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In the northwest section of Ursa Major the Great Bear sits the magnificent spiral galaxy M81 (NGC 3031). At magnitude 6.9, this ranks as one of the sky’s brightest galaxies. You’ll find it 2° east-southeast of the magnitude 4.5 star 24 Ursae Majoris. German astronomer and celestial cartographer Johann Elert Bode discovered this object, and nearbyContinue reading “Michael’s Miscellany: Observe Bode’s Galaxy”

The post Michael’s Miscellany: Observe Bode’s Galaxy appeared first on Astronomy Magazine.

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Amateur astronomers, take note: A wonderful celestial event known as a total lunar eclipse will occur in the skies above North America during the morning hours of Monday, March 3.  Lunar eclipses happen when the Sun, Earth, and the Moon align, in that order. When this alignment is precise, Earth’s shadow falls upon the Moon, obscuring itContinue reading “How to observe the March 3 total lunar eclipse”

The post How to observe the March 3 total lunar eclipse appeared first on Astronomy Magazine.

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From 1905 until his death in 1916, Percival Lowell searched for a ninth planet, which he called Planet X. Lowell had predicted the planet based on irregularities in the orbit of Uranus. In 1929, Lowell Observatory Director V.M. Slipher hired self-taught astronomer Clyde Tombaugh to resume Lowell’s search for the planet. Tombaugh captured long-exposure photosContinue reading “Feb 18, 1930: Discovery of Pluto”

The post Feb 18, 1930: Discovery of Pluto appeared first on Astronomy Magazine.

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Rachel’s Vineyard retreats return in 2026 to offer post-abortion healing #Catholic – Have you or someone you know been affected by abortion? There is hope. There is healing.
Two Rachel’s Vineyard retreats are scheduled for 2026 (April 10 and Sept. 25) for those seeking to renew, rebuild, and redeem hearts broken by an abortion.
These confidential weekend retreats are rooted in faith, offering compassion, healing, and hope to anyone affected by abortion, including women and men of all ages. In a supportive and welcoming setting, participants are invited to reflect, grieve, and experience God’s love and mercy.
“It took me a while to get up the courage to call, but thank God I did,” said Susan Swander in a testimonial she wrote on rachelsvineyard.org after attending a Rachel’s Vineyard Retreat. “What a remarkable, healing experience this weekend was. Words do not do justice to the love, compassion, and understanding I found during the retreat.”
Some of the symptoms faced by those who experience the trauma of abortion include depression, nightmares, anxiety, withdrawal from family, and even suicidal thoughts. Rachel’s Vineyard offers participants a space to work through these experiences and find forgiveness.

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The retreats are being offered in English and Spanish in a special partnership between the Diocese of Paterson and the Archdiocese of Newark. Cheryl Riley, Respect Life director of the Archdiocese of Newark, and Alyssa Renovales, Respect Life coordinator of the Diocese of Paterson, will co-lead the retreats.
Anyone in the Diocese of Paterson seeking support or more information is encouraged to contact Renovales at 973-377-1004 ext. 406 or by email Arenovales@patersondiocese.org. All inquiries are completely confidential.
“Echoing the hope proclaimed by St. John Paul II in Evangelium Vitae, Rachel’s Vineyard is a beautiful gift to the Church, a place where hearts are gently restored, burdens are lifted, and all are reminded that the Church is for them and God’s mercy is always within reach,” Renovales said.
Rachel’s Vineyard was founded in 1995 by Theresa Karminski Burke, Ph.D., and is now offered in over 33 languages across 50 countries.
Learn more about the Respect Life Ministry of the Diocese of Paterson by visiting insidethewalls.org/respect-life.

Rachel’s Vineyard retreats return in 2026 to offer post-abortion healing #Catholic – Have you or someone you know been affected by abortion? There is hope. There is healing. Two Rachel’s Vineyard retreats are scheduled for 2026 (April 10 and Sept. 25) for those seeking to renew, rebuild, and redeem hearts broken by an abortion. These confidential weekend retreats are rooted in faith, offering compassion, healing, and hope to anyone affected by abortion, including women and men of all ages. In a supportive and welcoming setting, participants are invited to reflect, grieve, and experience God’s love and mercy. “It took me a while to get up the courage to call, but thank God I did,” said Susan Swander in a testimonial she wrote on rachelsvineyard.org after attending a Rachel’s Vineyard Retreat. “What a remarkable, healing experience this weekend was. Words do not do justice to the love, compassion, and understanding I found during the retreat.” Some of the symptoms faced by those who experience the trauma of abortion include depression, nightmares, anxiety, withdrawal from family, and even suicidal thoughts. Rachel’s Vineyard offers participants a space to work through these experiences and find forgiveness. Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter. The retreats are being offered in English and Spanish in a special partnership between the Diocese of Paterson and the Archdiocese of Newark. Cheryl Riley, Respect Life director of the Archdiocese of Newark, and Alyssa Renovales, Respect Life coordinator of the Diocese of Paterson, will co-lead the retreats. Anyone in the Diocese of Paterson seeking support or more information is encouraged to contact Renovales at 973-377-1004 ext. 406 or by email Arenovales@patersondiocese.org. All inquiries are completely confidential. “Echoing the hope proclaimed by St. John Paul II in Evangelium Vitae, Rachel’s Vineyard is a beautiful gift to the Church, a place where hearts are gently restored, burdens are lifted, and all are reminded that the Church is for them and God’s mercy is always within reach,” Renovales said. Rachel’s Vineyard was founded in 1995 by Theresa Karminski Burke, Ph.D., and is now offered in over 33 languages across 50 countries. Learn more about the Respect Life Ministry of the Diocese of Paterson by visiting insidethewalls.org/respect-life.

Rachel’s Vineyard retreats return in 2026 to offer post-abortion healing #Catholic –

Have you or someone you know been affected by abortion? There is hope. There is healing.

Two Rachel’s Vineyard retreats are scheduled for 2026 (April 10 and Sept. 25) for those seeking to renew, rebuild, and redeem hearts broken by an abortion.

These confidential weekend retreats are rooted in faith, offering compassion, healing, and hope to anyone affected by abortion, including women and men of all ages. In a supportive and welcoming setting, participants are invited to reflect, grieve, and experience God’s love and mercy.

“It took me a while to get up the courage to call, but thank God I did,” said Susan Swander in a testimonial she wrote on rachelsvineyard.org after attending a Rachel’s Vineyard Retreat. “What a remarkable, healing experience this weekend was. Words do not do justice to the love, compassion, and understanding I found during the retreat.”

Some of the symptoms faced by those who experience the trauma of abortion include depression, nightmares, anxiety, withdrawal from family, and even suicidal thoughts. Rachel’s Vineyard offers participants a space to work through these experiences and find forgiveness.


Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

The retreats are being offered in English and Spanish in a special partnership between the Diocese of Paterson and the Archdiocese of Newark. Cheryl Riley, Respect Life director of the Archdiocese of Newark, and Alyssa Renovales, Respect Life coordinator of the Diocese of Paterson, will co-lead the retreats.

Anyone in the Diocese of Paterson seeking support or more information is encouraged to contact Renovales at 973-377-1004 ext. 406 or by email Arenovales@patersondiocese.org. All inquiries are completely confidential.

“Echoing the hope proclaimed by St. John Paul II in Evangelium Vitae, Rachel’s Vineyard is a beautiful gift to the Church, a place where hearts are gently restored, burdens are lifted, and all are reminded that the Church is for them and God’s mercy is always within reach,” Renovales said.

Rachel’s Vineyard was founded in 1995 by Theresa Karminski Burke, Ph.D., and is now offered in over 33 languages across 50 countries.

Learn more about the Respect Life Ministry of the Diocese of Paterson by visiting insidethewalls.org/respect-life.

Have you or someone you know been affected by abortion? There is hope. There is healing. Two Rachel’s Vineyard retreats are scheduled for 2026 (April 10 and Sept. 25) for those seeking to renew, rebuild, and redeem hearts broken by an abortion. These confidential weekend retreats are rooted in faith, offering compassion, healing, and hope to anyone affected by abortion, including women and men of all ages. In a supportive and welcoming setting, participants are invited to reflect, grieve, and experience God’s love and mercy. “It took me a while to get up the courage to call, but thank God

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Learn to encourage mental wellness at Pompton Lakes workshop #Catholic – The Paterson Diocese in New Jersey will host The Mental Health Association of New Jersey (MHA-NJ) for “Mental Health Matters”, an interactive workshop to provide people who work with or accompany others a clear, accessible introduction to mental health in a short, impactful format. The presentation will be on Thursday, March 5, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at St. Mary’s Church in Pompton Lakes, N.J.
Attendees of the workshop will gain clarity with a basic understanding of mental-health challenges such as stress, anxiety, depression, and the impact of trauma. They will learn to be confident in ways to support those who might be experiencing these challenges.
Adults of all backgrounds and professions are welcome, including clergy, religious, parish and school staff, catechists, youth and young adult ministers, community leaders, parents, or anyone who supports the mental health of others.

Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

“The workshop will help people who serve others to recognize those who might be struggling with mental illness and how to direct them to get proper treatment,” said John Cammarata, executive director of St. Paul Inside the Walls Evangelization Center in Madison, N.J., and director of diocesan Youth Ministry. He is coordinating the diocese’s event with Salesian Sister Theresa Lee, the diocesan chancellor and delegate for religious.
Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney will be present and will give the opening prayer for the workshop.
Four presenters from MHA-NJ will provide real-world examples and simple, actionable guidance to demystify mental health. They will cover a basic understanding of key mental health concepts, early warning signs and symptoms of mental-health challenges to watch for, strategies for offering supportive, non-judgmental conversations, and steps for connecting individuals to appropriate resources when needed.
The workshop will conclude with a question-and-answer period with the MHA-NJ speakers.
The MHA-NJ has a rich history of improving the lives of people with mental illness and substance use disorders. This statewide non-profit organization strives for children and adults to achieve victory over mental illness and substance use disorders through advocacy, education, training, and services.
St. Mary’s Church has plenty of parking for the “Mental Health Matters” workshop.
To register for free, visit https://rcdop.org/mental-health-matters.
 

Learn to encourage mental wellness at Pompton Lakes workshop #Catholic – The Paterson Diocese in New Jersey will host The Mental Health Association of New Jersey (MHA-NJ) for “Mental Health Matters”, an interactive workshop to provide people who work with or accompany others a clear, accessible introduction to mental health in a short, impactful format. The presentation will be on Thursday, March 5, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at St. Mary’s Church in Pompton Lakes, N.J. Attendees of the workshop will gain clarity with a basic understanding of mental-health challenges such as stress, anxiety, depression, and the impact of trauma. They will learn to be confident in ways to support those who might be experiencing these challenges. Adults of all backgrounds and professions are welcome, including clergy, religious, parish and school staff, catechists, youth and young adult ministers, community leaders, parents, or anyone who supports the mental health of others. Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter. “The workshop will help people who serve others to recognize those who might be struggling with mental illness and how to direct them to get proper treatment,” said John Cammarata, executive director of St. Paul Inside the Walls Evangelization Center in Madison, N.J., and director of diocesan Youth Ministry. He is coordinating the diocese’s event with Salesian Sister Theresa Lee, the diocesan chancellor and delegate for religious. Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney will be present and will give the opening prayer for the workshop. Four presenters from MHA-NJ will provide real-world examples and simple, actionable guidance to demystify mental health. They will cover a basic understanding of key mental health concepts, early warning signs and symptoms of mental-health challenges to watch for, strategies for offering supportive, non-judgmental conversations, and steps for connecting individuals to appropriate resources when needed. The workshop will conclude with a question-and-answer period with the MHA-NJ speakers. The MHA-NJ has a rich history of improving the lives of people with mental illness and substance use disorders. This statewide non-profit organization strives for children and adults to achieve victory over mental illness and substance use disorders through advocacy, education, training, and services. St. Mary’s Church has plenty of parking for the “Mental Health Matters” workshop. To register for free, visit https://rcdop.org/mental-health-matters.  

Learn to encourage mental wellness at Pompton Lakes workshop #Catholic –

The Paterson Diocese in New Jersey will host The Mental Health Association of New Jersey (MHA-NJ) for “Mental Health Matters”, an interactive workshop to provide people who work with or accompany others a clear, accessible introduction to mental health in a short, impactful format. The presentation will be on Thursday, March 5, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at St. Mary’s Church in Pompton Lakes, N.J.

Attendees of the workshop will gain clarity with a basic understanding of mental-health challenges such as stress, anxiety, depression, and the impact of trauma. They will learn to be confident in ways to support those who might be experiencing these challenges.

Adults of all backgrounds and professions are welcome, including clergy, religious, parish and school staff, catechists, youth and young adult ministers, community leaders, parents, or anyone who supports the mental health of others.


Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

“The workshop will help people who serve others to recognize those who might be struggling with mental illness and how to direct them to get proper treatment,” said John Cammarata, executive director of St. Paul Inside the Walls Evangelization Center in Madison, N.J., and director of diocesan Youth Ministry. He is coordinating the diocese’s event with Salesian Sister Theresa Lee, the diocesan chancellor and delegate for religious.

Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney will be present and will give the opening prayer for the workshop.

Four presenters from MHA-NJ will provide real-world examples and simple, actionable guidance to demystify mental health. They will cover a basic understanding of key mental health concepts, early warning signs and symptoms of mental-health challenges to watch for, strategies for offering supportive, non-judgmental conversations, and steps for connecting individuals to appropriate resources when needed.

The workshop will conclude with a question-and-answer period with the MHA-NJ speakers.

The MHA-NJ has a rich history of improving the lives of people with mental illness and substance use disorders. This statewide non-profit organization strives for children and adults to achieve victory over mental illness and substance use disorders through advocacy, education, training, and services.

St. Mary’s Church has plenty of parking for the “Mental Health Matters” workshop.

To register for free, visit https://rcdop.org/mental-health-matters.

 

The Paterson Diocese in New Jersey will host The Mental Health Association of New Jersey (MHA-NJ) for “Mental Health Matters”, an interactive workshop to provide people who work with or accompany others a clear, accessible introduction to mental health in a short, impactful format. The presentation will be on Thursday, March 5, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at St. Mary’s Church in Pompton Lakes, N.J. Attendees of the workshop will gain clarity with a basic understanding of mental-health challenges such as stress, anxiety, depression, and the impact of trauma. They will learn to be confident in ways to support those

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Paterson shares in joy of New York archbishop’s installation #Catholic - 
Even from a TV studio a block away, Father Cesar Jaramillo could feel the excitement bursting from inside St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City on Feb. 6. That afternoon, Archbishop Ronald A. Hicks was making history during a special Mass in St. Patrick’s, being installed as the 11th archbishop of New York.
From a studio in nearby Rockefeller Center, Father Jaramillo, pastor of Holy Spirit Parish in Pequannock, N.J., was filled with emotion as he sat under bright lights providing on-air commentary of the Mass in Spanish for Telemundo 47 TV. Along with the hosts, the priest helped guide viewers through the religious significance of what they were hearing and seeing on the telecast of the bilingual liturgy.
Meanwhile, a few faithful representing the Paterson Diocese in New Jersey, including Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney, were feeling the excitement firsthand as Mass participants that Friday afternoon inside St. Patrick’s. Bishop Sweeney helped concelebrate the liturgy. Luisa Fernanda Torres, a St. Patrick’s cantor, led the congregation in singing Spanish and English hymns as lead cantor. Father Jaramillo and Torres became friends years ago in youth ministry at St. Anthony of Padua Parish in Passaic, N.J.
“It was a beautiful day. Archbishop Hicks will use his talents and gifts to build on the great work of Cardinal Timothy Dolan [his predecessor] and those before him,” Father Jaramillo told BeaconNJ.org. after the installation Mass. “Archbishop Hicks not only speaks Spanish, but he also relates to the immigrant community in a radical and new way as its new shepherd.”

Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

Bishop Sweeney, who was originally a priest from the Brooklyn Diocese in New York, was among about 90 cardinals and bishops who processed into St. Patrick’s, also known as “America’s parish church.” A capacity crowd of 2,400 churchgoers, including many non-Catholics and leaders from other faith traditions, filled the cathedral for the installation Mass, which was also broadcast on XPIX 11 TV.
“It was a blessing to be able to concelebrate the Installation Mass for Archbishop Hicks. In his beautiful homily, in English and Spanish, he expressed gratitude and also spoke of the need to be a Missionary Church and for each of us to be Missionary Disciples. He also asked everyone to keep him in our prayers,” Bishop Sweeney shared on social media.
Also among the participants was Bishop Kurt Burnette of the Byzantine Catholic Eparchy of Passaic.
A year ago, after his 75th birthday, Cardinal Dolan submitted his resignation to the pope as required by canon law. On Dec. 18, Pope Leo accepted his resignation and named Archbishop Hicks, then bishop of Joliet, Illinois, as his successor, according to Our Sunday Visitor (OSV).
For two hours on air, Father Jaramillo sought to capture the joy and importance of this blessed moment in the New York Archdiocese. He gave “shout-outs” to Torres during the broadcast. The priest also noted that the inclusion of Spanish hymns, such as “Alma Misionera” (Missionary Soul), shows Archbishop Hicks’ Latin American heart, like our bishop, Bishop Sweeney.”
“We all made the Paterson Diocese proud. I was proud of Bishop Sweeney and Luisa, who is one of the best bilingual cantors of sacred music in the area,” said Father Jaramillo, who thinks Telemundo 47 asked him to provide on-air commentary for the Mass because of his canon-law background. He holds a licentiate in canon law from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome.
Among Father Jaramillo’s favorite moments of the Mass was when Cardinal Dolan and Cardinal Christophe Pierre, the apostolic nuncio to the U.S., escorted Archbishop Hicks to the cathedra, the archbishop’s chair that represents his authority. During the Mass, Cardinal Pierre, with the choir, sang a brief version of “Happy Birthday” to Cardinal Dolan, who turned 76, according to OSV.
Father Jaramillo was also moved when the new archbishop reminded New York’s 2.5 million faithful, “I love Jesus. I love the Church.”
“As priests, we don’t say that we love Jesus enough. Archbishop Hicks reminded us that we should be more vocal about our intimate friendship with the Lord,” Father Jaramillo said.
On social media before the start of the Mass on  Feb. 6, Torres posted that she was “excited and honored” to be singing for the installation.
Also before the Mass, Lori DiGaetano, youth ministry coordinator of St. Anthony’s in Passaic, posted on social media, “Way to go, Luisa Fernanda Torres & Fr. Cesar Dario Jaramillo! So proud of you! Thank you & blessings to Cardinal Timothy Dolan for his years of service & love. Blessings upon Archbishop Ronald Hicks as he begins this new ministry to God’s people.”
Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney was among those from the Paterson Diocese in New Jersey who participated in the installation Mass of Archbishop Ronald A. Hicks as the 11th archbishop of New York on Feb. 6 in St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Bishop Sweeney captured the following photos with his cell phone during the historic Mass, which were also posted to his social media.
 [See image gallery at beaconnj.org]

Paterson shares in joy of New York archbishop’s installation #Catholic – Even from a TV studio a block away, Father Cesar Jaramillo could feel the excitement bursting from inside St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City on Feb. 6. That afternoon, Archbishop Ronald A. Hicks was making history during a special Mass in St. Patrick’s, being installed as the 11th archbishop of New York. From a studio in nearby Rockefeller Center, Father Jaramillo, pastor of Holy Spirit Parish in Pequannock, N.J., was filled with emotion as he sat under bright lights providing on-air commentary of the Mass in Spanish for Telemundo 47 TV. Along with the hosts, the priest helped guide viewers through the religious significance of what they were hearing and seeing on the telecast of the bilingual liturgy. Meanwhile, a few faithful representing the Paterson Diocese in New Jersey, including Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney, were feeling the excitement firsthand as Mass participants that Friday afternoon inside St. Patrick’s. Bishop Sweeney helped concelebrate the liturgy. Luisa Fernanda Torres, a St. Patrick’s cantor, led the congregation in singing Spanish and English hymns as lead cantor. Father Jaramillo and Torres became friends years ago in youth ministry at St. Anthony of Padua Parish in Passaic, N.J. “It was a beautiful day. Archbishop Hicks will use his talents and gifts to build on the great work of Cardinal Timothy Dolan [his predecessor] and those before him,” Father Jaramillo told BeaconNJ.org. after the installation Mass. “Archbishop Hicks not only speaks Spanish, but he also relates to the immigrant community in a radical and new way as its new shepherd.” Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter. Bishop Sweeney, who was originally a priest from the Brooklyn Diocese in New York, was among about 90 cardinals and bishops who processed into St. Patrick’s, also known as “America’s parish church.” A capacity crowd of 2,400 churchgoers, including many non-Catholics and leaders from other faith traditions, filled the cathedral for the installation Mass, which was also broadcast on XPIX 11 TV. “It was a blessing to be able to concelebrate the Installation Mass for Archbishop Hicks. In his beautiful homily, in English and Spanish, he expressed gratitude and also spoke of the need to be a Missionary Church and for each of us to be Missionary Disciples. He also asked everyone to keep him in our prayers,” Bishop Sweeney shared on social media. Also among the participants was Bishop Kurt Burnette of the Byzantine Catholic Eparchy of Passaic. A year ago, after his 75th birthday, Cardinal Dolan submitted his resignation to the pope as required by canon law. On Dec. 18, Pope Leo accepted his resignation and named Archbishop Hicks, then bishop of Joliet, Illinois, as his successor, according to Our Sunday Visitor (OSV). For two hours on air, Father Jaramillo sought to capture the joy and importance of this blessed moment in the New York Archdiocese. He gave “shout-outs” to Torres during the broadcast. The priest also noted that the inclusion of Spanish hymns, such as “Alma Misionera” (Missionary Soul), shows Archbishop Hicks’ Latin American heart, like our bishop, Bishop Sweeney.” “We all made the Paterson Diocese proud. I was proud of Bishop Sweeney and Luisa, who is one of the best bilingual cantors of sacred music in the area,” said Father Jaramillo, who thinks Telemundo 47 asked him to provide on-air commentary for the Mass because of his canon-law background. He holds a licentiate in canon law from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome. Among Father Jaramillo’s favorite moments of the Mass was when Cardinal Dolan and Cardinal Christophe Pierre, the apostolic nuncio to the U.S., escorted Archbishop Hicks to the cathedra, the archbishop’s chair that represents his authority. During the Mass, Cardinal Pierre, with the choir, sang a brief version of “Happy Birthday” to Cardinal Dolan, who turned 76, according to OSV. Father Jaramillo was also moved when the new archbishop reminded New York’s 2.5 million faithful, “I love Jesus. I love the Church.” “As priests, we don’t say that we love Jesus enough. Archbishop Hicks reminded us that we should be more vocal about our intimate friendship with the Lord,” Father Jaramillo said. On social media before the start of the Mass on  Feb. 6, Torres posted that she was “excited and honored” to be singing for the installation. Also before the Mass, Lori DiGaetano, youth ministry coordinator of St. Anthony’s in Passaic, posted on social media, “Way to go, Luisa Fernanda Torres & Fr. Cesar Dario Jaramillo! So proud of you! Thank you & blessings to Cardinal Timothy Dolan for his years of service & love. Blessings upon Archbishop Ronald Hicks as he begins this new ministry to God’s people.” Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney was among those from the Paterson Diocese in New Jersey who participated in the installation Mass of Archbishop Ronald A. Hicks as the 11th archbishop of New York on Feb. 6 in St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Bishop Sweeney captured the following photos with his cell phone during the historic Mass, which were also posted to his social media. [See image gallery at beaconnj.org]

Paterson shares in joy of New York archbishop’s installation #Catholic –

Even from a TV studio a block away, Father Cesar Jaramillo could feel the excitement bursting from inside St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City on Feb. 6. That afternoon, Archbishop Ronald A. Hicks was making history during a special Mass in St. Patrick’s, being installed as the 11th archbishop of New York.

From a studio in nearby Rockefeller Center, Father Jaramillo, pastor of Holy Spirit Parish in Pequannock, N.J., was filled with emotion as he sat under bright lights providing on-air commentary of the Mass in Spanish for Telemundo 47 TV. Along with the hosts, the priest helped guide viewers through the religious significance of what they were hearing and seeing on the telecast of the bilingual liturgy.

Meanwhile, a few faithful representing the Paterson Diocese in New Jersey, including Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney, were feeling the excitement firsthand as Mass participants that Friday afternoon inside St. Patrick’s. Bishop Sweeney helped concelebrate the liturgy. Luisa Fernanda Torres, a St. Patrick’s cantor, led the congregation in singing Spanish and English hymns as lead cantor. Father Jaramillo and Torres became friends years ago in youth ministry at St. Anthony of Padua Parish in Passaic, N.J.

“It was a beautiful day. Archbishop Hicks will use his talents and gifts to build on the great work of Cardinal Timothy Dolan [his predecessor] and those before him,” Father Jaramillo told BeaconNJ.org. after the installation Mass. “Archbishop Hicks not only speaks Spanish, but he also relates to the immigrant community in a radical and new way as its new shepherd.”


Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

Bishop Sweeney, who was originally a priest from the Brooklyn Diocese in New York, was among about 90 cardinals and bishops who processed into St. Patrick’s, also known as “America’s parish church.” A capacity crowd of 2,400 churchgoers, including many non-Catholics and leaders from other faith traditions, filled the cathedral for the installation Mass, which was also broadcast on XPIX 11 TV.

“It was a blessing to be able to concelebrate the Installation Mass for Archbishop Hicks. In his beautiful homily, in English and Spanish, he expressed gratitude and also spoke of the need to be a Missionary Church and for each of us to be Missionary Disciples. He also asked everyone to keep him in our prayers,” Bishop Sweeney shared on social media.

Also among the participants was Bishop Kurt Burnette of the Byzantine Catholic Eparchy of Passaic.

A year ago, after his 75th birthday, Cardinal Dolan submitted his resignation to the pope as required by canon law. On Dec. 18, Pope Leo accepted his resignation and named Archbishop Hicks, then bishop of Joliet, Illinois, as his successor, according to Our Sunday Visitor (OSV).

For two hours on air, Father Jaramillo sought to capture the joy and importance of this blessed moment in the New York Archdiocese. He gave “shout-outs” to Torres during the broadcast. The priest also noted that the inclusion of Spanish hymns, such as “Alma Misionera” (Missionary Soul), shows Archbishop Hicks’ Latin American heart, like our bishop, Bishop Sweeney.”

“We all made the Paterson Diocese proud. I was proud of Bishop Sweeney and Luisa, who is one of the best bilingual cantors of sacred music in the area,” said Father Jaramillo, who thinks Telemundo 47 asked him to provide on-air commentary for the Mass because of his canon-law background. He holds a licentiate in canon law from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome.

Among Father Jaramillo’s favorite moments of the Mass was when Cardinal Dolan and Cardinal Christophe Pierre, the apostolic nuncio to the U.S., escorted Archbishop Hicks to the cathedra, the archbishop’s chair that represents his authority. During the Mass, Cardinal Pierre, with the choir, sang a brief version of “Happy Birthday” to Cardinal Dolan, who turned 76, according to OSV.

Father Jaramillo was also moved when the new archbishop reminded New York’s 2.5 million faithful, “I love Jesus. I love the Church.”

“As priests, we don’t say that we love Jesus enough. Archbishop Hicks reminded us that we should be more vocal about our intimate friendship with the Lord,” Father Jaramillo said.

On social media before the start of the Mass on  Feb. 6, Torres posted that she was “excited and honored” to be singing for the installation.

Also before the Mass, Lori DiGaetano, youth ministry coordinator of St. Anthony’s in Passaic, posted on social media, “Way to go, Luisa Fernanda Torres & Fr. Cesar Dario Jaramillo! So proud of you! Thank you & blessings to Cardinal Timothy Dolan for his years of service & love. Blessings upon Archbishop Ronald Hicks as he begins this new ministry to God’s people.”

Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney was among those from the Paterson Diocese in New Jersey who participated in the installation Mass of Archbishop Ronald A. Hicks as the 11th archbishop of New York on Feb. 6 in St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Bishop Sweeney captured the following photos with his cell phone during the historic Mass, which were also posted to his social media.

[See image gallery at beaconnj.org]

Even from a TV studio a block away, Father Cesar Jaramillo could feel the excitement bursting from inside St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City on Feb. 6. That afternoon, Archbishop Ronald A. Hicks was making history during a special Mass in St. Patrick’s, being installed as the 11th archbishop of New York. From a studio in nearby Rockefeller Center, Father Jaramillo, pastor of Holy Spirit Parish in Pequannock, N.J., was filled with emotion as he sat under bright lights providing on-air commentary of the Mass in Spanish for Telemundo 47 TV. Along with the hosts, the priest helped guide

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On Feb. 8, 1969, a massive meteorite rained a couple of tons of stones on the Mexican town of Allende, not far from the Texas border. The fireball scattered thousands of stones over a huge area. Over 2 tons were recovered, giving researchers — already primed by the impending Apollo missions — an abundance ofContinue reading “Feb. 8, 1969: The Allende meteorite falls”

The post Feb. 8, 1969: The Allende meteorite falls appeared first on Astronomy Magazine.

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Lurking in the southwestern corner of Aquarius the Water-bearer, globular cluster M72 doesn’t stand out. At magnitude 9.4, it ranks among the dimmest globulars Charles Messier included in his celebrated catalog. But M72 also lies farther away than most Messier clusters. Its 100,000 stars shine across 55,000 light-years of intragalactic space. M72 appears to beContinue reading “Hubble images globular cluster M72”

The post Hubble images globular cluster M72 appeared first on Astronomy Magazine.

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New York’s new archbishop ‘grounded’ by love of God, the poor and the people he serves #Catholic – CHICAGO (OSV News) — As a young man discerning a call to the priesthood in the late 1980s, Ronald Hicks took a year off from the seminary with the goal of learning Spanish.
He volunteered in an orphanage, Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos (“Our Little Brothers”) in Central Mexico, and from that moment on, “his connection to the poor and his priestly vocation grew together,” according to the Catholic Extension Society.
“He reentered the seminary and was ordained a priest in 1994, recalling that he couldn’t stop smiling that day.”
Chicago-based Catholic Extension posted a profile on now-Archbishop Hicks on its website. The prelate joined the organization’s board of governors in 2022 at the invitation of its president, Father Jack Wall. He has helped it build up the Church’s presence among the poor and in the poorest regions of the country — which has been Catholic Extension’s mission since its founding in 1905.
The profile urged the faithful to get to know the 58-year-old man appointed by Pope Leo XIV to lead 2.5 million Catholics as the new shepherd of the Archdiocese of New York, succeeding Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan.

Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

“New Yorkers will appreciate that he is driven by a sense of duty that fuels his remarkable work ethic,” it said. “He remains grounded by his tight-knit family, including his brother, his parents — both still living — and his extended family. All of them have stayed very connected to his ministry over the years.”
Of special note, the future archbishop and the future pope grew up in neighboring suburbs on Chicago’s South Side.
At a news conference Dec. 18, the day his appointment was announced, the former bishop of Joliet, Illinois, and former auxiliary of Chicago said he was raised “in the South suburbs of Chicago and South Holland,” and Pope Leo was raised in the neighboring suburb of Dolton. Their houses “were literally 14 blocks away from each other,” Archbishop Hicks added.
After his ordination as a priest for the Archdiocese of Chicago, then-Father Hicks served in parishes throughout the archdiocese. Later, he assisted in the archdiocese’s education of seminarians, eventually becoming dean of formation at Mundelein Seminary.
“One of things he modeled to the seminarians was that a diocesan priest’s vocation is formed not only in a book or in a classroom, but also by the people he serves and grows to love,” Catholic Extension said in its profile.
“Perhaps that is why in between stints at Mundelein he went back to Latin America for five years to reunite with the community that helped forge his priestly vocation,” it added.
In July 2005, with permission from Cardinal Francis E. George, then archbishop of Chicago, Archbishop Hicks moved from Chicago to El Salvador to begin a five-year term as regional director of Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos, or NPH, in Central America.
NPH is a home dedicated to caring for more than 3,400 orphaned and abandoned children in nine Latin American and Caribbean countries.
“His time in El Salvador was an influential period,” Catholic Extension said. When he became a bishop in 2018, ordained as a Chicago auxiliary, it noted, he included a sprig of rosemary in the middle of his coat of arms in homage to El Salvador’s St. Óscar Romero, whose last name translates into English as “rosemary.”
The archbishop of San Salvador, St. Romero, “was martyred in 1980 for his defense of the voiceless.”
The rosemary “signals that Hicks, too, wants to be a bishop that prioritizes the least of God’s people, no matter the importance of his day-to-day duties,” Catholic Extension said.
In a 2022 interview with reporter Rhina Guidos of Catholic News Service, then-Bishop Hicks said that anytime people visited him in El Salvador, he would take them to the “holy sites” — what he calls the places where priests, religious men or women, and laity were brutalized before and during the country’s civil war from 1980 to 1992.
During that time, he came to know of the life of St. Romero, who “quickly became one of my heroes,” and of the life of the country, particularly for the poor, during the war, he said.
“If I learned any lessons, it was mostly to not lose hope, to have faith, to never give up and to realize through everything, through the good and the bad, that we are not abandoned: God is with us,” he told CNS.
The bishop spoke to CNS in El Salvador. He was there for the beatifications that January of four martyrs: Franciscan Father Cosme Spessotto; Jesuit Father Rutilio Grande, who was martyred along with Manuel Solórzano, a sacristan in his 70s; and Nelson Rutilio Lemus, a boy in his teens.
“If we are truly followers of Jesus, then their beatification gives us a direct example of what it looks like to love without counting the costs,” he said.
He “came back from El Salvador an even stronger priest,” Catholic Extension’s profile said.
The day before his Feb. 6 installation, Archbishop Hicks told reporters, “I left my heart there in Central America.”
The archbishop “speaks Spanish effortlessly when in Latino parishes and out in the community,” said Catholic Extension, which also noted that he “is a masterful preacher, with homilies that reflect his relatability as a human being and man of faith.”
When he returned to Chicago from El Salvador, Cardinal George appointed him dean of formation at Mundelein.
Four years later, now-Cardinal Blase J. Cupich, Cardinal George’s successor, named him vicar general. In September 2018, the cardinal ordained him as an auxiliary bishop for the archdiocese. In September 2020, then-Bishop Hicks was installed to head the Diocese of Joliet, where he has served more than half a million Catholics.
“But his vocation as bishop was never separated from his foundational belief that a priest is shaped by his people,” Catholic Extension said.
With his Feb. 6 installation, “he steps into a massive new role leading 2.5 million Catholics in New York,” but “he will be a man grounded by his love of God, the poor and the people he serves,” it said.

New York’s new archbishop ‘grounded’ by love of God, the poor and the people he serves #Catholic – CHICAGO (OSV News) — As a young man discerning a call to the priesthood in the late 1980s, Ronald Hicks took a year off from the seminary with the goal of learning Spanish. He volunteered in an orphanage, Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos (“Our Little Brothers”) in Central Mexico, and from that moment on, “his connection to the poor and his priestly vocation grew together,” according to the Catholic Extension Society. “He reentered the seminary and was ordained a priest in 1994, recalling that he couldn’t stop smiling that day.” Chicago-based Catholic Extension posted a profile on now-Archbishop Hicks on its website. The prelate joined the organization’s board of governors in 2022 at the invitation of its president, Father Jack Wall. He has helped it build up the Church’s presence among the poor and in the poorest regions of the country — which has been Catholic Extension’s mission since its founding in 1905. The profile urged the faithful to get to know the 58-year-old man appointed by Pope Leo XIV to lead 2.5 million Catholics as the new shepherd of the Archdiocese of New York, succeeding Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan. Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter. “New Yorkers will appreciate that he is driven by a sense of duty that fuels his remarkable work ethic,” it said. “He remains grounded by his tight-knit family, including his brother, his parents — both still living — and his extended family. All of them have stayed very connected to his ministry over the years.” Of special note, the future archbishop and the future pope grew up in neighboring suburbs on Chicago’s South Side. At a news conference Dec. 18, the day his appointment was announced, the former bishop of Joliet, Illinois, and former auxiliary of Chicago said he was raised “in the South suburbs of Chicago and South Holland,” and Pope Leo was raised in the neighboring suburb of Dolton. Their houses “were literally 14 blocks away from each other,” Archbishop Hicks added. After his ordination as a priest for the Archdiocese of Chicago, then-Father Hicks served in parishes throughout the archdiocese. Later, he assisted in the archdiocese’s education of seminarians, eventually becoming dean of formation at Mundelein Seminary. “One of things he modeled to the seminarians was that a diocesan priest’s vocation is formed not only in a book or in a classroom, but also by the people he serves and grows to love,” Catholic Extension said in its profile. “Perhaps that is why in between stints at Mundelein he went back to Latin America for five years to reunite with the community that helped forge his priestly vocation,” it added. In July 2005, with permission from Cardinal Francis E. George, then archbishop of Chicago, Archbishop Hicks moved from Chicago to El Salvador to begin a five-year term as regional director of Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos, or NPH, in Central America. NPH is a home dedicated to caring for more than 3,400 orphaned and abandoned children in nine Latin American and Caribbean countries. “His time in El Salvador was an influential period,” Catholic Extension said. When he became a bishop in 2018, ordained as a Chicago auxiliary, it noted, he included a sprig of rosemary in the middle of his coat of arms in homage to El Salvador’s St. Óscar Romero, whose last name translates into English as “rosemary.” The archbishop of San Salvador, St. Romero, “was martyred in 1980 for his defense of the voiceless.” The rosemary “signals that Hicks, too, wants to be a bishop that prioritizes the least of God’s people, no matter the importance of his day-to-day duties,” Catholic Extension said. In a 2022 interview with reporter Rhina Guidos of Catholic News Service, then-Bishop Hicks said that anytime people visited him in El Salvador, he would take them to the “holy sites” — what he calls the places where priests, religious men or women, and laity were brutalized before and during the country’s civil war from 1980 to 1992. During that time, he came to know of the life of St. Romero, who “quickly became one of my heroes,” and of the life of the country, particularly for the poor, during the war, he said. “If I learned any lessons, it was mostly to not lose hope, to have faith, to never give up and to realize through everything, through the good and the bad, that we are not abandoned: God is with us,” he told CNS. The bishop spoke to CNS in El Salvador. He was there for the beatifications that January of four martyrs: Franciscan Father Cosme Spessotto; Jesuit Father Rutilio Grande, who was martyred along with Manuel Solórzano, a sacristan in his 70s; and Nelson Rutilio Lemus, a boy in his teens. “If we are truly followers of Jesus, then their beatification gives us a direct example of what it looks like to love without counting the costs,” he said. He “came back from El Salvador an even stronger priest,” Catholic Extension’s profile said. The day before his Feb. 6 installation, Archbishop Hicks told reporters, “I left my heart there in Central America.” The archbishop “speaks Spanish effortlessly when in Latino parishes and out in the community,” said Catholic Extension, which also noted that he “is a masterful preacher, with homilies that reflect his relatability as a human being and man of faith.” When he returned to Chicago from El Salvador, Cardinal George appointed him dean of formation at Mundelein. Four years later, now-Cardinal Blase J. Cupich, Cardinal George’s successor, named him vicar general. In September 2018, the cardinal ordained him as an auxiliary bishop for the archdiocese. In September 2020, then-Bishop Hicks was installed to head the Diocese of Joliet, where he has served more than half a million Catholics. “But his vocation as bishop was never separated from his foundational belief that a priest is shaped by his people,” Catholic Extension said. With his Feb. 6 installation, “he steps into a massive new role leading 2.5 million Catholics in New York,” but “he will be a man grounded by his love of God, the poor and the people he serves,” it said.

New York’s new archbishop ‘grounded’ by love of God, the poor and the people he serves #Catholic –

CHICAGO (OSV News) — As a young man discerning a call to the priesthood in the late 1980s, Ronald Hicks took a year off from the seminary with the goal of learning Spanish.

He volunteered in an orphanage, Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos (“Our Little Brothers”) in Central Mexico, and from that moment on, “his connection to the poor and his priestly vocation grew together,” according to the Catholic Extension Society.

“He reentered the seminary and was ordained a priest in 1994, recalling that he couldn’t stop smiling that day.”

Chicago-based Catholic Extension posted a profile on now-Archbishop Hicks on its website. The prelate joined the organization’s board of governors in 2022 at the invitation of its president, Father Jack Wall. He has helped it build up the Church’s presence among the poor and in the poorest regions of the country — which has been Catholic Extension’s mission since its founding in 1905.

The profile urged the faithful to get to know the 58-year-old man appointed by Pope Leo XIV to lead 2.5 million Catholics as the new shepherd of the Archdiocese of New York, succeeding Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan.


Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

“New Yorkers will appreciate that he is driven by a sense of duty that fuels his remarkable work ethic,” it said. “He remains grounded by his tight-knit family, including his brother, his parents — both still living — and his extended family. All of them have stayed very connected to his ministry over the years.”

Of special note, the future archbishop and the future pope grew up in neighboring suburbs on Chicago’s South Side.

At a news conference Dec. 18, the day his appointment was announced, the former bishop of Joliet, Illinois, and former auxiliary of Chicago said he was raised “in the South suburbs of Chicago and South Holland,” and Pope Leo was raised in the neighboring suburb of Dolton. Their houses “were literally 14 blocks away from each other,” Archbishop Hicks added.

After his ordination as a priest for the Archdiocese of Chicago, then-Father Hicks served in parishes throughout the archdiocese. Later, he assisted in the archdiocese’s education of seminarians, eventually becoming dean of formation at Mundelein Seminary.

“One of things he modeled to the seminarians was that a diocesan priest’s vocation is formed not only in a book or in a classroom, but also by the people he serves and grows to love,” Catholic Extension said in its profile.

“Perhaps that is why in between stints at Mundelein he went back to Latin America for five years to reunite with the community that helped forge his priestly vocation,” it added.

In July 2005, with permission from Cardinal Francis E. George, then archbishop of Chicago, Archbishop Hicks moved from Chicago to El Salvador to begin a five-year term as regional director of Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos, or NPH, in Central America.

NPH is a home dedicated to caring for more than 3,400 orphaned and abandoned children in nine Latin American and Caribbean countries.

“His time in El Salvador was an influential period,” Catholic Extension said. When he became a bishop in 2018, ordained as a Chicago auxiliary, it noted, he included a sprig of rosemary in the middle of his coat of arms in homage to El Salvador’s St. Óscar Romero, whose last name translates into English as “rosemary.”

The archbishop of San Salvador, St. Romero, “was martyred in 1980 for his defense of the voiceless.”

The rosemary “signals that Hicks, too, wants to be a bishop that prioritizes the least of God’s people, no matter the importance of his day-to-day duties,” Catholic Extension said.

In a 2022 interview with reporter Rhina Guidos of Catholic News Service, then-Bishop Hicks said that anytime people visited him in El Salvador, he would take them to the “holy sites” — what he calls the places where priests, religious men or women, and laity were brutalized before and during the country’s civil war from 1980 to 1992.

During that time, he came to know of the life of St. Romero, who “quickly became one of my heroes,” and of the life of the country, particularly for the poor, during the war, he said.

“If I learned any lessons, it was mostly to not lose hope, to have faith, to never give up and to realize through everything, through the good and the bad, that we are not abandoned: God is with us,” he told CNS.

The bishop spoke to CNS in El Salvador. He was there for the beatifications that January of four martyrs: Franciscan Father Cosme Spessotto; Jesuit Father Rutilio Grande, who was martyred along with Manuel Solórzano, a sacristan in his 70s; and Nelson Rutilio Lemus, a boy in his teens.

“If we are truly followers of Jesus, then their beatification gives us a direct example of what it looks like to love without counting the costs,” he said.

He “came back from El Salvador an even stronger priest,” Catholic Extension’s profile said.

The day before his Feb. 6 installation, Archbishop Hicks told reporters, “I left my heart there in Central America.”

The archbishop “speaks Spanish effortlessly when in Latino parishes and out in the community,” said Catholic Extension, which also noted that he “is a masterful preacher, with homilies that reflect his relatability as a human being and man of faith.”

When he returned to Chicago from El Salvador, Cardinal George appointed him dean of formation at Mundelein.

Four years later, now-Cardinal Blase J. Cupich, Cardinal George’s successor, named him vicar general. In September 2018, the cardinal ordained him as an auxiliary bishop for the archdiocese. In September 2020, then-Bishop Hicks was installed to head the Diocese of Joliet, where he has served more than half a million Catholics.

“But his vocation as bishop was never separated from his foundational belief that a priest is shaped by his people,” Catholic Extension said.

With his Feb. 6 installation, “he steps into a massive new role leading 2.5 million Catholics in New York,” but “he will be a man grounded by his love of God, the poor and the people he serves,” it said.

CHICAGO (OSV News) — As a young man discerning a call to the priesthood in the late 1980s, Ronald Hicks took a year off from the seminary with the goal of learning Spanish. He volunteered in an orphanage, Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos (“Our Little Brothers”) in Central Mexico, and from that moment on, “his connection to the poor and his priestly vocation grew together,” according to the Catholic Extension Society. “He reentered the seminary and was ordained a priest in 1994, recalling that he couldn’t stop smiling that day.” Chicago-based Catholic Extension posted a profile on now-Archbishop Hicks on its website.

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Beyond The Beacon Ep. 105: Priest, beggar, hero: Inside the world of Father Al and the Sisters of Mary #Catholic – 
Biographer Kevin Wells discusses “one of the greatest stories in the Church today,” the life and work of “Father Al” and the Sisters of Mary. He shares insights from his book, “Priest and Beggar: The Heroic Life of Venerable Aloysius Schwartz.” Hosted by the Diocese of Paterson’s Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney and Communications Director Jai Agnish.
Venerable Aloysius Philip Schwartz was a devoted Catholic priest known for his unwavering commitment to serving the poor. He founded the Sisters of Mary congregation and the World Villages for Children, focusing on providing education, shelter, and care for destitute children worldwide. Through his tireless efforts, Father Schwartz transformed countless lives, establishing Boystown and Girlstown programs that have helped over 170,000 children. His selfless work continues to inspire, and he was declared “Venerable” by Pope Francis in 2015.
Wells also details the special pilgrimage to Mexico with Bishop Sweeney in September to Our Lady of Guadalupe, and to spend some time with the Sisters of Mary at Girlstown.
Listen to the episode here, or on any major podcast platform, or watch it on Bishop Sweeney’s YouTube channel.

Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

Beyond The Beacon Ep. 105: Priest, beggar, hero: Inside the world of Father Al and the Sisters of Mary #Catholic –

Biographer Kevin Wells discusses “one of the greatest stories in the Church today,” the life and work of “Father Al” and the Sisters of Mary. He shares insights from his book, “Priest and Beggar: The Heroic Life of Venerable Aloysius Schwartz.” Hosted by the Diocese of Paterson’s Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney and Communications Director Jai Agnish.

Venerable Aloysius Philip Schwartz was a devoted Catholic priest known for his unwavering commitment to serving the poor. He founded the Sisters of Mary congregation and the World Villages for Children, focusing on providing education, shelter, and care for destitute children worldwide. Through his tireless efforts, Father Schwartz transformed countless lives, establishing Boystown and Girlstown programs that have helped over 170,000 children. His selfless work continues to inspire, and he was declared “Venerable” by Pope Francis in 2015.

Wells also details the special pilgrimage to Mexico with Bishop Sweeney in September to Our Lady of Guadalupe, and to spend some time with the Sisters of Mary at Girlstown.

Listen to the episode here, or on any major podcast platform, or watch it on Bishop Sweeney’s YouTube channel.


Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

Biographer Kevin Wells discusses “one of the greatest stories in the Church today,” the life and work of “Father Al” and the Sisters of Mary. He shares insights from his book, “Priest and Beggar: The Heroic Life of Venerable Aloysius Schwartz.” Hosted by the Diocese of Paterson’s Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney and Communications Director Jai Agnish. Venerable Aloysius Philip Schwartz was a devoted Catholic priest known for his unwavering commitment to serving the poor. He founded the Sisters of Mary congregation and the World Villages for Children, focusing on providing education, shelter, and care for destitute children worldwide. Through his

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Registration now open for NJCC conference on mental health crisis #Catholic – The New Jersey Catholic Conference, in partnership with New Jersey’s Catholic Dioceses, Catholic Charities agencies, and Catholic Healthcare Partnership of New Jersey, will host an informative one-day mental health conference on Saturday, May 2, which is aimed to increase awareness and understanding of the escalating crisis in mental illness affecting the U.S. and across the world.
The conference, titled “From Isolation to Belonging, Mental Health and the Catholic Church,” will feature leading Catholic voices in the mental health arena, including keynote speaker Bishop John P. Dolan of the Diocese of Phoenix, founder of the diocesan Office of Mental Health Ministry which became the first of its kind in the U.S.
The event will take place at the St. John Neumann Pastoral Center in Piscataway, N.J., and seeks to educate attendees on the scope of the mental health crisis, reduce stigma surrounding mental illness, and offer resources for sufferers and their families.

Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

With 1 in 10 adults in the U.S. and over 1 billion people worldwide affected by mental health issues according to the World Health Organization, everyone from clergy to ministerial volunteers to educators and lay faithful are encouraged to attend this event. One in four adults say they would seek help from the clergy first in the instance of mental health struggles, underscoring the significant role the Church can play in supporting victims and providing resources to direct them and their families.
The keynote address by Bishop Dolan will be followed by breakout sessions with speakers including: Beth Hlabse, program director, Notre Dame Fiat Program on Faith & Mental Health; Ben Wortham, vice president of Behavioral Health Integration, Catholic Charities USA; and Deacon Ed Shoener, founder, International Association of Catholic Mental Health Ministers.
Cardinal Joseph Tobin, C.Ss.R., Archdiocese of Newark, will serve as the principal celebrant and homilist for Mass.
The conference is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. Saturday, May 2. Registration is  and space is limited to the first 300 people. Go to njconf.com to register.

Registration now open for NJCC conference on mental health crisis #Catholic – The New Jersey Catholic Conference, in partnership with New Jersey’s Catholic Dioceses, Catholic Charities agencies, and Catholic Healthcare Partnership of New Jersey, will host an informative one-day mental health conference on Saturday, May 2, which is aimed to increase awareness and understanding of the escalating crisis in mental illness affecting the U.S. and across the world. The conference, titled “From Isolation to Belonging, Mental Health and the Catholic Church,” will feature leading Catholic voices in the mental health arena, including keynote speaker Bishop John P. Dolan of the Diocese of Phoenix, founder of the diocesan Office of Mental Health Ministry which became the first of its kind in the U.S. The event will take place at the St. John Neumann Pastoral Center in Piscataway, N.J., and seeks to educate attendees on the scope of the mental health crisis, reduce stigma surrounding mental illness, and offer resources for sufferers and their families. Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter. With 1 in 10 adults in the U.S. and over 1 billion people worldwide affected by mental health issues according to the World Health Organization, everyone from clergy to ministerial volunteers to educators and lay faithful are encouraged to attend this event. One in four adults say they would seek help from the clergy first in the instance of mental health struggles, underscoring the significant role the Church can play in supporting victims and providing resources to direct them and their families. The keynote address by Bishop Dolan will be followed by breakout sessions with speakers including: Beth Hlabse, program director, Notre Dame Fiat Program on Faith & Mental Health; Ben Wortham, vice president of Behavioral Health Integration, Catholic Charities USA; and Deacon Ed Shoener, founder, International Association of Catholic Mental Health Ministers. Cardinal Joseph Tobin, C.Ss.R., Archdiocese of Newark, will serve as the principal celebrant and homilist for Mass. The conference is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. Saturday, May 2. Registration is $40 and space is limited to the first 300 people. Go to njconf.com to register.

Registration now open for NJCC conference on mental health crisis #Catholic –

The New Jersey Catholic Conference, in partnership with New Jersey’s Catholic Dioceses, Catholic Charities agencies, and Catholic Healthcare Partnership of New Jersey, will host an informative one-day mental health conference on Saturday, May 2, which is aimed to increase awareness and understanding of the escalating crisis in mental illness affecting the U.S. and across the world.

The conference, titled “From Isolation to Belonging, Mental Health and the Catholic Church,” will feature leading Catholic voices in the mental health arena, including keynote speaker Bishop John P. Dolan of the Diocese of Phoenix, founder of the diocesan Office of Mental Health Ministry which became the first of its kind in the U.S.

The event will take place at the St. John Neumann Pastoral Center in Piscataway, N.J., and seeks to educate attendees on the scope of the mental health crisis, reduce stigma surrounding mental illness, and offer resources for sufferers and their families.


Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

With 1 in 10 adults in the U.S. and over 1 billion people worldwide affected by mental health issues according to the World Health Organization, everyone from clergy to ministerial volunteers to educators and lay faithful are encouraged to attend this event. One in four adults say they would seek help from the clergy first in the instance of mental health struggles, underscoring the significant role the Church can play in supporting victims and providing resources to direct them and their families.

The keynote address by Bishop Dolan will be followed by breakout sessions with speakers including: Beth Hlabse, program director, Notre Dame Fiat Program on Faith & Mental Health; Ben Wortham, vice president of Behavioral Health Integration, Catholic Charities USA; and Deacon Ed Shoener, founder, International Association of Catholic Mental Health Ministers.

Cardinal Joseph Tobin, C.Ss.R., Archdiocese of Newark, will serve as the principal celebrant and homilist for Mass.

The conference is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. Saturday, May 2. Registration is $40 and space is limited to the first 300 people. Go to njconf.com to register.

The New Jersey Catholic Conference, in partnership with New Jersey’s Catholic Dioceses, Catholic Charities agencies, and Catholic Healthcare Partnership of New Jersey, will host an informative one-day mental health conference on Saturday, May 2, which is aimed to increase awareness and understanding of the escalating crisis in mental illness affecting the U.S. and across the world. The conference, titled “From Isolation to Belonging, Mental Health and the Catholic Church,” will feature leading Catholic voices in the mental health arena, including keynote speaker Bishop John P. Dolan of the Diocese of Phoenix, founder of the diocesan Office of Mental Health Ministry

Read More
Washington Township parish ministry cares for those in need #Catholic - Missy and her family were running a business that was doing so well that they had moved to Morris County in New Jersey. Then, when the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020, the business retained its main residential clients, but lost almost all of its commercial clients.
“Everything was just changing so fast. I did not handle it mentally, emotionally or spiritually well. I did not have faith. I was still in our world, and I panicked,” Missy, who wished to remain anonymous, said.
Last year, Missy finally shared her struggles and received help from the Angels of the Mountain ministry of Our Lady of the Mountain (OLM) Parish in the Long Valley neighborhood of Washington Township, N.J. Carol Novrit, an OLM parishioner, founded and runs the outreach.

Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

“She [Novrit] was empathetic to everything. She helped me by first coming up with a plan, and then we stabilized. The biggest thing was that she helped with gift cards for food,” Missy said. “When you have a home and a car, you do not ever think that you are going to be in a position to need something. Not only did the ministry help us to get back on our feet, figuring things out, but it helped me to feel like I had value again by finally being able to help other people, too.”
Under the banner of “Living the Gospel — Neighbor Helping Neighbor,” the year-old ministry assists people who are in need by offering support services such as referrals and advocacy for community services, friendship, budgeting, housing-related issues, health-related referrals, food, employment assistance, and help with completing applications. All visits, including to clients’ homes, and interactions are managed with respect, dignity, confidentiality, and Catholic spiritual reverence.
Missy was available to return the help her family received by helping a woman clean her apartment and, eventually, became a companion to her.
Novrit once ran the Human Services Department in Morris County, then proceeded to Sussex County, where she is now retired as the administrator of Health and Human Services. She most enjoyed connecting people with services.
People would learn about Novrit’s background and approach her at OLM when they had needs, and she would help them. Then somebody said to her, “You have to start a ministry.” She did so last January, and in 2025, the ministry received the Vivere Christus Award from the Paterson Diocese in New Jersey for its efforts.
“Father Marcin [Michałowski, OLM’s pastor], our parishioners, and the Knights of Columbus have been wonderful,” Novrit said. “Recently, they helped with snow shoveling and volunteered to take a parishioner to Church weekly. When we ask for help, they always say, ‘Yes.’”
Father Michałowski said, “We are happy that we can help those who are in need — our parishioners, and sometimes non-parishioners. Some people say something, and some people don’t say anything, so we try to reach out to those who come to us and also those who do not come to us. The main focus is, of course, to look at our parishioners, but if we can go beyond the walls of the parish, then we try to do that as well.”
For information about the Angels of the Mountain ministry, call Carol Novrit at 908-797-0813.

Washington Township parish ministry cares for those in need #Catholic – Missy and her family were running a business that was doing so well that they had moved to Morris County in New Jersey. Then, when the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020, the business retained its main residential clients, but lost almost all of its commercial clients. “Everything was just changing so fast. I did not handle it mentally, emotionally or spiritually well. I did not have faith. I was still in our world, and I panicked,” Missy, who wished to remain anonymous, said. Last year, Missy finally shared her struggles and received help from the Angels of the Mountain ministry of Our Lady of the Mountain (OLM) Parish in the Long Valley neighborhood of Washington Township, N.J. Carol Novrit, an OLM parishioner, founded and runs the outreach. Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter. “She [Novrit] was empathetic to everything. She helped me by first coming up with a plan, and then we stabilized. The biggest thing was that she helped with gift cards for food,” Missy said. “When you have a home and a car, you do not ever think that you are going to be in a position to need something. Not only did the ministry help us to get back on our feet, figuring things out, but it helped me to feel like I had value again by finally being able to help other people, too.” Under the banner of “Living the Gospel — Neighbor Helping Neighbor,” the year-old ministry assists people who are in need by offering support services such as referrals and advocacy for community services, friendship, budgeting, housing-related issues, health-related referrals, food, employment assistance, and help with completing applications. All visits, including to clients’ homes, and interactions are managed with respect, dignity, confidentiality, and Catholic spiritual reverence. Missy was available to return the help her family received by helping a woman clean her apartment and, eventually, became a companion to her. Novrit once ran the Human Services Department in Morris County, then proceeded to Sussex County, where she is now retired as the administrator of Health and Human Services. She most enjoyed connecting people with services. People would learn about Novrit’s background and approach her at OLM when they had needs, and she would help them. Then somebody said to her, “You have to start a ministry.” She did so last January, and in 2025, the ministry received the Vivere Christus Award from the Paterson Diocese in New Jersey for its efforts. “Father Marcin [Michałowski, OLM’s pastor], our parishioners, and the Knights of Columbus have been wonderful,” Novrit said. “Recently, they helped with snow shoveling and volunteered to take a parishioner to Church weekly. When we ask for help, they always say, ‘Yes.’” Father Michałowski said, “We are happy that we can help those who are in need — our parishioners, and sometimes non-parishioners. Some people say something, and some people don’t say anything, so we try to reach out to those who come to us and also those who do not come to us. The main focus is, of course, to look at our parishioners, but if we can go beyond the walls of the parish, then we try to do that as well.” For information about the Angels of the Mountain ministry, call Carol Novrit at 908-797-0813.

Washington Township parish ministry cares for those in need #Catholic –

Missy and her family were running a business that was doing so well that they had moved to Morris County in New Jersey. Then, when the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020, the business retained its main residential clients, but lost almost all of its commercial clients.

“Everything was just changing so fast. I did not handle it mentally, emotionally or spiritually well. I did not have faith. I was still in our world, and I panicked,” Missy, who wished to remain anonymous, said.

Last year, Missy finally shared her struggles and received help from the Angels of the Mountain ministry of Our Lady of the Mountain (OLM) Parish in the Long Valley neighborhood of Washington Township, N.J. Carol Novrit, an OLM parishioner, founded and runs the outreach.


Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

“She [Novrit] was empathetic to everything. She helped me by first coming up with a plan, and then we stabilized. The biggest thing was that she helped with gift cards for food,” Missy said. “When you have a home and a car, you do not ever think that you are going to be in a position to need something. Not only did the ministry help us to get back on our feet, figuring things out, but it helped me to feel like I had value again by finally being able to help other people, too.”

Under the banner of “Living the Gospel — Neighbor Helping Neighbor,” the year-old ministry assists people who are in need by offering support services such as referrals and advocacy for community services, friendship, budgeting, housing-related issues, health-related referrals, food, employment assistance, and help with completing applications. All visits, including to clients’ homes, and interactions are managed with respect, dignity, confidentiality, and Catholic spiritual reverence.

Missy was available to return the help her family received by helping a woman clean her apartment and, eventually, became a companion to her.

Novrit once ran the Human Services Department in Morris County, then proceeded to Sussex County, where she is now retired as the administrator of Health and Human Services. She most enjoyed connecting people with services.

People would learn about Novrit’s background and approach her at OLM when they had needs, and she would help them. Then somebody said to her, “You have to start a ministry.” She did so last January, and in 2025, the ministry received the Vivere Christus Award from the Paterson Diocese in New Jersey for its efforts.

“Father Marcin [Michałowski, OLM’s pastor], our parishioners, and the Knights of Columbus have been wonderful,” Novrit said. “Recently, they helped with snow shoveling and volunteered to take a parishioner to Church weekly. When we ask for help, they always say, ‘Yes.’”

Father Michałowski said, “We are happy that we can help those who are in need — our parishioners, and sometimes non-parishioners. Some people say something, and some people don’t say anything, so we try to reach out to those who come to us and also those who do not come to us. The main focus is, of course, to look at our parishioners, but if we can go beyond the walls of the parish, then we try to do that as well.”

For information about the Angels of the Mountain ministry, call Carol Novrit at 908-797-0813.

Missy and her family were running a business that was doing so well that they had moved to Morris County in New Jersey. Then, when the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020, the business retained its main residential clients, but lost almost all of its commercial clients. “Everything was just changing so fast. I did not handle it mentally, emotionally or spiritually well. I did not have faith. I was still in our world, and I panicked,” Missy, who wished to remain anonymous, said. Last year, Missy finally shared her struggles and received help from the Angels of the Mountain ministry

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Edward Charles Pickering graduated summa cum laude from Lawrence Scientific School at the age of 19, beginning a position as a physics professor at MIT a year later. During his 10 years there, he created the first physics laboratory in America for student use. But it was his appointment as director of the Harvard CollegeContinue reading “Feb. 1, 1877: Pickering starts at Harvard College Observatory”

The post Feb. 1, 1877: Pickering starts at Harvard College Observatory appeared first on Astronomy Magazine.

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On Jan. 31, 1783, William Herschel was creating a catalog of double stars when he spotted 40 Eridani B. This dim white object was part of a triple-star system, and was the first white dwarf ever spotted. On Jan. 31, 1862, telescope-maker Alvan Graham Clark sighted the second: Sirius B. Its existence had been predictedContinue reading “Jan. 31, 1783 and 1862: Pioneering white dwarf discoveries”

The post Jan. 31, 1783 and 1862: Pioneering white dwarf discoveries appeared first on Astronomy Magazine.

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Sixty-six million years ago, Earth was a tropical greenhouse. Today, it’s an ice-capped world. And an international team of experts led by the University of Southampton think they know why. Their new study shows that Earth’s massive drop in temperature after the dinosaurs went extinct could have been caused by a large drop in calcium levels in the ocean. The study showed that the dramatic calcium shiftContinue reading “Why did Earth’s greenhouse age end?”

The post Why did Earth’s greenhouse age end? appeared first on Astronomy Magazine.

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Diocesan high schoolers learn to apply faith to life #Catholic – On a recent Midnight Run excursion in New York City, Derelle Berryman — a junior at DePaul Catholic High School in Wayne, N.J.—distributed clothing, coffee, and toiletries to people who are homeless, all while thinking of his uncle’s real-life struggles.
For Berryman, the experience was personal: his uncle had suffered homelessness briefly.
“I put myself in my uncle’s shoes and other people who experience homelessness. He told me he was cold and scared. I figured if I can do something, I will. ” I don’t want other people to be in that situation,” said Berryman, who plays varsity football for the Spartans. “By getting involved in service, we are doing what our faith asks of us in a real-world setting.”
Often, Catholic high school students connect with their faith through Christian service. This is especially true in the Campus Ministry programs at the three Catholic high schools in the Paterson Diocese of New Jersey, where service helps students deepen their love for Christ and share the Gospel. The schools are DePaul, Morris Catholic in Denville, N.J., and Pope John XXIII Regional in Sparta, N.J.
Campus Ministries guides students through this exciting and challenging life stage, helping them listen for God’s vocational call. As these programs report increased student involvement in spiritual and service activities and a growing zeal for being Catholic, which mirrors a national trend. BeaconNJ.org is highlighting several students inspired by their school’s Campus Ministries in its coverage of Catholic Schools Week, being celebrated this week.
DePaul’s Campus Ministry deepens the spirituality of its roughly 475 students through daily practices such as Mass, Adoration, and praying the rosary together. Students also attend retreats, read Scripture, receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and participate in monthly schoolwide Masses. DePaul welcomes many non-Catholic students who also participate in its spiritual and service activities.
“Faith cannot involve only classroom subjects. We see the fruit of our approach evidenced by our growing daily Mass attendance,” said Father Frank Lennie, the school’s chaplain and a Class of 2010 alum.
Father Lennie and Jean Caughey, a theology teacher, work together with the other members of the Theology Department in DePaul’s campus ministry.
“This time in high school is so uncertain for our students. Jesus and faith are constant. We need to show them and lead them in how they can disconnect with the world, ground themselves in prayer, and then reconnect through evangelization and service, which help them live out their discipleship,” Caughey said.

Pope John: ‘Students are bold in their faith’
At dinner two years ago, Hayden Marshall, 16, now a sophomore at Pope John XXIII Regional High School in Sparta, N.J., asked his family a question they hadn’t yet contemplated: “Why aren’t we baptized?” He then asked, “May I get baptized?”
At that point, the Marshall family wasn’t religious. But they were inspired to join Hayden for Order of Christian Initiation (OCIA) classes at Our Lady of the Lake (OLL), also in Sparta, the parent parish of Pope John High School. During last year’s Easter Vigil Mass at OLL, Hayden, his mother, Amy, his father, Steven, and his sister, Hannah, 13, received their sacraments and were fully initiated into the Church.
Hayden, first a student at Pope John Middle School —part of the Catholic Academy of Sussex County— found motivation in the theology classes and spiritual experiences at Pope John.
“I was inspired by stories of Jesus’ miracles and the fact that teachers teach about Jesus straight out of the bible. My faith came to life. I’m now closer to Jesus,” said Hayden. He said about being welcomed into the Church with his family, “It was a special day for all of us.”
Also, Amy Marshall joined the middle school as a sixth- and seventh-grade science teacher this current academic year.
Campus Ministry serves 600 students at Pope John High School. The outreach offers retreats, Masses, and service opportunities. High schoolers pair up with younger students to serve as mentors and prayer buddies. Campus Ministry recently formed a leadership board of 27 upperclassmen, said Shannon Jones, Pope John High School campus minister and eighth-grade theology teacher.
“The students are bold in sharing their faith,” said Jones, adding that students devise their own activities, such as Bible readings recited over the intercom at the start of the school week.
Father John Calabro, a Pope John chaplain and teacher, said, “Our Catholic schools are important for evangelization. With our students, we can explore the deep questions, such as ‘Why are we here?’ which is so needed today.”
Pope John High School is unique among the three diocesan high schools because it has two other schools at the Academy, the middle school and Rev. Brown Memorial School, that, over time, prepare many students for high school — academically, socially, and spiritually.
Father Richard Carton, OLL’s pastor and the Academy’s vice president, taught OCIA to the Marshall family and welcomed them into the Church during last year’s Easter Vigil Mass.
“The Academy exposes students like Hayden to the Gospel’s truth and Christ’s offerings — often for the first time. Many respond enthusiastically,” Father Carton said.

Morris Catholic: Priests model Jesus’ love and joy’
Alian Peralta, 17, a senior at Morris Catholic High School in Denville, N.J., felt “nervous but also calm” before a recent interview with a college seminary — the first step in pursuing his goal of becoming a priest.
Providing Peralta with some calm — and confidence in his priestly discernment — were the wise words of two priests serving Morris Catholic: Father Peter Clarke, president, and Father Carmen Buono, part-time chaplain. Peralta also finds solace while listening to God during the school’s Campus Ministry activities, including monthly Eucharistic adoration.
“Through Father Peter and Father Carmen, I see what serving as a priest means — approaching people with love and joy, as Jesus did,” said Peralta. “Adoration helps me ask Jesus, ‘What do you want me to do with my life?’ and discern my calling.”
At Morris Catholic, there has been an increase in spiritual enthusiasm among its less-than 400-student population. Attendance for the 9:30 a.m. Mass has jumped from 5 to 50 people. During the Easter Vigil Mass last year, Father Buono received Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney’s permission to confirm a several students, welcoming them into full communion with the Church.

Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

Campus Ministry also offers retreats, school-wide Masses, bible study, and Divine Mercy rosary. The school also encourages students to use faith-based phone apps such as Hallow and Dynamic Catholic.
Father Buono, who also has a counseling background, said, “The value of Morris Catholic priests is that we are present to students not only to talk about their challenges with faith, but also with school or their families. We are also present to them in the Sacrament of Reconciliation and the Eucharist.”
Morris Catholic students expand their faith through service by helping Celebrate the Child in Denville, running proms and Valentine dances for people with developmental and intellectual disabilities. The schools has a Respect Life group and God’s Children Club, started by a former student, which makes care packages for homeless shelters.
“Students take what they learn in theology class and apply it to their lives. Service gives them a strong connection to the faith,” said Susan Drew, Morris Catholic’s campus minister.

Diocesan high schoolers learn to apply faith to life #Catholic – On a recent Midnight Run excursion in New York City, Derelle Berryman — a junior at DePaul Catholic High School in Wayne, N.J.—distributed clothing, coffee, and toiletries to people who are homeless, all while thinking of his uncle’s real-life struggles. For Berryman, the experience was personal: his uncle had suffered homelessness briefly. “I put myself in my uncle’s shoes and other people who experience homelessness. He told me he was cold and scared. I figured if I can do something, I will. ” I don’t want other people to be in that situation,” said Berryman, who plays varsity football for the Spartans. “By getting involved in service, we are doing what our faith asks of us in a real-world setting.” Often, Catholic high school students connect with their faith through Christian service. This is especially true in the Campus Ministry programs at the three Catholic high schools in the Paterson Diocese of New Jersey, where service helps students deepen their love for Christ and share the Gospel. The schools are DePaul, Morris Catholic in Denville, N.J., and Pope John XXIII Regional in Sparta, N.J. Campus Ministries guides students through this exciting and challenging life stage, helping them listen for God’s vocational call. As these programs report increased student involvement in spiritual and service activities and a growing zeal for being Catholic, which mirrors a national trend. BeaconNJ.org is highlighting several students inspired by their school’s Campus Ministries in its coverage of Catholic Schools Week, being celebrated this week. DePaul’s Campus Ministry deepens the spirituality of its roughly 475 students through daily practices such as Mass, Adoration, and praying the rosary together. Students also attend retreats, read Scripture, receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and participate in monthly schoolwide Masses. DePaul welcomes many non-Catholic students who also participate in its spiritual and service activities. “Faith cannot involve only classroom subjects. We see the fruit of our approach evidenced by our growing daily Mass attendance,” said Father Frank Lennie, the school’s chaplain and a Class of 2010 alum. Father Lennie and Jean Caughey, a theology teacher, work together with the other members of the Theology Department in DePaul’s campus ministry. “This time in high school is so uncertain for our students. Jesus and faith are constant. We need to show them and lead them in how they can disconnect with the world, ground themselves in prayer, and then reconnect through evangelization and service, which help them live out their discipleship,” Caughey said. Pope John: ‘Students are bold in their faith’ At dinner two years ago, Hayden Marshall, 16, now a sophomore at Pope John XXIII Regional High School in Sparta, N.J., asked his family a question they hadn’t yet contemplated: “Why aren’t we baptized?” He then asked, “May I get baptized?” At that point, the Marshall family wasn’t religious. But they were inspired to join Hayden for Order of Christian Initiation (OCIA) classes at Our Lady of the Lake (OLL), also in Sparta, the parent parish of Pope John High School. During last year’s Easter Vigil Mass at OLL, Hayden, his mother, Amy, his father, Steven, and his sister, Hannah, 13, received their sacraments and were fully initiated into the Church. Hayden, first a student at Pope John Middle School —part of the Catholic Academy of Sussex County— found motivation in the theology classes and spiritual experiences at Pope John. “I was inspired by stories of Jesus’ miracles and the fact that teachers teach about Jesus straight out of the bible. My faith came to life. I’m now closer to Jesus,” said Hayden. He said about being welcomed into the Church with his family, “It was a special day for all of us.” Also, Amy Marshall joined the middle school as a sixth- and seventh-grade science teacher this current academic year. Campus Ministry serves 600 students at Pope John High School. The outreach offers retreats, Masses, and service opportunities. High schoolers pair up with younger students to serve as mentors and prayer buddies. Campus Ministry recently formed a leadership board of 27 upperclassmen, said Shannon Jones, Pope John High School campus minister and eighth-grade theology teacher. “The students are bold in sharing their faith,” said Jones, adding that students devise their own activities, such as Bible readings recited over the intercom at the start of the school week. Father John Calabro, a Pope John chaplain and teacher, said, “Our Catholic schools are important for evangelization. With our students, we can explore the deep questions, such as ‘Why are we here?’ which is so needed today.” Pope John High School is unique among the three diocesan high schools because it has two other schools at the Academy, the middle school and Rev. Brown Memorial School, that, over time, prepare many students for high school — academically, socially, and spiritually. Father Richard Carton, OLL’s pastor and the Academy’s vice president, taught OCIA to the Marshall family and welcomed them into the Church during last year’s Easter Vigil Mass. “The Academy exposes students like Hayden to the Gospel’s truth and Christ’s offerings — often for the first time. Many respond enthusiastically,” Father Carton said. Morris Catholic: Priests model Jesus’ love and joy’ Alian Peralta, 17, a senior at Morris Catholic High School in Denville, N.J., felt “nervous but also calm” before a recent interview with a college seminary — the first step in pursuing his goal of becoming a priest. Providing Peralta with some calm — and confidence in his priestly discernment — were the wise words of two priests serving Morris Catholic: Father Peter Clarke, president, and Father Carmen Buono, part-time chaplain. Peralta also finds solace while listening to God during the school’s Campus Ministry activities, including monthly Eucharistic adoration. “Through Father Peter and Father Carmen, I see what serving as a priest means — approaching people with love and joy, as Jesus did,” said Peralta. “Adoration helps me ask Jesus, ‘What do you want me to do with my life?’ and discern my calling.” At Morris Catholic, there has been an increase in spiritual enthusiasm among its less-than 400-student population. Attendance for the 9:30 a.m. Mass has jumped from 5 to 50 people. During the Easter Vigil Mass last year, Father Buono received Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney’s permission to confirm a several students, welcoming them into full communion with the Church. Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter. Campus Ministry also offers retreats, school-wide Masses, bible study, and Divine Mercy rosary. The school also encourages students to use faith-based phone apps such as Hallow and Dynamic Catholic. Father Buono, who also has a counseling background, said, “The value of Morris Catholic priests is that we are present to students not only to talk about their challenges with faith, but also with school or their families. We are also present to them in the Sacrament of Reconciliation and the Eucharist.” Morris Catholic students expand their faith through service by helping Celebrate the Child in Denville, running proms and Valentine dances for people with developmental and intellectual disabilities. The schools has a Respect Life group and God’s Children Club, started by a former student, which makes care packages for homeless shelters. “Students take what they learn in theology class and apply it to their lives. Service gives them a strong connection to the faith,” said Susan Drew, Morris Catholic’s campus minister.

Diocesan high schoolers learn to apply faith to life #Catholic –

On a recent Midnight Run excursion in New York City, Derelle Berryman — a junior at DePaul Catholic High School in Wayne, N.J.—distributed clothing, coffee, and toiletries to people who are homeless, all while thinking of his uncle’s real-life struggles.

For Berryman, the experience was personal: his uncle had suffered homelessness briefly.

“I put myself in my uncle’s shoes and other people who experience homelessness. He told me he was cold and scared. I figured if I can do something, I will. ” I don’t want other people to be in that situation,” said Berryman, who plays varsity football for the Spartans. “By getting involved in service, we are doing what our faith asks of us in a real-world setting.”

Often, Catholic high school students connect with their faith through Christian service. This is especially true in the Campus Ministry programs at the three Catholic high schools in the Paterson Diocese of New Jersey, where service helps students deepen their love for Christ and share the Gospel. The schools are DePaul, Morris Catholic in Denville, N.J., and Pope John XXIII Regional in Sparta, N.J.

Campus Ministries guides students through this exciting and challenging life stage, helping them listen for God’s vocational call. As these programs report increased student involvement in spiritual and service activities and a growing zeal for being Catholic, which mirrors a national trend. BeaconNJ.org is highlighting several students inspired by their school’s Campus Ministries in its coverage of Catholic Schools Week, being celebrated this week.

DePaul’s Campus Ministry deepens the spirituality of its roughly 475 students through daily practices such as Mass, Adoration, and praying the rosary together. Students also attend retreats, read Scripture, receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and participate in monthly schoolwide Masses. DePaul welcomes many non-Catholic students who also participate in its spiritual and service activities.

“Faith cannot involve only classroom subjects. We see the fruit of our approach evidenced by our growing daily Mass attendance,” said Father Frank Lennie, the school’s chaplain and a Class of 2010 alum.

Father Lennie and Jean Caughey, a theology teacher, work together with the other members of the Theology Department in DePaul’s campus ministry.

“This time in high school is so uncertain for our students. Jesus and faith are constant. We need to show them and lead them in how they can disconnect with the world, ground themselves in prayer, and then reconnect through evangelization and service, which help them live out their discipleship,” Caughey said.

Pope John: ‘Students are bold in their faith’

At dinner two years ago, Hayden Marshall, 16, now a sophomore at Pope John XXIII Regional High School in Sparta, N.J., asked his family a question they hadn’t yet contemplated: “Why aren’t we baptized?” He then asked, “May I get baptized?”

At that point, the Marshall family wasn’t religious. But they were inspired to join Hayden for Order of Christian Initiation (OCIA) classes at Our Lady of the Lake (OLL), also in Sparta, the parent parish of Pope John High School. During last year’s Easter Vigil Mass at OLL, Hayden, his mother, Amy, his father, Steven, and his sister, Hannah, 13, received their sacraments and were fully initiated into the Church.

Hayden, first a student at Pope John Middle School —part of the Catholic Academy of Sussex County— found motivation in the theology classes and spiritual experiences at Pope John.

“I was inspired by stories of Jesus’ miracles and the fact that teachers teach about Jesus straight out of the bible. My faith came to life. I’m now closer to Jesus,” said Hayden. He said about being welcomed into the Church with his family, “It was a special day for all of us.”

Also, Amy Marshall joined the middle school as a sixth- and seventh-grade science teacher this current academic year.

Campus Ministry serves 600 students at Pope John High School. The outreach offers retreats, Masses, and service opportunities. High schoolers pair up with younger students to serve as mentors and prayer buddies. Campus Ministry recently formed a leadership board of 27 upperclassmen, said Shannon Jones, Pope John High School campus minister and eighth-grade theology teacher.

“The students are bold in sharing their faith,” said Jones, adding that students devise their own activities, such as Bible readings recited over the intercom at the start of the school week.

Father John Calabro, a Pope John chaplain and teacher, said, “Our Catholic schools are important for evangelization. With our students, we can explore the deep questions, such as ‘Why are we here?’ which is so needed today.”

Pope John High School is unique among the three diocesan high schools because it has two other schools at the Academy, the middle school and Rev. Brown Memorial School, that, over time, prepare many students for high school — academically, socially, and spiritually.

Father Richard Carton, OLL’s pastor and the Academy’s vice president, taught OCIA to the Marshall family and welcomed them into the Church during last year’s Easter Vigil Mass.

“The Academy exposes students like Hayden to the Gospel’s truth and Christ’s offerings — often for the first time. Many respond enthusiastically,” Father Carton said.

Morris Catholic: Priests model Jesus’ love and joy’

Alian Peralta, 17, a senior at Morris Catholic High School in Denville, N.J., felt “nervous but also calm” before a recent interview with a college seminary — the first step in pursuing his goal of becoming a priest.

Providing Peralta with some calm — and confidence in his priestly discernment — were the wise words of two priests serving Morris Catholic: Father Peter Clarke, president, and Father Carmen Buono, part-time chaplain. Peralta also finds solace while listening to God during the school’s Campus Ministry activities, including monthly Eucharistic adoration.

“Through Father Peter and Father Carmen, I see what serving as a priest means — approaching people with love and joy, as Jesus did,” said Peralta. “Adoration helps me ask Jesus, ‘What do you want me to do with my life?’ and discern my calling.”

At Morris Catholic, there has been an increase in spiritual enthusiasm among its less-than 400-student population. Attendance for the 9:30 a.m. Mass has jumped from 5 to 50 people. During the Easter Vigil Mass last year, Father Buono received Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney’s permission to confirm a several students, welcoming them into full communion with the Church.


Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

Campus Ministry also offers retreats, school-wide Masses, bible study, and Divine Mercy rosary. The school also encourages students to use faith-based phone apps such as Hallow and Dynamic Catholic.

Father Buono, who also has a counseling background, said, “The value of Morris Catholic priests is that we are present to students not only to talk about their challenges with faith, but also with school or their families. We are also present to them in the Sacrament of Reconciliation and the Eucharist.”

Morris Catholic students expand their faith through service by helping Celebrate the Child in Denville, running proms and Valentine dances for people with developmental and intellectual disabilities. The schools has a Respect Life group and God’s Children Club, started by a former student, which makes care packages for homeless shelters.

“Students take what they learn in theology class and apply it to their lives. Service gives them a strong connection to the faith,” said Susan Drew, Morris Catholic’s campus minister.

On a recent Midnight Run excursion in New York City, Derelle Berryman — a junior at DePaul Catholic High School in Wayne, N.J.—distributed clothing, coffee, and toiletries to people who are homeless, all while thinking of his uncle’s real-life struggles. For Berryman, the experience was personal: his uncle had suffered homelessness briefly. “I put myself in my uncle’s shoes and other people who experience homelessness. He told me he was cold and scared. I figured if I can do something, I will. ” I don’t want other people to be in that situation,” said Berryman, who plays varsity football for

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Catholic Schools Week: Message from Superintendent Mary D. Baier #Catholic – Catholic Schools Week has been an annual celebration of Catholic education across the United States, which has been sponsored by the National Catholic Education Association since 1974. This is a time to celebrate both our mission and our ministries. We embrace the national theme for this week: Catholic Schools: United in Faith and Community. “Catholic education provides an atmosphere in which the Gospel message is proclaimed, community in Christ is experienced, service to our sisters and brothers is the norm and thanksgiving and worship of God is cultivated.” (Renewing our Commitment, 2005)
Community is at the heart of Catholic education. Having experienced community in our schools, our students, faculties and families are empowered to build community in all areas of life. Catholic Schools Week is a recognition of all that our schools do every day to enable the total development of the whole person in light of the Good News of Jesus Christ, the Gospel message.
Catholic schools in the Paterson Diocese in New Jersey work diligently to maintain a culture of academic excellence indicative of a Catholic school education. Our principals and teachers through their faith, passion and dedication have a resolute commitment to their ministry which is seen as a privilege and a blessing.
Academic excellence in our schools is complimented by our attention to service. Students learn early on that the Church is a servant community in which it is their responsibility to be of service to those less fortunate than themselves. Our schools form and inform students to acknowledge their God-given talents and to be respectful of their responsibilities. Catholic education empowers our students to achieve their dreams and goals to become future citizens in our global society. We strive to live by our mission to develop, improve, promote and support a Catholic school system where students become transformers of a faith-filled future.

Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

All elementary schools and diocesan high schools have achieved accreditation by Cognia, which is a global, nonprofit improvement organization dedicated to helping institutions and other education providers grow learners, teachers, and leaders. Cognia offers accreditation and certification, assessment, and improvement services within a framework of continuous improvement. We will be addressing reaccreditation from Cognia in 2026.
Catholic Schools Week is also a time to give thanksgiving to those who lead, administer, teach and lend support to our schools in our Catholic community: to our Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney, our clergy, religious, lay men and women, our parents who selflessly make the necessary sacrifices to provide a Catholic education for their children, all others who assist us in our educational endeavors, and most importantly, to our students who are the future of our Church — and our hope. Thank you for all you do, have done and will continue to do.
As we continue on our journey of a faith-filled education, may we all learn with an open mind and accepting heart. May we serve with great compassion, a gentle kindness and a generous spirit. May we proclaim God’s message and succeed with faith, strength and courage empowering us to continue the teaching mission of our Church.
 

Catholic Schools Week: Message from Superintendent Mary D. Baier #Catholic – Catholic Schools Week has been an annual celebration of Catholic education across the United States, which has been sponsored by the National Catholic Education Association since 1974. This is a time to celebrate both our mission and our ministries. We embrace the national theme for this week: Catholic Schools: United in Faith and Community. “Catholic education provides an atmosphere in which the Gospel message is proclaimed, community in Christ is experienced, service to our sisters and brothers is the norm and thanksgiving and worship of God is cultivated.” (Renewing our Commitment, 2005) Community is at the heart of Catholic education. Having experienced community in our schools, our students, faculties and families are empowered to build community in all areas of life. Catholic Schools Week is a recognition of all that our schools do every day to enable the total development of the whole person in light of the Good News of Jesus Christ, the Gospel message. Catholic schools in the Paterson Diocese in New Jersey work diligently to maintain a culture of academic excellence indicative of a Catholic school education. Our principals and teachers through their faith, passion and dedication have a resolute commitment to their ministry which is seen as a privilege and a blessing. Academic excellence in our schools is complimented by our attention to service. Students learn early on that the Church is a servant community in which it is their responsibility to be of service to those less fortunate than themselves. Our schools form and inform students to acknowledge their God-given talents and to be respectful of their responsibilities. Catholic education empowers our students to achieve their dreams and goals to become future citizens in our global society. We strive to live by our mission to develop, improve, promote and support a Catholic school system where students become transformers of a faith-filled future. Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter. All elementary schools and diocesan high schools have achieved accreditation by Cognia, which is a global, nonprofit improvement organization dedicated to helping institutions and other education providers grow learners, teachers, and leaders. Cognia offers accreditation and certification, assessment, and improvement services within a framework of continuous improvement. We will be addressing reaccreditation from Cognia in 2026. Catholic Schools Week is also a time to give thanksgiving to those who lead, administer, teach and lend support to our schools in our Catholic community: to our Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney, our clergy, religious, lay men and women, our parents who selflessly make the necessary sacrifices to provide a Catholic education for their children, all others who assist us in our educational endeavors, and most importantly, to our students who are the future of our Church — and our hope. Thank you for all you do, have done and will continue to do. As we continue on our journey of a faith-filled education, may we all learn with an open mind and accepting heart. May we serve with great compassion, a gentle kindness and a generous spirit. May we proclaim God’s message and succeed with faith, strength and courage empowering us to continue the teaching mission of our Church.  

Catholic Schools Week: Message from Superintendent Mary D. Baier #Catholic –

Catholic Schools Week has been an annual celebration of Catholic education across the United States, which has been sponsored by the National Catholic Education Association since 1974. This is a time to celebrate both our mission and our ministries. We embrace the national theme for this week: Catholic Schools: United in Faith and Community. “Catholic education provides an atmosphere in which the Gospel message is proclaimed, community in Christ is experienced, service to our sisters and brothers is the norm and thanksgiving and worship of God is cultivated.” (Renewing our Commitment, 2005)

Community is at the heart of Catholic education. Having experienced community in our schools, our students, faculties and families are empowered to build community in all areas of life. Catholic Schools Week is a recognition of all that our schools do every day to enable the total development of the whole person in light of the Good News of Jesus Christ, the Gospel message.

Catholic schools in the Paterson Diocese in New Jersey work diligently to maintain a culture of academic excellence indicative of a Catholic school education. Our principals and teachers through their faith, passion and dedication have a resolute commitment to their ministry which is seen as a privilege and a blessing.

Academic excellence in our schools is complimented by our attention to service. Students learn early on that the Church is a servant community in which it is their responsibility to be of service to those less fortunate than themselves. Our schools form and inform students to acknowledge their God-given talents and to be respectful of their responsibilities. Catholic education empowers our students to achieve their dreams and goals to become future citizens in our global society. We strive to live by our mission to develop, improve, promote and support a Catholic school system where students become transformers of a faith-filled future.


Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

All elementary schools and diocesan high schools have achieved accreditation by Cognia, which is a global, nonprofit improvement organization dedicated to helping institutions and other education providers grow learners, teachers, and leaders. Cognia offers accreditation and certification, assessment, and improvement services within a framework of continuous improvement. We will be addressing reaccreditation from Cognia in 2026.

Catholic Schools Week is also a time to give thanksgiving to those who lead, administer, teach and lend support to our schools in our Catholic community: to our Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney, our clergy, religious, lay men and women, our parents who selflessly make the necessary sacrifices to provide a Catholic education for their children, all others who assist us in our educational endeavors, and most importantly, to our students who are the future of our Church — and our hope. Thank you for all you do, have done and will continue to do.

As we continue on our journey of a faith-filled education, may we all learn with an open mind and accepting heart. May we serve with great compassion, a gentle kindness and a generous spirit. May we proclaim God’s message and succeed with faith, strength and courage empowering us to continue the teaching mission of our Church.

 

Catholic Schools Week has been an annual celebration of Catholic education across the United States, which has been sponsored by the National Catholic Education Association since 1974. This is a time to celebrate both our mission and our ministries. We embrace the national theme for this week: Catholic Schools: United in Faith and Community. “Catholic education provides an atmosphere in which the Gospel message is proclaimed, community in Christ is experienced, service to our sisters and brothers is the norm and thanksgiving and worship of God is cultivated.” (Renewing our Commitment, 2005) Community is at the heart of Catholic education.

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Massive stars have an outsized influence on their environment and the galaxies they call home. These behemoths have the highest surface temperatures of any normal stars, so they emit copious amounts of ultraviolet radiation that ionizes their surroundings. They also possess fierce stellar winds that help shape their gaseous environs. But these monster suns alsoContinue reading “New JWST imagery dives into the center of the Milky Way”

The post New JWST imagery dives into the center of the Milky Way appeared first on Astronomy Magazine.

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The first piloted Apollo flight – called Apollo 204, though it would later be known as Apollo 1 – was intended for tests in Earth orbit, part of the eventual path to later Apollo missions going to the Moon. The mission was crewed by Gus Grissom, America’s second man in space; Ed White, the country’sContinue reading “Jan. 27, 1967: The Apollo 1 fire”

The post Jan. 27, 1967: The Apollo 1 fire appeared first on Astronomy Magazine.

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The September 2025 issue featured “A guide to beginner’s guides,” a reminiscence and description of some the books for astronomy beginners that Contributing Editor Raymond Shubinski recommends or considers influential. Our readers responded with a flood of emails adding their own suggestions to his list. Is your favorite mentioned here? What books are we stillContinue reading “Our readers’ favorite beginner astronomy books”

The post Our readers’ favorite beginner astronomy books appeared first on Astronomy Magazine.

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Marchers celebrate the unique gift of life at 53rd annual March for Life #Catholic – WASHINGTON (OSV News) — As thousands gathered in the cold, to stand for the unborn, March for Life president Jennie Bradley Lichter reminded the crowd that what has “saved so many lives and moved countless hearts” on the abortion issue over the years is the marchers’ “unfailing hope” their “love for the littlest ones and for moms who need a hand,” their joy and “the sheer number of you who are here year after year.”
The theme of the 53rd annual March for Life was “Life Is a Gift” and both the crowd and the speakers at the rally embraced their personal experience of the gift of life.
At the start of the event, Lichter introduced the “Friends of Club 21” choir, a group of teens and young adults with Down syndrome who sang the national anthem. She said the group embodied the theme of the march.
For Ariel Hartshorn, who traveled 17 hours to the march on a bus from Benedictine College in Kansas, her brother with Down syndrome was a big part of her reason for attending.
“I know that a lot of people with Down syndrome are aborted and that just breaks my heart,” she told OSV News, calling her brother “the most joyful” person who “brings so much joy to everybody’s life.” She said “it’s really important that we march for life and that we be that change” in society for people like her brother.
Vice President JD Vance, who recently announced that he and his wife, Usha, are expecting their fourth child, also felt the march’s theme in a personal way, telling the crowd, “Life is a gift and I know for me personally this year, there is so much to be thankful for. I’m grateful to my own family, for my beautiful wife, Usha, and that God has given us the miracle of new life again.”

Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

One speaker at the march, Sarah Hurm, told those gathered that she was “living proof” that life is a gift through her journey of nearly aborting her son with the abortion pill regimen and being able to reverse that procedure through the help of a pro-life ministry.
She spoke about being a 26-year-old single mom who already had three children and was not receiving support from her baby’s father or the abortion clinic where she felt like a “transaction,” not a person.
The words of an abortion clinic worker stuck with her. The worker told her the baby had a “strong heartbeat” and she was “lucky the heartbeat bill hadn’t passed because if it had we wouldn’t be able to continue.”
“As soon as I walked out of the facility,” Hurm said, “it was as if the world went from dark gray to bright blue. The clinic had felt lifeless, outside I felt life again. That sharp contrast between darkness and light made me feel something I will never forget. I instantly began to regret my decision and I broke down in my car.”
Despite having taken the first pill in the regimen, Hurm was able to save her son through a hotline number that offered abortion pill reversal treatment. “Today,” she said, “my son is one of the greatest joys of my life.”
She encouraged the crowd to make efforts to help women facing unexpected pregnancies. “Saving a life can be as simple as answering a phone call, driving a friend to an ultrasound, or helping her pick out a car seat,” she emphasized. “Small sacrifices can become enormous victories that support moms like me and children like mine. You have that power. Be that person who connects a woman to hope.”
Benedictine College student Maria Draves felt the importance of supporting women facing unplanned pregnancies, saying she traveled to the march “for the innocent children who don’t have a voice for themselves” but that it was also important to “remember the mothers because a lot of these mothers are in really difficult situations, and so we have to keep them in our prayers as well and do everything we can to take care of them.”
Lily Doyle, a student at Franciscan University, saw defending the dignity of the unborn as connected to the dignity of all vulnerable people. “It’s important now more than ever to be sure that everyone, no matter who they are, what they feel, young, old, pre-born, know that their life is worth living,” she emphasized, “every person matters no matter what.”
Lichter noted the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and its emphasis on the right to life, telling the crowd “never forget that the United States of America was built on the foundation of the right to life” and “you are standing in a great American tradition when you stand up for the right to life like you’re doing today.”
Bringing her husband and three children out on stage, Lichter celebrated past generations of marchers and noted that her kids “have grown up as marchers and they are thrilled to see you all here today.”
Amanda and Drew Ide from Minnesota were also a part of bringing the next generation of marchers as they went along the route with their young baby, Zoey, following the rally. Drew said he felt “like there’s a turn in our culture to be able to see people seeing the value in protecting even the youngest people of our society.”
“We are just out here representing the value of life and hoping that it can impact legislation,” Amanda said, adding that as evangelical Christians they wanted to be “walking the walk, not just talking the talk.”
Lauretta Brown is culture editor for OSV News. Follow her on X @LaurettaBrown6.

Marchers celebrate the unique gift of life at 53rd annual March for Life #Catholic – WASHINGTON (OSV News) — As thousands gathered in the cold, to stand for the unborn, March for Life president Jennie Bradley Lichter reminded the crowd that what has “saved so many lives and moved countless hearts” on the abortion issue over the years is the marchers’ “unfailing hope” their “love for the littlest ones and for moms who need a hand,” their joy and “the sheer number of you who are here year after year.” The theme of the 53rd annual March for Life was “Life Is a Gift” and both the crowd and the speakers at the rally embraced their personal experience of the gift of life. At the start of the event, Lichter introduced the “Friends of Club 21” choir, a group of teens and young adults with Down syndrome who sang the national anthem. She said the group embodied the theme of the march. For Ariel Hartshorn, who traveled 17 hours to the march on a bus from Benedictine College in Kansas, her brother with Down syndrome was a big part of her reason for attending. “I know that a lot of people with Down syndrome are aborted and that just breaks my heart,” she told OSV News, calling her brother “the most joyful” person who “brings so much joy to everybody’s life.” She said “it’s really important that we march for life and that we be that change” in society for people like her brother. Vice President JD Vance, who recently announced that he and his wife, Usha, are expecting their fourth child, also felt the march’s theme in a personal way, telling the crowd, “Life is a gift and I know for me personally this year, there is so much to be thankful for. I’m grateful to my own family, for my beautiful wife, Usha, and that God has given us the miracle of new life again.” Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter. One speaker at the march, Sarah Hurm, told those gathered that she was “living proof” that life is a gift through her journey of nearly aborting her son with the abortion pill regimen and being able to reverse that procedure through the help of a pro-life ministry. She spoke about being a 26-year-old single mom who already had three children and was not receiving support from her baby’s father or the abortion clinic where she felt like a “transaction,” not a person. The words of an abortion clinic worker stuck with her. The worker told her the baby had a “strong heartbeat” and she was “lucky the heartbeat bill hadn’t passed because if it had we wouldn’t be able to continue.” “As soon as I walked out of the facility,” Hurm said, “it was as if the world went from dark gray to bright blue. The clinic had felt lifeless, outside I felt life again. That sharp contrast between darkness and light made me feel something I will never forget. I instantly began to regret my decision and I broke down in my car.” Despite having taken the first pill in the regimen, Hurm was able to save her son through a hotline number that offered abortion pill reversal treatment. “Today,” she said, “my son is one of the greatest joys of my life.” She encouraged the crowd to make efforts to help women facing unexpected pregnancies. “Saving a life can be as simple as answering a phone call, driving a friend to an ultrasound, or helping her pick out a car seat,” she emphasized. “Small sacrifices can become enormous victories that support moms like me and children like mine. You have that power. Be that person who connects a woman to hope.” Benedictine College student Maria Draves felt the importance of supporting women facing unplanned pregnancies, saying she traveled to the march “for the innocent children who don’t have a voice for themselves” but that it was also important to “remember the mothers because a lot of these mothers are in really difficult situations, and so we have to keep them in our prayers as well and do everything we can to take care of them.” Lily Doyle, a student at Franciscan University, saw defending the dignity of the unborn as connected to the dignity of all vulnerable people. “It’s important now more than ever to be sure that everyone, no matter who they are, what they feel, young, old, pre-born, know that their life is worth living,” she emphasized, “every person matters no matter what.” Lichter noted the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and its emphasis on the right to life, telling the crowd “never forget that the United States of America was built on the foundation of the right to life” and “you are standing in a great American tradition when you stand up for the right to life like you’re doing today.” Bringing her husband and three children out on stage, Lichter celebrated past generations of marchers and noted that her kids “have grown up as marchers and they are thrilled to see you all here today.” Amanda and Drew Ide from Minnesota were also a part of bringing the next generation of marchers as they went along the route with their young baby, Zoey, following the rally. Drew said he felt “like there’s a turn in our culture to be able to see people seeing the value in protecting even the youngest people of our society.” “We are just out here representing the value of life and hoping that it can impact legislation,” Amanda said, adding that as evangelical Christians they wanted to be “walking the walk, not just talking the talk.” Lauretta Brown is culture editor for OSV News. Follow her on X @LaurettaBrown6.

Marchers celebrate the unique gift of life at 53rd annual March for Life #Catholic –

WASHINGTON (OSV News) — As thousands gathered in the cold, to stand for the unborn, March for Life president Jennie Bradley Lichter reminded the crowd that what has “saved so many lives and moved countless hearts” on the abortion issue over the years is the marchers’ “unfailing hope” their “love for the littlest ones and for moms who need a hand,” their joy and “the sheer number of you who are here year after year.”

The theme of the 53rd annual March for Life was “Life Is a Gift” and both the crowd and the speakers at the rally embraced their personal experience of the gift of life.

At the start of the event, Lichter introduced the “Friends of Club 21” choir, a group of teens and young adults with Down syndrome who sang the national anthem. She said the group embodied the theme of the march.

For Ariel Hartshorn, who traveled 17 hours to the march on a bus from Benedictine College in Kansas, her brother with Down syndrome was a big part of her reason for attending.

“I know that a lot of people with Down syndrome are aborted and that just breaks my heart,” she told OSV News, calling her brother “the most joyful” person who “brings so much joy to everybody’s life.” She said “it’s really important that we march for life and that we be that change” in society for people like her brother.

Vice President JD Vance, who recently announced that he and his wife, Usha, are expecting their fourth child, also felt the march’s theme in a personal way, telling the crowd, “Life is a gift and I know for me personally this year, there is so much to be thankful for. I’m grateful to my own family, for my beautiful wife, Usha, and that God has given us the miracle of new life again.”


Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

One speaker at the march, Sarah Hurm, told those gathered that she was “living proof” that life is a gift through her journey of nearly aborting her son with the abortion pill regimen and being able to reverse that procedure through the help of a pro-life ministry.

She spoke about being a 26-year-old single mom who already had three children and was not receiving support from her baby’s father or the abortion clinic where she felt like a “transaction,” not a person.

The words of an abortion clinic worker stuck with her. The worker told her the baby had a “strong heartbeat” and she was “lucky the heartbeat bill hadn’t passed because if it had we wouldn’t be able to continue.”

“As soon as I walked out of the facility,” Hurm said, “it was as if the world went from dark gray to bright blue. The clinic had felt lifeless, outside I felt life again. That sharp contrast between darkness and light made me feel something I will never forget. I instantly began to regret my decision and I broke down in my car.”

Despite having taken the first pill in the regimen, Hurm was able to save her son through a hotline number that offered abortion pill reversal treatment. “Today,” she said, “my son is one of the greatest joys of my life.”

She encouraged the crowd to make efforts to help women facing unexpected pregnancies. “Saving a life can be as simple as answering a phone call, driving a friend to an ultrasound, or helping her pick out a car seat,” she emphasized. “Small sacrifices can become enormous victories that support moms like me and children like mine. You have that power. Be that person who connects a woman to hope.”

Benedictine College student Maria Draves felt the importance of supporting women facing unplanned pregnancies, saying she traveled to the march “for the innocent children who don’t have a voice for themselves” but that it was also important to “remember the mothers because a lot of these mothers are in really difficult situations, and so we have to keep them in our prayers as well and do everything we can to take care of them.”

Lily Doyle, a student at Franciscan University, saw defending the dignity of the unborn as connected to the dignity of all vulnerable people. “It’s important now more than ever to be sure that everyone, no matter who they are, what they feel, young, old, pre-born, know that their life is worth living,” she emphasized, “every person matters no matter what.”

Lichter noted the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and its emphasis on the right to life, telling the crowd “never forget that the United States of America was built on the foundation of the right to life” and “you are standing in a great American tradition when you stand up for the right to life like you’re doing today.”

Bringing her husband and three children out on stage, Lichter celebrated past generations of marchers and noted that her kids “have grown up as marchers and they are thrilled to see you all here today.”

Amanda and Drew Ide from Minnesota were also a part of bringing the next generation of marchers as they went along the route with their young baby, Zoey, following the rally. Drew said he felt “like there’s a turn in our culture to be able to see people seeing the value in protecting even the youngest people of our society.”

“We are just out here representing the value of life and hoping that it can impact legislation,” Amanda said, adding that as evangelical Christians they wanted to be “walking the walk, not just talking the talk.”

Lauretta Brown is culture editor for OSV News. Follow her on X @LaurettaBrown6.

WASHINGTON (OSV News) — As thousands gathered in the cold, to stand for the unborn, March for Life president Jennie Bradley Lichter reminded the crowd that what has “saved so many lives and moved countless hearts” on the abortion issue over the years is the marchers’ “unfailing hope” their “love for the littlest ones and for moms who need a hand,” their joy and “the sheer number of you who are here year after year.” The theme of the 53rd annual March for Life was “Life Is a Gift” and both the crowd and the speakers at the rally embraced

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Over eight years after its launch, Voyager 2 made its closest approach to Uranus on Jan. 24, 1986. The encounter and data-gathering was complicated by Uranus’ 98-degree axial tilt and the low light levels, but the spacecraft was able to pass by at about 50,600 miles (over 81,400 kilometers) above the cloud tops. Many uniqueContinue reading “Jan. 24, 1986: Voyager 2 flies by Uranus”

The post Jan. 24, 1986: Voyager 2 flies by Uranus appeared first on Astronomy Magazine.

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Diocese of Paterson prepares for massive winter storm to hit area #Catholic – A severe Arctic cold front threatens to bring up to 14 inches of snow from late Saturday night to Monday afternoon, impacting northeast New Jersey, southern Connecticut, and southeast New York as the Paterson Diocese braces for the storm.
Diocesan parishes, schools, and agencies are preparing to ensure the safety of the faithful and protect Church property ahead of the anxiety-inducing storm. The Arctic blast is expected to plunge area temperatures into the teens during the day and into the single digits at night. The heaviest snow should fall from Sunday morning into early evening, according to the National Weather Service.
The Paterson Diocese, located in northern New Jersey, issued the following statement to the local faith community before the storm:
“In case of emergency weather conditions, please follow State of New Jersey and local travel recommendations and do not attempt to travel until conditions significantly improve. Please check your local parish website or its social media for Mass livestreaming possibilities and giving options.”
So far, Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney has changed one stop on his busy schedule. The opening Catholic Schools Week Mass for the diocese at St. Anthony Parish in Hawthorne, N.J., was moved from Sunday, Jan. 25, to Sunday, Feb. 1 at 8:30 a.m.

Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

Some parishes, such as St. Joseph Parish in West Milford, N.J., have added vigil Masses on Saturday for those not comfortable traveling on Sunday due to the weather. St. Joseph’s scheduled an extra vigil Mass at 6:15 p.m., in addition to its regular 5 p.m. vigil Mass. A few parishes cancelled Masses or religious education classes.
In rural Sussex County, N.J., St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in Sandyston and St. James the Greater Parish in Montague “will figure out how to handle” the storm and its aftereffects, said Father Wayne Varga, pastor of both parishes. Usually, they cancel daytime Masses when local schools close or have delayed openings, or use their best judgment. The parishes are 10 miles apart in the diocese’s most northern part, connected by winding roads
“Everybody is traveling from a distance to Mass. The temperature up here is about five degrees colder than the parishes south of us. That makes a difference whether we get snow or rain,” said Father Varga. He added, “The county plows the main roads well — and quickly. I just hope the storm doesn’t cause any power outages. Each storm is different. People are rugged up there. Many have pick-up trucks and SUVs. They’re concerned but take it in stride.”
The 22 diocesan Catholic schools are ready for whatever the storm throws at them, said Mary Baier, the schools superintendent. Depending on the severity of the storm, schools may close or switch to remote learning on Monday. These schools normally close if their local school district closes, she said.
“If we could get through COVID, we can get through anything. We’re prepared for the storm. We are making sure of everything,” Baier said.
However, the storm could impact more CSW events or other school events on Sunday, as it did with the rescheduled Mass with Bishop Sweeney at St. Anthony’s in Hawthorne. St. Gerard Majella School in Paterson has already postponed its open house for Sunday to Sunday, Feb. 15, at 2:30 p.m.
In urban Passaic County, the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Paterson, N.J., will cancel its 650-student Faith Formation classes for Sunday. However, it will hold regular Masses on that day, regardless of the weather. Msgr. Geno Sylva, St. John’s rector and diocesan vicar for special projects, predicts the storm will drive more people to attend its Spanish and English vigil Masses on Saturday.
If snow-plow crews cannot reach St. John’s during the storm, the parish will be ready with shovels and salt for sidewalks and stairs. Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney still plans to celebrate a Mass for Altagracia at 1 p.m. on Sunday, if he can make it. Msgr. Sylva emphasized that St. John’s top priority is the safety of parishioners. Many travel a great distance for Mass.
On Jan. 21, Richard Ziccardi, the risk manager who oversees the diocese’s Insurance Office, sent a notice to diocesan leaders, cautioning them about the risk of hypothermia and burst pipes due to the impending storm. He said buildings should be heated to 55 degrees or higher to prevent pipes from freezing and bursting. He also said all outdoor hoses should be disconnected, and indoor valves that supply outdoor water should be turned off.
“Be safe. Don’t put your life in jeopardy. If the State of New Jersey declares a state of emergency, don’t drive on the roads at all. Many people are scared, but we’ll know more as the storm gets closer,” Ziccardi said.
For the latest updates on storm preparations in the Paterson Diocese, check back with BeaconNJ.org

Diocese of Paterson prepares for massive winter storm to hit area #Catholic – A severe Arctic cold front threatens to bring up to 14 inches of snow from late Saturday night to Monday afternoon, impacting northeast New Jersey, southern Connecticut, and southeast New York as the Paterson Diocese braces for the storm. Diocesan parishes, schools, and agencies are preparing to ensure the safety of the faithful and protect Church property ahead of the anxiety-inducing storm. The Arctic blast is expected to plunge area temperatures into the teens during the day and into the single digits at night. The heaviest snow should fall from Sunday morning into early evening, according to the National Weather Service. The Paterson Diocese, located in northern New Jersey, issued the following statement to the local faith community before the storm: “In case of emergency weather conditions, please follow State of New Jersey and local travel recommendations and do not attempt to travel until conditions significantly improve. Please check your local parish website or its social media for Mass livestreaming possibilities and giving options.” So far, Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney has changed one stop on his busy schedule. The opening Catholic Schools Week Mass for the diocese at St. Anthony Parish in Hawthorne, N.J., was moved from Sunday, Jan. 25, to Sunday, Feb. 1 at 8:30 a.m. Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter. Some parishes, such as St. Joseph Parish in West Milford, N.J., have added vigil Masses on Saturday for those not comfortable traveling on Sunday due to the weather. St. Joseph’s scheduled an extra vigil Mass at 6:15 p.m., in addition to its regular 5 p.m. vigil Mass. A few parishes cancelled Masses or religious education classes. In rural Sussex County, N.J., St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in Sandyston and St. James the Greater Parish in Montague “will figure out how to handle” the storm and its aftereffects, said Father Wayne Varga, pastor of both parishes. Usually, they cancel daytime Masses when local schools close or have delayed openings, or use their best judgment. The parishes are 10 miles apart in the diocese’s most northern part, connected by winding roads “Everybody is traveling from a distance to Mass. The temperature up here is about five degrees colder than the parishes south of us. That makes a difference whether we get snow or rain,” said Father Varga. He added, “The county plows the main roads well — and quickly. I just hope the storm doesn’t cause any power outages. Each storm is different. People are rugged up there. Many have pick-up trucks and SUVs. They’re concerned but take it in stride.” The 22 diocesan Catholic schools are ready for whatever the storm throws at them, said Mary Baier, the schools superintendent. Depending on the severity of the storm, schools may close or switch to remote learning on Monday. These schools normally close if their local school district closes, she said. “If we could get through COVID, we can get through anything. We’re prepared for the storm. We are making sure of everything,” Baier said. However, the storm could impact more CSW events or other school events on Sunday, as it did with the rescheduled Mass with Bishop Sweeney at St. Anthony’s in Hawthorne. St. Gerard Majella School in Paterson has already postponed its open house for Sunday to Sunday, Feb. 15, at 2:30 p.m. In urban Passaic County, the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Paterson, N.J., will cancel its 650-student Faith Formation classes for Sunday. However, it will hold regular Masses on that day, regardless of the weather. Msgr. Geno Sylva, St. John’s rector and diocesan vicar for special projects, predicts the storm will drive more people to attend its Spanish and English vigil Masses on Saturday. If snow-plow crews cannot reach St. John’s during the storm, the parish will be ready with shovels and salt for sidewalks and stairs. Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney still plans to celebrate a Mass for Altagracia at 1 p.m. on Sunday, if he can make it. Msgr. Sylva emphasized that St. John’s top priority is the safety of parishioners. Many travel a great distance for Mass. On Jan. 21, Richard Ziccardi, the risk manager who oversees the diocese’s Insurance Office, sent a notice to diocesan leaders, cautioning them about the risk of hypothermia and burst pipes due to the impending storm. He said buildings should be heated to 55 degrees or higher to prevent pipes from freezing and bursting. He also said all outdoor hoses should be disconnected, and indoor valves that supply outdoor water should be turned off. “Be safe. Don’t put your life in jeopardy. If the State of New Jersey declares a state of emergency, don’t drive on the roads at all. Many people are scared, but we’ll know more as the storm gets closer,” Ziccardi said. For the latest updates on storm preparations in the Paterson Diocese, check back with BeaconNJ.org

Diocese of Paterson prepares for massive winter storm to hit area #Catholic –

A severe Arctic cold front threatens to bring up to 14 inches of snow from late Saturday night to Monday afternoon, impacting northeast New Jersey, southern Connecticut, and southeast New York as the Paterson Diocese braces for the storm.

Diocesan parishes, schools, and agencies are preparing to ensure the safety of the faithful and protect Church property ahead of the anxiety-inducing storm. The Arctic blast is expected to plunge area temperatures into the teens during the day and into the single digits at night. The heaviest snow should fall from Sunday morning into early evening, according to the National Weather Service.

The Paterson Diocese, located in northern New Jersey, issued the following statement to the local faith community before the storm:

“In case of emergency weather conditions, please follow State of New Jersey and local travel recommendations and do not attempt to travel until conditions significantly improve. Please check your local parish website or its social media for Mass livestreaming possibilities and giving options.”

So far, Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney has changed one stop on his busy schedule. The opening Catholic Schools Week Mass for the diocese at St. Anthony Parish in Hawthorne, N.J., was moved from Sunday, Jan. 25, to Sunday, Feb. 1 at 8:30 a.m.


Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

Some parishes, such as St. Joseph Parish in West Milford, N.J., have added vigil Masses on Saturday for those not comfortable traveling on Sunday due to the weather. St. Joseph’s scheduled an extra vigil Mass at 6:15 p.m., in addition to its regular 5 p.m. vigil Mass. A few parishes cancelled Masses or religious education classes.

In rural Sussex County, N.J., St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in Sandyston and St. James the Greater Parish in Montague “will figure out how to handle” the storm and its aftereffects, said Father Wayne Varga, pastor of both parishes. Usually, they cancel daytime Masses when local schools close or have delayed openings, or use their best judgment. The parishes are 10 miles apart in the diocese’s most northern part, connected by winding roads

“Everybody is traveling from a distance to Mass. The temperature up here is about five degrees colder than the parishes south of us. That makes a difference whether we get snow or rain,” said Father Varga. He added, “The county plows the main roads well — and quickly. I just hope the storm doesn’t cause any power outages. Each storm is different. People are rugged up there. Many have pick-up trucks and SUVs. They’re concerned but take it in stride.”

The 22 diocesan Catholic schools are ready for whatever the storm throws at them, said Mary Baier, the schools superintendent. Depending on the severity of the storm, schools may close or switch to remote learning on Monday. These schools normally close if their local school district closes, she said.

“If we could get through COVID, we can get through anything. We’re prepared for the storm. We are making sure of everything,” Baier said.

However, the storm could impact more CSW events or other school events on Sunday, as it did with the rescheduled Mass with Bishop Sweeney at St. Anthony’s in Hawthorne. St. Gerard Majella School in Paterson has already postponed its open house for Sunday to Sunday, Feb. 15, at 2:30 p.m.

In urban Passaic County, the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Paterson, N.J., will cancel its 650-student Faith Formation classes for Sunday. However, it will hold regular Masses on that day, regardless of the weather. Msgr. Geno Sylva, St. John’s rector and diocesan vicar for special projects, predicts the storm will drive more people to attend its Spanish and English vigil Masses on Saturday.

If snow-plow crews cannot reach St. John’s during the storm, the parish will be ready with shovels and salt for sidewalks and stairs. Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney still plans to celebrate a Mass for Altagracia at 1 p.m. on Sunday, if he can make it. Msgr. Sylva emphasized that St. John’s top priority is the safety of parishioners. Many travel a great distance for Mass.

On Jan. 21, Richard Ziccardi, the risk manager who oversees the diocese’s Insurance Office, sent a notice to diocesan leaders, cautioning them about the risk of hypothermia and burst pipes due to the impending storm. He said buildings should be heated to 55 degrees or higher to prevent pipes from freezing and bursting. He also said all outdoor hoses should be disconnected, and indoor valves that supply outdoor water should be turned off.

“Be safe. Don’t put your life in jeopardy. If the State of New Jersey declares a state of emergency, don’t drive on the roads at all. Many people are scared, but we’ll know more as the storm gets closer,” Ziccardi said.

For the latest updates on storm preparations in the Paterson Diocese, check back with BeaconNJ.org

A severe Arctic cold front threatens to bring up to 14 inches of snow from late Saturday night to Monday afternoon, impacting northeast New Jersey, southern Connecticut, and southeast New York as the Paterson Diocese braces for the storm. Diocesan parishes, schools, and agencies are preparing to ensure the safety of the faithful and protect Church property ahead of the anxiety-inducing storm. The Arctic blast is expected to plunge area temperatures into the teens during the day and into the single digits at night. The heaviest snow should fall from Sunday morning into early evening, according to the National Weather

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When Pioneer 10 flew by Jupiter on Dec. 3, 1973, its margin of survival was closer to the knife-edge than it seemed. It absorbed a thousand times the lethal dose of radiation for a human, suffering darkened optics and fried transistor circuits. Other unwanted side effects included the generation of false commands, which caused theContinue reading “Jan. 23, 2003: Pioneer 10’s last words”

The post Jan. 23, 2003: Pioneer 10’s last words appeared first on Astronomy Magazine.

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Beyond The Beacon Ep. 104: Faith in action, How the Interfaith Food Pantry serves the community #Catholic – 
Morris County is among the wealthiest counties in New Jersey, but food insecurity is very real for many families living there. For this episode, Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney and Communications Director Jai Agnish visited the Interfaith Food Pantry in Morris Plains to learn more. After touring the facility and meeting clients and volunteers, they sat down for this remote episode with Carolyn Lake, executive director of the Interfaith Food Pantry Network, and Board President Helen Hallberg.
Listen to the episode here, or on any major podcast platform, or watch it on Bishop Sweeney’s YouTube channel.

Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

Beyond The Beacon Ep. 104: Faith in action, How the Interfaith Food Pantry serves the community #Catholic –

Morris County is among the wealthiest counties in New Jersey, but food insecurity is very real for many families living there. For this episode, Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney and Communications Director Jai Agnish visited the Interfaith Food Pantry in Morris Plains to learn more. After touring the facility and meeting clients and volunteers, they sat down for this remote episode with Carolyn Lake, executive director of the Interfaith Food Pantry Network, and Board President Helen Hallberg.

Listen to the episode here, or on any major podcast platform, or watch it on Bishop Sweeney’s YouTube channel.


Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

Morris County is among the wealthiest counties in New Jersey, but food insecurity is very real for many families living there. For this episode, Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney and Communications Director Jai Agnish visited the Interfaith Food Pantry in Morris Plains to learn more. After touring the facility and meeting clients and volunteers, they sat down for this remote episode with Carolyn Lake, executive director of the Interfaith Food Pantry Network, and Board President Helen Hallberg. Listen to the episode here, or on any major podcast platform, or watch it on Bishop Sweeney’s YouTube channel. Click here to subscribe to

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Obituary: Capuchin Franciscan Father John Aurilia, St. Padre Pio secretary, 85 #Catholic - A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 20, at 10:30 a.m. in the Sacred Heart Oratory in Wilmington, Del., for Capuchin Franciscan Father John Aurilia, former personal secretary of St. Padre Pio of Pietrelcina, Italy and a former pastor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in Passaic, N.J., who died on Jan. 13 at St. Francis of Assisi Friary, also in Wilmington. Father Aurilia was 85.
Father Aurilia was considered one of the last direct links to Padre Pio. He also was well known for sharing firsthand accounts of the Italian saint’s mystical gifts and daily life, according to Shekinah Global News.
Born on Dec. 8, 1940, in Montemarano, Italy, Father Aurilia entered the Capuchin Franciscan Order and was ordained a priest in 1966. He spent a month during the first year of his priesthood as the personal secretary of Padre Pio, born Francesco Forgione, ministering from the Capuchin friary in San Giovanni Rotondo in rural Italy.
Father Aurilia witnessed the miracle of the stigmata suffered by St. Pio, like the profuse bleeding in his hands, feet, and left side of his body that corresponded with the wounds suffered by the crucified Christ. This miracle attracted the devotion of faithful around the globe, as well as great fascination and even disbelief from some people, according to a story about Father Aurilia published in The Beacon on Jan. 3, 2013. Padre Pio was canonized a saint in 2002 in Rome.

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“Thousands of people around the world would write to St. Pio for prayers and advice. Hundreds of people would wait in line before his Masses at 4 a.m. It wasn’t St. Pio’s miracles [like the stigmata] that impressed me, but rather his simplicity and humility,” Father Aurilia told the Beacon.
Later, Father Aurilia came to the United States to work with the Italian-speaking community in northern New Jersey, including serving as associate pastor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in Passaic, N.J., from 1974 to 1976, and as pastor of the parish from approximately 2012 to 2015.
Father Aurilia continued his studies of philosophy, earning a doctorate, while serving in various parishes and ministries. He wrote a book, “Dearest Soul: A Spiritual Journey with Padre Pio,” published by Our Sunday Visitor in 2024.
The priest also served in other locations in the Garden State, including the former Don Bosco College, Newton, where he taught ethics; St. Francis Seminary in Lafayette; and Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish in Orange. He also served parishes in New York and North Carolina. Virginia, Florida, and Delaware.
Father Aurilia was predeceased by his sister, Sophia Ricciadi, and his brother, Orazio. He is survived by his sister, Maria Riccio; his brother, Generoso; his nephews, Michael Riccio and Anthony Ricciadi; and his nieces, Emanuela Harting and Nancy Rodriquez, and their spouses and children.
A viewing for Father Aurilia will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 20, beginning in the Sacred Heart Oratory in Wilmington, Del., followed by his 10:30 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial. A repast will be offered at the Francis X. Norton Center after the Mass. Burial will take place on Wednesday, Jan. 21, at 11 a.m. at St. Lawrence Friary in Beacon, N.Y.
 

Obituary: Capuchin Franciscan Father John Aurilia, St. Padre Pio secretary, 85 #Catholic – A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 20, at 10:30 a.m. in the Sacred Heart Oratory in Wilmington, Del., for Capuchin Franciscan Father John Aurilia, former personal secretary of St. Padre Pio of Pietrelcina, Italy and a former pastor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in Passaic, N.J., who died on Jan. 13 at St. Francis of Assisi Friary, also in Wilmington. Father Aurilia was 85. Father Aurilia was considered one of the last direct links to Padre Pio. He also was well known for sharing firsthand accounts of the Italian saint’s mystical gifts and daily life, according to Shekinah Global News. Born on Dec. 8, 1940, in Montemarano, Italy, Father Aurilia entered the Capuchin Franciscan Order and was ordained a priest in 1966. He spent a month during the first year of his priesthood as the personal secretary of Padre Pio, born Francesco Forgione, ministering from the Capuchin friary in San Giovanni Rotondo in rural Italy. Father Aurilia witnessed the miracle of the stigmata suffered by St. Pio, like the profuse bleeding in his hands, feet, and left side of his body that corresponded with the wounds suffered by the crucified Christ. This miracle attracted the devotion of faithful around the globe, as well as great fascination and even disbelief from some people, according to a story about Father Aurilia published in The Beacon on Jan. 3, 2013. Padre Pio was canonized a saint in 2002 in Rome. Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter. “Thousands of people around the world would write to St. Pio for prayers and advice. Hundreds of people would wait in line before his Masses at 4 a.m. It wasn’t St. Pio’s miracles [like the stigmata] that impressed me, but rather his simplicity and humility,” Father Aurilia told the Beacon. Later, Father Aurilia came to the United States to work with the Italian-speaking community in northern New Jersey, including serving as associate pastor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in Passaic, N.J., from 1974 to 1976, and as pastor of the parish from approximately 2012 to 2015. Father Aurilia continued his studies of philosophy, earning a doctorate, while serving in various parishes and ministries. He wrote a book, “Dearest Soul: A Spiritual Journey with Padre Pio,” published by Our Sunday Visitor in 2024. The priest also served in other locations in the Garden State, including the former Don Bosco College, Newton, where he taught ethics; St. Francis Seminary in Lafayette; and Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish in Orange. He also served parishes in New York and North Carolina. Virginia, Florida, and Delaware. Father Aurilia was predeceased by his sister, Sophia Ricciadi, and his brother, Orazio. He is survived by his sister, Maria Riccio; his brother, Generoso; his nephews, Michael Riccio and Anthony Ricciadi; and his nieces, Emanuela Harting and Nancy Rodriquez, and their spouses and children. A viewing for Father Aurilia will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 20, beginning in the Sacred Heart Oratory in Wilmington, Del., followed by his 10:30 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial. A repast will be offered at the Francis X. Norton Center after the Mass. Burial will take place on Wednesday, Jan. 21, at 11 a.m. at St. Lawrence Friary in Beacon, N.Y.  

Obituary: Capuchin Franciscan Father John Aurilia, St. Padre Pio secretary, 85 #Catholic –

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 20, at 10:30 a.m. in the Sacred Heart Oratory in Wilmington, Del., for Capuchin Franciscan Father John Aurilia, former personal secretary of St. Padre Pio of Pietrelcina, Italy and a former pastor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in Passaic, N.J., who died on Jan. 13 at St. Francis of Assisi Friary, also in Wilmington. Father Aurilia was 85.

Father Aurilia was considered one of the last direct links to Padre Pio. He also was well known for sharing firsthand accounts of the Italian saint’s mystical gifts and daily life, according to Shekinah Global News.

Born on Dec. 8, 1940, in Montemarano, Italy, Father Aurilia entered the Capuchin Franciscan Order and was ordained a priest in 1966. He spent a month during the first year of his priesthood as the personal secretary of Padre Pio, born Francesco Forgione, ministering from the Capuchin friary in San Giovanni Rotondo in rural Italy.

Father Aurilia witnessed the miracle of the stigmata suffered by St. Pio, like the profuse bleeding in his hands, feet, and left side of his body that corresponded with the wounds suffered by the crucified Christ. This miracle attracted the devotion of faithful around the globe, as well as great fascination and even disbelief from some people, according to a story about Father Aurilia published in The Beacon on Jan. 3, 2013. Padre Pio was canonized a saint in 2002 in Rome.


Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

“Thousands of people around the world would write to St. Pio for prayers and advice. Hundreds of people would wait in line before his Masses at 4 a.m. It wasn’t St. Pio’s miracles [like the stigmata] that impressed me, but rather his simplicity and humility,” Father Aurilia told the Beacon.

Later, Father Aurilia came to the United States to work with the Italian-speaking community in northern New Jersey, including serving as associate pastor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in Passaic, N.J., from 1974 to 1976, and as pastor of the parish from approximately 2012 to 2015.

Father Aurilia continued his studies of philosophy, earning a doctorate, while serving in various parishes and ministries. He wrote a book, “Dearest Soul: A Spiritual Journey with Padre Pio,” published by Our Sunday Visitor in 2024.

The priest also served in other locations in the Garden State, including the former Don Bosco College, Newton, where he taught ethics; St. Francis Seminary in Lafayette; and Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish in Orange. He also served parishes in New York and North Carolina. Virginia, Florida, and Delaware.

Father Aurilia was predeceased by his sister, Sophia Ricciadi, and his brother, Orazio. He is survived by his sister, Maria Riccio; his brother, Generoso; his nephews, Michael Riccio and Anthony Ricciadi; and his nieces, Emanuela Harting and Nancy Rodriquez, and their spouses and children.

A viewing for Father Aurilia will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 20, beginning in the Sacred Heart Oratory in Wilmington, Del., followed by his 10:30 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial. A repast will be offered at the Francis X. Norton Center after the Mass. Burial will take place on Wednesday, Jan. 21, at 11 a.m. at St. Lawrence Friary in Beacon, N.Y.

 

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 20, at 10:30 a.m. in the Sacred Heart Oratory in Wilmington, Del., for Capuchin Franciscan Father John Aurilia, former personal secretary of St. Padre Pio of Pietrelcina, Italy and a former pastor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in Passaic, N.J., who died on Jan. 13 at St. Francis of Assisi Friary, also in Wilmington. Father Aurilia was 85. Father Aurilia was considered one of the last direct links to Padre Pio. He also was well known for sharing firsthand accounts of the Italian saint’s mystical gifts and daily life, according to

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Sky This Week is brought to you in part by Celestron. Friday, January 9Cygnus may be sinking toward the horizon a few hours after sunset, but there’s still a bit of time to glimpse some of this constellation’s many treasures. Today let’s try for M39, a loose open cluster in the northeastern reaches of theContinue reading “The Sky This Week from January 16 to 23: Caroline’s Rose blooms”

The post The Sky This Week from January 16 to 23: Caroline’s Rose blooms appeared first on Astronomy Magazine.

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Young men moved to consider vocations at Jefferson event #Catholic – Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney and three seminarians of the Paterson Diocese in New Jersey encouraged nine young men to discern their vocations, including to the Catholic priesthood, during a Project Andrew event at Our Lady Star of the Sea Parish in the Lake Hopatcong neighborhood in Jefferson, N.J.
In Our Lady Star of the Sea Church, Bishop Sweeney led the congregation in praying the Liturgy of the Hours. The men, high-school age and older, and some of their parents listened to the bishop preach about how St. Andrew was the first Apostle to invite others to follow Jesus, including his brother, St. Peter, to meet the Messiah. The bishop then asked the men to identify their “Andrews”: people in their lives who have been leading them to Jesus or a vocation.
Afterward, those assembled had dinner with Bishop Sweeney. There, Eric D. Hasenbein, John Peter Zappe, and Jean-Baptiste Mollet spoke about their vocation journeys and their time as seminarians. Hasenbein is a second-year pre-theology student at Immaculate Conception Seminary in South Orange, N.J., and Zappe is a second-year theology student at Immaculate Conception. Mollet is in his first year of studies, called a Propaedeutic Year, at St. Joseph Seminary in Yonkers, N.Y.

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The diocesan Vocations Office sponsored the Project Andrew gathering, held monthly at various parishes. Priests, including Father Sean McDonnell, pastor of Our Lady Star of the Sea, attended the event.
“The Project Andrew helps young men learn more about vocations and the priesthood. They also get to hear from priests and seminarians about what led them to follow Jesus’ call to pursue a priestly vocation,” said Father Charles Lana Jr., diocesan vocations director.
The next Project Andrew event will be held on Friday, Feb. 6, at 6:30 p.m. at St. Mary Parish in Denville, N.J. To register, call the Vocations Office at 973-77-8818, ext. 711.
 

Young men moved to consider vocations at Jefferson event #Catholic – Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney and three seminarians of the Paterson Diocese in New Jersey encouraged nine young men to discern their vocations, including to the Catholic priesthood, during a Project Andrew event at Our Lady Star of the Sea Parish in the Lake Hopatcong neighborhood in Jefferson, N.J. In Our Lady Star of the Sea Church, Bishop Sweeney led the congregation in praying the Liturgy of the Hours. The men, high-school age and older, and some of their parents listened to the bishop preach about how St. Andrew was the first Apostle to invite others to follow Jesus, including his brother, St. Peter, to meet the Messiah. The bishop then asked the men to identify their “Andrews”: people in their lives who have been leading them to Jesus or a vocation. Afterward, those assembled had dinner with Bishop Sweeney. There, Eric D. Hasenbein, John Peter Zappe, and Jean-Baptiste Mollet spoke about their vocation journeys and their time as seminarians. Hasenbein is a second-year pre-theology student at Immaculate Conception Seminary in South Orange, N.J., and Zappe is a second-year theology student at Immaculate Conception. Mollet is in his first year of studies, called a Propaedeutic Year, at St. Joseph Seminary in Yonkers, N.Y. Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter. The diocesan Vocations Office sponsored the Project Andrew gathering, held monthly at various parishes. Priests, including Father Sean McDonnell, pastor of Our Lady Star of the Sea, attended the event. “The Project Andrew helps young men learn more about vocations and the priesthood. They also get to hear from priests and seminarians about what led them to follow Jesus’ call to pursue a priestly vocation,” said Father Charles Lana Jr., diocesan vocations director. The next Project Andrew event will be held on Friday, Feb. 6, at 6:30 p.m. at St. Mary Parish in Denville, N.J. To register, call the Vocations Office at 973-77-8818, ext. 711.  

Young men moved to consider vocations at Jefferson event #Catholic –

Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney and three seminarians of the Paterson Diocese in New Jersey encouraged nine young men to discern their vocations, including to the Catholic priesthood, during a Project Andrew event at Our Lady Star of the Sea Parish in the Lake Hopatcong neighborhood in Jefferson, N.J.

In Our Lady Star of the Sea Church, Bishop Sweeney led the congregation in praying the Liturgy of the Hours. The men, high-school age and older, and some of their parents listened to the bishop preach about how St. Andrew was the first Apostle to invite others to follow Jesus, including his brother, St. Peter, to meet the Messiah. The bishop then asked the men to identify their “Andrews”: people in their lives who have been leading them to Jesus or a vocation.

Afterward, those assembled had dinner with Bishop Sweeney. There, Eric D. Hasenbein, John Peter Zappe, and Jean-Baptiste Mollet spoke about their vocation journeys and their time as seminarians. Hasenbein is a second-year pre-theology student at Immaculate Conception Seminary in South Orange, N.J., and Zappe is a second-year theology student at Immaculate Conception. Mollet is in his first year of studies, called a Propaedeutic Year, at St. Joseph Seminary in Yonkers, N.Y.


Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

The diocesan Vocations Office sponsored the Project Andrew gathering, held monthly at various parishes. Priests, including Father Sean McDonnell, pastor of Our Lady Star of the Sea, attended the event.

“The Project Andrew helps young men learn more about vocations and the priesthood. They also get to hear from priests and seminarians about what led them to follow Jesus’ call to pursue a priestly vocation,” said Father Charles Lana Jr., diocesan vocations director.

The next Project Andrew event will be held on Friday, Feb. 6, at 6:30 p.m. at St. Mary Parish in Denville, N.J. To register, call the Vocations Office at 973-77-8818, ext. 711.

 

Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney and three seminarians of the Paterson Diocese in New Jersey encouraged nine young men to discern their vocations, including to the Catholic priesthood, during a Project Andrew event at Our Lady Star of the Sea Parish in the Lake Hopatcong neighborhood in Jefferson, N.J. In Our Lady Star of the Sea Church, Bishop Sweeney led the congregation in praying the Liturgy of the Hours. The men, high-school age and older, and some of their parents listened to the bishop preach about how St. Andrew was the first Apostle to invite others to follow Jesus, including his

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Two Assumption charities deliver love, hope to impoverished Africans #Catholic - Dennis, a 30-year-old who lives in a village of the impoverished African nation of Sierra Leone, had been suffering from excruciating leg pain for the past few years. Cellulitis, a bacterial infection, had caused a burning red sore up the entire side of his left leg.
Thanks to Africa Surgery, a non-profit based at Assumption Parish in Morristown, N.J., Dennis received surgery that relieved his pain. Surgeons in Sierra Leone took skin from the thigh of his right leg and grafted it to the infected left leg. Dennis has since returned to his daily activities, including work.
Last month, Assumption helped ensure that two non-profit outreaches started at the parish — Africa Surgery and the Village Angels of Tanzania — continue transforming the lives of poor people in Africa. The parish held its 15th Annual Christmas Market, which raised a record $27,792 to support urgent medical care, food, and education in Sierra Leone and Tanzania.
In addition, men from Assumption filled two large shipping containers late last year with items such as crutches and hand-powered mobility carts. The first container arrived in Sierra Leone on Jan. 14. Tom Johnson, founder of Africa Surgery and an Assumption parishioner, will distribute the items in Sierra Leone, where he is situated now.

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In 2007, Johnson founded African Surgery, which has helped thousands of Sierra Leonians with medical issues ranging from simple tooth extractions to complex spinal surgeries around Freetown and Makeni. For about six months a year, he lives in Sierra Leone, working with international and local medical programs and facilities that provide diagnoses and treatment on a wide range of medical issues. For the rest of the year, Johnson coordinates activities from Morristown, NJ, with help from some in-country assistants.
“It’s hard for people in Sierra Leone. They are desperately poor and work but don’t have enough food,” said Johnson, a home repairs contractor. “I’m overwhelmed by the number of people in great need. We don’t have enough resources for everyone. But when we can help, it’s exhilarating,” he said.
Africa Surgery also supports some students in their education and provides some locals with part-time jobs and food.
“I’m grateful for Assumption’s support. Their donations mean a lot to the people of Sierra Leone,” Johnson said.
Founded in 2015, the Village Angels provides urgently needed food, clothing, and basic home furnishings to residents of several small villages in northwest Tanzania. They are mainly elderly people who have little to eat and live in remote huts. The program partners with the local Franciscan Sisters of St. Bernadette to provide jobs to local youths, who visit the isolated elderly people every week. Sergio Burani and his wife, Johanna, also parishioners of Assumption, established the outreach.
The Village Angels reaches people in the area, which welcomed 500,000 refugees of the Rwandan War of 1994. The U.N. built a huge tent city where some refugees stayed for 10 years, straining family dynamics, infrastructure, farmland, and other resources. The impoverished conditions forced middle-aged people to take their children and move to the cities, leaving the elderly to live alone with no pensions or family support. The youth bring them food, water, and firewood. Meanwhile, Sister Dativa Mukebita, the program’s director, and other sisters in her community provide moral support and minor medical attention.
In 2017, the Village Angels dedicated a new multipurpose building in honor of the late Msgr. Martin Rauscher, Assumption’s former pastor, who supported both non-profits. The youths in the program weave baskets, sew clothing and household items, harvest honey from their bee farm, and harvest bananas from their plantation to generate local revenue for the program. The Village Angels also purchase food items, clothing, and furnishings for the elderly.
“Our efforts give dignity to the young and the old. We’re saying, ‘We see you. You’re important.’ The Village Angels fills a void. The youth like visiting the elderly. The elderly like it when the youth call them ‘grandma’ or ‘grandpa.’ Everybody wins,” Johanna Burani said. “This is what the Lord wants us to do. We know these people and want to be their voice.”
Like his predecessor, Msgr. Rauscher, Msgr. John Hart, Assumption’s current pastor, is supportive of Africa Surgery and the Village Angels of Tanzania.
“Our generous parishioners support these two charities, founded by people we know and love. We have parishioners who work to help them in many ways. These charities are always in our prayers,” Msgr. Hart said.
Information: visit Africa Surgery and the Village Angels of Tanzania.
 [See image gallery at beaconnj.org]

Two Assumption charities deliver love, hope to impoverished Africans #Catholic – Dennis, a 30-year-old who lives in a village of the impoverished African nation of Sierra Leone, had been suffering from excruciating leg pain for the past few years. Cellulitis, a bacterial infection, had caused a burning red sore up the entire side of his left leg. Thanks to Africa Surgery, a non-profit based at Assumption Parish in Morristown, N.J., Dennis received surgery that relieved his pain. Surgeons in Sierra Leone took skin from the thigh of his right leg and grafted it to the infected left leg. Dennis has since returned to his daily activities, including work. Last month, Assumption helped ensure that two non-profit outreaches started at the parish — Africa Surgery and the Village Angels of Tanzania — continue transforming the lives of poor people in Africa. The parish held its 15th Annual Christmas Market, which raised a record $27,792 to support urgent medical care, food, and education in Sierra Leone and Tanzania. In addition, men from Assumption filled two large shipping containers late last year with items such as crutches and hand-powered mobility carts. The first container arrived in Sierra Leone on Jan. 14. Tom Johnson, founder of Africa Surgery and an Assumption parishioner, will distribute the items in Sierra Leone, where he is situated now. Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter. In 2007, Johnson founded African Surgery, which has helped thousands of Sierra Leonians with medical issues ranging from simple tooth extractions to complex spinal surgeries around Freetown and Makeni. For about six months a year, he lives in Sierra Leone, working with international and local medical programs and facilities that provide diagnoses and treatment on a wide range of medical issues. For the rest of the year, Johnson coordinates activities from Morristown, NJ, with help from some in-country assistants. “It’s hard for people in Sierra Leone. They are desperately poor and work but don’t have enough food,” said Johnson, a home repairs contractor. “I’m overwhelmed by the number of people in great need. We don’t have enough resources for everyone. But when we can help, it’s exhilarating,” he said. Africa Surgery also supports some students in their education and provides some locals with part-time jobs and food. “I’m grateful for Assumption’s support. Their donations mean a lot to the people of Sierra Leone,” Johnson said. Founded in 2015, the Village Angels provides urgently needed food, clothing, and basic home furnishings to residents of several small villages in northwest Tanzania. They are mainly elderly people who have little to eat and live in remote huts. The program partners with the local Franciscan Sisters of St. Bernadette to provide jobs to local youths, who visit the isolated elderly people every week. Sergio Burani and his wife, Johanna, also parishioners of Assumption, established the outreach. The Village Angels reaches people in the area, which welcomed 500,000 refugees of the Rwandan War of 1994. The U.N. built a huge tent city where some refugees stayed for 10 years, straining family dynamics, infrastructure, farmland, and other resources. The impoverished conditions forced middle-aged people to take their children and move to the cities, leaving the elderly to live alone with no pensions or family support. The youth bring them food, water, and firewood. Meanwhile, Sister Dativa Mukebita, the program’s director, and other sisters in her community provide moral support and minor medical attention. In 2017, the Village Angels dedicated a new multipurpose building in honor of the late Msgr. Martin Rauscher, Assumption’s former pastor, who supported both non-profits. The youths in the program weave baskets, sew clothing and household items, harvest honey from their bee farm, and harvest bananas from their plantation to generate local revenue for the program. The Village Angels also purchase food items, clothing, and furnishings for the elderly. “Our efforts give dignity to the young and the old. We’re saying, ‘We see you. You’re important.’ The Village Angels fills a void. The youth like visiting the elderly. The elderly like it when the youth call them ‘grandma’ or ‘grandpa.’ Everybody wins,” Johanna Burani said. “This is what the Lord wants us to do. We know these people and want to be their voice.” Like his predecessor, Msgr. Rauscher, Msgr. John Hart, Assumption’s current pastor, is supportive of Africa Surgery and the Village Angels of Tanzania. “Our generous parishioners support these two charities, founded by people we know and love. We have parishioners who work to help them in many ways. These charities are always in our prayers,” Msgr. Hart said. Information: visit Africa Surgery and the Village Angels of Tanzania. [See image gallery at beaconnj.org]

Two Assumption charities deliver love, hope to impoverished Africans #Catholic –

Dennis, a 30-year-old who lives in a village of the impoverished African nation of Sierra Leone, had been suffering from excruciating leg pain for the past few years. Cellulitis, a bacterial infection, had caused a burning red sore up the entire side of his left leg.

Thanks to Africa Surgery, a non-profit based at Assumption Parish in Morristown, N.J., Dennis received surgery that relieved his pain. Surgeons in Sierra Leone took skin from the thigh of his right leg and grafted it to the infected left leg. Dennis has since returned to his daily activities, including work.

Last month, Assumption helped ensure that two non-profit outreaches started at the parish — Africa Surgery and the Village Angels of Tanzania — continue transforming the lives of poor people in Africa. The parish held its 15th Annual Christmas Market, which raised a record $27,792 to support urgent medical care, food, and education in Sierra Leone and Tanzania.

In addition, men from Assumption filled two large shipping containers late last year with items such as crutches and hand-powered mobility carts. The first container arrived in Sierra Leone on Jan. 14. Tom Johnson, founder of Africa Surgery and an Assumption parishioner, will distribute the items in Sierra Leone, where he is situated now.


Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

In 2007, Johnson founded African Surgery, which has helped thousands of Sierra Leonians with medical issues ranging from simple tooth extractions to complex spinal surgeries around Freetown and Makeni. For about six months a year, he lives in Sierra Leone, working with international and local medical programs and facilities that provide diagnoses and treatment on a wide range of medical issues. For the rest of the year, Johnson coordinates activities from Morristown, NJ, with help from some in-country assistants.

“It’s hard for people in Sierra Leone. They are desperately poor and work but don’t have enough food,” said Johnson, a home repairs contractor. “I’m overwhelmed by the number of people in great need. We don’t have enough resources for everyone. But when we can help, it’s exhilarating,” he said.

Africa Surgery also supports some students in their education and provides some locals with part-time jobs and food.

“I’m grateful for Assumption’s support. Their donations mean a lot to the people of Sierra Leone,” Johnson said.

Founded in 2015, the Village Angels provides urgently needed food, clothing, and basic home furnishings to residents of several small villages in northwest Tanzania. They are mainly elderly people who have little to eat and live in remote huts. The program partners with the local Franciscan Sisters of St. Bernadette to provide jobs to local youths, who visit the isolated elderly people every week. Sergio Burani and his wife, Johanna, also parishioners of Assumption, established the outreach.

The Village Angels reaches people in the area, which welcomed 500,000 refugees of the Rwandan War of 1994. The U.N. built a huge tent city where some refugees stayed for 10 years, straining family dynamics, infrastructure, farmland, and other resources. The impoverished conditions forced middle-aged people to take their children and move to the cities, leaving the elderly to live alone with no pensions or family support. The youth bring them food, water, and firewood. Meanwhile, Sister Dativa Mukebita, the program’s director, and other sisters in her community provide moral support and minor medical attention.

In 2017, the Village Angels dedicated a new multipurpose building in honor of the late Msgr. Martin Rauscher, Assumption’s former pastor, who supported both non-profits. The youths in the program weave baskets, sew clothing and household items, harvest honey from their bee farm, and harvest bananas from their plantation to generate local revenue for the program. The Village Angels also purchase food items, clothing, and furnishings for the elderly.

“Our efforts give dignity to the young and the old. We’re saying, ‘We see you. You’re important.’ The Village Angels fills a void. The youth like visiting the elderly. The elderly like it when the youth call them ‘grandma’ or ‘grandpa.’ Everybody wins,” Johanna Burani said. “This is what the Lord wants us to do. We know these people and want to be their voice.”

Like his predecessor, Msgr. Rauscher, Msgr. John Hart, Assumption’s current pastor, is supportive of Africa Surgery and the Village Angels of Tanzania.

“Our generous parishioners support these two charities, founded by people we know and love. We have parishioners who work to help them in many ways. These charities are always in our prayers,” Msgr. Hart said.

Information: visit Africa Surgery and the Village Angels of Tanzania.

[See image gallery at beaconnj.org] – Dennis, a 30-year-old who lives in a village of the impoverished African nation of Sierra Leone, had been suffering from excruciating leg pain for the past few years. Cellulitis, a bacterial infection, had caused a burning red sore up the entire side of his left leg. Thanks to Africa Surgery, a non-profit based at Assumption Parish in Morristown, N.J., Dennis received surgery that relieved his pain. Surgeons in Sierra Leone took skin from the thigh of his right leg and grafted it to the infected left leg. Dennis has since returned to his daily activities, including work. Last month, Assumption

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Stephen Kane, a professor of planetary astrophysics at UC Riverside, was skeptical when he read recent studies that showed the gravitational pull from Mars being connected to Earth’s long-term climate patterns. These studies suggested that sediment layers on the floor of our oceans have recorded climate cycles influenced by the Red Planet despite its distanceContinue reading “Has Mars had an effect on Earth’s climate?”

The post Has Mars had an effect on Earth’s climate? appeared first on Astronomy Magazine.

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Retreat in Newton equips men for life’s faith challenges #Catholic – On the weekend of Jan. 9 to 11, the 5th Annual Called To Courage (CTC) retreat was held at the Sacred Heart Center in Newton.
Forty-two Catholic men from the following local parishes in New Jersey participated: St. Kateri Tekakwitha in Sparta; St. Matthew the Apostle and Resurrection, both in Randolph; Annunciation and Our Lady of the Valley, both in Wayne; Corpus Christi in Chatham Township; and St. Mary in Wharton — all in the Paterson Diocese — as well as St Michael in Cranford in the Newark Archdiocese.
The CTC retreat theme is “Sacred Journey: Transitions and Transformation.” The theme focused on the various ways in which men share in the Paschal Mystery of Christ, dying and rising in life experiences such as growing from childhood to adulthood, transitioning through the aging process and retirement, and facing other losses and disappointments, including recovery from addictions.
During this annual retreat, men listen and speak from the heart, developing lasting friendships and support systems. This year, four laymen and Salesian Sister Theresa Kelly, director of the Sacred Heart Center, gave witness talks about their spiritual journeys of transformation.

Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

The retreat also featured small- and large-group discussions and several liturgical services. These services included morning prayer services, Stations of the Cross, a reconciliation service, Eucharistic adoration and Benediction, and a Sunday-morning Mass. Father Daniel Murphy, a retired priest of the Paterson Diocese and the CTC’s spiritual director, celebrated the Mass.
Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney visited the men on retreat on Saturday for lunch. Then, he listened to one of the talks, participated in a small-group discussion, was present for the reconciliation service, and heard individual confessions along with other priests. The men also had free time to spend as they wished, which included fellowship with the other men and quiet time for prayer and reflection.
The CTC retreat program originated in the various Cornerstone and Men’s retreat programs in the Paterson Diocese, which have been very successful over the years. These retreats are designed to equip men to face faith challenges, focusing on themes such as brotherhood, discipline, and living a holy Catholic life. Father Murphy and a team of laymen lead CTC, which offers a retreat experience for all men, including those from parishes without a men’s retreat ministry.
 

Retreat in Newton equips men for life’s faith challenges #Catholic – On the weekend of Jan. 9 to 11, the 5th Annual Called To Courage (CTC) retreat was held at the Sacred Heart Center in Newton. Forty-two Catholic men from the following local parishes in New Jersey participated: St. Kateri Tekakwitha in Sparta; St. Matthew the Apostle and Resurrection, both in Randolph; Annunciation and Our Lady of the Valley, both in Wayne; Corpus Christi in Chatham Township; and St. Mary in Wharton — all in the Paterson Diocese — as well as St Michael in Cranford in the Newark Archdiocese. The CTC retreat theme is “Sacred Journey: Transitions and Transformation.” The theme focused on the various ways in which men share in the Paschal Mystery of Christ, dying and rising in life experiences such as growing from childhood to adulthood, transitioning through the aging process and retirement, and facing other losses and disappointments, including recovery from addictions. During this annual retreat, men listen and speak from the heart, developing lasting friendships and support systems. This year, four laymen and Salesian Sister Theresa Kelly, director of the Sacred Heart Center, gave witness talks about their spiritual journeys of transformation. Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter. The retreat also featured small- and large-group discussions and several liturgical services. These services included morning prayer services, Stations of the Cross, a reconciliation service, Eucharistic adoration and Benediction, and a Sunday-morning Mass. Father Daniel Murphy, a retired priest of the Paterson Diocese and the CTC’s spiritual director, celebrated the Mass. Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney visited the men on retreat on Saturday for lunch. Then, he listened to one of the talks, participated in a small-group discussion, was present for the reconciliation service, and heard individual confessions along with other priests. The men also had free time to spend as they wished, which included fellowship with the other men and quiet time for prayer and reflection. The CTC retreat program originated in the various Cornerstone and Men’s retreat programs in the Paterson Diocese, which have been very successful over the years. These retreats are designed to equip men to face faith challenges, focusing on themes such as brotherhood, discipline, and living a holy Catholic life. Father Murphy and a team of laymen lead CTC, which offers a retreat experience for all men, including those from parishes without a men’s retreat ministry.  

Retreat in Newton equips men for life’s faith challenges #Catholic –

On the weekend of Jan. 9 to 11, the 5th Annual Called To Courage (CTC) retreat was held at the Sacred Heart Center in Newton.

Forty-two Catholic men from the following local parishes in New Jersey participated: St. Kateri Tekakwitha in Sparta; St. Matthew the Apostle and Resurrection, both in Randolph; Annunciation and Our Lady of the Valley, both in Wayne; Corpus Christi in Chatham Township; and St. Mary in Wharton — all in the Paterson Diocese — as well as St Michael in Cranford in the Newark Archdiocese.

The CTC retreat theme is “Sacred Journey: Transitions and Transformation.” The theme focused on the various ways in which men share in the Paschal Mystery of Christ, dying and rising in life experiences such as growing from childhood to adulthood, transitioning through the aging process and retirement, and facing other losses and disappointments, including recovery from addictions.

During this annual retreat, men listen and speak from the heart, developing lasting friendships and support systems. This year, four laymen and Salesian Sister Theresa Kelly, director of the Sacred Heart Center, gave witness talks about their spiritual journeys of transformation.


Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

The retreat also featured small- and large-group discussions and several liturgical services. These services included morning prayer services, Stations of the Cross, a reconciliation service, Eucharistic adoration and Benediction, and a Sunday-morning Mass. Father Daniel Murphy, a retired priest of the Paterson Diocese and the CTC’s spiritual director, celebrated the Mass.

Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney visited the men on retreat on Saturday for lunch. Then, he listened to one of the talks, participated in a small-group discussion, was present for the reconciliation service, and heard individual confessions along with other priests. The men also had free time to spend as they wished, which included fellowship with the other men and quiet time for prayer and reflection.

The CTC retreat program originated in the various Cornerstone and Men’s retreat programs in the Paterson Diocese, which have been very successful over the years. These retreats are designed to equip men to face faith challenges, focusing on themes such as brotherhood, discipline, and living a holy Catholic life. Father Murphy and a team of laymen lead CTC, which offers a retreat experience for all men, including those from parishes without a men’s retreat ministry.

 

On the weekend of Jan. 9 to 11, the 5th Annual Called To Courage (CTC) retreat was held at the Sacred Heart Center in Newton. Forty-two Catholic men from the following local parishes in New Jersey participated: St. Kateri Tekakwitha in Sparta; St. Matthew the Apostle and Resurrection, both in Randolph; Annunciation and Our Lady of the Valley, both in Wayne; Corpus Christi in Chatham Township; and St. Mary in Wharton — all in the Paterson Diocese — as well as St Michael in Cranford in the Newark Archdiocese. The CTC retreat theme is “Sacred Journey: Transitions and Transformation.” The

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In March of 1781, William Herschel spotted the seventh-known planet of our solar system. He wanted to name it Georgium sidus (George’s star), after King George III. Astronomers outside the U.K. weren’t keen on the planet being named for the British monarch, and recommended sticking with the tradition of naming planets for mythical characters; itContinue reading “Jan. 11, 1787: William Herschel discovers two moons of Uranus”

The post Jan. 11, 1787: William Herschel discovers two moons of Uranus appeared first on Astronomy Magazine.

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You’ll find this terrific open cluster midway between 5th-magnitude Sigma Cassiopeiae and 6th-magnitude Rho Cas. This group glows at magnitude 6.7, so even through a 4-inch telescope, you’ll see 50 stars evenly spread across this rich cluster’s face. An 8-inch telescope shows more than a hundred members and the number just keeps increasing with aperture.Continue reading “Michael’s Miscellany: Observe Herschel’s Spiral Cluster”

The post Michael’s Miscellany: Observe Herschel’s Spiral Cluster appeared first on Astronomy Magazine.

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Beyond The Beacon Episode 103: A shepherd’s approach to a new year with Bishop Kevin Sweeney #Catholic – 
For this special episode, Bishop Kevin Sweeney looks back on the year and offers his perspective on the Universal and local Catholic Church for 2026. Joining him are Communications Director Jai Agnish and Digital Media Specialist Cecile Pagliarulo. We reflect on some of the biggest stories, social media posts, Beacon articles, and podcast episodes that resonated with our audience. Bishop Sweeney takes a few questions and discusses some of the noteworthy happenings planned for 2026.
Listen to the episode here, or on any major podcast platform, or watch it on Bishop Sweeney’s YouTube channel.

Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

Beyond The Beacon Episode 103: A shepherd’s approach to a new year with Bishop Kevin Sweeney #Catholic –

For this special episode, Bishop Kevin Sweeney looks back on the year and offers his perspective on the Universal and local Catholic Church for 2026. Joining him are Communications Director Jai Agnish and Digital Media Specialist Cecile Pagliarulo. We reflect on some of the biggest stories, social media posts, Beacon articles, and podcast episodes that resonated with our audience. Bishop Sweeney takes a few questions and discusses some of the noteworthy happenings planned for 2026.

Listen to the episode here, or on any major podcast platform, or watch it on Bishop Sweeney’s YouTube channel.


Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

For this special episode, Bishop Kevin Sweeney looks back on the year and offers his perspective on the Universal and local Catholic Church for 2026. Joining him are Communications Director Jai Agnish and Digital Media Specialist Cecile Pagliarulo. We reflect on some of the biggest stories, social media posts, Beacon articles, and podcast episodes that resonated with our audience. Bishop Sweeney takes a few questions and discusses some of the noteworthy happenings planned for 2026. Listen to the episode here, or on any major podcast platform, or watch it on Bishop Sweeney’s YouTube channel. Click here to subscribe to our

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New Madison evangelization center head pledges to advance mission #Catholic – John Cammarata wants to make it his mission as the new executive director of St. Paul Inside the Walls at Bayley-Ellard in Madison, N.J., to promote even more widely the Catholic evangelization center’s already dynamic mission: to invite all people to explore a life of faith and inspire them to live that life as missionary disciples of Christ.
In an email last week to the community of the Paterson Diocese in New Jersey, Msgr. T. Mark Condon, diocesan vicar general and moderator of the Curia, announced the appointment of Cammarata, 48, as St. Paul’s executive director on behalf of Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney. Cammarata started his new position on Jan. 5. He oversees the staff and operations of the Office of Evangelization at St. Paul’s with Father Paul Manning, diocesan vicar for evangelization and vicar for education.
Cammarata comes to St. Paul’s with more than 20 years of experience in youth ministry and catechetical formation. He will continue his duties as diocesan youth ministry director, a post he has held since 2022. Until his appointment to St. Paul’s, he served for 25 years in many capacities as a pastoral minister at St. Peter the Apostle Parish in Parsippany, N.J., most recently as youth minister and religious education coordinator.

Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

“I’m excited. As executive director, I want to continue the great work of the center, and over time, implement other programs or initiatives that I think might benefit the diocesan Catholic community,” Cammarata said. He also views his new position as a way to utilize the master’s degree in Church management he earned from Villanova University in Villanova, Penn., in 2022. “I also want to get out to every corner of the diocese to reach every parish — their pastors and staff —to encourage their faithful to take advantage of what St. Paul’s has to offer,” he said.
As executive director, Cammarata succeeds Brian Honsberger, who was a St. Paul’s staff member for 15 years and also served as diocesan director of mission and technology integration. He was also the administrator of the diocesan Certificate in Catholic Evangelization (CCE) program, and started the Paul Street Journal podcast with Freddy Garcia, associate diocesan coordinator of evangelization and a campus minister.
Cammarata’s responsibilities will include organizational leadership; programming and scheduling; oversight and management of the budget, finances, and facilities; conducting and/or cooperating with diocesan initiatives, programs, and events; staff development; and mission and technology integration. His duties also include continued partnering with Immaculate Conception Seminary at Seton Hall University in South Orange, N.J., and St. Elizabeth University in the Convent Station neighborhood of Morris Township, N.J.
St. Paul’s was founded by Bishop Emeritus Arthur J. Serratelli, who dedicated the center in 2010 as a training center for evangelization, equipping Catholic leaders to share their faith with others. The center is home to several ministries and offices, including Youth Ministry, Campus Ministry, Young Adult Ministry, Hispanic Ministry, and the Office of Catechesis.
“Within these walls, through conversation and community, self-discovery and shared mission, we try to inspire people of all ages, beliefs, cultures, perspectives, and professions to engage in the quest for truth, for meaning, and for God,” according to St. Paul’s website.
As diocesan youth minister, Cammarata and his office have provided tools, training, and support to help youth ministers build their programs and make the best possible impact on the youth, and have held activities to help local youth deepen their faith. He helped the diocese, parishes, and schools restart their youth programs that had closed during COVID-19. Cammarata also revived the annual diocesan Youth Conference, started annual regional youth retreats, and formed a Diocesan Youth Leadership Team to help plan activities.
Cammarata is the happy and proud husband of Veronica and father of Raymond and Lindsey. He sees a link between his work in youth ministry and at St. Paul’s.
“Being Catholic involves lifelong formation from childhood and throughout adulthood,” said Cammarata, taking note of St. Paul’s wide variety of programs, which offer “formation for everyone.”
Click here for information about St. Paul Inside the Walls.
 

New Madison evangelization center head pledges to advance mission #Catholic – John Cammarata wants to make it his mission as the new executive director of St. Paul Inside the Walls at Bayley-Ellard in Madison, N.J., to promote even more widely the Catholic evangelization center’s already dynamic mission: to invite all people to explore a life of faith and inspire them to live that life as missionary disciples of Christ. In an email last week to the community of the Paterson Diocese in New Jersey, Msgr. T. Mark Condon, diocesan vicar general and moderator of the Curia, announced the appointment of Cammarata, 48, as St. Paul’s executive director on behalf of Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney. Cammarata started his new position on Jan. 5. He oversees the staff and operations of the Office of Evangelization at St. Paul’s with Father Paul Manning, diocesan vicar for evangelization and vicar for education. Cammarata comes to St. Paul’s with more than 20 years of experience in youth ministry and catechetical formation. He will continue his duties as diocesan youth ministry director, a post he has held since 2022. Until his appointment to St. Paul’s, he served for 25 years in many capacities as a pastoral minister at St. Peter the Apostle Parish in Parsippany, N.J., most recently as youth minister and religious education coordinator. Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter. “I’m excited. As executive director, I want to continue the great work of the center, and over time, implement other programs or initiatives that I think might benefit the diocesan Catholic community,” Cammarata said. He also views his new position as a way to utilize the master’s degree in Church management he earned from Villanova University in Villanova, Penn., in 2022. “I also want to get out to every corner of the diocese to reach every parish — their pastors and staff —to encourage their faithful to take advantage of what St. Paul’s has to offer,” he said. As executive director, Cammarata succeeds Brian Honsberger, who was a St. Paul’s staff member for 15 years and also served as diocesan director of mission and technology integration. He was also the administrator of the diocesan Certificate in Catholic Evangelization (CCE) program, and started the Paul Street Journal podcast with Freddy Garcia, associate diocesan coordinator of evangelization and a campus minister. Cammarata’s responsibilities will include organizational leadership; programming and scheduling; oversight and management of the budget, finances, and facilities; conducting and/or cooperating with diocesan initiatives, programs, and events; staff development; and mission and technology integration. His duties also include continued partnering with Immaculate Conception Seminary at Seton Hall University in South Orange, N.J., and St. Elizabeth University in the Convent Station neighborhood of Morris Township, N.J. St. Paul’s was founded by Bishop Emeritus Arthur J. Serratelli, who dedicated the center in 2010 as a training center for evangelization, equipping Catholic leaders to share their faith with others. The center is home to several ministries and offices, including Youth Ministry, Campus Ministry, Young Adult Ministry, Hispanic Ministry, and the Office of Catechesis. “Within these walls, through conversation and community, self-discovery and shared mission, we try to inspire people of all ages, beliefs, cultures, perspectives, and professions to engage in the quest for truth, for meaning, and for God,” according to St. Paul’s website. As diocesan youth minister, Cammarata and his office have provided tools, training, and support to help youth ministers build their programs and make the best possible impact on the youth, and have held activities to help local youth deepen their faith. He helped the diocese, parishes, and schools restart their youth programs that had closed during COVID-19. Cammarata also revived the annual diocesan Youth Conference, started annual regional youth retreats, and formed a Diocesan Youth Leadership Team to help plan activities. Cammarata is the happy and proud husband of Veronica and father of Raymond and Lindsey. He sees a link between his work in youth ministry and at St. Paul’s. “Being Catholic involves lifelong formation from childhood and throughout adulthood,” said Cammarata, taking note of St. Paul’s wide variety of programs, which offer “formation for everyone.” Click here for information about St. Paul Inside the Walls.  

New Madison evangelization center head pledges to advance mission #Catholic –

John Cammarata wants to make it his mission as the new executive director of St. Paul Inside the Walls at Bayley-Ellard in Madison, N.J., to promote even more widely the Catholic evangelization center’s already dynamic mission: to invite all people to explore a life of faith and inspire them to live that life as missionary disciples of Christ.

In an email last week to the community of the Paterson Diocese in New Jersey, Msgr. T. Mark Condon, diocesan vicar general and moderator of the Curia, announced the appointment of Cammarata, 48, as St. Paul’s executive director on behalf of Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney. Cammarata started his new position on Jan. 5. He oversees the staff and operations of the Office of Evangelization at St. Paul’s with Father Paul Manning, diocesan vicar for evangelization and vicar for education.

Cammarata comes to St. Paul’s with more than 20 years of experience in youth ministry and catechetical formation. He will continue his duties as diocesan youth ministry director, a post he has held since 2022. Until his appointment to St. Paul’s, he served for 25 years in many capacities as a pastoral minister at St. Peter the Apostle Parish in Parsippany, N.J., most recently as youth minister and religious education coordinator.


Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

“I’m excited. As executive director, I want to continue the great work of the center, and over time, implement other programs or initiatives that I think might benefit the diocesan Catholic community,” Cammarata said. He also views his new position as a way to utilize the master’s degree in Church management he earned from Villanova University in Villanova, Penn., in 2022. “I also want to get out to every corner of the diocese to reach every parish — their pastors and staff —to encourage their faithful to take advantage of what St. Paul’s has to offer,” he said.

As executive director, Cammarata succeeds Brian Honsberger, who was a St. Paul’s staff member for 15 years and also served as diocesan director of mission and technology integration. He was also the administrator of the diocesan Certificate in Catholic Evangelization (CCE) program, and started the Paul Street Journal podcast with Freddy Garcia, associate diocesan coordinator of evangelization and a campus minister.

Cammarata’s responsibilities will include organizational leadership; programming and scheduling; oversight and management of the budget, finances, and facilities; conducting and/or cooperating with diocesan initiatives, programs, and events; staff development; and mission and technology integration. His duties also include continued partnering with Immaculate Conception Seminary at Seton Hall University in South Orange, N.J., and St. Elizabeth University in the Convent Station neighborhood of Morris Township, N.J.

St. Paul’s was founded by Bishop Emeritus Arthur J. Serratelli, who dedicated the center in 2010 as a training center for evangelization, equipping Catholic leaders to share their faith with others. The center is home to several ministries and offices, including Youth Ministry, Campus Ministry, Young Adult Ministry, Hispanic Ministry, and the Office of Catechesis.

“Within these walls, through conversation and community, self-discovery and shared mission, we try to inspire people of all ages, beliefs, cultures, perspectives, and professions to engage in the quest for truth, for meaning, and for God,” according to St. Paul’s website.

As diocesan youth minister, Cammarata and his office have provided tools, training, and support to help youth ministers build their programs and make the best possible impact on the youth, and have held activities to help local youth deepen their faith. He helped the diocese, parishes, and schools restart their youth programs that had closed during COVID-19. Cammarata also revived the annual diocesan Youth Conference, started annual regional youth retreats, and formed a Diocesan Youth Leadership Team to help plan activities.

Cammarata is the happy and proud husband of Veronica and father of Raymond and Lindsey. He sees a link between his work in youth ministry and at St. Paul’s.

“Being Catholic involves lifelong formation from childhood and throughout adulthood,” said Cammarata, taking note of St. Paul’s wide variety of programs, which offer “formation for everyone.”

Click here for information about St. Paul Inside the Walls.

 

John Cammarata wants to make it his mission as the new executive director of St. Paul Inside the Walls at Bayley-Ellard in Madison, N.J., to promote even more widely the Catholic evangelization center’s already dynamic mission: to invite all people to explore a life of faith and inspire them to live that life as missionary disciples of Christ. In an email last week to the community of the Paterson Diocese in New Jersey, Msgr. T. Mark Condon, diocesan vicar general and moderator of the Curia, announced the appointment of Cammarata, 48, as St. Paul’s executive director on behalf of Bishop

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Obituary: Father Edward M. Davey, oldest diocesan priest, 100 #Catholic - A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, Jan. 8, at 11 a.m. at Our Lady of the Mountain Church in the Long Valley neighborhood of Washington Township for Father Edward M. Davey, the oldest priest of the Paterson Diocese in New Jersey, who died on Jan. 4 at Merry Heart Senior Care Services in the Succasunna neighborhood of Roxbury Township. He turned 100 years old on Oct. 4, 2025.
Born on Oct. 4, 1925, Father Davey was ordained a priest on April 22, 1953, by Archbishop Thomas Boland for St. Mary’s Benedictine Abbey in Morristown, N.J. He was incardinated into the Paterson Diocese on June 8, 1973.

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For the Paterson Diocese, Father Davey’s assignments included Our Lady of Consolation Parish and Our Lady of the Valley Parish, both in Wayne, N.J., and Notre Dame of Mount Carmel Parish in the Cedar Knolls neighborhood of Hanover Township, N.J. In 1980, he was named pastor of St. Joseph Parish in Newton, N.J., where he served for 19 years until his retirement in 1999.
“I’m surprised I made it to 100. I never really thought about it. I take what comes along,” Father Davey, who was hard of hearing and was unable to drive, when he spoke to BeaconNJ.org for a story about his 100th birthday, which was posted on Oct. 4 last year. “I’m still here to do the work [of a priest]. I’m limited, of course.”
Father Davey credited his longevity not to his diet, family history, or the exercise he did as a younger man, but to the daytime naps he took and to a practice that sustained him throughout his priesthood: constant prayer.
“Prayer is the answer to most people’s problems. I’m successful because of prayer,” said Father Davey, who served as a priest for 72 years. “I pray for people and encourage them to pray, but I don’t tell them what to pray for.”
Along with praying, Father Davey enjoyed concelebrating Mass on Sundays and Wednesdays for the Merry Heart community with Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus Dominic Marconi of the Newark Archdiocese in New Jersey, and fellow retired resident priests. He was also a fan of the N.Y. Yankees.
“I was inspired to become a priest by my parish priest. I thought a lot of him. He could work with young people. I thought that was great work,” Father Davey said.
Visitation for Father Davey will take place on Wednesday, Jan. 7, from 2 to 4 p.m., at Our Lady of the Mountain Church, followed by a 4 p.m. prayer service. Interment will follow the Mass of Christian Burial on Jan. 8 at St. Joseph Cemetery in Newton.
Please send condolences for Father Davey to the attention of the Office of Clergy Personnel, c/o St. Paul Inside the Walls, 205 Madison Ave., Madison, N.J. 07940
Click here to read the BeaconNJ.org story about Father Davey’s 100th birthday. 

Obituary: Father Edward M. Davey, oldest diocesan priest, 100 #Catholic – A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, Jan. 8, at 11 a.m. at Our Lady of the Mountain Church in the Long Valley neighborhood of Washington Township for Father Edward M. Davey, the oldest priest of the Paterson Diocese in New Jersey, who died on Jan. 4 at Merry Heart Senior Care Services in the Succasunna neighborhood of Roxbury Township. He turned 100 years old on Oct. 4, 2025. Born on Oct. 4, 1925, Father Davey was ordained a priest on April 22, 1953, by Archbishop Thomas Boland for St. Mary’s Benedictine Abbey in Morristown, N.J. He was incardinated into the Paterson Diocese on June 8, 1973. Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter. For the Paterson Diocese, Father Davey’s assignments included Our Lady of Consolation Parish and Our Lady of the Valley Parish, both in Wayne, N.J., and Notre Dame of Mount Carmel Parish in the Cedar Knolls neighborhood of Hanover Township, N.J. In 1980, he was named pastor of St. Joseph Parish in Newton, N.J., where he served for 19 years until his retirement in 1999. “I’m surprised I made it to 100. I never really thought about it. I take what comes along,” Father Davey, who was hard of hearing and was unable to drive, when he spoke to BeaconNJ.org for a story about his 100th birthday, which was posted on Oct. 4 last year. “I’m still here to do the work [of a priest]. I’m limited, of course.” Father Davey credited his longevity not to his diet, family history, or the exercise he did as a younger man, but to the daytime naps he took and to a practice that sustained him throughout his priesthood: constant prayer. “Prayer is the answer to most people’s problems. I’m successful because of prayer,” said Father Davey, who served as a priest for 72 years. “I pray for people and encourage them to pray, but I don’t tell them what to pray for.” Along with praying, Father Davey enjoyed concelebrating Mass on Sundays and Wednesdays for the Merry Heart community with Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus Dominic Marconi of the Newark Archdiocese in New Jersey, and fellow retired resident priests. He was also a fan of the N.Y. Yankees. “I was inspired to become a priest by my parish priest. I thought a lot of him. He could work with young people. I thought that was great work,” Father Davey said. Visitation for Father Davey will take place on Wednesday, Jan. 7, from 2 to 4 p.m., at Our Lady of the Mountain Church, followed by a 4 p.m. prayer service. Interment will follow the Mass of Christian Burial on Jan. 8 at St. Joseph Cemetery in Newton. Please send condolences for Father Davey to the attention of the Office of Clergy Personnel, c/o St. Paul Inside the Walls, 205 Madison Ave., Madison, N.J. 07940 Click here to read the BeaconNJ.org story about Father Davey’s 100th birthday. 

Obituary: Father Edward M. Davey, oldest diocesan priest, 100 #Catholic –

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, Jan. 8, at 11 a.m. at Our Lady of the Mountain Church in the Long Valley neighborhood of Washington Township for Father Edward M. Davey, the oldest priest of the Paterson Diocese in New Jersey, who died on Jan. 4 at Merry Heart Senior Care Services in the Succasunna neighborhood of Roxbury Township. He turned 100 years old on Oct. 4, 2025.

Born on Oct. 4, 1925, Father Davey was ordained a priest on April 22, 1953, by Archbishop Thomas Boland for St. Mary’s Benedictine Abbey in Morristown, N.J. He was incardinated into the Paterson Diocese on June 8, 1973.


Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

For the Paterson Diocese, Father Davey’s assignments included Our Lady of Consolation Parish and Our Lady of the Valley Parish, both in Wayne, N.J., and Notre Dame of Mount Carmel Parish in the Cedar Knolls neighborhood of Hanover Township, N.J. In 1980, he was named pastor of St. Joseph Parish in Newton, N.J., where he served for 19 years until his retirement in 1999.

“I’m surprised I made it to 100. I never really thought about it. I take what comes along,” Father Davey, who was hard of hearing and was unable to drive, when he spoke to BeaconNJ.org for a story about his 100th birthday, which was posted on Oct. 4 last year. “I’m still here to do the work [of a priest]. I’m limited, of course.”

Father Davey credited his longevity not to his diet, family history, or the exercise he did as a younger man, but to the daytime naps he took and to a practice that sustained him throughout his priesthood: constant prayer.

“Prayer is the answer to most people’s problems. I’m successful because of prayer,” said Father Davey, who served as a priest for 72 years. “I pray for people and encourage them to pray, but I don’t tell them what to pray for.”

Along with praying, Father Davey enjoyed concelebrating Mass on Sundays and Wednesdays for the Merry Heart community with Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus Dominic Marconi of the Newark Archdiocese in New Jersey, and fellow retired resident priests. He was also a fan of the N.Y. Yankees.

“I was inspired to become a priest by my parish priest. I thought a lot of him. He could work with young people. I thought that was great work,” Father Davey said.

Visitation for Father Davey will take place on Wednesday, Jan. 7, from 2 to 4 p.m., at Our Lady of the Mountain Church, followed by a 4 p.m. prayer service. Interment will follow the Mass of Christian Burial on Jan. 8 at St. Joseph Cemetery in Newton.

Please send condolences for Father Davey to the attention of the Office of Clergy Personnel, c/o St. Paul Inside the Walls, 205 Madison Ave., Madison, N.J. 07940

Click here to read the BeaconNJ.org story about Father Davey’s 100th birthday. 

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, Jan. 8, at 11 a.m. at Our Lady of the Mountain Church in the Long Valley neighborhood of Washington Township for Father Edward M. Davey, the oldest priest of the Paterson Diocese in New Jersey, who died on Jan. 4 at Merry Heart Senior Care Services in the Succasunna neighborhood of Roxbury Township. He turned 100 years old on Oct. 4, 2025. Born on Oct. 4, 1925, Father Davey was ordained a priest on April 22, 1953, by Archbishop Thomas Boland for St. Mary’s Benedictine Abbey in Morristown, N.J. He

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Obituary: Sister of Charity Jean Marie Stabile, 100 #Catholic – A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, Jan. 8, at Holy Family Chapel in the Convent Station neighborhood of Morris Township, N.J., for Sister Jean Marie Stabile, formerly Sister Jean Francis, a Sister of Charity of St. Elizabeth, who died on Dec. 23, at Complete Care at St. Vincent’s in Cedar Grove, N.J. She was 100.
Sister Stabile was born in Somerville, N.J., the daughter of Frank and Helen (Brown) Stabile. She entered the Sisters of Charity in 1943 and was a member for 82 years.
Sister Stabile earned a bachelor’s degree in English from the College of St. Elizabeth, now St. Elizabeth University, in the Convent Station neighborhood of Morris Township, N.J.; a master’s degree in English from Villanova University in Villanova, Penn.; and a master’s degree in education, administration, and supervision from Fordham University in the Bronx, N.Y.
For more than 50 years, Sister Stabile served in the education ministry. She taught elementary school at the former St. Rose of Lima School in Newark, N.J., and the former St. Anastasia School in Teaneck, N.J.

Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

Then, Sister Stabile taught English at the former St. Peter’s High School in New Brunswick, N.J., her alma mater; the former St. Mary’s High School in Jersey City, N.J.; Ss. Peter and Paul High School on St. Thomas, Virgin Islands; the former St. Cecilia High School in Englewood, N.J.; and the former Immaculate Conception High School in Montclair, N.J., where she also served as assistant principal.
In 1979, Sister Stabile returned to St. Peter’s High School in New Brunswick as principal. During her tenure, St. Peter’s met or exceeded the “ideal curriculum” mandated by the U.S. Office of Education. Sister Jean remained active in the classroom, teaching a class daily. Afterwards, she was a teacher and dean of students at the Academy of St. Elizabeth, also in the Convent Station neighborhood of Morris Township.
Sister Stabile served the congregation as assistant provincial of the Western Province and as a volunteer driver for the local community at the Convent of St. Elizabeth. She was a lector at Masses in the motherhouse chapel and welcomed guests staying overnight at the motherhouse.
Also, Sister Stabile volunteered in the Sisters of Charity Development Office until medical issues caused her to move to Complete Care at St. Vincent’s in Cedar Grove, where she resided until her death.
She was an avid sports fan, supporting the student athletes in the schools where she served and cheering for the N.Y. Giants and N.Y. Yankees.
Sister Stabile was predeceased by her parents and her five brothers, Francis, Jack, Richard, Michael, and Joseph. She is survived by her sister-in-law, Geraldine (Penny); three nieces and one nephew, all children of her brother, Michael; nine grandnieces and grandnephews; and six great-grandnieces and great-grandnephews.
Sister Stabile’s wake will be held on Thursday, Jan. 8, from 9:30 to 11 a.m. in Holy Family Chapel, before her 11 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial, which will be livestreamed. She will be buried in Holy Family Cemetery after the Mass.
Please make memorial donations in memory of Sister Jean Stabile to the Sisters of Charity Legacy and Mission Advancement Office, P.O. Box 476, Convent Station, N.J., 07961.

Obituary: Sister of Charity Jean Marie Stabile, 100 #Catholic – A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, Jan. 8, at Holy Family Chapel in the Convent Station neighborhood of Morris Township, N.J., for Sister Jean Marie Stabile, formerly Sister Jean Francis, a Sister of Charity of St. Elizabeth, who died on Dec. 23, at Complete Care at St. Vincent’s in Cedar Grove, N.J. She was 100. Sister Stabile was born in Somerville, N.J., the daughter of Frank and Helen (Brown) Stabile. She entered the Sisters of Charity in 1943 and was a member for 82 years. Sister Stabile earned a bachelor’s degree in English from the College of St. Elizabeth, now St. Elizabeth University, in the Convent Station neighborhood of Morris Township, N.J.; a master’s degree in English from Villanova University in Villanova, Penn.; and a master’s degree in education, administration, and supervision from Fordham University in the Bronx, N.Y. For more than 50 years, Sister Stabile served in the education ministry. She taught elementary school at the former St. Rose of Lima School in Newark, N.J., and the former St. Anastasia School in Teaneck, N.J. Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter. Then, Sister Stabile taught English at the former St. Peter’s High School in New Brunswick, N.J., her alma mater; the former St. Mary’s High School in Jersey City, N.J.; Ss. Peter and Paul High School on St. Thomas, Virgin Islands; the former St. Cecilia High School in Englewood, N.J.; and the former Immaculate Conception High School in Montclair, N.J., where she also served as assistant principal. In 1979, Sister Stabile returned to St. Peter’s High School in New Brunswick as principal. During her tenure, St. Peter’s met or exceeded the “ideal curriculum” mandated by the U.S. Office of Education. Sister Jean remained active in the classroom, teaching a class daily. Afterwards, she was a teacher and dean of students at the Academy of St. Elizabeth, also in the Convent Station neighborhood of Morris Township. Sister Stabile served the congregation as assistant provincial of the Western Province and as a volunteer driver for the local community at the Convent of St. Elizabeth. She was a lector at Masses in the motherhouse chapel and welcomed guests staying overnight at the motherhouse. Also, Sister Stabile volunteered in the Sisters of Charity Development Office until medical issues caused her to move to Complete Care at St. Vincent’s in Cedar Grove, where she resided until her death. She was an avid sports fan, supporting the student athletes in the schools where she served and cheering for the N.Y. Giants and N.Y. Yankees. Sister Stabile was predeceased by her parents and her five brothers, Francis, Jack, Richard, Michael, and Joseph. She is survived by her sister-in-law, Geraldine (Penny); three nieces and one nephew, all children of her brother, Michael; nine grandnieces and grandnephews; and six great-grandnieces and great-grandnephews. Sister Stabile’s wake will be held on Thursday, Jan. 8, from 9:30 to 11 a.m. in Holy Family Chapel, before her 11 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial, which will be livestreamed. She will be buried in Holy Family Cemetery after the Mass. Please make memorial donations in memory of Sister Jean Stabile to the Sisters of Charity Legacy and Mission Advancement Office, P.O. Box 476, Convent Station, N.J., 07961.

Obituary: Sister of Charity Jean Marie Stabile, 100 #Catholic –

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, Jan. 8, at Holy Family Chapel in the Convent Station neighborhood of Morris Township, N.J., for Sister Jean Marie Stabile, formerly Sister Jean Francis, a Sister of Charity of St. Elizabeth, who died on Dec. 23, at Complete Care at St. Vincent’s in Cedar Grove, N.J. She was 100.

Sister Stabile was born in Somerville, N.J., the daughter of Frank and Helen (Brown) Stabile. She entered the Sisters of Charity in 1943 and was a member for 82 years.

Sister Stabile earned a bachelor’s degree in English from the College of St. Elizabeth, now St. Elizabeth University, in the Convent Station neighborhood of Morris Township, N.J.; a master’s degree in English from Villanova University in Villanova, Penn.; and a master’s degree in education, administration, and supervision from Fordham University in the Bronx, N.Y.

For more than 50 years, Sister Stabile served in the education ministry. She taught elementary school at the former St. Rose of Lima School in Newark, N.J., and the former St. Anastasia School in Teaneck, N.J.


Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

Then, Sister Stabile taught English at the former St. Peter’s High School in New Brunswick, N.J., her alma mater; the former St. Mary’s High School in Jersey City, N.J.; Ss. Peter and Paul High School on St. Thomas, Virgin Islands; the former St. Cecilia High School in Englewood, N.J.; and the former Immaculate Conception High School in Montclair, N.J., where she also served as assistant principal.

In 1979, Sister Stabile returned to St. Peter’s High School in New Brunswick as principal. During her tenure, St. Peter’s met or exceeded the “ideal curriculum” mandated by the U.S. Office of Education. Sister Jean remained active in the classroom, teaching a class daily. Afterwards, she was a teacher and dean of students at the Academy of St. Elizabeth, also in the Convent Station neighborhood of Morris Township.

Sister Stabile served the congregation as assistant provincial of the Western Province and as a volunteer driver for the local community at the Convent of St. Elizabeth. She was a lector at Masses in the motherhouse chapel and welcomed guests staying overnight at the motherhouse.

Also, Sister Stabile volunteered in the Sisters of Charity Development Office until medical issues caused her to move to Complete Care at St. Vincent’s in Cedar Grove, where she resided until her death.

She was an avid sports fan, supporting the student athletes in the schools where she served and cheering for the N.Y. Giants and N.Y. Yankees.

Sister Stabile was predeceased by her parents and her five brothers, Francis, Jack, Richard, Michael, and Joseph. She is survived by her sister-in-law, Geraldine (Penny); three nieces and one nephew, all children of her brother, Michael; nine grandnieces and grandnephews; and six great-grandnieces and great-grandnephews.

Sister Stabile’s wake will be held on Thursday, Jan. 8, from 9:30 to 11 a.m. in Holy Family Chapel, before her 11 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial, which will be livestreamed. She will be buried in Holy Family Cemetery after the Mass.

Please make memorial donations in memory of Sister Jean Stabile to the Sisters of Charity Legacy and Mission Advancement Office, P.O. Box 476, Convent Station, N.J., 07961.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, Jan. 8, at Holy Family Chapel in the Convent Station neighborhood of Morris Township, N.J., for Sister Jean Marie Stabile, formerly Sister Jean Francis, a Sister of Charity of St. Elizabeth, who died on Dec. 23, at Complete Care at St. Vincent’s in Cedar Grove, N.J. She was 100. Sister Stabile was born in Somerville, N.J., the daughter of Frank and Helen (Brown) Stabile. She entered the Sisters of Charity in 1943 and was a member for 82 years. Sister Stabile earned a bachelor’s degree in English from the College

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NASA’s Discovery Program, begun in the 1990s and continuing today with missions like Lucy and Psyche, is focused on frequent, cost-effective investigations of our solar system. Its first mission launched in 1996 to near-Earth asteroid Shoemaker; the second mission was the Mars Pathfinder mission, also launched in 1996. On Jan. 6, 1998, the third missionContinue reading “Jan. 6, 1998: Lunar Prospector launches”

The post Jan. 6, 1998: Lunar Prospector launches appeared first on Astronomy Magazine.

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Author of two nonfiction books about Kennedy, L. D. C. Fitzgerald’s ‘Saving Jackie K’ is a science fiction odyssey with a time traveler twist on the biggest conspiracy theory of modern times. In this riveting tale, fact and fiction collide to solve the greatest mystery of the 20th Century. Saving Jackie K is a thrilling, intellectual journey and is the most provocative science fiction thriller that you will ever read.

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