June 1, 2026 – United Yam

Gospel and Word of the Day – 02 June 2026 – A reading from the Second Letter of St. Peter 3:12-15a, 17-18 Beloved: Wait for and hasten the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved in flames and the elements melted by fire. But according to his promise we await new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. Therefore, beloved, since you await these things, be eager to be found without spot or blemish before him, at peace. And consider the patience of our Lord as salvation. Therefore, beloved, since you are forewarned, be on your guard not to be led into the error of the unprincipled and to fall from your own stability. But grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory now and to the day of eternity. Amen.From the Gospel according to Mark 12:13-17 Some Pharisees and Herodians were sent to Jesus to ensnare him in his speech. They came and said to him, “Teacher, we know that you are a truthful man and that you are not concerned with anyone’s opinion. You do not regard a person’s status but teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. Is it lawful to pay the census tax to Caesar or not? Should we pay or should we not pay?” Knowing their hypocrisy he said to them, “Why are you testing me? Bring me a denarius to look at.” They brought one to him and he said to them, “Whose image and inscription is this?” They replied to him, “Caesar’s.” So Jesus said to them, “Repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.” They were utterly amazed at him.From the question posed to him by the Pharisees, Jesus draws a more radical and vital question for each of us, a question we can ask ourselves: to whom do I belong? To family, to the city, to friends, to work, to politics, to the State? Yes, of course. But first and foremost — Jesus reminds us — you belong to God. This is the fundamental belonging. It is He who has given you all that you are and have. And therefore, day by day, we can and must live our life in recognition of this fundamental belonging and in heartfelt gratitude toward our Father, who creates each one of us individually, unrepeatable, but always according to the image of his beloved Son, Jesus. It is a wondrous mystery. Christians are called to commit themselves concretely in the human and social spheres without comparing “God” and “Caesar”; comparing God and Caesar would be a fundamentalist approach. Christians are called to commit themselves concretely in earthly realities, but illuminating them with the light that comes from God. The primary entrustment to God and hope in him do not imply an escape from reality, but rather the diligent rendering to God that which belongs to him. This is why a believer looks to the future reality, that of God, so as to live earthly life to the fullest, and to meet its challenges with courage. (Pope Francis, Angelus, 22 October 2017)

unitedyam June 1, 2026June 2, 2026

A reading from the Second Letter of St. Peter
3:12-15a, 17-18

Beloved:
Wait for and hasten the coming of the day of God,
because of which the heavens will be dissolved in flames
and the elements melted by fire.
But according to his promise
we await new heavens and a new earth
in which righteousness dwells.

Therefore, beloved, since you await these things,
be eager to be found without spot or blemish before him, at peace.
And consider the patience of our Lord as salvation.

Therefore, beloved, since you are forewarned,
be on your guard not to be led into the error of the unprincipled
and to fall from your own stability.
But grow in grace
and in the knowledge of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ.
To him be glory now and to the day of eternity. Amen.

From the Gospel according to Mark
12:13-17

Some Pharisees and Herodians were sent
to Jesus to ensnare him in his speech.
They came and said to him,
“Teacher, we know that you are a truthful man
and that you are not concerned with anyone’s opinion.
You do not regard a person’s status
but teach the way of God in accordance with the truth.
Is it lawful to pay the census tax to Caesar or not?
Should we pay or should we not pay?”
Knowing their hypocrisy he said to them,
“Why are you testing me?
Bring me a denarius to look at.”
They brought one to him and he said to them,
“Whose image and inscription is this?”
They replied to him, “Caesar’s.”
So Jesus said to them,
“Repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar
and to God what belongs to God.”
They were utterly amazed at him.

From the question posed to him by the Pharisees, Jesus draws a more radical and vital question for each of us, a question we can ask ourselves: to whom do I belong? To family, to the city, to friends, to work, to politics, to the State? Yes, of course. But first and foremost — Jesus reminds us — you belong to God. This is the fundamental belonging. It is He who has given you all that you are and have. And therefore, day by day, we can and must live our life in recognition of this fundamental belonging and in heartfelt gratitude toward our Father, who creates each one of us individually, unrepeatable, but always according to the image of his beloved Son, Jesus. It is a wondrous mystery.

Christians are called to commit themselves concretely in the human and social spheres without comparing “God” and “Caesar”; comparing God and Caesar would be a fundamentalist approach. Christians are called to commit themselves concretely in earthly realities, but illuminating them with the light that comes from God. The primary entrustment to God and hope in him do not imply an escape from reality, but rather the diligent rendering to God that which belongs to him. This is why a believer looks to the future reality, that of God, so as to live earthly life to the fullest, and to meet its challenges with courage. (Pope Francis, Angelus, 22 October 2017)

unitedyam June 1, 2026June 2, 2026

Adult confirmations celebrated at Passaic church #Catholic –

On Pentecost Sunday, May 24, Our Lady of Fatima and St. Nicholas Church in Passaic, N.J., celebrated the Sacrament of Confirmation during a special 3 p.m. Mass. About 90 adults received the Sacrament of Confirmation surrounded by their sponsors, families, and parish community.

The Mass was celebrated by Father Rolands Uribe, with Deacon Gil Martinez assisting, and marked an important moment for those who completed their preparation and officially received the sacrament.

The celebration brought together members of the parish community to support and pray for the newly confirmed as they continue growing in their faith.

PHOTOS | JESSICA MARTINEZ

[See image gallery at beaconnj.org]

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– On Pentecost Sunday, May 24, Our Lady of Fatima and St. Nicholas Church in Passaic, N.J., celebrated the Sacrament of Confirmation during a special 3 p.m. Mass. About 90 adults received the Sacrament of Confirmation surrounded by their sponsors, families, and parish community. The Mass was celebrated by Father Rolands Uribe, with Deacon Gil Martinez assisting, and marked an important moment for those who completed their preparation and officially received the sacrament. The celebration brought together members of the parish community to support and pray for the newly confirmed as they continue growing in their faith. PHOTOS | JESSICA MARTINEZ

unitedyam June 1, 2026June 1, 2026

This image of Westerlund 2 features Chandra X-ray Observatory data (pink) and James Webb infrared data (red, orange, green, cyan, and blue).

Graham ” Nazi Tattoo” Platner Drags Out Unhappy Wife as He Finally Breaks His Silence on Massive Sexting Scandal Embroiling His Campaign (VIDEO) –
Far-left Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner has finally broken his silence about the latest scandal threatening his campaign, and he is using his wife as a shield.
The post Graham ” Nazi Tattoo” Platner Drags Out Unhappy Wife as He Finally Breaks His Silence on Massive Sexting Scandal Embroiling His Campaign (VIDEO) appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

unitedyam June 1, 2026June 1, 2026

A man and woman speak during a press event, emphasizing community support and collaboration in a professional setting.

Far-left Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner has finally broken his silence about the latest scandal threatening his campaign, and he is using his wife as a shield.

The post Graham ” Nazi Tattoo” Platner Drags Out Unhappy Wife as He Finally Breaks His Silence on Massive Sexting Scandal Embroiling His Campaign (VIDEO) appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

U.S. bishops unveil prayer service for America’s 250th anniversary centered on migrants #Catholic The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has released a national prayer service for the country’s upcoming 250th anniversary that places immigration, justice, and the dignity of migrants at the center of America’s semiquincentennial observance.Titled “A National Prayer Service Honoring the Many Journeys that Shaped America,” the resource was developed by the Committee on Migration and the Subcommittee for the Promotion of Racial Justice and Reconciliation.Designed as a template for dioceses and parishes across the country, the prayer service invites Catholics to reflect on the nation’s history through the lens of migration, displacement, slavery, and faith while encouraging advocacy for vulnerable migrant populations.“In observance of the United States’ 250th anniversary in 2026, and rooted in the Church’s pastoral mission of welcome, accompaniment, and solidarity,” the instructions state, the service seeks “to acknowledge and honor the many diverse communities that have journeyed to the United States in search of hope, safety, and opportunity.”The document also highlights “the voices, sufferings, and enduring contributions of those who were forcibly brought to this land.”A prayer service rooted in hospitalityThe proposed service combines hymns, Scripture readings, intercessory prayers, testimonies, and guided reflections focused heavily on migrants, refugees, victims of trafficking, and immigrant communities.Organizers are encouraged to adapt the service to local needs and cultures by incorporating music and devotional practices that reflect “the lived experiences of migration, displacement, resilience, and faith.”The service opens with the hymn “All Are Welcome” by Marty Haugen and includes prayers asking Catholics to “walk in deeper solidarity with immigrant communities” and to advocate for “greater protection, justice, and accompaniment for vulnerable and at-risk migrant populations.”A prayer to St. Frances Xavier Cabrini — patroness of immigrants and herself an immigrant to the United States — asks for protection for migrant families separated from one another and for the grace to “welcome every stranger as Christ in our midst.”The document also includes a “call to action” encouraging Catholics to reflect on “concrete and compassionate ways to welcome, protect, promote, and integrate migrants, immigrants, and refugees” while advocating for “just and humane immigration reform that upholds the dignity of every human person created in the image of God.”The service concludes with a “Prayer for Migrants” asking God to help the Church “welcome, protect, promote, and integrate those who knock at our doors.”Scripture and civil rights themes woven throughoutThe Scripture passages selected for the service strongly emphasize hospitality toward foreigners and care for society’s most vulnerable.A reading from Deuteronomy 10:12-22 exhorts believers: “So you too must befriend the alien, for you were once aliens yourselves in the land of Egypt.” The Gospel reading from Matthew 25:31-46 centers on Christ’s words, “I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me.”The template also incorporates themes of racial justice and historical memory. Intercessions address slavery and modern human trafficking, praying both for victims of exploitation and for “perpetrators of slavery” to repent.The service further recommends “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” often referred to as the Black national anthem and rooted in Black church worship and civic life in the U.S., as an intermediate hymn. It also includes optional excerpts from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream" speech for use in a homily or guided reflection, alongside passages from the bishops’ 2025 special pastoral message on immigration.Dignity of migrantsIn recent years, U.S. bishops have consistently advocated for immigration reform while emphasizing the dignity of migrants, opposition to family separation, and support for refugees and trafficking victims.The prayer service places those concerns within the broader context of the nation’s identity ahead of America’s 250th anniversary observances.“This prayer service seeks to provide a sacred space for reflection, remembrance, lament, and hope,” the document states, inviting participants to encounter one another “as members of the one human family and the one body of Christ.”EWTN News reached out to the USCCB for comment but did not receive a response by publication time.

unitedyam June 1, 2026June 1, 2026

The prayer service invites Catholics to reflect on the nation’s history through the lens of migration, displacement, slavery, and faith while encouraging advocacy for vulnerable migrant populations.

WATCH: Canadian MS NOW Host Says He Feels “Deep Unease” About Celebrating America’s 250th Anniversary Because of Racism, Says America “Never Fully Reckoned With Slavery” –
MS NOW’s Ali Velshi, during a recent segment, gave an insane take on America’s upcoming 250th anniversary, insinuating that Americans should have “conflicting feelings” about celebrating the Fourth of July this year because of slavery. Velshi, a Kenyan-born Canadian citizen who just got his US citizenship in 2015, felt the need to lecture Americans about “racial dynamics” and attack our history.
The post WATCH: Canadian MS NOW Host Says He Feels “Deep Unease” About Celebrating America’s 250th Anniversary Because of Racism, Says America “Never Fully Reckoned With Slavery” appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

unitedyam June 1, 2026June 1, 2026

News segment featuring a host discussing the concept of an "Imperfect Union" alongside a worn American flag, symbolizing national challenges and resilience.

MS NOW’s Ali Velshi, during a recent segment, gave an insane take on America’s upcoming 250th anniversary, insinuating that Americans should have “conflicting feelings” about celebrating the Fourth of July this year because of slavery. Velshi, a Kenyan-born Canadian citizen who just got his US citizenship in 2015, felt the need to lecture Americans about “racial dynamics” and attack our history.

The post WATCH: Canadian MS NOW Host Says He Feels “Deep Unease” About Celebrating America’s 250th Anniversary Because of Racism, Says America “Never Fully Reckoned With Slavery” appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

ABLECHILD: The Crisis Creators – Why Behavioral Health Makes Everything Worse –
The Crisis Creators: Why Behavioral Health Makes Everything Worse Republished with permission from AbleChild.
The post ABLECHILD: The Crisis Creators – Why Behavioral Health Makes Everything Worse appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

unitedyam June 1, 2026June 1, 2026

Colorful illustration highlighting various behavioral health issues, including depression, anxiety, and ADHD, with prescription bottles symbolizing treatment and diagnostic challenges.

The Crisis Creators: Why Behavioral Health Makes Everything Worse Republished with permission from AbleChild.

The post ABLECHILD: The Crisis Creators – Why Behavioral Health Makes Everything Worse appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

Fulton Sheen’s missionary legacy hailed by Pope Leo XIV #Catholic Pope Leo XIV on Monday praised the missionary legacy of Venerable Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen, the famed American evangelist who will be beatified Sept. 24 in St. Louis, calling him “a light of faith, hope, and love.”The pope made his remarks June 1 during an audience with participants in the general assembly of the Pontifical Mission Societies, recalling Sheen’s long service as national director of the societies in the United States.The pope noted that this year marks the 100th anniversary of Pope Pius XI’s establishment of the penultimate Sunday of October as World Mission Sunday, a day devoted to “prayer, reflection, and contributing to the Church’s mission of evangelization.”Leo expressed his gratitude to those who promote the annual observance, which supports the Church’s missionary work throughout the world.“For 100 years, this day has been set apart for prayer, reflection, and contributing to the Church’s mission of evangelization, especially in areas where the proclamation of the Gospel is only just beginning and where the Church is still young,” the pope said.He added that “every Catholic community is invited to pray and offer spiritual and material sacrifices for the missionary efforts in areas of first evangelization and for the support of young Churches.”World Mission Sunday also reminds older and more established Churches “how important it is that they too join in the missionary spirit of the whole Church,” he said.The pope said the funds raised through World Mission Sunday make it possible for the Pontifical Society of the Propagation of the Faith to assist more than 1,130 ecclesiastical jurisdictions that depend on the Dicastery for Evangelization’s section for first evangelization and new particular Churches.Those funds, he said, help establish Church infrastructure, support missionary initiatives, and contribute to the administration of five colleges in Rome for the ongoing formation of priests and consecrated men and women who later return to serve their local Churches.Leo also highlighted the 110th anniversary of the Pontifical Missionary Union, founded by Blessed Paolo Manna, later declared pontifical by Pope Pius XII and described by St. Paul VI as the “soul” of the other Pontifical Mission Societies.“I encourage all to participate in its mission of fostering among all the baptized an ever more fervent missionary spirituality and a deeper commitment to the Church’s universal mission of evangelization in this new missionary age,” he said.The pope then turned again to Sheen, noting that his beatification is scheduled for Sept. 24 in St. Louis.“It is also providential that this year, on 24 September, in St. Louis, Missouri, a renowned national director of the Pontifical Mission Societies in the United States of America, the Venerable Fulton J. Sheen, will be beatified,” Leo said.“Archbishop Sheen was a light of faith, hope, and love that shone through the radio and television media for decades,” the pope continued. “I myself am a witness of his evangelization when I was growing up. His broadcasts touched millions with the hope of the Gospel and his initiatives and efforts resulted in enormous spiritual and material aid to the Churches in areas of first evangelization.”“May our new blessed be an example for all of the national and diocesan directors of the Pontifical Mission Societies throughout the world,” he added.Leo also underscored the importance of the Pontifical Mission Societies in a world “increasingly marked by division, war, and conflict among nations and peoples.”He said the Pontifical Mission Society of the Holy Childhood carries out “a particularly precious mission” by bringing faith and Christian charity to children around the world, especially in places afflicted by hatred and violence. He also praised the Pontifical Mission Society of St. Peter the Apostle for sustaining the formation of Indigenous clergy and consecrated religious in mission territories.The theme for this year’s World Mission Sunday, “One in Christ, United in Mission,” highlights the unity of believers and the 100th anniversary of the global celebration, the pope said.The theme “invites all of the members of the Church to a deeper communion in Christ and to a fuller unity in his divine mission of love,” he said.“I therefore encourage you to keep this teaching in mind, to live an authentic spirituality of missionary unity and communion centered on Christ, and to promote it through your activities among the faithful,” Leo told the assembly.Citing the Second Vatican Council’s decree Ad Gentes, the pope recalled that the “Church on earth is by her very nature missionary since, according to the plan of the Father, it has her origin in the mission of the Son and the Holy Spirit.”He urged participants to recognize “the urgency of embracing an ongoing missionary conversion” and to seek together ways of “being a missionary Church for the healing of our world, so fraught with tensions, conflicts, and wars.”“In all that we do for the work of evangelization, may we always place Jesus Christ at the center,” Leo said, invoking the words of St. John the Baptist: “He must increase, but I must decrease.”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.

unitedyam June 1, 2026June 1, 2026

The pontiff praised Venerable Sheen, who will be beatified Sept. 24, as “a light of faith, hope, and love” whose radio and television broadcasts brought the Gospel to millions.

unitedyam June 1, 2026June 1, 2026

Occasionally I see references in Astronomy to the speed of something as “supersonic.” I’m having trouble reconciling this term with velocities typically found among astronomical objects. Wouldn’t “relativistic” be closer to the truth? Anything close to sonic speeds in Earth’s atmosphere wouldn’t cover much distance in outer space. Peter IanchiouTucson, Arizona One would certainly thinkContinue reading “What does the term ‘supersonic’ mean in astronomy?”

The post What does the term ‘supersonic’ mean in astronomy? appeared first on Astronomy Magazine.

‘Invisible, silent, misunderstood work’: The pope’s school for diplomats at 325 years – #Catholic – The Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy, the school in Rome that trains young priests to serve as ambassadors for the pope, is celebrating the 325th anniversary of its founding this year.Located at Romeʼs Piazza della Minerva and established in its current form in 1850, the academy is a crucial part of the Holy Seeʼs worldwide diplomatic mission and among the oldest institutions of its kind.Pope Leo XIV marked the anniversary with a visit to the academy on April 27, reminding the community of its primary responsibility as shepherds and of the mission “to bear witness to the truth that is Christ, bringing his message to the forum of nations.”The academy has trained apostolic nuncios — representatives of the pope and the Holy See to other countries — since 1701. It was founded by Pope Clement XI, initially to train the sons of noble families and later to train diocesan priests for diplomatic service on behalf of the papacy.An important but often misunderstood serviceThe academy has produced more than 2,000 Church diplomats since its founding in 1701 and has many notable alumni, including five popes, among them Leo XIII and St. Paul VI. Its roster of graduates also includes eight Vatican secretaries of state, the latest being Cardinal Pietro Parolin.Archbishop Salvatore Pennacchio, president of the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy, reflected on the institutionʼs importance with EWTN News. He explained that while the academy is not well known among ordinary Catholics, it is highly relevant to the life of the universal Church.“Certainly, the academy seems a somewhat obscure and closed place, but in fact it is open to the world,” Pennacchio told EWTN News. “Naturally, we do not put ourselves in the newspapers, but I remember these words of Paul VI: ‘an invisible, silent, misunderstood work.’”

Archbishop Salvatore Pennacchio, president of the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy, at the grounds of the academy in Rome on May 22, 2026. | Credit: Ishmael Adibuah/EWTN News

That work involves helping to maintain the Holy Seeʼs diplomatic relations with 183 countries. At times, it is delicate, ranging from negotiating with hostile governments to providing aid during natural disasters. Pennacchio himself served for 44 years as an apostolic nuncio and explained that alumni who become papal diplomats in these countries help bring the pope closer to areas he cannot go in person.“In my years as an apostolic nuncio, I served in post-genocide Rwanda and later in Thailand, where I oversaw six other Southeast Asian countries and made over 200 pastoral trips in seven years. A crucial aspect of the nuncioʼs role is representing the Holy Fatherʼs solidarity in places he cannot personally reach, providing both spiritual encouragement and material aid by mobilizing organizations like Caritas during natural disasters and conflicts,” Pennacchio said.Academic, spiritual, and pastoral formationCurrently, 37 priests from 28 countries are in formation at the academy to become papal diplomats. Pennacchio explained to EWTN News that there are three aspects of formation for the future ambassadors of the pope.“The first level is the academic-intellectual level. Each priest has a specific path, so they also receive training in canon law. Furthermore, they take language courses. At a minimum, they learn at least two other languages and must learn Italian because it is somewhat the language of communication of the Curia.”“The second level is the spiritual aspect. There are priests here who already have experience as priests in their parishes or in other countries, with at least two years of pastoral life. In the period that we are together, we live as a community.”

Commemorative book of the 325th anniversary of the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy on May 22, 2026, in Rome. | Credit: Ishmael Adibuah/EWTN News

“And then the third level is the pastoral one, because the students must continue to be priests. They must not abandon their apostolic zeal, and on weekends, they are assigned to parishes, hospitals, and prisons, where they can develop and exercise their pastoral ministry. Pope Francis also introduced a missionary year. Before being assigned to a diplomatic post, they must complete a year of missionary experience in the country to which they are assigned. After a year there, they return and then receive their first diplomatic post.”Vatican versus civil diplomacyPennacchio also explained the distinction between Holy See diplomacy and civil diplomacy.“I often compare our role to a train track with two parallel rails. While nuncios serve as ambassadors presenting credentials to the state, we simultaneously represent the Holy Father to the local Church. Unlike civil diplomats who focus on national, commercial, or military interests, ours is a unique, deeply spiritual mission. In the political sphere, our primary goal is always to bring a message of peace and inspire negotiations rather than war,” Pennacchio said.

unitedyam June 1, 2026June 1, 2026

The Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy in Rome was founded in 1701 as a training ground for the pope’s ambassadors.

Catholic scientists to gather near Chicago to discuss human sexuality, future of the universe – #Catholic – The Society of Catholic Scientists (SCS) is preparing to gather for its ninth annual conference June 5–7 at Mundelein Seminary northwest of Chicago, with plans to discuss some of the major issues facing the scientific community. The society exists as an answer to the call of St. John Paul II that “members of the Church who are active scientists” be of service to those who are attempting to “integrate the worlds of science and religion in their own intellectual and spiritual lives.” SCS does this through annual and regional conferences, college chapters, lectures, and other activities, as well as by a large archive of educational material and articles on its website.Founded in 2016, SCS has quickly grown to over 2,700 members from 65 countries (75% are from the U.S. and Canada, followed by Spain, Poland, and the UK). Many hundreds of scientists have attended its conferences — along with theologians, philosophers, and historians — while thousands, from professors to high school students, regularly attend its local events.Stephen Barr, a physicist at the University of Delaware and founder of the group, told EWTN News that SCS gains about 250 new members each year. He expects this year’s convention to attract approximately 130 attendees, including a significant number of young participants. Barr explained his impetus for founding SCS. “Thereʼs this big perception in society that science and religion are at odds — this has become the conventional wisdom. It’s going to take a lot of work to overcome that,” he said. “We are there to proclaim that they are not at odds. The mere fact that we exist shows people that there are not just a handful of scientists who are religious, but a large number of scientists who are religious — and not only that, but a large number who are believing, practicing, faithful Catholics.”Historically, many prominent scientists were Catholic, and several of this year’s talks will highlight that joint history.Nuno Castel-Branco, a historian of science and Research Fellow at All Souls College, Oxford, will speak about “The Anatomy of a Conversion: Nicolaus Steno and the Search for Certainty in the Scientific Revolution.”Steno was a Danish scientist in the 1600s. A pioneer in both anatomy and geology, he became a Catholic bishop in his later years and has been beatified by the Catholic Church.Ignasi Rosell of the Universidad CEU Cardenal Herrera will share a presentation called “John Henry Newman, New Doctor of the Church: His Vision of the University and the Place of the Sciences,” and Berta Moritz of "Science Meets Faith" will present “Gregor Mendel in Brno and Vienna: An On-Site Perspective.”Part of SCS' mission is being a public witness to the compatibility of faith and science and a first-of-its-kind event at this yearʼs conference will address that issue directly: an event designed to prepare Catholic scientists to deliver effective talks on science and faith. Science and Faith Speaker Training is a one-and-a-half-day workshop that will take place before the main conference begins. A grant from The Templeton Religious Trust supports this event.Another top-of-mind topic for science-curious Catholics is human biology and sexuality, and two talks from prominent scientists will clarify aspects of these issues.James J. Lee, a professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Minnesota, will discuss “The Evolution of Sexual Reproduction and Differentiation” and Maureen L. Condic, a professor at The Catholic University of America whose research focuses on the role of stem cells in development and regeneration, will present a lecture on “The Biology of Human Nature and Human Individuation.”“A lot of social issues nowadays touch upon the meaning of sex and what it means to be human,” Barr told EWTN News. “What is sex? What is a human being? We donʼt necessarily aim to have talks that address hot-button issues — actually, we try to steer clear of highly contentious social issues — but clearly a lot of theological questions revolve around the nature of sex and the nature of human beings.”Another conference presentation will illuminate the latest research about the future of the universe. Robert J. Scherrer, a professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at Vanderbilt University, where he also served as department chair for 13 years, will present “How the Universe Will End.”“The universe is accelerating, but it seems that will end at some point,“ Barr said. ”Itʼs not so clear anymore whether the universe is going to expand forever or collapse, and that is a very interesting question. It also has some theological interest if weʼre thinking about the end of the world and the next world and how theyʼre connected.”Computer scientist Gregory F. Johnson, principal software engineer at Zap Surgical Systems, a spin-off of the Stanford Medical School, will discuss Gödelʼs Incompleteness Theorem and how it launched “a mathematical and philosophical revolution.”“That talk is personally interesting to me, as Gödelʼs Theorem is regarded as having great philosophical implications,” Barr said. “But I think all the talks this year Iʼm going to learn something from, and thatʼs exciting. I like it when I go to a talk and come out knowing more than I did when I went in.”The 2026 conference is open to SCS members and associates and will be livestreamed for free. The conference schedule and speaker biographies can be found here.

unitedyam June 1, 2026June 1, 2026

The 2026 Conference of the Society of Catholic Scientists will take place June 5–7 at Mundelein Seminary near Chicago.

The World’s Largest National Park Is 100 Times Bigger Than Yellowstone—and It Has Glaciers, Polar Bears, and Fjord Views #Travel This not-so-little corner of the world is only accessible by plane or boat.

unitedyam June 1, 2026June 1, 2026

This not-so-little corner of the world is only accessible by plane or boat.

unitedyam June 1, 2026June 1, 2026

Cardinal Michael Czerny, whose family fled communism, will preside as two executed priests become the first martyrs of communism beatified in the Czech Republic.

Picture of the day

Bolhão Market in Porto, Portugal
#ImageOfTheDay

unitedyam June 1, 2026June 1, 2026

Picture of the day

Bolhão Market in Porto, Portugal

Day: June 1, 2026

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Pretty in Pink – This image of Westerlund 2 features Chandra X-ray Observatory data (pink) and James Webb infrared data (red, orange, green, cyan, and blue).

What does the term ‘supersonic’ mean in astronomy?

The World’s Largest National Park Is 100 Times Bigger Than Yellowstone—and It Has Glaciers, Polar Bears, and Fjord Views #Travel This not-so-little corner of the world is only accessible by plane or boat.

Picture of the day Bolhão Market in Porto, Portugal #ImageOfTheDay