We pray for the safety and well-being of all students and faculty as they go Back to School! | | |
"Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus."
Philippians 4:6-7 NABRE
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Life of Hope event provides new backpacks and school supplies to hundred of students
Founded in 2006, Life of Hope is a multifaceted organization that positively impacts the lives of youth and immigrant families in a manner that reflects both their identity and needs through innovative programs and services while providing a wider, more robust array of opportunities. They serve and prepare over 65,000 youth and immigrant families for success!
| | "Sugar Dating" can lead to Sex Trafficking. Read the article below to learn more. | |
Adobe Stock Photo licensed to the NBCC
The Appeal, and the Risks, of Sugar Daddy Relationships
By Emma Bennett, Contributing Writer | Psychology Today
UpdatedJuly 18, 2025
For many college and university students, sugar relationships can be a draw, especially for those struggling financially. In fact, over 3 million college students in the US are considered so-called sugar babies. A ‘sugar daddy/partner’ provides mentorship and/or financial assistance to a ‘sugar baby’ in exchange for sex, company, and/or dates.
Emily (name changed) is a 21-year-old university student who was in need of extra income. In an interview with the Trauma and Mental Health Report, she describes one, among several, of her experiences with a sugar daddy who was married, which is not uncommon:
“My longest arrangement was with a man who was married; his wife and kids did not know. I felt a little weird about it.”
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More than 8 in 10 U.S. Catholics view Pope Leo favorably
By Gregory A. Smith | PEW Research Center
U.S. Catholics are still getting to know Pope Leo XIV. But they like what they’ve seen so far. Overall, 84% of U.S. Catholics say they have a favorable view of Leo, according to a new Pew Research Center survey. Just 4% say they have an unfavorable view of him, while 11% say they have never heard of Pope Leo.
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ANNOUNCEMENT:
Shareena Grant Appointed Associate Director for the Ad Hoc Committee Against Racism
The Ad Hoc Committee Against Racism is proud to announce the appointment of Shareena Grant as its new Associate Director. A passionate educator, minister, and advocate for justice, Shareena brings a wealth of experience in Catholic education, faith formation, and community engagement to this vital role.
Her commitment to spiritual growth and cultural awareness has been evident in her recent leadership work in Catholic high schools where she has had the privilege to serve as a theology teacher.
Shareena holds a Bachelor's degree in Religious Studies with a minor in Philosophy from the University of the Incarnate Word. She is on track to complete her Master of Theology at the Oblate School of Theology, specializing in African American Pastoral Leadership. She will begin her doctoral studies after completing her MA program. She is a proud Sankofa Scholar, studying under renowned theologians Sr. Addie Lorraine Walker, Ph.D, SSND, and Dr. Diana Hayes.
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Her ministry spans over a decade, including leadership in RCIA/OCIA and Adult Confirmation across the Diocese of Sacramento, Diocese of Austin, and the Archdiocese of Las Vegas. A third-generation member of the Knights of Peter Claver Ladies Auxiliary. She is the current Parliamentarian and Bylaws Committee Chair for the Nu Sigma Sigma Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc, where she is a chartering member.
In her new role as the associate director, Shareena will serve the Committee's mandate to confront racism through education, dialogue, and pastoral action. She will collaborate with various committees to promote healing, justice, and reconciliation.
Please join us in welcoming Shareena Grant to this important role. Her leadership, rooted in faith and fortified by lived experience, will be a blessing to the Committee, our Church, and our communities.
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John McCarthy and Gloria Purvis join ICST as inaugural senior fellows
Georgetown University is pleased to announce that John McCarthy and Gloria Purvis have joined Georgetown University’s Initiative for Catholic Social Thought and Public Life as our inaugural senior fellows for the fall 2025 semester.
As leading voices at the intersection of faith and public life, McCarthy and Purvis share the Initiative’s commitment to the principles of Catholic social thought and to building bridges across political, religious, and ideological lines, as demonstrated through their past participation in our programming. Most recently, McCarthy participated in our February 2025 dialogue on Is Partisanship a Threat to Faithful Citizenship or a Way to Live it Out? and Purvis was featured in our June 2025 dialogue on What Happened to America’s Racial Reckoning?
| | The National Black Catholic Congress highlights a Daniel Rudd Fund Grant recipient | | The Daniel Rudd Fund (DRF) provides grants to organizations involved in ministry to Black Catholics. The goal of this grant is to financially assist new and existing programs that promote the Gospel within parishes, schools and communities. | |
Victory Youth Center Kickback Program
Victory Youth Center operates the Mary Virginia Merrick Center. They provide high quality out of school curriculum and recreational programs, and are a safe space in the community where youth and families in Ward 8 can consistently gather to enrich their mind, body and spirit.
The Kickback Program offers a cutting-edge multimedia experience to 8th-12th graders. This innovative afterschool initiative empowers students to plan, manage, and execute an engaging online talk show designed for a teenage audience. Within this multimedia endeavor, Kickback participants collaborate to produce a captivating weekly talk show, featuring a dynamic youth host and support team. The show delves into the everyday challenges faced by teenagers in our community, offering insights and guidance.
| Watch the latest episode of "The Kick Back" by clicking the play button below. | | |
Stay with me, Lord
Prayer of St. Pio of Pietrelcina after Communion
Stay with me, Lord, because I am weak and I need Your strength, that I may not fall so often.
Stay with me, Lord, for You are my life, and without You, I am without meaning and hope.
Stay with me, Lord, for You are my light, and without You, I am in darkness.
Stay with me, Lord, to show me Your will.
Stay with me, Lord, so that I can hear Your voice and follow you.
Stay with me, Lord, for I desire to love You ever more, and to be always in Your company.
Stay with me, Lord, if You wish me to be always faithful to You.
Stay with me, Lord, for as poor as my soul is, I wish it to be a place of consolation for You, a dwelling of Your love.
Stay with me, Jesus, for it is getting late; the days are coming to a close and life is passing. Death, judgement and eternity are drawing near. It is necessary to renew my strength, so that I will not stop along the way, for that I need You. It is getting late and death approaches. I fear the darkness, the temptations, the dryness, the cross, the sorrows. O how I need you, my Jesus, in this night of exile!
Stay with me, Jesus, because in the darkness of life, with all its dangers, I need You.
Help me to recognize You as Your disciples did at the Breaking of the Bread, so that the Eucharist Communion be the light which disperses darkness, the power which sustains me, the unique joy of my heart.
Stay with me, Lord, because at the hour of my death I want to be one with You, and if not by Communion, at least by Your grace and love.
Stay with me, Jesus, I do not ask for divine consolations because I do not deserve them, but I only ask for the gift of Your Presence. Oh yes! I ask this of You.
Stay with me, Lord, for I seek You alone, Your Love, Your Grace, Your Will, Your Heart, Your Spirit, because I love You and I ask for no other reward but to love You more and more, with a strong active love.
Grant that I may love You with all my heart while on earth, so that I can continue to love you perfectly throughout all eternity, dear Jesus.
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The Church Vitality Network
Bringing Clarity To Vitality
The Vision
To see vitality become a normative measure of success in the North American Church, resulting in 100x Gospel impact.
The Mission
To leverage the dormant potential in the American Church for Activated Vitality Through Multiplication.
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Free eBook!
Fill out the form on the website to receive a free eBook: "A Beginner's Guide To Missionary Discipleship"
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Catholic Missionary Disciples coaches, equips, and forms Catholic leaders for pastoral conversion and institutional renewal.
We do this by helping Catholic leaders discover (or rediscover) the joy of fruitful ministry. We invest deeply into a small number of Catholic leaders and help them THRIVE in their particular settings.
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Catholic Counselors
Helping Life Flourish
Whether seeking a stronger marriage, a faithful family, or personal healing, our Catholic counselors are here to support your journey.
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Mental Health Resources from the USCCB and their collaborators:
This October, the Catholic Church in the United States is renewing its National Catholic Mental Health Campaign (NCMHC), encouraging all people to become more aware of the issues, eliminate the stigmas around mental illness, and seek creative ways to journey with those who struggle.
Listed below are several resources from the USCCB and other collaborating organizatons.
View the brief mission video from Association of Catholic Mental Health Ministers by clicking the play button below.
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National Widowers Association
You are not alone — we’re here to help you through grief
The National Widowers’ Organization is a men’s grief network. Our website serves as a virtual toolkit of free resources for men coping with the death of a loved one. It’s a place where men can meet others going through the same transition. If there’s one loss that men could use a little help from their friends to cope with, it’s the death of a spouse, a lover, a parent, a child, or a lifelong friend. And it’s often help that only other men can provide. Read more...
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National Widows Association
Learn about our passionate team, and how you can help!
The National Widows Association is dedicated to creating awareness, fostering community, and providing vital support and resources to empower widows. We strive to integrate their needs into community and governmental awareness, ensuring their voices are heard and their contributions recognized.
| | | Watch the video below for more information about this great resource for widows. | | |
Computer & Technology Basics Course for Absolute Beginners
Learn basic computer and technology skills. This course is for people new to working with computers or people that want to fill in some gaps about their computer knowledge. This course was developed by GCF Global. GCF Global offers more free learning resources at their website: https://www.GCFLearnFree.org
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How to Use Zoom | Complete Beginner’s Guide (2025)
Zoom Workplace is more than a video communication tool it's a business communication app you can use to create a virtual office or classroom - either by video on computer from mobile device or both.
Zoom offers many features to make video conferencing and online distant learning as versatile and effective as possible. For example, it lets you share your screen with participants, record sessions to view later, chat in both live sessions and as a messaging app as a replacement for email, etc.
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Popl Digital Business Card
Capture leads, share digital business cards, and enrich validated contact and company info - at events, in the field, and beyond. Powered by AI and our proprietary data engine, Popl drives growth for companies around the world, turning every handshake into an opportunity.
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