Note from Deacon Michael: Andrew and I just finished 19.3 miles together at Walt Disney World - a 5K Friday, 10K Saturday, and 10-Miler Sunday. On the way home he told me it was the most memorable trip he's ever had. I'm still carrying that, and grateful to be home now to Suzanne and the rest of the family - and back at it with you this Monday morning.

Alleluia! Today's Gospel picks up right after the multiplication of the loaves. The crowd has chased Jesus across the lake - they want more bread. He tells them: "Do not work for food that perishes but for the food that endures for eternal life" (John 6:27). The hunger is real. The question is what we are feeding it with. That question is alive in the news this morning.

📰 Quick Hits

1. Pope Leo in Angola: "It Is Love That Must Triumph, Not War"

Now on the third leg of his 11-day Africa pilgrimage, Pope Leo XIV celebrated Mass in Angola and visited a Marian shrine before flying on to his final stop, Equatorial Guinea. On the flight from Cameroon, he addressed reporters about the week's media coverage directly: "There has been a certain narrative that has not been accurate in all of its aspects." His speeches about peace, he clarified, were written weeks before any political friction - they reflect the Gospel, not a debate. "It is not in my interest at all" to debate the president, he said. "I primarily come to Africa as a pastor." VP Vance responded by thanking the Pope and calling their roles complementary.

Faith Lens for the Home: A pope on a continent-wide mission of peace refuses to be pulled into a political storyline - and comes home to the Gospel. Ask your family tonight: "When things get noisy and complicated around us, how do we stay focused on what actually matters?" That's not just a question for a pope. It's a question for every household.

2. Gallup: Young Men Now Outpace Young Women in Religiosity

A new Gallup study finds that 42% of American men ages 18-29 now say religion is "very important" in their lives - up 14 points since 2022-2023 and now surpassing young women (30%) for the first time in 25 years of tracking. Church attendance among young men has also risen sharply, to 40%, statistically tied with young women. Gallup's senior scientist called it significant: "One of the dominant trends we've observed has been a decline in religiosity among Americans. Now, in young people, we're seeing that decline beginning to stop."

Faith Lens for the Home: Young men are hungry for something real - and they are finding it in faith. Today's Gospel says it plainly: the crowd chases bread, but Jesus offers food that endures. Ask your sons tonight what draws them to faith - or what gets in the way. Ask your daughters the same. The Domestic Church is where that hunger either gets fed or goes unanswered. Your dinner table is the first place it gets addressed.

3. Oklahoma Principal Crowned Prom King After Taking a Bullet for His Students

Ten days after principal Kirk Moore tackled and disarmed an armed former student who entered his school carrying two semiautomatic handguns - taking a bullet in the process - his students crowned him Prom King to a standing ovation as Nickelback's "Hero" played over the speakers. The video has gone viral. Moore deflected the attention: "I just did what any good principal would do."

Faith Lens for the Home: The Good Shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. That's not just a metaphor - it shows up in a principal who runs toward danger so his students don't have to. Ask your kids: "What made Mr. Moore a hero? What does it take to be the kind of person who does that?" Then ask the harder question: "Who are the people in our life who would do that for us? How do we honor them?"

⛪ Family Saint Spotlight

St. Agnes of Montepulciano - April 20

Named superior of a new convent at just 15 years old, Agnes later founded and led a Dominican community in her hometown of Montepulciano, Italy. She is known for her mystical gifts, deep humility, and unwavering trust in God despite early resistance and hardship. She died at 49 having never stopped serving.

Ask at dinner: "Agnes was given enormous responsibility at 15. What responsibilities does our family give young people - and are we trusting them with enough?"

✋ One Simple Action

If you started the St. Gianna Novena yesterday - keep going. Day 2 is waiting at walkingwithmoms.com/saint-gianna-novena. If you missed Day 1, start today - the novena runs through April 27 and every day stands on its own.

📚 Read More

• Pope Leo in Angola: EWTN News (https://www.ewtnnews.com/vatican/pope-leo-xiv-visits-africa)
• Pope Leo clarifies Africa trip remarks: Vatican News (https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2026-04/pope-leo-xiv-trump-cameroon-journey-africa-peace-united-states.html)
• Gallup: Young men and religiosity: Gallup (https://news.gallup.com/poll/708410/rise-young-men-religiosity-realigns-gender-gaps.aspx)
• Oklahoma principal Kirk Moore: The LOOP / Zeale (https://zeale.co/news/articles/oklahoma-principal-who-took-a-bullet-stopping-school-gunman-is-crowned-prom-king-by-his-students)
• St. Gianna Novena - Day 2: Walking with Moms (https://www.walkingwithmoms.com/saint-gianna-novena-day-2)

Do not work for food that perishes. The miles Andrew and I ran this weekend reminded me of that - time with your kids, unhurried and side by side, is food that endures. Feed your family well this week.

One more thing: the & Altar app is now live in the Apple App Store for iPhone. Daily formation for every member of your household, in one place. Learn more at WeAreDomus.com.