Winsome Sears is officially the 2025 Republican Nominee for Governor of Virginia!
Sunday, April 6, 2025
Saturday, April 5, 2025
More Street Scenes From Beautiful Barcelona
In our travels the most fascinating sights are often not so much thye buildings or the natural treasures but rather, the people that we see on the streets of so many towns and cities that we pass through. Here are some from our recent journey to Barcelona.
Friday, April 4, 2025
Extraordinary Relic Image Headed This Way!
The following is from the National center for Padro Pio:
We're just past the halfway point of Lent, with the blessed season of Easter on the horizon. Soon, we’ll be hearing about the resurrection of Our Lord, recounting the first Easter Sunday, when Saints Peter and John discovered the empty tomb in Jerusalem, the cloth that covered Christ’s face was rolled up separately from the shroud that covered His body. But did you know that this cloth was discovered in the early 1500s and is actually on display in a small village in Italy today?
Il Volto Santo, or the Holy Face, is one of the most revered relics in Christianity, enshrined in the Basilica of the Volto Santo in Manoppello, Italy. This delicate veil, measuring approximately 17.5 cm by 24 cm, bears an image of the true face of Jesus Christ. According to tradition, this veil absorbed the very first breath of the Risen Christ, imprinting upon itself a vivid and inexplicable image of His resurrected face. Modern scholars have confirmed that the image corresponds perfectly in all its measurements to the face of the dead Christ on the Shroud of Turin, reinforcing its authenticity and divine origin.
For centuries, the Holy Veil has inspired deep devotion, theological reflection, and scientific inquiry. Historical accounts trace its arrival in Manoppello around 1506, though its origins remain mysterious. In 1618, Brother Remigio da Rapino, a Capuchin friar, carefully framed the veil between two panes of glass to preserve it. The Capuchin friars later enshrined the relic in the Church of St. Michael the Archangel in 1638, ensuring its veneration for generations. The first recorded feast in its honor took place on August 6, 1690, aligning with the Feast of the Transfiguration, and since then, processions and hymns dedicated to the Holy Face have become integral to its tradition.
In modern times, Il Volto Santo has drawn increasing global attention. Pope Benedict XVI visited the shrine, emphasizing its significance in Christian devotion and bringing renewed awareness to this sacred image.
A Historic Enthronement in the United States
In an extraordinary gesture, the National Centre for Padre Pio in Barto, Pennsylvania, has been chosen as the first location on the East Coast of the United States to house an authentic relic image of the Holy Face of Manoppello. How appropriate, considering that Padre Pio’s last known bilocation was to visit Il Volto Santo on the morning of September 22, 1968 – just hours before his death – and ask for prayers from Padre Domenico da Cese, rector of the Basilica of Manoppello. This relic image will be permanently enshrined for veneration, providing the faithful in America with a unique opportunity to witness and pray before this sacred image.
The Enthronement of the Holy Veil will take place on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, at 12:00 PM at the National Centre for Padre Pio. The solemn Mass and Enthronement ceremony will be celebrated by Bishop Alfred Schlert, D.D., J.C.L., Bishop of the Diocese of Allentown, PA, and Padre Antonio Gentili, O.F.M., Capuchin, Rector of the Basilica Shrine of the Holy Face in Manoppello, Italy. This historic event invites all the faithful to partake in a moment of profound spiritual significance as the Holy Face of Manoppello finds a home in the United States. All are welcome, there is no preregistration required. Mark your calendars and please plan on attending!
Il Volto Santo continues to inspire wonder and reverence. Its mysterious origins, fragile beauty, and profound spiritual significance invite both pilgrims and scholars to explore its history. As it gains recognition across the world, its message remains timeless—a reminder of Christ’s presence and love for humanity. The enthronement of this sacred image at the National Centre for Padre Pio marks a new chapter in the devotion to Il Volto Santo, ensuring that its spiritual presence will continue to bless generations to come.
For more information on the Enthronement of the relic at the National Centre for Padre Pio, reply to this email or email info@padrepio.org or visit www.padrepio.org.
Great Opportunity To Hear Future Jazz Musicians!
Eighteen students representing Archdiocesan parish and regional elementary schools and private Catholic elementary schools throughout the five-county region have been selected to participate in the Combined All Catholic Jazz Band Concert.
Saturday, April 5, 2025
3:00 p.m.
Archbishop Ryan High School
11201 Academy Road
Philadelphia, PA 19154
3:00 p.m.
Archbishop Ryan High School
11201 Academy Road
Philadelphia, PA 19154
This year’s Elementary Jazz Band is under the direction of guest conductor, Allison Kershner. Jennifer Monaghan will serve as the Elementary Music Festival Coordinator.
Students from Archdiocesan parish and regional elementary schools including Corpus Christi Parish School in Lansdale (Montgomery County); Good Shepherd Catholic Regional School in Ardsley (Montgomery County); Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish School in Southampton (Bucks County); Our Mother of Consolation Parish School in the Chestnut Hill section of Philadelphia; Presentation Blessed Virgin Mary Parish School in Cheltenham (Montgomery County); Queen of Angels Regional Catholic School in Willow Grove (Montgomery County); Saints Peter and Paul Parish School in West Chester (Chester County); Saint Katharine Drexel Regional Catholic School in Southampton (Bucks County); Saint Margaret Parish School in Narberth (Montgomery County); and Saint Pius X Parish School in Broomall (Delaware County) will participate.
Students from private Catholic elementary schools including Ancillae Assumpta Academy in Wyncote (Montgomery County); Devon Preparatory School in Devon (Chester County); and Saint Aloysius Academy in Bryn Mawr (Montgomery County) will also participate.
The students will perform the following pieces Blues Infusion arranged by Doug Beach; Listen Here arranged by Zachary Smith; Absolutely, Positively arranged by Gregory Yasinitsky; and Pass the Hot Sauce arranged by Brad Ciechomski.
Eighteen students representing Archdiocesan and private Catholic High Schools throughout the five-county region have been selected to participate in the All Catholic High School Jazz Band concert.
This year’s All Catholic Jazz Band, is under the direction of guest conductor, David Zagorski, Director of Bands, Nazareth Academy High School in Northeast Philadelphia. Sister Lauretta Linsalata, IHM will serve as the High School Music Festival Coordinator.
Students from Archdiocesan secondary schools including Archbishop John Carroll High School in Radnor (Delaware County); Archbishop Ryan High School in Northeast Philadelphia; Archbishop Wood High School in Warminster (Bucks County); Conwell-Egan Catholic High School in Fairless Hills (Bucks County); Saint Hubert Catholic High School for Girls in the Tacony section of Philadelphia; Pope John Paul II High School in Royersford (Montgomery County); and Roman Catholic High School in Philadelphia will participate.
Students from private Catholic high schools including Gwynedd Mercy Academy High School in Gwynedd Valley (Montgomery County); Holy Ghost Preparatory School in Bensalem (Bucks County); Saint Joseph’s Preparatory High School in North Philadelphia; Malvern Preparatory High School for Boys in Malvern (Chester County); and Merion Mercy Academy in Merion Station (Montgomery County) will also participate.
The students will perform the following pieces In the Mood by Joe Garland, arranged by Glenn Miller; Lady in Lace by Frank Foster, arranged by Larry McKenna; My Foolish Heart by Victor Young, arranged by Larry Mckenna; and The Goof and I by Al Cohn, arranged by Larry McKenna.
Tickets are $10.00 and can be purchased at the door.
Prior to the concert, students will participate in a daylong Jazz band workshop.
Note: For additional information about the All Catholic Music Festivals, please visit allcatholicmusic.org/.
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