Day: July 29, 2026

Family Blessing at Bedtime: Prayer of the Day for Thursday, July 30, 2026 – #Prayer – Heavenly Father, Bless (name) and keep him (her) in Your love. Grant him (her) a good rest tonight, And send Your angels to protect him (her). In the Name of the Father, And the + Son, And of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

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Heavenly Father,
Bless (name) and keep him (her) in Your love.
Grant him (her) a good rest tonight,
And send Your angels to protect him (her).
In the Name of the Father,
And the + Son,
And of the Holy Spirit.

Amen.

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‘Canticle of Peace’: Leo XIV presents the beauty of music as a path to God #Catholic Pope Leo XIV stated Wednesday that “the beauty of music invites us to encounter the One who is beauty itself,” during the “Canticle of Peace” prayer and fraternal gathering held at Castel Gandolfo’s Borgo Laudato Si’ gardens.Leo XIV also prayed for peace to reign “in all those places in the world that continue to suffer from violenceThe gathering, organized by the Laudato Si’ Center for Higher Education and the Andrea Bocelli Foundation (ABF), took place as part of the celebrations marking the eighth centenary of the death of St. Francis of Assisi.Addressing the young members of the ABF Voices choir who came from Uganda, the Holy Land, and Italy, Leo XIV assured them: “Know also that the Holy Father loves you and prays for you, for your families, and for your countries.”After listening to the performance by tenor Andrea Bocelli and the choir, the pope thanked them for the effort put into preparing the recital and congratulated their conductors, noting that “music has the extraordinary capacity to bring different voices together in unison, where each contributes something unique to the whole.”“In this sense, the choir becomes an ideal symbol of harmony and cooperation,” he added. Andrea Bocelli during his performance at the “Canticle of Peace” before Pope Leo XIV and the young people gathered at the Borgo Laudato Si’ in Castel Gandolfo on July 29, 2026 | Credit: Vatican Media. In his message, Leo XIV noted the significance of the fact that Sacred Scripture and the Church’s liturgy speak of “choirs of angels and saints” when describing the joy of heaven.This does not mean, he explained, that they are “literally singing all the time,” but rather that, “united in love, they contemplate God together and find the fullness of happiness in him.”The Holy Father then invited the young people to reflect on what had taken place during their performance: “As you sang, did you notice how music drew all of us into a new experience — something greater than anything any one of us could have created alone?”“This is the experience of beauty. It opens up a new horizon before us and awakens within us the desire to move towards it,” he continued.The pope explained that “when we journey toward that horizon, we do not simply discover something, but Someone. We encounter God, our Creator.” Pope Leo XIV speaking to the young participants in the “Canticle of Peace,” held at the Borgo Laudato Si’ in Castel Gandolfo on July 29, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Leo XIV encouraged the young people to continue cultivating the gifts God has bestowed upon them and to allow those talents to lead them to him, for “He is all we seek in life, the only one who can calm our restless hearts.”The pontiff also reminded them that “you were made for great things and that the whole world is not enough to satisfy your thirst for meaning and happiness.”Before concluding, Leo XIV thanked the Andrea Bocelli Foundation for its work on behalf of young people facing educational and social disadvantages, and highlighted that “through the power of music, you are contributing to the Church’s mission of promoting the integral development of every human person in service of the common good. May God bless your efforts.”This story was first published by ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.
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‘Canticle of Peace’: Leo XIV presents the beauty of music as a path to God #Catholic Pope Leo XIV stated Wednesday that “the beauty of music invites us to encounter the One who is beauty itself,” during the “Canticle of Peace” prayer and fraternal gathering held at Castel Gandolfo’s Borgo Laudato Si’ gardens.Leo XIV also prayed for peace to reign “in all those places in the world that continue to suffer from violenceThe gathering, organized by the Laudato Si’ Center for Higher Education and the Andrea Bocelli Foundation (ABF), took place as part of the celebrations marking the eighth centenary of the death of St. Francis of Assisi.Addressing the young members of the ABF Voices choir who came from Uganda, the Holy Land, and Italy, Leo XIV assured them: “Know also that the Holy Father loves you and prays for you, for your families, and for your countries.”After listening to the performance by tenor Andrea Bocelli and the choir, the pope thanked them for the effort put into preparing the recital and congratulated their conductors, noting that “music has the extraordinary capacity to bring different voices together in unison, where each contributes something unique to the whole.”“In this sense, the choir becomes an ideal symbol of harmony and cooperation,” he added. Andrea Bocelli during his performance at the “Canticle of Peace” before Pope Leo XIV and the young people gathered at the Borgo Laudato Si’ in Castel Gandolfo on July 29, 2026 | Credit: Vatican Media. In his message, Leo XIV noted the significance of the fact that Sacred Scripture and the Church’s liturgy speak of “choirs of angels and saints” when describing the joy of heaven.This does not mean, he explained, that they are “literally singing all the time,” but rather that, “united in love, they contemplate God together and find the fullness of happiness in him.”The Holy Father then invited the young people to reflect on what had taken place during their performance: “As you sang, did you notice how music drew all of us into a new experience — something greater than anything any one of us could have created alone?”“This is the experience of beauty. It opens up a new horizon before us and awakens within us the desire to move towards it,” he continued.The pope explained that “when we journey toward that horizon, we do not simply discover something, but Someone. We encounter God, our Creator.” Pope Leo XIV speaking to the young participants in the “Canticle of Peace,” held at the Borgo Laudato Si’ in Castel Gandolfo on July 29, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media Leo XIV encouraged the young people to continue cultivating the gifts God has bestowed upon them and to allow those talents to lead them to him, for “He is all we seek in life, the only one who can calm our restless hearts.”The pontiff also reminded them that “you were made for great things and that the whole world is not enough to satisfy your thirst for meaning and happiness.”Before concluding, Leo XIV thanked the Andrea Bocelli Foundation for its work on behalf of young people facing educational and social disadvantages, and highlighted that “through the power of music, you are contributing to the Church’s mission of promoting the integral development of every human person in service of the common good. May God bless your efforts.”This story was first published by ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.

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The Holy Father made his remarks at an event organized by the Laudato Si’ Center for Higher Education and the Andrea Bocelli Foundation.

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Archbishop Wenski meets lawmakers to gain support for Haitian migrants amid deportation fears #Catholic Miami Archbishop Thomas Wenski traveled to Washington, D.C., on July 28 to advocate on behalf of Haitian migrants who fear they will soon be targets of President Donald Trump’s mass deportation efforts.Wenski’s meetings with lawmakers came one day after the expiration of the automatic work‑permit extension under temporary protected status (TPS) for Haitians. The Supreme Court ruled last month that the administration has the authority to terminate TPS, which ended their work authorization and could subject them to deportation orders. “Haiti is a house on fire,” Wenski told “EWTN News Nightly” Capitol Hill correspondent Erik Rosales before entering the office of Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Virginia.The archbishop said TPS expiration and possible deportation of hundreds of thousands of Haitians is bad for the migrants — who would be sent back to an unstable country — and for the American communities in which the migrants live and work. About 353,000 Haitian nationals hold TPS status in the U.S., according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).“To think that we can send 350,000 people back to Haiti without that having very bad consequences in Haiti — but also here because these people are working, they’re not on the dole, they’re working, and if they’re removed from their jobs, if they lose their work permits, that’s going to have a negative economic impact on the communities in which they live,” Wenski said.As Haitian TPS status ends, some lawmakers have introduced bills to compel the DHS to extend the status. In April, the U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation, H.R. 1689, that would extend TPS for Haitians for three more years. No legislative efforts have gained traction in the Senate.The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has advocated strongly on behalf of Haitian migrants, asking the Trump administration and lawmakers to extend TPS. About two-thirds of Haiti is Catholic.Chieko Noguchi, spokeswoman for the USCCB, told EWTN News that Bishop Brendan J. Cahill, USCCB Committee on Migration chair, “has encouraged his brother bishops across the country to engage with their elected officials” on Haitian TPS status and broader immigration reform efforts.“As pastors committed to upholding the common good, the bishops are actively engaging in this dialogue and continue to be grateful for the opportunity to do so, which they acknowledged in their special message last November,” she said.In November 2025, the USCCB adopted a message in a 216-5 vote that opposed the “indiscriminate mass deportation of people” and policies that revoke the legal status of migrants, such as the terminations of TPS for various groups of migrants.Kaine, an advocate for extending TPS, told EWTN News after meeting with Wenski that he was glad “to discuss the critical need for Congress to do what is right and protect TPS holders who have been in the U.S. legally for years” and looks forward to working with the USCCB to advocate for TPS holders.TPS holders “have made countless contributions in important sectors such as healthcare and construction, and developed deep roots in our communities through their U.S. citizen families and businesses,” he added. “Many TPS holders, such as those from Haiti, should not be forced to return to the extremely dangerous conditions that made them seek safety in the United States.”Status of Haitian migrantsOn July 27, DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin reposted a DHS post on X, which said “temporary protected status is exactly that — TEMPORARY” and urged anyone whose TPS has expired to self-deport out of the U.S.“For those with terminated TPS: it’s closing time,” the post read. “You don’t have to go home, but you can’t stay here.”When asked whether DHS intends to specifically target Haitians for deportation amid the TPS expiration, a spokesperson told EWTN News that the department “does not discuss ongoing or future operations” but is conducting law enforcement activities daily.“For too long, TPS has been allowed to function as a de facto amnesty program despite Congress never intending it to be permanent,” the spokesperson said.Andrew Arthur, a former immigration judge and a resident fellow in law and policy for the Center for Immigration Studies, told EWTN News that TPS was initially approved for Haiti in 2010 after a devastating earthquake.Although Haiti continues to face serious safety and political stability concerns, he said the effects of the earthquake no longer impact the country. He noted that Haitians can apply for permanent status under other programs, such as if they are eligible for asylum, but that TPS is not a permanent resettlement program.Arthur said Haitians who are in the U.S. under temporary legal status “had the opportunity to work in the United States and make money” and learn skills, which they can take back “to Haiti and [it can] help them make Haiti a better country.”The former judge said he expects immigration enforcement toward Haitians to be part of “the larger enforcement efforts” rather than a targeted campaign against Haitians, with a priority toward people who have been convicted of crimes.“The response [now] is foreign aid on the part of the United States and aid from the Catholic Church toward making Haiti a better place,” Arthur said.TPS status for Syrian migrants also ended on July 27. El Salvador’s TPS designation is set to expire Sept. 9.
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Archbishop Wenski meets lawmakers to gain support for Haitian migrants amid deportation fears #Catholic Miami Archbishop Thomas Wenski traveled to Washington, D.C., on July 28 to advocate on behalf of Haitian migrants who fear they will soon be targets of President Donald Trump’s mass deportation efforts.Wenski’s meetings with lawmakers came one day after the expiration of the automatic work‑permit extension under temporary protected status (TPS) for Haitians. The Supreme Court ruled last month that the administration has the authority to terminate TPS, which ended their work authorization and could subject them to deportation orders. “Haiti is a house on fire,” Wenski told “EWTN News Nightly” Capitol Hill correspondent Erik Rosales before entering the office of Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Virginia.The archbishop said TPS expiration and possible deportation of hundreds of thousands of Haitians is bad for the migrants — who would be sent back to an unstable country — and for the American communities in which the migrants live and work. About 353,000 Haitian nationals hold TPS status in the U.S., according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).“To think that we can send 350,000 people back to Haiti without that having very bad consequences in Haiti — but also here because these people are working, they’re not on the dole, they’re working, and if they’re removed from their jobs, if they lose their work permits, that’s going to have a negative economic impact on the communities in which they live,” Wenski said.As Haitian TPS status ends, some lawmakers have introduced bills to compel the DHS to extend the status. In April, the U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation, H.R. 1689, that would extend TPS for Haitians for three more years. No legislative efforts have gained traction in the Senate.The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has advocated strongly on behalf of Haitian migrants, asking the Trump administration and lawmakers to extend TPS. About two-thirds of Haiti is Catholic.Chieko Noguchi, spokeswoman for the USCCB, told EWTN News that Bishop Brendan J. Cahill, USCCB Committee on Migration chair, “has encouraged his brother bishops across the country to engage with their elected officials” on Haitian TPS status and broader immigration reform efforts.“As pastors committed to upholding the common good, the bishops are actively engaging in this dialogue and continue to be grateful for the opportunity to do so, which they acknowledged in their special message last November,” she said.In November 2025, the USCCB adopted a message in a 216-5 vote that opposed the “indiscriminate mass deportation of people” and policies that revoke the legal status of migrants, such as the terminations of TPS for various groups of migrants.Kaine, an advocate for extending TPS, told EWTN News after meeting with Wenski that he was glad “to discuss the critical need for Congress to do what is right and protect TPS holders who have been in the U.S. legally for years” and looks forward to working with the USCCB to advocate for TPS holders.TPS holders “have made countless contributions in important sectors such as healthcare and construction, and developed deep roots in our communities through their U.S. citizen families and businesses,” he added. “Many TPS holders, such as those from Haiti, should not be forced to return to the extremely dangerous conditions that made them seek safety in the United States.”Status of Haitian migrantsOn July 27, DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin reposted a DHS post on X, which said “temporary protected status is exactly that — TEMPORARY” and urged anyone whose TPS has expired to self-deport out of the U.S.“For those with terminated TPS: it’s closing time,” the post read. “You don’t have to go home, but you can’t stay here.”When asked whether DHS intends to specifically target Haitians for deportation amid the TPS expiration, a spokesperson told EWTN News that the department “does not discuss ongoing or future operations” but is conducting law enforcement activities daily.“For too long, TPS has been allowed to function as a de facto amnesty program despite Congress never intending it to be permanent,” the spokesperson said.Andrew Arthur, a former immigration judge and a resident fellow in law and policy for the Center for Immigration Studies, told EWTN News that TPS was initially approved for Haiti in 2010 after a devastating earthquake.Although Haiti continues to face serious safety and political stability concerns, he said the effects of the earthquake no longer impact the country. He noted that Haitians can apply for permanent status under other programs, such as if they are eligible for asylum, but that TPS is not a permanent resettlement program.Arthur said Haitians who are in the U.S. under temporary legal status “had the opportunity to work in the United States and make money” and learn skills, which they can take back “to Haiti and [it can] help them make Haiti a better country.”The former judge said he expects immigration enforcement toward Haitians to be part of “the larger enforcement efforts” rather than a targeted campaign against Haitians, with a priority toward people who have been convicted of crimes.“The response [now] is foreign aid on the part of the United States and aid from the Catholic Church toward making Haiti a better place,” Arthur said.TPS status for Syrian migrants also ended on July 27. El Salvador’s TPS designation is set to expire Sept. 9.

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The Department of Homeland Security defended its policy, saying temporary protected status was not meant to be permanent.

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Brownsville, Texas, bishop addresses plight of nun, others like her facing deportation – #Catholic – While he is thankful and relieved that Sister Leticia Ugboaja will be able to remain serving in the Rio Grande Valley as her immigration case continues, Diocese of Brownsville, Texas, Bishop Daniel Flores said July 29 that the outcome of her situation is still “an open question,” as it is for many others in similar circumstances.    The Texas bishop, who also serves as vice president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), released a statement following Ugboaja’s July 28 ICE check-in, at which she was informed third-country removal was not off the table. “We are grateful to God for Tuesday’s news that Sister Leticia ‘Letty’ Ugboaja will be able remain in our community while her case is allowed to move forward,” Flores said. While the Church feels “some relief” at the moment, he added, “we also remember that it is important to continue praying for and accompanying the many individuals and families who live in fear and anxiety as they seek a way to resolve their immigration status.”“The prospect of deportation to a third country frightens many persons who, like Sister Letty, have violated no laws, and who have been granted permission to stay while conditions in their country of origin remain life-threatening,” Flores said. Flores recalled the special message the USCCB issued in November 2025 in which the bishops urged meaningful immigration reform. “We can be a nation of both respect for law and of well-considered compassion for persons at risk in their own countries,” Flores pointed out, calling for political consensus that “defends the common good, protects the vulnerable, and treats all persons whose immigration status is being reviewed with humanity.”“May God guide us in building a society reflecting both justice and mercy,” he emphasized.Status of Sister LettyOn July 28, Ugboaja’s attorney, Carlos Garcia, told reporters gathered outside the ICE field office where her check-in took place that the possibility of third-country removal “is very concerning for us … That is obviously not what we want. And that’s why we are exploring all our legal alternatives.”Ugboaja, a member of the Daughters of Mary Mother of Mercy and a registered nurse at South Texas Health System, was detained by two ICE agents on Sunday, June 28, as she walked to Mass at Our Lady of Sorrows Church in McAllen, where she serves as a Eucharistic minister.She was released the same day after the intervention of several political leaders. Our Lady of Sorrows Church in McAllen, Texas, where Sister Leticia Ugboaja was headed from her residence a block away when she was detained by ICE agents on June 28, 2026. | Credit: Amira Abuzeid/EWTN News At a press conference last week, Garcia said an immigration judge denied Ugboaja’s application for asylum in 2019 but did grant her protection from removal to Nigeria under the United Nations Convention Against Torture, finding it was likely she would be tortured if she returned there.Garcia said this protection legally bars the U.S. government from deporting her to Nigeria, though she remains under a final order of removal and could be sent to a third country.After Ugboaja’s July 28 check-in, her attorney expressed gratitude that the nun, who has lived in the United States for nearly two decades and has never missed an immigration appointment, was not detained and not required to wear an ankle monitor, possibilities he had discussed last week. The nun has another check-in scheduled for Jan. 28, 2027.
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Brownsville, Texas, bishop addresses plight of nun, others like her facing deportation – #Catholic – While he is thankful and relieved that Sister Leticia Ugboaja will be able to remain serving in the Rio Grande Valley as her immigration case continues, Diocese of Brownsville, Texas, Bishop Daniel Flores said July 29 that the outcome of her situation is still “an open question,” as it is for many others in similar circumstances.    The Texas bishop, who also serves as vice president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), released a statement following Ugboaja’s July 28 ICE check-in, at which she was informed third-country removal was not off the table. “We are grateful to God for Tuesday’s news that Sister Leticia ‘Letty’ Ugboaja will be able remain in our community while her case is allowed to move forward,” Flores said. While the Church feels “some relief” at the moment, he added, “we also remember that it is important to continue praying for and accompanying the many individuals and families who live in fear and anxiety as they seek a way to resolve their immigration status.”“The prospect of deportation to a third country frightens many persons who, like Sister Letty, have violated no laws, and who have been granted permission to stay while conditions in their country of origin remain life-threatening,” Flores said. Flores recalled the special message the USCCB issued in November 2025 in which the bishops urged meaningful immigration reform. “We can be a nation of both respect for law and of well-considered compassion for persons at risk in their own countries,” Flores pointed out, calling for political consensus that “defends the common good, protects the vulnerable, and treats all persons whose immigration status is being reviewed with humanity.”“May God guide us in building a society reflecting both justice and mercy,” he emphasized.Status of Sister LettyOn July 28, Ugboaja’s attorney, Carlos Garcia, told reporters gathered outside the ICE field office where her check-in took place that the possibility of third-country removal “is very concerning for us … That is obviously not what we want. And that’s why we are exploring all our legal alternatives.”Ugboaja, a member of the Daughters of Mary Mother of Mercy and a registered nurse at South Texas Health System, was detained by two ICE agents on Sunday, June 28, as she walked to Mass at Our Lady of Sorrows Church in McAllen, where she serves as a Eucharistic minister.She was released the same day after the intervention of several political leaders. Our Lady of Sorrows Church in McAllen, Texas, where Sister Leticia Ugboaja was headed from her residence a block away when she was detained by ICE agents on June 28, 2026. | Credit: Amira Abuzeid/EWTN News At a press conference last week, Garcia said an immigration judge denied Ugboaja’s application for asylum in 2019 but did grant her protection from removal to Nigeria under the United Nations Convention Against Torture, finding it was likely she would be tortured if she returned there.Garcia said this protection legally bars the U.S. government from deporting her to Nigeria, though she remains under a final order of removal and could be sent to a third country.After Ugboaja’s July 28 check-in, her attorney expressed gratitude that the nun, who has lived in the United States for nearly two decades and has never missed an immigration appointment, was not detained and not required to wear an ankle monitor, possibilities he had discussed last week. The nun has another check-in scheduled for Jan. 28, 2027.

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“We can be a nation of both respect for law and of well-considered compassion for persons at risk in their own countries,” Bishop Daniel Flores said.

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Gospel and Word of the Day – 30 July 2026 – A reading from the Book of Jeremiah 18:1-6 This word came to Jeremiah from the LORD: Rise up, be off to the potter’s house; there I will give you my message. I went down to the potter’s house and there he was,  working at the wheel. Whenever the object of clay which he was making turned out badly in his hand,  he tried again, making of the clay another object of whatever sort he pleased. Then the word of the LORD came to me: Can I not do to you, house of Israel, as this potter has done? says the LORD. Indeed, like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand, house of Israel.From the Gospel according to Matthew 13:47-53 Jesus said to the disciples: “The Kingdom of heaven is like a net thrown into the sea, which collects fish of every kind. When it is full they haul it ashore and sit down to put what is good into buckets. What is bad they throw away. Thus it will be at the end of the age. The angels will go out and separate the wicked from the righteous and throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.” “Do you understand all these things?” They answered, “Yes.” And he replied, “Then every scribe who has been instructed in the Kingdom of heaven is like the head of a household who brings from his storeroom both the new and the old.” When Jesus finished these parables, he went away from there.In the Gospel, Jesus speaks of discernment with images taken from ordinary life; for example, he describes the fishers who select the good fish and discard the bad ones. (…) It takes intelligence, skill, and also will to make a good choice. And there is also a price required for discernment to become effective. To perform his trade to the best of his ability, the fisherman reckons with hard work, long nights spent at sea, and then the fact of discarding some of the catch, accepting a loss of profit for the sake of those for whom it is intended. (…) Everyone has to make decisions; there is no one to make them for us. At a certain point, adults can freely ask for advice, reflect, but the decision is our own. We can’t say, ‘I lost this, because my husband decided, my wife decided, my brother decided’. No. You have to decide, each of us has to decide. (…) In the final judgement God will exercise discernment — the great discernment — with regard to us. (…) And in a good decision, correct, there is an encounter between God’s will and our will. (…)  Discernment is demanding but indispensable for living. It requires that I know myself, that I know what is good for me here and now. Above all, it requires a filial relationship with God. God is Father and He does not leave us alone, He is always willing to advise us, to encourage us, to welcome us. But He never imposes His will. Why? Because He wants to be loved and not feared. And also, God wants children, not slaves: free children. And love can only be lived in freedom. (…) Let us ask the Holy Spirit to guide us! Let us invoke Him every day, especially when we have choices to make. (Pope Francis, General Audience, 31 agosto 2022)

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A reading from the Book of Jeremiah
18:1-6

This word came to Jeremiah from the LORD:
Rise up, be off to the potter’s house;
there I will give you my message.
I went down to the potter’s house and there he was, 
working at the wheel.
Whenever the object of clay which he was making
turned out badly in his hand, 
he tried again,
making of the clay another object of whatever sort he pleased.
Then the word of the LORD came to me:
Can I not do to you, house of Israel,
as this potter has done? says the LORD.
Indeed, like clay in the hand of the potter,
so are you in my hand, house of Israel.

From the Gospel according to Matthew
13:47-53

Jesus said to the disciples:
“The Kingdom of heaven is like a net thrown into the sea,
which collects fish of every kind.
When it is full they haul it ashore
and sit down to put what is good into buckets.
What is bad they throw away.
Thus it will be at the end of the age.
The angels will go out and separate the wicked from the righteous
and throw them into the fiery furnace,
where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.”

“Do you understand all these things?”
They answered, “Yes.”
And he replied,
“Then every scribe who has been instructed in the Kingdom of heaven
is like the head of a household who brings from his storeroom
both the new and the old.”
When Jesus finished these parables, he went away from there.

In the Gospel, Jesus speaks of discernment with images taken from ordinary life; for example, he describes the fishers who select the good fish and discard the bad ones. (…) It takes intelligence, skill, and also will to make a good choice. And there is also a price required for discernment to become effective. To perform his trade to the best of his ability, the fisherman reckons with hard work, long nights spent at sea, and then the fact of discarding some of the catch, accepting a loss of profit for the sake of those for whom it is intended. (…) Everyone has to make decisions; there is no one to make them for us. At a certain point, adults can freely ask for advice, reflect, but the decision is our own. We can’t say, ‘I lost this, because my husband decided, my wife decided, my brother decided’. No. You have to decide, each of us has to decide. (…) In the final judgement God will exercise discernment — the great discernment — with regard to us. (…) And in a good decision, correct, there is an encounter between God’s will and our will. (…)  Discernment is demanding but indispensable for living. It requires that I know myself, that I know what is good for me here and now. Above all, it requires a filial relationship with God. God is Father and He does not leave us alone, He is always willing to advise us, to encourage us, to welcome us. But He never imposes His will. Why? Because He wants to be loved and not feared. And also, God wants children, not slaves: free children. And love can only be lived in freedom. (…) Let us ask the Holy Spirit to guide us! Let us invoke Him every day, especially when we have choices to make. (Pope Francis, General Audience, 31 agosto 2022)

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UK’s Burnham says assisted dying debate must follow fixes to palliative care – #Catholic – U.K. Prime Minister Andy Burnham said debates on assisted suicide should be delayed until the country’s palliative and social care systems have been reformed."Personally, I think thereʼs something that needs to happen first, and thatʼs the fixing of the funding of palliative care and social care,” Burnham said on July 29. "I think it is very challenging to introduce that wider debate in a context of people not receiving that care and having the peace of mind about that care.”Burnham spoke with reporters after outlining his social‑care reform plans at Jewish Care in Golders Green, a northwest London suburb. Burnham, a Catholic, praised the facility for its “model of community” and the Jewish values that shape its care in a July 29 op-ed following the speech.“They understand that care means treating people not as the sum of their different ailments, but as a human being with history and character, deserving of all the dignity and respect that comes with that,” he wrote. “Building a stronger care system and building a stronger country begin with the same belief: that every person belongs, that every community matters, and that no one should ever be made to feel like a stranger in the place they call home.”Burnham said England must urgently fix social care, which supports people with daily living needs. The U.K.’s publicly funded national health system cannot recover without it, Burnham said.Burnham’s speech came after the House of Commons passed the end-of-life bill, but the measure did not advance in the House of Lords. The bill will be debated again in the next parliamentary session.
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UK’s Burnham says assisted dying debate must follow fixes to palliative care – #Catholic – U.K. Prime Minister Andy Burnham said debates on assisted suicide should be delayed until the country’s palliative and social care systems have been reformed."Personally, I think thereʼs something that needs to happen first, and thatʼs the fixing of the funding of palliative care and social care,” Burnham said on July 29. "I think it is very challenging to introduce that wider debate in a context of people not receiving that care and having the peace of mind about that care.”Burnham spoke with reporters after outlining his social‑care reform plans at Jewish Care in Golders Green, a northwest London suburb. Burnham, a Catholic, praised the facility for its “model of community” and the Jewish values that shape its care in a July 29 op-ed following the speech.“They understand that care means treating people not as the sum of their different ailments, but as a human being with history and character, deserving of all the dignity and respect that comes with that,” he wrote. “Building a stronger care system and building a stronger country begin with the same belief: that every person belongs, that every community matters, and that no one should ever be made to feel like a stranger in the place they call home.”Burnham said England must urgently fix social care, which supports people with daily living needs. The U.K.’s publicly funded national health system cannot recover without it, Burnham said.Burnham’s speech came after the House of Commons passed the end-of-life bill, but the measure did not advance in the House of Lords. The bill will be debated again in the next parliamentary session.

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“Personally, I think there’s something that needs to happen first, and that’s the fixing of the funding of palliative care and social care,” U.K. Prime Minister Andy Burnham said.

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Is NASA’s Swift Boost Mission spinning away?

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The one-off spacecraft built to save a struggling NASA space telescope is now in trouble of its own. Over the weekend, Katalyst Space’s LINK spacecraft lost two of its three reaction wheels, sending it into an uncontrolled spin and interrupting its communications link with the ground. What is LINK? The Northrop Grumman Pegasus XL rocketContinue reading “Is NASA’s Swift Boost Mission spinning away?”

The post Is NASA’s Swift Boost Mission spinning away? appeared first on Astronomy Magazine.

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Obituary: Salesian Sister Nivia Arias, 65 #Catholic – A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, Aug. 2, at 10:30 p.m. at Mary Help of Christians Academy, St. Joseph Chapel, in North Haledon, N.J., for Salesian Sister Nivia Arias, who died on July 24 at Chilton Memorial Hospital in the Pompton Plains neighborhood of Pequannock, N.J. She was 65. She was a Salesian Sister for 42 years. Sister Arias was born in Tampa, Florida, to Cuban immigrants Alberto and Maria Luisa Arias. She graduated from Villa Madonna School there in 1975. In Villa’s 90-year history, she was the only student to become a Salesian Sister. Sister Arias entered the Salesian Sisters after helping at Camp Auxilium in Newton, N.J., a summer camp run by the religious order. In 1984, she made her first religious profession. She taught in elementary schools in Paterson and Tampa and taught archery at summer camps in New Jersey and Florida. For many years, Sister Arias was dedicated to retreat ministry at Sacred Heart Center in Newton. Sister Arias is survived by her brother, Carlos, and a large extended family. “Please join us in praying for the eternal repose of Sr. She was a loving Sister who naturally lived ‘Laudato Si’ and had a heart for the least,” the Salesian Sisters of Don Bosco, Daughters Mary Help of Christians, posted on social media. “She had so many creative gifts and loved her Salesian vocation, with a special eye toward catechizing the young. Her prayer was often for peace and reconciliation, especially in people’s hearts. We will miss you, Sister Nivia,” they posted. A wake for Sister Arias will be held on Friday, July 31, at the Salesians’ Provincial House in Haledon, N.J. It will consist of a 4:30 to 6 p.m. wake, 4:30 p.m. rosary, and 5:30 p.m. reading of her biography and evening prayer. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, Aug. 2, at 10:30 p.m. at Mary Help of Christians Academy, St. Joseph Chapel, in North Haledon, N.J. Her burial and repast will follow it in the academy’s cafeteria. Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.
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Obituary: Salesian Sister Nivia Arias, 65 #Catholic – A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, Aug. 2, at 10:30 p.m. at Mary Help of Christians Academy, St. Joseph Chapel, in North Haledon, N.J., for Salesian Sister Nivia Arias, who died on July 24 at Chilton Memorial Hospital in the Pompton Plains neighborhood of Pequannock, N.J. She was 65. She was a Salesian Sister for 42 years. Sister Arias was born in Tampa, Florida, to Cuban immigrants Alberto and Maria Luisa Arias. She graduated from Villa Madonna School there in 1975. In Villa’s 90-year history, she was the only student to become a Salesian Sister. Sister Arias entered the Salesian Sisters after helping at Camp Auxilium in Newton, N.J., a summer camp run by the religious order. In 1984, she made her first religious profession. She taught in elementary schools in Paterson and Tampa and taught archery at summer camps in New Jersey and Florida. For many years, Sister Arias was dedicated to retreat ministry at Sacred Heart Center in Newton. Sister Arias is survived by her brother, Carlos, and a large extended family. “Please join us in praying for the eternal repose of Sr. She was a loving Sister who naturally lived ‘Laudato Si’ and had a heart for the least,” the Salesian Sisters of Don Bosco, Daughters Mary Help of Christians, posted on social media. “She had so many creative gifts and loved her Salesian vocation, with a special eye toward catechizing the young. Her prayer was often for peace and reconciliation, especially in people’s hearts. We will miss you, Sister Nivia,” they posted. A wake for Sister Arias will be held on Friday, July 31, at the Salesians’ Provincial House in Haledon, N.J. It will consist of a 4:30 to 6 p.m. wake, 4:30 p.m. rosary, and 5:30 p.m. reading of her biography and evening prayer. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, Aug. 2, at 10:30 p.m. at Mary Help of Christians Academy, St. Joseph Chapel, in North Haledon, N.J. Her burial and repast will follow it in the academy’s cafeteria. Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

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Obituary: Salesian Sister Nivia Arias, 65 #Catholic –

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, Aug. 2, at 10:30 p.m. at Mary Help of Christians Academy, St. Joseph Chapel, in North Haledon, N.J., for Salesian Sister Nivia Arias, who died on July 24 at Chilton Memorial Hospital in the Pompton Plains neighborhood of Pequannock, N.J. She was 65.

She was a Salesian Sister for 42 years.

Sister Arias was born in Tampa, Florida, to Cuban immigrants Alberto and Maria Luisa Arias. She graduated from Villa Madonna School there in 1975. In Villa’s 90-year history, she was the only student to become a Salesian Sister.

Sister Arias entered the Salesian Sisters after helping at Camp Auxilium in Newton, N.J., a summer camp run by the religious order. In 1984, she made her first religious profession.

She taught in elementary schools in Paterson and Tampa and taught archery at summer camps in New Jersey and Florida. For many years, Sister Arias was dedicated to retreat ministry at Sacred Heart Center in Newton.

Sister Arias is survived by her brother, Carlos, and a large extended family.
“Please join us in praying for the eternal repose of Sr. She was a loving Sister who naturally lived ‘Laudato Si’ and had a heart for the least,” the Salesian Sisters of Don Bosco, Daughters Mary Help of Christians, posted on social media. “She had so many creative gifts and loved her Salesian vocation, with a special eye toward catechizing the young. Her prayer was often for peace and reconciliation, especially in people’s hearts. We will miss you, Sister Nivia,” they posted.
A wake for Sister Arias will be held on Friday, July 31, at the Salesians’ Provincial House in Haledon, N.J. It will consist of a 4:30 to 6 p.m. wake, 4:30 p.m. rosary, and 5:30 p.m. reading of her biography and evening prayer.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, Aug. 2, at 10:30 p.m. at Mary Help of Christians Academy, St. Joseph Chapel, in North Haledon, N.J. Her burial and repast will follow it in the academy’s cafeteria.

Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

– A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, Aug. 2, at 10:30 p.m. at Mary Help of Christians Academy, St. Joseph Chapel, in North Haledon, N.J., for Salesian Sister Nivia Arias, who died on July 24 at Chilton Memorial Hospital in the Pompton Plains neighborhood of Pequannock, N.J. She was 65. She was a Salesian Sister for 42 years. Sister Arias was born in Tampa, Florida, to Cuban immigrants Alberto and Maria Luisa Arias. She graduated from Villa Madonna School there in 1975. In Villa’s 90-year history, she was the only student to become a Salesian Sister. Sister

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Obituary: Deacon Stephen Marabeti, 86 #Catholic – A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, Aug. 1 at 10 a.m. at St. Joseph Church in Lincoln Park, N.J., for Deacon Stephen Marabeti, who died on July 24. He was 86. In 1974, Bishop Lawrence Casey, the fifth bishop of Paterson, ordained Deacon Marabeti as a member of the first class of men to of the Permanent Diaconate for the diocese, N.J. He served St. Joseph Parish in Lincoln Park from the date of his ordination until his death. On July 6, 2024, Deacon Marabeti celebrated the 50th anniversary of his ordination at a Mass for which Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney was the principal celebrant. “Deacon Steve faithfully served God and the people of St. Joseph Parish with dedication, kindness, and a generous heart.,” St. Joseph’s posted on social media. “His unwavering faith, compassion, and commitment to our parish community touched countless lives His passing is a tremendous loss for our parish family, and he will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him,” the parish posted. Deacon Marabeti belonged to the steering committee that helped start the diocesan diaconate program with Msgr. Kenneth Lasch, now retired, directed by Bishop Lawrence Casey. Through his work with the U.S. Catholic Conference of Catholic Bishops on the Permanent Diaconate, he traveled around the country to encourage other dioceses to start diaconate programs. Deacon Marabeti pursued a career in education. He taught history at DePaul Catholic High School in Wayne, N.J. from 1964 to 1969. Afterward, he taught history and other subjects at Parsippany Hills High School for 32 years before retiring. A wake for Deacon Marabeti will be held on Friday, July 31, from 4 to 8 p.m. at Keri-Lozito Funeral Home in Lincoln Park. Deacons are invited to vest and process in alb and diocesan stole at the Mass of Christian Burial on Saturday, Aug. 1 at 10 a.m. at St. Joseph Church. Repast will be held after at the parish. Please keep Deacon Marabeti and his family in your prayers. Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.
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Obituary: Deacon Stephen Marabeti, 86 #Catholic – A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, Aug. 1 at 10 a.m. at St. Joseph Church in Lincoln Park, N.J., for Deacon Stephen Marabeti, who died on July 24. He was 86. In 1974, Bishop Lawrence Casey, the fifth bishop of Paterson, ordained Deacon Marabeti as a member of the first class of men to of the Permanent Diaconate for the diocese, N.J. He served St. Joseph Parish in Lincoln Park from the date of his ordination until his death. On July 6, 2024, Deacon Marabeti celebrated the 50th anniversary of his ordination at a Mass for which Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney was the principal celebrant. “Deacon Steve faithfully served God and the people of St. Joseph Parish with dedication, kindness, and a generous heart.,” St. Joseph’s posted on social media. “His unwavering faith, compassion, and commitment to our parish community touched countless lives His passing is a tremendous loss for our parish family, and he will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him,” the parish posted. Deacon Marabeti belonged to the steering committee that helped start the diocesan diaconate program with Msgr. Kenneth Lasch, now retired, directed by Bishop Lawrence Casey. Through his work with the U.S. Catholic Conference of Catholic Bishops on the Permanent Diaconate, he traveled around the country to encourage other dioceses to start diaconate programs. Deacon Marabeti pursued a career in education. He taught history at DePaul Catholic High School in Wayne, N.J. from 1964 to 1969. Afterward, he taught history and other subjects at Parsippany Hills High School for 32 years before retiring. A wake for Deacon Marabeti will be held on Friday, July 31, from 4 to 8 p.m. at Keri-Lozito Funeral Home in Lincoln Park. Deacons are invited to vest and process in alb and diocesan stole at the Mass of Christian Burial on Saturday, Aug. 1 at 10 a.m. at St. Joseph Church. Repast will be held after at the parish. Please keep Deacon Marabeti and his family in your prayers. Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

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Obituary: Deacon Stephen Marabeti, 86 #Catholic –

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, Aug. 1 at 10 a.m. at St. Joseph Church in Lincoln Park, N.J., for Deacon Stephen Marabeti, who died on July 24. He was 86.

In 1974, Bishop Lawrence Casey, the fifth bishop of Paterson, ordained Deacon Marabeti as a member of the first class of men to of the Permanent Diaconate for the diocese, N.J. He served St. Joseph Parish in Lincoln Park from the date of his ordination until his death.

On July 6, 2024, Deacon Marabeti celebrated the 50th anniversary of his ordination at a Mass for which Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney was the principal celebrant.

“Deacon Steve faithfully served God and the people of St. Joseph Parish with dedication, kindness, and a generous heart.,” St. Joseph’s posted on social media. “His unwavering faith, compassion, and commitment to our parish community touched countless lives His passing is a tremendous loss for our parish family, and he will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him,” the parish posted.

Deacon Marabeti belonged to the steering committee that helped start the diocesan diaconate program with Msgr. Kenneth Lasch, now retired, directed by Bishop Lawrence Casey. Through his work with the U.S. Catholic Conference of Catholic Bishops on the Permanent Diaconate, he traveled around the country to encourage other dioceses to start diaconate programs.

Deacon Marabeti pursued a career in education. He taught history at DePaul Catholic High School in Wayne, N.J. from 1964 to 1969. Afterward, he taught history and other subjects at Parsippany Hills High School for 32 years before retiring.
A wake for Deacon Marabeti will be held on Friday, July 31, from 4 to 8 p.m. at Keri-Lozito Funeral Home in Lincoln Park.

Deacons are invited to vest and process in alb and diocesan stole at the Mass of Christian Burial on Saturday, Aug. 1 at 10 a.m. at St. Joseph Church. Repast will be held after at the parish.

Please keep Deacon Marabeti and his family in your prayers.

Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

– A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, Aug. 1 at 10 a.m. at St. Joseph Church in Lincoln Park, N.J., for Deacon Stephen Marabeti, who died on July 24. He was 86. In 1974, Bishop Lawrence Casey, the fifth bishop of Paterson, ordained Deacon Marabeti as a member of the first class of men to of the Permanent Diaconate for the diocese, N.J. He served St. Joseph Parish in Lincoln Park from the date of his ordination until his death. On July 6, 2024, Deacon Marabeti celebrated the 50th anniversary of his ordination at a Mass for

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