NEW CASTLE — After an incredibly successful 18-year run the Matt Luce era of Wapahani boys basketball has come to an end Luce was named the next head coach at New Castle following a special session of the New Castle Community Schools board on Friday He went 335-99 during his time at Wapahani making him the program's all-time winningest coach "How exciting to be the new coach of the New Castle Trojans?" Luce said I think my wife and I will be excited for it so just excited to be standing here and thrilled to be the next coach at New Castle." The news was first reported May 1 on social media by Sam Frick of Around the Northeast Corner. led the Raiders to six Delaware County titles three regional championships and one semi-state title during his tenure Wapahani finished as IHSAA Class 2A state runners-up in the 2023-24 season Wapahani had endured 10 straight losing seasons the decision to leave Wapahani and the Selma community where he grew up was not an easy one New Castle athletic director Cory Bennett highlighted the characteristics that made Luce stand out as a candidate for the Trojans head coaching job he has a great record at Wapahani," Bennet said "But I think also just the fact that he's been running the ECI leagues so obviously he has a lot of knowledge with feeder systems and putting time into feeder systems And I think the last part was just personality Thought he would fit in well with not only all of us Luce began his coaching career as an assistant at Fountain Central from 1999-2001 He then was an assistant at Crawfordsville in 2001-02 before beginning his head coaching career at Southwestern (Hanover) in 2002-03 He returned to Crawfordsville as the head coach for 2003-04 before spending three years as the head coach at Benton Central from 2004-07 His overall career coaching record is 385-159 Joe Luce was recently named the next head coach at Wawasee after three seasons at Tippecanoe Valley Contact Cade Hampton via email at cbhampton@muncie.gannett.com or on X, formerly known as Twitter, @CadeHamp10 Luce Avenue Coffee Roasters offers freshly roasted coffee and a diverse selection of unique coffee drinks Ryan joined Community Impact as a general assignment reporter in 2024 local government and other issues affecting the Cy-Fair community Ryan worked as a digital content producer for a television station in Little Rock and as a sports reporter and anchor in San Angelo He graduated from Sam Houston State University in December 2018 majoring in mass communication with a focus in multiplatform journalism and a minor in marketing Ryan graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a master’s degree in sport management Ryan enjoys rooting on Houston’s sports teams the once Michelin-starred restaurant at the InterContinental Hotel that was a proving ground for several well known chefs including is calling it quits — and more than likely will be replaced with something less fancy Luce opened with the then-new InterContinental Hotel in early 2008, and the hotel soon became a favorite of President Barack Obama when he had to come to SF — Crenn cooked for him at least once in October 2009, but he opted to dine alone in his room The restaurant maintained a high level of quality featuring refined takes on Mediterranean food but never carving out a specific identity besides being a Michelin-level Other chefs who came through the kitchen include Top Chef Season 12 winner Melissa King, who had been a sous chef at Luce before appearing on the show and multiply Michelin-starred Rogelio Garcia who reopened the restaurant in 2021 but moved on to earn a Michelin star at Auro in Calistoga Luce lost its Michelin star while it was still closed for the pandemic when the 2021 updated Bay Area guide was released The trend of the last decade in hotels was to take previously fancy tablecloth-type restaurants and turn them into casual but semi-upscale taverns with artisanal cocktails and a decent burger That same thing may not happen at the InterContinental but a pivot of some kind is likely in the works pomp-and-circumstance fine dining restaurants Both the upcoming JouJou in the Design District, from the chef and team at Lazy Bear, and Via Aurelia from the Che Fico folks fit that bill with the restaurant groups betting that diners with means are looking for more theatricality and more reasons to dine out and have a special experience — especially when even casual dining is pretty expensive these days the InterContinental will still serve food The Chan Zuckerberg Initiative has decided to shut down two tuition-free private schools it started for low-income students in 2016 though kicking down $50 million to help with the students’ transition to new schools You may not have heard of Scale AI co-founder Lucy Guo but she just passed Taylor Swift as the youngest self-made billionaire woman though that’s all based on her ownership stake in a company she no longer works for Get the latest posts delivered right to your inbox Barmann is a fiction writer and web editor who's lived in San Francisco for 20+ years Get all the latest & greatest posts delivered straight to your inbox (Trotta) Luce created this Life Tributes page to make it easy to share your memories Jim was a 1974 graduate of Saranac Lake High School Army and served as a military police officer he went on to a career working in the restaurant industry He later retired to Florida to enjoy the east and west coast beaches Jim had a smile that will always be remembered spending time with family and friends and enjoying the views on the beach He loved attending baseball games with his son Dylon and grandkids Jim will be missed by all who knew and loved him He was predeceased by his mom Patricia Walker and his wife Cherie Duso Jim is also survived by his grandkids that he loved endlessly: Cadence and Parker Luce (Dylon) A celebration of life event will take place at a later date in the Saranac Lake/Lake Placid area The family would like to thank the nurses and medical staff at Suncoast Hospice for their unwavering love and support In lieu of flowers, contributions in Jim’s memory may be made to Suncoast Hospice, Suncoast Hospice Foundation, 5771 Roosevelt Blvd., Clearwater, Florida, 33760 or suncoasthospicefoundation.org/donations2 Copyright © 2025 Adirondack Publishing Company | https://www.adirondackdailyenterprise.com | 54 Broadway dory.devlin@rutgers.edu The Henry Luce Foundation Board of Directors today named Jonathan Holloway as the grantmaking foundation’s seventh president and chief executive officer three months after completing his tenure as Rutgers University's 21st president on June 30 “Dr. Holloway is an eminent historian, a respected scholar of the humanities, a public intellectual and an influential leader in higher education. His thoughtful approach to collaboration and a firm commitment to the Foundation's long-term view of impact from its grantmaking position him well to lead the Foundation into the future,” said Debra Knopman and Terry Adamson co-chairs of the Foundation’s Board of Directors Holloway said the 89-year-old Luce Foundation’s mission to deepen knowledge and understanding in pursuit of a more democratic and just world aligns with his commitment to civic engagement civil discourse and supporting the common good throughout his five-year Rutgers presidency nonprofit foundation has issued more than $1 billion in grants and offers leadership programs in the fields of Asia Holloway told the university’s governing boards that he had planned to take the 12 months of his sabbatical and spend that time getting reacquainted with his scholarship before returning to Rutgers in July 2026 But when the Luce Foundation approached him about the position he said he recognized “a special opportunity to develop new skills and content knowledge in the arts while continuing my commitment to support civic engagement in the public sphere.” When he begins his position at Luce on October 1 Holloway will relinquish the remaining months of a one-year sabbatical and leave his dual position as Distinguished Professor and University Professor “I am honored to join the Henry Luce Foundation after I complete my tenure at Rutgers and to build upon its decades of remarkable work to foster discussion across differences and nurture ideas that will strengthen communities,” Holloway said the Luce Foundation’s efforts are more imperative than ever I am eager to work with the Foundation’s committed staff and Board toward a healthy democratic culture and an equitable society.” media and faith communities for discussions with students In addition, under Holloway’s leadership, the university launched the Rutgers Democracy Lab at the Rutgers Eagleton Institute of Politics in November 2024 to draw on university students faculty and researchers to connect with community members practitioners and others to help tackle challenges facing American democracy and society Holloway’s service to Rutgers and wish him well as he prepares for this next chapter to further advance the common good around the world,” said Amy Towers “Our priority now is to ensure a smooth and successful handoff as we look ahead to the university’s future Holloway during the next three months to ensure a successful presidential transition at Rutgers The Henry Luce Foundation currently pursues its mission with grant programs in American Art Rutgers is an equal access/equal opportunity institution. Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to direct suggestions, comments, or complaints concerning any accessibility issues with Rutgers websites to accessibility@rutgers.edu or complete the Report Accessibility Barrier / Provide Feedback form Copyright ©2025, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey. All rights reserved. Contact webmaster A key figure in American foreign policy and an architect of the Soviet Union’s demise Zbigniew Brzezinski served as President Carter’s national security advisor and counseled presidents from Kennedy to Obama Edward Luce details how Brzezinski introduced a new way of thinking to Washington and transformed that thinking into tangible influence What made Brzezinski such an important and effective strategic thinker What lessons does his career hold for us today Luce will share insights from his book on the life and legacy of one of America's most significant foreign policy strategists.  will be available for sale and signing at the program The University is currently operating under normal conditions This nationally competitive fellowship provides emerging leaders professional experiences in Asia Senior Anna Seaman has been selected as a Luce scholar for the 2025-26 year She is Carolina’s 41st Luce scholar and one of only 16 scholars chosen from a rigorous nationwide selection process The Luce Scholars Program was created by the Henry Luce Foundation in 1974 to develop emerging leaders through immersive professional experiences in Asia Seaman is a senior pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in public health in the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health and a minor in chemistry in the UNC College of Arts and Sciences She is a Robertson scholar and Honors Carolina student She has worked at the Duke Wellness Center John Hickenlooper of Colorado and conducted research for the Duke-Margolis Institute for Health Policy I am grateful to have been a member of the Robertson Scholars Leadership Program and a student at the Gillings School of Global Public Health both of which place significant importance on intentional engagement beyond one’s immediate community,” said Seaman “The Luce Scholars Program has a similar emphasis focusing on relationships and community-building as catalysts for meaningful change.” As Spring Commencement approaches, Carolina is celebrating the Class of 2025. Learn more about their accomplishments with these stories Seaman will work on reducing global health disparities through an immersive professional experience in Asia with a focus on the intersection of public health primary care and community health networks executive director of the Robertson Scholars Leadership Program sees the Luce Scholar Program as a direct continuation of Seaman’s undergraduate work Anna has dedicated herself to examining the systems impacting health care and continues living her commitment to make positive contributions to the field of medicine I am confident the opportunity to be a Luce scholar will further catapult her in this effort and we can’t wait to see how it amplifies Anna’s impact as a transformational leader,” said Lakis The Morehead-Cain scholar will continue his studies in economics at the University of Oxford The prestigious award fully funds a master’s program in global affairs at Beijing’s Tsinghua University The Well newsletter updates Tar Heels on UNC-Chapel Hill’s top stories NC Children’s will be North Carolina’s first freestanding hospital dedicated to caring for kids The Carolina sophomore shares her life through her poems Heather Wasser focuses her work on safe infant feeding a concern after the storm hit western North Carolina Neha Varrier did CPR on a patient until help arrived nearly a thousand Tar Heels got help from fellow students through this free Learning Center program © 2024 The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Please enable JS and disable any ad blocker The Prima Luce twin condo towers and Towles Garden workforce housing development face foreclosure in Fort Myers who had been spearheading both projects and had used the land at Towles Garden as collateral for Prima Luce entered March 11 with less than 48 hours to secure $36.9 million in funding to avoid foreclosure “I’m disappointed and really frustrated with this whole thing,” Fort Myers Mayor Kevin Anderson said “We’re going to work hard with the developer to make sure we get the Towles Garden project done as well as the city to have that level of workforce housing available.” has cleared out the Prima Luce sales center in downtown Fort Myers But he has a letter of intent and offer from an undisclosed new lender to buy the projects out of debt said Chris Spiro of Spiro & Associates a public relations company working on behalf of MacFarlane Spiro said MacFarlane would have more details by the end of March 12 this would be the second-highest foreclosure in the three years Kevin Karnes has been Lee County clerk of court before being elected to the position November 2022 and reelected November 2024 An assisted living facility at 1251 Business Way in Lehigh Acres went into foreclosure at $155.5 million That’s been the largest foreclosure in three years the Tarpon Point condo project in Cape Coral remains the largest foreclosure in Lee County history 22-story condominium complex fronting the Caloosahatchee River off First Street in Fort Myers the lender essentially has a reserve bid,” said Matt Simmons or the lender could decide it wants control I expect the lender taking ownership is what is likely to happen.” Towles Garden is a proposed 140-home subdivision geared toward workforce housing The site is located at the corner of Veronica Shoemaker Boulevard and Edison Avenue “The best-case scenario is somebody who has the means to develop the property in a good way will win the auction,” Anderson said Typical ebbs and flows of the single-family home market do not have much of an impact on the ultra Four restaurant chains and a cake shop will join seven other businesses coming this year to the new Tree Farm.. the May 5 opening of the Hospital for Special Surgery at NCH takes the health care.. Not only has Chef Brian Roland physically and emotionally returned to public life in Southwest Florida after his life-altering tragedy.. Beeline is counting on thirsty folks making a beeline to its new upscale cocktail bar at Mercato in North Naples... The 72-unit Verandas III opened and is fully occupied on Airport Road marking the final phase in the redevelopment of.. MISSOULA – Courtney Bentz was named the University of Montana’s first Luce Scholar a competitive fellowship program that provides emerging leaders with immersive professional experiences in Asia “I was a TRIO student growing up all throughout public school so it’s a lot of fun to work at the college level now,” Bentz said “But my overall goal is to work for the State Department and work in international relations and that’s a little bit difficult to do in Montana.” The Luce Scholars program is supported by the Henry Luce Foundation more than 800 people have completed the yearlong immersion fellowship that aims to strengthen relationships across borders “We are excited and proud to have Courtney as UM’s first Luce Scholar,” said Kylla Benes, director of UM’s Office of External Scholarships and Fellowships “Her achievement exemplifies the amazing opportunities at UM that propel our students to success and the grit and determination that our students have in forging their own paths.” Bentz’s interest in foreign languages started within her own family Her great grandparents immigrated to the United States from rural Russian-occupied territories in Europe and spoke German and Russian at home with their children Over time speaking foreign language in their family dwindled “I was quite sad that there wasn’t that opportunity for me to learn these languages from my family,” Bentz said I started traveling out of the state on orchestra trips in high school and that cemented the fact that I really wanted to see what was outside of Montana and to get out.” Bentz graduated from UM in 2020 with a degree in Russian and a certificate in global studies the more I understood that language is really the window into understanding another culture better,” she said “So much of culture and history is built into a language and it’s just a fantastic way to connect with people instead of just relying on English Bentz studied in Kyrgyzstan and later returned to the country on a Fulbright scholarship to teach college-level English to students and professors Bentz also earned two Critical Language Scholarships for Russian and two supplementary awards for Ukrainian she worked for two years as an AmeriCorps VISTA member at the International Rescue Committee where she launched a coaching program for refugees in partnership with a local credit union combined with her impressive work in our community and on campus gave her the academic knowledge and leadership experience that stood out on the national level,” Benes said “Courtney will certainly be an exemplary representative of UM and Montana as a Luce Scholar and as a future diplomat.” Bentz has yet to receive her placement assignment as a Luce Scholar she will start orientation for the program in Singapore before traveling to her host country for two months of intensive language training Placements for the program are highly individualized to the fieldwork interests of each scholar Contact: Dave Kuntz, UM director of strategic communications, 406-243-5659, dave.kuntz@umontana.edu Global Sisters Report a project of National Catholic Reporter Sign up now adorns the office window of author Jane Marie Bradish View Author Profile the Dicastery for Evangelization unveiled a mascot for the 2025 Jubilee Year of Hope I don't know if this is a first of its kind  "thing " but I'm not familiar with any previous jubilee mascots is a Jubilee pilgrim in the form of an anime-type character but I find great comfort in having something soft and cuddly around Her arrival on my doorstep all the way from Rome brought me childlike delight She currently sits in my office window looking out over all the people who pass by every day I'm enjoying discovering more and more each time I look at her or someone inquires about her Her raincoat is the color of the Vatican flag her shoes are covered in the mud of pilgrimage and she carries a walking stick She wears a Fulton Sheen World Mission-style rosary and her eyes shine but they are not available in stuffed form — for now Luce's bright yellow raincoat is the first thing I noticed when unpacking her I have two non-negotiables: it has to be waterproof and have a hood Having a good coat to keep yourself dry and warm is important when setting out on a journey especially when the journey takes you to unknown places — and don't most pilgrimages do that "Luce's rosary reminds me of the need for prayer So often in this 'modern age,'prayer is reserved for times of need or crisis I really try to follow the words attributed to various people: 'pray at all times'": Sr Jane Marie Bradish on the 2025 Jubilee Year of Hope's mascot Tweet this but serious walkers know having something to guide you and lean into is important The journey of life comes with uneven and potentially rocky terrain Luce's green boots covered in mud make me smile Pilgrims know you will walk and walk and walk and the chance of literally stepping in something is very real so I learned early on that I needed  "good shoes" to save the wear and tear on my body Luce's rosary reminds me of the need for prayer So often in this "modern age,"prayer is reserved for times of need or crisis I really try to follow the words attributed to various people: "pray at all times." The form of prayer doesn't matter much to me it's the connection and relationship with God that prayer brings that I need in my life The sparkling eyes of Luce scream for attention her eyes call to even the most casual observer A look can say so much — ask any kid if their parents have ever given them "the look." That same look can also be one of incredible intimacy I recall well the last time my parents' eyes locked with each other It is said the eyes are a window to the soul so eyes for me are a way of connecting.  I recently discovered there are all kinds of pilgrimage suggestions on the 2025 Jubilee Year of Hope's website (www.iubilaeum2025.va) I don't plan on making any official pilgrimages Luce and I invite you to pilgrimage this Jubilee Year of Hope then enter your email address and click "subscribe" Global Sisters Report Alex Firestine has made Pitt history — again Firestine, the first Pitt student to be named a George J. Mitchell Scholar in 2024, is now the first Pitt graduate to join the Luce Scholars Program a yearlong opportunity for emerging leaders to live and work in Asia who pursued three majors and two certificates as a student at the University’s David C hopes to use his year in Asia to further his understanding of sustainable food systems by working with a local food organization Thanks to the Luce’s immersive language component he’ll also learn the language of his to-be-determined host country and I think this is the perfect time to explore and challenge myself,” Firestine said Firestine (CBA ’23) received his first lesson in food from his grandfather, a dedicated food bank volunteer who allowed his grandson to join him on shifts. That early knowledge grew into a passion when Firestine arrived at the University of Pittsburgh and met Audrey Murrell a Pitt business professor and co-founder of the sustainable food nonprofit Food21 “She really taught me about the impact of food insecurity and the disproportionate effect it has on marginalized communities,” Firestine said. In fact, he recently joined Murrell in writing a paper on the subject Murrell also wrote his recommendation for the Mitchell Scholarship which he used to fund a year of study at the University of Galway in Ireland Firestine earned a master’s degree in climate change agriculture and food security; launched a startup that uses AI to assist horticulturists in their work; and bonded with an international cohort of students who helped to shift and shape his perspective “I had friends in the program from Liberia and so I gained this amazing insight into what it's like in countries around the world in terms of food systems and the detrimental impact that climate change is having on those food systems.” along with his current position as the program manager of a Dublin-based venture capital fund focused on human and planetary health convinced Firestine to apply for the Luce Scholars Program and continue his global education “Alex has given us not only our first Mitchell scholarship which is a tremendous accomplishment,” said Lesha Green director of national scholarships at the Frederick Honors College “He continues to be an exemplary representative of Pitt and its amazing students Fun fact: Firestine is a “tattoo tourist,” seeking out the world’s top tattoo artists to ink their creations on his body which he estimates is about 50% covered in art (including matching tattoos with his mom and brother) he’s been inked in a renowned shop in Poland and a former Soviet war bunker in Albania Annabelle Jin, a University of Pennsylvania fourth-year student in the College of Arts and Sciences, is one of 16 recipients selected by the Henry Luce Foundation to be a 2025-26 Luce Scholar and an individualized professional placement that aligns with their interests the Luce Scholars Program is a competitive leadership-development fellowship that provides immersive professional experiences in Asia Its goal is to strengthen relationships across borders by offering opportunities for the Scholars to “deepen their understanding of Asia’s countries and people” and “expand their perspectives Jin, from Moorestown, New Jersey, is majoring in biology with a concentration in neurobiology and minoring in English and chemistry. As co-founder and education committee lead for the Penn Reproductive Justice student group she is interested in educating students about menstrual health Jin spearheaded the group’s Menstrual Health Education Program in West Philadelphia middle and high schools which explored themes from intersectionality and activism to entrepreneurship and health care Beyond reproductive health, Jin listens to patient stories while providing free blood pressure screenings at food kitchens and creates interactive play activities for pediatric cancer patients at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). She conducts pulmonary development research at the David Frank Research Laboratory at CHOP where she leads her independent project investigating the role of the epigenetic reader BRD4 in lung morphology with implications for treatment of pulmonary fibrosis Jin is a Benjamin Franklin Scholar, a 2022 Penn Office of Social Equity & Community Fellow, a 2022 United Nations Millennium Fellow, and a 2023 Penn Institute for Urban Research Fellow She plans to become an adolescent-medicine physician to combine her interests in reproductive justice and medicine Jin is the 19th Penn affiliate to be named a Luce Scholar. The Center for Undergraduate Research and Fellowships serves as Penn’s primary information hub and support office for students and alumni applying for major grants and fellowships. In Senegal, the ambitious Dakar Greenbelt project seeks to create an extensive network of ecological infrastructure in and around the city to sustainably address environmental concerns and enhance urban life. With support from David Gouverneur and Ellen Neises, Ph.D. candidate Rob Levinthal in the Weitzman School of Design led two courses that included a field trip to Dakar, that culminated in students presenting their visions for parts of the Greenbelt. The new Vagelos Laboratory for Energy Science and Technology boasts adaptable laboratory spaces to support the dynamic needs of pioneering research. props: {"enabled":true,"viewLimit":1,"excludeLabels":["Sponsored"],"timeframe":2592000000,"displayOverlay":false,"promoCode":"registration_meter","isLoggedIn":false,"requiresUserInput":false,"displayGate":true,"views":1} skipWhenExists: false }); Enjoy this free article CMSBrowserComponents.load({ el: '#vue-1746519034760-341' props: {"className":"content-meter__toggler","beforeExpanded":"Enjoy this free article.","beforeCollapsed":"Create a free account","targets":[".content-meter"],"toggleClass":"content-meter--open","iconModifiers":["xl"],"iconName":"chevron-up","initiallyExpanded":true,"expandedIconName":"chevron-down"} skipWhenExists: false });Create a free Diverse: Issues In Higher Education account to continue reading Jonathan Holloway has been named the new President and CEO of the Henry Luce Foundation following his five-year presidency at Rutgers University The Henry Luce Foundation announced on Friday that Holloway will become its seventh President and CEO in the organization's 89-year history praised Holloway as "an eminent historian and an influential leader in higher education," highlighting his "thoughtful approach to collaboration" and "firm commitment to the Foundation's long-term view." Mariko Silver (who departed in October 2024 to lead the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts) expressed his enthusiasm for the new role “I am honored to join the Henry Luce Foundation after I complete my tenure at Rutgers and to build upon its decades of remarkable work to foster discussion across differences and nurture ideas that will strengthen communities.” Holloway's appointment comes after his term as Rutgers' 21st president and first Black president in the university's 250-year history His tenure saw both accomplishments and challenges the Rutgers University Senate passed a no-confidence vote (89-47) citing concerns about shared governance following decisions including the merger of medical schools and his handling of a faculty strike Holloway championed several initiatives during his Rutgers presidency He established the Rutgers Scarlet Service program providing students with paid internships at nonprofit and government organizations He also launched the Rutgers Democracy Lab at the Eagleton Institute of Politics in November 2024 focusing on democratic engagement and civil discourse the university saw record-breaking freshman enrollment with increased diversity and research grants reaching an unprecedented $970 million Like many university presidents nationwide Holloway navigated the complex landscape of campus protests testifying before Congress about his administration's response to demonstrations Holloway served as provost at Northwestern University and held faculty roles at Yale University His scholarly work focuses on post-emancipation U.S particularly social and intellectual history He has authored several notable publications including African American History: A Very Short Introduction and Jim Crow Wisdom: Memory & Identity in Black America Since 1940 The Luce Foundation Board expressed confidence that Holloway's "exceptional listening skills and transparency will be instrumental in addressing the complex challenges that lie ahead" as the organization continues its work fostering discourse and strengthening communities Share on FacebookShare on X (formerly Twitter)Share on PinterestShare on LinkedInUPPER PENINSULA (WLUC) - Feeding America West Michigan is helping families keep their shelves stocked in Wilson and Newberry Thursday The first event is at the Hannahville Community Center at W484 Casino Lane attendees are to walk up to get their food The second event is at the GCCP Dunlap Center at 6545 M-123 Food distribution for this pantry starts at 2 p.m Attendees will need to have enough space in their trunk or backseat for volunteers to put food into Attendees may also need to provide the name and household size for any family they’re picking food up for if a family cannot attend If you wish to volunteer or donate to Feeding America West Michigan, that can be done here Isabel Ramos ’25 will spend the year after her Pomona College graduation in Asia as a Luce Scholar conservation and sustainable agriculture while immersed in a new culture she was chosen from a pool of 442 applicants for the 2025 cohort the first two months in intensive language study and the subsequent 11 months in a job placement tailored to their interests and experience She will learn in May where she will be placed The Henry Luce Foundation established the scholars program in 1974 to provide emerging American leaders an opportunity to gain first-hand understanding of Asian peoples, countries and cultures. According to the foundation’s website “There is no more effective way to build mutual understanding and cultivate a shared purpose than through sustained Ramos, a biology major notes that the fellowship “is mainly experiential rather than academic.” She appreciates that is not limited to people with interest in a particular discipline but is open to those pursuing all types of career goals While the Asian environment will be new, Ramos already has international experience. In a post-high school gap year, she did hurricane relief work in the Bahamas. As a junior at Pomona, she studied tropical ecology and conservation in the Monteverde region of Costa Rica Ramos’ long-term goal is to earn a doctorate in ecology or evolutionary biology “I’m really interested in being a researcher and educator but I also like science communication,” she says She has been a mentor for students in biology classes at Pomona she is enrolled in a class on how to teach ecology to middle schoolers Ramos credits two of her Pomona mentors, Professors Wallace “Marty” Meyer and Nina Karnovsky with nurturing her interest in biological research Her senior thesis focuses on endangered Hawaiian land snails She has also studied pollinators such as beetles and bees “Isabel was one of the best students I have ever had,” says Meyer “Her work in my lab has contributed significantly to endangered Hawaiian land snail conservation efforts I know that whatever she does in the future the planet and its residents will be well served.” Part of  The Claremont Colleges Mayán Alvarado-Goldberg ’24 has been named a 2025-26 Luce Scholar and will spend the next year in Asia working in reproductive health Alvarado-Goldberg is one of a cohort of 16 who will embark on the 13-month experiential fellowship program which offers immersive professional placements in Asia tailored to scholars’ interests Currently enrolled in the Master of Public Health program at Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine Alvarado-Goldberg plans to apply to medical school and become an obstetrician-gynecologist The Los Angeles native and Posse Scholar has known she wanted to work in reproductive health since high school when she shadowed a complicated birth that was made even more complicated by a communication barrier because the patient was from an Indigenous population in Central America “I want to be in these rooms so that I can find ways to help facilitate these really intense experiences.” Having studied global health and neuroscience in Northwestern’s Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences Alvarado-Goldberg is excited to learn more about how different healthcare systems work around the world She was especially drawn to the Luce program’s language-learning emphasis — scholars begin with two months of intensive language instruction for the region where they have been placed Spanish and American Sign Language with her family said she sees learning the language as “the first sign of respect” when entering a community She hopes to spend her time in Asia working in a clinical setting or birth clinic where she can draw on her previous experiences including her training as a labor and postpartum doula embedding in a new community and gaining cultural knowledge and sensitivity can inform her future work as a physician Alvarado-Goldberg plans to ultimately return to her hometown of Los Angeles where she wants to treat patients who are part of the city’s large immigrant and diasporic populations “I owe it to [my future patients] to really invest myself in learning about their experiences and the histories of the places where they’re from and learning about what the diasporic experience is like,” she said She already dedicates much of her time to helping patients she recently gained practical experience at the Chicago Women’s Health Center where she created a digital referral system to help patients with continuing care and translated intake forms into Spanish She is currently volunteering at a primary care clinic and is a Health Equity Scholar at Feinberg’s Center for Health Equity and Transformation assisting with the center’s Chinatown Patient Navigation project has been as a medical advocate for Resilience she accompanies survivors of sexual violence in emergency departments to provide them emotional support during intake and examinations “Being in all these really high-crisis situations but it makes me feel like I want to do this forever,” she said “I want to be able to work with these people and really find a way to have a trauma-informed Northwestern students interested in pursuing scholarship and fellowship opportunities can contact the Office of Fellowships to learn more news@northwestern.edu Get the latest news delivered to your inbox The recent death of Pope Francis has propelled the meme coin inspired by the Vatican’s mascot more meme coins inspired by the Pope has also popped up on the market According to data from meme coin tracking platform GMGN.Ai, the Solana (SOL)-based meme coin called LUCE has gone up as high as 134% the token reached a daily high of $0.02517 the meme coin is currently trading hands at around $0.015 Named after the official mascot of the Holy Year of 2025 LUCE is an unofficial meme coin that was launched at the end of October 2024 after the mascot was unveiled in Vatican Despite not being linked to the Vatican or the Pope in any way the meme coin has gained significant popularity among traders Two days after its launch, LUCE achieved a market cap surpassing $80 million, making it one of the largest coins created by pump.fun The unofficial LUCE meme coin currently has a market cap of around $15 million and a liquidity of $1.8 million There are currently around 44,750 traders who hold LUCE The token has accumulated a daily trading volume of at least $40.7 million Following its recent surge, the platform has also attached a 100% rug pull probability warning on the token In the past week, the token has gone down nearly 40%. It had recently received a major boost after the Vatican confirmed Pope Francis had died of double pneumonia on April 21 at around 7:35 AM local time, according to Reuters Pope Francis made his first public appearance since being discharged from a 38-day hospital stay for pneumonia he offered a special blessing for the first time since Christmas Pope Francis’ death has also led to an increase in Solana-based meme coins inspired by the recently-deceased Pope a meme coin called Francis was launched just an hour ago Other meme coins found within the lineup of new tokens include POPE and simply RIP with a picture of the deceased-Pope My heart sank when I saw Monday’s news of the Vatican’s unveiling of Luce, a cartoon mascot intended to promote the upcoming Jubilee Year After decades of attempts to make church cool and relevant had failed to reverse Christianity’s hemorrhaging of young people Vatican leaders decided this was a perfect time to At least some Catholics—across age groups!—are embracing Luce. Scores of fanart variants and memes have exploded into the zeitgeist the outcry against Luce has been just as loud and passionate But that’s not surprising; it is surprising to see this many young Catholics voice such full-throated approval for Luce rather than roll their eyes at the umpteenth attempt by these old men to “appeal to the youth.” As a Gen Z staffer at Catholic Answers whose job is literally to be online Luce instantly appeals to an obsessive demographic that overlaps with a significant portion of online Catholics (the “anime profile pic trad” is a well-known archetype) so I couldn’t say why other fully-grown adults find it so captivating; suffice it to say that this subculture is a major driver in Luce’s initial positive reception I take these folks at their word: they think Luce is fun I find myself agreeing more as the days pass. If nothing else, a cute Catholic mascot makes great meme fodder—and the memes have been fantastic Catholic social media (especially X) is just not fun refute the refutation of the popesplainers say unthinkable things about “the Jews,” and generally conduct themselves with a degree of arrogance that would make a saint convulse news breaks every day about another church scandal another example of why everything is too trad or not trad enough and why the Church is therefore doomed; and if that wasn’t enough It’s all so tiresome. Enter a wide-eyed child with a Vatican-yellow raincoat and an unflinching smile: I get it. Luce is above it all Our Lord tells us we must “change and become like little children” to enter the kingdom of heaven And then it will be time to face the real question: did this help save souls And he likes to work through the simple and the unexpected We talk a lot in apologetics about the importance of planting a seed and letting God water it paired with an unusual outburst of online Catholic joy I have a more concrete reason to be pessimistic about a cartoon mascot’s salvific potential like every move the Church makes these days takes place in the shadow of a looming specter that hasn’t gone away since 2002 The institutional Church has yet to fully reckon with it and make complete restitution I can’t help but feel that a child cartoon mascot is just poor optics but Vatican leaders can’t rest on their laurels It takes more than a mascot to overcome that But beyond her shining eyes and viral memes there’s more to this pilgrim than meets the eye Here are three surprising things you might not know about Luce — and why they matter Every detail in her design carries theological weight recalling Christ as the “light of the world” (John 8:12) Her muddy boots signal that the journey of faith is rarely clean or easy while her yellow raincoat points to divine protection through life’s storms She carries a traditional pilgrim’s staff — used for walking but also for warding off danger — reminding us that the spiritual life requires both perseverance and courage Even her companions serve a deeper purpose: Her three friends represent faith nods playfully to the Church’s tradition of naming and honoring saints Luce becomes a visual catechism — an imaginative tool to share complex truths in accessible ways particularly for a generation raised on animation and symbolism Luce was designed by Italian pop artist Simone Legno kawaii aesthetic blends Japanese visual culture with European sensibilities That fusion isn’t just artistic — it’s theological She made her Vatican debut at Lucca Comics and Games marking the first time the Holy See formally entered such a space where she’ll represent the Vatican in a pavilion themed Beauty brings Hope Alongside her will hang The Deposition of Christ by Caravaggio a 17th-century masterpiece owned by the Vatican This juxtaposition — anime mascot beside Baroque painting — may seem jarring but both express a timeless yearning for hope One speaks through realism and chiaroscuro; the other through pastel tones and digital storytelling they signal the Church’s willingness to engage with the world’s evolving artistic languages without losing its message and X portrays her in endless variations: as Joan of Arc One viral meme even reimagines The Shining with Luce smashing through a door to cast out Satan — a quirky twist on spiritual warfare Some enterprising fans even launched a novelty cryptocurrency called $luce though it’s worth noting the token’s value has already dropped to near-zero Still, the energy is real. Luce has given young Catholics — and even the spiritually curious — a joyful new way to engage with faith. Sure, not everyone is sold on the Church’s embrace of pop culture. But, as noted by Melbourne Catholic one Reddit commenter summed it up: “It’s a bizarre collab that openness to dialogue may be exactly the point For more about Jubilee 2025 and Luce’s upcoming appearances, visit iubilaeum2025.va. Articles like these are sponsored free for every Catholic through the support of generous readers just like you Please make a tax-deductible donation today Help us continue to bring the Gospel to people everywhere through uplifting Catholic news CT – New York Rangers Assistant General Manager and Hartford Wolf Pack General Manager Ryan Martin announced today that the club has agreed to a professional tryout agreement (PTO) with defenseman Griffin Luce Luce joins the Wolf Pack from the ECHL’s Worcester Railers has skated in one game with the Railers this season recording two shots and a +1 +/- rating on Oct appeared in 63 ECHL games with the Atlanta Gladiators during the 2023-24 season He also appeared in seven games with the AHL’s Milwaukee Admirals Luce has appeared in 93 career AHL games with the Admirals Hartford Wolf Pack transactions during the 2024-25 season are powered by Verizon Full-season tickets, 20-game plans, 12-game plans, flex plans, and single game tickets for the 2024-25 season are on sale now! Visit www.hartfordwolfpack.com or call 860-722-9425 for more details indispensable guide to what Trump’s second term means for Washington follow the latest on tariffs and executive orders Stay on top of the latest events in US politics with the FT’s trusted and impartial coverage Insight and analysis on US politics from commentators such as Ed Luce and James Politi This subscription does not include access to ft.com or the FT App Essential digital access to quality FT journalism on any device Complete digital access to quality FT journalism with expert analysis from industry leaders Terms & Conditions apply Discover all the plans currently available in your country See why over a million readers pay to read the Financial Times Please select what you would like included for printing: Copy the text below and then paste that into your favorite email application known by her family for her graciousness and kindness passed away peacefully at home in Crookston with her loving family close by her side Susan's family felt incredibly blessed to be able to care for her in their home  She has been described by her loved ones as an amazing healer  Susan always had a bright smile for everyone  May we all learn from her calm and gentle spirit Left to mourn Susan's passing are her children  Susan knew Jesus and how much she was loved by him  She touched so many lives in a positive way throughout her life and will be remembered and missed greatly by many Susan's family will honor and celebrate her life privately at a later date.  Messages of condolence may be left for the family by visiting www.stenshoelhouske.com/obituaries and following the prompts to Susan's obituary page This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page I like Luce. I think she’s a fun piece of pop art with accessible symbolism, and I hope they retail a funko pop version of her so I can buy one for my kids. And if you’ve spent the last 24 hours posting online that Luce is a symbol of everything wrong with contemporary Catholicism, I think you should take a breath and chill out a little bit. If you don’t know what I’m talking about, Luce is the cartoon mascot of the Church’s upcoming 2025 jubilee year, in which Catholics are invited to become pilgrims, receiving a “Jubilee indulgence” by going to confession, receiving the Eucharist, praying for the pope, and by making a pilgrimage — either to the basilicas of Rome, to the Holy Land, or the cathedral church of a local diocese. Luce, unveiled by the Vatican Monday, is herself a pilgrim. That’s why she’s got a rain jacket on, and a pilgrim’s staff, and pilgrimage shells in her eyes, and mud on her boots. She’s rendered in a pop anime style, which is part of the reason why she became controversial online after the October 28 press conference at which Luce and her fellow anime pilgrims were unveiled. Now, don’t get me wrong. I don’t think Luce is high art, and I’m not suggesting that she should be painted as a fresco inside some contemporary cathedral. I don’t think she’ll stand the test of time, or be revered by art historians centuries in the future, or even in decades. But Luce introduces the concept of pilgrimage in an accessible way, as an invitation that can be universally understood to take up a cross and follow after the Lord. I don’t think she’s a sign of the Church’s capitulation to modernism or crass commercialism or anything like that: I think she’s an example of the Church speaking in intelligible and approachable signs and symbols to the world as it is.  And in that sense, I like Luce. As “event mascots” go, she’s certainly better than the usual drek served up by the Olympics, like Atlanta 96’s over-eager Izzy:  Or London 2012’s ominously surveillant Wenlock, who is surely a dystopian instantiation of the modern surveillance state: Events have mascots, it’s a part of modern life. As mascots go, the Apostolic See could have done a lot worse than Luce, even if I would prefer that she was carrying that rosary instead of wearing it — especially because I have no idea how she’ll get it over her giant head, when it’s time to take the thing off: Seriously, look at the size of that pilgrim’s head. It’s like an orange on a toothpick. It’s like a virtual planetoid… like Sputnik, spherical, but quite pointy at parts.The criticisms of Luce that I’ve seen are quite varied.  Some speculate about a kind of Illuminati-like conspiracy, noting that Luce’s name comes from the Latin word “lux,” as does “Lucificer,” and, well, you can work out the rest. I suppose those critics forget about St. Lucy, who has been depicted as a bearer of light for centuries, without any serious concern of Masonic plotting. I think Luce is not bad art — she’s pop art and I’m not reflexively contrarian enough to reject her just because she didn’t come out of the studio of an Italian Renaissance master The criticisms of Luce I take most seriously are the ones which question the Vatican’s priorities — with the Apostolic See hemorrhaging cash with the departments doing the hard work of ecclesial reform or processing sexual abuse cases chronically underfunded and understaffed with major scandals going unresolved and with no accountability — the time and expense of creating an anime icon for the Jubilee Year seems which is why I work pretty damn hard to break those things to the light which will only come by God’s extraordinary grace I think the preparations for the Jubilee Year itself deserve a very close look because they involve the expenditure of a lot of money for a constellation of infrastructure and apostolic projects that are hard to track and not carefully monitored by many people external to the project That’s exactly the right environment for financial mismanagement and we’ll be paying Pillar-like attention to accountability on those fronts But I also know that while we work for those reforms and we — I at least — have to guard against a kind of creeping cynicism which prevents me from seeing anything good I’m certain that my Luce-take might prove to be The Pillar’s Washington Post moment I suspect a lot of our subscribers would like me not to “endorse” Luce at all And I’ll find it hilarious — though obviously concerning for my children’s material welfare — if my appreciation for this little anime figure leads to a Washington Post-like flood of canceled subscriptions which came after the Post declined to endorse a candidate this week for president and there’s no safety net beyond our subscribers!) I don’t think candidate endorsements are a great thing for newspapers though my opinion on the Post’s decision is a bit more involved than that But I suppose I am fine with sharing my appreciation for jubilee mascots Ed will probably eventually deliver the contrarian red meat you’re waiting for The synod on synodality has ended. Pope Francis on Saturday adapted formally a 28,000 word text from the synod on synodality which calls for a greater emphasis on synodality — prayerful conversation and discernment ahead of decision-making — at every level of the Church The pope will not issue an apostolic exhortation telling delegates that  “what we have approved is sufficient.” because the 28,000 word text calls for changes to canon law which have to actually be taken up and put into motion by someone with executive authority — namely But rather than choose to receive those recommendations and then issue a text saying he’ll implement them the pope instead formally promulgated a document — carrying his authority — calling on him to do things I do think we’ll see a papal encouragement for more robust consultative bodies at the national and continental level — and the pope might even formally establish the “continental assemblies” of synodality called for by the delegates And all of those run the risk of becoming more layers of entrenched bureaucracy costing money without any clear connection to the Church’s life or worse — as has already happened in some parts of the world — seeing lay people make claims on authoritative decision-making in contrast to the Church’s divinely instituted hierarchical constitution — and using the trappings and officialdom of these consultative bodies to do it But with the criticisms of synodality well-established there is always a danger of missing some fundamental points that should be considered which has been largely obscured by much of the synodal intrigue Baptism does bestow on every believer the calls of priesthood The Holy Spirit really does speak through prophets both inside and outside the Church’s hierarchy And good decision-making is informed decision-making which means that every person imbued with authority should be in the habit of listening to the people he leads we tend to think we’re pretty good at that The USCCB has the National Advisory Council My pastor has to endure my regular and running commentary on the finer points of his liturgical ars celebrandi it can be easy to stop doing quite so much consultation — to either charge forward unilaterally or to become sclerotic about decision-making at all Healthy and frequent consultation obviates those tendencies — especially if the people being consulted have a healthy sense of their own baptismal dignity and of the Church's divinely instituted structure If the synod on synodality is a reminder of that But whether we’re in for more official and Vatican-mandated synodality remains to be seen And you can read about the concluding document, the vote totals, and the pope’s engagement, right here. — On Nov. 16, 2022, two Ukrainian Greek Catholic Redemptorist priests were arrested by Russian occupying authorities, and detained for more than 18 months The priests were kept in solitary confinement for months and at times subject to forms of psychological torture and physical abuse Never during their time in captivity were they able to offer the Eucharistic liturgy the priests were released —  it is widely believed that diplomats from the Holy See played a pivotal role in securing their freedom They haven’t spoken much about their detention since then — both are undergoing both physical and psychological rehab But in an extensive interview with The Pillar Bohdan Geleta spoke recently about what he experienced “Prison is an environment where a person comes to understand that time should not be wasted,” he told The Pillar “While I feel physically and psychologically broken I now know what I am going to do and how I am going to do it My faith in my work here on earth has deepened.” This is the story of two ordinary priests — your contemporaries and mine — placed in an extraordinary trial.  You should read it. —And speaking of priests in detention: In neighboring Poland, Fr. Michał Olszewski was released on bail last Friday after almost seven months in custody.  Olszewski is accused of illicitly receiving money from a government fund to support crime victims in acts that might include money laundering But Polish media argue that priest’s detention is political and lawyers argue that he has been subjected to torture while in custody The government says those claims are “absurd.” The case has gotten a lot of media attention in Poland with supporters calling the priest a “prisoner of conscience” and a “political prisoner.” Some Poles argue  Olszewski’s detention is a mark of the Polish government’s commitment to holding perpetrators of corruption to account suggest the authorities were dragging Poland back to the communist era And the whole thing has taken on a political dimension It’s a complicated story, speaking to the complicated place of the Church in contemporary Polish society. Read about it here. —The Archbishop of Atlanta asked Catholics last week to offer “prayers of reparation” in front of the Eucharist especially during a “Black Mass” which took place in Atlanta Friday night The “Black Mass” was offered by the Satanic Temple of Atlanta which claims some 700,000 members worldwide When we heard about the Black Mass in Atlanta, we found ourselves wondering what exactly that would entail. So we did some research, and we watched a Black Mass — so that you wouldn’t have to What happens at a Black Mass? The Pillar explains. —And here’s a much brighter liturgical story. You’ve probably heard of “children’s Masses,” and had some idea of a homily at second grade level and a sweet school choir singing saccharine hymns You’ve probably done everything you can to avoid the 4:00 pm Children’s Mass on Christmas Eve at which pews are made sticky with fruit snacks and decibel levels reach the range of airplane hangers But you might not know that “children’s Masses,” have a very long and fascinating history in the life of the Church stretching back more than a century before Vatican Council II And that their widespread popularity was probably very influential on the liturgical theologians who influenced Vatican II are a lot more interesting than you probably realize And you can read about that here. —Finally, one month after an extraordinary attempt from the pope’s chief of staff to reinstate a laicized sexual abuser, questions remain about who in the Vatican did what in the case of Alberto Ariel Príncipi. While it’s not getting much media attention Ed and I have both said repeatedly this month that we believe the Principi case is the most important story about ecclesiastical governance in years This story raises very serious questions about how the Vatican handles serious cases of clerical abuse and about the meaning of the rule of law in the Church at all this story should matter to every Catholic who wants good governance — and justice — in the life of the Church Ed has written an excellent analysis about what we know and what makes this a serious issue for the Apostolic See You should read this, and retweet it, and pass it on, and raise the questions.  Readers, I have not yet voted, though early voting opened in Colorado several days ago. I have not yet carved pumpkins with my children, though the pumpkins have been sitting on the porch. So I’ve got a couple of things to get done today — and we’ve got a lot more news reporting coming your way. We will break down the fall meeting of the USCCB, and have a lot of fun, on November 14 at 7pm at the Royal Sands Social Club. You are invited! BE THERE! Bring a friend. It will be awesome.  In the meantime, please be assured of our prayers, and please pray for us. We need it. ReplyShare147 more comments...LatestNo posts Pillar subscribers can listen to JD read this Pillar Post here: The Pillar TL;DR I like Luce. I think she\u2019s a fun piece of pop art with accessible symbolism, and I hope they retail a funko pop version of her so I can buy one for my kids. And if you\u2019ve spent the last 24 hours posting online that Luce is a symbol of everything wrong with contemporary Catholicism, I think you should take a breath and chill out a little bit. Luce, unveiled by the Vatican Monday, is herself a pilgrim. That\u2019s why she\u2019s got a rain jacket on, and a pilgrim\u2019s staff, and pilgrimage shells in her eyes, and mud on her boots. She\u2019s rendered in a pop anime style, which is part of the reason why she became controversial online after the October 28 press conference at which Luce and her fellow anime pilgrims were unveiled. Now, don\u2019t get me wrong. I don\u2019t think Luce is high art, and I\u2019m not suggesting that she should be painted as a fresco inside some contemporary cathedral. I don\u2019t think she\u2019ll stand the test of time, or be revered by art historians centuries in the future, or even in decades. But Luce introduces the concept of pilgrimage in an accessible way, as an invitation that can be universally understood to take up a cross and follow after the Lord. I don\u2019t think she\u2019s a sign of the Church\u2019s capitulation to modernism or crass commercialism or anything like that: I think she\u2019s an example of the Church speaking in intelligible and approachable signs and symbols to the world as it is.  And in that sense, I like Luce. As \u201Cevent mascots\u201D go, she\u2019s certainly better than the usual drek served up by the Olympics, like Atlanta 96\u2019s over-eager Izzy:  Or London 2012\u2019s ominously surveillant Wenlock, who is surely a dystopian instantiation of the modern surveillance state: Events have mascots, it\u2019s a part of modern life. As mascots go, the Apostolic See could have done a lot worse than Luce, even if I would prefer that she was carrying that rosary instead of wearing it \u2014 especially because I have no idea how she\u2019ll get it over her giant head, when it\u2019s time to take the thing off: Seriously, look at the size of that pilgrim\u2019s head. It\u2019s like an orange on a toothpick. It\u2019s like a virtual planetoid\u2026 like Sputnik, spherical, but quite pointy at parts.The criticisms of Luce that I\u2019ve seen are quite varied.  Some speculate about a kind of Illuminati-like conspiracy, noting that Luce\u2019s name comes from the Latin word \u201Clux,\u201D as does \u201CLucificer,\u201D and, well, you can work out the rest. I think Luce is not bad art \u2014 she\u2019s pop art and I\u2019m not reflexively contrarian enough to reject her just because she didn\u2019t come out of the studio of an Italian Renaissance master The criticisms of Luce I take most seriously are the ones which question the Vatican\u2019s priorities \u2014 with the Apostolic See hemorrhaging cash with major scandals going unresolved and with no accountability \u2014 the time and expense of creating an anime icon for the Jubilee Year seems which will only come by God\u2019s extraordinary grace That\u2019s exactly the right environment for financial mismanagement and we\u2019ll be paying Pillar-like attention to accountability on those fronts.  and we \u2014 I at least \u2014 have to guard against a kind of creeping cynicism I understand the risk I\u2019m taking here I\u2019m certain that my Luce-take might prove to be The Pillar\u2019s Washington Post moment I suspect a lot of our subscribers would like me not to \u201Cendorse\u201D Luce at all And I\u2019ll find it hilarious \u2014 though obviously concerning for my children\u2019s material welfare \u2014 if my appreciation for this little anime figure leads to a Washington Post-like flood of canceled subscriptions and there\u2019s no safety net beyond our subscribers!) I don\u2019t think candidate endorsements are a great thing for newspapers though my opinion on the Post\u2019s decision is a bit more involved than that Ed will probably eventually deliver the contrarian red meat you\u2019re waiting for.  Subscribe now The synod on synodality has ended. which calls for a greater emphasis on synodality \u2014 prayerful conversation and discernment ahead of decision-making \u2014 at every level of the Church telling delegates that  \u201Cwhat we have approved is sufficient.\u201D which have to actually be taken up and put into motion by someone with executive authority \u2014 namely But rather than choose to receive those recommendations and then issue a text saying he\u2019ll implement them the pope instead formally promulgated a document \u2014 carrying his authority \u2014 calling on him to do things I do think we\u2019ll see a papal encouragement for more robust consultative bodies at the national and continental level \u2014 and the pope might even formally establish the \u201Ccontinental assemblies\u201D of synodality called for by the delegates costing money without any clear connection to the Church\u2019s life or worse \u2014 as has already happened in some parts of the world \u2014 seeing lay people make claims on authoritative decision-making in contrast to the Church\u2019s divinely instituted hierarchical constitution \u2014 and using the trappings and officialdom of these consultative bodies to do it The Holy Spirit really does speak through prophets both inside and outside the Church\u2019s hierarchy which means that every person imbued with authority should be in the habit of listening to the people he leads.  we tend to think we\u2019re pretty good at that it can be easy to stop doing quite so much consultation \u2014 to either charge forward unilaterally Healthy and frequent consultation obviates those tendencies \u2014 especially if the people being consulted have a healthy sense of their own baptismal dignity that\u2019s at least a lesson to take away.  But whether we\u2019re in for more official and Vatican-mandated synodality remains to be seen.  And you can read about the concluding document, the vote totals, and the pope\u2019s engagement, right here. \u2014 On Nov. 16, 2022, two Ukrainian Greek Catholic Redemptorist priests were arrested by Russian occupying authorities, and detained for more than 18 months the priests were released \u2014  it is widely believed that diplomats from the Holy See played a pivotal role in securing their freedom.  They haven\u2019t spoken much about their detention since then \u2014 both are undergoing both physical and psychological rehab.  \u201CPrison is an environment where a person comes to understand that time should not be wasted,\u201D he told The Pillar.  \u201CWhile I feel physically and psychologically broken My faith in my work here on earth has deepened.\u201D This is the story of two ordinary priests \u2014 your contemporaries and mine \u2014 placed in an extraordinary trial.  You should read it. \u2014And speaking of priests in detention: In neighboring Poland, Fr. Micha\u0142 Olszewski was released on bail last Friday after almost seven months in custody.  But Polish media argue that priest\u2019s detention is political and lawyers argue that he has been subjected to torture while in custody.  The government says those claims are \u201Cabsurd.\u201D with supporters calling the priest a \u201Cprisoner of conscience\u201D and a \u201Cpolitical prisoner.\u201D Some Poles argue  Olszewski\u2019s detention is a mark of the Polish government\u2019s commitment to holding perpetrators of corruption to account regardless of their social standing.  And the whole thing has taken on a political dimension.  It\u2019s a complicated story, speaking to the complicated place of the Church in contemporary Polish society. Read about it here. \u2014The Archbishop of Atlanta asked Catholics last week to offer \u201Cprayers of reparation\u201D in front of the Eucharist especially during a \u201CBlack Mass\u201D which took place in Atlanta Friday night The \u201CBlack Mass\u201D was offered by the Satanic Temple of Atlanta When we heard about the Black Mass in Atlanta, we found ourselves wondering what exactly that would entail. So we did some research, and we watched a Black Mass \u2014 so that you wouldn\u2019t have to What happens at a Black Mass? The Pillar explains. \u2014And here\u2019s a much brighter liturgical story. You\u2019ve probably heard of \u201Cchildren\u2019s Masses,\u201D and had some idea of a homily at second grade level You\u2019ve probably done everything you can to avoid the 4:00 pm Children\u2019s Mass on Christmas Eve But you might not know that \u201Cchildren\u2019s Masses,\u201D have a very long and fascinating history in the life of the Church stretching back more than a century before Vatican Council II.  And that their widespread popularity was probably very influential on the liturgical theologians who influenced Vatican II And you can read about that here. \u2014Finally, one month after an extraordinary attempt from the pope\u2019s chief of staff to reinstate a laicized sexual abuser, questions remain about who in the Vatican did what in the case of Alberto Ariel Pr\u00EDncipi. While it\u2019s not getting much media attention Ed and I have both said repeatedly this month that we believe the Principi case is the most important story about ecclesiastical governance in years.  this story should matter to every Catholic who wants good governance \u2014 and justice \u2014 in the life of the Church and what makes this a serious issue for the Apostolic See.  You should read this, and retweet it, and pass it on, and raise the questions.  though early voting opened in Colorado several days ago I have not yet carved pumpkins with my children though the pumpkins have been sitting on the porch So I\u2019ve got a couple of things to get done today \u2014 and we\u2019ve got a lot more news reporting coming your way Archbishop Rino Fisichella officially presented the mascot of the 2025 Jubilee was designed with the intention of reflecting pop culture and brings with it a message of hope and welcome Luce is a pilgrim dressed as a typical traveler: a yellow anorak to protect herself from the elements dirty boots that bear witness to the path she has already traveled a missionary cross around her neck and the pilgrim's staff in her hand which shine with an intense light: they symbolize the hope that is born in the heart of every pilgrim and reflect the desire for spirituality and connection with the divine They act as a reminder of the universal message of peace and brotherhood The choice of a mascot like Luce is part of a broader context aimed at reaching new generations and promoting intergenerational dialogue The mascot not only represents the Jubilee SUPPORTERS AND OFFICIAL LOGO LICENSEES OF JUBILEE 2025 The iubilaeum2025 website uses technical or similar cookies to make navigation easier and guarantee the use of services and also technical and third-party analysis cookies. If you want to know more click here By closing this banner you consent to the use of cookies « Back Share on FacebookShare on X (formerly Twitter)Share on PinterestShare on LinkedInLUCE COUNTY (WLUC) - Two people sustained injuries after a crash between a snowmobile and a vehicle Saturday evening According to a Facebook post from the Luce County Sheriff’s Department officials were dispatched to a crash on County Road 451 in McMillan Twp Police say a 36-year-old woman and a 35-year-old man were transported to the hospital by EMS after both sustaining injuries fled the scene of the crash before deputies’ arrival Authorities located the driver at a nearby residence where he was taken into custody for operating while intoxicated and leaving the scene of an accident The cause of the crash is still under investigation Casa Luce is an extensive renovation of a mid-century modern home in Arizona‘s Catalina Foothills by HK Associates. Originally designed and built by Tucson architect Tom Gist, the residence featured Gist’s signature earthen walls of burnt adobe supporting a low-slung roof While the 1960s structure retained its architectural significance it required substantial updates to align with contemporary living needs The goal of the redesign was to redefine the home’s essence while respecting its historical character The home originally included a floor-to-ceiling picture window framing the distant Santa Rita Mountains to the south the home’s introverted layout centered on a closed-off The interior was further constrained by a low mechanical bulkhead and a sunken indoor terrarium both of which disrupted spatial continuity composed of a grid of painted wood beams filled with textured white plaster added to the compartmentalized feel of the home images © Ema Peter The architects at HK Associates approach the redesign of Casa Luce with the objective of enhancing natural light The transformation prioritized connecting the home’s interior to its desert surroundings creating an open transition between indoor and outdoor spaces The result is a home that is both modern and deeply respectful of its original design One of the most significant changes in Casa Luce was the removal of four masonry piers that originally supported the central roof This intervention allowed for a floating ceiling that dramatically alters the perception of space within the main living areas Achieving this required innovative engineering The removal of structural obstructions created an open-plan layout that enhances the home’s spatial fluidity Casa Luce is a mid-century modern home in Tucson renovated by HK Associates The reimagined Casa Luce incorporates a carefully curated material palette that emphasizes natural light and subtle design details Artisanal lime plaster walls and sustainable wood veneer cabinetry contribute to a minimal yet sophisticated aesthetic These materials dialogue with the home’s original elements of concrete reflecting the balance between structure and environment that defines life in the Sonoran Desert HK Associates also redefined the bedroom wing of Casa Luce enclosed corridor into a passage guided by light A frosted glass screen at the threshold to the kitchen introduces a soft while the partially exposed roof structure casts bold shadows that change with the movement of the sun These elements contribute to a dynamic interaction between light and space throughout the home the original home features burnt adobe walls and a low-slung roof The outdoor spaces are redesigned to extend the perception of the interior outward enhancing the home’s connection to its natural surroundings The panoramic view from the south-facing picture window is now amplified by the addition of an infinity-edge swimming pool which visually extends toward the distant mountains a set of long concrete steps appears to emerge from the interior functioning as amphitheater seating that invites outdoor living while framing the surrounding desert landscape the redesign focuses on introducing natural light and reorienting the home towards its desert surroundings a key transformation was the removal of four masonry piers to create a floating ceiling effect an infinity-edge swimming pool extends the home’s connection to the distant Santa Rita Mountains the formerly dark bedroom corridor now features a frosted glass screen and exposed roof structure concrete steps integrated into the landscape provide amphitheater-style outdoor seating architect: HK Associates | @hkassociatesinc photography: © Ema Peter | @emaphotographi AXOR presents three bathroom concepts that are not merely places of function but destinations in themselves — sanctuaries of style (WPBN/WGTU) -- The Luce County Sheriff’s Department needs your help Investigators are looking to identify the driver of a 2004-2010 light blue Toyota Sienna minivan Deputies are investigating an incident that happened Monday morning The incident happened at Pickleman’s Total One Stop That's at the corner of M-28 and M-123 in Newberry Deputies are not specifying what allegedly happened during the incident If you have any information, contact the Luce County Sheriff’s Department at (906) 293-8431 or through its Facebook page. — The foreclosure auction for a prime space of real estate in downtown Fort Myers happened Thursday morning and the winning bid The developer of the Prima Luce project won the auction now he needs to come up with almost $37 million dollars to pay off what he owes the for the property Watch Fort Myers Community Correspondent Miyoshi Price's report: Bob macfarlane and his team say they have a new partner who is willing to pay off the debt and help finally build the luxury waterfront condos Here is a statement from the Lee County Clerks Office: The foreclose sale has concluded; the plaintiff was the only bidder for $100 and they won the auction Even though the plaintiff won the auction for $100 the plaintiff is still at a loss for the judgment amount since no one placed any bids on the property the right of redemption was terminated when the certificate of sale was issued (which was today at the conclusion of the sale) IF there is some sort of 10 day grace period it is not with the Clerk’s office.Meaghan Smith Senior Communications Strategist the luxury waterfront project in downtown Fort Myers but the developer says no more; he has the money to get this project back on track and it is set to be auctioned Thursday at 9 a.m Bob MacFarlane says he secured $37 million as early as Monday to pay off the debt on this property and installed reinforced steel concrete pipes to support the buildings Macfarlane says he has worked with three lenders in the past year The last one agreed to work with the developer and loan the project what was needed but Macfarlane says the lender did not have the funds even after signing documents Macfarlane says he had to find another lender He says he doesn't plan to go after the lender even though he has signed the documents "I don't have the time to go through and report everything to the district attorney's office," says Macfarlane he says this new lender—which would be the fourth—has the capital and wants to be part of this project's completion "Now that letter also was signed by the president of this large industrial complex "Now we made some adjustments to the offer a few hours ago to speed up the closing." He made those changes on Wednesday the auction of this site is still on for Thursday at 9 a.m through the attorneys with the signed president of a large industrial corporation so now they may go through with this foreclosure tomorrow morning which cleans out the site and just leaves them there and then when we'll continue with our offer," says Macfarlane FOX4 asked Macfarlane what he had to say to the investors "I've talked to some of them that were angry because of the delays that their original 10% is in that in that particular bank and no one has touched it," says Macfarlane In the early 2000's Macfarlane developed the Riviera The firm’s development team was also involved in the Campo Felice project "City council members later told me they all thought I was nuts when I was going to build that." He says that even though the auction for the Prima Luce property is on Thursday morning let us say someone came along and offered more than we did," says Macfarlane they're not offering more [to not build the site] I've closed some of the most difficult transactions in the United States years ago I've never been on this side of the fence." FOX4 asked Macfarlane when they expected to start building the condos Now I'm here for her bond with her constant companion Book Riot Managing Editor Vanessa Diaz is a writer and former bookseller from San Diego CA whose Spanish is even faster than her English she enjoys dreaming up travel itineraries and drinking entirely too much tea She is a regular co-host on the All the Books podcast who especially loves mysteries Vanessa can be found on Instagram at @BuenosDiazSD or taking pictures of pretty trees in Portland View All posts by Vanessa Diaz I am historically pretty terrible at keeping up with series I get easily distracted by the thousands of other books that exist and promptly forget to keep going This is especially true if the series isn’t complete and I have to wait years for the next installment And when I do find a completed series that keeps me engaged enough to keep paying attention I’m devastated when there aren’t more books to keep reading something I realized when I went in for a re-read last year a cozy mystery series set in 1950s England The titular Flavia is 11 years old and lives with her father and two sisters at Buckshaw a dilapidated estate just outside the village of Bishop’s Lacey in the English countryside Buckshaw has fallen into disrepair since the death of Flavia’s mother ten years prior A WWII veteran and survivor of a prisoner of war camp Grief and trauma have left him emotionally distant spending most of his days obsessing over his stamp collection and leaving the girls to parent themselves Flavia simply must solve each of the mysteries these grim discoveries present even when (and perhaps most especially when) local law enforcement has explicitly told homegirl to get lost and a deep suspicion for most authority figures she hunts down clues until the murder mystery is solved She’s whip-smart with a mouth on her that very often lands her in hot water (#relatablecontent) choosing to make the abandoned lab in an especially run down and unheated wing of Buckshaw her bedroom so she might perform her scientific experiments unbothered She reads way beyond her age level and is particularly good at making poisons which I rock with as a kid who thought it would be fun to try and make Aqua Tofana (the look on my teacher’s face told me this was not something I should pursue) She is all of this and also manages not to be annoying a man who works for the de Luce family at Buckshaw as gardener and several other capacities He served with Flavia’s father’s in the war and was also a POW He experiences memory loss and hallucinations due to PTSD and he is Flavia’s companion and protector remaining by his side when he experiences “one of his episodes.” Their bond is an important thread in each of their lives The day I got the email announcing that this book was coming after a five-year hiatus in the series, I felt a jolt of dopamine and then had to blink away a few rogue tears. I’ve recommended the books a ton in my years as a bookseller and internet book person and I usually chalk that affinity up to an enduring love for books featuring scrappy young girls and women who break rules and have the smarts to back up their bullshit eavesdropping when I wasn’t supposed to be and inserting myself in conversations not meant for me I was a reader and a tinkerer and was obsessed with knowing things whether that meant solving the mystery in the book I was reading memorizing facts to regurgitate on command or coming in clutch when an adult couldn’t remember something that I could Can’t tell you how many times I got scolded for “being a metiche” only for that same adult to be like The man once walked in on me kneeling by his bed in prayer; when he asked what I was praying for thinking it was something sweet and pious I said I was asking Jesus to promise to someday tell me what happened to Amelia Earhart and other answers to life’s unsolved mysteries If he didn’t know who his kid was before then He never made me feel silly or like a giant pain in the ass for my relentless curiosity And in the rare moments when he expressed his own vulnerability he says I always seemed to know what to say to comfort him Last year my dad suffered through a hellish medical nightmare one that took many long and grueling months to resolve I won’t go into details on the internet because he wouldn’t want me to but it was an experience that forced me to confront his mortality and him to be vulnerable in ways that pained him In a particularly difficult moment in that journey I couldn’t sleep and decided to put an audiobook to help the process along I thought about smart-ass Flavia and her gentle protective Dogger and re-read The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie I teared up reading so many of their scenes because they felt so gobsmackingly familiar It’s not a one-to-one parallel or anything my father is my actual father and not just a father figure He is a former Marine but never saw combat and PTSD isn’t something he experiences insofar as I can tell He is an immigrant with a life story that maybe he’ll let me share more of someday; suffice it to say he’s seen some things and carries the weight of those experiences with him But the bond between Flavia and Dogger reminds me so much of the way my dad and I communicate There’s lots of comfortable silence and good-natured ribbing Sometimes I’m Flavia needing father-figure life wisdom and logic to calm me down when I’m feeling spicy about any number of things Sometimes he needs a specific daughter-flavored dose of empathy and reassurance someone to acknowledge that there’s more going on than meets the eye and who’ll just sit with him for a while The timing of this new book feels like a little gift I can’t tell you much about the book because it would spoil a lot of stuff (definitely read the books in order) But it feels like Flavia and Dogger are also in a good rhythm happy space as companions and parters in crime It’s coming at a moment when my dad is on the mend and looks more like his self than he has in awhile Have you done any re-reading lately? Let’s chat in the comments The comments section is moderated according to our community guidelines Please check them out so we can maintain a safe and supportive community of readers Join All Access to comment Mar 2, 2025 | News Luce County is no longer a sanctuary county By some error – presumably on behalf of the U.S Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) – Luce County was listed as a sanctuary county we earned it by not complying with ICE detainers in our jail though there’s a temporary holding cell in the county government building which reserves a minimum of 10 beds for Luce County at all times Sheriff Eric Gravelle asserts the county would always cooperate with ICE If an undocumented immigrant was being held in our holding cell or in a Luce County bed at the Alger County Jail ICE agents would be given access to the inmate and the county would follow extradition as requested director of policy for the Center for Immigration Studies confirming that the county is and intends to be fully compliant with ICE Vaughn could only speculate how Luce County landed on the list in the first place Her organization keeps a list of sanctuary cities and counties – a list obtained from ICE – and identifies them all on an interactive map The purpose of the map is not to guide illegal immigrants to safe havens; rather it intends to expose non-compliance to immigration law “It’s a great thing when we can take people off the map or because a policy has changed,” Vaughn said Now the county has documented its intended sanctuary status At the February 18 meeting of the Luce County Commissioners the commission discussed and passed a resolution stating that the county is not and never was a sanctuary county with Christine Rathje voting no – she said a lot of people could get a fresh start in Newberry Sterling McGinn contributed to this report.