This Sunday, we celebrate Jesus’ gift of His Body and Blood in the Eucharist to His Church and the world.  Yet our Gospel takes us back to the feeding of the five thousand.  Why? Gospel (Read Lk. 9:11b-17) On this Solemnity of Corpus Christi, we might expect our Gospel to be an account of the […]

ENCOUNTERING THE WORD — YOUR DAILY BIBLE VERSES “Now before the feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.” – John 13:1 Please help spread the Gospel. […]

The post Your Daily Bible Verses — John 13:1 appeared first on Integrated Catholic Life™.

In the annals of Catholic history, Saint Silverius stands as a revered figure, renowned for his steadfast faith and martyrdom. Born in the 6th century in Italy, Silverius ascended to the papal throne during a tumultuous period marked by political intrigue and ecclesiastical controversy. Silverius, known for his piety and humility, was elected Pope in […]

Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Jun 19, 2025 / 18:53 pm (CNA).

In an op-ed criticizing the current U.S. administration’s mass deportation efforts and immigration raids, Los Angeles Archbishop José Gómez urged the federal government instead to take a case-by-case approach on how it handles immigrants who are in the country illegally.

Gómez, who is himself an immigrant from Mexico and a naturalized citizen of the United States, penned the op-ed in the archdiocese-run Angelus News, in which he argued that the country needs “a new national conversation about immigration.”

According to Gómez, the conversation should be one that is “realistic and makes necessary moral and practical distinctions about those in our country illegally.”

The archbishop wrote that he is “deeply disturbed by the reports of federal agents detaining people in public places, apparently without showing warrants or evidence that those they are taking into custody are in the country illegally,” which he argued is “causing panic in our parishes and communities.”

“People are staying home from Mass and work, parks and stores are empty, the streets in many neighborhoods are silent,” Gómez indicated. “Families are staying behind locked doors, out of fear.”

Although the archbishop said “we may agree” that the previous administration in Washington “went too far in not securing our borders” and allowed “far too many people to enter our country without vetting,” he contended that the Trump administration “has offered no immigration policy beyond the stated goal of deporting thousands of people each day.”

“A great nation can take the time and care to make distinctions and judge each case on its merits,” the archbishop wrote.

Gómez stated that deportations for “known terrorists and violent criminals” are proper and that “we can tighten border security” and work to help employers ensure “the legal status of their employees.”

The archbishop went on to call for reforming the legal immigration system “to ensure that our nation has the skilled workers it needs” and maintains a “commitment to uniting families.” He further argued the government “should restore our moral commitments to providing asylum and protective status to genuine refugees and endangered populations.”

In addition, Gómez wrote that the solution should include a way for people “who have been in our country for many years” to obtain legal status. He noted that two-thirds of immigrants who are in the country illegally have been here for more than a decade and some were brought here as small children.

“The vast majority of ‘illegal aliens’ are good neighbors, hardworking men and women, people of faith,” the archbishop wrote. “They are making important contributions to vital sectors of the American economy: agriculture, construction, hospitality, health care, and more. They are parents and grandparents, active in our communities, charities, and churches.”

Gómez, who has been critical of the Trump administration’s mass deportation plans since the president took office, published the June 17 op-ed amid ongoing protests against immigration enforcement raids in Los Angeles, the country’s second most populous city. 

The protests started on June 6 after U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents arrested more than 40 immigrants in Los Angeles who were in the country illegally.

In an interview with CNA, Andrew Arthur, a former immigration judge who is now resident fellow in law and policy at the Center for Immigration Studies (CIS), disputed some of the archbishop’s characterizations of the Trump administration’s deportation efforts. CIS, which refers to itself as a “low-immigration, pro-immigrant” think tank, has been closely aligned with many of the Trump administration’s immigration initiatives.

Arthur, who is Catholic, noted that ICE arrested fewer than 50 people in Los Angeles on June 6 in a city where there are more than 900,000 immigrants who are in the country illegally. He noted that the arrests represented .004% of that population.

As Arthur sees it, the ICE raids in Los Angeles were focused on “businesses that are exploiting workers” and “individuals who have criminal histories.”

“Respectfully, I think that the bishop is working off of a misinformed belief of what’s happening,” Arthur said.

“Many of these reports are overblown,” he said. “Some of them are erroneous and some of them are just downright lies.”

Arthur argued that “statements like this feed the very panic that he’s attempting to address,” asserting that “I haven’t seen that there have been massive sweeps of individuals in the United States.” 

Since President Donald Trump assumed office five months ago, ICE has deported more than 100,000 immigrants who were in the country illegally, according to the White House. The administration has also sought to encourage those in the country illegally to self-deport as well. CIS estimates that there are nearly 15 million immigrants in the country illegally.

Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Jun 19, 2025 / 18:53 pm (CNA).

In an op-ed criticizing the current U.S. administration’s mass deportation efforts and immigration raids, Los Angeles Archbishop José Gómez urged the federal government instead to take a case-by-case approach on how it handles immigrants who are in the country illegally.

Gómez, who is himself an immigrant from Mexico and a naturalized citizen of the United States, penned the op-ed in the archdiocese-run Angelus News, in which he argued that the country needs “a new national conversation about immigration.”

According to Gómez, the conversation should be one that is “realistic and makes necessary moral and practical distinctions about those in our country illegally.”

The archbishop wrote that he is “deeply disturbed by the reports of federal agents detaining people in public places, apparently without showing warrants or evidence that those they are taking into custody are in the country illegally,” which he argued is “causing panic in our parishes and communities.”

“People are staying home from Mass and work, parks and stores are empty, the streets in many neighborhoods are silent,” Gómez indicated. “Families are staying behind locked doors, out of fear.”

Although the archbishop said “we may agree” that the previous administration in Washington “went too far in not securing our borders” and allowed “far too many people to enter our country without vetting,” he contended that the Trump administration “has offered no immigration policy beyond the stated goal of deporting thousands of people each day.”

“A great nation can take the time and care to make distinctions and judge each case on its merits,” the archbishop wrote.

Gómez stated that deportations for “known terrorists and violent criminals” are proper and that “we can tighten border security” and work to help employers ensure “the legal status of their employees.”

The archbishop went on to call for reforming the legal immigration system “to ensure that our nation has the skilled workers it needs” and maintains a “commitment to uniting families.” He further argued the government “should restore our moral commitments to providing asylum and protective status to genuine refugees and endangered populations.”

In addition, Gómez wrote that the solution should include a way for people “who have been in our country for many years” to obtain legal status. He noted that two-thirds of immigrants who are in the country illegally have been here for more than a decade and some were brought here as small children.

“The vast majority of ‘illegal aliens’ are good neighbors, hardworking men and women, people of faith,” the archbishop wrote. “They are making important contributions to vital sectors of the American economy: agriculture, construction, hospitality, health care, and more. They are parents and grandparents, active in our communities, charities, and churches.”

Gómez, who has been critical of the Trump administration’s mass deportation plans since the president took office, published the June 17 op-ed amid ongoing protests against immigration enforcement raids in Los Angeles, the country’s second most populous city. 

The protests started on June 6 after U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents arrested more than 40 immigrants in Los Angeles who were in the country illegally.

In an interview with CNA, Andrew Arthur, a former immigration judge who is now resident fellow in law and policy at the Center for Immigration Studies (CIS), disputed some of the archbishop’s characterizations of the Trump administration’s deportation efforts. CIS, which refers to itself as a “low-immigration, pro-immigrant” think tank, has been closely aligned with many of the Trump administration’s immigration initiatives.

Arthur, who is Catholic, noted that ICE arrested fewer than 50 people in Los Angeles on June 6 in a city where there are more than 900,000 immigrants who are in the country illegally. He noted that the arrests represented .004% of that population.

As Arthur sees it, the ICE raids in Los Angeles were focused on “businesses that are exploiting workers” and “individuals who have criminal histories.”

“Respectfully, I think that the bishop is working off of a misinformed belief of what’s happening,” Arthur said.

“Many of these reports are overblown,” he said. “Some of them are erroneous and some of them are just downright lies.”

Arthur argued that “statements like this feed the very panic that he’s attempting to address,” asserting that “I haven’t seen that there have been massive sweeps of individuals in the United States.” 

Since President Donald Trump assumed office five months ago, ICE has deported more than 100,000 immigrants who were in the country illegally, according to the White House. The administration has also sought to encourage those in the country illegally to self-deport as well. CIS estimates that there are nearly 15 million immigrants in the country illegally.

CNA Staff, Jun 19, 2025 / 18:33 pm (CNA).

Here is a roundup of recent pro-life and abortion-related news:

House panel investigating Planned Parenthood’s use of federal funds

The U.S. House Oversight Subcommittee on Delivering on Government Efficiency (DOGE) is opening an investigation into Planned Parenthood’s use of federal funds — an investigation that has long been demanded by pro-life lawmakers and leaders. 

The federal government subsidizes the abortion giant, but a federal law known as the Hyde Amendment prevents the federal government from directly funding abortions in most cases. But House Republicans have questions about Planned Parenthood’s use of federal funding, as the number of abortions offered by the organization has increased while its other health-care-related services have declined.

In fiscal year 2023, Planned Parenthood received nearly $800 million in federal funding. A report by Charlotte Lozier Institute found that abortions at Planned Parenthood increased while health services went down.

In response to the investigation, Planned Parenthood has launched an “I’m for Planned Parenthood” campaign with high-profile celebrities. 

Federal judge strikes down Biden-era abortion shield rule 

A federal judge in Texas struck down a Biden-era agency rule preventing the transmission of records of gender transitions and abortions to the authorities. 

The 2024 U.S. Health and Human Services Department (HHS) rule banned the disclosure of information of someone who sought or obtained an abortion or gender transition to criminal, civil, or administrative investigations. 

U.S. District Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk of Texas ruled on June 18 that HHS had exceeded its powers because the rule limited states from enforcing their public health laws. Kacsmaryk’s decision to nullify the rule applies nationwide and is effective immediately.

The decision comes as the result of a lawsuit by Dr. Carmen Purl, who had sued HHS over the rule, arguing that it conflicted with laws requiring her to report child abuse. Alliance Defending Freedom, the legal group representing Purl, maintained that the regulatory changes the agency made “illegally restrict how doctors can protect patients from the harms of abortion and “gender transition.”

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott approves pro-life monument 

Texas will construct a “Texas Life Monument” on the grounds of its state capitol complex.

Earlier this month, the state’s Catholic governor, Greg Abbott, signed a bill authorizing the Texas State Preservation Board to approve the construction of a “Texas Life Monument.” The resolution had passed with large majorities in both the Texas House and Senate. 

The 6-foot bronze monument depicts a mother with her unborn child cradled in her womb.  Sculpted by renowned artist Timothy Schmalz, the monument has been praised by local pro-life leadership.

Texas Values President Jonathan Saenz said the monument “makes it clear that Texas is pro-life.” 

The monument is a replica of the National Life Monument in Washington, D.C., and the original in the Church of San Marcello al Corso in Rome, which originally depicted the Blessed Virgin Mary with Jesus.

The states of Arkansas and Tennessee have also passed resolutions for official pro-life memorials.

CNA Staff, Jun 19, 2025 / 18:33 pm (CNA).

Here is a roundup of recent pro-life and abortion-related news:

House panel investigating Planned Parenthood’s use of federal funds

The U.S. House Oversight Subcommittee on Delivering on Government Efficiency (DOGE) is opening an investigation into Planned Parenthood’s use of federal funds — an investigation that has long been demanded by pro-life lawmakers and leaders. 

The federal government subsidizes the abortion giant, but a federal law known as the Hyde Amendment prevents the federal government from directly funding abortions in most cases. But House Republicans have questions about Planned Parenthood’s use of federal funding, as the number of abortions offered by the organization has increased while its other health-care-related services have declined.

In fiscal year 2023, Planned Parenthood received nearly $800 million in federal funding. A report by Charlotte Lozier Institute found that abortions at Planned Parenthood increased while health services went down.

In response to the investigation, Planned Parenthood has launched an “I’m for Planned Parenthood” campaign with high-profile celebrities. 

Federal judge strikes down Biden-era abortion shield rule 

A federal judge in Texas struck down a Biden-era agency rule preventing the transmission of records of gender transitions and abortions to the authorities. 

The 2024 U.S. Health and Human Services Department (HHS) rule banned the disclosure of information of someone who sought or obtained an abortion or gender transition to criminal, civil, or administrative investigations. 

U.S. District Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk of Texas ruled on June 18 that HHS had exceeded its powers because the rule limited states from enforcing their public health laws. Kacsmaryk’s decision to nullify the rule applies nationwide and is effective immediately.

The decision comes as the result of a lawsuit by Dr. Carmen Purl, who had sued HHS over the rule, arguing that it conflicted with laws requiring her to report child abuse. Alliance Defending Freedom, the legal group representing Purl, maintained that the regulatory changes the agency made “illegally restrict how doctors can protect patients from the harms of abortion and “gender transition.”

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott approves pro-life monument 

Texas will construct a “Texas Life Monument” on the grounds of its state capitol complex.

Earlier this month, the state’s Catholic governor, Greg Abbott, signed a bill authorizing the Texas State Preservation Board to approve the construction of a “Texas Life Monument.” The resolution had passed with large majorities in both the Texas House and Senate. 

The 6-foot bronze monument depicts a mother with her unborn child cradled in her womb.  Sculpted by renowned artist Timothy Schmalz, the monument has been praised by local pro-life leadership.

Texas Values President Jonathan Saenz said the monument “makes it clear that Texas is pro-life.” 

The monument is a replica of the National Life Monument in Washington, D.C., and the original in the Church of San Marcello al Corso in Rome, which originally depicted the Blessed Virgin Mary with Jesus.

The states of Arkansas and Tennessee have also passed resolutions for official pro-life memorials.

CNA Staff, Jun 19, 2025 / 18:03 pm (CNA).

Christendom College announced that it will begin offering graduate degrees in education in what its president calls a “tremendous moment” for the college. 

In the fall, the first cohort of doctoral students will begin at the tight-knit liberal arts college in Front Royal, Virginia. The doctoral programs — accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges — will focus on traditional liberal arts and the Catholic intellectual tradition. 

The doctoral program is part of the college’s newly established Center for Educational Philosophy and Leadership, which will offer a 30-credit master’s degree in education designed for Catholic educators and administrators and a 54-credit doctorate of education. Organizers expect between 10-16 people in the inaugural cohort, according to a spokesman for Christendom.

Christendom President George Harne said he believes the graduate programs will enable the college of about 550 students to provide even deeper formation for leaders in the renewal of Catholic education. 

“For decades, we have formed undergraduates to be leaders in the Church and society,” Harne said in a June 18 statement. “Now, with this next step, we can provide even deeper intellectual and spiritual formation for those leading the renewal of Catholic education in America.”

“By forming educators who deeply understand human anthropology, the philosophy of Catholic education, and authentic leadership, Christendom hopes to shape schools into beacons of truth, beauty, and goodness for generations to come,” the press release read.

This is all connected to the college’s overarching mission, according to Vice President for Academic Affairs Kevin Tracy. 

“The mission of Christendom is to form men and women who will contribute to the Christian renovation of the temporal order,” Tracy said in a statement. 

Through the mission-aligned doctoral program, Tracy said the college “can share with the wider world how the Catholic intellectual tradition addresses the challenges that educators face today.”

CNA Staff, Jun 19, 2025 / 18:03 pm (CNA).

Christendom College announced that it will begin offering graduate degrees in education in what its president calls a “tremendous moment” for the college. 

In the fall, the first cohort of doctoral students will begin at the tight-knit liberal arts college in Front Royal, Virginia. The doctoral programs — accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges — will focus on traditional liberal arts and the Catholic intellectual tradition. 

The doctoral program is part of the college’s newly established Center for Educational Philosophy and Leadership, which will offer a 30-credit master’s degree in education designed for Catholic educators and administrators and a 54-credit doctorate of education. Organizers expect between 10-16 people in the inaugural cohort, according to a spokesman for Christendom.

Christendom President George Harne said he believes the graduate programs will enable the college of about 550 students to provide even deeper formation for leaders in the renewal of Catholic education. 

“For decades, we have formed undergraduates to be leaders in the Church and society,” Harne said in a June 18 statement. “Now, with this next step, we can provide even deeper intellectual and spiritual formation for those leading the renewal of Catholic education in America.”

“By forming educators who deeply understand human anthropology, the philosophy of Catholic education, and authentic leadership, Christendom hopes to shape schools into beacons of truth, beauty, and goodness for generations to come,” the press release read.

This is all connected to the college’s overarching mission, according to Vice President for Academic Affairs Kevin Tracy. 

“The mission of Christendom is to form men and women who will contribute to the Christian renovation of the temporal order,” Tracy said in a statement. 

Through the mission-aligned doctoral program, Tracy said the college “can share with the wider world how the Catholic intellectual tradition addresses the challenges that educators face today.”

Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Jun 19, 2025 / 17:33 pm (CNA).

CatholicVote has named Kelsey Reinhardt to serve as its new president effective June 19 in anticipation of the expected confirmation of the organization’s co-founding leader, Brian Burch, as U.S. ambassador to the Holy See.

Reinhardt was previously the director of media and evangelization projects for CatholicVote, a national Catholic advocacy organization.

Before joining CatholicVote, Reinhardt served as executive director for the ACI group, an international network of news agencies operated by EWTN News (CNA’s parent company). Prior to her work with EWTN, Reinhardt had professed temporary vows with the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia. She holds a bachelor’s degree in theology from the University of Notre Dame and a master’s degree in theology from the Augustine Institute. She also worked as a legislative correspondent for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) on immigration and refugee issues. 

“I could not be more excited to serve such a noble cause,” Reinhardt said, according to CatholicVote. “Under Brian Burch’s fearless and Christ-centered leadership, CatholicVote has become one of the largest and most effective Catholic advocacy organizations in the country, making a difference in media, politics, law, and education.”

She continued: “The energy unleashed by the election of the first American pope provides American Catholics with the historic opportunity to look at our faith with gratitude and commit to incarnate that same faith with unprecedented energy and joy in the public square.”

Reinhardt comes to the position as Burch, who served as the organization’s president for 17 years, awaits Senate confirmation. CatholicVote had previously indicated that Burch would step down as president if confirmed by the Senate.

Senate Democrats blocked Burch’s confirmation last month, stalling the process ahead of Pope Leo XIV’s inaugural Mass. Senate Republicans had called for Burch’s nomination to be expedited through unanimous consent alongside the rest of President Trump’s ambassadorial nominees, but Democrats rejected the effort, forcing an individual vote on each nominee, including Burch, whose final confirmation vote is still pending.