Day: May 16, 2026

Gospel and Word of the Day – 17 May 2026 – A reading from the Book of the Acts of the Apostles Acts 1:12-14 After Jesus had been taken up to heaven the apostles returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a sabbath day’s journey away. When they entered the city they went to the upper room where they were staying, Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. All these devoted themselves with one accord to prayer, together with some women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.   A reading from the Letter of Saint Peter 4:13-16 Beloved: Rejoice to the extent that you share in the sufferings of Christ, so that when his glory is revealed you may also rejoice exultantly. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. But let no one among you be made to suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as an intriguer. But whoever is made to suffer as a Christian should not be ashamed but glorify God because of the name.From the Gospel according to John 17:1-11a Jesus raised his eyes to heaven and said, “Father, the hour has come. Give glory to your son, so that your son may glorify you, just as you gave him authority over all people, so that your son may give eternal life to all you gave him. Now this is eternal life, that they should know you, the only true God, and the one whom you sent, Jesus Christ. I glorified you on earth by accomplishing the work that you gave me to do. Now glorify me, Father, with you, with the glory that I had with you before the world began. “I revealed your name to those whom you gave me out of the world. They belonged to you, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. Now they know that everything you gave me is from you, because the words you gave to me I have given to them, and they accepted them and truly understood that I came from you, and they have believed that you sent me. I pray for them. I do not pray for the world but for the ones you have given me, because they are yours, and everything of mine is yours and everything of yours is mine, and I have been glorified in them. And now I will no longer be in the world, but they are in the world, while I am coming to you.”“Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you” (Jn 17:1). The glorification that Jesus asks for himself as High Priest, is the entry into full obedience to the Father, an obedience that leads to his fullest filial condition: “And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory which I had with you before the world was made” (Jn 17:5). This readiness and this request are the first act of the new priesthood of Jesus, which is a total gift of himself on the Cross and on the Cross itself — the supreme act of love — he is glorified because love is the true glory, the divine glory. The second moment of this prayer is the intercession that Jesus makes for the disciples who have been with him. They are those of whom Jesus can say to the Father: “I have manifested your name to the men whom you gave me out of the world; yours they were, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word” (Jn 17:6). This “manifesting God’s name to m en” is the fulfilment of a new presence of the Father among the people, for humanity. This “manifesting” is not only a word, but is reality in Jesus; God is with us, and so his name — his presence with us, his being one of us — is “fulfilled”. This manifestation is thus realized in the Incarnation of the Word. In Jesus God enters human flesh, he becomes close in a new and unique way. And this presence culminates in the sacrifice that Jesus makes in his Pasch of death and Resurrection. (Pope Benedict XVI, General Audience, 25 January 2012)

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A reading from the Book of the Acts of the Apostles
Acts 1:12-14

After Jesus had been taken up to heaven the apostles
returned to Jerusalem
from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem,
a sabbath day’s journey away.

When they entered the city
they went to the upper room where they were staying,
Peter and John and James and Andrew,
Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew,
James son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot,
and Judas son of James.
All these devoted themselves with one accord to prayer,
together with some women,
and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.

 

A reading from the Letter of Saint Peter
4:13-16

Beloved:
Rejoice to the extent that you share in the sufferings of Christ,
so that when his glory is revealed
you may also rejoice exultantly.
If you are insulted for the name of Christ, blessed are you,
for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.
But let no one among you be made to suffer
as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as an intriguer.
But whoever is made to suffer as a Christian should not be ashamed
but glorify God because of the name.

From the Gospel according to John
17:1-11a

Jesus raised his eyes to heaven and said,
“Father, the hour has come.
Give glory to your son, so that your son may glorify you,
just as you gave him authority over all people,
so that your son may give eternal life to all you gave him.
Now this is eternal life,
that they should know you, the only true God,
and the one whom you sent, Jesus Christ.
I glorified you on earth
by accomplishing the work that you gave me to do.
Now glorify me, Father, with you,
with the glory that I had with you before the world began.

“I revealed your name to those whom you gave me out of the world.
They belonged to you, and you gave them to me,
and they have kept your word.
Now they know that everything you gave me is from you,
because the words you gave to me I have given to them,
and they accepted them and truly understood that I came from you,
and they have believed that you sent me.
I pray for them.
I do not pray for the world but for the ones you have given me,
because they are yours, and everything of mine is yours
and everything of yours is mine,
and I have been glorified in them.
And now I will no longer be in the world,
but they are in the world, while I am coming to you.”

“Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you” (Jn 17:1). The glorification that Jesus asks for himself as High Priest, is the entry into full obedience to the Father, an obedience that leads to his fullest filial condition: “And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory which I had with you before the world was made” (Jn 17:5). This readiness and this request are the first act of the new priesthood of Jesus, which is a total gift of himself on the Cross and on the Cross itself — the supreme act of love — he is glorified because love is the true glory, the divine glory. The second moment of this prayer is the intercession that Jesus makes for the disciples who have been with him. They are those of whom Jesus can say to the Father: “I have manifested your name to the men whom you gave me out of the world; yours they were, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word” (Jn 17:6). This “manifesting God’s name to m en” is the fulfilment of a new presence of the Father among the people, for humanity. This “manifesting” is not only a word, but is reality in Jesus; God is with us, and so his name — his presence with us, his being one of us — is “fulfilled”. This manifestation is thus realized in the Incarnation of the Word. In Jesus God enters human flesh, he becomes close in a new and unique way. And this presence culminates in the sacrifice that Jesus makes in his Pasch of death and Resurrection. (Pope Benedict XVI, General Audience, 25 January 2012)

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Obituary: Josephine Jane Hiemer, former co-owner of Clifton stained-glass studio, 92 #Catholic – Josephine Jane Hiemer (nee Zekoski), former co-owner of Hiemer & Company stained glass studio in Clifton, N.J., died March 13 at The Retreat Home in Jasper, Ga., after a brief illness. She was 92. Hiemer was born in 1934 in Wyoming, Penn, to Polish immigrants. After marrying Gerhard Hiemer, she moved to New Jersey, where together they owned and operated Hiemer & Company Stained Glass Studio in Clifton. The studio has served the Catholic Church since 1931, before the establishment of the Paterson Diocese in1937. Notable projects in the diocese, include stained glass for St. Joseph Church in Mendham, N.J., St. Paul Church in Clifton, and St. Luke Church in the Long Valley neighborhood of Washington Township, N.J. Before retiring to Florida, Gerhard and Josephine encouraged the advancement of the stained glass craft for several years through the studio’s apprenticeship program and ran a craft supply gift shop for hobbyists. The Hiemers belonged to Our Lady of the Holy Angels Parish in Little Falls, N.J., where their four children received their sacraments and early education. In addition, Josephine supported the Church’s activities through volunteer work at Holy Angels School and St. Joseph Hospital (now St. Joseph’s University Medical Center) in Paterson, N.J. Hiemer is survived by four daughters and their spouses: Judith (James) Van Wie, current owners of Hiemer & Company; Clare Closs Avery of Lakeland, Fla.; Linda Hiemer (Jen Wallace) of Seattle, Wash.; and Rita (Ted) Lammot of Blairsville, Ga. She also leaves three grandchildren: Jeremy Closs (and wife Trish), Jessica, and Jane Van Wie. Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.  
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Obituary: Josephine Jane Hiemer, former co-owner of Clifton stained-glass studio, 92 #Catholic – Josephine Jane Hiemer (nee Zekoski), former co-owner of Hiemer & Company stained glass studio in Clifton, N.J., died March 13 at The Retreat Home in Jasper, Ga., after a brief illness. She was 92. Hiemer was born in 1934 in Wyoming, Penn, to Polish immigrants. After marrying Gerhard Hiemer, she moved to New Jersey, where together they owned and operated Hiemer & Company Stained Glass Studio in Clifton. The studio has served the Catholic Church since 1931, before the establishment of the Paterson Diocese in1937. Notable projects in the diocese, include stained glass for St. Joseph Church in Mendham, N.J., St. Paul Church in Clifton, and St. Luke Church in the Long Valley neighborhood of Washington Township, N.J. Before retiring to Florida, Gerhard and Josephine encouraged the advancement of the stained glass craft for several years through the studio’s apprenticeship program and ran a craft supply gift shop for hobbyists. The Hiemers belonged to Our Lady of the Holy Angels Parish in Little Falls, N.J., where their four children received their sacraments and early education. In addition, Josephine supported the Church’s activities through volunteer work at Holy Angels School and St. Joseph Hospital (now St. Joseph’s University Medical Center) in Paterson, N.J. Hiemer is survived by four daughters and their spouses: Judith (James) Van Wie, current owners of Hiemer & Company; Clare Closs Avery of Lakeland, Fla.; Linda Hiemer (Jen Wallace) of Seattle, Wash.; and Rita (Ted) Lammot of Blairsville, Ga. She also leaves three grandchildren: Jeremy Closs (and wife Trish), Jessica, and Jane Van Wie. Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.  

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Obituary: Josephine Jane Hiemer, former co-owner of Clifton stained-glass studio, 92 #Catholic –

Josephine Jane Hiemer (nee Zekoski), former co-owner of Hiemer & Company stained glass studio in Clifton, N.J., died March 13 at The Retreat Home in Jasper, Ga., after a brief illness. She was 92.

Hiemer was born in 1934 in Wyoming, Penn, to Polish immigrants. After marrying Gerhard Hiemer, she moved to New Jersey, where together they owned and operated Hiemer & Company Stained Glass Studio in Clifton.

The studio has served the Catholic Church since 1931, before the establishment of the Paterson Diocese in1937. Notable projects in the diocese, include stained glass for St. Joseph Church in Mendham, N.J., St. Paul Church in Clifton, and St. Luke Church in the Long Valley neighborhood of Washington Township, N.J.

Before retiring to Florida, Gerhard and Josephine encouraged the advancement of the stained glass craft for several years through the studio’s apprenticeship program and ran a craft supply gift shop for hobbyists.

The Hiemers belonged to Our Lady of the Holy Angels Parish in Little Falls, N.J., where their four children received their sacraments and early education. In addition, Josephine supported the Church’s activities through volunteer work at Holy Angels School and St. Joseph Hospital (now St. Joseph’s University Medical Center) in Paterson, N.J.

Hiemer is survived by four daughters and their spouses: Judith (James) Van Wie, current owners of Hiemer & Company; Clare Closs Avery of Lakeland, Fla.; Linda Hiemer (Jen Wallace) of Seattle, Wash.; and Rita (Ted) Lammot of Blairsville, Ga. She also leaves three grandchildren: Jeremy Closs (and wife Trish), Jessica, and Jane Van Wie.

Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

 

– Josephine Jane Hiemer (nee Zekoski), former co-owner of Hiemer & Company stained glass studio in Clifton, N.J., died March 13 at The Retreat Home in Jasper, Ga., after a brief illness. She was 92. Hiemer was born in 1934 in Wyoming, Penn, to Polish immigrants. After marrying Gerhard Hiemer, she moved to New Jersey, where together they owned and operated Hiemer & Company Stained Glass Studio in Clifton. The studio has served the Catholic Church since 1931, before the establishment of the Paterson Diocese in1937. Notable projects in the diocese, include stained glass for St. Joseph Church in Mendham, N.J.,

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Two new priests begin ministry following June 13 ordination #Catholic – On Saturday, June 13, Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney will ordain two seminarians of the Paterson Diocese, N.J., as priests “ready to teach, love, and serve” during a Mass at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Paterson, which will start at 10 a.m. At St. John’s, the Mother Church of the diocese, Bishop Sweeney will ordain Rev. Mr. Lucas Folan, a member of Notre Dame of Mount Carmel Parish in the Cedar Knolls neighborhood of Hanover Township, N.J. The bishop will also ordain Colombian-born Jender Arley Medina Palencia, who serves at St. Margaret of Scotland Parish in Morristown, N.J. “These two men will enter the cathedral as deacons and leave as priests, forever changed. Not only will God change their lives, but he will also use them to lead others to Christ,” said Father Charles Lana, diocesan vocations director. “The Church is being gifted with two wonderful priests, who are humble and generous. They will be shepherds ready to teach, love, and serve. May God bless their lives and ministries,” he said. The Mass, rooted in early Church tradition, will be celebrated in English and Spanish. The bishop will preside and deliver the homily. Priests from the diocese and beyond will concelebrate. Deacons and seminarians will assist. Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter. The Ordination Mass will be live-streamed. Well-wishers — including family, friends, priests, parishioners, and diocesan faithful — are invited to attend the ordination and support the new priests. Biographies of the two men to be ordained are presented below: • • • Rev. Mr. Lucas Folan, 27, was born on Jan. 13, 1999, in Denville, N.J., to Ken and Cristina Folan. He belongs to Notre Dame of Mount Carmel Parish in the Cedar Knolls neighborhood of Hanover Township. Rev. Mr. Folan graduated from Parsippany Hills High School in 2017. He earned a bachelor’s degree in music with a minor in philosophy from Hofstra University in Hempstead, N.Y., in 2020. In 2023, he completed his philosophy studies at Seton Hall University in South Orange, N.J. He completed his theological studies at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome in 2026. Last year, Rev. Mr. Folan was ordained a transitional deacon. He was ordained with his classmates from the Pontifical North American College in St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. “Experiences of service, especially trips to Guatemala, Georgia, the Dominican Republic, and West Virginia as a teenager and college student, opened my heart to the poor and the desire to serve,” Rev. Mr. Folan said. “I discovered my vocation to the priesthood through my friends and experiences in the Newman Club at Hofstra University,” he said. • • • Rev. Mr. Jender Arley Medina Palencia, 37, was born on Jan. 31, 1989, in San José de Cúcuta, Colombia, to Carlos Ariel Medina Pérez and Ligia Rosa Palencia Camacho. Originally from Colombia, Rev. Mr. Medina belonged to Holy Apostles Parish (Santos Apóstoles). For the past four years in the U.S., he has been a member of St. Andrew the Apostle Parish in Clifton, and he is currently assigned as a deacon at St. Margaret of Scotland Parish in Morristown, N.J. Rev. Mr. Medina graduated from high school from INEM José Eusebio Caro in 2005. He also completed eight semesters of Public Accounting at Francisco de Paula Santander University and Uniremington University. “As a child, I was an altar boy. When people asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up, I would say, ‘a priest,’” said Rev. Mr. Medina. He worked as an accounting assistant, a retail salesperson, and a sales representative at Samsung Electronics. “I was an atheist for about 12 years until I had a profound encounter with God through the Virgin Mary,” he said.  
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Two new priests begin ministry following June 13 ordination #Catholic – On Saturday, June 13, Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney will ordain two seminarians of the Paterson Diocese, N.J., as priests “ready to teach, love, and serve” during a Mass at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Paterson, which will start at 10 a.m. At St. John’s, the Mother Church of the diocese, Bishop Sweeney will ordain Rev. Mr. Lucas Folan, a member of Notre Dame of Mount Carmel Parish in the Cedar Knolls neighborhood of Hanover Township, N.J. The bishop will also ordain Colombian-born Jender Arley Medina Palencia, who serves at St. Margaret of Scotland Parish in Morristown, N.J. “These two men will enter the cathedral as deacons and leave as priests, forever changed. Not only will God change their lives, but he will also use them to lead others to Christ,” said Father Charles Lana, diocesan vocations director. “The Church is being gifted with two wonderful priests, who are humble and generous. They will be shepherds ready to teach, love, and serve. May God bless their lives and ministries,” he said. The Mass, rooted in early Church tradition, will be celebrated in English and Spanish. The bishop will preside and deliver the homily. Priests from the diocese and beyond will concelebrate. Deacons and seminarians will assist. Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter. The Ordination Mass will be live-streamed. Well-wishers — including family, friends, priests, parishioners, and diocesan faithful — are invited to attend the ordination and support the new priests. Biographies of the two men to be ordained are presented below: • • • Rev. Mr. Lucas Folan, 27, was born on Jan. 13, 1999, in Denville, N.J., to Ken and Cristina Folan. He belongs to Notre Dame of Mount Carmel Parish in the Cedar Knolls neighborhood of Hanover Township. Rev. Mr. Folan graduated from Parsippany Hills High School in 2017. He earned a bachelor’s degree in music with a minor in philosophy from Hofstra University in Hempstead, N.Y., in 2020. In 2023, he completed his philosophy studies at Seton Hall University in South Orange, N.J. He completed his theological studies at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome in 2026. Last year, Rev. Mr. Folan was ordained a transitional deacon. He was ordained with his classmates from the Pontifical North American College in St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. “Experiences of service, especially trips to Guatemala, Georgia, the Dominican Republic, and West Virginia as a teenager and college student, opened my heart to the poor and the desire to serve,” Rev. Mr. Folan said. “I discovered my vocation to the priesthood through my friends and experiences in the Newman Club at Hofstra University,” he said. • • • Rev. Mr. Jender Arley Medina Palencia, 37, was born on Jan. 31, 1989, in San José de Cúcuta, Colombia, to Carlos Ariel Medina Pérez and Ligia Rosa Palencia Camacho. Originally from Colombia, Rev. Mr. Medina belonged to Holy Apostles Parish (Santos Apóstoles). For the past four years in the U.S., he has been a member of St. Andrew the Apostle Parish in Clifton, and he is currently assigned as a deacon at St. Margaret of Scotland Parish in Morristown, N.J. Rev. Mr. Medina graduated from high school from INEM José Eusebio Caro in 2005. He also completed eight semesters of Public Accounting at Francisco de Paula Santander University and Uniremington University. “As a child, I was an altar boy. When people asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up, I would say, ‘a priest,’” said Rev. Mr. Medina. He worked as an accounting assistant, a retail salesperson, and a sales representative at Samsung Electronics. “I was an atheist for about 12 years until I had a profound encounter with God through the Virgin Mary,” he said.  

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Two new priests begin ministry following June 13 ordination #Catholic –

On Saturday, June 13, Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney will ordain two seminarians of the Paterson Diocese, N.J., as priests “ready to teach, love, and serve” during a Mass at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Paterson, which will start at 10 a.m.

At St. John’s, the Mother Church of the diocese, Bishop Sweeney will ordain Rev. Mr. Lucas Folan, a member of Notre Dame of Mount Carmel Parish in the Cedar Knolls neighborhood of Hanover Township, N.J. The bishop will also ordain Colombian-born Jender Arley Medina Palencia, who serves at St. Margaret of Scotland Parish in Morristown, N.J.

“These two men will enter the cathedral as deacons and leave as priests, forever changed. Not only will God change their lives, but he will also use them to lead others to Christ,” said Father Charles Lana, diocesan vocations director. “The Church is being gifted with two wonderful priests, who are humble and generous. They will be shepherds ready to teach, love, and serve. May God bless their lives and ministries,” he said.

The Mass, rooted in early Church tradition, will be celebrated in English and Spanish. The bishop will preside and deliver the homily. Priests from the diocese and beyond will concelebrate. Deacons and seminarians will assist.

Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

The Ordination Mass will be live-streamed.

Well-wishers — including family, friends, priests, parishioners, and diocesan faithful — are invited to attend the ordination and support the new priests.

Biographies of the two men to be ordained are presented below:

• • •

Rev. Mr. Lucas Folan, 27, was born on Jan. 13, 1999, in Denville, N.J., to Ken and Cristina Folan. He belongs to Notre Dame of Mount Carmel Parish in the Cedar Knolls neighborhood of Hanover Township.

Rev. Mr. Folan graduated from Parsippany Hills High School in 2017. He earned a bachelor’s degree in music with a minor in philosophy from Hofstra University in Hempstead, N.Y., in 2020. In 2023, he completed his philosophy studies at Seton Hall University in South Orange, N.J. He completed his theological studies at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome in 2026.

Last year, Rev. Mr. Folan was ordained a transitional deacon. He was ordained with his classmates from the Pontifical North American College in St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome.

“Experiences of service, especially trips to Guatemala, Georgia, the Dominican Republic, and West Virginia as a teenager and college student, opened my heart to the poor and the desire to serve,” Rev. Mr. Folan said. “I discovered my vocation to the priesthood through my friends and experiences in the Newman Club at Hofstra University,” he said.

• • •

Rev. Mr. Jender Arley Medina Palencia, 37, was born on Jan. 31, 1989, in San José de Cúcuta, Colombia, to Carlos Ariel Medina Pérez and Ligia Rosa Palencia Camacho.

Originally from Colombia, Rev. Mr. Medina belonged to Holy Apostles Parish (Santos Apóstoles). For the past four years in the U.S., he has been a member of St. Andrew the Apostle Parish in Clifton, and he is currently assigned as a deacon at St. Margaret of Scotland Parish in Morristown, N.J.

Rev. Mr. Medina graduated from high school from INEM José Eusebio Caro in 2005. He also completed eight semesters of Public Accounting at Francisco de Paula Santander University and Uniremington University.

“As a child, I was an altar boy. When people asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up, I would say, ‘a priest,’” said Rev. Mr. Medina. He worked as an accounting assistant, a retail salesperson, and a sales representative at Samsung Electronics. “I was an atheist for about 12 years until I had a profound encounter with God through the Virgin Mary,” he said.

 

– On Saturday, June 13, Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney will ordain two seminarians of the Paterson Diocese, N.J., as priests “ready to teach, love, and serve” during a Mass at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Paterson, which will start at 10 a.m. At St. John’s, the Mother Church of the diocese, Bishop Sweeney will ordain Rev. Mr. Lucas Folan, a member of Notre Dame of Mount Carmel Parish in the Cedar Knolls neighborhood of Hanover Township, N.J. The bishop will also ordain Colombian-born Jender Arley Medina Palencia, who serves at St. Margaret of Scotland Parish in Morristown, N.J.

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Former finance director admits to stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars from New Jersey parish #Catholic The former finance director of a New Jersey parish has pleaded guilty to stealing more than half a million dollars from the church to “fund a lavish lifestyle.”State Attorney General Jennifer Davenportʼs office said in a May 15 press release that Joseph Manzi pleaded guilty to “one count of second-degree theft by unlawful taking and one count of third-degree filing a fraudulent tax return.”The state had charged Manzi in the theft in October 2025 after staffers at St. Leo the Great Parish in Lincroft had discovered “numerous unauthorized charges that were determined to allegedly be for Manzi’s personal benefit.” Manzi had left his position as the parish finance director earlier in the year. In its May 15 release the state said its investigation determined that the 78-year-old Manzi “fraudulently used St. Leo’s credit cards to make unauthorized purchases and payments.” Such purchases included “personal medical and dental payments,” “sports event tickets,” “chartered fishing trips” and a Cadillac SUV. In October 2025 the state had alleged Manzi stole around 0,000, though on May 15 it said its investigation had revealed nearly 5,000 in thefts, while “further investigation identified additional stolen funds.”The state said it was recommending a five-year sentence in New Jersey state prison.Manzi in August 2025 had also been the subject of a separate civil lawsuit by the St. Leo the Great Parish which accused him of stealing more than .5 million from the church. New Jersey said this week that part of Manziʼs plea agreement includes .2 million in restitution to the church.
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Former finance director admits to stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars from New Jersey parish #Catholic The former finance director of a New Jersey parish has pleaded guilty to stealing more than half a million dollars from the church to “fund a lavish lifestyle.”State Attorney General Jennifer Davenportʼs office said in a May 15 press release that Joseph Manzi pleaded guilty to “one count of second-degree theft by unlawful taking and one count of third-degree filing a fraudulent tax return.”The state had charged Manzi in the theft in October 2025 after staffers at St. Leo the Great Parish in Lincroft had discovered “numerous unauthorized charges that were determined to allegedly be for Manzi’s personal benefit.” Manzi had left his position as the parish finance director earlier in the year. In its May 15 release the state said its investigation determined that the 78-year-old Manzi “fraudulently used St. Leo’s credit cards to make unauthorized purchases and payments.” Such purchases included “personal medical and dental payments,” “sports event tickets,” “chartered fishing trips” and a Cadillac SUV. In October 2025 the state had alleged Manzi stole around $500,000, though on May 15 it said its investigation had revealed nearly $675,000 in thefts, while “further investigation identified additional stolen funds.”The state said it was recommending a five-year sentence in New Jersey state prison.Manzi in August 2025 had also been the subject of a separate civil lawsuit by the St. Leo the Great Parish which accused him of stealing more than $1.5 million from the church. New Jersey said this week that part of Manziʼs plea agreement includes $1.2 million in restitution to the church.

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Prosecutors had charged Joseph Manzi with the theft in October 2025.

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Seminarians medal at Cincinnati’s Flying Pig Marathon #Catholic On Sunday, May 5, 21 men in formation for the priesthood at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary and School of Theology in Cincinnati participated in the 28th annual Flying Pig Marathon. The men of the Mount held their own among the approximately 45,000 other racers. Emerson Wells, studying for the Archdiocese of Louisville, placed second overall with a personal best marathon time of 2:23:52, averaging 5 minutes, 30 seconds per mile for the entire 26.2 mile race. It’s a time that would have won him first place nine out of the last 10 years of the race. The seminarian-led Verso l’Alto Track Club team won first place in the 4-person relay, clocking a finish time of 2:30:39 and outstripping the second place relay team by nearly 20 minutes. Seminarian Chatham Anderson, studying for the Diocese of Columbus, started the team off, followed by Nick Merk, then Kevin Bonfield, and finally Cincinnati seminarian David Adamitis brought the team over the finish line. These five men each donned the Verso l’Alto Track Club jersey, signalling to all who passed by that they ran for a reason. St. Pier Giorgio Frassati, canonized by Pope Leo XIV on Sept. 7, 2025, made the Italian phrase Verso l’Alto known around the world. It translates to “To the heights.” The Verso l’Alto Track Club, open to all local Catholic men (with a qualifying 5k time of 18 minutes) combines the pursuit of excellence in running and virtuous brotherhood — all ordered toward the glorification of GodWells, a lifelong runner, said this was the most systematic training he’s used to prepare for a marathon thus far.“I had a few weeks where I got up to 80 miles a week, which was workable, but it was definitely tough with the schedule and I had to use my breaks to take advantage of that,” he said. The seminarian-led Verso l’Alto Track Club team won 1st place in the Marathon 4-man Relay with a time of 2:30:39 on May 5, 2026 in Cincinnati. | Photo courtesy of Chatham Anderson, Nick Merk, Kevin Bonfield and David Adamitis The seminarians stick to a strict schedule of prayer, worship, instruction, and study each day. Wells trained with a goal of running the race in 2 hours, 25 minutes or less. “I knew I had to really focus on the hills if I was going to be successful.”In conjunction with his rigorous training, Wells had a few other tools to keep him going toward his goal.“There was a group of sisters from the Children of Mary that came down to my home parish in Louisville. One of them — Sister Imelda Joy — told me that she and two of her other sisters were going to be making perpetual vows soon.”On May 3, to be exact, the same day as the Flying Pig Marathon.“When she told me that, I was like, full stop. Thatʼs what Iʼm going to be offering this race for.”At moments when the race became tough, Wells remembered those sisters and asked for our Lady’s intercession for them.Wells’ devotion to Mary is made visible by the brown scapular he wore during the race. “I wear the scapular every day; itʼs part of my devotional life.” The scapular didn’t stay in place as he ran through the streets of Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. “I actually like having it on during runs because you can kind of see itʼll fly around quite a bit, and I’m reminded that Mary is the way and sheʼs the perfect exemplar of what it means to be truly devoted to God and contemplation,” Wells said.The men of the Verso l’Alto Track Club share a common goal: physical excellence ordered toward spiritual growth.“You can be excellent in a given activity and excellent in your faith. Theyʼre not exclusive to each other, but actually mutually affirming,” Adamitis said. “I think that thereʼs a real good among Christians to have ambitious goals according to their talents and to ask the Lord for enlightenment about what their abilities are and how they can use those abilities to glorify His name to bring others into His kingdom.”The message as these men ran “to the heights” was clear: the pursuit of excellence is the pursuit of God.“When we strive to have perfection in those areas of physical health and strength, it should really encourage us to have greater care for what matters the most, and thatʼs our soul and our union with God,” said Adamitis.Both Wells and Adamitis plan to continue running. Through the Verso l’Alto Track Club, they aim to amplify their mission throughout Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky, and the Archdiocese at large.Catholic high school students and adults are invited to compete in the club’s summer cross country challenge on Aug. 7, 2026. Adamitis explained the main motivation is to bring Catholic high school students together so that they can have a sense of a greater community. “So that these high school students can see, ‘As I get older and I eventually graduate high school, I can still pursue running at a high level and stay Catholic.’ Thereʼs an element of excellence to both of those things that continue beyond high school.” “Our athletic pursuits are ultimately ordered for the glorification of God,” Adamitis said. “Cincinnati is a wonderful running city, and we can shift the idea to where itʼs not just running, but itʼs running for the glorification of God.”This article was originally published by The Catholic Telegraph, of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, and is reprinted here, with adaptations, with permission.
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Seminarians medal at Cincinnati’s Flying Pig Marathon #Catholic On Sunday, May 5, 21 men in formation for the priesthood at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary and School of Theology in Cincinnati participated in the 28th annual Flying Pig Marathon. The men of the Mount held their own among the approximately 45,000 other racers. Emerson Wells, studying for the Archdiocese of Louisville, placed second overall with a personal best marathon time of 2:23:52, averaging 5 minutes, 30 seconds per mile for the entire 26.2 mile race. It’s a time that would have won him first place nine out of the last 10 years of the race. The seminarian-led Verso l’Alto Track Club team won first place in the 4-person relay, clocking a finish time of 2:30:39 and outstripping the second place relay team by nearly 20 minutes. Seminarian Chatham Anderson, studying for the Diocese of Columbus, started the team off, followed by Nick Merk, then Kevin Bonfield, and finally Cincinnati seminarian David Adamitis brought the team over the finish line. These five men each donned the Verso l’Alto Track Club jersey, signalling to all who passed by that they ran for a reason. St. Pier Giorgio Frassati, canonized by Pope Leo XIV on Sept. 7, 2025, made the Italian phrase Verso l’Alto known around the world. It translates to “To the heights.” The Verso l’Alto Track Club, open to all local Catholic men (with a qualifying 5k time of 18 minutes) combines the pursuit of excellence in running and virtuous brotherhood — all ordered toward the glorification of GodWells, a lifelong runner, said this was the most systematic training he’s used to prepare for a marathon thus far.“I had a few weeks where I got up to 80 miles a week, which was workable, but it was definitely tough with the schedule and I had to use my breaks to take advantage of that,” he said. The seminarian-led Verso l’Alto Track Club team won 1st place in the Marathon 4-man Relay with a time of 2:30:39 on May 5, 2026 in Cincinnati. | Photo courtesy of Chatham Anderson, Nick Merk, Kevin Bonfield and David Adamitis The seminarians stick to a strict schedule of prayer, worship, instruction, and study each day. Wells trained with a goal of running the race in 2 hours, 25 minutes or less. “I knew I had to really focus on the hills if I was going to be successful.”In conjunction with his rigorous training, Wells had a few other tools to keep him going toward his goal.“There was a group of sisters from the Children of Mary that came down to my home parish in Louisville. One of them — Sister Imelda Joy — told me that she and two of her other sisters were going to be making perpetual vows soon.”On May 3, to be exact, the same day as the Flying Pig Marathon.“When she told me that, I was like, full stop. Thatʼs what Iʼm going to be offering this race for.”At moments when the race became tough, Wells remembered those sisters and asked for our Lady’s intercession for them.Wells’ devotion to Mary is made visible by the brown scapular he wore during the race. “I wear the scapular every day; itʼs part of my devotional life.” The scapular didn’t stay in place as he ran through the streets of Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. “I actually like having it on during runs because you can kind of see itʼll fly around quite a bit, and I’m reminded that Mary is the way and sheʼs the perfect exemplar of what it means to be truly devoted to God and contemplation,” Wells said.The men of the Verso l’Alto Track Club share a common goal: physical excellence ordered toward spiritual growth.“You can be excellent in a given activity and excellent in your faith. Theyʼre not exclusive to each other, but actually mutually affirming,” Adamitis said. “I think that thereʼs a real good among Christians to have ambitious goals according to their talents and to ask the Lord for enlightenment about what their abilities are and how they can use those abilities to glorify His name to bring others into His kingdom.”The message as these men ran “to the heights” was clear: the pursuit of excellence is the pursuit of God.“When we strive to have perfection in those areas of physical health and strength, it should really encourage us to have greater care for what matters the most, and thatʼs our soul and our union with God,” said Adamitis.Both Wells and Adamitis plan to continue running. Through the Verso l’Alto Track Club, they aim to amplify their mission throughout Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky, and the Archdiocese at large.Catholic high school students and adults are invited to compete in the club’s summer cross country challenge on Aug. 7, 2026. Adamitis explained the main motivation is to bring Catholic high school students together so that they can have a sense of a greater community. “So that these high school students can see, ‘As I get older and I eventually graduate high school, I can still pursue running at a high level and stay Catholic.’ Thereʼs an element of excellence to both of those things that continue beyond high school.” “Our athletic pursuits are ultimately ordered for the glorification of God,” Adamitis said. “Cincinnati is a wonderful running city, and we can shift the idea to where itʼs not just running, but itʼs running for the glorification of God.”This article was originally published by The Catholic Telegraph, of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, and is reprinted here, with adaptations, with permission.

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On May 5, 21 men in formation for the priesthood at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary and School of Theology in Cincinnati participated in the 28th annual Flying Pig Marathon.

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May 16, 1925: The birth of Nancy Grace Roman

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Nicknamed the “Mother of Hubble,” Nancy Grace Roman spent years pushing for the use of the newest technology to better understand the universe. Roman was born in Nashville, Tennessee, on May 16, 1925. She was always interested in looking up at the stars and spearheaded an astronomy club at 11 years old. Despite being dissuadedContinue reading “May 16, 1925: The birth of Nancy Grace Roman”

The post May 16, 1925: The birth of Nancy Grace Roman appeared first on Astronomy Magazine.

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Millennial Figures Out How To Use ‘6-7,’ Signaling The End Of The Fad #BabylonBee – FT. WORTH, TX — Local millennial Chad McCallister finally figured out how to appropriately use "6-7" in casual conversation, thus effectively ending the popularity of the fad.
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Millennial Figures Out How To Use ‘6-7,’ Signaling The End Of The Fad #BabylonBee – FT. WORTH, TX — Local millennial Chad McCallister finally figured out how to appropriately use "6-7" in casual conversation, thus effectively ending the popularity of the fad.

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FT. WORTH, TX — Local millennial Chad McCallister finally figured out how to appropriately use "6-7" in casual conversation, thus effectively ending the popularity of the fad.

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Picture of the day Small waterfall on Gunung Lambak, one of several along the stream that flows next to the main path up the mountain. This is a focus stack of 2 photographs, and a neutral density filter was used to allow a long exposure time of 2 seconds. #ImageOfTheDay

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Picture of the day
Small waterfall on Gunung Lambak, one of several along the stream that flows next to the main path up the mountain. This is a focus stack of 2 photographs, and a neutral density filter was used to allow a long exposure time of 2 seconds.
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India-born bishop in Germany sees his role as giving migrants ‘a face’ – #Catholic – When Bishop Joshy George Pottackal stood in Mainz Cathedral on March 15 to be consecrated an auxiliary bishop, the moment carried a significance far beyond his personal journey. For many of the faithful, it was a visible sign of the Catholic Churchʼs universality — a Church that transcends borders, cultures, and languages.Born in Kerala, India, and a member of the Carmelite Order, the 48-year-old prelate has become the first bishop in a German diocese with a non-European background. His appointment comes at a time when the Catholic Church in Germany is increasingly shaped by global migration. About a quarter of Catholics and priests in the country have roots outside Germany, Pottackal said, yet their presence often remains largely unnoticed in public life.“I am thankful to Pope Leo XIV for the honor of being able to give these people a face, so to speak, and public recognition,” Pottackal told EWTN News.His consecration, attended by family members, fellow Carmelites from around the world, diocesan clergy and faithful, and representatives from civic life and other Christian communities, underscored the broader significance of the moment. “I really felt like a part of the universal Church,” Pottackal said.A call he did not expectWhen he first received news of his appointment in November, Pottackal admitted to surprise, and even doubt. “Why me?” he recalled asking himself. He said he had never imagined becoming a bishop, noting that he comes from pastoral ministry rather than academia. Yet after a period of discernment, he came to see the nomination as a call from God, one that required trust and humility.“I felt it was a call from God, despite my shortcomings and the feeling that I was not worthy of the nomination,” he said. “Despite these doubts I decided to trust God and his guidance and say yes to his call.”Ordained a priest on Dec. 28, 2003, Pottackal moved to Germany the following year and has spent more than two decades in pastoral ministry in the Diocese of Mainz. His experience spans parish work, youth ministry, and diocesan administration, including service as vicar for clergy. Those years, he said, have prepared him for his new responsibility in guiding the local Church.Listening in a secularized societyServing in a society marked by deep secularization, the bishop emphasizes listening as a cornerstone of his pastoral mission. He believes the Church must engage in meaningful dialogue, taking seriously the concerns and hopes of people.“A synodal church is the way to bring our church forward in a secularized society,” he said, highlighting the importance of shared discernment guided by the Holy Spirit. At the same time, he stressed that the German Church remains inseparably part of the universal Catholic Church, a communion that spans continents and traditions.One of his key concerns is the growing distance between young people and the Church in Europe. Rather than focusing solely on declining attendance, he pointed to a deeper openness among young people to Christian values. “Young people deserve that you listen to them, take their views, worries, and interests seriously and let them play an active role,” he said. “Authenticity matters.”Carmelite roots, global horizonsPottackalʼs intercultural journey has shaped his understanding of the Church. Raised in the ancient Christian tradition of Keralaʼs Thomas Christians, whose origins trace to the earliest centuries of Christianity, he encountered a different yet equally rich expression of the faith in Germany. “The essence of the faith is the same,” he said, citing St. Augustineʼs maxim “Love and do what you will” as a guiding principle for ministry in a new cultural setting.His spiritual identity as a Carmelite remains central. Drawing inspiration from the prophet Elijah and the Virgin Mary, he described his vocation as one grounded in contemplation and attentiveness to Godʼs word. “Being rooted in and inspired by Scripture is the essence of my spiritual identity as a Carmelite, a priest, and now a bishop,” he said.As auxiliary bishop of Mainz, his responsibilities include overseeing consecrated life, ecumenism, interreligious dialogue, social responsibility, and the Churchʼs global connections. While he is still becoming familiar with these areas, he said, he views them as essential to the Churchʼs witness in the world today.Looking beyond Europe, Pottackal reflected on the Church in Asia, where Christianity continues to grow, often in the face of persecution. He cautioned against complacency or the rise of what he called a “personality cult” where Christians enjoy social acceptance. “I think it is important to remember that we have a great message of which we can be proud and to concentrate on that message and live according to it,” he said.
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India-born bishop in Germany sees his role as giving migrants ‘a face’ – #Catholic – When Bishop Joshy George Pottackal stood in Mainz Cathedral on March 15 to be consecrated an auxiliary bishop, the moment carried a significance far beyond his personal journey. For many of the faithful, it was a visible sign of the Catholic Churchʼs universality — a Church that transcends borders, cultures, and languages.Born in Kerala, India, and a member of the Carmelite Order, the 48-year-old prelate has become the first bishop in a German diocese with a non-European background. His appointment comes at a time when the Catholic Church in Germany is increasingly shaped by global migration. About a quarter of Catholics and priests in the country have roots outside Germany, Pottackal said, yet their presence often remains largely unnoticed in public life.“I am thankful to Pope Leo XIV for the honor of being able to give these people a face, so to speak, and public recognition,” Pottackal told EWTN News.His consecration, attended by family members, fellow Carmelites from around the world, diocesan clergy and faithful, and representatives from civic life and other Christian communities, underscored the broader significance of the moment. “I really felt like a part of the universal Church,” Pottackal said.A call he did not expectWhen he first received news of his appointment in November, Pottackal admitted to surprise, and even doubt. “Why me?” he recalled asking himself. He said he had never imagined becoming a bishop, noting that he comes from pastoral ministry rather than academia. Yet after a period of discernment, he came to see the nomination as a call from God, one that required trust and humility.“I felt it was a call from God, despite my shortcomings and the feeling that I was not worthy of the nomination,” he said. “Despite these doubts I decided to trust God and his guidance and say yes to his call.”Ordained a priest on Dec. 28, 2003, Pottackal moved to Germany the following year and has spent more than two decades in pastoral ministry in the Diocese of Mainz. His experience spans parish work, youth ministry, and diocesan administration, including service as vicar for clergy. Those years, he said, have prepared him for his new responsibility in guiding the local Church.Listening in a secularized societyServing in a society marked by deep secularization, the bishop emphasizes listening as a cornerstone of his pastoral mission. He believes the Church must engage in meaningful dialogue, taking seriously the concerns and hopes of people.“A synodal church is the way to bring our church forward in a secularized society,” he said, highlighting the importance of shared discernment guided by the Holy Spirit. At the same time, he stressed that the German Church remains inseparably part of the universal Catholic Church, a communion that spans continents and traditions.One of his key concerns is the growing distance between young people and the Church in Europe. Rather than focusing solely on declining attendance, he pointed to a deeper openness among young people to Christian values. “Young people deserve that you listen to them, take their views, worries, and interests seriously and let them play an active role,” he said. “Authenticity matters.”Carmelite roots, global horizonsPottackalʼs intercultural journey has shaped his understanding of the Church. Raised in the ancient Christian tradition of Keralaʼs Thomas Christians, whose origins trace to the earliest centuries of Christianity, he encountered a different yet equally rich expression of the faith in Germany. “The essence of the faith is the same,” he said, citing St. Augustineʼs maxim “Love and do what you will” as a guiding principle for ministry in a new cultural setting.His spiritual identity as a Carmelite remains central. Drawing inspiration from the prophet Elijah and the Virgin Mary, he described his vocation as one grounded in contemplation and attentiveness to Godʼs word. “Being rooted in and inspired by Scripture is the essence of my spiritual identity as a Carmelite, a priest, and now a bishop,” he said.As auxiliary bishop of Mainz, his responsibilities include overseeing consecrated life, ecumenism, interreligious dialogue, social responsibility, and the Churchʼs global connections. While he is still becoming familiar with these areas, he said, he views them as essential to the Churchʼs witness in the world today.Looking beyond Europe, Pottackal reflected on the Church in Asia, where Christianity continues to grow, often in the face of persecution. He cautioned against complacency or the rise of what he called a “personality cult” where Christians enjoy social acceptance. “I think it is important to remember that we have a great message of which we can be proud and to concentrate on that message and live according to it,” he said.

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Auxiliary Bishop Joshy George Pottackal, O.Carm., is the first bishop in a German diocese born outside Europe.

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Pope Leo XIV to visit France in September, including a stop at UNESCO headquarters – #Catholic – Pope Leo XIV will undertake an apostolic journey to France from Sept. 25 – 28, a visit which will include a stop at the headquarters of UNESCO.The trip was officially announced on May 16 by Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni. The Holy See did not immediately release the full itinerary of the trip.The visit will mark the popeʼs fifth international apostolic journey.The pope has already visited Turkey and Lebanon (in late 2025) and Monte Carlo (in March 2026).In April he undertook a major voyage to Africa — with the trip spanning Algeria, Cameroon, Angola, and Equatorial Guinea — and is scheduled to visit Spain from June 6 – 12.He is widely expected to also visit Latin America in the fall. The last visit by a pope to France dates to Dec. 15, 2024, when Pope Francis traveled to Ajaccio, Corsica.This story was originally published by ACI Stampa, EWTN News’ Italian-language news partner. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.
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Pope Leo XIV to visit France in September, including a stop at UNESCO headquarters – #Catholic – Pope Leo XIV will undertake an apostolic journey to France from Sept. 25 – 28, a visit which will include a stop at the headquarters of UNESCO.The trip was officially announced on May 16 by Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni. The Holy See did not immediately release the full itinerary of the trip.The visit will mark the popeʼs fifth international apostolic journey.The pope has already visited Turkey and Lebanon (in late 2025) and Monte Carlo (in March 2026).In April he undertook a major voyage to Africa — with the trip spanning Algeria, Cameroon, Angola, and Equatorial Guinea — and is scheduled to visit Spain from June 6 – 12.He is widely expected to also visit Latin America in the fall. The last visit by a pope to France dates to Dec. 15, 2024, when Pope Francis traveled to Ajaccio, Corsica.This story was originally published by ACI Stampa, EWTN News’ Italian-language news partner. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.

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The visit will mark the pope’s fifth international apostolic journey.

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Curiosity Shakes Loose a Pesky Rock – NASA’s Curiosity Mars rover used its Mast Camera, or Mastcam, to capture this view of a rock nicknamed “Atacama” on May 6, 2026, the 4,877th Martian day, or sol, of the mission. The rock had gotten stuck to the drill on the end of Curiosity’s robotic arm on April 25.
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Curiosity Shakes Loose a Pesky Rock – NASA’s Curiosity Mars rover used its Mast Camera, or Mastcam, to capture this view of a rock nicknamed “Atacama” on May 6, 2026, the 4,877th Martian day, or sol, of the mission. The rock had gotten stuck to the drill on the end of Curiosity’s robotic arm on April 25.

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NASA’s Curiosity Mars rover used its Mast Camera, or Mastcam, to capture this view of a rock nicknamed “Atacama” on May 6, 2026, the 4,877th Martian day, or sol, of the mission. The rock had gotten stuck to the drill on the end of Curiosity’s robotic arm on April 25.

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Tarsus diocese restored after more than a century – #Catholic – Tarsus diocese restored after more than a centuryThe Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch has restored an episcopal presence to Tarsus after more than a century, following the consecration of Bishop Paul Orduloglu in Mersin, Turkey. Orduloglu now serves the newly formed Diocese of Tarsus, Adana and Hatay, and as patriarchal vicar in Antioch, a region still recovering from the devastating 2023 earthquake. The bishop told ACI MENA, the Arabic-language sister service of EWTN News, that in the earthquake, nine churches were destroyed, roughly 80 Christians were killed, and reconstruction costs remain far beyond the community’s means. For now, his priority is not only rebuilding churches but renewing parish life through catechism, choirs, youth groups and efforts to preserve both Arabic and liturgical identity in a community facing emigration and economic pressure.Three priests ordained in Armagh ArchdioceseIn the Armagh Archdiocese in Ireland, three new priests were ordained in St. Patrick’s Cathedral on May 9.Archbishop Eamon Martin of Armagh expressed his gratitude for the ordinations. “I give thanks for their generous ‘yes’ to God’s call, and my hope is that they will have many years of fulfillment in serving God’s people here in the Archdiocese of Armagh. Our celebration will bring to 12 the number of priestly ordinations for the archdiocese in recent years. At a time when the Church in Ireland continues to face many pastoral challenges, these ordinations are a moment of encouragement and hope for the archdiocese," he said. As of September 2025, 77 men were in training for the priesthood for Irish dioceses. Archbishop Eamon Martin of Armagh and Auxiliary Bishop Michael Router pose with newly ordained priests: Father Gabriel Neal, Father Jacek Tuszkiewicz, and Father Paul O’Reilly, on May 9, 2026, Armagh, Ireland. | Credit: Archdiocese of Armagh Canadian archdiocese welcomes four new priestsThe Archdiocese of Toronto celebrated the ordination of four new priests on Saturday, May 9.“We gather this morning in our Cathedral to celebrate something truly extraordinary. Each, in your own way, years ago, at different times, and in different circumstances and different places, heard the words of Christ saying, ‘Come, follow me,’” Cardinal Frank Leo told the ordinandi at St. Michael’s Cathedral Basilica, according to the Canadian Catholic Register.Hong Kong diocese celebrates 80th anniversaryCardinal Stephen Chow Sau-yan, Bishop of Hong Kong, marked the 80th anniversary of his diocese’s founding in a celebration on Saturday, May 9.“The joy of our Church lies in being able to share the joy of the Gospel with Hong Kong,” Chow said during the event, which included the inauguration of a historical exhibition on the local church, according to Fides News Agency. The exhibition will feature photographs, oral testimony, and guided tours on the growth of the diocese, the work of Caritas International, and Catholic education. Hong Kong is home to around 600,000 Catholics.The event also marked the 180th anniversary of the founding of the mission there. “The heart of evangelization is unchanging, and in this way, people can experience the love of the Gospel,” the cardinal said. Kidnapped Nigerian priest freed after 3 months in captivityFather Nathaniel Asuwaye of Holy Trinity Parish in the Diocese of Kafanchan, who was kidnapped on Feb. 7 during an attack by gunmen, has regained his freedom after more than three months in captivity, ACI Africa, the sister service of EWTN News, reported May 13.“We are pleased to inform you that Father Nathaniel is now safe and receiving care. He is in stable condition, remains in good spirits, and appreciates your prayers and support,” Father Jacob Shanet, the chancellor of the diocese, said in a May 12 statement. Father Nathaniel Asuwaye, the parish priest of Holy Trinity Parish of Nigeria’s Kafanchan Catholic diocese, was kidnapped on Feb. 7 during an attack by gunmen, and has regained his freedom after more than three months in captivity. | Credit: Photo courtesy of the Kafanchan Catholic diocese Notre Dame marks 170 years of ‘L’Œuvre d’Orient’Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris hosted the Day of Eastern Christians under the theme “Bearers of Hope,” coinciding with the 170th anniversary of L’Œuvre d’Orient, ACI MENA reported on May 11.Cardinal Claudio Gugerotti, prefect of the Dicastery for the Eastern Churches, presided over the liturgy in the presence of Eastern Catholic patriarchs and representatives, bishops, and supporters. Speakers stressed that aid to Eastern Christians is not only material but also spiritual and ecclesial, affirming that they belong fully to the universal Church. Gugerotti warned against the world’s silence in the face of suffering in the Middle East, while Eastern Catholic leaders thanked French Catholics for their solidarity and cautioned that the disappearance of Christians from their homelands would be a loss for the entire Church.Irish parliament rejects bill to expand abortion accessIn Ireland, pro-life campaigners hailed a significant success this week when the Social Democrats’ Reproductive Rights (Amendment) Bill was defeated in the Dáil.The bill would have abolished the current three-day waiting period for an abortion, revised abortion criteria on the grounds of fatal fetal abnormality, and removed criminal sanctions found in the current law. While the government allowed a free vote of conscience, Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill raised “significant legal and operational concerns” regarding the proposed legislation, which will not now proceed. The bill was heavily informed by the controversial O’Shea review of 2018 abortion legislation, which proposed 10 legislative changes and which pro-life advocates argue overlooks the rights of the unborn child. Welcoming the vote, Eilis Mulroy of Pro Life Campaign Ireland said that the vote would not have happened without a core group of pro-life TDs who stood firm. She also pointed to the coordinated pro-life lobbying effort in the final 72 hours before the vote, which made a decisive difference by informing and persuading elected representatives.
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Tarsus diocese restored after more than a century – #Catholic – Tarsus diocese restored after more than a centuryThe Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch has restored an episcopal presence to Tarsus after more than a century, following the consecration of Bishop Paul Orduloglu in Mersin, Turkey. Orduloglu now serves the newly formed Diocese of Tarsus, Adana and Hatay, and as patriarchal vicar in Antioch, a region still recovering from the devastating 2023 earthquake. The bishop told ACI MENA, the Arabic-language sister service of EWTN News, that in the earthquake, nine churches were destroyed, roughly 80 Christians were killed, and reconstruction costs remain far beyond the community’s means. For now, his priority is not only rebuilding churches but renewing parish life through catechism, choirs, youth groups and efforts to preserve both Arabic and liturgical identity in a community facing emigration and economic pressure.Three priests ordained in Armagh ArchdioceseIn the Armagh Archdiocese in Ireland, three new priests were ordained in St. Patrick’s Cathedral on May 9.Archbishop Eamon Martin of Armagh expressed his gratitude for the ordinations. “I give thanks for their generous ‘yes’ to God’s call, and my hope is that they will have many years of fulfillment in serving God’s people here in the Archdiocese of Armagh. Our celebration will bring to 12 the number of priestly ordinations for the archdiocese in recent years. At a time when the Church in Ireland continues to face many pastoral challenges, these ordinations are a moment of encouragement and hope for the archdiocese," he said. As of September 2025, 77 men were in training for the priesthood for Irish dioceses. Archbishop Eamon Martin of Armagh and Auxiliary Bishop Michael Router pose with newly ordained priests: Father Gabriel Neal, Father Jacek Tuszkiewicz, and Father Paul O’Reilly, on May 9, 2026, Armagh, Ireland. | Credit: Archdiocese of Armagh Canadian archdiocese welcomes four new priestsThe Archdiocese of Toronto celebrated the ordination of four new priests on Saturday, May 9.“We gather this morning in our Cathedral to celebrate something truly extraordinary. Each, in your own way, years ago, at different times, and in different circumstances and different places, heard the words of Christ saying, ‘Come, follow me,’” Cardinal Frank Leo told the ordinandi at St. Michael’s Cathedral Basilica, according to the Canadian Catholic Register.Hong Kong diocese celebrates 80th anniversaryCardinal Stephen Chow Sau-yan, Bishop of Hong Kong, marked the 80th anniversary of his diocese’s founding in a celebration on Saturday, May 9.“The joy of our Church lies in being able to share the joy of the Gospel with Hong Kong,” Chow said during the event, which included the inauguration of a historical exhibition on the local church, according to Fides News Agency. The exhibition will feature photographs, oral testimony, and guided tours on the growth of the diocese, the work of Caritas International, and Catholic education. Hong Kong is home to around 600,000 Catholics.The event also marked the 180th anniversary of the founding of the mission there. “The heart of evangelization is unchanging, and in this way, people can experience the love of the Gospel,” the cardinal said. Kidnapped Nigerian priest freed after 3 months in captivityFather Nathaniel Asuwaye of Holy Trinity Parish in the Diocese of Kafanchan, who was kidnapped on Feb. 7 during an attack by gunmen, has regained his freedom after more than three months in captivity, ACI Africa, the sister service of EWTN News, reported May 13.“We are pleased to inform you that Father Nathaniel is now safe and receiving care. He is in stable condition, remains in good spirits, and appreciates your prayers and support,” Father Jacob Shanet, the chancellor of the diocese, said in a May 12 statement. Father Nathaniel Asuwaye, the parish priest of Holy Trinity Parish of Nigeria’s Kafanchan Catholic diocese, was kidnapped on Feb. 7 during an attack by gunmen, and has regained his freedom after more than three months in captivity. | Credit: Photo courtesy of the Kafanchan Catholic diocese Notre Dame marks 170 years of ‘L’Œuvre d’Orient’Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris hosted the Day of Eastern Christians under the theme “Bearers of Hope,” coinciding with the 170th anniversary of L’Œuvre d’Orient, ACI MENA reported on May 11.Cardinal Claudio Gugerotti, prefect of the Dicastery for the Eastern Churches, presided over the liturgy in the presence of Eastern Catholic patriarchs and representatives, bishops, and supporters. Speakers stressed that aid to Eastern Christians is not only material but also spiritual and ecclesial, affirming that they belong fully to the universal Church. Gugerotti warned against the world’s silence in the face of suffering in the Middle East, while Eastern Catholic leaders thanked French Catholics for their solidarity and cautioned that the disappearance of Christians from their homelands would be a loss for the entire Church.Irish parliament rejects bill to expand abortion accessIn Ireland, pro-life campaigners hailed a significant success this week when the Social Democrats’ Reproductive Rights (Amendment) Bill was defeated in the Dáil.The bill would have abolished the current three-day waiting period for an abortion, revised abortion criteria on the grounds of fatal fetal abnormality, and removed criminal sanctions found in the current law. While the government allowed a free vote of conscience, Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill raised “significant legal and operational concerns” regarding the proposed legislation, which will not now proceed. The bill was heavily informed by the controversial O’Shea review of 2018 abortion legislation, which proposed 10 legislative changes and which pro-life advocates argue overlooks the rights of the unborn child. Welcoming the vote, Eilis Mulroy of Pro Life Campaign Ireland said that the vote would not have happened without a core group of pro-life TDs who stood firm. She also pointed to the coordinated pro-life lobbying effort in the final 72 hours before the vote, which made a decisive difference by informing and persuading elected representatives.

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There is now an episcopal presence in Tarsus; dioceses in Ireland and Canada are celebrating ordinations; a Nigerian priest is freed, and more in this week’s roundup of world news.

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