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Major nor’easter off the North Carolina and Virginia coast may affect travel plans

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If you are traveling by air this weekend, we want you to be aware of possible disruption of your plans. A major nor’easter has developed off the North Carolina and Virginia coast and is forecast to bring hurricane‑force winds, heavy rain, coastal flooding, and rough surf from the Mid‑Atlantic into New England. The storm formed early this week just offshore of the Carolinas and Virginia and is expected to strengthen as it moves north along the Atlantic coast. Meteorologists warn it could deliver wind gusts up to 50–60 mph and waves of 15–18 ft.

Impacts begin midweek (Sep 23) along the central Atlantic coast, spreading to New England Friday (Sept 25) and lasting through the weekend in some areas. Northeast coastal winds gusting up to 50 mph through Thursday; and possible 60–70 mph gusts if the low pressure shifts close to Boston. Boston metro could see 5–8 inches of rain between Friday and Sunday; Cape Cod may experience tropical‑storm‑level conditions. High tides combined with strong winds will cause minor to moderate tidal flooding in most tidal areas from northeastern North Carolina through Massachusetts.

Risk areas

Mid‑Atlantic: Coastal North Carolina, Virginia, and Maryland.

Northeast: New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and especially Massachusetts (Boston metro, Cape Cod).

New England: Southeastern Massachusetts, parts of New Hampshire and Maine.   

Coastal flood warnings and advisories are in effect for most tidal areas through Thursday night or Friday. Residents in affected zones should prepare for multi‑day disruption and possible power outages.

This is a long‑duration, high‑impact storm with the potential for severe coastal flooding, dangerous surf, and damaging winds. If the low pressure moves close to Boston, conditions could be catastrophic.

Mariners, coastal residents, and anyone in the storm’s path should monitor official forecasts and follow local emergency alerts.

Needless to say, if you are traveling from the Mid-Atlantic or Northeast Coast of the U.S. this weekend, your plans could…and likely will, be disrupted.

Here are some of the steps major airlines are taking:

United Airlines: Covered airports include BOS, EWR, JFK, LGA, BDL, MHT, PHL, PVD, PWM, and ACK for travel between Sept. 25 and Sept. 27. Rebooking fees and fare differences are waived for same-cabin travel.

American Airlines: Advisory covers major Northeast hubs (BOS, JFK, LGA, EWR, and PHL) for Sept. 25-27 travel. Clients can move their trips to Sept. 24-29 without paying a fare difference.

Delta Air Lines: Delta is encouraging passengers moving through Boston Logan and its NYC hubs to keep a close eye on flight statuses and jump on early rebooking options where available.

JetBlue: Covers NYC-area and New England airports (including JFK, LGA, EWR, HPN, ISP, BOS, PVD, ACK, MVY, and HYA) for Sept. 25-27 travel. Rebooking is penalty-free through Sept. 30.

If you are traveling with a group, you will probably be contacted by the tour operator to let you know of any changes to the itinerary.

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AQVA Exhibition at the Vatican Apostolic Library

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Water is something we all tend to take for granted, except for those times when there is not enough–or too much–or, as is the case in some parts of the world, it is unsafe to drink.

“AQVA” is the inaugural exhibition of the Vatican Apostolic Library’s new five‑year cycle Catastrophe and Wonder (Catastrofe e Meraviglia), inaugurated on September 14, 2026 by Pope Leo XIV.

“AQVA” (Catastrophe and Wonder – Year I, 2026–2027) marks the beginning of a new multi‑year exhibition program at the Vatican Apostolic Library. It examines water’s dual nature—life‑giving and destructive—through an immersive, interdisciplinary installation.

♦ Water as threat: floods, decay, and the vulnerability of manuscripts.

♦ Water as resource: life, renewal, and cultural inspiration.

The exhibit focuses on natural elements as metaphors for humanity’s fears and hopes, especially threats to written heritage such as water, fire, light, insects, and human intervention. The exhibition pairs rare Vatican manuscripts, books, engravings, and cookbooks with contemporary works, also addressing water damage to heritage items and restoration.

Central historical piece

Ippolito Salviani’s Aquatilium animalium historia (1557), a landmark Renaissance treatise on aquatic animals (celebrating its 470th anniversary).

Featured artworks by artists

JR (French artist): “Diluvium”: A monumental site-specific installation (roughly 230 feet (70 meters) long , up to 98 feet (~30 meters) high, covering the Library’s façade. Inspired by Gustave Doré’s depiction of the Great Flood, it evokes the vulnerability of knowledge and memory (and alludes to climate change). It is the first such exterior commission for the building.

Bill Moran (American typographer): “Letterfishes”: Typographic/marine artworks creating sea creatures from letters, integrating letterpress and typographic design with the Library’s heritage, inspired by historical sources.

Fulvio Pierangelini (Italian chef): linking culinary culture, ecology, and the materiality of water culinary‑thematic contributions connecting gastronomy with the exhibition’s themes.

Two exceptional copies of Ippolito Salviani’s Aquatilium animalium historia (1557): a Renaissance masterpiece combining scientific study of fish, fine engraving, and culinary culture are displayed in honor of the 470th anniversary of its publication, originally funded by the Vatican Library.

The exhibit continues through spaces linking the Vatican Library’s heritage with aquatic themes and contemporary artistic languages and concludes in the Barberini Hall, transformed into a contemplative environment.

Note: We, as Christians, are called to care for our physical surroundings, but Catholic voices argue that key segments of the movement have adopted naturalistic or neo-pagan premises, overstated certainty on complex climate models or policy efficacy, and subordinated human dignity.

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Opening of the new campus of Ave Maria University at Mount Melleray Abbey, Ireland

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Famous American Catholic university Ave Maria University has officially opened its Ireland campus at historic Mount Melleray Abbey in County Waterford. The opening Mass was celebrated by Bishop Alphonsus Cullinan of Waterford and Lismore.Mount Melleray Abbey was a historic Cistercian (Trappist) monastery on the slopes of the Knockmealdown Mountains near Cappoquin, County Waterford. It was founded in 1833 as the first post-Reformation Cistercian house established in Ireland in the post-Reformation period. It has served as a major Trappist community for nearly 200 years.

It was officially closed as an active monastic community in early 2025. By the time it closed, the community was down to single figures, yet the facilities were still there in a beautiful, peaceful setting. Now, Ave Maria University will be using the famous monastery as a campus, keeping it open for Catholic purposes. Ave Maria University was founded by Tom Monaghan, who created Domino’s Pizza and his known for his Catholic philanthropic works.

The opening Mass was celebrated by Bishop Alphonsus Cullinan of Waterford and Lismore.

Their main campus is Ave Maria, Florida.

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Delta and United Resume Nonstop New York–Tel Aviv Flights

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The situation in Israel has greatly improved. People are returning to the Holy Land, and flights from the U.S. are as well! Delta resumed nonstop service from New York to Tel Aviv and so has United. 

Delta’s restart followed a security review and is its primary transatlantic gateway to Israel; other Delta Israel routes (e.g., Atlanta, Boston) remain suspended.  Delta Airlines will offer daily service from New York using the Airbus A330‑900neo (neo stands for “new engine Option”), offering Delta One®, Premium Select, Comfort, and Main Cabin. 

Delta flight #234 departs JFK at 3:40 p.m.(15:30) local time, arrives TLV at 9:25 a.m. (09:25) the following day,

The return flight, Delta flight #235  leaves TLV departs 11:35 a.m. (11:35) local time and  arrives JFK at 5:00 p.m. (17:00).

United Airlines began two daily Newark–Tel Aviv flights on September 8. United’s Newark–Tel Aviv service had been suspended since March 2026 amid regional conflict; this restart is part of a broader U.S.–Israel service rebuild. Service resumed on September 8, 2026, with two daily flights from Newark Liberty International (EWR) to Tel Aviv using a Boeing 787-10, which seats 318 passengers.

United flight #84 departs Newark (EWR) at 3:55 p.m. (15:55) and arrives Tel Aviv (TLV) at  9:20 am (09:20) the following day.

United flight #90 departs Newark (EWR) at 11:35 pm (23:35) and arrives Tel Aviv (TLV) at 5:00 p.m. (17:00) the following day.

Both airlines’ schedules are subject to security and operational conditions; check Delta.com or United.com for the latest updates.

Other airlines, including European carriers, are also planning Tel Aviv returns later in fall.

El Al, Israel’s flag carrier, has continued service from New York’s JFK Airport with no interruption. You can visit their website here.

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A New World Map introduced in September 2026

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OK, we admit it…..we’re not big fans of the U.N.  However, they do occasionally produce something that we can agree with.

On September 4, 2026, the United Nations voted to adopt a new world map. The Equal Earth projection shows continents’ and countries’ true relative sizes. It’s a far cry from the old map, the Mercator projection , which was created in the 16th century for maritime navigation. In contrast, the Mercator projection, developed in 1569 for navigation, preserves angles and shapes locally but dramatically enlarges regions near the poles

The old map is still used by many map programs; however, it distorts the size of land masses as you move away from the equator.

The Equal Earth projection is an equal-area map, meaning it maintains the proportional size of geographic regions.

The old map made Greenland look roughly the same size as Africa, when in reality Africa is 14 times larger. It made the State of Alaska look almost as large as Brazil, even though Brazil is almost five times the size of Alaska.

When planning your travels, maps are useful even if you are not doing the navigating….it’s still nice to see things in perspective.

You can see the new map here.

 

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Pope Leo XIV grants Jubilee Year dedicated to Our Lady of Guadalupe

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Pope Leo XIV Grants Jubilee Year for Our Lady of Guadalupe from October 12, 2026 – October 12, 2027

Pope Leo XIV has declared a Guadalupan Jubilee Year to mark the 50th anniversary of the dedication of the new Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City and the transfer of the sacred image of the Virgin to the current shrine on October 12, 1976.

This year also coincides with the 131st anniversary of the pontifical coronation of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

Cardinal Carlos Aguiar Retes, Archbishop Primate of Mexico, announced the jubilee with “profound joy and gratitude” and invited the faithful to attend the solemn Mass marking the start of the jubilee on October 12 at noon at the Basilica. The Archdiocese of Mexico has scheduled a series of liturgical and cultural events in the days leading up to the opening, including Lauds, Masses, Vespers, a Rosary, concerts, and the opening of the Holy Door.

The primate archbishop encouraged Catholics to use this period for spiritual renewal and conversion under the protection of Our Lady of Guadalupe, recalling her invitation: “Am I not here, I who am your Mother?”.

During the jubilee, the faithful who visit the Basilica of Santa María de Guadalupe with devotion and a contrite spirit, participate in a liturgical act, or spend time in prayer there, may receive a plenary indulgence for themselves or apply it to the souls in Purgatory.

To obtain it, they must also fulfill the usual Church conditions:

Sacramental confession

Eucharistic Communion

Recitation of the Creed

or the 500th anniversary of Our Lady’s apparitions to St. Juan Diego, with the next Guadalupan Jubilee planned for 2031

Beginning October 12, 2026 pilgrims traveling to The Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City will be able to receive a plenary indulgence under the usual conditions.

The Jubilee will continue through October 2027.

Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for the Americas.

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Pope Leo XIV’s Apostolic visit to France, September 25-28, 2026

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Scheduled from September 25 through September 29, the Holy Father will make an Apostolic visit to France. The schedule, as announced, will be:

Friday, September 25 
7:50 a.m. (07:00) Depart Rome Fiumicino Airport;

10:00 a.m (10:00) arrive Paris Orly Airport.
Welcome ceremony; meet with President Emmanuel Macron at the Élysée Palace. Meeting with authorities, civil society, and the diplomatic corps.

3:00 p.m. (15:00) Visit to UNESCO headquarters.

7:15 p.m. (17:15) Vespers at Notre-Dame Cathedral with clergy and consecrated persons.

9:00 p.m. (21:00) Prayer vigil with young people at Stade de France in Saint-Denis.

Saturday, September 26
9:00 a.m. (09:00) Visit Maison Bakhita Centre for migrants and refugees.

10:15 a.m. (10:15) Audience with provincial synodal assembly, catechumens, and newly baptized at Catholic University of Paris.

3:00 p.m. (15:00) Mass at Place de la Concorde.

6:45 p.m. (18:45) Depart Paris Orly International Airport.

7:05 p.m. (19:05) Arrival at Tarbes-Lourdes-Pyrénées International Airport

7:40 p.m. (19:40) Prayer at the Grotto of the Apparitions at Massabielle.

Sunday, September 27 – Lourdes
9:00 a.m. (09:00) Meeting with French bishops at the Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes.

11:00 a.m. (11:00) Mass on the Shrine’s grounds.

3:30 p.m. (15:30) Meeting with staff and residents of Accueil Notre-Dame.

4:45 p.m. (16:45) Private meeting with Carmelite sisters.

9:00 p.m. (21:00) Holy Rosary and torchlight procession.

Monday, September 28– Metz
7:40 a.m. (07:40) Depart Lourdes; arrive Metz at 9:20 a.m.

10:00 a.m. (10:00) Interreligious meeting at the Robert Schuman Conference Centre.

11:00 a.m. (11:00) Conference on “To the Roots of Europe for Peace and Unity.”

4:00 p.m. (16:00) Mass at Cathedral of Saint Stephen (La Cathedrale de Saint Etienne).

6:30 p.m. (18:30) Farewell ceremony; return to Rome.

The visit includes private meetings with survivors of abuse, continuing Pope Leo’s commitment to healing and reconciliation. Events will emphasize migrant support, peace-building, and interfaith dialogue.

This visit will be a significant moment for French Catholics and the global Church, combining spiritual encounters, social outreach, and diplomatic engagement.

The journey will be covered live by Vatican Media, EWTN and other outlets.

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New Parish Named After Saint Matthew Ayariga in Arlington, Texas

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New Parish Named After Saint Matthew Ayariga in Arlington, Texas

We present this article courtesy of the North Texas Catholic:

The Catholic Diocese of Fort Worth has announced the establishment of Saint Matthew Ayariga Catholic Church in Arlington, Texas, as its newest parish — the first in the world dedicated to this patron saint Catholic Diocese of Fort WorthCatholic Diocese of Fort Worth.

The parish is a personal parish created to serve the growing Ghanaian Catholic community in North Texas. Since 2007, this community has met weekly at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Arlington, celebrating Mass in the Twi language. The Diocese of Fort Worth and the Archdiocese of Kumasi in Ghana have collaborated, with Ghanaian priests providing pastoral care to shepherd the community Catholic Diocese of Fort WorthCatholic Diocese of Fort Worth.

Saint Matthew Ayariga was a Ghanaian migrant worker in Libya who, in early 2015, was abducted by ISIS alongside 20 Egyptian Coptic Orthodox Christians. Faced with the choice of renouncing his faith or being executed, he chose to remain steadfast.

When asked if he was a Christian, he reportedly replied, “Their God is my God”, affirming his solidarity with his fellow captives. He was beheaded on February 15, 2015, with his companions.

Pope Tawadros II of Alexandria canonized Ayariga and the other 20 martyrs in 2015, and Pope Francis later recognized them as saints, adding them to the Roman Martyrology.

Bishop Michael F. Olson described the parish’s creation as a moment of grace, reflecting the universality and diversity of the Catholic Church. He emphasized that Ayariga’s martyrdom is a testament to the triumph of Christ, noting that the violence intended to extinguish the light of faith instead illuminated a path toward unity and remembrance.

The dedication Mass for Saint Matthew Ayariga Parish is scheduled for January 29, 2027, at 1400 South Cooper Street, Arlington, Texas. The church, located in a former Methodist church in south Arlington, is currently undergoing renovations to meet the worship needs of the Catholic community. Completion is scheduled for January 2027.

During the weekend of Jan. 29-31, 2027, Bishop Olson will celebrate three Masses to dedicate St. Matthew Ayariga Catholic Church. The Most Reverend Gabriel Anokye, the Archbishop of Kumasi, is expected to attend along with representatives of the Ghanaian community and dignitaries from Ghana, the United States, the State of Texas, the city of Arlington, and local communities.

St. Matthew Ayariga will be the 93rd parish in the Diocese of Fort Worth, which comprises 28 counties and 23,950 square miles in North Texas. It is the fifth parish established by Bishop Olson, who was ordained and installed as the bishop of Fort Worth on Jan. 29, 2014.

This parish will not only serve Ghanaian Catholics but will also welcome all members of the Catholic faithful, embodying the mission of the Church to be a community of faith, family, culture, devotion, and service.  It is located at 1400 South Cooper Street in Arlington, Texas.

 

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Archbishop challenges Catholics to walk to Shrine in Angola

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Archbishop Filomeno do Nascimento Vieira Dias of Angola’s Archdiocese of Luanda has challenged Catholics to undertake a 81-mile (130-kilometer) pilgrimage on foot to the Shrine of Our Lady of the Conception of Muxima, describing the journey as an opportunity to unite physical sacrifice with faith, prayer and communion among Angolan families.

Archbishop Dias made the appeal Thursday, August 13, during a press conference at the Archbishop’s House in Luanda, where he officially presented the Archdiocese’s first organized walking pilgrimage to the historic shrine.

The pilgrimage is scheduled for September 4–5, 2026, and Archbishop Dias said he will personally participate in the initiative.

“Choosing to walk represents a concrete way of uniting physical effort with faith and with the intentions that pilgrims will take to Muxima,” the Agolan Catholic Archbishop said.

He described the decision to walk as an expression of faith and sacrifice, saying pilgrims would be able to associate their physical effort with their prayers and intentions before God.

“There are other pilgrimages that we have organized in recent years. We go in caravans, buses, cars, etc., but on foot, this is the first,” he said.

Archbishop Dias said pilgrimages to Muxima date back to the 17th century, when Catholics travelled individually, as families or in small groups to the shrine.

“Not organized as they are today, but people would leave individually, as families, with a neighbour, with another neighbour, to Muxima,” he recalled.  The Catholic Archbishop said the initiative differs from previous pilgrimages to Muxima because it seeks to bring Catholics together along the same route and revive an ancient tradition of walking to places of spiritual significance.

He described the shrine as a place with a long history and a deep connection with the Catholic faithful of Angola.

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Midland, Texas: Traditional Latin Mass added

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Beginning Sunday, August 30, Saint Ann’s Catholic Church in Midland, TX, will become the home to a monthly Traditional Latin Mass celebrated according to the 1962 Missal.

This Mass will be offered on the last Sunday of each month at 3:00 p.m. in the Holy Family Chapel at St. Ann’s Church.

It’s their hope that this time will enable people from West Texas (Lubbock, Amarillo, and El Paso) and Southeastern New Mexico (Las Cruces) to join them for this celebration. This is just a beginning as the diocese discerns a path forward to provide for their people.

Other priests of the diocese will be learning the Traditional Latin Mass in the weeks and months ahead.

The weekly Traditional Latin Mass at St. Margaret’s Church in San Angelo will remain unchanged.