SAN DIEGO, CA — The San Diego Padres organization is reportedly concerned about local sports fan Lonny Philbin for being more invested in the success of the team than even the actual players.
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Platypus or Duck-billed platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus) near Scottsadale, Tasmania, Australia.
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“We’re in a battle today with the Chinese Communist Party and their authoritarian view,” Former Ambassador for International Religious Freedom Sam Brownback said at an event at the Hudson Institute.
![Pro-life groups praise FDA commissioner’s exit, flag acting leader’s Planned Parenthood role – #Catholic – Many pro-life advocates cheered Marty Makaryʼs resignation as commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) while raising concerns that the agencyʼs acting leader once represented a Planned Parenthood affiliate in court.Makary, who resigned on May 12, drew the ire of the pro-life community throughout his tenure for inaction to reimpose regulations on the abortion pill mifepristone.Deputy Commissioner for Human Foods Kyle Diamantas will serve as the acting commissioner of the FDA until President Donald Trump nominates and the Senate confirms a replacement. Some pro-life advocates lamented Diamantas' elevation to acting commissioner, saying he once served as counsel for Planned Parenthood of Greater Orlando.Court documents show that while he worked at the Baker Donelson law firm, he was part of the legal team that represented the Planned Parenthood affiliate in a property dispute. He was not an employee of Planned Parenthood, and a Trump administration adviser says it was just an assignment that he eventually backed out of due to moral objections.Students for Life President Kristan Hawkins posted concerns about Diamantas on X, saying: “Quite frankly, this is why our team at Students for Life did not call for Dr. Makary to resign, because I know the FDA is filled with pro-abortion leftists.”“The new FDA commissioner must be 100% committed to protecting innocent children in the womb AND their mothers,” she said.Live Action President Lila Rose posted on X that “we cannot allow someone who represented Planned Parenthood to oversee rules surrounding the deadly abortion pill mifepristone that has killed MILLIONS of babies.”In response to the concerns, Trump adviser Alex Bruesewitz said in a post on X that Diamantas was working as a junior associate “but he later removed himself from the case because of his personal beliefs.”“Kyle is a good man, is pro-life, and he is focused on delivering on President Trump’s promise to MAKE AMERICA HEALTHY AGAIN,” he said.Makary’s tenureDuring his tenure, Makary faced repeated criticism from pro-life advocates, who are expressing hope that Trump will nominate someone who will take stronger action against abortion.Makary launched a study in coordination with Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to review the safety of the abortion drug mifepristone in September 2025. No action has been taken to restrict the drug, but the FDA did move in the opposite direction by approving a generic version of mifepristone that same month.The Department of Justice also filed a motion on behalf of the FDA in January asking a federal court to pause a lawsuit from Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill that challenged the 2023 deregulation of mifepristone based on claims that it led to harm against residents.Marjorie Dannenfelser, who has been one of Makaryʼs top critics for months, said on X that “we must return immediately to the [first] Trump administration standard of in-person dispensing to protect women from coercion and abuse and allow the enforcement of pro-life state laws.”Live Action President Lila Rose similarly rejoiced about Makaryʼs exit, saying: “He tragically continued to allow sending the abortion pill through the mail and approved a new version of the abortion pill.”“The abortion pill has killed over 7 million preborn American children and harmed countless mothers,” she said and appealed to Trump to appoint a pro-life commissioner who will “ban the abortion pill now!”Some pro-life senators joined the voices cheering his resignation, including Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Missouri, who called the announcement “welcome news” in a post on X and accused Makary of being “uniquely destructive to the pro-life movement.”Hawley, who initially supported Makaryʼs nomination in January 2025, has been publicly critical of his leadership since December. In his post, he said Makary “slow walked” the mifepristone review while approving a generic version in spite of safety risks.The senator called Makary’s resignation “an opportunity for the FDA to reset.” Sarah Zagorski, senior director of public relations and communications for Americans United for Life, told EWTN News the Trump administration “has the opportunity to demonstrate real moral leadership by appointing a commissioner dedicated to protecting women and girls from the harms associated with abortion drugs” upon Makary’s resignation.“With these drugs increasingly available online, the risks of coercion, misuse, and medical complications have grown substantially. Strong oversight and patient safety must come first,” she said.Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-Louisiana, called Makary’s tenure “part of a broader symptom of an administration that has not paid attention to pro-life issues” in a post on X.“I care deeply about life, and I anticipate the next FDA nominee shall as well,” he said.Although many pro-life advocates see an opportunity for change, it’s unclear whether their criticisms contributed to Makary’s resignation, considering Trump himself committed during his campaign to ensuring the FDA would not threaten access to the abortion pill.Trump did not reference the life issue when asked by reporters about Makary’s resignation and declined to say whether he asked him to step down.“He was having some difficulty,” Trump said. “You know he’s a great doctor and he was having some difficulty, but he’s going to go on and he’s going to do well. We have — everybody wants that job, everybody.”](https://unitedyam.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/pro-life-groups-praise-fda-commissioners-exit-flag-acting-leaders-planned-parenthood-role-catholic-many-pro-life-advocates-cheered-marty-makarycabcs-resignation-as-commission.jpg "Pro-life groups praise FDA commissioner’s exit, flag acting leader’s Planned Parenthood role – #Catholic – Many pro-life advocates cheered Marty Makaryʼs resignation as commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) while raising concerns that the agencyʼs acting leader once represented a Planned Parenthood affiliate in court.Makary, who resigned on May 12, drew the ire of the pro-life community throughout his tenure for inaction to reimpose regulations on the abortion pill mifepristone.Deputy Commissioner for Human Foods Kyle Diamantas will serve as the acting commissioner of the FDA until President Donald Trump nominates and the Senate confirms a replacement. Some pro-life advocates lamented Diamantas' elevation to acting commissioner, saying he once served as counsel for Planned Parenthood of Greater Orlando.Court documents show that while he worked at the Baker Donelson law firm, he was part of the legal team that represented the Planned Parenthood affiliate in a property dispute. He was not an employee of Planned Parenthood, and a Trump administration adviser says it was just an assignment that he eventually backed out of due to moral objections.Students for Life President Kristan Hawkins posted concerns about Diamantas on X, saying: “Quite frankly, this is why our team at Students for Life did not call for Dr. Makary to resign, because I know the FDA is filled with pro-abortion leftists.”“The new FDA commissioner must be 100% committed to protecting innocent children in the womb AND their mothers,” she said.Live Action President Lila Rose posted on X that “we cannot allow someone who represented Planned Parenthood to oversee rules surrounding the deadly abortion pill mifepristone that has killed MILLIONS of babies.”In response to the concerns, Trump adviser Alex Bruesewitz said in a post on X that Diamantas was working as a junior associate “but he later removed himself from the case because of his personal beliefs.”“Kyle is a good man, is pro-life, and he is focused on delivering on President Trump’s promise to MAKE AMERICA HEALTHY AGAIN,” he said.Makary’s tenureDuring his tenure, Makary faced repeated criticism from pro-life advocates, who are expressing hope that Trump will nominate someone who will take stronger action against abortion.Makary launched a study in coordination with Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to review the safety of the abortion drug mifepristone in September 2025. No action has been taken to restrict the drug, but the FDA did move in the opposite direction by approving a generic version of mifepristone that same month.The Department of Justice also filed a motion on behalf of the FDA in January asking a federal court to pause a lawsuit from Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill that challenged the 2023 deregulation of mifepristone based on claims that it led to harm against residents.Marjorie Dannenfelser, who has been one of Makaryʼs top critics for months, said on X that “we must return immediately to the [first] Trump administration standard of in-person dispensing to protect women from coercion and abuse and allow the enforcement of pro-life state laws.”Live Action President Lila Rose similarly rejoiced about Makaryʼs exit, saying: “He tragically continued to allow sending the abortion pill through the mail and approved a new version of the abortion pill.”“The abortion pill has killed over 7 million preborn American children and harmed countless mothers,” she said and appealed to Trump to appoint a pro-life commissioner who will “ban the abortion pill now!”Some pro-life senators joined the voices cheering his resignation, including Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Missouri, who called the announcement “welcome news” in a post on X and accused Makary of being “uniquely destructive to the pro-life movement.”Hawley, who initially supported Makaryʼs nomination in January 2025, has been publicly critical of his leadership since December. In his post, he said Makary “slow walked” the mifepristone review while approving a generic version in spite of safety risks.The senator called Makary’s resignation “an opportunity for the FDA to reset.” Sarah Zagorski, senior director of public relations and communications for Americans United for Life, told EWTN News the Trump administration “has the opportunity to demonstrate real moral leadership by appointing a commissioner dedicated to protecting women and girls from the harms associated with abortion drugs” upon Makary’s resignation.“With these drugs increasingly available online, the risks of coercion, misuse, and medical complications have grown substantially. Strong oversight and patient safety must come first,” she said.Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-Louisiana, called Makary’s tenure “part of a broader symptom of an administration that has not paid attention to pro-life issues” in a post on X.“I care deeply about life, and I anticipate the next FDA nominee shall as well,” he said.Although many pro-life advocates see an opportunity for change, it’s unclear whether their criticisms contributed to Makary’s resignation, considering Trump himself committed during his campaign to ensuring the FDA would not threaten access to the abortion pill.Trump did not reference the life issue when asked by reporters about Makary’s resignation and declined to say whether he asked him to step down.“He was having some difficulty,” Trump said. “You know he’s a great doctor and he was having some difficulty, but he’s going to go on and he’s going to do well. We have — everybody wants that job, everybody.”")
Pro-life advocates said they hope President Donald Trump replaces Marty Makary with someone who will further regulate the abortion pill mifepristone.
A reading from the Book of the Acts of the Apostles
Acts 17:15, 22—18:1
After Paul’s escorts had taken him to Athens,
they came away with instructions for Silas and Timothy
to join him as soon as possible.
Then Paul stood up at the Areopagus and said:
"You Athenians, I see that in every respect
you are very religious.
For as I walked around looking carefully at your shrines,
I even discovered an altar inscribed, ‘To an Unknown God.’
What therefore you unknowingly worship, I proclaim to you.
The God who made the world and all that is in it,
the Lord of heaven and earth,
does not dwell in sanctuaries made by human hands,
nor is he served by human hands because he needs anything.
Rather it is he who gives to everyone life and breath and everything.
He made from one the whole human race
to dwell on the entire surface of the earth,
and he fixed the ordered seasons and the boundaries of their regions,
so that people might seek God,
even perhaps grope for him and find him,
though indeed he is not far from any one of us.
For ‘In him we live and move and have our being,’
as even some of your poets have said,
‘For we too are his offspring.’
Since therefore we are the offspring of God,
we ought not to think that the divinity is like an image
fashioned from gold, silver, or stone by human art and imagination.
God has overlooked the times of ignorance,
but now he demands that all people everywhere repent
because he has established a day on which he will ‘judge the world
with justice’ through a man he has appointed,
and he has provided confirmation for all
by raising him from the dead."
When they heard about resurrection of the dead,
some began to scoff, but others said,
"We should like to hear you on this some other time."
And so Paul left them.
But some did join him, and became believers.
Among them were Dionysius,
a member of the Court of the Areopagus,
a woman named Damaris, and others with them.
After this he left Athens and went to Corinth.
From the Gospel according to John
16:12-15
Jesus said to his disciples:
"I have much more to tell you, but you cannot bear it now.
But when he comes, the Spirit of truth,
he will guide you to all truth.
He will not speak on his own,
but he will speak what he hears,
and will declare to you the things that are coming.
He will glorify me,
because he will take from what is mine and declare it to you.
Everything that the Father has is mine;
for this reason I told you that he will take from what is mine
and declare it to you."
The Gospel of St John gives us part of the long farewell discourse pronounced by Jesus shortly before his Passion. In this discourse, he explains to the disciples the deepest truths about himself, and thus he outlines the relationship between Jesus, the Father and the Holy Spirit. Jesus knows that the fulfillment of the Father’s plan is approaching and will be completed with his death and resurrection. Because of this he wants to assure his followers that he won’t abandon them, because his mission will be prolonged by the Holy Spirit. It will be the Holy Spirit who continues the mission of Jesus, that is, guide the Church forward. Jesus reveals what this mission is. In the first place, the Spirit guides us to understand the many things that Jesus himself still had to say (cf. Jn 16:12). This doesn’t refer to new or special doctrines, but to a full understanding of all that the Son has heard from the Father and has made known to the disciples (cf. v. 15). The Spirit guides us in new existential situations with a gaze fixed on Jesus and at the same time, open to events and to the future. He helps us to walk in history, firmly rooted in the Gospel and with dynamic fidelity to our traditions and customs. (Pope Francis, Angelus, 22 May 2016)
Read MoreJohn Vermette, taken from Starfront Observatory, Texas Lying 1,000 light-years away, NGC 1333 is the most active star-forming region in the Perseus molecular complex, producing newborn stars that carve cavities in the surrounding dust. The imager collected 8 hours of exposure with a one-shot color camera and a 4-inch f/5 refractor.
The post A stellar nursery in Perseus appeared first on Astronomy Magazine.
Read More![Venezuelan archbishop: Maduro’s gone, but the same people are still in charge – #Catholic – Four months after U.S. special forces captured and removed President Nicolás Maduro, Venezuela remains trapped in a political no-manʼs-land.The leadership of the Venezuelan Bishops’ Conference updated the pope at the Vatican on May 4 about the situation: “Change has arrived, yes — but democracy has not yet," Archbishop Jesús González de Zárate, president of the Venezuelan Bishops’ Conference, told ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News. “Many unresolved questions remain regarding what Venezuela’s immediate future will be like,” Zárate explained, following the meeting with the leadership team held with Pope Leo XIV, to whom they laid out the complex and uncertain situation the country is currently facing.“Throughout these past months, we have asked ourselves many questions, and we still do not have sufficient answers,” he explained in a statement to ACI Prensa.The bishops “constantly” receive requests to mediate the release of political prisoners. However, “the channels are not always open,” Zárate said.More than 450 political prisoners remain behind bars, according to the count by Foro Penal, the promised amnesty has stalled, and fear of arbitrary detention persists in the streets.As pastors, he noted, the Venezuelan bishops “have highlighted the need to restore the primacy of human dignity, which is the fundamental point of the Church’s social doctrine.”“Upon this,” he clearly affirmed, “would rest the freedom of citizens, the right to participate, the paths toward democratization that we need, and overcoming of merely partisan or private interests for the sake of the common good.”Political continuity following Maduro’s departureAlthough he acknowledged that since Maduroʼs capture, “there is a change, a result of the fact that the person who previously held the highest office is no longer there,” he pointed out that “there is also continuity among the political actors,” which casts doubt on whether there will be political change.The prelate emphasized that the outlook remains uncertain: “More concrete decisions were expected in the political sphere, which have yet to materialize.”Relations with the United States have been normalized, but for Zárate, the advent of democracy does not appear to be imminent. “The reconstruction of political institutions, economic recovery, and the establishment of a new social dynamic constitute a slow, complex, and difficult undertaking,” he said.In this process, he insisted that “the participation of everyone is required,” particularly to overcome the “constant confrontation and conflict-ridden political rhetoric that have impoverished Venezuelan social life.”The prelate issued an urgent call to rebuild trust: “It is necessary to restore the population’s trust in institutions such as the National Electoral Council, the Supreme Tribunal of Justice, and other state institutions” in order to reestablish “healthy democratic coexistence.”The National Electoral Council tallies and announces election results and declared Maduro the winner of the last presidential election despite strong evidence to the contrary.The amnesty law passed in February benefited 8,616 people. However, that process appears to have stalled since Acting President Delcy Rodríguez announced that it had come to an end.For the Church, this represented a key opportunity to advance national reconciliation, even though the lawʼs implementation has been inconsistent. “What was particularly significant was the full liberty of political prisoners, not merely their release,” Zárate said.“Release would mean that they leave the detention facility, but their activities would still remain restricted; we are speaking of full liberty, that is, the recognition of full freedom for all,” the archbishop explained.The prelate acknowledged a loss of momentum after initial progress: “At first, there was greater diligence in the implementation of the amnesty law; subsequently, however, there has been something of a delay.”In light of this, he warned that as long as there remains a Venezuelan “imprisoned for their political ideas or personal opinions, we can hardly rest easy or build a better society in peace.”Víctor Hugo Quero, a Venezuelan political prisoner who died in custody, is one of many on a long list of citizens who have perished at the hands of the state over more than 25 years of authoritarian socialist rule.“Doubts therefore remain regarding the whereabouts of many others. At this moment, there is the open question whether those about whom there is no news may have met a similar fate,” he added.From initial hope to discouragementMaduro’s removal from power sparked a certain “hopeful expectation” among Venezuelans, he said, yet now there is growing frustration. “There is much talk of investments in oil, of better prices, and of agreements with various companies, but the concrete reality is the average Venezuelan continues to suffer from the same deprivations,” Zárate lamented.Among these difficulties, he cited “the constant rise in prices, the depreciation of buying power, the inability to access certain services, or the deficiencies within those very services” such as electricity or water supply. It’s a situation that “breeds discouragement.”The harsh reality of the Venezuelan diasporaAfter years of crisis, many who fled the country have been unable to return. “There are more than 8 million Venezuelans outside our country,” the archbishop noted.The impact of the diaspora is part of families' daily lives: “There are children who don’t have the opportunity to be close to their parents, and parents who cannot enjoy their children or their grandchildren.”This also impacts ecclesial life: “The migration of many Venezuelans also leaves parishes without catechists, without their ministers, and without the young people who were part of the youth ministry.” Economic deterioration further exacerbates this scenario. “The widespread impoverishment of the population — to which the Church has sought to respond through social programs [providing] food and healthcare — also affects the life of the Christian community,” he noted.Zárate said this reality even limits the Church’s pastoral outreach: “It finds itself weakened in its capacity to carry out its programs and to provide assistance to people.”The bishops’ priority: ‘Preserving internal unity’The president of the bishops’ conference stated that one of the episcopate’s constant efforts has been “to preserve internal unity."Unity was one of the key issues discussed during the meeting at the Vatican on May 4. The pope, he said, was “very attentive; he is well-informed about the reality in the country.”The pontiff centered his interest on the Church’s role as an agent of reconciliation: “His questions focused on the role we can play in the reunification of the Venezuelan people and in the internal unity of the Church.”Zárate emphasized that the credibility of the message depends on the witness: “We could hardly proclaim reunification, reconciliation, or harmonious coexistence if divergences were visible within the Church itself.”Some things never should have happenedZárate clarified that the Church’s message of reconciliation to Venezuelan society “is not that forgiving means forgetting.”“There are situations that never should have happened, and there are people who are responsible,” he pointed out.Nevertheless, Zárate emphasized that the response cannot be based on vengeance: “We cannot believe that revenge or retaliation will provide the answer. The healing of hearts must be based on the truth.”This story was first published by ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.](https://unitedyam.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/venezuelan-archbishop-maduros-gone-but-the-same-people-are-still-in-charge-catholic-four-months-after-u-s-special-forces-captured-and-removed-president-nicolas-maduro-venezuela-remai.jpg "Venezuelan archbishop: Maduro’s gone, but the same people are still in charge – #Catholic – Four months after U.S. special forces captured and removed President Nicolás Maduro, Venezuela remains trapped in a political no-manʼs-land.The leadership of the Venezuelan Bishops’ Conference updated the pope at the Vatican on May 4 about the situation: “Change has arrived, yes — but democracy has not yet,\" Archbishop Jesús González de Zárate, president of the Venezuelan Bishops’ Conference, told ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News. “Many unresolved questions remain regarding what Venezuela’s immediate future will be like,” Zárate explained, following the meeting with the leadership team held with Pope Leo XIV, to whom they laid out the complex and uncertain situation the country is currently facing.“Throughout these past months, we have asked ourselves many questions, and we still do not have sufficient answers,” he explained in a statement to ACI Prensa.The bishops “constantly” receive requests to mediate the release of political prisoners. However, “the channels are not always open,” Zárate said.More than 450 political prisoners remain behind bars, according to the count by Foro Penal, the promised amnesty has stalled, and fear of arbitrary detention persists in the streets.As pastors, he noted, the Venezuelan bishops “have highlighted the need to restore the primacy of human dignity, which is the fundamental point of the Church’s social doctrine.”“Upon this,” he clearly affirmed, “would rest the freedom of citizens, the right to participate, the paths toward democratization that we need, and overcoming of merely partisan or private interests for the sake of the common good.”Political continuity following Maduro’s departureAlthough he acknowledged that since Maduroʼs capture, “there is a change, a result of the fact that the person who previously held the highest office is no longer there,” he pointed out that “there is also continuity among the political actors,” which casts doubt on whether there will be political change.The prelate emphasized that the outlook remains uncertain: “More concrete decisions were expected in the political sphere, which have yet to materialize.”Relations with the United States have been normalized, but for Zárate, the advent of democracy does not appear to be imminent. “The reconstruction of political institutions, economic recovery, and the establishment of a new social dynamic constitute a slow, complex, and difficult undertaking,” he said.In this process, he insisted that “the participation of everyone is required,” particularly to overcome the “constant confrontation and conflict-ridden political rhetoric that have impoverished Venezuelan social life.”The prelate issued an urgent call to rebuild trust: “It is necessary to restore the population’s trust in institutions such as the National Electoral Council, the Supreme Tribunal of Justice, and other state institutions” in order to reestablish “healthy democratic coexistence.”The National Electoral Council tallies and announces election results and declared Maduro the winner of the last presidential election despite strong evidence to the contrary.The amnesty law passed in February benefited 8,616 people. However, that process appears to have stalled since Acting President Delcy Rodríguez announced that it had come to an end.For the Church, this represented a key opportunity to advance national reconciliation, even though the lawʼs implementation has been inconsistent. “What was particularly significant was the full liberty of political prisoners, not merely their release,” Zárate said.“Release would mean that they leave the detention facility, but their activities would still remain restricted; we are speaking of full liberty, that is, the recognition of full freedom for all,” the archbishop explained.The prelate acknowledged a loss of momentum after initial progress: “At first, there was greater diligence in the implementation of the amnesty law; subsequently, however, there has been something of a delay.”In light of this, he warned that as long as there remains a Venezuelan “imprisoned for their political ideas or personal opinions, we can hardly rest easy or build a better society in peace.”Víctor Hugo Quero, a Venezuelan political prisoner who died in custody, is one of many on a long list of citizens who have perished at the hands of the state over more than 25 years of authoritarian socialist rule.“Doubts therefore remain regarding the whereabouts of many others. At this moment, there is the open question whether those about whom there is no news may have met a similar fate,” he added.From initial hope to discouragementMaduro’s removal from power sparked a certain “hopeful expectation” among Venezuelans, he said, yet now there is growing frustration. “There is much talk of investments in oil, of better prices, and of agreements with various companies, but the concrete reality is the average Venezuelan continues to suffer from the same deprivations,” Zárate lamented.Among these difficulties, he cited “the constant rise in prices, the depreciation of buying power, the inability to access certain services, or the deficiencies within those very services” such as electricity or water supply. It’s a situation that “breeds discouragement.”The harsh reality of the Venezuelan diasporaAfter years of crisis, many who fled the country have been unable to return. “There are more than 8 million Venezuelans outside our country,” the archbishop noted.The impact of the diaspora is part of families' daily lives: “There are children who don’t have the opportunity to be close to their parents, and parents who cannot enjoy their children or their grandchildren.”This also impacts ecclesial life: “The migration of many Venezuelans also leaves parishes without catechists, without their ministers, and without the young people who were part of the youth ministry.” Economic deterioration further exacerbates this scenario. “The widespread impoverishment of the population — to which the Church has sought to respond through social programs [providing] food and healthcare — also affects the life of the Christian community,” he noted.Zárate said this reality even limits the Church’s pastoral outreach: “It finds itself weakened in its capacity to carry out its programs and to provide assistance to people.”The bishops’ priority: ‘Preserving internal unity’The president of the bishops’ conference stated that one of the episcopate’s constant efforts has been “to preserve internal unity.\"Unity was one of the key issues discussed during the meeting at the Vatican on May 4. The pope, he said, was “very attentive; he is well-informed about the reality in the country.”The pontiff centered his interest on the Church’s role as an agent of reconciliation: “His questions focused on the role we can play in the reunification of the Venezuelan people and in the internal unity of the Church.”Zárate emphasized that the credibility of the message depends on the witness: “We could hardly proclaim reunification, reconciliation, or harmonious coexistence if divergences were visible within the Church itself.”Some things never should have happenedZárate clarified that the Church’s message of reconciliation to Venezuelan society “is not that forgiving means forgetting.”“There are situations that never should have happened, and there are people who are responsible,” he pointed out.Nevertheless, Zárate emphasized that the response cannot be based on vengeance: “We cannot believe that revenge or retaliation will provide the answer. The healing of hearts must be based on the truth.”This story was first published by ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.")
The leadership of the Venezuelan Bishops’ Conference updated Pope Leo XIV on the political situation in the country, noting that only limited progress has been made and the economy hasn’t improved.
FBI Director Kash Patel on Tuesday went off on Democrat Senator Chris Van Hollen during a fiery exchange over accusations of ‘excessive drinking.’ “Multiple reports, including by The Atlantic, have alleged episodes of excessive drinking, unexplained absences and behavior that concern current and former FBI and DOJ officials…” Van Hollen said to Patel.
The post Kash Patel SHREDS Democrat Senator Chris Van Hollen in Fiery Exchange Over Accusations of “Excessive Drinking” (VIDEO) appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.
Read More
The trespasser who walked in front of the Frontier Airlines plane on the Denver Airport runway has been identified a 41-year-old Michael Mott.
The post Man Who Was Sucked Into Engine of Frontier Airlines Plane on Denver Runway Identified appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.
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President Trump on Monday told reporters that the US ceasefire with Iran is in jeopardy, describing Tehran’s recent proposal to end the war as “garbage.” “I would say it’s one of the weakest right now; it’s on life support,” Trump said of the temporary truce between the US and Iran.
The post (VIDEO) Trump Says Iran Ceasefire on “Life Support” After “Garbage” Proposal from Iran appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.
Read More![The Solemnities of the Ascension and Pentecost #Catholic - “Accompany with your Blessing from this day forward O Lord those who have been anointed with the Holy Spirit and nourished by the Sacrament of your Son. So that, with all trials overcome, they may gladden your Church by their holiness and, by their works and their charity foster her growth in the world. Through Christ, Our Lord. Amen.
— Prayer after Communion, Ritual Mass of Confirmation
BISHOP KEVIN J. SWEENEY
The Prayer cited above has become one of my favorite prayers. Often, as I say that prayer after Communion at a Mass when I have celebrated confirmation, I am tempted to give a “second homily.” As much as I love the prayer, I have not (yet) fallen to that temptation (one homily is enough). I am hoping that this column will give me the opportunity to say something I have been wanting to say about that prayer for the past few years.
If you take some time to consider the words of the prayer above and the context in which the words are prayed, the bishop (or celebrant) is certainly asking God to bless those who have just received the gifts of the Holy Spirit through the sacrament of confirmation and who have also received Jesus in Holy Communion – “…those who have been anointed with the Holy Spirit and nourished by the Sacrament of you Son…”
Is the prayer asking God to bless ONLY the newly confirmed? Or, is the prayer not asking that the Lord’s blessing “accompany” ALL (especially those in church at that moment) who have received the gifts of the Holy Spirit and have received Jesus in Holy Communion? Something I do try to say during the homily at confirmation is that the celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation is a “blessed moment” for all in attendance. Whether someone was confirmed in the past year or many years ago, attending the celebration of the sacrament can be a reminder that we should all be prayerfully asking every day for the gifts of the Holy Spirit and praying that we can “live” or use those gifts so that they “bear fruit” in our lives so that, as the prayer asks, “… with all trials overcome, they (we – you and I) may gladden your Church by their holiness and, by their works and their charity foster her growth in the world…”
As we approach, in the Church’s calendar, the conclusion of the 50 days of the Easter season, the Solemnities of the Ascension of the Lord and Pentecost offer us a wonderful opportunity to consider the importance of the gifts and “fruits” of the Holy Spirit in our lives. I imagine that some readers of this column might continue to feel disappointed or upset by the decision of the bishops of New Jersey to “transfer” the Solemnity of the Ascension from a Thursday (10 days before Pentecost) to a Sunday (seven days before Pentecost). For those who may still have those feelings, I would ask your patience and understanding – a “fruit” and a gift of the Holy Spirit. I also invite you to try to “see the positive,” such as the beauty of the Solemnity of the Ascension, leading us to Pentecost, regardless of whether it is celebrated on a Thursday or Sunday.
As I ask for “patience and understanding,” I hope that provides an example of the circumstances and situations in which we find ourselves in our “day to day” lives when we need to ask that the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit be “enflamed” in our lives so that our “works and charity” can “foster the growth of the Church in the world” by producing and sharing the “fruits” of the Holy Spirit.
One of the blessings of my ministry as bishop, especially during this time of year, is the opportunity to frequently celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation. In the Prayer of Confirmation by which the bishop (or celebrant) “calls down” the gifts of the Holy Spirit on those being confirmed, the sevenfold Gifts are named: Wisdom, Understanding, Knowledge, Fortitude, Counsel, Piety, and Fear of the Lord. Can you recall the last time that you asked for or needed one of those gifts in particular? If you are not regularly in the habit of asking for or thinking about the gifts of the Holy Spirit, these days leading up to Pentecost are a great time to be reflecting upon and asking for the gifts of the Spirit in prayer.
I found a very interesting, informative, and thought-provoking article, available online, from the website “Catholic Answers,” with the subtitle: “What are the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit, and why do they matter?” After a brief description of each of the seven gifts, it says this:
“These are heroic character traits that Jesus Christ alone possesses in their plenitude but that he freely shares with the members of his mystical body (i.e., his Church). These traits are infused into every Christian as a permanent endowment at his baptism, nurtured by the practice of the seven virtues, and sealed in the sacrament of confirmation. They are also known as the sanctifying gifts of the Spirit, because they serve the purpose of rendering their recipients docile to the promptings of the Holy Spirit in their lives, helping them to grow in holiness and making them fit for heaven…” The Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit
I hope that most readers are aware that, as we speak of the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, the Church also identifies 12 “fruits” of the Holy Spirit. The Catechism of the Catholic Church names the gifts in articles 1830-31, fruits of the Holy Spirit in article 1832: “The fruits of the Spirit are perfections that the Holy Spirit forms in us as the first fruits of eternal glory. the tradition of the Church lists twelve of them: “charity, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, gentleness, faithfulness, modesty, self-control, chastity.” [ See: The Gifts and Fruits of the Holy Spirit.]
Father Mike Schmitz offers a very good (19-minute) summary of the gifts and Fruits of the Holy Spirit in a chapter/episode of his Catechism in a Year podcast that can be found on YouTube here.
One way to meditate and reflect on the importance of the fruits of the Holy Spirit is to just slowly read the list of those 12 virtues or character-traits and ask how needed (and valued?) they are in our world and culture today. We might also review the list and choose to reflect on one or two each day as we move toward the celebration of the Ascension and Pentecost, or choose one, two, or three of the fruits that you may want to “practice” or live out in your life and relationships?
With each Confirmation Mass I celebrate, and each time I pray that beautiful Prayer after Communion, I am more convinced that each of us should be asking for the grace to use the gifts of the Holy Spirit, day by day, so that we may “produce” and share the fruits of the Holy Spirit. So that, “with all trials overcome, (we) may gladden (the) Church by (our) holiness and, by (our) works and charity foster her growth in the world.”
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The Solemnities of the Ascension and Pentecost #Catholic – 
“Accompany with your Blessing from this day forward O Lord those who have been anointed with the Holy Spirit and nourished by the Sacrament of your Son. So that, with all trials overcome, they may gladden your Church by their holiness and, by their works and their charity foster her growth in the world. Through Christ, Our Lord. Amen.
— Prayer after Communion, Ritual Mass of Confirmation
BISHOP KEVIN J. SWEENEY
The Prayer cited above has become one of my favorite prayers. Often, as I say that prayer after Communion at a Mass when I have celebrated confirmation, I am tempted to give a “second homily.” As much as I love the prayer, I have not (yet) fallen to that temptation (one homily is enough). I am hoping that this column will give me the opportunity to say something I have been wanting to say about that prayer for the past few years.
If you take some time to consider the words of the prayer above and the context in which the words are prayed, the bishop (or celebrant) is certainly asking God to bless those who have just received the gifts of the Holy Spirit through the sacrament of confirmation and who have also received Jesus in Holy Communion – “…those who have been anointed with the Holy Spirit and nourished by the Sacrament of you Son…”
Is the prayer asking God to bless ONLY the newly confirmed? Or, is the prayer not asking that the Lord’s blessing “accompany” ALL (especially those in church at that moment) who have received the gifts of the Holy Spirit and have received Jesus in Holy Communion? Something I do try to say during the homily at confirmation is that the celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation is a “blessed moment” for all in attendance. Whether someone was confirmed in the past year or many years ago, attending the celebration of the sacrament can be a reminder that we should all be prayerfully asking every day for the gifts of the Holy Spirit and praying that we can “live” or use those gifts so that they “bear fruit” in our lives so that, as the prayer asks, “… with all trials overcome, they (we – you and I) may gladden your Church by their holiness and, by their works and their charity foster her growth in the world…”
As we approach, in the Church’s calendar, the conclusion of the 50 days of the Easter season, the Solemnities of the Ascension of the Lord and Pentecost offer us a wonderful opportunity to consider the importance of the gifts and “fruits” of the Holy Spirit in our lives. I imagine that some readers of this column might continue to feel disappointed or upset by the decision of the bishops of New Jersey to “transfer” the Solemnity of the Ascension from a Thursday (10 days before Pentecost) to a Sunday (seven days before Pentecost). For those who may still have those feelings, I would ask your patience and understanding – a “fruit” and a gift of the Holy Spirit. I also invite you to try to “see the positive,” such as the beauty of the Solemnity of the Ascension, leading us to Pentecost, regardless of whether it is celebrated on a Thursday or Sunday.
As I ask for “patience and understanding,” I hope that provides an example of the circumstances and situations in which we find ourselves in our “day to day” lives when we need to ask that the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit be “enflamed” in our lives so that our “works and charity” can “foster the growth of the Church in the world” by producing and sharing the “fruits” of the Holy Spirit.
One of the blessings of my ministry as bishop, especially during this time of year, is the opportunity to frequently celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation. In the Prayer of Confirmation by which the bishop (or celebrant) “calls down” the gifts of the Holy Spirit on those being confirmed, the sevenfold Gifts are named: Wisdom, Understanding, Knowledge, Fortitude, Counsel, Piety, and Fear of the Lord. Can you recall the last time that you asked for or needed one of those gifts in particular? If you are not regularly in the habit of asking for or thinking about the gifts of the Holy Spirit, these days leading up to Pentecost are a great time to be reflecting upon and asking for the gifts of the Spirit in prayer.
I found a very interesting, informative, and thought-provoking article, available online, from the website “Catholic Answers,” with the subtitle: “What are the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit, and why do they matter?” After a brief description of each of the seven gifts, it says this:
“These are heroic character traits that Jesus Christ alone possesses in their plenitude but that he freely shares with the members of his mystical body (i.e., his Church). These traits are infused into every Christian as a permanent endowment at his baptism, nurtured by the practice of the seven virtues, and sealed in the sacrament of confirmation. They are also known as the sanctifying gifts of the Spirit, because they serve the purpose of rendering their recipients docile to the promptings of the Holy Spirit in their lives, helping them to grow in holiness and making them fit for heaven…” The Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit
I hope that most readers are aware that, as we speak of the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, the Church also identifies 12 “fruits” of the Holy Spirit. The Catechism of the Catholic Church names the gifts in articles 1830-31, fruits of the Holy Spirit in article 1832: “The fruits of the Spirit are perfections that the Holy Spirit forms in us as the first fruits of eternal glory. the tradition of the Church lists twelve of them: “charity, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, gentleness, faithfulness, modesty, self-control, chastity.” [ See: The Gifts and Fruits of the Holy Spirit.]
Father Mike Schmitz offers a very good (19-minute) summary of the gifts and Fruits of the Holy Spirit in a chapter/episode of his Catechism in a Year podcast that can be found on YouTube here.
One way to meditate and reflect on the importance of the fruits of the Holy Spirit is to just slowly read the list of those 12 virtues or character-traits and ask how needed (and valued?) they are in our world and culture today. We might also review the list and choose to reflect on one or two each day as we move toward the celebration of the Ascension and Pentecost, or choose one, two, or three of the fruits that you may want to “practice” or live out in your life and relationships?
With each Confirmation Mass I celebrate, and each time I pray that beautiful Prayer after Communion, I am more convinced that each of us should be asking for the grace to use the gifts of the Holy Spirit, day by day, so that we may “produce” and share the fruits of the Holy Spirit. So that, “with all trials overcome, (we) may gladden (the) Church by (our) holiness and, by (our) works and charity foster her growth in the world.”
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– “Accompany with your Blessing from this day forward O Lord those who have been anointed with the Holy Spirit and nourished by the Sacrament of your Son. So that, with all trials overcome, they may gladden your Church by their holiness and, by their works and their charity foster her growth in the world. Through Christ, Our Lord. Amen. — Prayer after Communion, Ritual Mass of Confirmation BISHOP KEVIN J. SWEENEY The Prayer cited above has become one of my favorite prayers. Often, as I say that prayer after Communion at a Mass when I have celebrated confirmation, I am
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