Faith Survives the Bombing: 3 Stories to Strengthen You Today

Trivia Question❓

Which of the following Catholic popes was the oldest elected pope in history?

Answer at the bottom of the newsletter

Dear friends in the faith,

In a time when the world feels more chaotic than ever, we bring you 3 powerful stories that speak directly to the soul of our mission: to live boldly, think clearly, and stand firm in our Catholic identity.

This week’s issue is not just news — it’s a call to deepen your clarity, compassion, and courage.

Poland’s Vocations Are Surging: Lessons the Rest of the Church Can’t Ignore

While much of Western Europe faces declining church attendance and empty seminaries, Poland stands apart with an unwavering Catholic spirit.

This year, over 200 young men in Poland answered the call to become priests, highlighting the country’s vibrant religious life.

Polish families remain confident in raising children in faith, passing down traditions through generations that have endured war and oppression.

Major youth festivals in Krakow and Warsaw are drawing thousands, reflecting a community energized by song, prayer, and shared purpose.

Priests remain highly visible—active not just in parishes, but across schools and public events, making faith a lived, daily experience.

Parishes and seminaries in cities like Poznań and Lublin are thriving, fueled by local support and increased interest from young people.

As Western leaders look to Poland for answers, the message is clear: building strong, engaged communities breathes new life into faith.

Artificial intelligence is sparking urgent debate across the United States, as a sweeping national AI strategy pushes the country toward technological leadership.

While some see exciting possibilities, the Catholic community faces deep questions about human dignity and the soul's uniqueness.

With generative AI blurring boundaries between people and machines, parishes and universities nationwide are asking: What truly separates humans from algorithms?

In Los Angeles, a new Catholic working group is helping students explore AI’s ethical challenges and the importance of upholding human limits.

Local dioceses in cities such as Chicago and San Francisco are hosting forums where priests and laypeople stress the need for clear moral guidance as AI shapes decisions in job markets, public health, and security.

As AI-powered surveillance expands in hospitals and airports, Catholic ethicists demand open, public debate on technology’s rightful place — and its boundaries.

The message echoes: Only humans possess a soul. Without faith-led dialogue, the risk grows that society may lose sight of what makes us truly human.

In Gaza City, hope endures amid relentless conflict, anchored by the faith of Father Gabriel Romanelli and his parish at Holy Family Church.

A night of sorrow struck when a missile hit the church compound, leaving three dead and over a dozen wounded.

Pain was raw, but the parish community chose courage, gathering among shattered walls for Mass while the burning skyline framed their prayers.

Despite ongoing clashes and shattered neighborhoods, Holy Family remains Gaza’s only Catholic parish—a sanctuary within chaos—where families share meager supplies and lean on faith.

Father Romanelli, undeterred by devastation, continues to minister, inspired by the Catholic call to carry one’s cross.

Even as aid falters and blackouts persist, parishioners refuse to let despair snuff out their devotion, sending a powerful message: faith grows fiercer under siege.

The church, battered yet unbowed, stands as a symbol of compassion and enduring grace in Gaza.