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Boston Globe
30 minutes ago
- General
- Boston Globe
From numbers to names in a forgotten graveyard
This cemetery covers about two-thirds of an acre, with a shrine at the rear holding rosary beads, painted rocks, pieces of paper with unsigned and sorrowful messages, shells, and dollar bills. The grass is diligently mowed between rows of stone markers without names. It was created in 1947, with numbers signifying the order of burials until they ended in 1979, and letters dividing right and left sides: P for Protestant, C for Catholic. Jewish and Muslim patients are also buried here. Back in 2018, over the course of several years, a group of students from Gann Academy, a nearby Jewish high school, Advertisement Ten years after burials ended, I trained in one of the psychiatry units at Metropolitan State Hospital. We sat on the floor next to catatonic patients, tried to speak their language we could not understand, and prescribed medications with many clear bad effects and fewer clear good effects. I had no idea a cemetery existed just down the hill, out of sight. No one buried here would have chosen these biographies for themselves. The 8-year-old boy who fell from his wheelchair and fractured his skull. The 66-year-old who died of terminal burns from a faulty shower. The man who lived in Fernald for 47 unimaginable years before tuberculosis killed him. The resident who worked as a laundress in the hospital for 31 years. Each life story is conveyed with imperative respect. 'As you read,' cautions the website, 'please do so with the same spirit of kindness and communal reckoning that brought us to this work.' The project they created has a holy feel, especially in these times. After the dog and I would finish our pentagon, she liked to bound back across the bridge again. The bridge always made her feel young and, of course, there were biscuits waiting in the car. She knew she was adored. Every aging, fragile need of hers was tenderly met. Advertisement She did not know there was any other way. Elissa Ely is a psychiatrist.
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Pacelli among those institutions keeping an eye on potential state level cuts
May 30—Around a week ago Pacelli Catholic Schools recognized another successful class during its 2025 Commencement, graduating all 11 of its students. It's a trend that has continued over the years as the school has boasted a 98.6% 10-year graduation rate and even though class sizes range on the low end of students per class, it's a mark Pacelli has nonetheless become proud of. However, recent maneuvering within the Minnesota State Legislature have raised anxieties regarding non-public schools funding Pacelli receives from the State of Minnesota. "This has been huge in the private school world," said Pacelli Advancement Director and social Studies teacher Nick McGrath. State law allows reimbursement to schools regardless of whether or not they go to a public or private school. That reimbursement funding goes towards things like busing, however, in his most recent budget proposal, Gov. Tim Walz pinned the cutting of $109 million in funding for non-public school aid as well as funding for busing non-public school students. It's something those in the private school sector, including Pacelli, have been watching closely as the school could miss out on close to $1,100 per student. "It's just a really touchy subject if we lost our funding," McGrath said. There are plenty of misconceptions that float around in the orbit of private schools including things like its education for the upper class or in Pacelli's case, you have to be Catholic to attend — neither of which are true in its case. "There's a common saying that if you've seen one private school, you've seen one private school," McGrath said, adding that Pacelli's enrollment mirrors its much bigger neighbor across the street, Austin High School, in terms of demographics. "You don't have to jump through hoops," he said. "Seventy-five percent of the student body receives aid of some kind. We mirror the demographics of the public system." A large chunk of Pacelli's overall each year comes from fundraising, including its biggest fundraiser, the Pacelli Auction, which this year aimed for raising between $225,000 and $250,000 and uses the money for things like scholarships. The school was actually saved through a fundraiser in 1992 when the financial strain of keeping the school open very nearly closed the school permanently. This year, the auction raised a total net profit of $217,531.67. While the legislature failed to get a budget passed during the regular session, it is now facing a special session to get it completed. However, the proposal has since been indefinitely postponed. Lobbying groups for private schools have opposed the bill, with the Minnesota Association of Independent schools citing that it's contradictory to state intentions. "This legislation directly contradicts long-standing Minnesota policy that ensures equitable access to educational benefits for all students, including those attending nonpublic schools," the MAIS said in a letter to the Minnesota Senate Education Finance Committee on March 30. However, educator unions have voiced support for the bill saying that money generated from the public should be used for public education. It's a source of frustration for private schools who say that education standards often cross over with those of public schools and in some cases, like Pacelli, the only difference tends to be that faith is a guiding principle. "We do not offer a cut-rate education," McGrath said. "You are not being served 80% coming Pacelli. What you are getting is a comprehensive education rooted in faith."
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
Texas Supreme Court gives initial win to Paxton in migrant shelter case
(The Texas Tribune) — Attorney General Ken Paxton can proceed with his investigation of an El Paso migrant shelter network he has accused of violating state law by helping undocumented migrants, the Texas Supreme Court ruled Friday. The ruling does not weigh in on the merits of the case, but says the district court erred in blocking Paxton from obtaining documents and getting an injunction to close the shelter. The case began in February 2024 when the attorney general's office demanded documents from the shelter, Annunciation House, related to its work with immigrants. Annunciation House, which opened its first shelter at a Catholic church nearly 50 years ago, primarily serves people who have been processed and released into the U.S. by federal immigration officials. The shelter's director, Ruben Garcia, communicates regularly with Border Patrol and other federal officials to help find shelter for immigrants who have nowhere else to go while their cases are processed. Here's what you need to know: Officials from the attorney general's Consumer Protection Division arrived at the migrant shelter's door on Feb. 7 and demanded a trove of documents within a day. Annunciation House sued the attorney general's office to delay the release of the records, asking a judge to determine which documents shelter officials were legally allowed to release. Paxton's office filed a countersuit to shutter the shelter network. The attorney general's office claimed the shelter was violating state law by helping people suspected of being undocumented immigrants. The investigation was one of more than 12 instances identified last year by The Texas Tribune and ProPublica in which Paxton's office used the state's consumer protection laws to investigate organizations whose work conflicts in some way with his political views or the views of his conservative base. At least four other organizations that work with immigrants have been targeted. An El Paso judge in July denied Paxton's effort to shut down Annunciation House. State District Judge Francisco Dominguez ruled that the state's claim, 'even if accepted as true, does not establish a violation of those provisions.' He also ruled that the state laws are preempted by federal law and therefore 'unenforceable.' Paxton's office appealed the decision directly to the all-Republican Texas Supreme Court. The appeal drew five letters to the court from outside parties. Among them were two in support of Annunciation House filed by El Paso County and First Liberty Institute, a Texas nonprofit that champions religious freedom. America First Legal Foundation, an organization started by a former Trump administration official to advocate for conservative causes, filed a letter in support of Paxton's office. Paxton's office, which has argued that the shelter network should be closed for violating state laws against human smuggling and operating a stash house, told the court that Annunciation House should be shuttered to send a message to other similar organizations. Ryan Baasch of the attorney general's office argued that Annunciation House 'knowingly and purposely' shelters undocumented persons. 'If all the state is allowed to do is obtain an injunction that says, 'Don't do this unlawful act again,' there's absolutely no deterrent effect,' Baasch said in response to a question from a justice about why an injunction would be insufficient. When one of the justices asked whether the state wanted to deter organizations from exercising their religious activity, Baasch responded: 'Not all, your honor. We want to deter organizations from knowingly and deliberately sheltering illegally present aliens.' Annunciation House's lawyers have characterized the state's arguments as 'utter nonsense,' arguing that Paxton's efforts violate the First Amendment, which guarantees the right to free speech, association and religion, and the Fourth Amendment, which offers protection against unreasonable search and seizure. Annunciation House lawyer Amy Warr argued that most of the people who the shelter helps have been processed and released by federal immigration authorities while their cases are pending. She said other federal authorities, like the FBI, sometimes bring undocumented people to the shelter who they need as witnesses in criminal cases. 'Law enforcement knows we are there, knows that we house undocumented people,' Warr said. 'If they want to pick somebody up, they come with a warrant and they get the person — or they wait outside until the person comes out. They have full means to do this.' Annunciation House gave five minutes of its oral arguments to First Liberty Institute, a religious freedom organization. Elizabeth Kiernan argued on behalf of the group that Annunciation House's work is motivated by the group's Catholic faith. 'The Catholic church has claimed Annunciation House as one of its own,' Kiernan said. 'If the (Texas Religious Freedom and Restoration Act) protects anything, it protects this religious charity against outright closure.' In a unanimous opinion, with one justice recused, the Texas Supreme Court found that the district court had erred in granting Annunciation House a permanent inunction against records requests from the Attorney General, and in denying the state's request for a permanent injunction. Should Paxton's office ask for another injunction, 'the trial court must assess it in light of our holdings,' the justices wrote. But they made clear that they were not weighing in on the strength of Paxton's arguments or his chances of winning this case outright. 'It is too early for us, or for any court, to express a view about the merits of the underlying issues,' the unanimous opinion reads. 'Perhaps the case will terminate quickly based on evidentiary or legal grounds; perhaps it will go to trial… We resolve only what we must to dispose of today's appeal.' The case will return now to the district 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
Man arrested in connection to shooting that left 2 Ohio police officers injured
The man suspected of shooting and injuring two police officers has been arrested, according to the Franklin County Sheriff's Office. Body camera footage showed the moment a suspect opened fire on two Ohio police officers this week. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Franklin County Sheriff Dallas Baldwin said two Mifflin Township police officers were conducting a traffic stop near Mecca Road and Perdue Avenue around 6:45 p.m. The passenger got out of the car and began running. 'When officers pursued the suspect, he turned around and opened fire, hitting both officers,' the Franklin County Sheriff's Office said. As previously reported by News Center 7, Franklin County Sheriff Dallas Baldwin called the shooting 'unprovoked.' TRENDING STORIES: Hope remains to save historic Catholic church engulfed in flames, Archdiocese says 'I lost everything;' Home torn apart in SWAT standoff Skating rink at center of service dog controversy changing owners The passenger, later identified as 21-year-old, Daevonte Dixon, was taken into custody Friday. The sheriff's office said that the driver of the car has cooperated with investigators and is currently not facing any charges. Dixon has been charged with attempted murder and felonious assault in connection with the shooting. News Center 7 will continue to follow this story. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Hamilton Spectator
7 hours ago
- General
- Hamilton Spectator
Matheson humbled to receive Catholic Education Service Award
Catholic Education Week is from May 25 to June 1 and the Prince Albert Catholic School Division board celebrated the occasion by announcing the 2024-2025 Catholic Education Service Award winners. Current substitute teacher Collette Matheson was among two honourees selected. She was present at the Catholic School Division board of education meeting on Monday to receive the award from Chair Suzanne Stubbs. Matheson began her teaching career in Saskatoon. In 1987, she joined her husband Fred Matheson in Prince Albert and started her journey with the Prince Albert Catholic School Division. Over the years, she taught students from Grade 1 to Grade 12, with most of her career dedicated to Middle Years French Immersion at École Holy Cross School. Matheson was honoured to join the list of past inductees for the award. 'It is very humbling,' she said. 'It's been an honour to actually be recognised. I looked at the past recipients and they are such amazing people and so dedicated to Catholic education, so I feel very honoured to be in that group.' Matheson has been teaching for 41 years, 38 of which came with the Prince Albert Catholic School Division. She said the middle years students were great to teach. 'They're not quite sure who they are going to be, so it was great to be a witness to all of that and to have that faith background to get them through it (and) to be supportive,' Matheson said. 'I tried to be as compassionate as possible with them and you try to help as many as you can.' Initially Matheson worked as a high school teacher before teaching Grade 1 for a period. She left on maternity leave, and started teaching middle years when she came back. 'I stayed there and I just loved them,' she said. 'I love the energy of the group. I love that they were at a point in their life where they're really trying to figure things out.' She said the little things as a junior high French Immersion teacher warmed her heart. 'I was watching from up top at the school and one kid just looked around to see if anybody was watching,' she remembered. 'He was by himself and he just went into cartwheel, just to get that joy out. 'The energy was amazing, and yes, there were struggles and stuff, but I love the energy that they bring to it,' she added. 'They're so hard on themselves sometimes and they just turn out to be great adults. I've always been in awe of the students, I love the little moments.' Matheson said having a Catholic faith-based education was important because it allowed her to be her whole self. She began her career in the public system in Saskatoon. 'I ended up with the Catholic, and I didn't have to hide any part of my personality. or my spiritual self,' she said. 'Any of those parts could permeate into whatever it was teaching, and then I could always rely on that, too. 'When we went through some tough times with students, whether they be losses or divorce or whatever it may have been, it was nice to have that faith base. You have that prayer or you could offer them hope in that way. I like that faith foundation for that reason.' The students remain the most important part to Matheson. 'I love my students. I think that was the highlight of my career,' she said. Matheson retired seven years ago but kept getting contracts because she is a French Immersion Teacher and there was always a need. 'I've been back in the classroom for the last seven years and I'm finally just subbing this year, so it's kind of nice,' she said. 'I love the little moments with the students. I've had an amazing group of kids and I've had some wonderful staff beside me that were very focused on doing the best they could for the kids.' Matheson was one of two people to win Catholic Education Service Awards this year. The other was Vel Thompson is a 37 year employee of the school division who worked as an Administrative Assistant and is currently employed at the Education Centre. Thompson declined the chance to be interviewed about receiving the award. The Board of Education established the Catholic Education Service Award in 1998 to recognize individuals who have made significant contributions to Catholic education in Prince Albert. Both recipients have been nominated due to their significant contributions to Catholic Education, and their faith community. The board of education congradulated both award winners. 'Our Board is truly grateful to this year's recipients of the Prince Albert Catholic Service Awards,' Stubbs said in a press release. 'We are proud that Colette and Val call our school division and Catholic education community home. Their involvement in our schools, parishes, and greater Catholic community is exemplary, and we are blessed to have these individuals working with our staff and students.' The Prince Albert Catholic Division invites everyone to join in celebrating World Catholic Education Week as they strive to provide a supportive atmosphere that makes Catholic schools nurturing environment for students to thrive academically, spiritually and socially. The Board of Education thanked everyone for the submissions received. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
