MINNEAPOLIS, MN — The United States State Department issued an evacuation order for the U.S. embassy located in downtown Minneapolis on Friday, citing concerns over the safety of American citizens in the area.
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NEW YORK, NY — After months of mounting concern over her apparent change in viewpoints on geopolitical matters, popular commentator and podcaster Megyn Kelly reportedly went back to normal after eating a Snickers.
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Skiing in the Dolomites. The Lagazuoi, Torri del Falzarego, Col dei Bos, Tofana de Rozes and Cinque Torri
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A group of high school seniors and their teacher chaperones spoke with EWTN News about being stuck in the Middle East during the beginning of hostilities there last week.
![University of Dallas panel explores American exceptionalism through a Catholic lens #Catholic In a standing-room-only event, college students lined the walls of a large room at the University of Dallas to hear three Catholic academics and an apologist reflect on what makes America exceptional in a celebration marking the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States.Liam Ritter, a junior and the founder of the university’s Young Americans for Freedom chapter, which hosted the discussion, told EWTN News that the March 4 panel of speakers served as the capstone of three days of celebrations at the university.The panel was comprised of University President Jonathan Sanford; Trent Horn, staff apologist with Catholic Answers; Burt Folsom, distinguished fellow at Hillsdale College and economic historian; and Susan Hanssen, associate professor of history at the University of Dallas.‘We have a population of people who know what is at stake’In response to Ritter’s question, “Why [is it] that our political regime has been so stable for so long,” Hanssen recalled America’s first immigrants. “I think the first thing that makes America exceptional, and its political regime exceptional, is the fact that America was first populated by people who fled the rise of the modern nation state and totalitarianism … and so we have a population of people who know what is at stake in political liberty," she said.“Theyʼve seen what happened to their ancestors,” she continued. “They remember the stories. And America has been blessed in its political constitution with the regime of liberty, which has made possible the flourishing of subsidiary communities and societies.”Hanssen said we should not take for granted today that we still “have a free people." “We need to listen to our latest immigrants … those who have fled Venezuela, those who have fled Iran, like my uncle, a Persian Jew, who refuses to call himself Iranian because he associates modern Iran with the regime of the Ayatollah.”‘Get married, have children, raise them well’Sanford said that though we are a nation of immigrants, “there won’t be enough to pull in to make up for” the continuing demographic decline.“Get married, have children, raise them well,” he said to chuckles from a receptive audience, which was mostly composed of college students.He encouraged the students not to focus on “one big step,” but rather, to take smaller steps: “Get up early. Pray. Exercise. Go through the day in an ordered fashion, give Caesar what is Caesarʼs, and God what is God’s.”“Do the little things thousands and thousands of times,” he said.“In order to exercise liberty properly,” he continued, one has to ask, "How should I live my life?” and then rely on the institutions that “help you do that.”He called the family the “foundational institution” of America. “Recover the family,” he said.In addition, “we need to see those institutions that mediate the virtues — schools, universities — that embrace fully the idea of what [the virtues] are.”Horn also encouraged students to focus on family relationships, telling them “get off the phones and the internet. They’re killing all of us. They’re rewiring our brains.”
Trent Horn (left), an apologist at Catholic Answers, and University of Dallas President Jonathan Sanford participate in a panel on American exceptionalism at the University of Dallas on March 4, 2026. | Credit: Courtesy of University of Dallas Young Americans for Freedom Chapter
Of people currently in their 20s in America, "one in three will never have children,” he lamented, implying too much technology use is partly to blame.The Catholic Answers apologist pointed out, however, that though the Second Industrial Revolution “broke the family” by encouraging workers to move away from their homes and families to pursue careers, the internet “post-Covid,” in the age of “Zoom and telecommuting … might be good” because many people no longer have to choose between a job and staying near their extended families.“Maybe tech can help build up family networks,” he said.‘The greatest outpouring of economic development’ in historyRitter told EWTN news that he chose speakers who could address “the wonderful things the U.S. has contributed” to the world because “a lot of young people don’t have appropriate gratitude for the country.”Ritter asked Folsom, a historian who focuses on economics and industrial affairs, about what the professor believes the U.S. has contributed to world economics and world innovations.Folsom said that the generation after the Civil War, from 1865 to 1905, was responsible for “the greatest outpouring of economic development … in world history” and “gave us the rise of an America that became a world power” by World War I.He listed inventions that facilitated the rapid development of industry and infrastructure in the country during the Second Industrial Revolution, including the typewriter, the telephone, adding machines, the light bulb, electricity, factory-produced cars, and recording devices for music and movies, among other innovations.Through the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution, “the founders gave us the freedom” to develop these technologies, he said. “We had amazing infrastructure that allowed people to produce, and not have government get in their way.”The professor said the post-Civil War period could be eclipsed in the present day “because with artificial intelligence, this generation may yet be able to come up with more.”‘A responsibility for this political regime of freedom’At the conclusion of the panel discussion, Hanssen called the feeling in the room “electric, it’s teeming with patriotism. This isn’t a normal college campus.”Referring to Sanford’s earlier admonition to ”get married and have kids,” she said: “I agree, be fruitful and multiply … Preach the Gospel, and baptize in the name of Jesus, but also, go into politics!” she exclaimed.She encouraged the students to develop “the ability to love something so much that you would die for it: God, family, country.”“Recognize what is at stake. We have a responsibility for this political regime of freedom, to the immigrants who come here … to our children… to preserve the rule of law.”She concluded to loud applause: “So family; yes! Faith; yes, but to the barricades, ladies and gentlemen!"](https://unitedyam.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/university-of-dallas-panel-explores-american-exceptionalism-through-a-catholic-lens-catholic-in-a-standing-room-only-event-college-students-lined-the-walls-of-a-large-room-at-the-university-of-dalla.jpg)
The speakers encouraged the college students to get married, have children, stay off the internet (unless it enables them to telework and stay near their extended families), and be political.
In August of 2024, the Gateway Pundit reported that a Pakistani national named Asif Merchant had been arrested in what was described as a murder-for-hire plot to assassinate President Trump and other U.S.
The post Pakistani National Charged With Murder-for-Hire Plot Against Trump Found GUILTY ON ALL COUNTS appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.
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Former Presidents Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, and Joe Biden attended Jesse Jackson’s memorial service in Chicago, Illinois.
The post Kamala Harris Busts Out Fake Accent, Delivers Politically Divisive Message at Jesse Jackson’s Funeral (VIDEO) appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.
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A new bill in Florida that has already cleared the Florida House would allow professors and other staffers at public universities to carry concealed weapons in case of an emergency.
The post New Bill in Florida Would Allow Professors at Public Universities to Carry Concealed Weapons on Campus for Emergencies appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.
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Weekends on the International Space Station are for housecleaning and haircuts. NASA astronaut Jessica Meir trims the hair of fellow NASA astronaut Jack Hathaway, both Expedition 74 flight engineers, using an electric razor attached to a vacuum that collects loose clippings to keep the station’s atmosphere clean in microgravity.
Read MoreO, my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended you. I detest all my sins because of your just punishment, but most of all because they offend you, my God, who are all-good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of Your grace, to sin no more and to avoid the near occasion of sin.
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Sister Mary Agnes Donavan says to recognize our God-given gifts, “other people notice it first, and they’ll tell you.”
A reading from the Book of Micah
7:14-15, 18-20
Shepherd your people with your staff,
the flock of your inheritance,
That dwells apart in a woodland,
in the midst of Carmel.
Let them feed in Bashan and Gilead,
as in the days of old;
As in the days when you came from the land of Egypt,
show us wonderful signs.
Who is there like you, the God who removes guilt
and pardons sin for the remnant of his inheritance;
Who does not persist in anger forever,
but delights rather in clemency,
And will again have compassion on us,
treading underfoot our guilt?
You will cast into the depths of the sea all our sins;
You will show faithfulness to Jacob,
and grace to Abraham,
As you have sworn to our fathers
from days of old.
From the Gospel according to Luke
15:1-3, 11-32
Tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to listen to Jesus,
but the Pharisees and scribes began to complain, saying,
"This man welcomes sinners and eats with them."
So to them Jesus addressed this parable.
"A man had two sons, and the younger son said to his father,
‘Father, give me the share of your estate that should come to me.’
So the father divided the property between them.
After a few days, the younger son collected all his belongings
and set off to a distant country
where he squandered his inheritance on a life of dissipation.
When he had freely spent everything,
a severe famine struck that country,
and he found himself in dire need.
So he hired himself out to one of the local citizens
who sent him to his farm to tend the swine.
And he longed to eat his fill of the pods on which the swine fed,
but nobody gave him any.
Coming to his senses he thought,
‘How many of my father’s hired workers
have more than enough food to eat,
but here am I, dying from hunger.
I shall get up and go to my father and I shall say to him,
"Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.
I no longer deserve to be called your son;
treat me as you would treat one of your hired workers."’
So he got up and went back to his father.
While he was still a long way off,
his father caught sight of him, and was filled with compassion.
He ran to his son, embraced him and kissed him.
His son said to him,
‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you;
I no longer deserve to be called your son.’
But his father ordered his servants,
‘Quickly, bring the finest robe and put it on him;
put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.
Take the fattened calf and slaughter it.
Then let us celebrate with a feast,
because this son of mine was dead, and has come to life again;
he was lost, and has been found.’
Then the celebration began.
Now the older son had been out in the field
and, on his way back, as he neared the house,
he heard the sound of music and dancing.
He called one of the servants and asked what this might mean.
The servant said to him,
‘Your brother has returned
and your father has slaughtered the fattened calf
because he has him back safe and sound.’
He became angry,
and when he refused to enter the house,
his father came out and pleaded with him.
He said to his father in reply,
‘Look, all these years I served you
and not once did I disobey your orders;
yet you never gave me even a young goat to feast on with my friends.
But when your son returns
who swallowed up your property with prostitutes,
for him you slaughter the fattened calf.’
He said to him,
‘My son, you are here with me always;
everything I have is yours.
But now we must celebrate and rejoice,
because your brother was dead and has come to life again;
he was lost and has been found.’"
First of all, to make merry , that is, to demonstrate our closeness to those who repent or who are on the way, to those who are in crisis or who are far away. Why should we do this? Because this helps to overcome the fear and discouragement that can come from remembering one’s sins. Those who have made mistakes often feel reproached in their own hearts. Distance, indifference and harsh words do not help. Therefore, according to the Father, we have to offer them a warm welcome that encourages them to go ahead. (…) How much good an open heart, true listening and a transparent smile can do; to celebrate, not to make them feel uncomfortable! The Father could have said: “Okay, son, come back home, come back to work, go to your room, establish yourself and your work! And this would have been a good way to forgive. But no! God does not know how to forgive without celebrating! And the Father celebrates because of the joy he has because his son has returned.
And then, like the Father, we have to rejoice . When someone whose heart is synchronized with God’s sees the repentance of a person, they rejoice, no matter how serious their mistakes may have been. They do not stay focused on errors, they do not point fingers at what they have done wrong, but rejoice over the good because another person’s good is mine as well! And we, do we know how to look at others like this? (Pope Francis, Angelus, 27 March 2022)
Read More![U.S. bishops to advocate ‘just immigration policies’ with Homeland Security successor – #Catholic – The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) will advocate for “just immigration policies” with the successor to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.President Donald Trump said Noem would become special envoy for a security initiative called “The Shield of the Americas” the day after a tense hearing with the Senate Judiciary Committee on March 4. Trump said he will nominate Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Oklahoma, to replace her. The position requires Senate confirmation, a process requiring a simple majority (51 votes) for approval.Following the announcement, USCCB Committee on Migration Chair Bishop Brendan J. Cahill said in a statement to EWTN News that the bishops will advocate for just immigration policies with Noem’s successor, focused on the dignity of the human person.“Without commenting on the qualifications of any specific individual, my brother bishops and I remain committed to dialoguing with all leaders in every administration, as well as Congress, in support of just immigration policies that recognize the God-given dignity of all involved,” Cahill said.“We will continue to urge an approach to immigration enforcement that is targeted, proportionate, and humane, always respecting each person’s inherent dignity, the sanctity of families, and religious liberty,” he added.“At the same time, we will continue to call on Congress to undertake a meaningful reform of our immigration system to rectify the ways our current laws lead to unjust consequences for families and communities,” Cahill said.During her tenure, Noem has overseen the president’s mass deportation initiative, which faced criticism from the bishops. DHS oversees Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP).In November, the USCCB approved a special message with a 216-5 vote to oppose “the indiscriminate mass deportation of people.” The bishops also objected to “dehumanizing rhetoric and violence” directed at immigrants and law enforcement and expressed concern about family separation.Impact of leadership shake-upIt’s unclear whether the shake-up will lead to any significant policy changes, considering that Mullin has strongly supported the administration’s strict enforcement of immigration laws, such as mass deportations, policy scholars said.The Catholic Legal Immigration Network (CLINIC), which works closely with the bishops, is following the shift, with a spokesperson telling EWTN News that the organization hopes the incoming secretary “will recognize the inherent dignity of immigrants and refugees and uphold policies that protect those seeking safety and opportunity.”“Mullin has a past record of recognizing the importance of providing refuge to Afghans who assisted the United States, and we hope that same understanding of our nation’s moral responsibility will be applied more broadly to people around the world seeking safety and security,” the spokesperson said.Kevin Appleby, senior fellow for policy and communications for the Center for Migration Studies and former director of migration policy for the USCCB, told EWTN News he sees the change as “an opportunity to get the administration and the [DHS] to change course.”However, he said the mass deportation policy “will remain in place until President Trump and his advisers decide that it’s the wrong approach [and] that an immigration reform package is in the best interest of the country, and I don’t see that happening in the near future.”“Until the president takes a different approach, just because you change someone at the top, you won’t change the fundamental policy and what’s happening,” he said.Appleby said he does not think the leadership change will alleviate the bishops’ concerns because the Church is “opposed to the basic policy” of mass deportations.Andrew Arthur, resident fellow in law and policy at the Center for Immigration Studies, told EWTN News that he also doubts the bishops’ concerns will be alleviated, saying: “I don’t believe that his appointment is going to change the president’s immigration policies.”He said there may be some differences between Noem and Mullin, such as “a continuation of the Tom Homan vision of enforcement — more targeted enforcement,” referring to the border czar. He said there may be a stronger focus on those who have committed additional crimes and more worksite enforcement.](https://unitedyam.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/u-s-bishops-to-advocate-just-immigration-policies-with-homeland-security-successor-catholic-the-u-s-conference-of-catholic-bishops-usccb-will-advocate-for-just-immi.jpg "U.S. bishops to advocate ‘just immigration policies’ with Homeland Security successor – #Catholic – The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) will advocate for “just immigration policies” with the successor to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.President Donald Trump said Noem would become special envoy for a security initiative called “The Shield of the Americas” the day after a tense hearing with the Senate Judiciary Committee on March 4. Trump said he will nominate Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Oklahoma, to replace her. The position requires Senate confirmation, a process requiring a simple majority (51 votes) for approval.Following the announcement, USCCB Committee on Migration Chair Bishop Brendan J. Cahill said in a statement to EWTN News that the bishops will advocate for just immigration policies with Noem’s successor, focused on the dignity of the human person.“Without commenting on the qualifications of any specific individual, my brother bishops and I remain committed to dialoguing with all leaders in every administration, as well as Congress, in support of just immigration policies that recognize the God-given dignity of all involved,” Cahill said.“We will continue to urge an approach to immigration enforcement that is targeted, proportionate, and humane, always respecting each person’s inherent dignity, the sanctity of families, and religious liberty,” he added.“At the same time, we will continue to call on Congress to undertake a meaningful reform of our immigration system to rectify the ways our current laws lead to unjust consequences for families and communities,” Cahill said.During her tenure, Noem has overseen the president’s mass deportation initiative, which faced criticism from the bishops. DHS oversees Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP).In November, the USCCB approved a special message with a 216-5 vote to oppose “the indiscriminate mass deportation of people.” The bishops also objected to “dehumanizing rhetoric and violence” directed at immigrants and law enforcement and expressed concern about family separation.Impact of leadership shake-upIt’s unclear whether the shake-up will lead to any significant policy changes, considering that Mullin has strongly supported the administration’s strict enforcement of immigration laws, such as mass deportations, policy scholars said.The Catholic Legal Immigration Network (CLINIC), which works closely with the bishops, is following the shift, with a spokesperson telling EWTN News that the organization hopes the incoming secretary “will recognize the inherent dignity of immigrants and refugees and uphold policies that protect those seeking safety and opportunity.”“Mullin has a past record of recognizing the importance of providing refuge to Afghans who assisted the United States, and we hope that same understanding of our nation’s moral responsibility will be applied more broadly to people around the world seeking safety and security,” the spokesperson said.Kevin Appleby, senior fellow for policy and communications for the Center for Migration Studies and former director of migration policy for the USCCB, told EWTN News he sees the change as “an opportunity to get the administration and the [DHS] to change course.”However, he said the mass deportation policy “will remain in place until President Trump and his advisers decide that it’s the wrong approach [and] that an immigration reform package is in the best interest of the country, and I don’t see that happening in the near future.”“Until the president takes a different approach, just because you change someone at the top, you won’t change the fundamental policy and what’s happening,” he said.Appleby said he does not think the leadership change will alleviate the bishops’ concerns because the Church is “opposed to the basic policy” of mass deportations.Andrew Arthur, resident fellow in law and policy at the Center for Immigration Studies, told EWTN News that he also doubts the bishops’ concerns will be alleviated, saying: “I don’t believe that his appointment is going to change the president’s immigration policies.”He said there may be some differences between Noem and Mullin, such as “a continuation of the Tom Homan vision of enforcement — more targeted enforcement,” referring to the border czar. He said there may be a stronger focus on those who have committed additional crimes and more worksite enforcement.")
U.S. bishops said they hope to work with Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s replacement. Policy scholars said they expect that many of the administration’s priorities will remain in place.
Remarkable feat: 2 Sparta Catholic schools notch national recognition #Catholic – 
The Catholic Academy of Sussex County in Sparta, N.J., proudly announces that both Rev. George A. Brown Memorial School, which provides elementary education, and Pope John XXIII Middle School have been named Top Catholic Schools 2026 by Education Insider Magazine. They were among 17 U.S. Catholic schools recognized. The honor highlights the schools’ academic excellence, faith-centered communities, and holistic development.
A definitive source in education, Education Insider covers the full learning continuum, from kindergarten to 12th grade and higher education. Its list recognizes “institutions excelling in academics while fostering spiritual growth and leadership.” Stakeholders nominated schools, which industry experts vetted.
The two Catholic Academy schools joined another New Jersey school, Bergen Catholic High School in Oradell, in the Newark Archdiocese as a Top Catholic School 2026.
Rev. Brown School and Pope John XXIII Middle School are two distinct schools within the Catholic Academy of Sussex County, which also includes Pope John XXIII Regional High School. The academy offers a seamless Pre-K to 12th-grade experience in a faith-filled, academic environment, aiming to create future leaders and encouraging students to honor the Father in all they do.
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Pleased with these dual accolades, Daniel O’Keefe, Catholic Academy’s president, said, “We are honored to be recognized for what is truly a collaborative award that is a result of the continuous hard work and dedication of so many people. This recognition motivates us to continue our vocation in forming young minds and leading them as faithful disciples of Christ.”
Rev. Brown serves pre-K to fourth-grade students, a period that Principal Patricia Klebez identifies as vital for academic and personal development. Education Insider noted, “The school is committed to nurturing the whole child academically, spiritually, socially, emotionally, and physically.”
At Rev. Brown, that calling is visible in every classroom, prayer, and relationship. It is a place where faith and future work together to give children the strongest possible start in life. It is not simply preparing students for the next grade or the next school, but equipping them with the skills, discipline, and faith needed to live with purpose, compassion, and hope for a lifetime, Klebez said.
“It is a tremendous privilege to be named among Education Insider’s Top Catholic Schools for 2026,” Klebez said. “We are always working to be like Jesus. To live like him, to act like him, and to understand that though we are imperfect, every day we can try to be better than the day before.”
To read the full article about Rev. Brown from Education Insider, visit https://www.educationinsidermagazine.com/reverend-george-a-brown-memorial-school-2026
In a world that often separates faith from academics, Pope John XXIII Middle School stands out by seamlessly integrating both, unlike many schools. Students are encouraged to reflect deeply on their studies, recognizing that education is not merely about acquiring facts but about shaping their futures as thoughtful, responsible individuals. In their selection, Education Insider notes about Pope John, “The integration of faith into the curriculum helps students understand the world in a broader context, making lessons resonate more deeply.”
As Pope John moves forward, its commitment to excellence, faith, and character remains constant. With a strong foundation rooted in Catholic values, an academically rigorous curriculum, and a deep sense of community, the school continues to prepare students for success in both their education and life beyond the classroom, said Susan Santore, principal.
“It is an honor to be named among Education Insider’s Top Catholic Schools for 2026,” said Susan Santore, Pope John’s principal. “We are a Catholic school, and with that comes a responsibility not just to educate, but to form students in the image of God. Our goal is to create a space where students grow not only in knowledge but also in compassion, integrity, and faith. That is what makes it unique and one of the top Catholic Schools.”
Read the full article about Pope John from Education Insider magazine.
Susan Santore, principal of Pope John XXIII Middle School, observes the work pf two students on computers. Education Insider Magazine named Pope John and the Rev. George A. Brown Memorial School, both part of the Catholic Academy of Sussex County in Sparta, N.J., as a Top Catholic Schools 2026.
– The Catholic Academy of Sussex County in Sparta, N.J., proudly announces that both Rev. George A. Brown Memorial School, which provides elementary education, and Pope John XXIII Middle School have been named Top Catholic Schools 2026 by Education Insider Magazine. They were among 17 U.S. Catholic schools recognized. The honor highlights the schools’ academic excellence, faith-centered communities, and holistic development. A definitive source in education, Education Insider covers the full learning continuum, from kindergarten to 12th grade and higher education. Its list recognizes “institutions excelling in academics while fostering spiritual growth and leadership.” Stakeholders nominated schools, which industry experts vetted.
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![‘My trust was in God’: Priest recounts flight from Holy Land amid Iranian conflict #Catholic A Jesuit priest says he has a “much larger perspective” of the crisis of war after fleeing the Holy Land at the outset of U.S. and Israeli aggressions against Iran.Father Anthony Wieck, SJ, told EWTN News he was leading a pilgrimage of about 20 Catholics in the Holy Land when the war began on Feb. 28.“We had just spent a week in Galilee and prayed our way through the holy sites of Jesus’ teaching and miracles,” Wieck said, describing the region as “a lovely land [God] created for himself to enjoy on this earth.”The group arrived in Jerusalem on Feb. 26, he said, and the next day word began to spread of the need to evacuate from the region. Several pilgrims were able to leave immediately, Wieck said, while others who attempted to leave the next day were unable to get a flight out and eventually had to return to the pilgrim group.Ben Gurion International Airport “is not a safe place to be because there are military installations near the airport,” he said. “Iranian missiles were being sent that way, and our people ... were taken into the bomb shelter five stories down below the airport.”Wieck said that even as the conflict broke out, his group still toured holy sites, including the Church of the Pater Noster, where tradition holds that Christ taught the disciples to pray the Our Father. “We were instructed by our guide to continue the tour and to simply seek cover whenever the sirens went off,” he said, pointing out that “those living in Jerusalem are so used to warning sirens there that they have much less fear than we do. They’re observant but not fearful. And we were trusting them.”The priest was offering a chanted Mass at the Dominus Flevit Church while explosions sounded in the distance as Israel’s Iron Dome intercepted Iranian missiles.“It was scary, yes,” Wieck said. “But I continued the Mass with trust, and after Communion (before the final prayer) asked all pilgrims to pray for a couple minutes regarding where the Lord was in all of this situation.”
Father Anthony Wieck, SJ, says Mass at the Dominus Flevit Church in Jerusalem on Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026. | Credit: Father Anthony Wieck, SJ
After Mass, a group of pilgrims from Kansas joined them in the church amid sirens and explosions in the surrounding region. “It struck me as supremely important that we not make decisions based on fear but on faith,” he said.The priest’s group took a truncated walking tour of Jerusalem, he said, which “became eerily quiet that evening.”The tour company ordered them to evacuate the following morning. Departing for Jordan, the group found itself stuck amid a crush of evacuations in the area. “A typical two-hour trip to Amman, Jordan, took us seven hours,” Wieck said. And while the group initially “felt much safer being outside of Jerusalem,” they eventually felt “locked in” at their hotel, particularly amid mass flight cancellations.
Missile contrails are seen over the Holy Land region on Sunday, March 1, 2026. | Credit: Father Anthony Wieck, SJ
Jordanians in the area kept assuring the Americans that the country’s King Abdullah II would protect them. “Not feeling the same allegiance to their king, my trust was in God,” the priest said.The U.S. Department of State provided military evacuations to Americans in the area. “Little by little, our pilgrims found an occasional flight that [shuttled] them out of the war zone,” Wieck said. The priest and one other pilgrim, a religious from Phoenix, were the last from their group to remain in Jordan before they took a flight with Royal Jordanian Airlines on March 4. Wieck said the pilot took “great efforts to circumvent Israeli airspace.” The air carrier “was bold enough to keep to their travel plans despite the threats,” Wieck said, describing the airline as “my new favorite.” ‘Truly a Catholic experience’Wieck told EWTN News that he “would not say that I was stellar in my response to what God was doing here.” “I wanted to pray much but felt so much stress and trauma around me that it was truly difficult,” he said. “I was exhausted.”Yet during the frightening evacuation, he said, “hundreds of people” back home were lifting up the pilgrims with prayers and sacrifices. “They knew our plight was becoming a bit more grave,” he said.Back home in the U.S., Wieck, who lives in Louisiana, said he was still reflecting on what happened but said the harrowing ordeal gave him “a much larger perspective to have experienced profoundly how much we need the help of our brothers and sisters in times of crisis.”“It was truly a Catholic experience,” he said.“Though as humans we usually don’t carry our crosses in times of crisis all that well, our brothers and sisters in the faith can see us through. That was my experience,” he said.“How wonderful it is to be Catholic!” he added.](https://unitedyam.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/my-trust-was-in-god-priest-recounts-flight-from-holy-land-amid-iranian-conflict-catholic-a-jesuit-priest-says-he-has-a-much-larger-perspective-of-the-crisis-of-wa.jpg)
Father Anthony Wieck, SJ, was leading a group of pilgrims in Jerusalem when the U.S. and Israel began launching strikes against Iran.
Following his primary loss to Steve Toth, Texas Congressman Dan Crenshaw is now looking for a new career path.
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WASHINGTON, D.C. — With a hard-set face betrayed by tears, President Donald Trump was seen taking Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem out back behind the White House woodshed.
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Early spring at Borgvik, Grums Municipality, Värmland, Sweden. The rapids of Borgviksälven running through the old iron works in Borgvik.
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A team of scientists has confirmed that the nearby star GJ 887 hosts at least four planets, one of which could be a habitable world — the second closest to our own solar system. M dwarfs are the most prevalent stars in our galaxy and are some of the best targets for hunting exoplanets. TheirContinue reading “Astronomers confirm potentially habitable exoplanet in the solar neighborhood”
The post Astronomers confirm potentially habitable exoplanet in the solar neighborhood appeared first on Astronomy Magazine.
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The 94-year-old Chinese prelate weighed in on the ongoing discussions between the Holy See and the Society of St. Pius X in a post on X.
Passaic Neighborhood Center for Women aids with career development #Catholic – 
Dailyn Franco, a member of the Passaic Neighborhood Center for Women (PNCW), has recently made plans to pursue certificate training in a certified nursing assistant certification program at Hackensack University Medical Center. Franco, who takes English language classes at the center — one of many classes offered at the facility — is pictured sharing the news with Sister Margaret Gaffikin, of the Daughters of St. Paul, one of the Conversational English volunteers and a core member of the volunteer team at PNCW.
For more information about programs, services, workshops and upcoming events at PNCW, please go to www.ncwpassaic.org.
Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.
– Dailyn Franco, a member of the Passaic Neighborhood Center for Women (PNCW), has recently made plans to pursue certificate training in a certified nursing assistant certification program at Hackensack University Medical Center. Franco, who takes English language classes at the center — one of many classes offered at the facility — is pictured sharing the news with Sister Margaret Gaffikin, of the Daughters of St. Paul, one of the Conversational English volunteers and a core member of the volunteer team at PNCW. For more information about programs, services, workshops and upcoming events at PNCW, please go to www.ncwpassaic.org. Click here
Sky This Week is brought to you in part by Celestron. Friday, March 6With no Moon in the early-evening sky, let’s chase down a classic deep-sky object tonight: M1, the first entry in Charles Messier’s list of “not comets” and also known as the Crab Nebula. This smudge of gas and dust left over fromContinue reading “The Sky This Week from March 6 to 13: The Moon and Antares”
The post The Sky This Week from March 6 to 13: The Moon and Antares appeared first on Astronomy Magazine.
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A federal judge on Wednesday ordered the Trump Administration to refund $130 billion in tariffs.
The post JUST IN: Clinton Judge Orders Trump Admin to Refund $130 Billion in Tariffs appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.
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Bill O’Reilly appeared on NewsNation with Chris Cuomo last night and blasted the liberal media coverage of the Iran strikes, claiming that the media is ‘rooting for Iran, not the people of Iran, but the regime.
The post Bill O’Reilly Slams Liberal Media Coverage of Iran Strikes: ‘The Press is Rooting for Iran’ (VIDEO) appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.
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Trump is moving forward with plans to construct a new ballroom for the White House.
The post CNN Doesn’t Understand Why Angry Comments From Leftists Haven’t Stopped Trump’s Construction of White House Ballroom appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.
Read MoreO Heavenly Father,
I commend my children unto Thee.
Be Thou their God and Father;
and mercifully supply whatever is wanting in me
through frailty or negligence.
Strengthen them to overcome the corruptions of the world,
to resist all solicitations to evil,
whether from within or without;
and deliver them from the secret snares of the enemy.
Pour Thy grace into their hearts,
and confirm and multiply in them the gifts of Thy Holy Spirit,
that they may daily grow in …
A total lunar eclipse rises over New Orleans, home of NASA’s Michoud Assembly Facility, in the early morning hours of Tuesday, March 3. A lunar eclipse occurs when Earth passes directly between the Sun and Moon, casting a huge shadow across the Moon’s surface. The Moon appears dark red or orange as the Sun’s light filters through Earth’s atmosphere.
Read MoreA reading from the Book of Genesis
37:3-4, 12-13a, 17b-28a
Israel loved Joseph best of all his sons,
for he was the child of his old age;
and he had made him a long tunic.
When his brothers saw that their father loved him best of all his sons,
they hated him so much that they would not even greet him.
One day, when his brothers had gone
to pasture their father’s flocks at Shechem,
Israel said to Joseph,
"Your brothers, you know, are tending our flocks at Shechem.
Get ready; I will send you to them."
So Joseph went after his brothers and caught up with them in Dothan.
They noticed him from a distance,
and before he came up to them, they plotted to kill him.
They said to one another: "Here comes that master dreamer!
Come on, let us kill him and throw him into one of the cisterns here;
we could say that a wild beast devoured him.
We shall then see what comes of his dreams."
When Reuben heard this,
he tried to save him from their hands, saying,
"We must not take his life.
Instead of shedding blood," he continued,
"just throw him into that cistern there in the desert;
but do not kill him outright."
His purpose was to rescue him from their hands
and return him to his father.
So when Joseph came up to them,
they stripped him of the long tunic he had on;
then they took him and threw him into the cistern,
which was empty and dry.
They then sat down to their meal.
Looking up, they saw a caravan of Ishmaelites coming from Gilead,
their camels laden with gum, balm and resin
to be taken down to Egypt.
Judah said to his brothers:
"What is to be gained by killing our brother and concealing his blood?
Rather, let us sell him to these Ishmaelites,
instead of doing away with him ourselves.
After all, he is our brother, our own flesh."
His brothers agreed.
They sold Joseph to the Ishmaelites for twenty pieces of silver.
From the Gospel according to Matthew
21:33-43, 45-46
Jesus said to the chief priests and the elders of the people:
"Hear another parable.
There was a landowner who planted a vineyard,
put a hedge around it,
dug a wine press in it, and built a tower.
Then he leased it to tenants and went on a journey.
When vintage time drew near,
he sent his servants to the tenants to obtain his produce.
But the tenants seized the servants and one they beat,
another they killed, and a third they stoned.
Again he sent other servants, more numerous than the first ones,
but they treated them in the same way.
Finally, he sent his son to them,
thinking, ‘They will respect my son.’
But when the tenants saw the son, they said to one another,
‘This is the heir.
Come, let us kill him and acquire his inheritance.’
They seized him, threw him out of the vineyard, and killed him.
What will the owner of the vineyard do to those tenants when he comes?"
They answered him,
"He will put those wretched men to a wretched death
and lease his vineyard to other tenants
who will give him the produce at the proper times."
Jesus said to them, "Did you never read in the Scriptures:
The stone that the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone;
by the Lord has this been done,
and it is wonderful in our eyes?
Therefore, I say to you,
the Kingdom of God will be taken away from you
and given to a people that will produce its fruit."
When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard his parables,
they knew that he was speaking about them.
And although they were attempting to arrest him,
they feared the crowds, for they regarded him as a prophet.
With this very harsh parable, Jesus confronts his interlocutors with their responsibility, and he does so with extreme clarity. But let us not think that this admonition applies only to those who rejected Jesus at that time. It applies to all times, including our own. Even today God awaits the fruits of his vineyard from those he has sent to work in it. All of us.
In any age, those who have authority, any authority, also in the Church, in the People of God, may be tempted to work in their own interests instead of those of God. And Jesus says that true authority is when one performs service; it is in serving, not exploiting others. The vineyard is the Lord’s, not ours. Authority is a service, and as such should be exercised for the good of all and for the dissemination of the Gospel. (Pope Francis, Angelus, 4 October 2020)
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At an Abu Dhabi Mass on March 4, Bishop Paolo Martinelli said Yemen martyrs are a “source of hope” amid today’s turmoil.
Born in 1916 and ordained in 1950, Father Bruno Kant of Germany turned 110 on Feb. 26 and has been a priest for 76 years.
The Holy See’s permanent observer to the UN provided statistics demonstrating the extent of the persecution of Christians worldwide.
Beloved Notre Dame coaching legend Lou Holtz remembered for ‘building men, not just players’ #Catholic – 
(OSV News) — Leading up to a college football clash between Notre Dame and heated rival Miami in the late 1980s, a team chaplain for the Hurricanes proclaimed that God doesn’t care who wins football games.
Lou Holtz, coach of the Fighting Irish at the time, agreed. “I don’t think God cares who wins, either,” he replied with a smile. “But his Mother does.”
This now-famous quip captured the essence of the legendary coach: an uncanny wit, an unwavering Catholic faith and an unshakable love for Notre Dame — Our Lady’s university. On March 4, Holtz died in Orlando, Florida, at the age of 89, surrounded by his family. Forever etched in Fighting Irish lore for leading Notre Dame to the 1988 National Championship, Holtz leaves behind not just a decorated football resume but a legacy of shaping young men and inspiring people to live virtuously.
“Notre Dame mourns the loss of Lou Holtz, a legendary football coach, a beloved member of the Notre Dame family, and devoted husband, father, and grandfather,” said Holy Cross Father Robert A. Dowd, Notre Dame’s president, in a public statement. “Among his many accomplishments, we will remember him above all as a teacher, leader, and mentor who brought out the very best in his players, on and off the field, earning their respect and admiration for a lifetime.”
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Louis Leo Holtz was born on Jan. 6, 1937, in Follansbee, West Virginia, and grew up in East Liverpool, Ohio. He played linebacker at Kent State University before beginning a coaching career that would span over four decades. With head coaching stops at William and Mary, North Carolina State, Arkansas, Minnesota, Notre Dame and South Carolina, Holtz became the ninth-winningest coach in college football history with a record of 249-132-7. He received national Coach of the Year honors on three occasions and remains the only coach to lead six separate programs to bowl games.
However, Holtz is best remembered for his 11 seasons in South Bend, where he revitalized the Notre Dame football program. From 1986 through 1996, the Fighting Irish won 100 games, reached a program-record nine consecutive bowl games, and were undefeated national champions in 1988 — Notre Dame’s last national title to date.
As coach of the Irish, Holtz was humble but confident, respectful but fearless, and wise but candid. He established several traditions at Notre Dame that remain in place today, from the iconic “Play Like a Champion” sign that players slap on their way to the field, to the removal of names from the football jerseys to emphasize the team dynamic. The mark Holtz left on the program, the university and especially the young men who played for him cannot be overstated.
“Lou and I shared a very special relationship,” Notre Dame Head Coach Marcus Freeman said in a statement. “He welcomed me to the Notre Dame family immediately, offering me great support throughout our time together. Our relationship meant a lot to me as I admired the values he used to build the foundation of his coaching career: love, trust, and commitment. Lou’s impact at Notre Dame has gone well beyond the football team. He and his wife, Beth, are respected across campus for their generous hearts and commitment to carrying out Notre Dame’s mission of being a force for good.”
Former Irish great Jerome Bettis shared on social media that Holz “believed in building men, not just players.”
“Coach was so much more than a football coach to me. He was family,” Bettis, a fullback for the Irish from 1990-1993, posted March 4. “I still remember the day he came to my house to recruit me. He didn’t just sit down and talk to me about football or what I could do on the field. He talked to me as a young man. And he spoke to my mom the way a man should speak to a mother who was trusting someone with her son. He looked her in the eye and promised that I would be taken care of at Notre Dame. That moment meant everything to us, and it’s something I’ve carried with me my entire life.”
After retiring from coaching, Holtz spent time as a studio analyst for ESPN, a best-selling author and a motivational speaker, where he continued inspiring people with the same energy and charisma.
He often told crowds, “I follow three rules: Do the right thing, do the best you can, and always show people you care.” Holtz preached that “life is 10 percent what happens to you and 90 percent how you respond to it.” He challenged people to live exceptional lives, famously stating, “I can’t believe that God put us on this earth to be ordinary.”
Central to everything Holtz did was his faith. A lifelong Catholic, Holtz served as an altar boy and credited the education he received from the Sisters of Notre Dame with instilling the desire to make God the focus of his life. Holtz was outspoken about his faith and believed following Church teachings “brings meaning and lasting happiness to life.”
He possessed a deep and profound love for Notre Dame — not just his team, but the university, the students, the fans and the faith alive on campus. “Every single day being there was very special,” Holtz told the National Catholic Register in a 2012 interview, “because there were so many opportunities to encounter and live out the Catholic faith.”
The late Bishop John M. D’Arcy of the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend once asked Holtz what it meant to be the head football coach at Notre Dame. His answer displayed a life not consumed by his career but anchored by his Catholic faith. “It means if you have an 8 o’clock meeting, you can find a 7 o’clock Mass,” Holtz responded. “When you want to go to confession, you just walk across the campus to the basilica. When you are leaving at 10 o’clock at night, the Lady on the dome is smiling down at you.”
Holtz reaffirmed his love for Our Lady after coaching his final game at Notre Dame Stadium. After his final home game, when asked by a Fort Wayne News-Sentinel columnist how he’ll be remembered, a tearful Holtz said, “I never disgraced the Lady on the dome.” Holtz was a living embodiment of the final line of the university’s alma mater song, “Notre Dame, Our Mother,” that marks the end of each sporting event: “And our hearts forever love thee, Notre Dame!”
Holtz is survived by his four children, Luanne, Lou “Skip” Jr., Kevin and Elizabeth. His family is finalizing funeral arrangements, including a Mass of Christian Burial at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart at Notre Dame. Holtz will be laid to rest at Notre Dame’s Cedar Grove Cemetery next to his wife, Beth.
Eric Peat writes from Fort Wayne, Indiana, for Today’s Catholic, the news outlet of the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend. This story was originally published by Today’s Catholic and distributed through a partnership with OSV News.
– (OSV News) — Leading up to a college football clash between Notre Dame and heated rival Miami in the late 1980s, a team chaplain for the Hurricanes proclaimed that God doesn’t care who wins football games. Lou Holtz, coach of the Fighting Irish at the time, agreed. “I don’t think God cares who wins, either,” he replied with a smile. “But his Mother does.” This now-famous quip captured the essence of the legendary coach: an uncanny wit, an unwavering Catholic faith and an unshakable love for Notre Dame — Our Lady’s university. On March 4, Holtz died in Orlando, Florida,
In a video released on X, the Holy Father posed a question to the faithful: “Would you imagine what a world without wars would be like? A world without the terror of approaching explosions?”
Little Falls Knights honor Free Throw Contest winners #Catholic – 
The Knights of Columbus Council 3835, Our Lady of the Highway, Little Falls, N.J., hosted a Free Throw Contest awards night on Feb. 24 at the Little Falls Recreation Center. The basketball-throwing contest was open to boys and girls ages 9 to 14. Six of the 10 winners attended the awards event. Pictured in the front row from left are Juliana Macaluso, 11; Vincenzo Castaldo, 11; Danica Lightner, 13; Jonathan Moreno, 10; Brayden Moreno, 13; and Jake Borges, 12. In the back row from left are Christopher Troyano, co-chairman; Ron Yutko, co-chairman; Anthony Montuori; and Mike Vaclavicek.
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– The Knights of Columbus Council 3835, Our Lady of the Highway, Little Falls, N.J., hosted a Free Throw Contest awards night on Feb. 24 at the Little Falls Recreation Center. The basketball-throwing contest was open to boys and girls ages 9 to 14. Six of the 10 winners attended the awards event. Pictured in the front row from left are Juliana Macaluso, 11; Vincenzo Castaldo, 11; Danica Lightner, 13; Jonathan Moreno, 10; Brayden Moreno, 13; and Jake Borges, 12. In the back row from left are Christopher Troyano, co-chairman; Ron Yutko, co-chairman; Anthony Montuori; and Mike Vaclavicek. Click here to
![Morristown vocations retreat inspires young men’s faith journey #Catholic - Twenty young men, aged 15 to 31, from various parishes around the Paterson Diocese in New Jersey participated in the Vocations Discernment Retreat with Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney at Loyola Jesuit Center in Morristown, N.J., from Feb. 27 to March 1.
Bishop Sweeney served as retreat master. He offered four talks to the young men who attended with seven diocesan seminarians.
During the retreat, Bishop Sweeney led the group to pray the outdoor Stations of the Cross. He also prayed the liturgy of the hours with them and celebrated Mass in the chapel. Mass concelebrants included Father Charles Lana, diocesan vocation director, and Father Jader Avila, a diocesan priest. Dan Ferrari led them all in song.
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Retreatants had the opportunity to spend time in adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and to receive the sacrament of penance, offered by Father Avila, Father Cesar Jaramillo, pastor of Holy Spirit Parish in Pequannock, N.J., and Father Krzysztof Tyszko, parochial vicar of Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish in Morristown, N.J.
During the Second Sunday of Lent Mass, Bishop Sweeney connected the retreat to the mountaintop experience of the Transfiguration. He reminded the young men of the blessings of encountering Jesus and encouraged them to stay close to him and to listen for his voice.
According to Father Lana, “The retreat was a moment of grace for these young men to step aside from the busyness of ordinary life and open their hearts in prayer and reflect on what the Lord might be asking them to do with their lives. The Lord invites all of us to deepen our friendship with him, and these young men accepted that invitation with trust over the weekend. Hopefully, this time spent on retreat will bear fruit, bringing each of them peace, clarity, and understanding of how they can best serve using their gifts.”
On social media, Bishop Sweeney posted, “We were blessed with a wonderful Vocation Discernment Retreat.”
“We thank Fr. Charlie Lana, our vocation director, and our priests, seminarians, and the retreat center staff for allowing a weekend in prayer, community, conversation, and discernment. We also thank all those who were and will be praying for us,” Bishop Sweeney posted. “Let us continue to pray for an increase in Vocations to the priesthood and consecrated Religious Life.”
[See image gallery at beaconnj.org]](https://unitedyam.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/morristown-vocations-retreat-inspires-young-mens-faith-journey-catholic-twenty-young-men-aged-15-to-31-from-various-parishes-around-the-paterson-diocese-in-new-jersey-participated-in-the.jpg)
Morristown vocations retreat inspires young men’s faith journey #Catholic – 
Twenty young men, aged 15 to 31, from various parishes around the Paterson Diocese in New Jersey participated in the Vocations Discernment Retreat with Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney at Loyola Jesuit Center in Morristown, N.J., from Feb. 27 to March 1.
Bishop Sweeney served as retreat master. He offered four talks to the young men who attended with seven diocesan seminarians.
During the retreat, Bishop Sweeney led the group to pray the outdoor Stations of the Cross. He also prayed the liturgy of the hours with them and celebrated Mass in the chapel. Mass concelebrants included Father Charles Lana, diocesan vocation director, and Father Jader Avila, a diocesan priest. Dan Ferrari led them all in song.
Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.
Retreatants had the opportunity to spend time in adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and to receive the sacrament of penance, offered by Father Avila, Father Cesar Jaramillo, pastor of Holy Spirit Parish in Pequannock, N.J., and Father Krzysztof Tyszko, parochial vicar of Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish in Morristown, N.J.
During the Second Sunday of Lent Mass, Bishop Sweeney connected the retreat to the mountaintop experience of the Transfiguration. He reminded the young men of the blessings of encountering Jesus and encouraged them to stay close to him and to listen for his voice.
According to Father Lana, “The retreat was a moment of grace for these young men to step aside from the busyness of ordinary life and open their hearts in prayer and reflect on what the Lord might be asking them to do with their lives. The Lord invites all of us to deepen our friendship with him, and these young men accepted that invitation with trust over the weekend. Hopefully, this time spent on retreat will bear fruit, bringing each of them peace, clarity, and understanding of how they can best serve using their gifts.”
On social media, Bishop Sweeney posted, “We were blessed with a wonderful Vocation Discernment Retreat.”
“We thank Fr. Charlie Lana, our vocation director, and our priests, seminarians, and the retreat center staff for allowing a weekend in prayer, community, conversation, and discernment. We also thank all those who were and will be praying for us,” Bishop Sweeney posted. “Let us continue to pray for an increase in Vocations to the priesthood and consecrated Religious Life.”
[See image gallery at beaconnj.org] – Twenty young men, aged 15 to 31, from various parishes around the Paterson Diocese in New Jersey participated in the Vocations Discernment Retreat with Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney at Loyola Jesuit Center in Morristown, N.J., from Feb. 27 to March 1. Bishop Sweeney served as retreat master. He offered four talks to the young men who attended with seven diocesan seminarians. During the retreat, Bishop Sweeney led the group to pray the outdoor Stations of the Cross. He also prayed the liturgy of the hours with them and celebrated Mass in the chapel. Mass concelebrants included Father Charles Lana, diocesan
Irish Mass commences St. Patrick’s Parade celebrations in Ringwood #Catholic – 
The celebration of the 35th annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Ringwood, N.J., on Saturday, March 21, will start with a traditional Irish Mass at 9 a.m. at St. Catherine of Bologna Church.
The Ringwood parade, the only St. Patrick’s parade in Passaic County, will be presented for all residents of Ringwood and neighboring towns. This year’s honorees are Jim Blomquist, grand marshal; Scott Fitterman, outstanding citizen; and Robert Lyons and Dennis Law, parade dedications.
Immediately following the 9:45 a.m. Mass, join us for the annual Unity Breakfast at the Ringwood Community Center (formerly the St. Catherine’s Parish Center) behind the Church. Tickets are $20 each; children under 5 celebrate for free.
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Parade participants need to arrive early for staging at noon at the old TD Bank North access road at 145 Skyline Drive. The parade will begin at 1 p.m. and will be held rain or shine, as always. A Family Celebration will take place at the Ringwood Community Center immediately following the Parade, with food and drinks available for purchase. Entertainment will include performances by the McLoughlin Step Dancers, Pipe Bands, and a DJ.
If you or your affiliated organization is interested in marching in the parade, or would like tickets to attend or receive more details about the Unity Breakfast, or other parade events, call Lynda at 973-222-6190 or Joe at 973-670-0026 or email ringwoodspdparadecommittee@gmail.com
– The celebration of the 35th annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Ringwood, N.J., on Saturday, March 21, will start with a traditional Irish Mass at 9 a.m. at St. Catherine of Bologna Church. The Ringwood parade, the only St. Patrick’s parade in Passaic County, will be presented for all residents of Ringwood and neighboring towns. This year’s honorees are Jim Blomquist, grand marshal; Scott Fitterman, outstanding citizen; and Robert Lyons and Dennis Law, parade dedications. Immediately following the 9:45 a.m. Mass, join us for the annual Unity Breakfast at the Ringwood Community Center (formerly the St. Catherine’s Parish Center) behind
U.S. adults were among those most likely to condemn extramarital affairs as immoral in a study of 25 countries.
PERSIAN GULF — In a sign of enormous good will, American forces helpfully converted 20 Iranian warships into submarines.
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It can be difficult to find modest attire when you’re a Christian woman, what with all the competing expectations. Fortunately, we at the Babylon Bee are not just prophets – we’re also fashion experts. Here are seven simple tips for Christian ladies to dress modestly:
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Finnair Airbus A319-112 OH-LVL landing at Helsinki-Vantaa Airport in snowfall conditions on 24 February 2017.
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Two decades in prison for dealing in international death and mayhem.
The post US Court Sentences Japanese Yakuza Gangster to Twenty Years in Prison for Trafficking Drugs, Weapons and Nuclear Material appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.
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Absolutely shocking and ultra-woke comments from the liberal media darling James Talarico, a Texas State Representative, have surfaced as he tries to become the first Democrat in more than 30 years to win in Texas.
The post “God is Non-Binary… Our Trans Community Needs Abortion Care Too” — Several INSANE Comments from James Talarico Emerge After He Beats Crockett to Win Texas Senate Dem Primary (VIDEO) appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.
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Poland’s government has signaled that it intends to take a far more assertive role in shaping Europe’s nuclear future.
The post Poland Will Seek Its Own Nuclear Weapons, Prime Minister Tusk Says appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.
Read MoreO Lord, in your anger punish me not; in your wrath chastise me not. For your arrows have sunk deep in me; your hand has come down upon me. There is no health in my flesh because of your indignation; there is no wholeness in my bones because of my sin. For my iniquities have overwhelmed me; they are like a heavy burden, beyond my strength. Noisome and festering are my sores, because of my folly. I am stooped and bowed down profoundly; all the day I go in mourning. For my loins are filled with …
Read MoreA reading from the Book of Jeremiah
17:5-10
Thus says the LORD:
Cursed is the man who trusts in human beings,
who seeks his strength in flesh,
whose heart turns away from the LORD.
He is like a barren bush in the desert
that enjoys no change of season,
But stands in a lava waste,
a salt and empty earth.
Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD,
whose hope is the LORD.
He is like a tree planted beside the waters
that stretches out its roots to the stream:
It fears not the heat when it comes,
its leaves stay green;
In the year of drought it shows no distress,
but still bears fruit.
More tortuous than all else is the human heart,
beyond remedy; who can understand it?
I, the LORD, alone probe the mind
and test the heart,
To reward everyone according to his ways,
according to the merit of his deeds.
From the Gospel according to Luke
16:19-31
Jesus said to the Pharisees:
"There was a rich man who dressed in purple garments and fine linen
and dined sumptuously each day.
And lying at his door was a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores,
who would gladly have eaten his fill of the scraps
that fell from the rich man’s table.
Dogs even used to come and lick his sores.
When the poor man died,
he was carried away by angels to the bosom of Abraham.
The rich man also died and was buried,
and from the netherworld, where he was in torment,
he raised his eyes and saw Abraham far off
and Lazarus at his side.
And he cried out, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me.
Send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue,
for I am suffering torment in these flames.’
Abraham replied, ‘My child,
remember that you received what was good during your lifetime
while Lazarus likewise received what was bad;
but now he is comforted here, whereas you are tormented.
Moreover, between us and you a great chasm is established
to prevent anyone from crossing
who might wish to go from our side to yours
or from your side to ours.’
He said, ‘Then I beg you, father, send him
to my father’s house,
for I have five brothers, so that he may warn them,
lest they too come to this place of torment.’
But Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the prophets.
Let them listen to them.’
He said, ‘Oh no, father Abraham,
but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’
Then Abraham said,
‘If they will not listen to Moses and the prophets,
neither will they be persuaded
if someone should rise from the dead.’"
As long as Lazarus was outside his house, the rich man had the opportunity for salvation, to thrust open the door, to help Lazarus, but now that they are both dead, the situation has become irreparable. God is never called upon directly, but the parable clearly warns: God’s mercy toward us is linked to our mercy toward our neighbour; when this is lacking, also that of not finding room in our closed heart, He cannot enter. If I do not thrust open the door of my heart to the poor, that door remains closed. Even to God. This is terrible. (…)
In order to convert, we must not wait for prodigious events, but open our heart to the Word of God, which calls us to love God and neighbour. The Word of God may revive a withered heart and cure it of its blindness. (Pope Francis, General Audience, 18 May 2016)
Read More![Lou Holtz, legendary Notre Dame football coach and outspoken Catholic, dies at 89 – #Catholic – Lou Holtz, whose lengthy football coaching career included an undefeated championship season at the University of Notre Dame and who spoke regularly about his Catholic faith, died on March 4 at age 89. Holtz’s death was announced by his family through a statement via the athletics department at Notre Dame. The retired coach had entered hospice shortly before his death. TweetThe coach “is remembered for his enduring values of faith, family, service, andan unwavering belief in the potential of others,” his family said. Holtz was preceded in death by his wife, Beth, who passed away in 2020. The two had been married for 59 years at the time of her death. Both are survived by four children. A fixture in college sports for decades, Holtz began his head coaching career in 1969 at the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia. He subsequently served as coach at North Carolina State and the University of Arkansas as well as a stint at the University of Minnesota; he also coached the New York Jets briefly in 1976. His most memorable coaching appointment came at the University of Notre Dame, which he joined in 1986. He would go on to lead the team to an undefeated national championship in 1989, beating the West Virginia Mountaineers 34-21 at that year’s Fiesta Bowl in Tempe, Arizona. After a brief retirement and a stint as a commentator for CBS Sports, Holtz took up the head coach position at the University of South Carolina in 1999, where he had previously served as an assistant coach in 1966. He retired from that final role in 2004; his final game was marked by the infamous Clemson-South Carolina football brawl, with Holtz describing it as a “heck of a note” that his last match would be remembered for the fight. In his later years he appeared in various commentary roles on a variety of ESPN programs. One of his four children is Skip Holtz, who has served as head coach at numerous collegiate football teams. On Dec. 3, 2020, Holtz was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by U.S. President Donald Trump. The White House at the time described Holtz as “one of the greatest football coaches of all time” as well as “a philanthropist, author, and true American patriot.”Trump himself while awarding the medal described Holtz as a “great gentleman” and a “great man.” The president said he was amazed at learning about Holtz’s coaching record ahead of the ceremony.“When we were researching this out, I knew he was supposed to be a good coach, but I didn’t know how good he was, because these stats are very amazing,” the president admitted. Known in part for his conservative politics, Holtz at that ceremony described Trump as “the greatest president during my lifetime.”“I get this award; I accept it humbly,” he said. “And you don’t go in life saying ‘I want to win this award.’ You just wake up one day and it happens.”A lifelong Catholic, Holtz was educated by the Sisters of Notre Dame at St. Aloysius Grade School in East Liverpool, Ohio. In 2012 he told the National Catholic Register, the sister news partner of EWTN News, that the nuns “influenced my life tremendously.” “This was due to the fact that they encouraged you always to make sure that God is the focus of your life, and they didn’t allow you to do anything except to the very best of your ability,” he said. Holtz told the Register that he had prayed to God to be made a great athlete, only to have been made a coach instead.“God does answer your prayers, but it’s not always in the way you expect,” he said. “God knows what’s best for us, though, so there’s no need to worry when things don’t go how we originally wanted them to go.”He professed that the Catholic Church is “infallible” on religious principles regarding faith and morals. He said he “[tried] to follow the Catholic teachings [as that’s] what brings meaning and lasting happiness to life.” He said, however, that Church leaders should be “[held] accountable for their choices.” In multiple cases he stressed fidelity to Christ above all, such as during an interview with Southwest Michigan Catholic when he said: “I don’t go to church to honor the pope; I don’t go to church to honor the priest who might have made some mistakes; I go to church to honor Jesus Christ.”He told the publication he and his family attended Mass “every Sunday,” regardless if football was in season or not.After Pope Leo XIV’s election in 2025, Holtz called on Catholics to “pray for [Leo], respect him and support him.” “Pope Leo, I’ll be praying for you. God bless,” he said at the time.In November 2025, meanwhile, he delivered what he said was his “final public speech,” speaking at the America First Policy Institute, where he served as chair of the 1776 initiative. “[M]y commitment to the American dream has never wavered and never will,” he said at the time. “We must protect what makes America exceptional.”“We cannot let God down; we must always do what’s right,” he said.](https://unitedyam.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/lou-holtz-legendary-notre-dame-football-coach-and-outspoken-catholic-dies-at-89-catholic-lou-holtz-whose-lengthy-football-coaching-career-included-an-undefeated-championship-season-at-the-univ-scaled.jpg "Lou Holtz, legendary Notre Dame football coach and outspoken Catholic, dies at 89 – #Catholic – Lou Holtz, whose lengthy football coaching career included an undefeated championship season at the University of Notre Dame and who spoke regularly about his Catholic faith, died on March 4 at age 89. Holtz’s death was announced by his family through a statement via the athletics department at Notre Dame. The retired coach had entered hospice shortly before his death. TweetThe coach “is remembered for his enduring values of faith, family, service, andan unwavering belief in the potential of others,” his family said. Holtz was preceded in death by his wife, Beth, who passed away in 2020. The two had been married for 59 years at the time of her death. Both are survived by four children. A fixture in college sports for decades, Holtz began his head coaching career in 1969 at the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia. He subsequently served as coach at North Carolina State and the University of Arkansas as well as a stint at the University of Minnesota; he also coached the New York Jets briefly in 1976. His most memorable coaching appointment came at the University of Notre Dame, which he joined in 1986. He would go on to lead the team to an undefeated national championship in 1989, beating the West Virginia Mountaineers 34-21 at that year’s Fiesta Bowl in Tempe, Arizona. After a brief retirement and a stint as a commentator for CBS Sports, Holtz took up the head coach position at the University of South Carolina in 1999, where he had previously served as an assistant coach in 1966. He retired from that final role in 2004; his final game was marked by the infamous Clemson-South Carolina football brawl, with Holtz describing it as a “heck of a note” that his last match would be remembered for the fight. In his later years he appeared in various commentary roles on a variety of ESPN programs. One of his four children is Skip Holtz, who has served as head coach at numerous collegiate football teams. On Dec. 3, 2020, Holtz was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by U.S. President Donald Trump. The White House at the time described Holtz as “one of the greatest football coaches of all time” as well as “a philanthropist, author, and true American patriot.”Trump himself while awarding the medal described Holtz as a “great gentleman” and a “great man.” The president said he was amazed at learning about Holtz’s coaching record ahead of the ceremony.“When we were researching this out, I knew he was supposed to be a good coach, but I didn’t know how good he was, because these stats are very amazing,” the president admitted. Known in part for his conservative politics, Holtz at that ceremony described Trump as “the greatest president during my lifetime.”“I get this award; I accept it humbly,” he said. “And you don’t go in life saying ‘I want to win this award.’ You just wake up one day and it happens.”A lifelong Catholic, Holtz was educated by the Sisters of Notre Dame at St. Aloysius Grade School in East Liverpool, Ohio. In 2012 he told the National Catholic Register, the sister news partner of EWTN News, that the nuns “influenced my life tremendously.” “This was due to the fact that they encouraged you always to make sure that God is the focus of your life, and they didn’t allow you to do anything except to the very best of your ability,” he said. Holtz told the Register that he had prayed to God to be made a great athlete, only to have been made a coach instead.“God does answer your prayers, but it’s not always in the way you expect,” he said. “God knows what’s best for us, though, so there’s no need to worry when things don’t go how we originally wanted them to go.”He professed that the Catholic Church is “infallible” on religious principles regarding faith and morals. He said he “[tried] to follow the Catholic teachings [as that’s] what brings meaning and lasting happiness to life.” He said, however, that Church leaders should be “[held] accountable for their choices.” In multiple cases he stressed fidelity to Christ above all, such as during an interview with Southwest Michigan Catholic when he said: “I don’t go to church to honor the pope; I don’t go to church to honor the priest who might have made some mistakes; I go to church to honor Jesus Christ.”He told the publication he and his family attended Mass “every Sunday,” regardless if football was in season or not.After Pope Leo XIV’s election in 2025, Holtz called on Catholics to “pray for [Leo], respect him and support him.” “Pope Leo, I’ll be praying for you. God bless,” he said at the time.In November 2025, meanwhile, he delivered what he said was his “final public speech,” speaking at the America First Policy Institute, where he served as chair of the 1776 initiative. “[M]y commitment to the American dream has never wavered and never will,” he said at the time. “We must protect what makes America exceptional.”“We cannot let God down; we must always do what’s right,” he said.")
With the communist government of Cuba under extreme pressure from the economic crisis of its own making and a U.S.-imposed oil embargo, exiled Cuban opposition leaders outlined the way to democracy.
