News - May 2026 RSS Feed

NOLA Catholic Parenting blogger/columnist Ty Salvant appreciates those people who have shaped her life -when you understand your story, you parent with more intention, lead with more clarity and live with more purpose.

5th Sunday of Easter John 14:1–12 May 3, 2026

Joal Betz Kuebel, the 86-year-old mother of nine and grandmother of 14, learned at an early age the necessity of a family support system and how important it is to cherish time with family members. She, along with her late husband Omer Kuebel, Jr., passed this devotion to her own family, and it is that devotion that has lead to her being named the 2026 Regina Matrum award recipient.

For centuries, the Catholic Church has set aside the entire month of May to honor Mary, Mother of God. The idea of a month dedicated specifically to the Blessed Virgin Mary can be traced back to baroque times. Although it was not always held during May, “Mary Month” included 30 daily spiritual exercises honoring Mary. The transition to the month of May being “Mary’s Month” is credited to the Jesuits but is rooted in customs that span both centuries and cultures, with roots going back as far as the Ancient Greeks.

Ten years ago, May 3, the Feast of Sts. Phillip and James, was a memorable day for me, as I was ordained a Bishop. When Pope Francis sent me to Metuchen as their bishop, I remember him saying, “you must know a lot of people and clergy in your new diocese since it is so close to your home.” ...In sending me to be your Archbishop this past year, Pope Leo sent me to a new area of the country in which I had never lived and, again, where I knew very few people. However, after only a few months here, I am filled with gratitude for your warm welcome and have been overwhelmed by your love, encouragement, kind notes, generous gifts and especially your prayers.