemed reluctant to let the pope go, continuing with songs, dancing, and jubilant cries as the color and joy of the occasion carried on across the vast gathering space.This story was first published in two parts by ACI Stampa, the Italian-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.
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Pope Leo XIV in Angola: ‘Build the hope of the future’ – #Catholic – KILAMBA, Angola — Pope Leo XIV celebrated his first Mass in Angola on Sunday in Kilamba, a fast-growing city about 20 miles from the capital, Luanda, telling the faithful that Angola must “look to the future with hope” and “build the hope of the future.”Kilamba, inaugurated in 2011, has grown into a city of about 130,000 inhabitants, according to the most recent Angolan government census. Built with financing tied to a Chinese public investment company, the city’s layout and architecture evoke the urban planning of Chinese population centers more than that of a typical African city.Yet the atmosphere at the papal Mass was unmistakably African.About 100,000 faithful packed the large esplanade where the Eucharistic celebration took place. Many wore traditional Angolan dress. Scouts were present in large numbers, along with members of the military, doctors, nurses, priests, and missionaries — lay and religious — who have worked in Angola for years and did not want to miss the occasion.“This visit is an occasion of celebration and hope, for us and for this beautiful land that is Angola,” a Polish missionary from the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary told EWTN News.At around 10:15 a.m. local time, Pope Leo began the Mass. The entrance procession was accompanied by a hymn marked by both faith and enthusiasm, hallmarks of the African crowds that have greeted the pontiff throughout this trip.“I celebrate the Eucharist here among you with a grateful heart. Thanks be to God for this gift, and thank you for your warm welcome!” the pope said at the start of his homily.Reflecting on the Gospel account of the disciples on the road to Emmaus, Leo said he saw in that scene “a reflection of the history of Angola, of this beautiful yet wounded country, which hungers and thirsts for hope, peace, and fraternity.”He continued: “Indeed, the conversation along the road between the two disciples, who reflected with sorrow on what had happened to their Master, brings to mind the pain that has marked your country: a long civil war with its aftermath of enmities and divisions, of squandered resources and poverty.”“When one is long immersed in a history so characterized by pain, one can risk losing hope and remaining paralyzed by discouragement, just like the two disciples,” he said.The pope then pointed to what he called the central Christian answer to such suffering: “Dear friends, the good news of the Lord, even for us today, is precisely this: He is alive, he has risen, and he walks beside us as we journey along the path of suffering and bitterness, opening our eyes so that we may recognize his work and granting us the grace to start afresh and rebuild the future.”Recalling how Christ accompanied the two disciples in their disappointment, Leo said the same path is now set before Angola.“Here, too, is the path laid out for us, for you, dear Angolan brothers and sisters, to begin anew. On the one hand, there is the certainty that the Lord accompanies us and has compassion on us, and on the other, the commitment that he asks from us,” he said.The pope stressed prayer, Scripture, and especially the Eucharist as the place where believers encounter God and renew hope. He also warned against distortions of faith.“For this reason, we must always be vigilant regarding those forms of traditional religiosity that certainly belong to the roots of your culture, but at the same time risk confusing and mixing magical and superstitious elements that do not aid your spiritual journey,” he said.“Remain faithful to what the Church teaches, trust your pastors, and keep your gaze fixed on Jesus, who reveals himself in the word and in the Eucharist,” he added.Leo then turned to the mission of the Church in Angola, saying the country’s continuing hardships require “the presence of a Church that knows how to walk alongside you and how to heed the cry of its children.”“A Church that, with the light of the word and the nourishment of the Eucharist, knows how to rekindle lost hope,” he said. “A Church made up of people like you who give of themselves just as Jesus gave of himself in the breaking of the bread for the two disciples on the road to Emmaus.”“Angola needs bishops, priests, missionaries, men and women religious, and laypeople who carry in their hearts the desire to ‘break’ their own lives and give them to others, to commit themselves to mutual love and forgiveness, to build spaces of fraternity and peace, and to perform acts of compassion and solidarity towards those most in need,” the pope said.In the final part of the homily, Leo appealed for national renewal, saying that “it is possible to build together a country where old divisions are overcome once and for all, where hatred and violence disappear, and where the scourge of corruption is healed by a new culture of justice and sharing.”“Only in this way will a promising future be possible, especially for the many young people who have lost hope,” he said.He concluded with a direct appeal: “Brothers and sisters, today we need to look to the future with hope and to build the hope of the future. Do not be afraid to do so!”The pope assured those present of his closeness and prayers and entrusted the people of Angola to the protection of the Virgin Mary, under the title of Our Lady of Muxima.Before leading the “Regina Coeli” after the Mass, Pope Leo turned to several international crises. He lamented the “recent intensification of attacks against Ukraine,” noting that civilians continue to suffer, and said: “I express my closeness to all who suffer and assure my prayers for all the Ukrainian people. I renew my appeal for the weapons to fall silent and for the path of dialogue to be followed.”The pope also referred to the announced truce in Lebanon, saying it “is a cause for hope” and “a sign of relief for the Lebanese people.”He added: “I encourage those engaged in a diplomatic solution to continue peace talks for the end of hostilities throughout the Middle East.”Even after the celebration ended, the enthusiasm of the faithful did not fade. The crowd seemed reluctant to let the pope go, continuing with songs, dancing, and jubilant cries as the color and joy of the occasion carried on across the vast gathering space.This story was first published in two parts by ACI Stampa, the Italian-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.

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The pontiff urged the country to overcome old divisions, reject corruption, and help young people recover hope.

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The Sky Today on Sunday, April 19: The Moon passes above the Pleiades

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Looking for a sky event this week? Check out our full Sky This Week column.  April 18: Venus moves into Taurus The Moon passes 5° north of Venus at 5 A.M. EDT, then passes 5° north of Uranus at 2 P.M. EDT. By this evening, our satellite is more than 2.5 days old and some 10 percentContinue reading “The Sky Today on Sunday, April 19: The Moon passes above the Pleiades”

The post The Sky Today on Sunday, April 19: The Moon passes above the Pleiades appeared first on Astronomy Magazine.

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