The Gates Foundation, co-founded by Microsoft billionaire Bill Gates, will eliminate as many as 500 jobs in the coming years.
The post Gates Foundation to Cut Hundreds of Jobs Amid Epstein Investigation appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.
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The Minnesota Democrat’s husband’s questionable California winery LLC has been officially dissolved, just nine days after she quietly amended her financial disclosures to slash her reported wealth from millions down to peanuts.
The post Ilhan Omar’s California Winery LLC Dissolved Just 9 Days After She Scrubbed Millions from Her Financial Disclosures appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.
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President Donald Trump announced that eight women protesters in Iran facing execution will NOT be put to death after his direct intervention.
The post TRUMP STOPS EXECUTIONS: Eight Women Protesters SPARED in Iran After Last-Minute Intervention appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.
Read MoreBlessed Savior, I thank you that this operation is safely past, and now I rest in your abiding presence, relaxing every tension, releasing every care and anxiety, receiving more and more of your healing life into every part of my being. In moments of pain I turn to you for strength, in times of loneliness I feel your loving nearness. Grant that your life and love and joy may flow through me for the healing of others in your name. Amen.
Read MoreA reading from the Book of the Acts of the Apostles
Acts 8:26-40
The angel of the Lord spoke to Philip,
"Get up and head south on the road
that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza, the desert route."
So he got up and set out.
Now there was an Ethiopian eunuch,
a court official of the Candace,
that is, the queen of the Ethiopians,
in charge of her entire treasury,
who had come to Jerusalem to worship, and was returning home.
Seated in his chariot, he was reading the prophet Isaiah.
The Spirit said to Philip,
"Go and join up with that chariot."
Philip ran up and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and said,
"Do you understand what you are reading?"
He replied,
"How can I, unless someone instructs me?"
So he invited Philip to get in and sit with him.
This was the Scripture passage he was reading:
Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter,
and as a lamb before its shearer is silent,
so he opened not his mouth.
In his humiliation justice was denied him.
Who will tell of his posterity?
For his life is taken from the earth.
Then the eunuch said to Philip in reply,
"I beg you, about whom is the prophet saying this?
About himself, or about someone else?"
Then Philip opened his mouth and, beginning with this Scripture passage,
he proclaimed Jesus to him.
As they traveled along the road
they came to some water,
and the eunuch said, "Look, there is water.
What is to prevent my being baptized?"
Then he ordered the chariot to stop,
and Philip and the eunuch both went down into the water,
and he baptized him.
When they came out of the water,
the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away,
and the eunuch saw him no more,
but continued on his way rejoicing.
Philip came to Azotus, and went about proclaiming the good news
to all the towns until he reached Caesarea.
From the Gospel according to John
6:44-51
Jesus said to the crowds:
"No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draw him,
and I will raise him on the last day.
It is written in the prophets:
They shall all be taught by God.
Everyone who listens to my Father and learns from him comes to me.
Not that anyone has seen the Father
except the one who is from God;
he has seen the Father.
Amen, amen, I say to you,
whoever believes has eternal life.
I am the bread of life.
Your ancestors ate the manna in the desert, but they died;
this is the bread that comes down from heaven
so that one may eat it and not die.
I am the living bread that came down from heaven;
whoever eats this bread will live forever;
and the bread that I will give
is my Flesh for the life of the world."
Jesus (…) is the Bread which has come down from heaven (cf. Jn 6:41), which will satisfy hunger for ever. The Jewish people too, during their long journey through the desert, experienced bread which came down from heaven, manna, which kept them alive until they reached the Promised Land. Jesus now speaks of himself as the true Bread come down from heaven, which is capable of keeping people alive not for a moment or on a stretch of a journey but for ever. He is the food that gives eternal life, because he is the Only-Begotten Son of God who is in the Father’s heart, who came to give man life in fullness, to introduce man into the very life of God.
In Jewish thought it was clear that the true bread of heaven, which nourished Israel, was the Law, the word of God. The People of Israel clearly recognized that the Torah, which was Moses’ fundamental and lasting gift, was the basic element that distinguished them from other peoples and consisted in their knowledge of God’s will, thus the right way of life. Now Jesus, in manifesting himself as the bread of heaven, witnesses that he himself is the Word of God in Person, the Incarnate Word, through whom man can make the will of God his food (cf. Jn 4:34), which guides and sustains his existence. (Pope Benedict XVI, Angelus, 12 August 2012)
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We all love a good conversion story. Those beautiful accounts of people who thought life had meaning and then realized that none of this matters and we’re all going to die and there’s nothing else after that except the long darkness. It brings a tear to the eye (which is a non-meaningful, chemical reaction biologically programmed into us through millions of years of random mutations).
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PITTSBURGH, PA — In a stark change from decades of tradition, the National Football League announced that, rather than the standard method of having each team select its preferred prospects, it would now utilize Hogwarts’ Sorting Hat for this year’s draft.
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Rudder and propeller on beached fishing vessel Skagerrak, Nørre Vorupør beach, Denmark.
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The Catholic bishops of New York state are providing guidance on the Church’s teaching on assisted suicide and end-of-life decisions after the state legalized euthanasia.
![Canary Islands bishop on migration: ‘We feel powerless’ - #Catholic - The bishops of the dioceses of the Canary archipelago shared their concerns regarding immigration just weeks before Pope Leo XIV’s trip to Spain, a journey that will conclude on the islands.The situation on the Canary Islands, arising from pressure caused by immigration from Africa, was behind Pope Francis’ desire to visit the islands; this wish will now be fulfilled by his successor, Pope Leo XIV, who will visit the islands June 11–12 as well as Madrid and Barcelona on June 6–10.The bishop of Tenerife, Eloy Santiago, acknowledged that the fact that the archipelago serves as “Europeʼs southern frontier — the point of arrival for immigration coming from the African continent” — is a reality “that often overwhelms us.”“We lack the human and economic resources to address this dramatic reality. We feel powerless in the face of this deadly Atlantic route,” Santiago explained during a meeting with the press.Since the arrival of the first boat carrying two immigrants from Africa in 1994 and over the course of more than three decades, thousands of people — generally young men — have reached the shores of the Canary Islands in search of a future. Thousands of others have drowned in the attempt.The Holy Father’s visit will signify “support and motivation“ and will ”draw attention to this sad drama,” the bishop of the Diocese of Tenerife added.The bishop of Canary Islands (which include the islands of Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, and La Graciosa), José Mazuelos, also expressed his hope that “the Holy Father will shed light on the matter, to see if it is possible to put an end to the Atlantic route,” although he also noted that the popeʼs presence in the islands is pastoral in nature and encompasses other aspects of the life of the Church.“It’s not as if the pope is coming to the Canary Islands to use the issue of migration as a stick to politically beat one side or the other,” he emphasized.Mazuelos also suggested that for many people “you’d have to put them on a ‘cayuco’ (a large, flat-bottomed wooden boat) spending five days in the Atlantic, day and night, without food so that they can see when [the migrants] get here what it is that we’re doing,” he said in reference to those who criticize the Catholic Church’s work of welcoming migrants, protecting them, and integrating them into society.Mazuelos noted that if the countries of origin receive development aid intended to help them eliminate the causes that lead so many to leave their homes, “we must hold them accountable, and we must crack down on the mafias.”
José Mazuelos, bishop of Canary Islands in Spain. | Credit: Nicolás de Cárdenas/ACI Prensa
Furthermore, he expressed support for “seeking ways for migrants to come to work through alternative channels.” He cited as an example that during the second half of the 20th century, Spaniards legally emigrated to central European countries “with their proper work papers.”He mused about whether this same outcome could be achieved regarding African migration, though he acknowledged that this approach is “a bit idealistic.”Caya Suárez, secretary-general of Caritas for the Diocese of Canary Islands who was present at the meeting, said that “the pope’s visit is not only a recognition of the welcome extended but also a call to prayer for the victims who have lost their lives on the Atlantic route,” a figure she estimated is more than 19,000 people since 2020.Awaiting details on Pope Leo XIV’s visitRegarding Leo XIV’s visit to the Canary Islands, where so far the celebration of two large Masses has been confirmed, Mazuelos expressed his conviction that personal testimonies will be shared during at least one of the gatherings, as one of the Catholic Church’s priorities is to “put a human face” on the reality of migrants.The island of El Hierro, part of the Diocese of Tenerife, is one of the places in the archipelago where this reality has become most palpable. Just last year, 25,000 migrants arrived to a local population of 9,000 inhabitants.The prelate, aware that “the people of El Hierro are eagerly anticipating” the possibility of a visit from the pope, realistically pointed out that given the timing and the necessary logistics, “while not impossible,” it will be “difficult” for such a visit to take place.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/2026/04/canary-islands-bishop-on-migration-we-feel-powerless-catholic-the-bishops-of-the-dioceses-of-the-canary-archipelago-shared-their-concerns-regarding-immigration-just-weeks-befor.webp)
The bishops of the two Canary Islands dioceses discuss migration there from Africa, an issue likely to be addressed by Pope Leo XIV during his June visit.
The Holy Father is wrapping up his papal trip to the African continent after visiting multiple countries there.
With the retirement of Bishop Peter Fabbro, Bishop Daniel J. Miehm of the Diocese of Peterborough has been appointed the new bishop of London, Ontario, Canada. He will be installed on June 29.
This image, released in celebration of Earth Day, shows the terminator – the line between night and day – on Earth. The Artemis II astronauts captured this view on April 2, 2026, during their journey to the Moon.
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Pope Leo XIV, who is traveling in Africa, sent a message to be read at the Mass commemorating the first anniversary of Pope Francis’ death.
![Dean Koontz on life’s beauty and meaning #Catholic - “Being less cynical ensures a happier life.” Best-selling author Dean Koontz made that observation in an essay on his website, but it’s an idea that has long found its way into his novels because he has experienced its truth personally, despite being raised by a violent and abusive father. His latest novel, “The Friend of the Family,” continues this tradition with its tale of Alida, a teenage girl with severe physical deformities who is the star attraction of a carnival freak show in the 1930s. Alida is dehumanized by both audiences and the freak show’s owner until the Fairchilds, a compassionate, wealthy couple, adopt her into their own family with three children.
Because Koontz is a master of suspense whose works have sold 500 million copies and been translated into 38 languages, danger is never too far away from Alida and the Fairchilds. Alida’s kindness, however, becomes the heart of the story because Koontz doesn’t dwell on her deformities, but rather on the beautiful person that she is.
Regarding his approach to beauty, Koontz said, “The world was made, really, for our delight. Now, if we don’t use it that way, if we bring the wrong attitude to it, that’s not [God’s] fault. It’s our fault. And so, I like to write about characters who, even if their lives might have periods of darkness in them, relate to the beauty of the world and all of its manifestations. Alida is particularly drawn, as I was as a kid, to novels, to books as a way of learning about the world beyond…the carnival…Through books, she begins to recognize the broader beauty and wonder of the world.”
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Alida’s literary interests reflect the classic literature Koontz devoured as a youth, written by authors such as Jane Austen, H.G. Wells, F. Scott Fitzgerald, and his favorite, Charles Dickens. Regarding the latter, Alida says, “Because of books, especially those written by the wonderful Mr. Dickens, I believed this was a made world with profound meaning. I kept faith that each of us has a purpose and that if we fulfill it, we will rise from even the lowest position as surely as a night mist rises from a lake in the morning sun.”
Alida also makes an observation about the lead character in Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby,” noting, “[Gatsby] did not believe this was a made world with profound meaning or that he had a purpose greater than his own needs and desires. Had he believed as much, he would’ve understood that the only chance we have of being lifted ourselves is by lifting others.”
Once again, Alida is echoing Koontz’s real-life views. The author said, “I’m fascinated with people who think life has no meaning because I look around and say, there’s so much meaning in every little event of the day…But I have, even people who’ve been friends over the years, who adamantly refused to acknowledge that part of life….I sometimes say, ‘You don’t see it because it’s slapping you in the face—and because of the violence of the blows, you’re keeping your eyes shut. But it’s right there.’…And so part of what I always wanted to do in the writing is touch upon that, hopefully not in a preachy way, but through character that shows you how these characters function better in the world when they recognize that aspect of it…The more you open yourself to all the wonder in the world, the more exciting and beautiful life is.”
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.](https://unitedyam.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/dean-koontz-on-lifes-beauty-and-meaning-catholic-being-less-cynical-ensures-a-happier-life-best-selling-author-dean-koontz-made-that-observation-in-an-essay-on-his-websi.jpg)
Dean Koontz on life’s beauty and meaning #Catholic – 
“Being less cynical ensures a happier life.” Best-selling author Dean Koontz made that observation in an essay on his website, but it’s an idea that has long found its way into his novels because he has experienced its truth personally, despite being raised by a violent and abusive father. His latest novel, “The Friend of the Family,” continues this tradition with its tale of Alida, a teenage girl with severe physical deformities who is the star attraction of a carnival freak show in the 1930s. Alida is dehumanized by both audiences and the freak show’s owner until the Fairchilds, a compassionate, wealthy couple, adopt her into their own family with three children.
Because Koontz is a master of suspense whose works have sold 500 million copies and been translated into 38 languages, danger is never too far away from Alida and the Fairchilds. Alida’s kindness, however, becomes the heart of the story because Koontz doesn’t dwell on her deformities, but rather on the beautiful person that she is.
Regarding his approach to beauty, Koontz said, “The world was made, really, for our delight. Now, if we don’t use it that way, if we bring the wrong attitude to it, that’s not [God’s] fault. It’s our fault. And so, I like to write about characters who, even if their lives might have periods of darkness in them, relate to the beauty of the world and all of its manifestations. Alida is particularly drawn, as I was as a kid, to novels, to books as a way of learning about the world beyond…the carnival…Through books, she begins to recognize the broader beauty and wonder of the world.”
Alida’s literary interests reflect the classic literature Koontz devoured as a youth, written by authors such as Jane Austen, H.G. Wells, F. Scott Fitzgerald, and his favorite, Charles Dickens. Regarding the latter, Alida says, “Because of books, especially those written by the wonderful Mr. Dickens, I believed this was a made world with profound meaning. I kept faith that each of us has a purpose and that if we fulfill it, we will rise from even the lowest position as surely as a night mist rises from a lake in the morning sun.”
Alida also makes an observation about the lead character in Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby,” noting, “[Gatsby] did not believe this was a made world with profound meaning or that he had a purpose greater than his own needs and desires. Had he believed as much, he would’ve understood that the only chance we have of being lifted ourselves is by lifting others.”
Once again, Alida is echoing Koontz’s real-life views. The author said, “I’m fascinated with people who think life has no meaning because I look around and say, there’s so much meaning in every little event of the day…But I have, even people who’ve been friends over the years, who adamantly refused to acknowledge that part of life….I sometimes say, ‘You don’t see it because it’s slapping you in the face—and because of the violence of the blows, you’re keeping your eyes shut. But it’s right there.’…And so part of what I always wanted to do in the writing is touch upon that, hopefully not in a preachy way, but through character that shows you how these characters function better in the world when they recognize that aspect of it…The more you open yourself to all the wonder in the world, the more exciting and beautiful life is.”
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.
– “Being less cynical ensures a happier life.” Best-selling author Dean Koontz made that observation in an essay on his website, but it’s an idea that has long found its way into his novels because he has experienced its truth personally, despite being raised by a violent and abusive father. His latest novel, “The Friend of the Family,” continues this tradition with its tale of Alida, a teenage girl with severe physical deformities who is the star attraction of a carnival freak show in the 1930s. Alida is dehumanized by both audiences and the freak show’s owner until the Fairchilds, a
![6 youth fully welcomed into Church during Parsippany confirmation #Catholic - On April 16, St. Ann Parish in Parsippany, N.J., welcomed Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney, who confirmed six parish youth, strengthened by the gifts of the Holy Spirit, during a Mass he celebrated in the church.
During the Mass, Bishop Sweeney also blessed members of St. Ann’s newly formed Finance Council and Pastoral Council.
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Father Nico Quintos, pastor of St. Ann’s and minister to retired priests in the Paterson Diocese in New Jersey; Father Vidal Gonzales Jr., pastor of Notre Dame of Mount Carmel Parish in the Cedar Knolls neighborhood of Hanover Township, N.J.; Father Sean McDonnell, pastor of Our Lady Star of the Sea Parish in Lake Hopatcong, N.J.; Father Fredrick Walters, a retired diocesan priest; and Father Jakub Grzybowski, pastor of St. Joseph Parish in West Milford, N.J. concelebrated the Mass with Bishop Sweeney.
Father Jared Brogan, director of the diocesan Office of Worship, served as master of ceremonies for the Mass. Deacon Len Deo of St. Ann’s assisted with the liturgy.
BEACON PHOTOS | JOE GIGLI
[See image gallery at beaconnj.org]](https://unitedyam.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/6-youth-fully-welcomed-into-church-during-parsippany-confirmation-catholic-on-april-16-st-ann-parish-in-parsippany-n-j-welcomed-bishop-kevin-j-sweeney-who-confirmed-six-parish-youth-strengt.jpg)
6 youth fully welcomed into Church during Parsippany confirmation #Catholic – 
On April 16, St. Ann Parish in Parsippany, N.J., welcomed Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney, who confirmed six parish youth, strengthened by the gifts of the Holy Spirit, during a Mass he celebrated in the church.
During the Mass, Bishop Sweeney also blessed members of St. Ann’s newly formed Finance Council and Pastoral Council.
Father Nico Quintos, pastor of St. Ann’s and minister to retired priests in the Paterson Diocese in New Jersey; Father Vidal Gonzales Jr., pastor of Notre Dame of Mount Carmel Parish in the Cedar Knolls neighborhood of Hanover Township, N.J.; Father Sean McDonnell, pastor of Our Lady Star of the Sea Parish in Lake Hopatcong, N.J.; Father Fredrick Walters, a retired diocesan priest; and Father Jakub Grzybowski, pastor of St. Joseph Parish in West Milford, N.J. concelebrated the Mass with Bishop Sweeney.
Father Jared Brogan, director of the diocesan Office of Worship, served as master of ceremonies for the Mass. Deacon Len Deo of St. Ann’s assisted with the liturgy.
– On April 16, St. Ann Parish in Parsippany, N.J., welcomed Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney, who confirmed six parish youth, strengthened by the gifts of the Holy Spirit, during a Mass he celebrated in the church. During the Mass, Bishop Sweeney also blessed members of St. Ann’s newly formed Finance Council and Pastoral Council. Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter. Father Nico Quintos, pastor of St. Ann’s and minister to retired priests in the Paterson Diocese in New Jersey; Father Vidal Gonzales Jr., pastor of Notre Dame of Mount Carmel Parish in the Cedar Knolls neighborhood of Hanover Township,
Though often recognized as a philosopher, Immanuel Kant (born April 22, 1724) made several contributions to early theories of cosmic organization. Surveying the band of stars that appear across our sky – the Milky Way – Kant concluded that our galaxy must be a wide, rotating disk. He published this conclusion in A Universal NaturalContinue reading “April 22, 1724: The birth of Immanuel Kant”
The post April 22, 1724: The birth of Immanuel Kant appeared first on Astronomy Magazine.
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