The United Saints of America? The “big S” saints — those raised to the altar by the Catholic Church — have traversed our land, sea to shining sea, from St. Isaac Jogues in the East to St. Junípero Serra in the West. To mark our nation’s 250th birthday, join veteran journalist and passionate storyteller Peggy Stanton on a tour of all 50 states and the District of Columbia, under the guidance of our patroness, the Blessed Mother, in search of the famous and not-so-famous shrines, those least recognized but with wonderful, intriguing back stories.

Peggy Stanton is also the author of “From the White House to the White Cross.” She’s a Dame of the Order of Malta. Peggy was ABC News’ first female Washington correspondent. She has hosted programs on Ave Maria Radio including Power from the Pews. Her first book was “The Daniel Dilemma: The Moral Man in the Public Arena.”

The Senate must act to protect our children from China’s AI - Donna Rice Hughes

Donna Rice Hughes, President and CEO of Enough Is Enough (EIE) is an internationally known Internet safety expert, author, speaker and producer. Her vision, expertise and advocacy helped to birth the Internet safety movement in America at the advent of the digital age. Since 1994, she has been a pioneering leader on the frontlines of U.S. efforts to make the Internet safer for children and families by implementing a three-pronged strategy of the public, the technology industry and legal community sharing the responsibility to protect children online. This strategy has been adopted by industry and governments worldwide.

Daniel joins Vanessa each month to look at important stories that have been featured on the Detroit Catholic website.

Daniel Meloy – News Reporter for the Detroit Catholic

We plan to look over these stories today:

National Shrine of the Little Flower Basilica celebrates 100 years of faithhttps://www.detroitcatholic.com/news/national-shrine-of-the-little-flower-basilica-celebrates-100-years-of-faithFor new senior priests, life in ministry has brought ‘so many blessings’ over yearshttps://www.detroitcatholic.com/news/for-new-senior-priests-life-in-ministry-has-brought-so-many-blessings-over-years‘Viva Cristo Rey’: A silenced story of faith captivates Hispanic Catholics in Detroithttps://www.detroitcatholic.com/news/viva-cristo-rey-a-silenced-story-of-faith-captivates-hispanic-catholics-in-detroit‘Rising’ revival calls for Detroit faithful to be a people of hope rooted in Christhttps://www.detroitcatholic.com/news/rising-revival-calls-for-detroit-faithful-to-be-a-people-of-hope-rooted-in-christ-2Detroit celebrates the city’s patroness, giving God thanks for the faith St. Anne inspireshttps://www.detroitcatholic.com/news/detroit-celebrates-the-citys-patronesses-at-most-holy-trinity-parish-giving-god-thanks-for-the-faith-st-anne-inspiresDetroit faithful pack St. Bonaventure Chapel to celebrate Blessed Solanus Caseyhttps://www.detroitcatholic.com/news/detroit-faithful-pack-st-bonaventure-chapel-to-celebrate-hometown-blessed-solanus-caseyCardinal Tobin joins local Jesuit community in celebrating 150 years in Detroithttps://www.detroitcatholic.com/news/cardinal-tobin-joins-local-jesuit-community-in-celebrating-150-years-in-detroitArchbishop Weisenburger commends La Casa Amiga’s ministry to Pontiac’s underservedhttps://www.detroitcatholic.com/news/archbishop-weisenburger-commends-la-casa-amigas-ministry-to-pontiacs-underserved

Do you think you have a calling to serve as a Priest of Jesus Christ, and you are discerning if this is God’s path for you? We invite you to participate in a special discernment opportunity.

Join us and Bishop Boyea on Sunday, August 16, 2026, for an informative talk on discerning the priesthood and what seminary formation is about, followed by a Q & A session with priests and seminarians and a BBQ dinner. Check-in will start at 4:00 PM at St. Francis Retreat Center, and dismissal will be at 6:30 pm.Cost: Free - Click here for the details!

Fr. Michael Cassar is the Seminarian Director for the Diocese of Lansing. He grew up in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and is a graduate of Eastern Michigan University and Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit. He holds a Master’s Degree in Philosophy and Theology. He has served as parochial vicar at St. Thomas Aquinas Parish in East Lansing and St. John Student Center at Michigan State University.

GALLUP Report on the use of AI

The primary mission of the MagisAI app is to serve as a comprehensive resource for answering complex questions at the intersection of Catholic faith, science, philosophy, and social sciences. It aims to be part of an “antidote to the secular culture” by equipping users with the information and rationale to defend their faith confidently.

Fr. Robert Spitzer is a Catholic Priest in the Jesuit order and President of the Magis Center and the Spitzer Center. President of Gonzaga University from 1998 to 2009, he significantly increased their programs and curricula in faith, ethics, service, and leadership. He is the author of many books, including "Science at the Doorstop to God" and "Christ, Science and Reason." Fr. also hosts “Father Spitzer’s Universe” on EWTN.

Most Catholics know they could be doing more. They go to Mass on Sundays, they identify with the faith, and they genuinely want a deeper relationship with God — but they’re not sure where to start, or what “more” would even look like in the middle of a busy life.

Love Finds a Way answers that question directly and practically. Drawing on decades of personal experience – including years of going through the motions of Catholic life before encountering a richer tradition of prayer and spiritual discipline – Stephen Gabriel offers a warm, candid guide to building an authentic friendship with Christ without leaving ordinary life behind.

Stephen Gabriel was born in Quincy, Massachusetts. The son of a merchant sea captain and a homemaker, his family moved to Florida and then to the Panama Canal Zone. He is a graduate of Loyola University of Chicago and the University of Illinois and holds a Ph.D. in agricultural economics. His career spans federal government service and chief economist of a small government agency. His books include topics on finance, fatherhood, aging, and spirituality. Gabriel lives in Falls Church, Virginia, with his wife, Peggy. They have eight children and forty grandchildren.

· Esther Huerta has been a dedicated member of Our Lady of the Scapular for over three decades. She has held various leadership positions within the parish, and dedicating countless hours to volunteer work.

· Presently, Esther serves as the Office Manager, overseeing all parish events, including trips, outings, gatherings, and the annual festival. Her commitment extends beyond these events, as she also coordinates parish trips and outings.

· Esther is a mother of two exceptional sons and a grandmother to three spirited grandchildren. She is also a loving wife to a remarkable husband and a sister to six wonderful siblings.

Esther tells us all about Our Lady of the Scapular in Wyandotte and their big festival coming up August 28 and 29! See below.

With child online safety issues plaguing children worldwide, the National Center on Sexual Exploitation (NCOSE) released a new AI tool to immediately give parents a way to find trusted resources and answers concerning their children and technology. The AI tool is part of NCOSE’s new Parent Center, a platform designed to equip, encourage, and empower parents as they navigate today’s digital landscape.

Opinion: We’ve agreed that social media is dangerous to children, but what about AI companions?

Layne Shill is the Director of the Parent Center at the National Center on Sexual Exploitation, where she leads strategy, parent engagement, and digital advocacy initiatives focused on online child safety. She is passionate about equipping parents with practical tools, trusted resources, and opportunities to advocate for safer digital environments for children. Layne graduated from Brigham Young University and is originally from Utah.