Month: May 2026

Gospel and Word of the Day – 01 June 2026 – A reading from the Second Letter of St. Peter 1:2-7 Beloved: May grace and peace be yours in abundance through knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. His divine power has bestowed on us everything that makes for life and devotion, through the knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and power. Through these, he has bestowed on us the precious and very great promises, so that through them you may come to share in the divine nature, after escaping from the corruption that is in the world because of evil desire. For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, virtue with knowledge, knowledge with self-control, self-control with endurance, endurance with devotion, devotion with mutual affection, mutual affection with love.From the Gospel according to Mark 12:1-12 Jesus began to speak to the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders in parables. "A man planted a vineyard, put a hedge around it, dug a wine press, and built a tower. Then he leased it to tenant farmers and left on a journey. At the proper time he sent a servant to the tenants to obtain from them some of the produce of the vineyard. But they seized him, beat him, and sent him away empty-handed. Again he sent them another servant. And that one they beat over the head and treated shamefully. He sent yet another whom they killed. So, too, many others; some they beat, others they killed. He had one other to send, a beloved son. He sent him to them last of all, thinking, ‘They will respect my son.’ But those tenants said to one another, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.’ So they seized him and killed him, and threw him out of the vineyard. What then will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come, put the tenants to death, and give the vineyard to others. Have you not read this Scripture passage: The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; by the Lord has this been done, and it is wonderful in our eyes?" They were seeking to arrest him, but they feared the crowd, for they realized that he had addressed the parable to them. So they left him and went away.These are words that call to mind the great responsibility of those in every epoch who are called to work in the Lord’s vineyard, especially in roles of authority, and they press for a renewal of full fidelity to Christ. He is “the very stone which the builders rejected” (cf. Mt 21:42), because they judged him to be hostile to the law and a danger to public order; but he himself, rejected and crucified, is risen, to become the “corner stone” on which the foundations of every human life and of the whole world may rest in total safety. The truth of this is the subject of the Parable of the Unfaithful Tenants to whom a man entrusted his vineyard so that they might cultivate and harvest the produce. The owner of the vineyard symbolizes God himself, while the vineyard symbolizes his people, as well as the life he gives, so that with his grace and our hard work, we may do good. St Augustine comments: “God does also cultivate us… as a field, that he may make us better” (cf. Sermo 87, 1, 2: PL 38, 531). God has a project for his friends. (…) Firmly anchored in faith to the cornerstone which is Christ, let us abide in him, like the branch that can bear no fruit unless it remains attached to the vine. The Church, the People of the New Covenant, is built only in him, for him and with him. (Pope Benedict XVI, Angelus, 2 October 2011)

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A reading from the Second Letter of St. Peter
1:2-7

Beloved:
May grace and peace be yours in abundance
through knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.

His divine power has bestowed on us
everything that makes for life and devotion,
through the knowledge of him
who called us by his own glory and power.
Through these, he has bestowed on us
the precious and very great promises,
so that through them you may come to share in the divine nature,
after escaping from the corruption that is in the world
because of evil desire.
For this very reason,
make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue,
virtue with knowledge, knowledge with self-control,
self-control with endurance, endurance with devotion,
devotion with mutual affection, mutual affection with love.

From the Gospel according to Mark
12:1-12

Jesus began to speak to the chief priests, the scribes,
and the elders in parables.
"A man planted a vineyard, put a hedge around it,
dug a wine press, and built a tower.
Then he leased it to tenant farmers and left on a journey.
At the proper time he sent a servant to the tenants
to obtain from them some of the produce of the vineyard.
But they seized him, beat him,
and sent him away empty-handed.
Again he sent them another servant.
And that one they beat over the head and treated shamefully.
He sent yet another whom they killed.
So, too, many others; some they beat, others they killed.
He had one other to send, a beloved son.
He sent him to them last of all, thinking, ‘They will respect my son.’
But those tenants said to one another, ‘This is the heir.
Come, let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.’
So they seized him and killed him,
and threw him out of the vineyard.
What then will the owner of the vineyard do?
He will come, put the tenants to death,
and give the vineyard to others.
Have you not read this Scripture passage:

The stone that the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone;
by the Lord has this been done,
and it is wonderful in our eyes?"

They were seeking to arrest him, but they feared the crowd,
for they realized that he had addressed the parable to them.
So they left him and went away.

These are words that call to mind the great responsibility of those in every epoch who are called to work in the Lord’s vineyard, especially in roles of authority, and they press for a renewal of full fidelity to Christ.

He is “the very stone which the builders rejected” (cf. Mt 21:42), because they judged him to be hostile to the law and a danger to public order; but he himself, rejected and crucified, is risen, to become the “corner stone” on which the foundations of every human life and of the whole world may rest in total safety.

The truth of this is the subject of the Parable of the Unfaithful Tenants to whom a man entrusted his vineyard so that they might cultivate and harvest the produce. The owner of the vineyard symbolizes God himself, while the vineyard symbolizes his people, as well as the life he gives, so that with his grace and our hard work, we may do good. St Augustine comments: “God does also cultivate us… as a field, that he may make us better” (cf. Sermo 87, 1, 2: PL 38, 531). God has a project for his friends. (…) Firmly anchored in faith to the cornerstone which is Christ, let us abide in him, like the branch that can bear no fruit unless it remains attached to the vine. The Church, the People of the New Covenant, is built only in him, for him and with him. (Pope Benedict XVI, Angelus, 2 October 2011)

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N.J. Catholic Conference, school leaders urge support for increased security funding as state reviews proposed budget #Catholic – With the state’s proposed budget failing to increase much-needed funding to support nonpublic school security, Catholic school leaders and advocates across New Jersey are urging supporters to contact their legislators – particularly those serving on budget committees. “Faith-based schools continue to operate in an environment where religious institutions are increasingly targeted by acts of hatred, extremism, and instability. Catholic schools cannot ignore that reality, and neither can the state,” said Bonnie Milecki, diocesan assistant superintendent for school development and operations. “Security funding helps schools strengthen entrances, improve communication systems, coordinate with law enforcement, and prepare responsibly for emergencies,” said Milecki. “At its core, this is about ensuring that every child can learn in a safe environment grounded in faith, stability, and community.” Earlier this year, Catholic education and diocesan leaders across the Garden State joined the New Jersey Catholic Conference to support increasing funding for nonpublic school security from 5 to 0 per pupil in the state’s next budget, which takes effect July 1. Funding was first awarded in 2016 as part of the Secure Schools for All Children Act and reflected the importance of supporting security at both public and nonpublic schools. Milecki explained that the current push for increased funding comes amid incidents across the country that highlight the importance of schools enhancing security. “We have seen attacks and threats directed at Catholic schools, Jewish schools and mosques across the country, including recent incidents involving faith communities in places like San Diego,” she said. “New Jersey’s own threat assessments continue to identify faith-based institutions as potential targets.” While N.J. Gov. Mikie Sherrill’s budget address referenced protecting schoolchildren, her proposed spending plan for the next fiscal year holds funding for nonpublic school security at 5 per pupil – the same level as the past four budget cycles.  Past funding has been used largely to make infrastructure improvements like “target hardening.” The focus among schools now includes hiring security guards to protect facilities while students and staff are present. “Catholic schools are facing the same security realities as every other school in New Jersey, but the costs of keeping students safe continue to rise while funding has remained largely flat,” said Milecki. “Schools are being asked to do more, with more sophisticated security expectations.” With the proposed budget now in the hands of the State Legislature, advocates encourage Catholics and supporters of nonpublic education to contact their representatives in the State Senate and General Assembly. While legislators expect to hear from lobbyists and advocacy organizations, Milecki – who is also president of the New Jersey Council for American Private Education – emphasized that hearing from the families, educators and community members who they represent carry a lot of weight. “Parents need to make sure that legislators know that they expect prioritization of the safety and security of their children in Catholic Schools – as they would expect it for any child, in any school,” she said. “For us, this is not political. It is about protecting children, supporting families, and ensuring that Catholic schools can remain safe places to learn, pray, and grow.” “When constituents share why school safety matters to them personally, it reminds policymakers that these are not abstract budget lines,” she said. “These are real children, real schools and real communities. Catholic schools are deeply rooted in their local communities, and when those communities speak with a united voice, legislators listen.” The New Jersey Catholic Conference, the public policy arm of the state’s Catholic bishops, issued an Action Alert on the topic, and offers its Voter Voice System as a way to make it easier to contact one’s legislators.
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N.J. Catholic Conference, school leaders urge support for increased security funding as state reviews proposed budget #Catholic – With the state’s proposed budget failing to increase much-needed funding to support nonpublic school security, Catholic school leaders and advocates across New Jersey are urging supporters to contact their legislators – particularly those serving on budget committees. “Faith-based schools continue to operate in an environment where religious institutions are increasingly targeted by acts of hatred, extremism, and instability. Catholic schools cannot ignore that reality, and neither can the state,” said Bonnie Milecki, diocesan assistant superintendent for school development and operations. “Security funding helps schools strengthen entrances, improve communication systems, coordinate with law enforcement, and prepare responsibly for emergencies,” said Milecki. “At its core, this is about ensuring that every child can learn in a safe environment grounded in faith, stability, and community.” Earlier this year, Catholic education and diocesan leaders across the Garden State joined the New Jersey Catholic Conference to support increasing funding for nonpublic school security from $205 to $260 per pupil in the state’s next budget, which takes effect July 1. Funding was first awarded in 2016 as part of the Secure Schools for All Children Act and reflected the importance of supporting security at both public and nonpublic schools. Milecki explained that the current push for increased funding comes amid incidents across the country that highlight the importance of schools enhancing security. “We have seen attacks and threats directed at Catholic schools, Jewish schools and mosques across the country, including recent incidents involving faith communities in places like San Diego,” she said. “New Jersey’s own threat assessments continue to identify faith-based institutions as potential targets.” While N.J. Gov. Mikie Sherrill’s budget address referenced protecting schoolchildren, her proposed spending plan for the next fiscal year holds funding for nonpublic school security at $205 per pupil – the same level as the past four budget cycles.  Past funding has been used largely to make infrastructure improvements like “target hardening.” The focus among schools now includes hiring security guards to protect facilities while students and staff are present. “Catholic schools are facing the same security realities as every other school in New Jersey, but the costs of keeping students safe continue to rise while funding has remained largely flat,” said Milecki. “Schools are being asked to do more, with more sophisticated security expectations.” With the proposed budget now in the hands of the State Legislature, advocates encourage Catholics and supporters of nonpublic education to contact their representatives in the State Senate and General Assembly. While legislators expect to hear from lobbyists and advocacy organizations, Milecki – who is also president of the New Jersey Council for American Private Education – emphasized that hearing from the families, educators and community members who they represent carry a lot of weight. “Parents need to make sure that legislators know that they expect prioritization of the safety and security of their children in Catholic Schools – as they would expect it for any child, in any school,” she said. “For us, this is not political. It is about protecting children, supporting families, and ensuring that Catholic schools can remain safe places to learn, pray, and grow.” “When constituents share why school safety matters to them personally, it reminds policymakers that these are not abstract budget lines,” she said. “These are real children, real schools and real communities. Catholic schools are deeply rooted in their local communities, and when those communities speak with a united voice, legislators listen.” The New Jersey Catholic Conference, the public policy arm of the state’s Catholic bishops, issued an Action Alert on the topic, and offers its Voter Voice System as a way to make it easier to contact one’s legislators.

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N.J. Catholic Conference, school leaders urge support for increased security funding as state reviews proposed budget #Catholic –

With the state’s proposed budget failing to increase much-needed funding to support nonpublic school security, Catholic school leaders and advocates across New Jersey are urging supporters to contact their legislators – particularly those serving on budget committees.

“Faith-based schools continue to operate in an environment where religious institutions are increasingly targeted by acts of hatred, extremism, and instability. Catholic schools cannot ignore that reality, and neither can the state,” said Bonnie Milecki, diocesan assistant superintendent for school development and operations.

“Security funding helps schools strengthen entrances, improve communication systems, coordinate with law enforcement, and prepare responsibly for emergencies,” said Milecki. “At its core, this is about ensuring that every child can learn in a safe environment grounded in faith, stability, and community.”

Earlier this year, Catholic education and diocesan leaders across the Garden State joined the New Jersey Catholic Conference to support increasing funding for nonpublic school security from $205 to $260 per pupil in the state’s next budget, which takes effect July 1. Funding was first awarded in 2016 as part of the Secure Schools for All Children Act and reflected the importance of supporting security at both public and nonpublic schools.

Milecki explained that the current push for increased funding comes amid incidents across the country that highlight the importance of schools enhancing security. “We have seen attacks and threats directed at Catholic schools, Jewish schools and mosques across the country, including recent incidents involving faith communities in places like San Diego,” she said. “New Jersey’s own threat assessments continue to identify faith-based institutions as potential targets.”

While N.J. Gov. Mikie Sherrill’s budget address referenced protecting schoolchildren, her proposed spending plan for the next fiscal year holds funding for nonpublic school security at $205 per pupil – the same level as the past four budget cycles.  Past funding has been used largely to make infrastructure improvements like “target hardening.” The focus among schools now includes hiring security guards to protect facilities while students and staff are present.

“Catholic schools are facing the same security realities as every other school in New Jersey, but the costs of keeping students safe continue to rise while funding has remained largely flat,” said Milecki. “Schools are being asked to do more, with more sophisticated security expectations.”

With the proposed budget now in the hands of the State Legislature, advocates encourage Catholics and supporters of nonpublic education to contact their representatives in the State Senate and General Assembly. While legislators expect to hear from lobbyists and advocacy organizations, Milecki – who is also president of the New Jersey Council for American Private Education – emphasized that hearing from the families, educators and community members who they represent carry a lot of weight.

“Parents need to make sure that legislators know that they expect prioritization of the safety and security of their children in Catholic Schools – as they would expect it for any child, in any school,” she said. “For us, this is not political. It is about protecting children, supporting families, and ensuring that Catholic schools can remain safe places to learn, pray, and grow.”

“When constituents share why school safety matters to them personally, it reminds policymakers that these are not abstract budget lines,” she said. “These are real children, real schools and real communities. Catholic schools are deeply rooted in their local communities, and when those communities speak with a united voice, legislators listen.”

The New Jersey Catholic Conference, the public policy arm of the state’s Catholic bishops, issued an Action Alert on the topic, and offers its Voter Voice System as a way to make it easier to contact one’s legislators.

– With the state’s proposed budget failing to increase much-needed funding to support nonpublic school security, Catholic school leaders and advocates across New Jersey are urging supporters to contact their legislators – particularly those serving on budget committees. “Faith-based schools continue to operate in an environment where religious institutions are increasingly targeted by acts of hatred, extremism, and instability. Catholic schools cannot ignore that reality, and neither can the state,” said Bonnie Milecki, diocesan assistant superintendent for school development and operations. “Security funding helps schools strengthen entrances, improve communication systems, coordinate with law enforcement, and prepare responsibly for emergencies,” said Milecki.

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May 31, 1975: ESA begins operations

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In the 1960s, two organizations were formed for cooperation around a European presence in space: the European Space Research Organization, which focused on scientific research, and the European Launcher Development Organization, which concentrated on engineering launch systems. By the end of the decade, however, dissatisfaction was growing with this split structure, and in 1968, theContinue reading “May 31, 1975: ESA begins operations”

The post May 31, 1975: ESA begins operations appeared first on Astronomy Magazine.

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Trump suggests pope unaware of Iran nuclear stance despite Leo’s repeated calls for disarmament #Catholic President Donald Trump warned against a nuclear‑armed Iran, reacting to Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnsonʼs May 28 meeting with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican, where the mayor said they discussed U.S. immigration and the Iran conflict.Trump posted, “Someone should explain to the Pope that the Mayor of Chicago is useless, and that Iran cannot have a Nuclear Weapon.” He also shared screenshots of the mayor’s posts with pictures of him and the Chicago-born pope sharing gifts and praying. Trump made the comments in a May 30 post on Truth Social.The president has repeatedly claimed, without evidence, that Leo wants the Middle Eastern country to develop nuclear armaments.Leo has rejected those allegations. On May 5 at Castel Gandolfo he stated that the Church "has spoken for years against all nuclear weapons." Later, Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin stated that the Holy See "has always worked, and will continue to work, on nuclear disarmament."The White House and Chicago mayor’s office did not immediately reply to requests for comment.Trump sharply criticized Pope Leo XIV in April, calling him “weak on crime” and “terrible for foreign policy” and saying he is “not a fan” of the pope.Trump expressed his disapproval of Leoʼs public statements denouncing the U.S.-led war on Iran. The Holy Father has repeatedly called for peace amid the ongoing conflict.The pope has said he is “not afraid of the Trump administration or of speaking out loudly about the message of the Gospel.”
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Trump suggests pope unaware of Iran nuclear stance despite Leo’s repeated calls for disarmament #Catholic President Donald Trump warned against a nuclear‑armed Iran, reacting to Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnsonʼs May 28 meeting with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican, where the mayor said they discussed U.S. immigration and the Iran conflict.Trump posted, “Someone should explain to the Pope that the Mayor of Chicago is useless, and that Iran cannot have a Nuclear Weapon.” He also shared screenshots of the mayor’s posts with pictures of him and the Chicago-born pope sharing gifts and praying. Trump made the comments in a May 30 post on Truth Social.The president has repeatedly claimed, without evidence, that Leo wants the Middle Eastern country to develop nuclear armaments.Leo has rejected those allegations. On May 5 at Castel Gandolfo he stated that the Church "has spoken for years against all nuclear weapons." Later, Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin stated that the Holy See "has always worked, and will continue to work, on nuclear disarmament."The White House and Chicago mayor’s office did not immediately reply to requests for comment.Trump sharply criticized Pope Leo XIV in April, calling him “weak on crime” and “terrible for foreign policy” and saying he is “not a fan” of the pope.Trump expressed his disapproval of Leoʼs public statements denouncing the U.S.-led war on Iran. The Holy Father has repeatedly called for peace amid the ongoing conflict.The pope has said he is “not afraid of the Trump administration or of speaking out loudly about the message of the Gospel.”

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The president has claimed, without evidence, that Pope Leo XIV wants the Middle Eastern country to develop nuclear armaments.

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Putin Warns Europeans That Moscow Can ‘Raze to the Ground’ Any Country Attempting to Attack Russian Enclave of Kaliningrad – Kaliningrad is the new powder keg. The post Putin Warns Europeans That Moscow Can ‘Raze to the Ground’ Any Country Attempting to Attack Russian Enclave of Kaliningrad appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.
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Putin Warns Europeans That Moscow Can ‘Raze to the Ground’ Any Country Attempting to Attack Russian Enclave of Kaliningrad – Kaliningrad is the new powder keg. The post Putin Warns Europeans That Moscow Can ‘Raze to the Ground’ Any Country Attempting to Attack Russian Enclave of Kaliningrad appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

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Kaliningrad is the new powder keg.

The post Putin Warns Europeans That Moscow Can ‘Raze to the Ground’ Any Country Attempting to Attack Russian Enclave of Kaliningrad appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

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Becerra’s Nonprofit Network and the Deportation Debate – This story originally was published by Real Clear Wire By Susan Crabtree Xavier Becerra, the frontrunner in the race for California governor, has frequently drawn a line between deporting illegal migrants with criminal records and those without – at least in theory. The post Becerra’s Nonprofit Network and the Deportation Debate appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.
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Becerra’s Nonprofit Network and the Deportation Debate – This story originally was published by Real Clear Wire By Susan Crabtree Xavier Becerra, the frontrunner in the race for California governor, has frequently drawn a line between deporting illegal migrants with criminal records and those without – at least in theory. The post Becerra’s Nonprofit Network and the Deportation Debate appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

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This story originally was published by Real Clear Wire By Susan Crabtree Xavier Becerra, the frontrunner in the race for California governor, has frequently drawn a line between deporting illegal migrants with criminal records and those without – at least in theory.

The post Becerra’s Nonprofit Network and the Deportation Debate appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

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Pope Leo XIV: The Trinity teaches that every creature is made for communion #Catholic Pope Leo XIV said Sunday that the mystery of the Holy Trinity teaches Christians to see every creature as made for communion — and warned that division, polarization, and contempt for differences leave the world spiritually barren.Speaking before the Angelus on May 31, the solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity, the pope reflected on Jesus’ encounter with Nicodemus in the Gospel of John, saying the feast reveals that God’s own life is a communion of love into which humanity is invited.“The Trinity helps us to love everyone and everything: we discover that every creature is made for communion, relationship and encounter,” Pope Leo said from the window of the Apostolic Palace overlooking St. Peter’s Square. “On the other hand, we understand why division, polarization and contempt for diversity bring destruction, sadness and barrenness to the world.”The pope said the Church’s Easter journey, which concluded last week with Pentecost, helps believers contemplate the divine life given to humanity in Christ — a communion of love that draws believers in through the Holy Spirit.The Spirit, he said, “unites the Father and the Son” and “has been poured into our hearts.” In this way, he added, “the Church becomes a sacrament of communion, a place of encounter, love and life where heaven and earth already touch.”Turning to Nicodemus, whom the Gospel describes as an important figure in Israel who came to Jesus at night, Leo said Christ “welcomed him and took his search for answers seriously.”Jesus, the pope said, “surprised Nicodemus by suggesting that it was even possible for an adult to be reborn and led him to realize that the life of God could transform his own life.”Leo noted that Nicodemus later defended Jesus before the Sanhedrin, urging others to listen before condemning him.“He had received the Spirit of communion from God through Christ himself, which opens the heart to new truths and to true renewal,” the pope said. “Whoever does not welcome this Spirit grows old quickly, in sorrow, feeling all alone and without joy in their hearts.”By contrast, Leo said, the solemnity of the Trinity is “a day of celebration.”“God’s feast is also ours,” he said, citing St. Paul’s exhortation to the Corinthians: “Rejoice, strive for perfection, encourage one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.”After leading the Angelus, the pope recalled the prayers for peace raised throughout the Church during May, a month traditionally dedicated to the Virgin Mary.“In this month of May, a united chorus of prayers for peace has resounded throughout the Church,” he said. “Above all, through the prayer of the Holy Rosary — like an unbroken chain — the peoples ravaged by war have been entrusted to the intercession of the Virgin Mary.”“May Divine Wisdom enlighten the consciences of those in authority and guide their decisions toward a sincere search for a just and lasting peace,” he said.Leo also marked Italy’s 25th National Day of Relief, expressing closeness to the sick and those who care for them.“I offer my spiritual closeness to the sick and those who care for them; and I thank and encourage all who promote a culture of solidarity and care,” he said.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: The Trinity teaches that every creature is made for communion #Catholic Pope Leo XIV said Sunday that the mystery of the Holy Trinity teaches Christians to see every creature as made for communion — and warned that division, polarization, and contempt for differences leave the world spiritually barren.Speaking before the Angelus on May 31, the solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity, the pope reflected on Jesus’ encounter with Nicodemus in the Gospel of John, saying the feast reveals that God’s own life is a communion of love into which humanity is invited.“The Trinity helps us to love everyone and everything: we discover that every creature is made for communion, relationship and encounter,” Pope Leo said from the window of the Apostolic Palace overlooking St. Peter’s Square. “On the other hand, we understand why division, polarization and contempt for diversity bring destruction, sadness and barrenness to the world.”The pope said the Church’s Easter journey, which concluded last week with Pentecost, helps believers contemplate the divine life given to humanity in Christ — a communion of love that draws believers in through the Holy Spirit.The Spirit, he said, “unites the Father and the Son” and “has been poured into our hearts.” In this way, he added, “the Church becomes a sacrament of communion, a place of encounter, love and life where heaven and earth already touch.”Turning to Nicodemus, whom the Gospel describes as an important figure in Israel who came to Jesus at night, Leo said Christ “welcomed him and took his search for answers seriously.”Jesus, the pope said, “surprised Nicodemus by suggesting that it was even possible for an adult to be reborn and led him to realize that the life of God could transform his own life.”Leo noted that Nicodemus later defended Jesus before the Sanhedrin, urging others to listen before condemning him.“He had received the Spirit of communion from God through Christ himself, which opens the heart to new truths and to true renewal,” the pope said. “Whoever does not welcome this Spirit grows old quickly, in sorrow, feeling all alone and without joy in their hearts.”By contrast, Leo said, the solemnity of the Trinity is “a day of celebration.”“God’s feast is also ours,” he said, citing St. Paul’s exhortation to the Corinthians: “Rejoice, strive for perfection, encourage one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.”After leading the Angelus, the pope recalled the prayers for peace raised throughout the Church during May, a month traditionally dedicated to the Virgin Mary.“In this month of May, a united chorus of prayers for peace has resounded throughout the Church,” he said. “Above all, through the prayer of the Holy Rosary — like an unbroken chain — the peoples ravaged by war have been entrusted to the intercession of the Virgin Mary.”“May Divine Wisdom enlighten the consciences of those in authority and guide their decisions toward a sincere search for a just and lasting peace,” he said.Leo also marked Italy’s 25th National Day of Relief, expressing closeness to the sick and those who care for them.“I offer my spiritual closeness to the sick and those who care for them; and I thank and encourage all who promote a culture of solidarity and care,” he said.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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At the Sunday Angelus, the pope prayed for “a just and lasting peace” as the Church closed a monthlong Marian appeal for countries ravaged by war.

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Why Does the Media Care That Has-Beens Are Withdrawing From ‘Freedom 250’ DC Event? – Martina McBride was, once upon a time, one of country’s biggest stars. The post Why Does the Media Care That Has-Beens Are Withdrawing From ‘Freedom 250’ DC Event? appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.
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Why Does the Media Care That Has-Beens Are Withdrawing From ‘Freedom 250’ DC Event? – Martina McBride was, once upon a time, one of country’s biggest stars. The post Why Does the Media Care That Has-Beens Are Withdrawing From ‘Freedom 250’ DC Event? appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

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Colorful lights illuminate the Hoover Dam, featuring a large American flag projection on its face, symbolizing patriotism and national pride.

Colorful lights illuminate the Hoover Dam, featuring a large American flag projection on its face, symbolizing patriotism and national pride.

Martina McBride was, once upon a time, one of country’s biggest stars.

The post Why Does the Media Care That Has-Beens Are Withdrawing From ‘Freedom 250’ DC Event? appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

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Bishop highlights Church’s ministry to seafarers facing danger and isolation – #Catholic – “The Church has always accompanied people of the sea,” Bishop Frank Schuster, auxiliary bishop for the Archdiocese of Seattle, told EWTN News ahead of his Washington, D.C., visit for the National Day of Prayer and Remembrance for Mariners and People of the Sea on May 22.“We had a couple of seafarers of our own among the apostles — Peter, Andrew, James, and John were fishermen,” said Schuster, who serves as the bishop promoter of Stella Maris in the U.S.Stella Maris, first known as the Apostleship of the Sea, is the Church’s official ministry for seafarers and mariners. Formal Catholic port ministry began in Glasgow, Scotland, in 1920 but was not officially recognized by the Vatican until 1922, when Pope Pius XI granted his approval. The ministry was renamed “Stella Maris” on its 100th anniversary in 2020, a nod to St. John Paul II’s 1997 motu proprio Stella Maris.While the main role of port chaplains with Stella Maris is to celebrate Mass and the sacraments aboard ships, their work includes providing counsel and aid to sailors. “One of the reasons why this ministry is so vitally important is — if you do a quick search of the United Nations, you’ll find this number — it’s fascinating that 80% of all tradable goods have, in some fashion, had to at some point travel by ship,” Schuster said. Seattle Auxiliary Bishop Frank Schuster gathers with Filipino crew members who were gifted new jackets by Stella Maris after celebrating an early Christmas Mass on board their ship in December 2025. | Credit: Photo courtesy of Bishop Frank Schuster “They’re performing a service,” he said, “so when they arrive to our ports, we come on board delivering gifts and different items that they might find helpful such as toothbrushes, bars of soap, shaving cream, and razors.”‘A ministry of accompaniment’“It’s a ministry of accompaniment,” Schuster said, explaining that the ministry of port chaplains often includes walking with seafarers struggling with mental health or trauma from their time on board a ship.“Some of these seafarers often have trauma in their past,” Schuster said. “I’ve talked to several seafarers who have been on the Hormuz route — if you’re a sailor on one of these ships and you’re watching missiles fly over you, you are constantly worried about being attacked.”“And so, we can also just be a good ear and listen,” he said. “But also, if we see signs of real depression, we can be helpful there in terms of referrals to make sure that these seafarers get the help that they need.”Stella Maris also often assists crews on abandoned ships, according to Schuster.“There may be a ship out there where the company abandoned the seafarers, so they’re no longer getting paid and they’re just kind of sitting out there on a boat because the country won’t let them leave the boat abandoned,” he explained, citing the crew of the Dali cargo ship that crashed into Baltimore’s Key Bridge in March 2024.A port chaplain with Stella Maris in Baltimore regularly checks in on several members of the Dali crew who have remained in the city amid the ongoing investigation of the incident, the bishop noted.Schuster said his favorite part about his role as bishop promoter of Stella Maris is “just getting on board the ships and being able to do ministry.”“Before I was a bishop, I was a pastor of a parish, and that meant daily accompaniment of people from a variety of different backgrounds and a variety of different needs, and I missed that one-on-one ministry,” he said. “So when I get on board a ship and minister to a crew, being able to celebrate Mass, sit down to eat with them and talk about life, it feels like Iʼm a pastor again. And it feels good.”
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Bishop highlights Church’s ministry to seafarers facing danger and isolation – #Catholic – “The Church has always accompanied people of the sea,” Bishop Frank Schuster, auxiliary bishop for the Archdiocese of Seattle, told EWTN News ahead of his Washington, D.C., visit for the National Day of Prayer and Remembrance for Mariners and People of the Sea on May 22.“We had a couple of seafarers of our own among the apostles — Peter, Andrew, James, and John were fishermen,” said Schuster, who serves as the bishop promoter of Stella Maris in the U.S.Stella Maris, first known as the Apostleship of the Sea, is the Church’s official ministry for seafarers and mariners. Formal Catholic port ministry began in Glasgow, Scotland, in 1920 but was not officially recognized by the Vatican until 1922, when Pope Pius XI granted his approval. The ministry was renamed “Stella Maris” on its 100th anniversary in 2020, a nod to St. John Paul II’s 1997 motu proprio Stella Maris.While the main role of port chaplains with Stella Maris is to celebrate Mass and the sacraments aboard ships, their work includes providing counsel and aid to sailors. “One of the reasons why this ministry is so vitally important is — if you do a quick search of the United Nations, you’ll find this number — it’s fascinating that 80% of all tradable goods have, in some fashion, had to at some point travel by ship,” Schuster said. Seattle Auxiliary Bishop Frank Schuster gathers with Filipino crew members who were gifted new jackets by Stella Maris after celebrating an early Christmas Mass on board their ship in December 2025. | Credit: Photo courtesy of Bishop Frank Schuster “They’re performing a service,” he said, “so when they arrive to our ports, we come on board delivering gifts and different items that they might find helpful such as toothbrushes, bars of soap, shaving cream, and razors.”‘A ministry of accompaniment’“It’s a ministry of accompaniment,” Schuster said, explaining that the ministry of port chaplains often includes walking with seafarers struggling with mental health or trauma from their time on board a ship.“Some of these seafarers often have trauma in their past,” Schuster said. “I’ve talked to several seafarers who have been on the Hormuz route — if you’re a sailor on one of these ships and you’re watching missiles fly over you, you are constantly worried about being attacked.”“And so, we can also just be a good ear and listen,” he said. “But also, if we see signs of real depression, we can be helpful there in terms of referrals to make sure that these seafarers get the help that they need.”Stella Maris also often assists crews on abandoned ships, according to Schuster.“There may be a ship out there where the company abandoned the seafarers, so they’re no longer getting paid and they’re just kind of sitting out there on a boat because the country won’t let them leave the boat abandoned,” he explained, citing the crew of the Dali cargo ship that crashed into Baltimore’s Key Bridge in March 2024.A port chaplain with Stella Maris in Baltimore regularly checks in on several members of the Dali crew who have remained in the city amid the ongoing investigation of the incident, the bishop noted.Schuster said his favorite part about his role as bishop promoter of Stella Maris is “just getting on board the ships and being able to do ministry.”“Before I was a bishop, I was a pastor of a parish, and that meant daily accompaniment of people from a variety of different backgrounds and a variety of different needs, and I missed that one-on-one ministry,” he said. “So when I get on board a ship and minister to a crew, being able to celebrate Mass, sit down to eat with them and talk about life, it feels like Iʼm a pastor again. And it feels good.”

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While the main role of port chaplains with Stella Maris is to celebrate Mass and the sacraments aboard ships, their work includes providing counsel and aid to sailors, Bishop Frank Schuster said.

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12 things to know and share about the Holy Trinity – #Catholic – The Catholic Church teaches that the Holy Trinity is the central mystery of the Christian faith. But how much do we know about this mystery? What is its history? What does it mean? And how can it be proved?Here are 12 things to know and to share.1. Where does the word “Trinity” come from?It comes from the Latin word “trinitas,” which means “three” or “triad.” The Greek equivalent is “triados.”2. When was the word first used?The first surviving use of the term (there may have been earlier uses that are now lost) was about 170 A.D. by Theophilus of Antioch, who wrote: “In like manner also the three days which were before the luminaries are types of the Trinity [Τριάδος], of God, and His Word, and His wisdom. And the fourth is the type of man, who needs light, that so there may be God, the Word, wisdom, man” (“To Autolycus,” 2:15).3. What is the Trinity?The Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church explains it this way: “The Church expresses her trinitarian faith by professing a belief in the oneness of God in whom there are three Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The three divine Persons are only one God because each of them equally possesses the fullness of the one and indivisible divine nature. They are really distinct from each other by reason of the relations which place them in correspondence to each other. The Father generates the Son; the Son is generated by the Father; the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son” (No. 48).4. Is the Trinity the central mystery of the Christian faith?Yes. The compendium explains: “The central mystery of Christian faith and life is the mystery of the Most Blessed Trinity. Christians are baptized in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (No. 44).5. When did the Church infallibly define the Trinity?The dogma of the Trinity was defined in two stages, at the First Council of Nicaea (325 A.D.) and the First Council of Constantinople (381 A.D.).First Nicaea defined the divinity of the Son and wrote the part of the Creed that deals with the Son.This council was called to deal with the heresy known as Arianism, which claimed that the Son was a supernatural being but not God.First Constantinople defined the divinity of the Holy Spirit and wrote the part of the Creed that deals with the Spirit.This council dealt with a heresy known as Macedonianism (because its advocates were from Macedonia), which denied the divinity of the Holy Spirit. This heresy was also called Pneumatomachianism (from a Greek phrase meaning “fighting the Spirit”).6. How can the Trinity be proved?The Trinity can only be proved through the divine revelation that Jesus brought us. It cannot be proved by natural reason or from the Old Testament alone. The Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church states: “God has left some traces of his trinitarian being in creation and in the Old Testament but his inmost being as the Holy Trinity is a mystery which is inaccessible to reason alone or even to Israel’s faith before the incarnation of the Son of God and the sending of the Holy Spirit. This mystery was revealed by Jesus Christ and it is the source of all the other mysteries” (No. 45).Although the vocabulary used to express the doctrine of the Trinity took time to develop, we can demonstrate the different aspects of the doctrine from Scripture.7. How can we show from Scripture that there is only one God?The fact that there is only one God was already made clear in the Old Testament. For example, the book of Isaiah proclaims: “You are my witnesses, says the Lord, and my servant whom I have chosen, that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor shall there be any after me” (Is 43:10).It continues: “Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel, and his Redeemer, the Lord of hosts: I am the first and I am the last; besides me there is no god” (Is 44:6).8. How can we show that the Father is God?The Father is proclaimed as God numerous times in the New Testament. For example, St. Paul declares: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort” (2 Cor 1:3).And: “There is … one God and Father of us all, who is above all and through all and in all” (Eph 4:4-6).9. How can we show that the Son is God?This is proclaimed in a variety of places in the New Testament, including at the beginning of the Gospel of John: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. … And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth; we have beheld his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father” (Jn 1:1, 14).And later: “Then [Jesus] said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side; do not be faithless, but believing.’ Thomas answered him, ‘My Lord and my God!’” (Jn 20:27-28).10. How can we show that the Holy Spirit is God?In the book of Acts, the Holy Spirit is portrayed as a divine Person who speaks and who can be lied to: “While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them’” (Acts 13:2).And: “But Peter said, ‘Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back part of the proceeds of the land? … You have not lied to men but to God’” (Acts 5:3-4).11. How can we show that the Father, the Son, and the Spirit are distinct Persons?The distinction of the persons can be shown, for example, in the fact that Jesus speaks to his Father. This would make no sense if they were one and the same person.“At that time Jesus declared, ‘I thank thee, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to babes; yea, Father, for such was thy gracious will’” (Mt 11:25-26).The fact that Jesus is not the same Person as the Holy Spirit is revealed when Jesus — who has been functioning as the Counselor (Greek, “Parakletos”) of the disciples — says he will pray to the Father and the Father will give them “another Counselor,” who is the Holy Spirit. This shows the distinction of all three Persons: Jesus who prays; the Father who sends; and the Spirit who comes: “And I will pray the Father, and he will give you another Counselor, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him; you know him, for he dwells with you, and will be in you” (Jn 14:16-17).12. How can we show that the Son is generated by the Father and that the Spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son?The fact that the Son is generated by the Father is indicated by the names of these Persons. Sons are generated by fathers. The second Person of the Trinity would not be a Son if he were not generated by the first Person as his Father.The fact that the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son is reflected in another statement of Jesus:“But when the Counselor comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness to me” (Jn 15:26).This depicts the Holy Spirit proceeding from the Father and the Son (“whom I shall send”). Here the outward operations of the Persons of the Trinity reflect their mutual relations with each other. It may also be said that the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father through the Son.For more on the procession of the Holy Spirit, click here.This story was first published by the National Catholic Register, the sister partner of EWTN News, on June 7, 2020, and has been updated and adapted by EWTN News.
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12 things to know and share about the Holy Trinity – #Catholic – The Catholic Church teaches that the Holy Trinity is the central mystery of the Christian faith. But how much do we know about this mystery? What is its history? What does it mean? And how can it be proved?Here are 12 things to know and to share.1. Where does the word “Trinity” come from?It comes from the Latin word “trinitas,” which means “three” or “triad.” The Greek equivalent is “triados.”2. When was the word first used?The first surviving use of the term (there may have been earlier uses that are now lost) was about 170 A.D. by Theophilus of Antioch, who wrote: “In like manner also the three days which were before the luminaries are types of the Trinity [Τριάδος], of God, and His Word, and His wisdom. And the fourth is the type of man, who needs light, that so there may be God, the Word, wisdom, man” (“To Autolycus,” 2:15).3. What is the Trinity?The Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church explains it this way: “The Church expresses her trinitarian faith by professing a belief in the oneness of God in whom there are three Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The three divine Persons are only one God because each of them equally possesses the fullness of the one and indivisible divine nature. They are really distinct from each other by reason of the relations which place them in correspondence to each other. The Father generates the Son; the Son is generated by the Father; the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son” (No. 48).4. Is the Trinity the central mystery of the Christian faith?Yes. The compendium explains: “The central mystery of Christian faith and life is the mystery of the Most Blessed Trinity. Christians are baptized in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (No. 44).5. When did the Church infallibly define the Trinity?The dogma of the Trinity was defined in two stages, at the First Council of Nicaea (325 A.D.) and the First Council of Constantinople (381 A.D.).First Nicaea defined the divinity of the Son and wrote the part of the Creed that deals with the Son.This council was called to deal with the heresy known as Arianism, which claimed that the Son was a supernatural being but not God.First Constantinople defined the divinity of the Holy Spirit and wrote the part of the Creed that deals with the Spirit.This council dealt with a heresy known as Macedonianism (because its advocates were from Macedonia), which denied the divinity of the Holy Spirit. This heresy was also called Pneumatomachianism (from a Greek phrase meaning “fighting the Spirit”).6. How can the Trinity be proved?The Trinity can only be proved through the divine revelation that Jesus brought us. It cannot be proved by natural reason or from the Old Testament alone. The Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church states: “God has left some traces of his trinitarian being in creation and in the Old Testament but his inmost being as the Holy Trinity is a mystery which is inaccessible to reason alone or even to Israel’s faith before the incarnation of the Son of God and the sending of the Holy Spirit. This mystery was revealed by Jesus Christ and it is the source of all the other mysteries” (No. 45).Although the vocabulary used to express the doctrine of the Trinity took time to develop, we can demonstrate the different aspects of the doctrine from Scripture.7. How can we show from Scripture that there is only one God?The fact that there is only one God was already made clear in the Old Testament. For example, the book of Isaiah proclaims: “You are my witnesses, says the Lord, and my servant whom I have chosen, that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor shall there be any after me” (Is 43:10).It continues: “Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel, and his Redeemer, the Lord of hosts: I am the first and I am the last; besides me there is no god” (Is 44:6).8. How can we show that the Father is God?The Father is proclaimed as God numerous times in the New Testament. For example, St. Paul declares: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort” (2 Cor 1:3).And: “There is … one God and Father of us all, who is above all and through all and in all” (Eph 4:4-6).9. How can we show that the Son is God?This is proclaimed in a variety of places in the New Testament, including at the beginning of the Gospel of John: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. … And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth; we have beheld his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father” (Jn 1:1, 14).And later: “Then [Jesus] said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side; do not be faithless, but believing.’ Thomas answered him, ‘My Lord and my God!’” (Jn 20:27-28).10. How can we show that the Holy Spirit is God?In the book of Acts, the Holy Spirit is portrayed as a divine Person who speaks and who can be lied to: “While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them’” (Acts 13:2).And: “But Peter said, ‘Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back part of the proceeds of the land? … You have not lied to men but to God’” (Acts 5:3-4).11. How can we show that the Father, the Son, and the Spirit are distinct Persons?The distinction of the persons can be shown, for example, in the fact that Jesus speaks to his Father. This would make no sense if they were one and the same person.“At that time Jesus declared, ‘I thank thee, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to babes; yea, Father, for such was thy gracious will’” (Mt 11:25-26).The fact that Jesus is not the same Person as the Holy Spirit is revealed when Jesus — who has been functioning as the Counselor (Greek, “Parakletos”) of the disciples — says he will pray to the Father and the Father will give them “another Counselor,” who is the Holy Spirit. This shows the distinction of all three Persons: Jesus who prays; the Father who sends; and the Spirit who comes: “And I will pray the Father, and he will give you another Counselor, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him; you know him, for he dwells with you, and will be in you” (Jn 14:16-17).12. How can we show that the Son is generated by the Father and that the Spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son?The fact that the Son is generated by the Father is indicated by the names of these Persons. Sons are generated by fathers. The second Person of the Trinity would not be a Son if he were not generated by the first Person as his Father.The fact that the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son is reflected in another statement of Jesus:“But when the Counselor comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness to me” (Jn 15:26).This depicts the Holy Spirit proceeding from the Father and the Son (“whom I shall send”). Here the outward operations of the Persons of the Trinity reflect their mutual relations with each other. It may also be said that the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father through the Son.For more on the procession of the Holy Spirit, click here.This story was first published by the National Catholic Register, the sister partner of EWTN News, on June 7, 2020, and has been updated and adapted by EWTN News.

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The Holy Trinity is the central mystery of the Christian faith. Here are 12 things to know and share.

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Picture of the day The NASA/German Research Centre for Geosciences GRACE Follow-On spacecraft launch onboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, Tuesday, May 22, 2018, from Space Launch Complex 4E at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. #ImageOfTheDay
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Picture of the day The NASA/German Research Centre for Geosciences GRACE Follow-On spacecraft launch onboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, Tuesday, May 22, 2018, from Space Launch Complex 4E at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. #ImageOfTheDay

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Picture of the day
The NASA/German Research Centre for Geosciences GRACE Follow-On spacecraft launch onboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, Tuesday, May 22, 2018, from Space Launch Complex 4E at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California.
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Gospel and Word of the Day – 31 May 2026 – A reading from the Book of Exodus 34:4b-6, 8-9 Early in the morning Moses went up Mount Sinai as the LORD had commanded him, taking along the two stone tablets. Having come down in a cloud, the LORD stood with Moses there and proclaimed his name, "LORD." Thus the LORD passed before him and cried out, "The LORD, the LORD, a merciful and gracious God, slow to anger and rich in kindness and fidelity." Moses at once bowed down to the ground in worship. Then he said, "If I find favor with you, O Lord, do come along in our company. This is indeed a stiff-necked people; yet pardon our wickedness and sins, and receive us as your own."   A reading from the Second Letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians 13:11-13 Brothers and sisters, rejoice.  Mend your ways, encourage one another, agree with one another, live in peace, and the God of love and peace will be with you. Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the holy ones greet you. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with all of you.From the Gospel according to John 3:16-18 God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him will not be condemned, but whoever does not believe has already been condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.Today, the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity, the Gospel is taken from Jesus’ dialogue with Nicodemus (cf. Jn  3:16-18). Nicodemus was a member of the Sanhedrin, passionate about the mystery of God: he recognizes in Jesus a divine master and goes to speak to him in secret, at night. Jesus listens to him, understands he is a man on a quest, and then first, he surprises him, answering that in order to enter the Kingdom of God, one must be reborn; then, he reveals the heart of the mystery to him, saying that God loved humanity so much that he sent his Son into the world. Jesus, therefore, the Son, speaks to us about his Father and his immense love. Father and Son. It is a familiar image which, if we think about it, disrupts our images of God. Indeed, the very word “God” suggests to us a singular, majestic and distant reality, whereas hearing about a Father and a Son brings us back home. Yes, we can think of God in this way, through the image of a family gathered around the table, where life is shared. After all, the table, which, at the same time is an altar, is a symbol with which certain icons depict the Trinity. It is an image that speaks to us of a God of communion. Father, Son and Holy Spirit: communion. But it is not only an image; it is reality! It is reality because the Holy Spirit, the Spirit that the Father poured into our hearts through Jesus (cf. Gal 4:6), makes us taste, makes us savour God’s presence: a presence that is always close, compassionate and tender. (Pope Francis, Angelus, 4 June 2023)  

unitedyam

A reading from the Book of Exodus
34:4b-6, 8-9

Early in the morning Moses went up Mount Sinai
as the LORD had commanded him,
taking along the two stone tablets.

Having come down in a cloud, the LORD stood with Moses there
and proclaimed his name, "LORD."
Thus the LORD passed before him and cried out,
"The LORD, the LORD, a merciful and gracious God,
slow to anger and rich in kindness and fidelity."
Moses at once bowed down to the ground in worship.
Then he said, "If I find favor with you, O Lord,
do come along in our company.
This is indeed a stiff-necked people; yet pardon our wickedness and sins,
and receive us as your own."

 

A reading from the Second Letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians
13:11-13

Brothers and sisters, rejoice. 
Mend your ways, encourage one another,
agree with one another, live in peace,
and the God of love and peace will be with you.
Greet one another with a holy kiss.
All the holy ones greet you.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ
and the love of God
and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with all of you.

From the Gospel according to John
3:16-18

God so loved the world that he gave his only Son,
so that everyone who believes in him might not perish
but might have eternal life.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world,
but that the world might be saved through him.
Whoever believes in him will not be condemned,
but whoever does not believe has already been condemned,
because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.

Today, the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity, the Gospel is taken from Jesus’ dialogue with Nicodemus (cf. Jn  3:16-18). Nicodemus was a member of the Sanhedrin, passionate about the mystery of God: he recognizes in Jesus a divine master and goes to speak to him in secret, at night. Jesus listens to him, understands he is a man on a quest, and then first, he surprises him, answering that in order to enter the Kingdom of God, one must be reborn; then, he reveals the heart of the mystery to him, saying that God loved humanity so much that he sent his Son into the world. Jesus, therefore, the Son, speaks to us about his Father and his immense love. Father and Son. It is a familiar image which, if we think about it, disrupts our images of God. Indeed, the very word “God” suggests to us a singular, majestic and distant reality, whereas hearing about a Father and a Son brings us back home. Yes, we can think of God in this way, through the image of a family gathered around the table, where life is shared. After all, the table, which, at the same time is an altar, is a symbol with which certain icons depict the Trinity. It is an image that speaks to us of a God of communion. Father, Son and Holy Spirit: communion. But it is not only an image; it is reality! It is reality because the Holy Spirit, the Spirit that the Father poured into our hearts through Jesus (cf. Gal 4:6), makes us taste, makes us savour God’s presence: a presence that is always close, compassionate and tender. (Pope Francis, Angelus, 4 June 2023)

 

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Human dignity, national security ‘not in conflict,’ U.S. bishops say amid Trump ‘aliens’ campaign #Catholic The U.S. bishops are reiterating their calls for immigrants in the U.S. to be treated with dignity as the Trump administration launched a campaign that likens immigrants living in the country illegally to extraterrestrials.The White House on May 28 launched a government website “Aliens.gov,” a retro sci-fi-styled site that claims the government has “kept a closely guarded secret” about “aliens” and an “invasion” for decades. The site mimics sci‑fi aesthetics, with a bold, geometric sans‑serif typeface in neon green and black, like 1950s movie posters used to advertise Cold‑War‑era sci‑fi films featuring monstrous extraterrestrials.“Aliens have been walking among us, living in our neighborhoods, and interacting with us in our daily lives,” the site claims, alleging that “aliens” have “shopped in the same stores, attended the same classes as our children, and lived seemingly normal human existences.”Promoting an “alien arrest map” of immigrant detentions around the country, the site states bluntly that people without legal status “do not belong here.”The website urges visitors to “report suspicious aliens” to an “ICE tip line.” In U.S. law, the word alien is a formal legal classification meaning a person who is not a U.S. citizen or national, a definition that appears in the Immigration and Nationality Act and is used in statutes, regulations, and court decisions.Dignity, national security ‘not in conflict,’ bishops saysImmigrants have long been portrayed through metaphors in U.S. culture, from 19th‑century political cartoons that depicted Irish, Italian, and Chinese newcomers as monsters or subhuman creatures to modern rhetoric framing migrant groups as “invaders,” “infestations,” or something other than fully human.The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) lamented “the state of contemporary debate and the vilification of immigrants” in a special message in November 2025. In February, the bishops condemned a plan from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to increase the capacity of migrant detention centers around the U.S. The government earlier this year indicated it would spend about $38 billion to bolster detention space. Victoria, Texas Bishop Brendan Cahill, chair of the bishops' immigration committee, called the plans “deeply troubling” at the time.“The thought of holding thousands of families in massive warehouses should challenge the conscience of every American," the bishop said. Asked about the governmentʼs new “aliens” campaign on May 29, USCCB spokeswoman Chieko Noguchi told EWTN News that the bishops have “continuously condemned vilification of immigrants and dehumanizing rhetoric and consistently advocated for a meaningful reform of our nation’s immigration laws and procedures.” “They’ve also repeatedly asserted that human dignity and national security are not in conflict,” she said, pointing to the bishops' special message. The bishops at that time said they “oppose[d] the indiscriminate mass deportation of people,” with the prelates praying “for an end to dehumanizing rhetoric and violence, whether directed at immigrants or at law enforcement.”The bishops in February urged the U.S. Supreme Court to uphold the U.S. constitutional policy of “birthright citizenship” wherein any individual born on U.S. soil is counted as an American citizen. The dispute before the court was launched after Trump in January 2025 signed an order directing that children born to parents in the country illegally were not entitled to U.S. citizenship. Pope Leo XIV — the first pope in history from the United States — has also weighed in, affirming in November 2025 that while nations have “a right to determine who and how and when people enter,” countries “have to look for ways of treating people humanely, treating people with the dignity that they have.”“When people are living good lives — and many of them (in the United States) for 10, 15, 20 years — to treat them in a way that is extremely disrespectful, to say the least,” is not acceptable, the pope said on Nov. 18, 2025.Regarding the bishops' Nov. 12, 2025 message on immigration, the pope remarked: “I appreciate very much what the bishops have said. I think it’s a very important statement. I would invite, especially all Catholics, but people of goodwill to listen carefully to what they said."In a statement to EWTN News, meanwhile, a spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on May 29 argued that news reports “too often” ignore “the victims [of illegal immigration] and their stories.” "These victims and their families are why we work around the clock to arrest and deport illegal aliens from our communities," the department said, describing crimes committed by undocumented immigrants as "completely preventable.”“What makes someone a target of ICE is if they are in the U.S. illegally,” the statement continued, arguing that “nearly 70% of ICE arrests are of criminal illegal aliens who have been convicted or have pending charges.”ICE data shows most people arrested and booked into ICE custody do not have criminal convictions, and some analyses show the 70% figure comes from redefining “criminal” to include pending charges, foreign allegations untested in a U.S. court, and people who have never been found guilty of a crime. Roughly 25–30% of people arrested by ICE have a prior conviction, according to analyses of ICE arrest and detention data, including work by the Cato Institute and the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse based on ICE data.
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Human dignity, national security ‘not in conflict,’ U.S. bishops say amid Trump ‘aliens’ campaign #Catholic The U.S. bishops are reiterating their calls for immigrants in the U.S. to be treated with dignity as the Trump administration launched a campaign that likens immigrants living in the country illegally to extraterrestrials.The White House on May 28 launched a government website “Aliens.gov,” a retro sci-fi-styled site that claims the government has “kept a closely guarded secret” about “aliens” and an “invasion” for decades. The site mimics sci‑fi aesthetics, with a bold, geometric sans‑serif typeface in neon green and black, like 1950s movie posters used to advertise Cold‑War‑era sci‑fi films featuring monstrous extraterrestrials.“Aliens have been walking among us, living in our neighborhoods, and interacting with us in our daily lives,” the site claims, alleging that “aliens” have “shopped in the same stores, attended the same classes as our children, and lived seemingly normal human existences.”Promoting an “alien arrest map” of immigrant detentions around the country, the site states bluntly that people without legal status “do not belong here.”The website urges visitors to “report suspicious aliens” to an “ICE tip line.” In U.S. law, the word alien is a formal legal classification meaning a person who is not a U.S. citizen or national, a definition that appears in the Immigration and Nationality Act and is used in statutes, regulations, and court decisions.Dignity, national security ‘not in conflict,’ bishops saysImmigrants have long been portrayed through metaphors in U.S. culture, from 19th‑century political cartoons that depicted Irish, Italian, and Chinese newcomers as monsters or subhuman creatures to modern rhetoric framing migrant groups as “invaders,” “infestations,” or something other than fully human.The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) lamented “the state of contemporary debate and the vilification of immigrants” in a special message in November 2025. In February, the bishops condemned a plan from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to increase the capacity of migrant detention centers around the U.S. The government earlier this year indicated it would spend about $38 billion to bolster detention space. Victoria, Texas Bishop Brendan Cahill, chair of the bishops' immigration committee, called the plans “deeply troubling” at the time.“The thought of holding thousands of families in massive warehouses should challenge the conscience of every American," the bishop said. Asked about the governmentʼs new “aliens” campaign on May 29, USCCB spokeswoman Chieko Noguchi told EWTN News that the bishops have “continuously condemned vilification of immigrants and dehumanizing rhetoric and consistently advocated for a meaningful reform of our nation’s immigration laws and procedures.” “They’ve also repeatedly asserted that human dignity and national security are not in conflict,” she said, pointing to the bishops' special message. The bishops at that time said they “oppose[d] the indiscriminate mass deportation of people,” with the prelates praying “for an end to dehumanizing rhetoric and violence, whether directed at immigrants or at law enforcement.”The bishops in February urged the U.S. Supreme Court to uphold the U.S. constitutional policy of “birthright citizenship” wherein any individual born on U.S. soil is counted as an American citizen. The dispute before the court was launched after Trump in January 2025 signed an order directing that children born to parents in the country illegally were not entitled to U.S. citizenship. Pope Leo XIV — the first pope in history from the United States — has also weighed in, affirming in November 2025 that while nations have “a right to determine who and how and when people enter,” countries “have to look for ways of treating people humanely, treating people with the dignity that they have.”“When people are living good lives — and many of them (in the United States) for 10, 15, 20 years — to treat them in a way that is extremely disrespectful, to say the least,” is not acceptable, the pope said on Nov. 18, 2025.Regarding the bishops' Nov. 12, 2025 message on immigration, the pope remarked: “I appreciate very much what the bishops have said. I think it’s a very important statement. I would invite, especially all Catholics, but people of goodwill to listen carefully to what they said."In a statement to EWTN News, meanwhile, a spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on May 29 argued that news reports “too often” ignore “the victims [of illegal immigration] and their stories.” "These victims and their families are why we work around the clock to arrest and deport illegal aliens from our communities," the department said, describing crimes committed by undocumented immigrants as "completely preventable.”“What makes someone a target of ICE is if they are in the U.S. illegally,” the statement continued, arguing that “nearly 70% of ICE arrests are of criminal illegal aliens who have been convicted or have pending charges.”ICE data shows most people arrested and booked into ICE custody do not have criminal convictions, and some analyses show the 70% figure comes from redefining “criminal” to include pending charges, foreign allegations untested in a U.S. court, and people who have never been found guilty of a crime. Roughly 25–30% of people arrested by ICE have a prior conviction, according to analyses of ICE arrest and detention data, including work by the Cato Institute and the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse based on ICE data.

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The Trump administration launched an “alien arrest map” with images and rhetoric that likens immigrants living illegally in the country to extraterrestrials.

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Pope Leo XIV: Our world is more divided, but shared humanity unites us #Catholic Pope Leo XIV on May 30 emphasized to Catholic lay leaders that, in a world increasingly divided by war and polarization, shared humanity can help unify it.During a private audience at the Vatican with the members of the Centesimus Annus Pro Pontifice Foundation, Leo in his remarks referenced his recent encyclical Magnifica Humanitas, explaining that current challenges prompt fundamental questions about life."Indeed, it is precisely when faced with adverse circumstances that the human person is called to reconsider the fundamental questions that have gently prodded the heart of countless generations to more serious reflection: 'Where are we going? Toward what goal do we wish to orient ourselves? What direction should we choose as a people and as a human community?'" Leo said.These questions, the pope said, clearly indicate humanityʼs common pursuit of truth.“Such questions are a clear manifestation of humanity’s search for truth, and give rise to a desire for something more, a thirst for God and lasting meaning,” Leo said in his remarks. “They also bear witness to the essential aspects of our humanity: the God-given gifts of reason and freedom by which we may come to know the truth and adhere to what is good.”Also referencing his predecessor, St. John Paul II, who founded the Centesimus Annus Pro Pontifice Foundation in 1993 to promote Catholic social teaching, Leo explained that while the modern concept of freedom “is often understood as the capacity to do what one wants,” true freedom is lived “as a “gift of self and openness to others.”He also referred to Saint Augustine in his address, using Augustineʼs concept of the two cities. “The City of Man, built on pride and love of oneself, is marked by selfish individualism,” Leo said. “The City of God, built on love of God unto selflessness, and the cultivation of relationships, is what makes it truly possible to build a civilization of love.”He also reminded those present not to despair at the current state of the world, but engage in “small and steadfast acts of fidelity that serve as a bulwark against dehumanization”.
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Pope Leo XIV: Our world is more divided, but shared humanity unites us #Catholic Pope Leo XIV on May 30 emphasized to Catholic lay leaders that, in a world increasingly divided by war and polarization, shared humanity can help unify it.During a private audience at the Vatican with the members of the Centesimus Annus Pro Pontifice Foundation, Leo in his remarks referenced his recent encyclical Magnifica Humanitas, explaining that current challenges prompt fundamental questions about life."Indeed, it is precisely when faced with adverse circumstances that the human person is called to reconsider the fundamental questions that have gently prodded the heart of countless generations to more serious reflection: 'Where are we going? Toward what goal do we wish to orient ourselves? What direction should we choose as a people and as a human community?'" Leo said.These questions, the pope said, clearly indicate humanityʼs common pursuit of truth.“Such questions are a clear manifestation of humanity’s search for truth, and give rise to a desire for something more, a thirst for God and lasting meaning,” Leo said in his remarks. “They also bear witness to the essential aspects of our humanity: the God-given gifts of reason and freedom by which we may come to know the truth and adhere to what is good.”Also referencing his predecessor, St. John Paul II, who founded the Centesimus Annus Pro Pontifice Foundation in 1993 to promote Catholic social teaching, Leo explained that while the modern concept of freedom “is often understood as the capacity to do what one wants,” true freedom is lived “as a “gift of self and openness to others.”He also referred to Saint Augustine in his address, using Augustineʼs concept of the two cities. “The City of Man, built on pride and love of oneself, is marked by selfish individualism,” Leo said. “The City of God, built on love of God unto selflessness, and the cultivation of relationships, is what makes it truly possible to build a civilization of love.”He also reminded those present not to despair at the current state of the world, but engage in “small and steadfast acts of fidelity that serve as a bulwark against dehumanization”.

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The pontiff addressed members of the Centesimus Annus Pro Pontifice Foundation on May 30.

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NJ Catholic Conference among hosts of webinar on human trafficking ahead of World Cup matches in region #Catholic - As the 2026 World Cup quickly approaches, and with host venues including MetLife Stadium in the Meadowlands and in nearby Philadelphia, faith leaders are hosting a special webinar to draw attention to a serious issue that can emerge during large-scale events. A free webinar, “Human Trafficking and Major Sporting Events,” will feature experts who will share their perspectives on the intersection between human trafficking and events like the World Cup. It is being hosted by the New Jersey Catholic Conference in partnership with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and the Pennsylvania Catholic Conference, and will take place June 9 at 6:30 p.m. “While these events are not in and of themselves responsible for the trafficking, by default these are the things that can come when you bring a big event like this to a certain area,” said James King, executive director of the New Jersey Catholic Conference. “These are high-tourist events, there are lots of people coming in and out, and there is a lot of down time involved.” Standing Up for Human Dignity The fight against human trafficking is deeply entrenched in Catholic social teaching and is part of the work of the USCCB through its Anti-Trafficking Program and its Migration and Refugee Services initiative. According to the USCCB, the anti-trafficking program “aims to educate on the scourge of human trafficking as an offense against the fundamental dignity of the human person, to advocate for its end, and to provide training and technical assistance to support survivors.” The organization estimates that some 17,000 vulnerable people are trafficked across American borders each year and subsequently forced into slavery. “Many are fleeing terrible situations in their home countries and come to the United States to find a better life,” according to the USCCB. “Unfortunately, the nightmare often begins when they reach our shores.” King reinforced the mandate for Catholics to get involved in the issue. “Trafficking is a direct assault on the dignity of the human person, and the Catholic Church stands at the forefront of these issues that attack that dignity,” he said. “We all have a responsibility to ensure that the gift of life at any stage is not attacked, misused or objectified.” Tools to Fight Trafficking The virtual session will include expert insights into the issue of human trafficking and perspectives from law enforcement officials and legislators on current efforts to combat the issue.  It will also offer practical ways for individuals and communities to recognize and prevent trafficking. Everyone from clergy and parish leaders to parishioners, and even those who are just interested in learning more, are encouraged to participate. “We don’t want people to lose focus on the fact that this could possibly be taking place,” said King. “The more awareness we raise on this, the more attention we bring to it, increases the chances that we can stop, prevent or even help people who are the victims of this form of modern-day slavery.” King was also part of efforts to raise awareness of human trafficking around large-scale events when New Jersey hosted the Super Bowl in 2014. At the time, the state legislature took up a package of bills to expand resources for victims and increase penalties for offenders. “We want people to understand that this is still going on,” he said, noting that the issue can take the form of labor trafficking, as well as sex trafficking. “We want to bring attention to all of that, and to make sure people have the information to call the appropriate authorities to investigate.” The webinar will also feature the SOAP Project – “Save Our Adolescents from Prostitution” – a nonprofit organization founded by an advocate and survivor who works to raise awareness of the prevalence of human trafficking and to prevent teens from being victimized. One of its key initiatives is the distribution of millions of bars of soap, hand labeled with a red band bearing the National Human Trafficking Hotline number, to motels to offer victims a discrete way to find out how to seek help. King noted his hope that the webinar will help attendees learn more about what public officials are doing around the issue. “Because both states [New Jersey and Pennsylvania] are hosting World Cup matches starting in June, and New Jersey will host the final match,” he said, “we want people to hear what their states have done, and are doing, to combat this issue.” King also hopes attendees will come away with an understanding of who to call if they believe human trafficking is taking place. He added that organizers seek to eliminate possible hesitancy around reporting a suspicion out of fear that it might be unfounded. “It’s better to say something and be wrong, than not to say something and it be a form of trafficking,” he said. “If you have a reasonable suspicion, it is better to say something.” Those interested in joining the free webinar can register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_i_IKn_d5QBGJGCaRCGG8tg#/registration If you or someone you know is a victim of human trafficking, you can contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1 (888) 373-7888 or by visiting https://humantraffickinghotline.org/.
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NJ Catholic Conference among hosts of webinar on human trafficking ahead of World Cup matches in region #Catholic – As the 2026 World Cup quickly approaches, and with host venues including MetLife Stadium in the Meadowlands and in nearby Philadelphia, faith leaders are hosting a special webinar to draw attention to a serious issue that can emerge during large-scale events. A free webinar, “Human Trafficking and Major Sporting Events,” will feature experts who will share their perspectives on the intersection between human trafficking and events like the World Cup. It is being hosted by the New Jersey Catholic Conference in partnership with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and the Pennsylvania Catholic Conference, and will take place June 9 at 6:30 p.m. “While these events are not in and of themselves responsible for the trafficking, by default these are the things that can come when you bring a big event like this to a certain area,” said James King, executive director of the New Jersey Catholic Conference. “These are high-tourist events, there are lots of people coming in and out, and there is a lot of down time involved.” Standing Up for Human Dignity The fight against human trafficking is deeply entrenched in Catholic social teaching and is part of the work of the USCCB through its Anti-Trafficking Program and its Migration and Refugee Services initiative. According to the USCCB, the anti-trafficking program “aims to educate on the scourge of human trafficking as an offense against the fundamental dignity of the human person, to advocate for its end, and to provide training and technical assistance to support survivors.” The organization estimates that some 17,000 vulnerable people are trafficked across American borders each year and subsequently forced into slavery. “Many are fleeing terrible situations in their home countries and come to the United States to find a better life,” according to the USCCB. “Unfortunately, the nightmare often begins when they reach our shores.” King reinforced the mandate for Catholics to get involved in the issue. “Trafficking is a direct assault on the dignity of the human person, and the Catholic Church stands at the forefront of these issues that attack that dignity,” he said. “We all have a responsibility to ensure that the gift of life at any stage is not attacked, misused or objectified.” Tools to Fight Trafficking The virtual session will include expert insights into the issue of human trafficking and perspectives from law enforcement officials and legislators on current efforts to combat the issue.  It will also offer practical ways for individuals and communities to recognize and prevent trafficking. Everyone from clergy and parish leaders to parishioners, and even those who are just interested in learning more, are encouraged to participate. “We don’t want people to lose focus on the fact that this could possibly be taking place,” said King. “The more awareness we raise on this, the more attention we bring to it, increases the chances that we can stop, prevent or even help people who are the victims of this form of modern-day slavery.” King was also part of efforts to raise awareness of human trafficking around large-scale events when New Jersey hosted the Super Bowl in 2014. At the time, the state legislature took up a package of bills to expand resources for victims and increase penalties for offenders. “We want people to understand that this is still going on,” he said, noting that the issue can take the form of labor trafficking, as well as sex trafficking. “We want to bring attention to all of that, and to make sure people have the information to call the appropriate authorities to investigate.” The webinar will also feature the SOAP Project – “Save Our Adolescents from Prostitution” – a nonprofit organization founded by an advocate and survivor who works to raise awareness of the prevalence of human trafficking and to prevent teens from being victimized. One of its key initiatives is the distribution of millions of bars of soap, hand labeled with a red band bearing the National Human Trafficking Hotline number, to motels to offer victims a discrete way to find out how to seek help. King noted his hope that the webinar will help attendees learn more about what public officials are doing around the issue. “Because both states [New Jersey and Pennsylvania] are hosting World Cup matches starting in June, and New Jersey will host the final match,” he said, “we want people to hear what their states have done, and are doing, to combat this issue.” King also hopes attendees will come away with an understanding of who to call if they believe human trafficking is taking place. He added that organizers seek to eliminate possible hesitancy around reporting a suspicion out of fear that it might be unfounded. “It’s better to say something and be wrong, than not to say something and it be a form of trafficking,” he said. “If you have a reasonable suspicion, it is better to say something.” Those interested in joining the free webinar can register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_i_IKn_d5QBGJGCaRCGG8tg#/registration If you or someone you know is a victim of human trafficking, you can contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1 (888) 373-7888 or by visiting https://humantraffickinghotline.org/.

unitedyam

NJ Catholic Conference among hosts of webinar on human trafficking ahead of World Cup matches in region #Catholic –

As the 2026 World Cup quickly approaches, and with host venues including MetLife Stadium in the Meadowlands and in nearby Philadelphia, faith leaders are hosting a special webinar to draw attention to a serious issue that can emerge during large-scale events.

A free webinar, “Human Trafficking and Major Sporting Events,” will feature experts who will share their perspectives on the intersection between human trafficking and events like the World Cup. It is being hosted by the New Jersey Catholic Conference in partnership with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and the Pennsylvania Catholic Conference, and will take place June 9 at 6:30 p.m.

“While these events are not in and of themselves responsible for the trafficking, by default these are the things that can come when you bring a big event like this to a certain area,” said James King, executive director of the New Jersey Catholic Conference. “These are high-tourist events, there are lots of people coming in and out, and there is a lot of down time involved.”

Standing Up for Human Dignity

The fight against human trafficking is deeply entrenched in Catholic social teaching and is part of the work of the USCCB through its Anti-Trafficking Program and its Migration and Refugee Services initiative.

According to the USCCB, the anti-trafficking program “aims to educate on the scourge of human trafficking as an offense against the fundamental dignity of the human person, to advocate for its end, and to provide training and technical assistance to support survivors.” The organization estimates that some 17,000 vulnerable people are trafficked across American borders each year and subsequently forced into slavery.

“Many are fleeing terrible situations in their home countries and come to the United States to find a better life,” according to the USCCB. “Unfortunately, the nightmare often begins when they reach our shores.”

King reinforced the mandate for Catholics to get involved in the issue.

“Trafficking is a direct assault on the dignity of the human person, and the Catholic Church stands at the forefront of these issues that attack that dignity,” he said. “We all have a responsibility to ensure that the gift of life at any stage is not attacked, misused or objectified.”

Tools to Fight Trafficking

The virtual session will include expert insights into the issue of human trafficking and perspectives from law enforcement officials and legislators on current efforts to combat the issue.  It will also offer practical ways for individuals and communities to recognize and prevent trafficking. Everyone from clergy and parish leaders to parishioners, and even those who are just interested in learning more, are encouraged to participate.

“We don’t want people to lose focus on the fact that this could possibly be taking place,” said King. “The more awareness we raise on this, the more attention we bring to it, increases the chances that we can stop, prevent or even help people who are the victims of this form of modern-day slavery.”

King was also part of efforts to raise awareness of human trafficking around large-scale events when New Jersey hosted the Super Bowl in 2014. At the time, the state legislature took up a package of bills to expand resources for victims and increase penalties for offenders.

“We want people to understand that this is still going on,” he said, noting that the issue can take the form of labor trafficking, as well as sex trafficking. “We want to bring attention to all of that, and to make sure people have the information to call the appropriate authorities to investigate.”

The webinar will also feature the SOAP Project – “Save Our Adolescents from Prostitution” – a nonprofit organization founded by an advocate and survivor who works to raise awareness of the prevalence of human trafficking and to prevent teens from being victimized. One of its key initiatives is the distribution of millions of bars of soap, hand labeled with a red band bearing the National Human Trafficking Hotline number, to motels to offer victims a discrete way to find out how to seek help.

King noted his hope that the webinar will help attendees learn more about what public officials are doing around the issue.

“Because both states [New Jersey and Pennsylvania] are hosting World Cup matches starting in June, and New Jersey will host the final match,” he said, “we want people to hear what their states have done, and are doing, to combat this issue.”

King also hopes attendees will come away with an understanding of who to call if they believe human trafficking is taking place. He added that organizers seek to eliminate possible hesitancy around reporting a suspicion out of fear that it might be unfounded.

“It’s better to say something and be wrong, than not to say something and it be a form of trafficking,” he said. “If you have a reasonable suspicion, it is better to say something.”

Those interested in joining the free webinar can register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_i_IKn_d5QBGJGCaRCGG8tg#/registration

If you or someone you know is a victim of human trafficking, you can contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1 (888) 373-7888 or by visiting https://humantraffickinghotline.org/.

– As the 2026 World Cup quickly approaches, and with host venues including MetLife Stadium in the Meadowlands and in nearby Philadelphia, faith leaders are hosting a special webinar to draw attention to a serious issue that can emerge during large-scale events. A free webinar, “Human Trafficking and Major Sporting Events,” will feature experts who will share their perspectives on the intersection between human trafficking and events like the World Cup. It is being hosted by the New Jersey Catholic Conference in partnership with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and the Pennsylvania Catholic Conference, and will take place June

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Catholic Charities Boston sees surging need at city-wide food pantries – #Catholic – Catholic Charities Boston has seen a surge in the numbers of families who need food pantry assistance, offering nearly 3 million pounds of food over the past year.  Over the past three months, Catholic Charities Boston has “seen over 2,000 new households register who have never come to our food pantries before,” said Jonathan Tetrault, the vice president of economic empowerment at Catholic Charities Boston.Tetrault told “EWTN News Nightly” on May 29 that these families “are seeking help with food assistance because of the many pressures that are … colliding to put pressure on their family budgets.” “So theyʼre reaching out to us for help,” he said.The organization operates "four food pantries across the cities of Brockton, Dorchester, Lowell, and Lynn. This past year, weʼve served nearly 70,000 people through these four food pantries – almost 3 million pounds of food through these four locations,” Tetrault said.“We offer fresh fruits and veggies, frozen lean proteins, shelf-stable dry goods,” he said. “[W]hat weʼre hearing from [families] when theyʼre coming in to get these critical groceries is that itʼs … a number of factors" that are causing the need, he said.Following federal cuts to programs like Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Catholic Charities is experiencing an “elevated need in our communities, and weʼre seeing fewer dollars to meet that need with,” he said.“For some folks, the SNAP work requirements are going into effect. Most of our other clients are being impacted by the high cost of gas” and “utility prices soaring,” he said.“This is all coming together to strain their family budgets over the past several months,” he said.“It is becoming harder to stand in the gap, but that is our commitment [to] those families, those individuals who are coming to us for support. And so weʼre figuring out ways to do that,” he said.The organization is adapting to meet the urgent needs and acquire the necessary food, he said.“Most recently, we had to double the credit limit on our fuel cards" to ensure delivery trucks and vans could continue to get fueled up, he said.Call for community involvementAs Catholic Charities Boston’s food pantries operate with small numbers of staff members, they rely on volunteers and are calling for community support.“We recognize that it takes each one of us to meet the needs of our neighbors in our communities. So we would love for … our community to support us with their time, their talent, their treasure,” Tetrault said.To help, Tetrault called on the community to “find out where your local food pantry is” and “show up to volunteer.”“You can bring donations of dry goods there as well. And then supporting us financially … is critical because oftentimes weʼre able to purchase food at a better scale, better price points, when we pull those funds together," he said.The “food pantries operate with two staff each,” he said. “So we rely heavily on our volunteer support” which is “critical for us to be able to serve the hundreds and hundreds of families that we see each and every day throughout the week.”
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Catholic Charities Boston sees surging need at city-wide food pantries – #Catholic – Catholic Charities Boston has seen a surge in the numbers of families who need food pantry assistance, offering nearly 3 million pounds of food over the past year.  Over the past three months, Catholic Charities Boston has “seen over 2,000 new households register who have never come to our food pantries before,” said Jonathan Tetrault, the vice president of economic empowerment at Catholic Charities Boston.Tetrault told “EWTN News Nightly” on May 29 that these families “are seeking help with food assistance because of the many pressures that are … colliding to put pressure on their family budgets.” “So theyʼre reaching out to us for help,” he said.The organization operates "four food pantries across the cities of Brockton, Dorchester, Lowell, and Lynn. This past year, weʼve served nearly 70,000 people through these four food pantries – almost 3 million pounds of food through these four locations,” Tetrault said.“We offer fresh fruits and veggies, frozen lean proteins, shelf-stable dry goods,” he said. “[W]hat weʼre hearing from [families] when theyʼre coming in to get these critical groceries is that itʼs … a number of factors" that are causing the need, he said.Following federal cuts to programs like Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Catholic Charities is experiencing an “elevated need in our communities, and weʼre seeing fewer dollars to meet that need with,” he said.“For some folks, the SNAP work requirements are going into effect. Most of our other clients are being impacted by the high cost of gas” and “utility prices soaring,” he said.“This is all coming together to strain their family budgets over the past several months,” he said.“It is becoming harder to stand in the gap, but that is our commitment [to] those families, those individuals who are coming to us for support. And so weʼre figuring out ways to do that,” he said.The organization is adapting to meet the urgent needs and acquire the necessary food, he said.“Most recently, we had to double the credit limit on our fuel cards" to ensure delivery trucks and vans could continue to get fueled up, he said.Call for community involvementAs Catholic Charities Boston’s food pantries operate with small numbers of staff members, they rely on volunteers and are calling for community support.“We recognize that it takes each one of us to meet the needs of our neighbors in our communities. So we would love for … our community to support us with their time, their talent, their treasure,” Tetrault said.To help, Tetrault called on the community to “find out where your local food pantry is” and “show up to volunteer.”“You can bring donations of dry goods there as well. And then supporting us financially … is critical because oftentimes weʼre able to purchase food at a better scale, better price points, when we pull those funds together," he said.The “food pantries operate with two staff each,” he said. “So we rely heavily on our volunteer support” which is “critical for us to be able to serve the hundreds and hundreds of families that we see each and every day throughout the week.”

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Following federal cuts, Catholic Charities is experiencing an “elevated need in our communities, and we’re seeing fewer dollars to meet that need with,” said Jonathan Tetrault.

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Florida judge rules against Planned Parenthood in false advertisement case – #Catholic – Florida judge rules against Planned Parenthood in false advertisement caseA circuit court judge in Florida said the state can continue legal action against Planned Parenthood over the abortion giantʼs claims that the abortion pill is safer than Tylenol.In a May 27 ruling, First Circuit Court Judge J. Scott Duncan of Santa Rosa County struck down Planned Parenthood’s attempt to dismiss a Florida lawsuit that accused the company of false advertising. In November 2025, state Attorney General James Uthmeier sued Planned Parenthood for $350 million, alleging that the abortion provider spread information that was deceptive and misleading by claiming abortion drugs are safer than Tylenol, Viagra, and penicillin. Planned Parenthood then asked for the suit to be dismissed, but the judge refused, allowing the legal action to continue.Colorado governor signs bill requiring college health centers to provide abortion pillsColorado Gov. Jared Polis signed a bill requiring college student health centers to provide chemical abortion pills on-site.The law includes exemptions, however. Colleges are exempt from providing abortion pills “if doing so would jeopardize an institutionʼs federal grant participation, require the institution to deviate from generally accepted billing practices, [or] modify the generally accepted standards of medical practice."Colleges are also allowed to opt out of the mandate if the rule would “conflict with the institutionʼs sincerely held religious beliefs or practices.”Babies lost to abortion at a record high in ScotlandScotland saw a record high in the number of babies lost to abortion in 2025, with recent statistics showing that 18,783 babies died from abortion last year.The count is the highest on record, according to statistics released May 26 by Public Health Scotland.Scotland currently protects unborn children after 24 weeks of pregnancy.Report details Planned Parenthood transgender ideology and servicesA recent report by the organization Biological Integrity, a project of the American College of Pediatricians, details Planned Parenthood’s transgender, or “sex-rejecting,” procedures.The report notes that Planned Parenthood provides free chest binders for minors and distributes hormones to patients as young as 16 years old.According to the report, Planned Parenthood provides birth control to halt periods of minor girls without parental consent as a “loophole.”Planned Parenthood is a “primary distributor” of sexual education, spending more than $70 million on training participants in fiscal year 2025 and providing resources about transgenderism for children as young as three years old.The report highlights malpractice lawsuits filed against Planned Parenthood by people who detransition after receiving hormones and surgery.
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Florida judge rules against Planned Parenthood in false advertisement case – #Catholic – Florida judge rules against Planned Parenthood in false advertisement caseA circuit court judge in Florida said the state can continue legal action against Planned Parenthood over the abortion giantʼs claims that the abortion pill is safer than Tylenol.In a May 27 ruling, First Circuit Court Judge J. Scott Duncan of Santa Rosa County struck down Planned Parenthood’s attempt to dismiss a Florida lawsuit that accused the company of false advertising. In November 2025, state Attorney General James Uthmeier sued Planned Parenthood for $350 million, alleging that the abortion provider spread information that was deceptive and misleading by claiming abortion drugs are safer than Tylenol, Viagra, and penicillin. Planned Parenthood then asked for the suit to be dismissed, but the judge refused, allowing the legal action to continue.Colorado governor signs bill requiring college health centers to provide abortion pillsColorado Gov. Jared Polis signed a bill requiring college student health centers to provide chemical abortion pills on-site.The law includes exemptions, however. Colleges are exempt from providing abortion pills “if doing so would jeopardize an institutionʼs federal grant participation, require the institution to deviate from generally accepted billing practices, [or] modify the generally accepted standards of medical practice."Colleges are also allowed to opt out of the mandate if the rule would “conflict with the institutionʼs sincerely held religious beliefs or practices.”Babies lost to abortion at a record high in ScotlandScotland saw a record high in the number of babies lost to abortion in 2025, with recent statistics showing that 18,783 babies died from abortion last year.The count is the highest on record, according to statistics released May 26 by Public Health Scotland.Scotland currently protects unborn children after 24 weeks of pregnancy.Report details Planned Parenthood transgender ideology and servicesA recent report by the organization Biological Integrity, a project of the American College of Pediatricians, details Planned Parenthood’s transgender, or “sex-rejecting,” procedures.The report notes that Planned Parenthood provides free chest binders for minors and distributes hormones to patients as young as 16 years old.According to the report, Planned Parenthood provides birth control to halt periods of minor girls without parental consent as a “loophole.”Planned Parenthood is a “primary distributor” of sexual education, spending more than $70 million on training participants in fiscal year 2025 and providing resources about transgenderism for children as young as three years old.The report highlights malpractice lawsuits filed against Planned Parenthood by people who detransition after receiving hormones and surgery.

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Here is a roundup of recent pro-life and abortion-related news.

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May 30, 1922: The birth of Harry Clement Stubbs

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Harry Clement Stubbs – perhaps better known by his penname, Hal Clement – was born near Boston on May 30, 1922. Stubbs earned a B.S. in astronomy from Harvard University in 1943, followed by master’s degrees in chemistry and education. After military service in the Army Air Corps in World War II, he began workContinue reading “May 30, 1922: The birth of Harry Clement Stubbs”

The post May 30, 1922: The birth of Harry Clement Stubbs appeared first on Astronomy Magazine.

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Priest evangelizing in the peripheries of Lima says he sees ‘miracles all the time’ – #Catholic – Spanish missionary priest Father Julio Alonso Ampuero dedicates every weekend to evangelizing in the Diocese of Lurín in South Lima, Peru. He gives retreats, hears confessions, and provides biblical formation and pastoral care to vulnerable individuals, a ministry through which he says he frequently witnesses “many miracles” in the form of conversions and renewed closeness to the faith.“The truth is that it’s a blessing, because practically every weekend there are groups attending the retreat,” the priest said in an interview with ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News, referring to Holy Family Retreat House in Lurín, the place from which he carries out a large part of his missionary work.“One certainly sees the fruits," he said. "One sees the good it does for people." He told ACI Prensa that priests like him "are privileged” because people open their consciences to them, and consequently, "one sees miracles constantly.” Chapel of Holy Family Retreat House in Lurín. | Credit: Photo courtesy of Fr. Julio Ampuero Ampuero explained that the most requested retreats are those focused on inner healing and those designed for couples, which are open to engaged couples and those living together, with the aim of drawing them closer to the sacrament of matrimony.“We have also been emphasizing silent retreats, because we see that there is a need to turn inward, a need to put down roots, and a need to strengthen that relationship with the Lord,” he added.A mission accessible to the poorestAmpuero highlighted that one of the aims of the retreat house is to enable people of limited financial means to participate.“If there are people who can’t pay, or who can only pay a portion, we welcome them just the same. Divine Providence has always looked after us, and we have never gone without,” he explained. Participants at a retreat Holy Family Retreat House in Lurín. | Credit: Photo courtesy of Father Julio Ampuero For the priest, the impact of these encounters with God is evident. “One need only look at the joy with which people leave at the end of a retreat; the difference in their faces between the day they arrive and the day they depart,” he remarked.“People come back again. They say, ‘It has done me so much good that I want to do it again.’ So, that is certainly very motivating,” he added.‘I’ve found great openness to the Gospel here’Ampuero arrived in Peru in 2011, following years of pastoral service and academic formation in Spain and Italy.A specialist in Sacred Scripture, he pursued studies in Rome and Jerusalem at the behest of his superiors. He served as a professor of “Introduction to Sacred Scripture and the Epistles of St. Paul” at the San Ildefonso Institute of Higher Theological Studies in Toledo, in addition to serving as a formator at the seminary for several years. He subsequently channeled this experience toward evangelization and the formation of Godʼs people.“I didn’t view myself as a biblical researcher, but rather as someone tasked with disseminating, with making known, all that richness,” he explained.He currently has nearly 30 publications on biblical and spiritual formation to his name.The presence of priests from Toledo in South Lima dates back several decades to when they first began working in Villa El Salvador, a district still marked by poverty.Ampuero said that one of the experiences that has impacted him most since his arrival in Peru has been the peopleʼs receptiveness to the Catholic faith.“In Spain, there has been very strong secularization over the last few decades. My experience upon arriving here is that, generally speaking, that was not the case. I have encountered a great openness to the Gospel, a great openness to the tenets of the faith,” he said. Eucharistic adoration at a retreat at the Holy Family Retreat House in Lurín. | Credit: Photo courtesy of Father Julio Ampuero He also said the people are close to their priests and place a high value on the Sacrament of Reconciliation.“One can sometimes spend hours hearing confessions, and people seek out the priest; sometimes simply to unburden themselves, to share their problems, and to find a little consolation and hope,” he recounted.Evangelizing among the most vulnerableIn addition to leading spiritual retreats, Ampuero ministers at the Sowing Hope shelter, which houses 150 men — including the elderly, individuals with mental illnesses, and people rescued from the streets, many of whom are former drug addicts.“These individuals, who have often lost everything, can come to know the greatest thing of all: the love of God,” he said.The priest particularly highlighted the transformative power of faith in people struggling with addiction. “We know that in cases of addiction, it’s faith in Christ, the encounter with Christ, that can most radically set you free,” he affirmed.“That encounter with Christ is what liberates you and heals all wounds.” Ampuero carrying the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar. | Credit: Photo courtesy of Father Julio Ampuero ‘Prayer is my daily strength’The priest said that the key to sustaining such an intense apostolate lies in prayer.“For me, prayer is my daily strength, and I would not give it up for anything. It’s what gives you oxygen; it’s what strengthens you; it’s what enables you to bear the burdens of your brothers and sisters as well,” he explained.Finally, he shared a message to young people who may be experiencing stirrings to enter the religious or consecrated life.“Don’t be afraid. When God calls us to something, he will always provide the means to carry it out,” he affirmed.“God takes nothing away; rather, he gives everything,” he said, recalling a saying of the late Pope Benedict XVI.This story was first published by ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.
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Priest evangelizing in the peripheries of Lima says he sees ‘miracles all the time’ – #Catholic – Spanish missionary priest Father Julio Alonso Ampuero dedicates every weekend to evangelizing in the Diocese of Lurín in South Lima, Peru. He gives retreats, hears confessions, and provides biblical formation and pastoral care to vulnerable individuals, a ministry through which he says he frequently witnesses “many miracles” in the form of conversions and renewed closeness to the faith.“The truth is that it’s a blessing, because practically every weekend there are groups attending the retreat,” the priest said in an interview with ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News, referring to Holy Family Retreat House in Lurín, the place from which he carries out a large part of his missionary work.“One certainly sees the fruits," he said. "One sees the good it does for people." He told ACI Prensa that priests like him "are privileged” because people open their consciences to them, and consequently, "one sees miracles constantly.” Chapel of Holy Family Retreat House in Lurín. | Credit: Photo courtesy of Fr. Julio Ampuero Ampuero explained that the most requested retreats are those focused on inner healing and those designed for couples, which are open to engaged couples and those living together, with the aim of drawing them closer to the sacrament of matrimony.“We have also been emphasizing silent retreats, because we see that there is a need to turn inward, a need to put down roots, and a need to strengthen that relationship with the Lord,” he added.A mission accessible to the poorestAmpuero highlighted that one of the aims of the retreat house is to enable people of limited financial means to participate.“If there are people who can’t pay, or who can only pay a portion, we welcome them just the same. Divine Providence has always looked after us, and we have never gone without,” he explained. Participants at a retreat Holy Family Retreat House in Lurín. | Credit: Photo courtesy of Father Julio Ampuero For the priest, the impact of these encounters with God is evident. “One need only look at the joy with which people leave at the end of a retreat; the difference in their faces between the day they arrive and the day they depart,” he remarked.“People come back again. They say, ‘It has done me so much good that I want to do it again.’ So, that is certainly very motivating,” he added.‘I’ve found great openness to the Gospel here’Ampuero arrived in Peru in 2011, following years of pastoral service and academic formation in Spain and Italy.A specialist in Sacred Scripture, he pursued studies in Rome and Jerusalem at the behest of his superiors. He served as a professor of “Introduction to Sacred Scripture and the Epistles of St. Paul” at the San Ildefonso Institute of Higher Theological Studies in Toledo, in addition to serving as a formator at the seminary for several years. He subsequently channeled this experience toward evangelization and the formation of Godʼs people.“I didn’t view myself as a biblical researcher, but rather as someone tasked with disseminating, with making known, all that richness,” he explained.He currently has nearly 30 publications on biblical and spiritual formation to his name.The presence of priests from Toledo in South Lima dates back several decades to when they first began working in Villa El Salvador, a district still marked by poverty.Ampuero said that one of the experiences that has impacted him most since his arrival in Peru has been the peopleʼs receptiveness to the Catholic faith.“In Spain, there has been very strong secularization over the last few decades. My experience upon arriving here is that, generally speaking, that was not the case. I have encountered a great openness to the Gospel, a great openness to the tenets of the faith,” he said. Eucharistic adoration at a retreat at the Holy Family Retreat House in Lurín. | Credit: Photo courtesy of Father Julio Ampuero He also said the people are close to their priests and place a high value on the Sacrament of Reconciliation.“One can sometimes spend hours hearing confessions, and people seek out the priest; sometimes simply to unburden themselves, to share their problems, and to find a little consolation and hope,” he recounted.Evangelizing among the most vulnerableIn addition to leading spiritual retreats, Ampuero ministers at the Sowing Hope shelter, which houses 150 men — including the elderly, individuals with mental illnesses, and people rescued from the streets, many of whom are former drug addicts.“These individuals, who have often lost everything, can come to know the greatest thing of all: the love of God,” he said.The priest particularly highlighted the transformative power of faith in people struggling with addiction. “We know that in cases of addiction, it’s faith in Christ, the encounter with Christ, that can most radically set you free,” he affirmed.“That encounter with Christ is what liberates you and heals all wounds.” Ampuero carrying the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar. | Credit: Photo courtesy of Father Julio Ampuero ‘Prayer is my daily strength’The priest said that the key to sustaining such an intense apostolate lies in prayer.“For me, prayer is my daily strength, and I would not give it up for anything. It’s what gives you oxygen; it’s what strengthens you; it’s what enables you to bear the burdens of your brothers and sisters as well,” he explained.Finally, he shared a message to young people who may be experiencing stirrings to enter the religious or consecrated life.“Don’t be afraid. When God calls us to something, he will always provide the means to carry it out,” he affirmed.“God takes nothing away; rather, he gives everything,” he said, recalling a saying of the late Pope Benedict XVI.This story was first published by ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.

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Father Julio Ampuero’s ministry in a poor area of Lima, Peru, is experiencing good fruit through retreats, confessions and an outreach at a men’s shelter.

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Remembering Alex: Benedictine College grieves a ‘faith-filled’ student - #Catholic - Outside the packed school chapel, Benedictine College students continued to gather, kneeling on the ground to pray for Alex Lynch.On the night of May 8, the news had spread across the campus that Lynch, a Benedictine student suffering from cancer, had died.A college senior, Lynch had just had his graduation ceremony. He didn’t walk the stage, however; instead, the college president went to him.On May 7, Benedictine College President Stephen Minnis traveled from the school in Atchison, Kansas, to Lynch’s family home in Indianola, Iowa, along with 30 Benedictine students for Lynch’s personal baccalaureate Mass and graduation ceremony.“Graduation is a powerful moment for these students,” Minnis told EWTN News. “They have worked so hard for it, including their whole primary and secondary education.”“I want to make that moment special for every student,” he said. “It’s a moment that is powerful for me too — I pray a Hail Mary for every student by name when they come and when they graduate, but I have prayed especially for Alex.”“It just took an extra step in his case, but I didn’t want to miss his big moment,” Minnis said.Father Ryan Richardson, Benedictine Collegeʼs chaplain, told EWTN News he spoke “directly to Alex” in his homily, detailing how Lynch lived out the fruits of the Holy Spirit while at school.“He radiated the Holy Spirit and the love of Christ,” Richardson said. “Alex often said that his desire was that others see Christ in him. He definitely accomplished that.” Benedictine College chaplain Father Ryan Richardson speaks “directly” to Alex Lynch at his personal baccalaureate Mass on May 7, 2026. | Credit: Photo courtesy of Father Ryan Richardson Finnegan Ritchie, a close friend of Lynch’s, was among the 30 students who attended the ceremony.“We were both worried that it was going to be unreasonably long,” Ritchie said in an interview with EWTN News. “Entertaining people is exhausting. But Alex was able to sit and stand at will; he had a lot of grit.”“After the ceremony, he had a little graduation party and greeted his family and friends,” Ritchie said. “It was wonderful to see how everyone came together to bring food, drinks, and tables for the occasion. People were catching up with each other and treating it like any other grad party.” Alex Lynch and Benedictine College President Stephen Minnis with diploma at Lynch’s at-home commencement ceremony on May 7, 2026. | Credit: Photo courtesy of Finnegan Ritchie Ritchie said goodbye to Lynch in the evening, “around 5:30 p.m.”“It was very difficult to leave him,” Ritchie said.On May 8, less than a day after his home graduation ceremony, Lynch died. It was late in the evening on a Friday night. Off-campus parties stopped. Students gathered in the chapel, again, this time to pray for a friend who had passed away.“Students left parties and gathered spontaneously in our adoration chapel,” Minnis said. “It was filled until late that night. It was an overwhelming response.”The following day, Benedictine held a Mass on campus in his memory.Students traveled from all over the country for Lynch’s funeral at St. Thomas Aquinas Parish in Indianola, Iowa, on May 14, nearly filling the pews in the church.“He made such an impact,” Minnis said. “The way he lived and the way he died will change these students for years.”Yellow pins and applauseOn Saturday, May 16, just over a week after Lynch died, Benedictine’s official graduation took place. The crowd was peppered with students wearing yellow pins, which they wore, Richardson said, “to remember Alex.”While at Benedictine, Lynch was a resident adviser (RA) on campus. He played intramural sports, was active with FOCUS, and sang in the choir at Mass.“The best way I can describe Alex is that he was faith-filled,” Richardson said. “Faith in Christ was the foundation of his life and his faith in Christ spilled over into all his relationships."“[Lynch] had a friendship with the Holy Spirit that was alive and active,” the chaplain continued.“He loved people sincerely and intensely,” he said. “Even in the midst of his illness he would often look me in the eye and intentionally ask how I was doing and how he could pray for me.” Alex Lynch and Father Ryan Richardson at Lynch’s graduation celebration on May 7, 2026. | Credit: Photo courtesy of Father Ryan Richardson “We have grieved as a community,” Richardson said.“Since Alex’s passing, though, I think many of us have transitioned from sadness to peace,” he continued. “In his death Alex showed us what it means to truly live and what it means to live the faith to the end.”Lynchʼs friend Jack Figge, a recent Benedictine graduate and a Catholic journalist, wrote a tribute to Lynch in Benedictineʼs school publication.“I spent three days with Alex at the beginning of the week he passed away. It’s a series of days I will never forget because Alex lived out what it meant to be a suffering servant,” Figge told EWTN News.“He never complained about the pain he was in; he was so generous with his time making sure that everybody who wanted to see him could,” Figge recalled. “Whenever you walked in, the first question he asked was ‘How are you?’”“Even in the midst of being close to death, he remained joyful, laughing, and cracking jokes,” Figge continued. “On the day of his graduation, so many people wanted to say goodbye and he was clearly tired. But he sat and talked with everybody for hours, making sure he had a moment with everybody.”In the last week of his life, Lynch visited his parish to pray a Holy Hour.He died reciting his baptismal promises — promises made by Catholics at baptism and renewed at the Easter Vigil.Benedictine students and faculty remembered Lynch at the schoolʼs graduation ceremony, where Lynch’s parents walked the stage in his place. Alex Lynchʼs parents and brother accept Lynch’s framed diploma at graduation on May 16, 2026. | Credit: Isabella Wilcox/Benedictine College “It was truly fitting to have Alex’s family with us at graduation,” Richardson said. “The resounding applause they received was a tribute to the impact that Alex had on each of us and the legacy he has left at Benedictine College.”Shaved heads and a walk down the aisleWhen Lynch discovered he would lose his hair from chemotherapy, 30 of his friends at Benedictine shaved their heads, Ritchie recalled.“We did it to be funny, but we also wanted to present ourselves as Alexʼs friends,” Ritchie said. “He and I, along with many others, had spiritual conversations often — we wanted to do college well. We wanted to know what our purpose in life was and how to go about getting it.” Benedictine College students shaved their heads in solidarity with Alex Lynch, center, as he went through chemotherapy. Also pictured: Finnegan Ritchie, back row, left, and Jack Figge, third row, third from left. | Credit: Photo courtesy of Finnegan Ritchie “At the end of the day, we wanted to be virtuous; it was the way to a happier life on earth and an even more perfect one in the next life,” Ritchie said.“Alex sought to see God in everyone he met in order to love them well. We rarely talked about his disease; I figured he wanted to let go of it while he was with people,” he said.“He loved the quiet; he enjoyed eating breakfast at the door to St. Joseph Hall and seeing people he loved walk by,” Ritchie continued. “I was always struck by his take on things, since death was a real threat for him; it put my life in perspective. He taught me that I have a lot to be grateful for, and that it is best to take action now than wait until later.”In one of their last conversations, Lynch told his friend he had learned from him as well. “Iʼm honored to have been taught by him,“ Ritchie said. ”Iʼm even more honored to have taught him something. I think we just wanted to seek God together.”Earlier this year, Lynch walked down the aisle as a groomsman at the wedding of one of his best friends, Ben Shonka, who recently served as a pallbearer at Lynchʼs funeral.“Alex was a goofy man; he loved his faith and loved to have fun,” Shonka, also a Benedictine graduate, told EWTN News. “He made every moment count whether he was with friends or whoever.” Alex Lynch, right, was among the groomsman at Ben Shonka’s wedding. | Credit: Photo courtesy of Ben Shonka “He was one of the groomsmen in my wedding because he was one of the best men in my life,” Shonka said. “He really showed me what masculinity could look like at our age.”“He was so intentional in everything he did,” Shonka recalled. “He knew everyone’s name and would always greet them accordingly. He would always be down to talk whenever. He lived a life of prayer, often going to Mass and adoration.” Alex Lynch, center, with friends, including Ben Shonka, right. | Credit: Photo courtesy of Ben Shonka After Lynch’s death, Shonka’s wife observed that Lynch had walked down the aisle as a groomsman at their wedding and now her husband had carried Lynch “down the aisle as a pallbearer to his final resting place.”The college president noted the impact Lynch had on both students and himself.“I think the students saw him as a representative of the best of what they are and a model to aspire to,” Minnis said. “I see him that way, too.”
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Remembering Alex: Benedictine College grieves a ‘faith-filled’ student – #Catholic – Outside the packed school chapel, Benedictine College students continued to gather, kneeling on the ground to pray for Alex Lynch.On the night of May 8, the news had spread across the campus that Lynch, a Benedictine student suffering from cancer, had died.A college senior, Lynch had just had his graduation ceremony. He didn’t walk the stage, however; instead, the college president went to him.On May 7, Benedictine College President Stephen Minnis traveled from the school in Atchison, Kansas, to Lynch’s family home in Indianola, Iowa, along with 30 Benedictine students for Lynch’s personal baccalaureate Mass and graduation ceremony.“Graduation is a powerful moment for these students,” Minnis told EWTN News. “They have worked so hard for it, including their whole primary and secondary education.”“I want to make that moment special for every student,” he said. “It’s a moment that is powerful for me too — I pray a Hail Mary for every student by name when they come and when they graduate, but I have prayed especially for Alex.”“It just took an extra step in his case, but I didn’t want to miss his big moment,” Minnis said.Father Ryan Richardson, Benedictine Collegeʼs chaplain, told EWTN News he spoke “directly to Alex” in his homily, detailing how Lynch lived out the fruits of the Holy Spirit while at school.“He radiated the Holy Spirit and the love of Christ,” Richardson said. “Alex often said that his desire was that others see Christ in him. He definitely accomplished that.” Benedictine College chaplain Father Ryan Richardson speaks “directly” to Alex Lynch at his personal baccalaureate Mass on May 7, 2026. | Credit: Photo courtesy of Father Ryan Richardson Finnegan Ritchie, a close friend of Lynch’s, was among the 30 students who attended the ceremony.“We were both worried that it was going to be unreasonably long,” Ritchie said in an interview with EWTN News. “Entertaining people is exhausting. But Alex was able to sit and stand at will; he had a lot of grit.”“After the ceremony, he had a little graduation party and greeted his family and friends,” Ritchie said. “It was wonderful to see how everyone came together to bring food, drinks, and tables for the occasion. People were catching up with each other and treating it like any other grad party.” Alex Lynch and Benedictine College President Stephen Minnis with diploma at Lynch’s at-home commencement ceremony on May 7, 2026. | Credit: Photo courtesy of Finnegan Ritchie Ritchie said goodbye to Lynch in the evening, “around 5:30 p.m.”“It was very difficult to leave him,” Ritchie said.On May 8, less than a day after his home graduation ceremony, Lynch died. It was late in the evening on a Friday night. Off-campus parties stopped. Students gathered in the chapel, again, this time to pray for a friend who had passed away.“Students left parties and gathered spontaneously in our adoration chapel,” Minnis said. “It was filled until late that night. It was an overwhelming response.”The following day, Benedictine held a Mass on campus in his memory.Students traveled from all over the country for Lynch’s funeral at St. Thomas Aquinas Parish in Indianola, Iowa, on May 14, nearly filling the pews in the church.“He made such an impact,” Minnis said. “The way he lived and the way he died will change these students for years.”Yellow pins and applauseOn Saturday, May 16, just over a week after Lynch died, Benedictine’s official graduation took place. The crowd was peppered with students wearing yellow pins, which they wore, Richardson said, “to remember Alex.”While at Benedictine, Lynch was a resident adviser (RA) on campus. He played intramural sports, was active with FOCUS, and sang in the choir at Mass.“The best way I can describe Alex is that he was faith-filled,” Richardson said. “Faith in Christ was the foundation of his life and his faith in Christ spilled over into all his relationships."“[Lynch] had a friendship with the Holy Spirit that was alive and active,” the chaplain continued.“He loved people sincerely and intensely,” he said. “Even in the midst of his illness he would often look me in the eye and intentionally ask how I was doing and how he could pray for me.” Alex Lynch and Father Ryan Richardson at Lynch’s graduation celebration on May 7, 2026. | Credit: Photo courtesy of Father Ryan Richardson “We have grieved as a community,” Richardson said.“Since Alex’s passing, though, I think many of us have transitioned from sadness to peace,” he continued. “In his death Alex showed us what it means to truly live and what it means to live the faith to the end.”Lynchʼs friend Jack Figge, a recent Benedictine graduate and a Catholic journalist, wrote a tribute to Lynch in Benedictineʼs school publication.“I spent three days with Alex at the beginning of the week he passed away. It’s a series of days I will never forget because Alex lived out what it meant to be a suffering servant,” Figge told EWTN News.“He never complained about the pain he was in; he was so generous with his time making sure that everybody who wanted to see him could,” Figge recalled. “Whenever you walked in, the first question he asked was ‘How are you?’”“Even in the midst of being close to death, he remained joyful, laughing, and cracking jokes,” Figge continued. “On the day of his graduation, so many people wanted to say goodbye and he was clearly tired. But he sat and talked with everybody for hours, making sure he had a moment with everybody.”In the last week of his life, Lynch visited his parish to pray a Holy Hour.He died reciting his baptismal promises — promises made by Catholics at baptism and renewed at the Easter Vigil.Benedictine students and faculty remembered Lynch at the schoolʼs graduation ceremony, where Lynch’s parents walked the stage in his place. Alex Lynchʼs parents and brother accept Lynch’s framed diploma at graduation on May 16, 2026. | Credit: Isabella Wilcox/Benedictine College “It was truly fitting to have Alex’s family with us at graduation,” Richardson said. “The resounding applause they received was a tribute to the impact that Alex had on each of us and the legacy he has left at Benedictine College.”Shaved heads and a walk down the aisleWhen Lynch discovered he would lose his hair from chemotherapy, 30 of his friends at Benedictine shaved their heads, Ritchie recalled.“We did it to be funny, but we also wanted to present ourselves as Alexʼs friends,” Ritchie said. “He and I, along with many others, had spiritual conversations often — we wanted to do college well. We wanted to know what our purpose in life was and how to go about getting it.” Benedictine College students shaved their heads in solidarity with Alex Lynch, center, as he went through chemotherapy. Also pictured: Finnegan Ritchie, back row, left, and Jack Figge, third row, third from left. | Credit: Photo courtesy of Finnegan Ritchie “At the end of the day, we wanted to be virtuous; it was the way to a happier life on earth and an even more perfect one in the next life,” Ritchie said.“Alex sought to see God in everyone he met in order to love them well. We rarely talked about his disease; I figured he wanted to let go of it while he was with people,” he said.“He loved the quiet; he enjoyed eating breakfast at the door to St. Joseph Hall and seeing people he loved walk by,” Ritchie continued. “I was always struck by his take on things, since death was a real threat for him; it put my life in perspective. He taught me that I have a lot to be grateful for, and that it is best to take action now than wait until later.”In one of their last conversations, Lynch told his friend he had learned from him as well. “Iʼm honored to have been taught by him,“ Ritchie said. ”Iʼm even more honored to have taught him something. I think we just wanted to seek God together.”Earlier this year, Lynch walked down the aisle as a groomsman at the wedding of one of his best friends, Ben Shonka, who recently served as a pallbearer at Lynchʼs funeral.“Alex was a goofy man; he loved his faith and loved to have fun,” Shonka, also a Benedictine graduate, told EWTN News. “He made every moment count whether he was with friends or whoever.” Alex Lynch, right, was among the groomsman at Ben Shonka’s wedding. | Credit: Photo courtesy of Ben Shonka “He was one of the groomsmen in my wedding because he was one of the best men in my life,” Shonka said. “He really showed me what masculinity could look like at our age.”“He was so intentional in everything he did,” Shonka recalled. “He knew everyone’s name and would always greet them accordingly. He would always be down to talk whenever. He lived a life of prayer, often going to Mass and adoration.” Alex Lynch, center, with friends, including Ben Shonka, right. | Credit: Photo courtesy of Ben Shonka After Lynch’s death, Shonka’s wife observed that Lynch had walked down the aisle as a groomsman at their wedding and now her husband had carried Lynch “down the aisle as a pallbearer to his final resting place.”The college president noted the impact Lynch had on both students and himself.“I think the students saw him as a representative of the best of what they are and a model to aspire to,” Minnis said. “I see him that way, too.”

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When a Benedictine College senior was dying from cancer, the college’s president, along with 30 students, traveled to his home to give him a graduation ceremony.

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Seattle’s New Socialist Mayor Flatly Refuses to Investigate Fraud at Somali Daycare Centers (VIDEO) – Given the massive amount of fraud that has been uncovered at Somali daycare centers in Minneapolis alone, you would think that every American city would be looking into this rather seriously. The post Seattle’s New Socialist Mayor Flatly Refuses to Investigate Fraud at Somali Daycare Centers (VIDEO) appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.
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Given the massive amount of fraud that has been uncovered at Somali daycare centers in Minneapolis alone, you would think that every American city would be looking into this rather seriously.

The post Seattle’s New Socialist Mayor Flatly Refuses to Investigate Fraud at Somali Daycare Centers (VIDEO) appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

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THE BOX OFFICE STRIKES BACK: Disney’s Newest Big Budget Star Wars Movie is Being CRUSHED by an Independent Horror Movie That Cost Next to Nothing to Make – Disney’s newest Star Wars movie, ‘The Mandalorian and Grogu’ just opened in theaters. The post THE BOX OFFICE STRIKES BACK: Disney’s Newest Big Budget Star Wars Movie is Being CRUSHED by an Independent Horror Movie That Cost Next to Nothing to Make appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.
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THE BOX OFFICE STRIKES BACK: Disney’s Newest Big Budget Star Wars Movie is Being CRUSHED by an Independent Horror Movie That Cost Next to Nothing to Make – Disney’s newest Star Wars movie, ‘The Mandalorian and Grogu’ just opened in theaters. The post THE BOX OFFICE STRIKES BACK: Disney’s Newest Big Budget Star Wars Movie is Being CRUSHED by an Independent Horror Movie That Cost Next to Nothing to Make appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

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Fireworks surround Cinderella's Castle at Disney World in Orlando, Florida, in a 2013 file photo.

Fireworks surround Cinderella's Castle at Disney World in Orlando, Florida, in a 2013 file photo.

Disney’s newest Star Wars movie, ‘The Mandalorian and Grogu’ just opened in theaters.

The post THE BOX OFFICE STRIKES BACK: Disney’s Newest Big Budget Star Wars Movie is Being CRUSHED by an Independent Horror Movie That Cost Next to Nothing to Make appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

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FOX News Host Kennedy Puts Hanoi Jane Fonda on BLAST for Endorsing Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass – Last night, when Spencer Pratt was on the Gutfeld! The post FOX News Host Kennedy Puts Hanoi Jane Fonda on BLAST for Endorsing Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.
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Last night, when Spencer Pratt was on the Gutfeld!

The post FOX News Host Kennedy Puts Hanoi Jane Fonda on BLAST for Endorsing Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

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Democrats Criticize Trump For Holding MMA Match On The Hallowed Ground Where Biden Hosted Topless Trannies #BabylonBee – WASHINGTON, D.C. — Washington Democrats condemned President Donald Trump this week for "violating the sanctity of the White House" by daring to host a professional MMA fight on the same hallowed grounds where Biden once welcomed topless trannies.
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Democrats Criticize Trump For Holding MMA Match On The Hallowed Ground Where Biden Hosted Topless Trannies #BabylonBee – WASHINGTON, D.C. — Washington Democrats condemned President Donald Trump this week for "violating the sanctity of the White House" by daring to host a professional MMA fight on the same hallowed grounds where Biden once welcomed topless trannies.

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WASHINGTON, D.C. — Washington Democrats condemned President Donald Trump this week for "violating the sanctity of the White House" by daring to host a professional MMA fight on the same hallowed grounds where Biden once welcomed topless trannies.

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Tearful LeBron James Hands Over Flopping Crown To Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #BabylonBee – OKLAHOMA CITY, OK — In a touching ceremony, basketball legend LeBron James finally passed the official "King of Flops" crown on to the Oklahoma City Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
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Tearful LeBron James Hands Over Flopping Crown To Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #BabylonBee – OKLAHOMA CITY, OK — In a touching ceremony, basketball legend LeBron James finally passed the official "King of Flops" crown on to the Oklahoma City Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

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OKLAHOMA CITY, OK — In a touching ceremony, basketball legend LeBron James finally passed the official "King of Flops" crown on to the Oklahoma City Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

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Gospel and Word of the Day – 30 May 2026 – A reading from the Letter of Jude 17, 20b-25 Beloved, remember the words spoken beforehand by the Apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ. Build yourselves up in your most holy faith; pray in the Holy Spirit. Keep yourselves in the love of God and wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life. On those who waver, have mercy;  save others by snatching them out of the fire; on others have mercy with fear, abhorring even the outer garment stained by the flesh. To the one who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you unblemished and exultant, in the presence of his glory, to the only God, our savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord be glory, majesty, power, and authority from ages past, now, and for ages to come. Amen.From the Gospel according to Mark 11:27-33 Jesus and his disciples returned once more to Jerusalem. As he was walking in the temple area, the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders approached him and said to him, “By what authority are you doing these things? Or who gave you this authority to do them?” Jesus said to them, “I shall ask you one question. Answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things.  Was John’s baptism of heavenly or of human origin? Answer me.” They discussed this among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘Of heavenly origin,’ he will say, ‘Then why did you not believe him?’ But shall we say, ‘Of human origin’?”–  they feared the crowd, for they all thought John really was a prophet. So they said to Jesus in reply, “We do not know.” Then Jesus said to them, “Neither shall I tell you by what authority I do these things.”What authority does Jesus have? It is the Lord’s style, that ‘lordship’ – so to speak – with which the Lord moved, taught, healed, and listened. What does this style of the Lord – which comes from within – reveal? Consistency. Jesus had authority because he was consistent between what he taught and what he did, that is, how he lived. That consistency is what gives expression to a person who has authority: “This person has authority, that person has authority, because they are consistent,” that is, they bear witness. Authority is seen in this: consistency and witness.  (Pope Francis, Santa Marta, 14 January 2020)

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A reading from the Letter of Jude
17, 20b-25

Beloved, remember the words spoken beforehand
by the Apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Build yourselves up in your most holy faith; pray in the Holy Spirit.
Keep yourselves in the love of God
and wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ
that leads to eternal life.
On those who waver, have mercy; 
save others by snatching them out of the fire;
on others have mercy with fear,
abhorring even the outer garment stained by the flesh.

To the one who is able to keep you from stumbling
and to present you unblemished and exultant,
in the presence of his glory,
to the only God, our savior,
through Jesus Christ our Lord
be glory, majesty, power, and authority
from ages past, now, and for ages to come. Amen.

From the Gospel according to Mark
11:27-33

Jesus and his disciples returned once more to Jerusalem.
As he was walking in the temple area,
the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders
approached him and said to him,
“By what authority are you doing these things?
Or who gave you this authority to do them?”
Jesus said to them, “I shall ask you one question.
Answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things. 
Was John’s baptism of heavenly or of human origin? Answer me.”
They discussed this among themselves and said,
“If we say, ‘Of heavenly origin,’ he will say,
‘Then why did you not believe him?’
But shall we say, ‘Of human origin’?”– 
they feared the crowd,
for they all thought John really was a prophet.
So they said to Jesus in reply, “We do not know.”
Then Jesus said to them,
“Neither shall I tell you by what authority I do these things.”

What authority does Jesus have? It is the Lord’s style, that ‘lordship’ – so to speak – with which the Lord moved, taught, healed, and listened. What does this style of the Lord – which comes from within – reveal? Consistency. Jesus had authority because he was consistent between what he taught and what he did, that is, how he lived. That consistency is what gives expression to a person who has authority: “This person has authority, that person has authority, because they are consistent,” that is, they bear witness. Authority is seen in this: consistency and witness.  (Pope Francis, Santa Marta, 14 January 2020)

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Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney’s Schedule: June, 2026 #Catholic – 6/1 Mon., 11 a.m. Tri-County Golf Outing; 6 p.m. Confirmation — Our Lady of Consolation Parish, Wayne. 6/2 Tues., 10 a.m. Mass – DePaul Catholic High School followed by graduation. 6/4 Thu., 10 a.m. Mass – Morris Catholic High School followed by graduation; 6:30 p.m. Morris W Deanery meeting — Our Lady Star of the Sea Parish, Lake Hopatcong. 6/5 Fri., 10 a.m. Mass – Pope John XXIII Regional High School followed by Graduation; 7 p.m. Garden Party — St. Paul inside the Walls, Madison. 6/6 Sat., 8 a.m. Mass for Life & Procession — St. Margaret of Scotland Parish, Morristown; 10 a.m. Confirmation — St. Joseph Parish, Newton; 2 p.m. Graduation ceremony – Mary Help of Christians Academy, North Haledon; 6 p.m. Mass — St. Margaret of Scotland, Morristown, celebrating Father Duberney’s 10th anniversary. 6/7 Sun., 9:30 a.m. Confirmation — St. Joseph Parish, Paterson; 2:30 p.m. N.J. Army Tank Pull, Clifton. 6/9 Tue., 8:30 a.m. Priestly Candidates Morning Prayer and Holy Hour — St. Paul Inside the Walls, Madison; 11 a.m. Jubilee of Priestly Ordination Mass & luncheon — Corpus Christi Parish, Chatham. 6/10–12 Wed.–Fri. USCCB – Spring General Meeting, Orlando, Fla. 6/12 Fri., 7 p.m. Bilingual Mass — Sacred Heart and Our Lady Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Parish, Dover. 6/13 Sat., 10 a.m. Priesthood Ordination — the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, Paterson; 4 p.m. Confirmation — St. Bonaventure Parish, Paterson. 6/14 Sun., 9:30 a.m. Mass — Sacred Heart Retreat Center, Newton, for Salesian sister’s discernment; 3 p.m. National Eucharistic Pilgrimage Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament — Holy Trinity Parish, Passaic; 6:30 p.m. Opening Mass for the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage — Boverini Stadium, Passaic. 6/15 Mon., 10 a.m. Morning Eucharistic Procession for the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage – St. Peter’s; 5:30 p.m. Eucharistic Procession, Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, Paterson; 7 p.m. Closing Mass for the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage – the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, Paterson. 6/16 Tues., 12 Noon Mass for Philippine Independence – St. Joseph’s Health, Paterson; 7 p.m. St. Dymphna/OLH Meeting opening prayer – St. Mary’s, Parish, Pompton Lakes. 6/19 Fri., 7 p.m. Confirmation – St. Anthony Parish, Paterson. 6/20 Sat., 10 a.m. Confirmation – St. Mary Parish, Dover; 5 p.m. Confirmation – St. Margaret of Scotland Parish, Morristown. 6/21 Sun., 12 Noon Confirmation – Our Lady of the Valley Parish, Wayne (with Holy Cross). 6/22 Mon., 9 a.m. 52nd Wiegand Farm Golf Classic – Crystal Springs Resort. 6/23 Tues., 1:30 p.m. Meeting for all Pastors/Administrators – St. Paul Inside the Walls, Madison. 6/24 Wed., 7 p.m. Mass celebrating the Feast of St. John the Baptist – the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, Paterson. 6/25 Thurs., 11 a.m. Mass – Quo Vadis Retreat, Camp Shiloh, Hewitt; 6 p.m. Mass – St. Brendan and St. George Parish, Clifton. 6/26 Fri., 7 p.m. Confirmation – St. Mary Parish, Passaic. 6/27 Sat., 10 a.m. Confirmation – Ss. Cyril & Methodius Parish, Clifton; 5 p.m. Mass to celebrate the Feast of St. Thomas the Apostle – St. Thomas the Apostle Parish, Oak Ridge. 6/28 Sun., 10:30 a.m. Mass – Our Lady Star of the Sea Parish, Lake Hopatcong. 6/29 Mon., 7 p.m. Pastoral Migratoria Commissioning Mass – St. Anthony of Padua Parish, Passaic.
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Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney’s Schedule: June, 2026 #Catholic – 6/1 Mon., 11 a.m. Tri-County Golf Outing; 6 p.m. Confirmation — Our Lady of Consolation Parish, Wayne. 6/2 Tues., 10 a.m. Mass – DePaul Catholic High School followed by graduation. 6/4 Thu., 10 a.m. Mass – Morris Catholic High School followed by graduation; 6:30 p.m. Morris W Deanery meeting — Our Lady Star of the Sea Parish, Lake Hopatcong. 6/5 Fri., 10 a.m. Mass – Pope John XXIII Regional High School followed by Graduation; 7 p.m. Garden Party — St. Paul inside the Walls, Madison. 6/6 Sat., 8 a.m. Mass for Life & Procession — St. Margaret of Scotland Parish, Morristown; 10 a.m. Confirmation — St. Joseph Parish, Newton; 2 p.m. Graduation ceremony – Mary Help of Christians Academy, North Haledon; 6 p.m. Mass — St. Margaret of Scotland, Morristown, celebrating Father Duberney’s 10th anniversary. 6/7 Sun., 9:30 a.m. Confirmation — St. Joseph Parish, Paterson; 2:30 p.m. N.J. Army Tank Pull, Clifton. 6/9 Tue., 8:30 a.m. Priestly Candidates Morning Prayer and Holy Hour — St. Paul Inside the Walls, Madison; 11 a.m. Jubilee of Priestly Ordination Mass & luncheon — Corpus Christi Parish, Chatham. 6/10–12 Wed.–Fri. USCCB – Spring General Meeting, Orlando, Fla. 6/12 Fri., 7 p.m. Bilingual Mass — Sacred Heart and Our Lady Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Parish, Dover. 6/13 Sat., 10 a.m. Priesthood Ordination — the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, Paterson; 4 p.m. Confirmation — St. Bonaventure Parish, Paterson. 6/14 Sun., 9:30 a.m. Mass — Sacred Heart Retreat Center, Newton, for Salesian sister’s discernment; 3 p.m. National Eucharistic Pilgrimage Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament — Holy Trinity Parish, Passaic; 6:30 p.m. Opening Mass for the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage — Boverini Stadium, Passaic. 6/15 Mon., 10 a.m. Morning Eucharistic Procession for the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage – St. Peter’s; 5:30 p.m. Eucharistic Procession, Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, Paterson; 7 p.m. Closing Mass for the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage – the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, Paterson. 6/16 Tues., 12 Noon Mass for Philippine Independence – St. Joseph’s Health, Paterson; 7 p.m. St. Dymphna/OLH Meeting opening prayer – St. Mary’s, Parish, Pompton Lakes. 6/19 Fri., 7 p.m. Confirmation – St. Anthony Parish, Paterson. 6/20 Sat., 10 a.m. Confirmation – St. Mary Parish, Dover; 5 p.m. Confirmation – St. Margaret of Scotland Parish, Morristown. 6/21 Sun., 12 Noon Confirmation – Our Lady of the Valley Parish, Wayne (with Holy Cross). 6/22 Mon., 9 a.m. 52nd Wiegand Farm Golf Classic – Crystal Springs Resort. 6/23 Tues., 1:30 p.m. Meeting for all Pastors/Administrators – St. Paul Inside the Walls, Madison. 6/24 Wed., 7 p.m. Mass celebrating the Feast of St. John the Baptist – the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, Paterson. 6/25 Thurs., 11 a.m. Mass – Quo Vadis Retreat, Camp Shiloh, Hewitt; 6 p.m. Mass – St. Brendan and St. George Parish, Clifton. 6/26 Fri., 7 p.m. Confirmation – St. Mary Parish, Passaic. 6/27 Sat., 10 a.m. Confirmation – Ss. Cyril & Methodius Parish, Clifton; 5 p.m. Mass to celebrate the Feast of St. Thomas the Apostle – St. Thomas the Apostle Parish, Oak Ridge. 6/28 Sun., 10:30 a.m. Mass – Our Lady Star of the Sea Parish, Lake Hopatcong. 6/29 Mon., 7 p.m. Pastoral Migratoria Commissioning Mass – St. Anthony of Padua Parish, Passaic.

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Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney’s Schedule: June, 2026 #Catholic –

6/1 Mon., 11 a.m. Tri-County Golf Outing; 6 p.m. Confirmation — Our Lady of Consolation Parish, Wayne.
6/2 Tues., 10 a.m. Mass – DePaul Catholic High School followed by graduation.
6/4 Thu., 10 a.m. Mass – Morris Catholic High School followed by graduation; 6:30 p.m. Morris W Deanery meeting — Our Lady Star of the Sea Parish, Lake Hopatcong.
6/5 Fri., 10 a.m. Mass – Pope John XXIII Regional High School followed by Graduation; 7 p.m. Garden Party — St. Paul inside the Walls, Madison.
6/6 Sat., 8 a.m. Mass for Life & Procession — St. Margaret of Scotland Parish, Morristown; 10 a.m. Confirmation — St. Joseph Parish, Newton; 2 p.m. Graduation ceremony – Mary Help of Christians Academy, North Haledon; 6 p.m. Mass — St. Margaret of Scotland, Morristown, celebrating Father Duberney’s 10th anniversary.
6/7 Sun., 9:30 a.m. Confirmation — St. Joseph Parish, Paterson; 2:30 p.m. N.J. Army Tank Pull, Clifton.
6/9 Tue., 8:30 a.m. Priestly Candidates Morning Prayer and Holy Hour — St. Paul Inside the Walls, Madison; 11 a.m. Jubilee of Priestly Ordination Mass & luncheon — Corpus Christi Parish, Chatham.
6/10–12 Wed.–Fri. USCCB – Spring General Meeting, Orlando, Fla.
6/12 Fri., 7 p.m. Bilingual Mass — Sacred Heart and Our Lady Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Parish, Dover.
6/13 Sat., 10 a.m. Priesthood Ordination — the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, Paterson; 4 p.m. Confirmation — St. Bonaventure Parish, Paterson.
6/14 Sun., 9:30 a.m. Mass — Sacred Heart Retreat Center, Newton, for Salesian sister’s discernment; 3 p.m. National Eucharistic Pilgrimage Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament — Holy Trinity Parish, Passaic; 6:30 p.m. Opening Mass for the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage — Boverini Stadium, Passaic.
6/15 Mon., 10 a.m. Morning Eucharistic Procession for the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage – St. Peter’s; 5:30 p.m. Eucharistic Procession, Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, Paterson; 7 p.m. Closing Mass for the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage – the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, Paterson.
6/16 Tues., 12 Noon Mass for Philippine Independence – St. Joseph’s Health, Paterson; 7 p.m. St. Dymphna/OLH Meeting opening prayer – St. Mary’s, Parish, Pompton Lakes.
6/19 Fri., 7 p.m. Confirmation – St. Anthony Parish, Paterson.
6/20 Sat., 10 a.m. Confirmation – St. Mary Parish, Dover; 5 p.m. Confirmation – St. Margaret of Scotland Parish, Morristown.
6/21 Sun., 12 Noon Confirmation – Our Lady of the Valley Parish, Wayne (with Holy Cross).
6/22 Mon., 9 a.m. 52nd Wiegand Farm Golf Classic – Crystal Springs Resort.
6/23 Tues., 1:30 p.m. Meeting for all Pastors/Administrators – St. Paul Inside the Walls, Madison.
6/24 Wed., 7 p.m. Mass celebrating the Feast of St. John the Baptist – the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, Paterson.
6/25 Thurs., 11 a.m. Mass – Quo Vadis Retreat, Camp Shiloh, Hewitt; 6 p.m. Mass – St. Brendan and St. George Parish, Clifton.
6/26 Fri., 7 p.m. Confirmation – St. Mary Parish, Passaic.
6/27 Sat., 10 a.m. Confirmation – Ss. Cyril & Methodius Parish, Clifton; 5 p.m. Mass to celebrate the Feast of St. Thomas the Apostle – St. Thomas the Apostle Parish, Oak Ridge.
6/28 Sun., 10:30 a.m. Mass – Our Lady Star of the Sea Parish, Lake Hopatcong.
6/29 Mon., 7 p.m. Pastoral Migratoria Commissioning Mass – St. Anthony of Padua Parish, Passaic.

– 6/1 Mon., 11 a.m. Tri-County Golf Outing; 6 p.m. Confirmation — Our Lady of Consolation Parish, Wayne. 6/2 Tues., 10 a.m. Mass – DePaul Catholic High School followed by graduation. 6/4 Thu., 10 a.m. Mass – Morris Catholic High School followed by graduation; 6:30 p.m. Morris W Deanery meeting — Our Lady Star of the Sea Parish, Lake Hopatcong. 6/5 Fri., 10 a.m. Mass – Pope John XXIII Regional High School followed by Graduation; 7 p.m. Garden Party — St. Paul inside the Walls, Madison. 6/6 Sat., 8 a.m. Mass for Life & Procession — St. Margaret of Scotland Parish,

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Pope receives Ferrari Luce steering wheel — Italian brand’s first fully electric car – #Catholic – Pope Leo XIV this week received as a gift the steering wheel of the Ferrari Luce, the Italian brand’s first fully electric car.Leo also had the opportunity to sit in the driver’s seat of the new vehicle, presented by Ferrari as “not only the ‘electric Ferrari,’ but an entirely new Ferrari.”In a statement, the Italian brand said the meeting with the Holy Father took place at the papal residence of Castel Gandolfo on the morning of Tuesday, May 26, with a Ferrari delegation led by its chairman, John Elkann, and its CEO, Benedetto Vigna. Pope Leo XIV receives from Ferrari chairman John Elkann the steering wheel of a Ferrari Luce, the Italian luxury sports car manufacturer’s first fully electric car, which the pope got to see during a meeting with a delegation from Ferrari at Castel Gandolfo, south of Rome, on May 26, 2026. | Credit: Ferrari Elkann said it was “a great emotion and an immense honor to meet with His Holiness together with my Ferrari colleagues,” noting that it was “a moment of extraordinary human and symbolic value, which inspired everyone in our company to continue on its path with passion, responsibility, and confidence in the future.”He added that the meeting with Leo was “an occasion that will remain forever etched in our memory and in the history of Ferrari.”In promoting its new vehicle, the Italian brand highlights both its “mechanical performance” and its “energy efficiency.”Explaining its corporate environmental vision, Ferrari says on its website that “we are using science-based solutions to reduce emissions, increase energy efficiency, foster the circular economy, and inspire suppliers to join our initiative.”This story was first published by ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.
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Pope receives Ferrari Luce steering wheel — Italian brand’s first fully electric car – #Catholic – Pope Leo XIV this week received as a gift the steering wheel of the Ferrari Luce, the Italian brand’s first fully electric car.Leo also had the opportunity to sit in the driver’s seat of the new vehicle, presented by Ferrari as “not only the ‘electric Ferrari,’ but an entirely new Ferrari.”In a statement, the Italian brand said the meeting with the Holy Father took place at the papal residence of Castel Gandolfo on the morning of Tuesday, May 26, with a Ferrari delegation led by its chairman, John Elkann, and its CEO, Benedetto Vigna. Pope Leo XIV receives from Ferrari chairman John Elkann the steering wheel of a Ferrari Luce, the Italian luxury sports car manufacturer’s first fully electric car, which the pope got to see during a meeting with a delegation from Ferrari at Castel Gandolfo, south of Rome, on May 26, 2026. | Credit: Ferrari Elkann said it was “a great emotion and an immense honor to meet with His Holiness together with my Ferrari colleagues,” noting that it was “a moment of extraordinary human and symbolic value, which inspired everyone in our company to continue on its path with passion, responsibility, and confidence in the future.”He added that the meeting with Leo was “an occasion that will remain forever etched in our memory and in the history of Ferrari.”In promoting its new vehicle, the Italian brand highlights both its “mechanical performance” and its “energy efficiency.”Explaining its corporate environmental vision, Ferrari says on its website that “we are using science-based solutions to reduce emissions, increase energy efficiency, foster the circular economy, and inspire suppliers to join our initiative.”This story was first published by ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.

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A delegation from the Italian luxury sports car manufacturer met Pope Leo at Castel Gandolfo on May 26.

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Observe spring’s star clusters

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As winter’s brilliant stars slip toward the western horizon and the constellations of spring climb higher, Northern Hemisphere observers discover a quieter but richly rewarding sky. Spring is celebrated for its galaxies, yet our own Milky Way offers an equally compelling bounty of open and globular clusters. From youthful, loosely packed groups that still sparkleContinue reading “Observe spring’s star clusters”

The post Observe spring’s star clusters appeared first on Astronomy Magazine.

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Pope Leo XIV to visit the Republic of San Marino on Aug. 22 – #Catholic – Pope Leo XIV will travel to the Republic of San Marino, an independent sovereign state within the Italian peninsula, on Aug. 22 as part of his trip to the Italian province of Rimini.The Vatican announced the visit in a statement from the Prefecture of the Papal Household, noting that the trip is part of his pastoral agenda in Italy.The visit follows an invitation extended some time ago by the then-captains regent Matteo Rossi and Lorenzo Bugli — whose terms ended in April of this year — who had invited the pontiff to visit the small European state.The pope’s presence in San Marino — the world’s oldest constitutional republic, founded in A.D. 301 — will take place in the morning on Aug. 22. In the afternoon, the Holy Father will take part in various activities in the Diocese of Rimini and in the traditional Rimini Meeting, one of Italy’s most important cultural and religious events, promoted by the Catholic movement Communion and Liberation.This story was first published by ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.
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Pope Leo XIV to visit the Republic of San Marino on Aug. 22 – #Catholic – Pope Leo XIV will travel to the Republic of San Marino, an independent sovereign state within the Italian peninsula, on Aug. 22 as part of his trip to the Italian province of Rimini.The Vatican announced the visit in a statement from the Prefecture of the Papal Household, noting that the trip is part of his pastoral agenda in Italy.The visit follows an invitation extended some time ago by the then-captains regent Matteo Rossi and Lorenzo Bugli — whose terms ended in April of this year — who had invited the pontiff to visit the small European state.The pope’s presence in San Marino — the world’s oldest constitutional republic, founded in A.D. 301 — will take place in the morning on Aug. 22. In the afternoon, the Holy Father will take part in various activities in the Diocese of Rimini and in the traditional Rimini Meeting, one of Italy’s most important cultural and religious events, promoted by the Catholic movement Communion and Liberation.This story was first published by ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.

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The Holy Father will spend half a day in the microstate in north-central Italy before traveling around 14 miles northeast to the city of Rimini, Italy.

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Pope Leo will visit a polarized Spain in political turmoil but where all sides want to hear him - #Catholic - Pope Leo XIV’s upcoming visit to Spain will take place against a political and social backdrop marked by intense polarization.The divided political climate coincides with an unprecedented event in Spanish democracy: the indictment on charges of alleged corruption by a former prime minister, José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero of the Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party, who held the office when Pope Benedict XVI visited the country 15 years ago.Zapatero’s scheduled court appearance in connection with his alleged involvement in a scheme linked to the 2021 public bailout of the airline Plus Ultra, originally set for June 2, has been postponed by the judge to June 17–18.The cardinal archbishop of Madrid, José Cobo, downplayed the impact the case will have on the popeʼs June 6–12 visit. “We are accustomed to operating amid many events in political life. That is simply part of life, and the headlines keep shifting,” he stated in an interview with EWTN News. The archbishop of Madrid, Spain, Cardinal José Cobo Cano. | Credit: EWTN News The stability of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchezʼs government is also being called into question by some of its coalition partners, such as the Basque Nationalist Party, which has labeled the decision not to call general elections before the end of the year “irresponsible.”Polarization is not limited to the political sphere, however. According to the Atlas of Polarization by More in Common (2025), nearly 5 million Spaniards have broken off a personal relationship in the past year due to ideological differences, a figure equivalent to 14% of the population. Furthermore, three out of every five citizens say they avoid discussing politics to avoid creating conflict.According to jurist Rafael Domingo Oslé, professor at the University of Navarra in Spain, this phenomenon reflects a grave deterioration of society at large. “Spain is experiencing a moment of profound social fragmentation, exacerbated by a political class incapable of lowering the tone,” he said in an interview with ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News. In his view, the volume of personal breakups “is a symptom that we are losing the respect necessary to prevent a society from fragmenting.”A shared languageIn this context, the pope’s visit takes on a particular significance as the emergence of a voice capable of introducing a different language into the public debate.“A papal visit does not, in and of itself, resolve a crisis of this nature. But it can accomplish something that politics, by its very logic, is no longer able to achieve: offering a common framework and a shared language,” Domingo explained. The key, he added, lies in the pontiff’s unique position: “The pope arrives not as an arbiter of an ideological debate but as a shepherd reminding a weary society that every person, regardless of whom they vote for, possesses a dignity that precedes their opinions.” Main façade of the Congress of Deputies (lower house) in Madrid. | Credit: Nicolás de Cárdenas/ACI Prensa This circumstance has prompted an unusual gesture in recent Spanish politics: a unanimous invitation to the pope extended by both the House and the Senate.“In a country where parliamentary consensus is nearly impossible, all political forces have agreed to listen to the same voice. That, in itself, is already a healthy gesture,” Domingo emphasized.Leo XIV will address a joint session of the Legislature on June 8, marking the first time a pontiff has spoken before both Spanish legislative chambers. The motto of the trip, “Lift Up Your Eyes,” encapsulates the spirit of the visit, according to Domingo, who said he hopes Spaniards will "cease focusing solely on immediate conflict and look toward what truly matters.” Concurrently, the encyclical Magnifica Humanitas has met with a remarkable reception in the Spanish political world.In a message posted on X, Sánchez emphasized: “Leo XIV’s encyclical Magnifica Humanitas challenges us all. AI is not neutral, and digital power could lead us to new atrocities if it is not directed toward the common good. The text is also a defense of peace, human dignity, and multilateralism. Spain is clear on this: In this moment of change, we cannot be resigned spectators. Everything that makes us human is at stake.”Along the same lines, Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares told the press, following his audience with the pope on May 4: “There is a great convergence between the Vatican’s positions and Spain’s humanist foreign policy at this time.”Despite these points of convergence, tensions between the Church and the political realm remain. One of the most visible flashpoints is the re-signification of the Valley of the Fallen (Cuelgamuros), a monument to the victims from both sides of the 1936–1939 Spanish Civil War comprising a basilica, a cemetery, and a guesthouse. For 44 years, the mortal remains of dictator Francisco Franco lay buried there until their exhumation in 2019. Franco was the general who led the victorious right-wing Nationalist side against the leftist Republican side in the conflict. The current government has led the drive to transform the site into a political memorial, while the Church has advocated for the preservation of the monumentʼs religious dimension.Italian constitutional scholar Marco Olivetti warned during a press conference at LUMSA University in Rome that “historical memory has been used as a divisive element that shapes public perception of the Church.”Added to this are legislative clashes such as the attempt to enshrine abortion rights in the Spanish Constitution or proposals to eliminate military chaplains, efforts in direct confrontation with Church doctrine.However, criticism of the Church does not stem solely from the left. The bishops' defense of immigrants, including their support for the government’s plan to give legal status to undocumented immigrants, which would benefit nearly half a million people already residing in Spain, has also drawn reproaches from conservative quarters.Santiago Abascal, the leader of the Vox party, which declares itself Catholic, lashed out at the secretary-general of the Spanish Bishops’ Conference, Bishop Francisco César García Magán: “This character never dares to criticize the mafioso government. Because the government provides him with his business through the invasion [the influx of illegal immigrants]. And that’s his priority: the business. And a profound contempt for the Spaniards who wish to defend their homeland.”The risk of instrumentalizing the pope’s wordsThe papal visit is not without risks in a climate of high polarization, Domingo warns. “One party will highlight whatever suits its agenda while remaining silent on the rest; another will try to do the opposite. It’s inevitable.” Nevertheless, he underscored the Holy See’s experience in “writing speeches that stand as a cohesive whole.”“Taking the pope out of context is relatively easy; refuting him is much more difficult,” he said.Cobo shared this concern regarding the pontiffʼs address before the joint session. “I believe this is a gesture that is also very characteristic of the Church, for it entails listening to the Christian tradition speaking about politics, but ‘Politics with a capital P’ [the noble art or statesmanship]. In a society where we are accustomed to talking about political parties, that moment is significant. The fear, indeed, is that we might attempt to make a discourse on ‘Politics with a capital P’ to fit into a partisan narrative, effectively pitting one against the other,” he noted in his interview with EWTN News.Moreover, the context is exacerbated by the rise of identity-based discourses that conflate politics and faith.Sociologist Rafael Ruiz Andrés, a professor at Complutense University in Madrid, warned in an interview with ACI Prensa that “there is a whole range of sectors, located primarily within the far-right spectrum, and specifically in Spain within the Vox party, that seek to portray the defense of Christian culture as a central tenet of their platforms.” However, he qualified this by noting that “it’s not necessarily a defense based on religion” but is rather linked to “identity-based culture, and in many instances, positioned in opposition to Islam.”In his view, one of Pope Leo XIV’s concerns is precisely “that there be this sort of hijacking of Christianity by politics.” In line with this, reports published following a meeting of the executive committee of the Spanish Bishops’ Conference with the pope pointed to the Vatican’s unease regarding attempts to “instrumentalize the Church,” although the bishops subsequently clarified that the pontiff spoke in general terms about “the risks of subjecting faith to ideologies,” without referring to any specific group.This story was first published by ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.
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Pope Leo will visit a polarized Spain in political turmoil but where all sides want to hear him – #Catholic – Pope Leo XIV’s upcoming visit to Spain will take place against a political and social backdrop marked by intense polarization.The divided political climate coincides with an unprecedented event in Spanish democracy: the indictment on charges of alleged corruption by a former prime minister, José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero of the Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party, who held the office when Pope Benedict XVI visited the country 15 years ago.Zapatero’s scheduled court appearance in connection with his alleged involvement in a scheme linked to the 2021 public bailout of the airline Plus Ultra, originally set for June 2, has been postponed by the judge to June 17–18.The cardinal archbishop of Madrid, José Cobo, downplayed the impact the case will have on the popeʼs June 6–12 visit. “We are accustomed to operating amid many events in political life. That is simply part of life, and the headlines keep shifting,” he stated in an interview with EWTN News. The archbishop of Madrid, Spain, Cardinal José Cobo Cano. | Credit: EWTN News The stability of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchezʼs government is also being called into question by some of its coalition partners, such as the Basque Nationalist Party, which has labeled the decision not to call general elections before the end of the year “irresponsible.”Polarization is not limited to the political sphere, however. According to the Atlas of Polarization by More in Common (2025), nearly 5 million Spaniards have broken off a personal relationship in the past year due to ideological differences, a figure equivalent to 14% of the population. Furthermore, three out of every five citizens say they avoid discussing politics to avoid creating conflict.According to jurist Rafael Domingo Oslé, professor at the University of Navarra in Spain, this phenomenon reflects a grave deterioration of society at large. “Spain is experiencing a moment of profound social fragmentation, exacerbated by a political class incapable of lowering the tone,” he said in an interview with ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News. In his view, the volume of personal breakups “is a symptom that we are losing the respect necessary to prevent a society from fragmenting.”A shared languageIn this context, the pope’s visit takes on a particular significance as the emergence of a voice capable of introducing a different language into the public debate.“A papal visit does not, in and of itself, resolve a crisis of this nature. But it can accomplish something that politics, by its very logic, is no longer able to achieve: offering a common framework and a shared language,” Domingo explained. The key, he added, lies in the pontiff’s unique position: “The pope arrives not as an arbiter of an ideological debate but as a shepherd reminding a weary society that every person, regardless of whom they vote for, possesses a dignity that precedes their opinions.” Main façade of the Congress of Deputies (lower house) in Madrid. | Credit: Nicolás de Cárdenas/ACI Prensa This circumstance has prompted an unusual gesture in recent Spanish politics: a unanimous invitation to the pope extended by both the House and the Senate.“In a country where parliamentary consensus is nearly impossible, all political forces have agreed to listen to the same voice. That, in itself, is already a healthy gesture,” Domingo emphasized.Leo XIV will address a joint session of the Legislature on June 8, marking the first time a pontiff has spoken before both Spanish legislative chambers. The motto of the trip, “Lift Up Your Eyes,” encapsulates the spirit of the visit, according to Domingo, who said he hopes Spaniards will "cease focusing solely on immediate conflict and look toward what truly matters.” Concurrently, the encyclical Magnifica Humanitas has met with a remarkable reception in the Spanish political world.In a message posted on X, Sánchez emphasized: “Leo XIV’s encyclical Magnifica Humanitas challenges us all. AI is not neutral, and digital power could lead us to new atrocities if it is not directed toward the common good. The text is also a defense of peace, human dignity, and multilateralism. Spain is clear on this: In this moment of change, we cannot be resigned spectators. Everything that makes us human is at stake.”Along the same lines, Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares told the press, following his audience with the pope on May 4: “There is a great convergence between the Vatican’s positions and Spain’s humanist foreign policy at this time.”Despite these points of convergence, tensions between the Church and the political realm remain. One of the most visible flashpoints is the re-signification of the Valley of the Fallen (Cuelgamuros), a monument to the victims from both sides of the 1936–1939 Spanish Civil War comprising a basilica, a cemetery, and a guesthouse. For 44 years, the mortal remains of dictator Francisco Franco lay buried there until their exhumation in 2019. Franco was the general who led the victorious right-wing Nationalist side against the leftist Republican side in the conflict. The current government has led the drive to transform the site into a political memorial, while the Church has advocated for the preservation of the monumentʼs religious dimension.Italian constitutional scholar Marco Olivetti warned during a press conference at LUMSA University in Rome that “historical memory has been used as a divisive element that shapes public perception of the Church.”Added to this are legislative clashes such as the attempt to enshrine abortion rights in the Spanish Constitution or proposals to eliminate military chaplains, efforts in direct confrontation with Church doctrine.However, criticism of the Church does not stem solely from the left. The bishops' defense of immigrants, including their support for the government’s plan to give legal status to undocumented immigrants, which would benefit nearly half a million people already residing in Spain, has also drawn reproaches from conservative quarters.Santiago Abascal, the leader of the Vox party, which declares itself Catholic, lashed out at the secretary-general of the Spanish Bishops’ Conference, Bishop Francisco César García Magán: “This character never dares to criticize the mafioso government. Because the government provides him with his business through the invasion [the influx of illegal immigrants]. And that’s his priority: the business. And a profound contempt for the Spaniards who wish to defend their homeland.”The risk of instrumentalizing the pope’s wordsThe papal visit is not without risks in a climate of high polarization, Domingo warns. “One party will highlight whatever suits its agenda while remaining silent on the rest; another will try to do the opposite. It’s inevitable.” Nevertheless, he underscored the Holy See’s experience in “writing speeches that stand as a cohesive whole.”“Taking the pope out of context is relatively easy; refuting him is much more difficult,” he said.Cobo shared this concern regarding the pontiffʼs address before the joint session. “I believe this is a gesture that is also very characteristic of the Church, for it entails listening to the Christian tradition speaking about politics, but ‘Politics with a capital P’ [the noble art or statesmanship]. In a society where we are accustomed to talking about political parties, that moment is significant. The fear, indeed, is that we might attempt to make a discourse on ‘Politics with a capital P’ to fit into a partisan narrative, effectively pitting one against the other,” he noted in his interview with EWTN News.Moreover, the context is exacerbated by the rise of identity-based discourses that conflate politics and faith.Sociologist Rafael Ruiz Andrés, a professor at Complutense University in Madrid, warned in an interview with ACI Prensa that “there is a whole range of sectors, located primarily within the far-right spectrum, and specifically in Spain within the Vox party, that seek to portray the defense of Christian culture as a central tenet of their platforms.” However, he qualified this by noting that “it’s not necessarily a defense based on religion” but is rather linked to “identity-based culture, and in many instances, positioned in opposition to Islam.”In his view, one of Pope Leo XIV’s concerns is precisely “that there be this sort of hijacking of Christianity by politics.” In line with this, reports published following a meeting of the executive committee of the Spanish Bishops’ Conference with the pope pointed to the Vatican’s unease regarding attempts to “instrumentalize the Church,” although the bishops subsequently clarified that the pontiff spoke in general terms about “the risks of subjecting faith to ideologies,” without referring to any specific group.This story was first published by ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.

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In the divisive political climate in Spain, some say there is the risk that political factions will try to use the pope’s words to their advantage.

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Certificate inspires catechetical, lay leaders to serve Church better #Catholic - On May 18 at Resurrection Parish in Randolph, N.J., Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney celebrated a Graduation Mass for 15 catechetical leaders and lay ministers in the Church who earned the NCCL Certificate in Catechetical Ministry and Religious Education. This initiative seeks to expand and enrich the graduates’ training. In 2024, Saint Elizabeth University, located in the Convent Station neighborhood of Morris Township, N.J., and the Paterson Diocese, N.J., partnered to offer a certificate program using the NCCL curriculum. This collaboration represents a pivotal step in a broader effort across the Church to elevate the standard of catechetical ministry and religious education. Those who complete the NCCL program can take additional graduate credits at Saint Elizabeth’s. Bishop Sweeney concelebrated the Graduation Mass on May 18. Father Yojaneider Garcia, pastor of Resurrection and director of the diocesan Office of Catechesis and Faith Formation, concelebrated the liturgy. The certificate recipients were: Cathy Metcalf, Martha Spyker, Cheryl Wallace, Magda Campson, Carolyn Kelly, Colleen Huber, Debbie Dericks, Teresa Gallo, Denise Gaylord, Elsa Gonzalez, Jean Caughey, Lauro Marcillo, Mary Hill, Maryann Schwork and Thomas Schwork. BEACON PHOTOS | JOE GIGLI [See image gallery at beaconnj.org] Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.
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Certificate inspires catechetical, lay leaders to serve Church better #Catholic – On May 18 at Resurrection Parish in Randolph, N.J., Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney celebrated a Graduation Mass for 15 catechetical leaders and lay ministers in the Church who earned the NCCL Certificate in Catechetical Ministry and Religious Education. This initiative seeks to expand and enrich the graduates’ training. In 2024, Saint Elizabeth University, located in the Convent Station neighborhood of Morris Township, N.J., and the Paterson Diocese, N.J., partnered to offer a certificate program using the NCCL curriculum. This collaboration represents a pivotal step in a broader effort across the Church to elevate the standard of catechetical ministry and religious education. Those who complete the NCCL program can take additional graduate credits at Saint Elizabeth’s. Bishop Sweeney concelebrated the Graduation Mass on May 18. Father Yojaneider Garcia, pastor of Resurrection and director of the diocesan Office of Catechesis and Faith Formation, concelebrated the liturgy. The certificate recipients were: Cathy Metcalf, Martha Spyker, Cheryl Wallace, Magda Campson, Carolyn Kelly, Colleen Huber, Debbie Dericks, Teresa Gallo, Denise Gaylord, Elsa Gonzalez, Jean Caughey, Lauro Marcillo, Mary Hill, Maryann Schwork and Thomas Schwork. BEACON PHOTOS | JOE GIGLI [See image gallery at beaconnj.org] Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

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Certificate inspires catechetical, lay leaders to serve Church better #Catholic –

On May 18 at Resurrection Parish in Randolph, N.J., Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney celebrated a Graduation Mass for 15 catechetical leaders and lay ministers in the Church who earned the NCCL Certificate in Catechetical Ministry and Religious Education. This initiative seeks to expand and enrich the graduates’ training.

In 2024, Saint Elizabeth University, located in the Convent Station neighborhood of Morris Township, N.J., and the Paterson Diocese, N.J., partnered to offer a certificate program using the NCCL curriculum. This collaboration represents a pivotal step in a broader effort across the Church to elevate the standard of catechetical ministry and religious education.

Those who complete the NCCL program can take additional graduate credits at Saint Elizabeth’s.

Bishop Sweeney concelebrated the Graduation Mass on May 18. Father Yojaneider Garcia, pastor of Resurrection and director of the diocesan Office of Catechesis and Faith Formation, concelebrated the liturgy.

The certificate recipients were: Cathy Metcalf, Martha Spyker, Cheryl Wallace, Magda Campson, Carolyn Kelly, Colleen Huber, Debbie Dericks, Teresa Gallo, Denise Gaylord, Elsa Gonzalez, Jean Caughey, Lauro Marcillo, Mary Hill, Maryann Schwork and Thomas Schwork.

BEACON PHOTOS | JOE GIGLI
Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

– On May 18 at Resurrection Parish in Randolph, N.J., Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney celebrated a Graduation Mass for 15 catechetical leaders and lay ministers in the Church who earned the NCCL Certificate in Catechetical Ministry and Religious Education. This initiative seeks to expand and enrich the graduates’ training. In 2024, Saint Elizabeth University, located in the Convent Station neighborhood of Morris Township, N.J., and the Paterson Diocese, N.J., partnered to offer a certificate program using the NCCL curriculum. This collaboration represents a pivotal step in a broader effort across the Church to elevate the standard of catechetical ministry and religious

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Defending marriage ‘is not against anyone’s dignity,’ Polish bishops say #Catholic Polandʼs bishops have defended the constitutional meaning of marriage, saying that upholding it is not acting “against anyone or taking away anyoneʼs dignity,” as Polish cities begin registering same-sex couples following an EU court ruling.“Respect for each person does not mean giving up the truth about marriage that the Church has been preaching from the beginning,” the Family Council of the Polish Bishops' Conference (KEP) said in a May 22 statement signed by its chairman, Archbishop Wiesław Śmigiel.Warsaw and Wrocław have begun transcribing same-sex “marriage” certificates into Polandʼs civil registry after Prime Minister Donald Tusk pledged to implement a November 2025 ruling by the Court of Justice of the European Union requiring member states to recognize such unions contracted elsewhere in the bloc.In their reaction, the bishops recall that Article 18 of the Polish Constitution states that “marriage, being a union of a man and a woman, as well as the family, motherhood, and parenthood, shall be placed under the protection and care of the Republic of Poland.”This is not a formality, the bishops say, warning that “expansive interpretations of law may lead to the weakening of the constitutional understanding of marriage.” They contend that “such fundamental issues should not be resolved through interpretations that raise serious social and constitutional concerns,” pointing instead to a deeply rooted reality in “the Polish legal system, cultural tradition, and the Christian understanding of marriage and family, which for centuries have co-shaped European understanding of humanity.”The episcopate stressed that the debate on marriage “should be conducted with responsibility, calm, and genuine concern for the common good.” Poland to register same-sex ‘marriages’ from EU countries Meanwhile, Slovak lawmaker Michal Šabo “married” his male partner in Hainburg, Austria, just across the Slovak border, where same-sex marriage is legal. He wants Slovakia to recognize the marriage, but the countryʼs constitution has defined marriage as a union of a man and a woman since 2014, and a September 2025 amendment recognized only two sexes, male and female.Šabo knows Slovakia cannot register the union and would eventually sue the country over it, former minister Milan Krajniak warned. The progressives “do not want tolerance” but want others “to have to accept their idea of the world,” the former minister claimed.In April, after elections in Hungary, the EUʼs top court ruled that the countryʼs 2021 law limiting the promotion of LGBT and gender-related issues to minors, passed under outgoing Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, breached the EUʼs founding values.
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Defending marriage ‘is not against anyone’s dignity,’ Polish bishops say #Catholic Polandʼs bishops have defended the constitutional meaning of marriage, saying that upholding it is not acting “against anyone or taking away anyoneʼs dignity,” as Polish cities begin registering same-sex couples following an EU court ruling.“Respect for each person does not mean giving up the truth about marriage that the Church has been preaching from the beginning,” the Family Council of the Polish Bishops' Conference (KEP) said in a May 22 statement signed by its chairman, Archbishop Wiesław Śmigiel.Warsaw and Wrocław have begun transcribing same-sex “marriage” certificates into Polandʼs civil registry after Prime Minister Donald Tusk pledged to implement a November 2025 ruling by the Court of Justice of the European Union requiring member states to recognize such unions contracted elsewhere in the bloc.In their reaction, the bishops recall that Article 18 of the Polish Constitution states that “marriage, being a union of a man and a woman, as well as the family, motherhood, and parenthood, shall be placed under the protection and care of the Republic of Poland.”This is not a formality, the bishops say, warning that “expansive interpretations of law may lead to the weakening of the constitutional understanding of marriage.” They contend that “such fundamental issues should not be resolved through interpretations that raise serious social and constitutional concerns,” pointing instead to a deeply rooted reality in “the Polish legal system, cultural tradition, and the Christian understanding of marriage and family, which for centuries have co-shaped European understanding of humanity.”The episcopate stressed that the debate on marriage “should be conducted with responsibility, calm, and genuine concern for the common good.” Poland to register same-sex ‘marriages’ from EU countries Meanwhile, Slovak lawmaker Michal Šabo “married” his male partner in Hainburg, Austria, just across the Slovak border, where same-sex marriage is legal. He wants Slovakia to recognize the marriage, but the countryʼs constitution has defined marriage as a union of a man and a woman since 2014, and a September 2025 amendment recognized only two sexes, male and female.Šabo knows Slovakia cannot register the union and would eventually sue the country over it, former minister Milan Krajniak warned. The progressives “do not want tolerance” but want others “to have to accept their idea of the world,” the former minister claimed.In April, after elections in Hungary, the EUʼs top court ruled that the countryʼs 2021 law limiting the promotion of LGBT and gender-related issues to minors, passed under outgoing Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, breached the EUʼs founding values.

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As an EU court presses member states to recognize same-sex “marriages,” Poland’s bishops insist defending marriage takes nothing from anyone’s dignity.

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Going Low and Slow in Testing – NASA’s X-59 quiet supersonic research aircraft flies above NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, during testing focused on lower-speed and altitude flight conditions in support of NASA’s Quesst mission. NASA continues to include two-flight days in its envelope expansion as teams work to better understand how the aircraft responds throughout its operating range.
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Going Low and Slow in Testing – NASA’s X-59 quiet supersonic research aircraft flies above NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, during testing focused on lower-speed and altitude flight conditions in support of NASA’s Quesst mission. NASA continues to include two-flight days in its envelope expansion as teams work to better understand how the aircraft responds throughout its operating range.

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NASA’s X-59 quiet supersonic research aircraft flies above NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, during testing focused on lower-speed and altitude flight conditions in support of NASA’s Quesst mission. NASA continues to include two-flight days in its envelope expansion as teams work to better understand how the aircraft responds throughout its operating range.

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WATCH: Spencer Pratt Talks About His Viral Campaign for Mayor of Los Angeles on the Gutfeld! Show (VIDEO) – Spencer Pratt appeared on the Gutfeld! The post WATCH: Spencer Pratt Talks About His Viral Campaign for Mayor of Los Angeles on the Gutfeld! Show (VIDEO) appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.
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WATCH: Spencer Pratt Talks About His Viral Campaign for Mayor of Los Angeles on the Gutfeld! Show (VIDEO) – Spencer Pratt appeared on the Gutfeld! The post WATCH: Spencer Pratt Talks About His Viral Campaign for Mayor of Los Angeles on the Gutfeld! Show (VIDEO) appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

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Spencer Pratt appeared on the Gutfeld!

The post WATCH: Spencer Pratt Talks About His Viral Campaign for Mayor of Los Angeles on the Gutfeld! Show (VIDEO) appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

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SHE’S OUT? Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer Claims She is NOT RUNNING for President in 2028 (VIDEO) – The field of Democrats running for president in 2028 is going to be huge, but according to Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, she will not be one of them. The post SHE’S OUT? Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer Claims She is NOT RUNNING for President in 2028 (VIDEO) appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.
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SHE’S OUT? Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer Claims She is NOT RUNNING for President in 2028 (VIDEO) – The field of Democrats running for president in 2028 is going to be huge, but according to Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, she will not be one of them. The post SHE’S OUT? Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer Claims She is NOT RUNNING for President in 2028 (VIDEO) appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

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The field of Democrats running for president in 2028 is going to be huge, but according to Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, she will not be one of them.

The post SHE’S OUT? Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer Claims She is NOT RUNNING for President in 2028 (VIDEO) appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

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Meet the Prominent Police Officer Who Carried Out a Steamy, Two-Year Sexual Affair with Married Obama Judge in Her Chambers – The individual who carried out a loud, steam >affair with an Obama federal judge has been unmasked as a prominent Atlanta policeman, causing the scandal to take another turn for the worse. The post Meet the Prominent Police Officer Who Carried Out a Steamy, Two-Year Sexual Affair with Married Obama Judge in Her Chambers appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.
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Meet the Prominent Police Officer Who Carried Out a Steamy, Two-Year Sexual Affair with Married Obama Judge in Her Chambers – The individual who carried out a loud, steam >affair with an Obama federal judge has been unmasked as a prominent Atlanta policeman, causing the scandal to take another turn for the worse. The post Meet the Prominent Police Officer Who Carried Out a Steamy, Two-Year Sexual Affair with Married Obama Judge in Her Chambers appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

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Image of a police major in uniform on the left and a woman speaking during a hearing on the right, highlighting law enforcement and community issues.

Image of a police major in uniform on the left and a woman speaking during a hearing on the right, highlighting law enforcement and community issues.

The individual who carried out a loud, steam >affair with an Obama federal judge has been unmasked as a prominent Atlanta policeman, causing the scandal to take another turn for the worse.

The post Meet the Prominent Police Officer Who Carried Out a Steamy, Two-Year Sexual Affair with Married Obama Judge in Her Chambers appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

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Pope Leo XIV meets with Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson #Catholic Pope Leo met with the mayor of Chicago, Brandon Johnson, at the Vatican on May 28.Johnson, who has served as mayor since 2023, met with the pontiff for the first time since his election. He also used the occasion to formally invite the pontiff to visit his native city, Chicago.In a press briefing to journalists after the audience, Johnson explained that the two discussed the policies of the United States government under President Donald Trump, including immigration and the Iran conflict.Johnson: Trumpʼs actions in Iran are tyrannicalThe Democratic mayor sharply criticized Trump in remarks to journalists, calling him a “tyrant” as well as a “disgrace” for involving the U.S. in the Israel-Iran conflict. He also said he discussed his concerns about the administration with Pope Leo and described his recent encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas, as a “call to action” to work to avoid wars. “I think the popeʼs encyclical is a call to action for the entire planet,” Johnson told journalists at the briefing. “Illegal wars do not leave just a trail of tears and trauma, but it also harms and brutalize our humanity. The economic drive with which [Trump] is moving is selfish.”Leo XIV has regularly criticized the U.S.-Israel war in Iran as unjust. Johnson, reflecting on his discussions with the pope, stated that “his position around Trump was more about disagreement with his approach.”“In the midst of a brutal, horrific, and ignorant tyrant that is currently occupying the White House, it is imperative that we really walk in the true essence of our faith. The impact of his failures on our global economy is quite severe. It is a disgrace to the sensibility of our humanity,” Johnson said. Mayor of Chicago Brandon Johnson holds a press briefing at The American University of Rome on May 28, 2026. | Credit: Ishmael Adibuah/EWTN News The Chicago mayor also said the two spoke about the Trump administrationʼs immigration enforcement, specifically raids by the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). “We did discuss ICE. The pope wanted to know how ICE impacted our city and whether there were still examples of ICE raids happening in our city. I talked about how our rapid response team came together to support families. And then I talked about my executive orders, for which he was very gracious and encouraging, especially those I signed to protect the people of Chicago.”Praise for Leoʼs apology for slaveryLeo XIV presented his first encyclical on May 25 at the Vatican, offering moral guidance amid widespread concern about the dangers posed by artificial intelligence.In the text, Leo issued an apology for the Churchʼs role in the trans-Atlantic slave trade. Johnson praised the pope for his courage and explained that he had discussed the legacy of slavery with him.“We talked about the conditions that the long legacy of slavery and disinvestment has had on Black Americans and Black people around the world,” Johnson said. “I engaged in a conversation with him around reparations and why it is important to work to repair the harm caused by the brutal legacy of slavery.”Yusef Jackson, the son of renowned civil rights activist Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr., was also part of the mayorʼs delegation that visited the pope. He praised Leo for his apology on behalf of the Church for slavery.“The pope is a powerful man. The color of his title commands respect around the world. For him to use the color of that title, coming from Chicago, a very segregated and class-divided city, with the bona fides to be a freedom fighter, meant a lot to me. He is a pope that I agree with,” Jackson said.An invitation to come to ChicagoJohnson also presented the pope with an official letter inviting him to visit Chicago and offer Mass at Grant Park. He wrote the letter after being advised by the Catholic archbishop of Chicago, Cardinal Blase Cupich.Speaking about the possibility of a future visit by Leo, he described his feelings and those of the city as hopeful. Official invitation by the mayor of Chicago, Brandon Johnson, to Pope Leo XIV, at the American University of Rome on May 28, 2026. | Credit: Ishmael Adibuah/EWTN News “We are going to remain hopeful. We have an open invitation for the pope to come to the city of Chicago. Ultimately, it will be his decision whether his schedule allows him to come. Some of the greatest voices for justice come from the city of Chicago. And that beloved city, of course, birthed Pope Leo XIV.”Along with the official invitation letter, the pontiff was presented with a ceremonial key to the city of Chicago.Correction: An earlier version of this story incorrectly spelled the first name of Cardinal Blase Cupich. (Published May 29, 2026)
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Pope Leo XIV meets with Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson #Catholic Pope Leo met with the mayor of Chicago, Brandon Johnson, at the Vatican on May 28.Johnson, who has served as mayor since 2023, met with the pontiff for the first time since his election. He also used the occasion to formally invite the pontiff to visit his native city, Chicago.In a press briefing to journalists after the audience, Johnson explained that the two discussed the policies of the United States government under President Donald Trump, including immigration and the Iran conflict.Johnson: Trumpʼs actions in Iran are tyrannicalThe Democratic mayor sharply criticized Trump in remarks to journalists, calling him a “tyrant” as well as a “disgrace” for involving the U.S. in the Israel-Iran conflict. He also said he discussed his concerns about the administration with Pope Leo and described his recent encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas, as a “call to action” to work to avoid wars. “I think the popeʼs encyclical is a call to action for the entire planet,” Johnson told journalists at the briefing. “Illegal wars do not leave just a trail of tears and trauma, but it also harms and brutalize our humanity. The economic drive with which [Trump] is moving is selfish.”Leo XIV has regularly criticized the U.S.-Israel war in Iran as unjust. Johnson, reflecting on his discussions with the pope, stated that “his position around Trump was more about disagreement with his approach.”“In the midst of a brutal, horrific, and ignorant tyrant that is currently occupying the White House, it is imperative that we really walk in the true essence of our faith. The impact of his failures on our global economy is quite severe. It is a disgrace to the sensibility of our humanity,” Johnson said. Mayor of Chicago Brandon Johnson holds a press briefing at The American University of Rome on May 28, 2026. | Credit: Ishmael Adibuah/EWTN News The Chicago mayor also said the two spoke about the Trump administrationʼs immigration enforcement, specifically raids by the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). “We did discuss ICE. The pope wanted to know how ICE impacted our city and whether there were still examples of ICE raids happening in our city. I talked about how our rapid response team came together to support families. And then I talked about my executive orders, for which he was very gracious and encouraging, especially those I signed to protect the people of Chicago.”Praise for Leoʼs apology for slaveryLeo XIV presented his first encyclical on May 25 at the Vatican, offering moral guidance amid widespread concern about the dangers posed by artificial intelligence.In the text, Leo issued an apology for the Churchʼs role in the trans-Atlantic slave trade. Johnson praised the pope for his courage and explained that he had discussed the legacy of slavery with him.“We talked about the conditions that the long legacy of slavery and disinvestment has had on Black Americans and Black people around the world,” Johnson said. “I engaged in a conversation with him around reparations and why it is important to work to repair the harm caused by the brutal legacy of slavery.”Yusef Jackson, the son of renowned civil rights activist Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr., was also part of the mayorʼs delegation that visited the pope. He praised Leo for his apology on behalf of the Church for slavery.“The pope is a powerful man. The color of his title commands respect around the world. For him to use the color of that title, coming from Chicago, a very segregated and class-divided city, with the bona fides to be a freedom fighter, meant a lot to me. He is a pope that I agree with,” Jackson said.An invitation to come to ChicagoJohnson also presented the pope with an official letter inviting him to visit Chicago and offer Mass at Grant Park. He wrote the letter after being advised by the Catholic archbishop of Chicago, Cardinal Blase Cupich.Speaking about the possibility of a future visit by Leo, he described his feelings and those of the city as hopeful. Official invitation by the mayor of Chicago, Brandon Johnson, to Pope Leo XIV, at the American University of Rome on May 28, 2026. | Credit: Ishmael Adibuah/EWTN News “We are going to remain hopeful. We have an open invitation for the pope to come to the city of Chicago. Ultimately, it will be his decision whether his schedule allows him to come. Some of the greatest voices for justice come from the city of Chicago. And that beloved city, of course, birthed Pope Leo XIV.”Along with the official invitation letter, the pontiff was presented with a ceremonial key to the city of Chicago.Correction: An earlier version of this story incorrectly spelled the first name of Cardinal Blase Cupich. (Published May 29, 2026)

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The pontiff met with Johnson at the Vatican on May 28 and was formally invited to visit his native city next year.

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Gospel and Word of the Day – 29 May 2026 – A Reading from the First Letter of St. Peter 4:7-13 Beloved: The end of all things is at hand. Therefore be serious and sober-minded so that you will be able to pray. Above all, let your love for one another be intense, because love covers a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another without complaining. As each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of God’s varied grace. Whoever preaches, let it be with the words of God; whoever serves, let it be with the strength that God supplies, so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. Beloved, do not be surprised that a trial by fire is occurring among you, as if something strange were happening to you. But rejoice to the extent that you share in the sufferings of Christ, so that when his glory is revealed you may also rejoice exultantly.From the Gospel according to Mark 11:11-26 Jesus entered Jerusalem and went into the temple area. He looked around at everything and, since it was already late, went out to Bethany with the Twelve. The next day as they were leaving Bethany he was hungry. Seeing from a distance a fig tree in leaf, he went over to see if he could find anything on it. When he reached it he found nothing but leaves; it was not the time for figs. And he said to it in reply, “May no one ever eat of your fruit again!” And his disciples heard it. They came to Jerusalem, and on entering the temple area he began to drive out those selling and buying there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who were selling doves. He did not permit anyone to carry anything through the temple area. Then he taught them saying, “Is it not written: My house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples? But you have made it a den of thieves.” The chief priests and the scribes came to hear of it and were seeking a way to put him to death, yet they feared him because the whole crowd was astonished at his teaching. When evening came, they went out of the city. Early in the morning, as they were walking along, they saw the fig tree withered to its roots. Peter remembered and said to him, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree that you cursed has withered.” Jesus said to them in reply, “Have faith in God. Amen, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it shall be done for him. Therefore I tell you, all that you ask for in prayer, believe that you will receive it and it shall be yours. When you stand to pray, forgive anyone against whom you have a grievance, so that your heavenly Father may in turn forgive you your transgressions.”

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A Reading from the First Letter of St. Peter
4:7-13

Beloved:
The end of all things is at hand.
Therefore be serious and sober-minded
so that you will be able to pray.
Above all, let your love for one another be intense,
because love covers a multitude of sins.
Be hospitable to one another without complaining.
As each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another
as good stewards of God’s varied grace.
Whoever preaches, let it be with the words of God;
whoever serves, let it be with the strength that God supplies,
so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ,
to whom belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Beloved, do not be surprised that a trial by fire is occurring among you,
as if something strange were happening to you.
But rejoice to the extent that you share in the sufferings of Christ,
so that when his glory is revealed
you may also rejoice exultantly.

From the Gospel according to Mark
11:11-26

Jesus entered Jerusalem and went into the temple area.
He looked around at everything and, since it was already late,
went out to Bethany with the Twelve.

The next day as they were leaving Bethany he was hungry.
Seeing from a distance a fig tree in leaf,
he went over to see if he could find anything on it.
When he reached it he found nothing but leaves;
it was not the time for figs.
And he said to it in reply, “May no one ever eat of your fruit again!”
And his disciples heard it.

They came to Jerusalem,
and on entering the temple area
he began to drive out those selling and buying there.
He overturned the tables of the money changers
and the seats of those who were selling doves.
He did not permit anyone to carry anything through the temple area.
Then he taught them saying, “Is it not written:

My house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples?
But you have made it a den of thieves.”

The chief priests and the scribes came to hear of it
and were seeking a way to put him to death,
yet they feared him
because the whole crowd was astonished at his teaching.
When evening came, they went out of the city.

Early in the morning, as they were walking along,
they saw the fig tree withered to its roots.
Peter remembered and said to him, “Rabbi, look!
The fig tree that you cursed has withered.”
Jesus said to them in reply, “Have faith in God.
Amen, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain,
‘Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’
and does not doubt in his heart
but believes that what he says will happen,
it shall be done for him.
Therefore I tell you, all that you ask for in prayer,
believe that you will receive it and it shall be yours.
When you stand to pray,
forgive anyone against whom you have a grievance,
so that your heavenly Father may in turn
forgive you your transgressions.”

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James Talarico Taking ‘Not Acting Gay’ Lessons from Tim Walz #BabylonBee – AUSTIN, TX — James Talarico drew attention in recent months with his candidacy for Texas senator, but he reportedly had a bit of trouble appealing to the average Texan. To help with that, the Democratic Party sent in Minnesota Governor Tim Walz to give him "not acting gay" lessons.
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James Talarico Taking ‘Not Acting Gay’ Lessons from Tim Walz #BabylonBee – AUSTIN, TX — James Talarico drew attention in recent months with his candidacy for Texas senator, but he reportedly had a bit of trouble appealing to the average Texan. To help with that, the Democratic Party sent in Minnesota Governor Tim Walz to give him "not acting gay" lessons.

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AUSTIN, TX — James Talarico drew attention in recent months with his candidacy for Texas senator, but he reportedly had a bit of trouble appealing to the average Texan. To help with that, the Democratic Party sent in Minnesota Governor Tim Walz to give him "not acting gay" lessons.

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15th N.J. Army Tank Pull sets goal at M milestone for veterans #Catholic – Teams to pull 80,000-pound tank in test of strength and solidarity The 15th Annual New Jersey Army Tank Pull Challenge will take place on Sunday, June 7, in Clifton, N.J. at 1100 Clifton Ave. between St. James Place and Olga B Terrace from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. rain or shine. This landmark event is on track to surpass million in total funds raised for veterans since its inception, having already generated .93 million over the past 14 years. For the fifth consecutive year, Catholic Charities, Diocese of Paterson, will collaborate with the Knights of Columbus to organize this extraordinary demonstration of community strength and commitment to those who have served our country. “The Tank Pull Challenge represents the ultimate test of physical endurance and teamwork,” said David Pearson of Catholic Charities, Diocese of Paterson. “More importantly, it symbolizes our collective determination to support veterans facing seemingly insurmountable challenges in civilian life.” Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter. The event challenges teams to pull an 80,000-pound tank mounted on a flatbed truck — an impressive feat that draws participants from diverse backgrounds including law enforcement, labor unions, veterans’ organizations, businesses, and community groups. This year’s event features over 50 teams, each pulling together to honor veterans’ service and sacrifice. All proceeds directly benefit New Jersey veterans, with special attention to those wounded in combat. Catholic Charities supports hundreds of veterans in need throughout the state each day through various programs and services. “When we see teams straining to move that massive tank, it’s a powerful metaphor for our veterans’ daily struggles,” noted John Hughes of the Knights of Columbus. “Just as our teams overcome the seemingly impossible task of moving the tank, we aim to help our veterans overcome obstacles in their lives.” Among this year’s 53 participating teams are IBEW Local 743 Veterans Committee, Don Bosco Ironmen, Clifton PBA 36, PSEG Vets, NFL Alumni Infringers, and Women Veterans of New Jersey. The event is made possible through the generous support of sponsors including Pallottines of the Immaculate Conception Province, Natoli Construction, Passaic County Central Labor Council, Fairleigh Dickinson University Veterans Office, Plumbers Local 24, Visions FCU, and Atlantic Health/True North. The event is free for spectators and will feature family-friendly activities alongside the main Tank Pull competition. For more information about sponsoring or supporting the15th Annual NJ Army Tank Pull Challenge, visit ccpaterson.org/TankPull or contact Hazel Yaptangco, Development Director, Catholic Charities Diocese of Paterson; hazel@ccpaterson.org  
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15th N.J. Army Tank Pull sets goal at $2M milestone for veterans #Catholic – Teams to pull 80,000-pound tank in test of strength and solidarity The 15th Annual New Jersey Army Tank Pull Challenge will take place on Sunday, June 7, in Clifton, N.J. at 1100 Clifton Ave. between St. James Place and Olga B Terrace from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. rain or shine. This landmark event is on track to surpass $2 million in total funds raised for veterans since its inception, having already generated $1.93 million over the past 14 years. For the fifth consecutive year, Catholic Charities, Diocese of Paterson, will collaborate with the Knights of Columbus to organize this extraordinary demonstration of community strength and commitment to those who have served our country. “The Tank Pull Challenge represents the ultimate test of physical endurance and teamwork,” said David Pearson of Catholic Charities, Diocese of Paterson. “More importantly, it symbolizes our collective determination to support veterans facing seemingly insurmountable challenges in civilian life.” Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter. The event challenges teams to pull an 80,000-pound tank mounted on a flatbed truck — an impressive feat that draws participants from diverse backgrounds including law enforcement, labor unions, veterans’ organizations, businesses, and community groups. This year’s event features over 50 teams, each pulling together to honor veterans’ service and sacrifice. All proceeds directly benefit New Jersey veterans, with special attention to those wounded in combat. Catholic Charities supports hundreds of veterans in need throughout the state each day through various programs and services. “When we see teams straining to move that massive tank, it’s a powerful metaphor for our veterans’ daily struggles,” noted John Hughes of the Knights of Columbus. “Just as our teams overcome the seemingly impossible task of moving the tank, we aim to help our veterans overcome obstacles in their lives.” Among this year’s 53 participating teams are IBEW Local 743 Veterans Committee, Don Bosco Ironmen, Clifton PBA 36, PSEG Vets, NFL Alumni Infringers, and Women Veterans of New Jersey. The event is made possible through the generous support of sponsors including Pallottines of the Immaculate Conception Province, Natoli Construction, Passaic County Central Labor Council, Fairleigh Dickinson University Veterans Office, Plumbers Local 24, Visions FCU, and Atlantic Health/True North. The event is free for spectators and will feature family-friendly activities alongside the main Tank Pull competition. For more information about sponsoring or supporting the15th Annual NJ Army Tank Pull Challenge, visit ccpaterson.org/TankPull or contact Hazel Yaptangco, Development Director, Catholic Charities Diocese of Paterson; hazel@ccpaterson.org  

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15th N.J. Army Tank Pull sets goal at $2M milestone for veterans #Catholic –

Teams to pull 80,000-pound tank in test of strength and solidarity

The 15th Annual New Jersey Army Tank Pull Challenge will take place on Sunday, June 7, in Clifton, N.J. at 1100 Clifton Ave. between St. James Place and Olga B Terrace from
8 a.m. to 4 p.m. rain or shine. This landmark event is on track to surpass $2 million in total funds raised for veterans since its inception, having already generated $1.93 million over the past 14 years.

For the fifth consecutive year, Catholic Charities, Diocese of Paterson, will collaborate with the Knights of Columbus to organize this extraordinary demonstration of community strength and commitment to those who have served our country.

“The Tank Pull Challenge represents the ultimate test of physical endurance and teamwork,” said David Pearson of Catholic Charities, Diocese of Paterson. “More importantly, it symbolizes our collective determination to support veterans facing seemingly insurmountable challenges in civilian life.”

Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

The event challenges teams to pull an 80,000-pound tank mounted on a flatbed truck — an impressive feat that draws participants from diverse backgrounds including law enforcement, labor unions, veterans’ organizations, businesses, and community groups. This year’s event features over 50 teams, each pulling together to honor veterans’ service and sacrifice.

All proceeds directly benefit New Jersey veterans, with special attention to those wounded in combat. Catholic Charities supports hundreds of veterans in need throughout the state each day through various programs and services.

“When we see teams straining to move that massive tank, it’s a powerful metaphor for our veterans’ daily struggles,” noted John Hughes of the Knights of Columbus. “Just as our teams overcome the seemingly impossible task of moving the tank, we aim to help our veterans overcome obstacles in their lives.”

Among this year’s 53 participating teams are IBEW Local 743 Veterans Committee, Don Bosco Ironmen, Clifton PBA 36, PSEG Vets, NFL Alumni Infringers, and Women Veterans of New Jersey.

The event is made possible through the generous support of sponsors including Pallottines of the Immaculate Conception Province, Natoli Construction, Passaic County Central Labor Council, Fairleigh Dickinson University Veterans Office, Plumbers Local 24, Visions FCU, and Atlantic Health/True North.

The event is free for spectators and will feature family-friendly activities alongside the main Tank Pull competition.

For more information about sponsoring or supporting the15th Annual NJ Army Tank Pull Challenge, visit ccpaterson.org/TankPull or contact Hazel Yaptangco, Development Director, Catholic Charities Diocese of Paterson; hazel@ccpaterson.org

 

– Teams to pull 80,000-pound tank in test of strength and solidarity The 15th Annual New Jersey Army Tank Pull Challenge will take place on Sunday, June 7, in Clifton, N.J. at 1100 Clifton Ave. between St. James Place and Olga B Terrace from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. rain or shine. This landmark event is on track to surpass $2 million in total funds raised for veterans since its inception, having already generated $1.93 million over the past 14 years. For the fifth consecutive year, Catholic Charities, Diocese of Paterson, will collaborate with the Knights of Columbus to organize this

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