Discover Verona, Italy, with local recommendations for the best places to stay, eat, and explore.
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The X-59’s tail and jet engine feature a new marking — a Freedom 250 logo celebrating the nation’s 250th birthday in 2026.
Read MoreLook down upon me, good and gentle Jesus
while before Your face I humbly kneel and,
with burning soul,
pray and beseech You
to fix deep in my heart lively sentiments
of faith, hope, and charity;
true contrition for my sins,
and a firm purpose of amendment.
While I contemplate,
with great love and tender pity,
Your five most precious wounds,
pondering over them within me
and calling to mind the words which David,
Your prophet, said to You, my Jesus:
“They have …
Read MoreA reading from the Book of the Acts of the Apostles
Acts 11:19-26
Those who had been scattered by the persecution
that arose because of Stephen
went as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch,
preaching the word to no one but Jews.
There were some Cypriots and Cyrenians among them, however,
who came to Antioch and began to speak to the Greeks as well,
proclaiming the Lord Jesus.
The hand of the Lord was with them
and a great number who believed turned to the Lord.
The news about them reached the ears of the Church in Jerusalem,
and they sent Barnabas to go to Antioch.
When he arrived and saw the grace of God,
he rejoiced and encouraged them all
to remain faithful to the Lord in firmness of heart,
for he was a good man, filled with the Holy Spirit and faith.
And a large number of people was added to the Lord.
Then he went to Tarsus to look for Saul,
and when he had found him he brought him to Antioch.
For a whole year they met with the Church
and taught a large number of people,
and it was in Antioch that the disciples
were first called Christians.
From the Gospel according to John
10:22-30
The feast of the Dedication was taking place in Jerusalem.
It was winter.
And Jesus walked about in the temple area on the Portico of Solomon.
So the Jews gathered around him and said to him,
“How long are you going to keep us in suspense?
If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.”
Jesus answered them, “I told you and you do not believe.
The works I do in my Father’s name testify to me.
But you do not believe, because you are not among my sheep.
My sheep hear my voice;
I know them, and they follow me.
I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish.
No one can take them out of my hand.
My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all,
and no one can take them out of the Father’s hand.
The Father and I are one.”
These words help us to understand that no one can call himself a follower of Jesus, if he does not listen to His voice. And this “listening” should not be understood in a superficial way, but in an engaging way, to the point of making possible a true mutual understanding, from which one can come to a generous following, expressed in the words, ‘and they follow me’ (v. 27). It is a matter of listening not only with ears, but listening with the heart! And so, the image of the shepherd and the sheep indicates the close relationship that Jesus wants to establish with each one of us. He is our guide, our teacher, our friend, our model, but above all he is our Saviour. In fact, the following expressions from the Gospel passage affirm, “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish, and no one shall snatch them out of my hand” (v. 28). Who can say that? Only Jesus, because the “hand” of Jesus is one thing with the “hand” of the Father, and the Father is “greater than all” (cf. v. 29). (Pope Francis, Regina Caeli, 17 April 2016)
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Both war-torn countries will receive essential medications, and Ukraine will receive other needed items, including food and clothing.
The five saints chosen for the international youth gathering reflect the event’s spiritual themes of truth, love, and peace.
“Callers thank me for just being willing to listen and empathize. I really feel good after those calls,” Julie Abbott said.
Posters in Morristown celebrate achievements of noted priests, religious #Catholic – 
Quick — who was the Belgian theoretical physicist and mathematician who proposed the so-called Big Bang Theory and ultimately proved Albert Einstein wrong?
It was Msgr. Georges Lemaitre, a Roman Catholic priest, who theorized that the universe began about 13.8 billion years ago through expansion and cooling. Initially, Einstein and other noted scientists rejected the Big Bang Theory, but it later became the accepted explanation for the universe’s origin.
Msgr. Georges Lemaitre is one example of Catholic priests and religious who have greatly contributed to the world in areas such as science, technology, social justice, and education. Many of their stories, like Msgr. Lemaitre’s, appear on posters created by the Vocations Ministry of Assumption Parish in Morristown, N.J. Called “Did You Know…?” the project promotes vocations by highlighting these achievements.
Every few months, the Vocation Ministry produces two eye-catching posters featuring a priest or religious. One placard, which features a shorter story suitable for children, is displayed at Assumption School. The other, which presents a more detailed story for adults, is placed at the back of Assumption Church.
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“Priests, nuns, and religious have truly impacted science, social justice, human rights, and the founding of hospitals and universities. Catholic Thought, blending faith and reason with Jesus’ teachings, has inspired these advances,” said Kenneth Rose. He and his wife, Rosa, both ministry members, research and write each text together.
On each poster’s debut weekend, a bulletin blurb explains the “Did You Know…?” project and the story of the featured priest or religious. Parish priests also summarize the story from the ambo at Mass.
Msgr. John Hart, Assumption’s pastor and director of clergy personnel of the Paterson Diocese, N.J., enthusiastically supports the Vocations Ministry and the poster project.
“The poster project is meant to encourage people to understand that there is no dichotomy between faith and science, and that in fact, many priests and religious have been scientists and have advanced scientific knowledge,” Msgr. Hart said. “I’m very proud of everybody on our Vocations Ministry. It has been bearing good fruit.”
Another poster set highlighted Sister Mary Kenneth Keller of the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. She was the first woman in the U.S. to earn a doctorate in computer science. She also taught math, physics, and computer languages and helped develop the BASIC computer language.
The most recent poster features Father Robert Grosseteste — a 13th-century English statesman, philosopher, scientist, and the Bishop of Lincoln, England — and Roger Bacon, a Franciscan friar and philosopher. “Together, they helped lay foundations for the modern scientific method,” according to the poster. Next month, the ministry will focus on Father Gregor Mendel, an Austrian priest, biologist, and meteorologist, who is considered the father of modern genetics.
Sister of Charity Merris Larkin, principal of Assumption School, said, “People find the stories on the posters interesting.”
The principal said teaching and nursing were the Sisters of Charity of St. Elizabeth’s original callings; their ministries have since expanded. In the diocese, the community founded St. Elizabeth University in the Convent Station neighborhood of Morris Township, N.J., and St. Joseph University Medical Center in Paterson, N.J.
“The stories on the posters could enlighten people about the many different interests they can pursue that they might not have thought about,” Sister Larkin said.
Assumption was among the many parishes in the Paterson Diocese that started a Vocations Ministry under the direction of the diocesan Vocations Office to promote vocations. Along with the poster project, it has launched events such as World Marriage Day and programs such as the Traveling Chalice for Vocations, said Christine Myers, the ministry’s chairperson, whose son, Tom, is studying for the priesthood in Denver, Colo.
“Through the Vocations Ministry, we want to raise awareness about vocations and the significant contributions priests and religious have made to Western Civilization,” Myers said. “We hope to encourage a curiosity and appreciation for vocations.”
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– Quick — who was the Belgian theoretical physicist and mathematician who proposed the so-called Big Bang Theory and ultimately proved Albert Einstein wrong? It was Msgr. Georges Lemaitre, a Roman Catholic priest, who theorized that the universe began about 13.8 billion years ago through expansion and cooling. Initially, Einstein and other noted scientists rejected the Big Bang Theory, but it later became the accepted explanation for the universe’s origin. Msgr. Georges Lemaitre is one example of Catholic priests and religious who have greatly contributed to the world in areas such as science, technology, social justice, and education. Many of their
30 receive Sacrament of Confirmation at Stirling parish #Catholic – 
On Divine Mercy Sunday, April 12, Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney confirmed 30 confirmandi at St. Vincent de Paul Parish in the Stirling neighborhood of Long Hill Township, N.J. Father Hernan Cely, St. Vincent’s pastor, and Father Jared Brogan, director of the diocesan Office of Worship, joined the 11 a.m. Mass, during which the confirmation candidates and their families were recognized for their hard work in preparation for this special event.
Jake Walters is the Family Faith Formation director at St. Vincent de Paul Parish.
– On Divine Mercy Sunday, April 12, Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney confirmed 30 confirmandi at St. Vincent de Paul Parish in the Stirling neighborhood of Long Hill Township, N.J. Father Hernan Cely, St. Vincent’s pastor, and Father Jared Brogan, director of the diocesan Office of Worship, joined the 11 a.m. Mass, during which the confirmation candidates and their families were recognized for their hard work in preparation for this special event. Jake Walters is the Family Faith Formation director at St. Vincent de Paul Parish.
Sparta school raises more than $19K for youth heart health #Catholic – 
Rev. George A. Brown Memorial School in Sparta, N.J., raised $19,000.57 for the American Heart Association through its annual Jump Rope for Heart/Kids Heart Challenge, far surpassing this year’s goal of $13,000.
The school celebrated the milestone as students gathered for a morning assembly to watch Principal Patricia Klebez and Physical Education Teacher Ashley DiGidio get slimed — a promised reward for reaching the fundraising goal. The event brought excitement and laughter while highlighting the school community’s dedication to a meaningful cause.
For nearly two decades, Rev. Brown has supported heart health initiatives through this annual program, which was introduced in 2006 by former physical education teacher Lori Wehmeyer who is now one of the development directors of School Engagement for the American Heart Association for some of the local schools in New Jersey. Since then, the school community has raised more than $130,000 to support the American Heart Association’s mission to fight heart disease and promote healthier lives.
“The Kids Heart Challenge allows students to learn how to take care of their hearts, bodies, and minds while helping children their age who have special heart conditions,” said Ashley DiGidio, current physical education teacher and event organizer. “Through activities like ‘Finn’s Mission,’ students even learn the steps of Hands-Only CPR.”
The program transforms the school gym into an interactive and engaging space filled with activity stations, including jump rope, skip-it, and knockout competitions. Students eagerly anticipate the event each year, often asking about it months in advance.
DiGidio noted that one of her favorite aspects of the fundraiser is tracking weekly progress and seeing students grow both physically and emotionally. “It’s exciting to watch their skills improve and to see their enthusiasm for helping others,” she said.
The idea to incorporate the slime incentive came from DiGidio, inspired by encouragement from Wehmeyer over the years. After announcing the challenge during a school assembly, the community quickly rallied—reaching the $13,000 goal within a day and ultimately climbing to over $19,000 by week’s end.
Reflecting on the final total, Klebez shared, “At first, I was in disbelief. This is the largest amount we’ve ever raised. But the Rev. Brown community always rises to the occasion. From Stuff the Stocking to the recent O.S.C.A.R. collection, and now Jump Rope for Heart, we continue to show what it means to support those in need while teaching our students the importance of social justice and service.”
Klebez described the sliming experience as “warm, gooey, and a little gross—but absolutely worth it,” adding that she would gladly do it again, though future events may involve additional staff participants.
“There is not a day that goes by that I am not proud of this school community,” Klebez said. “The students, staff, and parents are shining examples of what it means to truly walk in Christ’s footsteps.”
With another successful year complete, anticipation is already building for next year’s Kids Heart Challenge. While details remain under wraps, one thing is certain: the Reverend Brown community will once again rise to meet the challenge.
– Rev. George A. Brown Memorial School in Sparta, N.J., raised $19,000.57 for the American Heart Association through its annual Jump Rope for Heart/Kids Heart Challenge, far surpassing this year’s goal of $13,000. The school celebrated the milestone as students gathered for a morning assembly to watch Principal Patricia Klebez and Physical Education Teacher Ashley DiGidio get slimed — a promised reward for reaching the fundraising goal. The event brought excitement and laughter while highlighting the school community’s dedication to a meaningful cause. For nearly two decades, Rev. Brown has supported heart health initiatives through this annual program, which was introduced
WASHINGTON, D.C. — In a the wake of yet another failed assassination attempt against President Trump, leading Democrats across the nation announced they would observe the long-standing tradition of a five-minute pause in calling Trump "literally Hitler".
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Flower buds of a Camellia × williamsii ‘Jury’s Yellow’. Focus stack of 16 photos.
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Looking for a sky event this week? Check out our full Sky This Week column. April 26: A look at enigmatic Gamma Cas Comet 10P/Tempel, also called Tempel 2, is continuing to brighten in the early-morning sky. Rising around midnight and visible until the sky streaks with dawn, two hours before sunrise on April 27 you’ll findContinue reading “The Sky Today on Monday, April 27: Comet Tempel 2 and NGC 6712”
The post The Sky Today on Monday, April 27: Comet Tempel 2 and NGC 6712 appeared first on Astronomy Magazine.
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