Catholic Nutshell News: Wednesday 6/4/25
Topics include: Sign up for ‘OCIA’; 'God will surprise you!'; Augustinians emphasize harmonious community life; & Venezuelan dioceses snared in Ponzi-like scheme
“Here was an almond tree in bloom before me”
Today's sources are the CRUX, Aleteia, CatholicVote, The Pillar, OSV, Church Life Journal, and CNA. (Catholic Nutshell is a subscription service for faithful, hopeful, & curious Catholics willing to exercise the Catholic News Muscle)
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Catholic News Agency
To become Catholic in 2025, you need to sign up for ‘OCIA’
By Kate Quiñones, June 4, 2025
The recent election of Pope Leo XIV has sparked new interest in Catholicism, with Google data showing a spike in searches on “how to become Catholic” shortly after the death of Pope Francis in April. Meanwhile, across many dioceses — and especially among young people — anecdotal reports indicate an upswing in people joining the Catholic Church in recent years. If you’re looking to become Catholic in 2025, the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults, or “OCIA,” is the normative way to receive formation and prepare to enter the Catholic Church. OCIA has four phases designed to form and spiritually prepare participants intellectually. This process was previously known as RCIA, the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, until the U.S. bishops renamed it in 2021 to reflect a more accurate translation of the original Latin.
CatholicVote
Murder rates plunge nationwide
By Elise DeGeeter, June 3, 2025
US murder rates have dropped by 20% nationwide, with the White House crediting its law-and-order agenda for the sharp decline. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told The Daily Signal, “American families were promised their communities would be safer and President Trump swiftly delivered by vocally being tough on crime, unequivocally backing law enforcement, and standing firm on violent criminals being held to the fullest extent of the law.” Crime data analyst Jeff Asher first flagged the trend in a May 12 Substack post, noting that if “this decline continues through the Fall, then we should seriously start having a discussion about the probability of a record-breaking year.” Several major cities have seen steeper drops. Homicides are down over 30% in Baltimore, Cleveland, New Orleans, and Denver — with Denver recording a staggering 63% decline, according to Asher.
Aleteia
‘I can say from my own experience that God will surprise you!’
By Kathleen N. Hattrup, June 4, 2025
Pope Leo XIV had his third general audience on June 4, again filling St. Peter's Square with faithful from around the world. He continued the catechesis series on the hope Christ brings, considering the landowner who hired workers late in the day: "Not unjust, but generous." "Do not delay, roll up your sleeves, because the Lord is generous and you will not be disappointed!" he assured. In his address to Spanish speakers, he added, "I can say from my own experience that God will surprise you!" The Holy Father took a long trip through the Square in the popemobile before the audience, but even more notable was the time he spent afterward. He stopped to spend long moments with married couples filling several rows, not completing his time with the faithful until some minutes after noon.
CRUX
Augustinians emphasize harmonious community life above all else
By Elise Ann Allen, June 4, 2025
Pope Leo XIV — who, like Francis, belongs to a religious order, the Augustinians — the Augustinian sense of “community” is quickly becoming a defining aspect of Leo’s life and ministry. Almost immediately after his election, Pope Francis had a private meeting with the Father General of the Jesuit order, Spanish Father Adolfo Nicolás. Also, he visited the Jesuit curial headquarters in Rome, located just a stone’s throw from the Vatican walls. Likewise, Pope Leo XIV, after his election on May 8, made a surprise visit to the Augustinian headquarters in Rome, just a few steps from the Vatican, where he celebrated Mass and joined them for lunch, as he had done almost daily as a cardinal. As the Jesuits place a strong emphasis on the process of discernment, the Augustinians emphasize a harmonious community life before all else. The Rule of St. Augustine, written around the year 400, is the oldest monastic rule in existence.
The Pillar
Venezuelan dioceses snared in Ponzi-like scheme
By The Pillar, June 3, 2025
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filed a complaint last week accusing a former investment adviser of defrauding Catholic dioceses and clergy in Venezuela out of millions of dollars in a Ponzi-like scheme. The Florida Southern District Court alleged that Andrew Jacobus and two companies he controlled misappropriated more than $17 million from 40 clients, mostly Venezuelan nationals, including elderly people. The SEC said the clients thought they were investing in securities with the promise of a high return. They accused the 62-year-old Fort Lauderdale resident of using two firms, Finser International Corporation and Kronus Financial Corporation, to sell limited partnership interests in initial public stock offerings known as IPOs. Venezuelan clergy and dioceses may have been attracted to investing in U.S. dollars to shield funds from the country’s economic turbulence
Our Sunday Visitor
Seeking pop stardom, Cristina Bernal found God instead
By Katie Yoder, June 3, 2024
Cristina Bernal remembers the moment that changed her music career. It came when she was a teenager. “I was in the room with my producer … who I had known for a very long time,” said the 33-year-old singer. “He turned around in his chair, and he said to me, ‘You’re going to have to start sleeping with producers and writers once you get signed.'” Bernal, 18 years old at the time and known as Cristina Ballestero, was preparing to sign a big deal with an overseas record company and already had a promising future. At 15, she signed a record deal with Universal Blackground Records as part of the dance-pop group L.A.X. Gurlz. The interaction with her producer left her in shock. Listening to a song that she used to sing in adoration: “From the Inside Out” by Hillsong, she opened her hands and realized that her face, arms, and hands felt warm and tingly. “I believe I was baptized in the Holy Spirit that night, through the Blessed Mother,” she said.
UCA News
Pakistani Ahmadis pressured to renounce Eid animal sacrifice
By Kamran Chaudhry, June 4, 2025
Hardline Islamists and security forces in Pakistan have been pressuring Ahmadiyya Islamic sect members to renounce animal sacrifice during the upcoming Eid-ul-Adha festival, triggering condemnation from activists and Christian leaders. Officially declared non-Muslims, Islamic hardliners view Ahmadiyya or Ahmadi people as heretics and have persecuted the community for decades. “It is a blatant violation of Ahmadis' religious freedom. There is no legal basis for forcing Ahmadis to submit such writings. These acts are not just discriminatory, they are unconstitutional and inhumane,” Amir Mehmood, a spokesman for the community, said on June 3. Cecil Shane Chaudhry, South Asia deputy team leader at UK-based Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW), strongly condemned the Ahmadi repression. Naeem Yousaf Gill, executive director of the Pakistani Catholic bishops’ National Commission for Justice and Peace, denounced the repression.
CatholicVote
Bishop Delays Traditional Latin Mass restrictions after backlash
By Jonathan Liedl, June 3, 2025
The bishop of Charlotte has delayed his plan to restrict the traditional Latin Mass (TLM) in his diocese, pushing the date back by nearly three months after a week and a half of significant backlash in North Carolina and beyond. Bishop Michael Martin has determined that a plan to restrict the TLM from four parish churches to a single, designated chapel will take effect on October 2, according to a June 3 story from the Catholic News Herald, the diocese’s official newspaper. The Charlotte bishop had previously announced on May 23 that the restrictions would go into effect on July 8. Bishop Martin also told the Herald that if the Vatican changes required restrictions of the TLM, the Diocese of Charlotte “would abide by those instructions.”
From Loop & Agency to Satire for 6/4/25
CatholicVote: Daily LOOP
Read daily news and political impact stories at the “LOOP”
Elections and politics matter. The LOOP gives you daily gems on the news that seek “to renew our country and culture.” CatholicVote’s advertised mission is “To inspire every Catholic in America to live out the truths of our faith in public life.”
EXPOSED: ANTI-CATHOLIC FBI MEMO WAS A BUREAU-WIDE EFFORT - The FBI’s anti-Catholic Richmond memo was distributed to more than 1,000 employees in FBI field offices across the country before it was ever leaked to the public by a whistleblower, according to documents just revealed by Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-IA. CatholicVote Cofounder Joshua Mercer said the "frontal assault on the First Amendment should horrify every American – and it must never be allowed to happen again."
TRUMP ADMIN ENDS BIDEN-ERA RULE TO FORCE ER DOCTORS TO ABORT BABIES - The Trump administration yesterday struck down a controversial Biden-era policy that aimed to force emergency room doctors to perform abortions under the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA).
PRO-LIFE GROUP: KEEP PRO-LIFE MEASURES IN 'BIG BEAUTIFUL BILL' - Students for Life Action has launched a month-long June campaign pushing 12 Republican senators to back the House-approved budget bill that defunds Planned Parenthood and other major abortion businesses.
Catholic News Agency
CNA’s top headlines — June 4, 2025
The Catholic News Agency provides reliable, free, and up-to-the-minute news affecting the Universal Church, emphasizing the words of the Holy Father and the happenings of the Holy See to anyone with internet access.
Facing shortage, New York Archdiocese taps parishioners to spot future priests - Jun 4, 2025 - By Fiona Murphy - A new initiative, “Called By Name,” is the Archdiocese of New York’s latest attempt to spark interest in the priesthood.
Assisted suicide bill stalls in Illinois Legislature amid Catholic opposition - Jun 3, 2025 - By Kate Quiñones - A bill to legalize physician-assisted suicide stalled in the Illinois General Assembly last week amid ardent opposition from leading Catholic voices in the state. The bill would have made it legal for physicians to give “qualified” terminally ill patients life-ending drugs..
Popemobile converted into ambulance blocked from entering Gaza - Jun 3, 2025 - By Victoria Cardiel - Ongoing border restrictions have prevented Pope Francis’ former popemobile, which was refurbished with essential medical equipment, from reaching its destination.
Babylon Bee - Satire News
Dating Red Flags Women Should Look Out For
By Lifestyle Staff, June 3, 2025
Protect yourself by keeping a close eye out for these very concerning warning signs in the guy you're dating. Look out for these dating red flags:
He doesn't open the door for you: So much for chivalry.
He opens the door for you: He's too nice. Ick.
He doesn't text back: He clearly hates you and is being unspeakably cruel. He should die.
He texts back right away: What a weirdo. So needy.
He makes less than $500k a year: You need a man who can give you the lifestyle you deserve.
He makes more than $500k a year: Sounds like a workaholic. Stay away, ladies.
Nutshell reflections for 6/4/25:
USCCB Daily Reflection AUDIO & VIDEO - June 4, 2025
Wednesday of the Seventh Week of Easter
Catholic365
The lasting impact of abuse
By Janet Cassidy, June 4, 2025
There's been a lot in the news lately about the Sean "Diddy" Combs trial. Disgusting facts have come out. I noticed one thing I find very frustrating. People ask why the women didn't leave him. In an accusing way, the women are questioned why they praised him even after they were "free" of him. It's because they were not, ever, really "free." Underneath such questions is the ever-present implication that somehow these women are at fault because they stay. The power an abusive person has over another doesn't just go away when the official "relationship" has ended. The fear and control the abuser uses over their victim/survivor remains for a very long time. When are we going to understand that the power exhibited by abusers is so great that the hurt they inflict (physically, verbally, and emotionally) has a lasting impact?
CBCPNews
With the Holy Spirit, nothing is impossible
By Fr. Agustin Opalalic, June 1, 2025
By ourselves, the mystery of salvation is an almost incomprehensible reality, but with the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, we open ourselves to believe. By ourselves, the demands of the faith are hard, especially the new commandment that Jesus said before he left this world — to love one another as he loved us in the way of the cross. However, the courage of the Holy Spirit allows us to embody the idea that nothing is impossible. The Acts of the Apostles record Jesus saying, “…but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Witnessing the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus became the fundamental identity of the first apostles, who eventually gave their lives in martyrdom for the sake of the Gospel. It is also our mission to join the Mystical Body of Christ through the sacrament of Baptism.
Church Life Journal
The Glacier priest on America's last frontier
by Josh McMullen, June 2, 2025
On May 1, 1931, Mount Aniakchak, situated on the Alaska Peninsula, erupted. A menacing black mushroom cloud rose nearly four miles into the air. Earthquakes rocked the surrounding area. In nearby Meshik, egg-sized pumice stones barraged the houses where frightened families hid. Shafts of lightning lit the dark clouds, producing a “truly fear-inspiring sight.” Into this devastation, Jesuit priest and explorer Fr. Bernard R. Hubbard led a team of young college students. As the first humans on the scene, Hubbard and his team captured the nation's attention. Americans were spellbound by stories of the young men bravely following their leader-priest into danger. From the late 1920s through the 1950s, Hubbard was arguably the most well-known promoter of Alaska in the world and one of the most recognizable Catholic priests among the American public.
Missio Dei
We do not belong to this world
By Andrew McGovern, June 4, 2025
Being Christian naturally sets us up as contrary to the world. Our Lord Himself was prophesied to be a “sign of contradiction.”1 The disciple will never fare better than his master, and so we remain signs of contradiction in this world. In modern times, the rot of society has only increased, and the temptation to conform to the comforts provided by the world is ever greater. Many Christians fall into the ease that the world offers. Going against the grain and standing for the sacredness of marriage, life, and truth are seen as crimes against the state, and those who dare contradict the standard view are ostracized from society. Because of this, we do not belong to the world. Our Lord tells us that the world will hate us, and so it does.
Image of Almonds by Monfocus from Pixabay
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