Staff Writer

From the Early Church to Today

Oftentimes, saints serve as patrons for countries, regions, and smaller communities, aside from their occupational intercessionary abilities. When a saint is labeled as a patron in this way, it indicates that they act as a special spiritual protector, intercessor, and model for that community’s history and way of life.

Regional patronhood combines elements of theology, history, and culture to develop a relationship with a saint who represents the location’s identity and values.

Saint Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland. He earned this recognition by evangelizing the nation in the fifth century and embodying a journey of captivity, escape, and return to his homeland – values which align with an Irish history marked by suffering and resilience.

Many elements of Irish history have been shaped by Saint Patrick’s influence, feast day, and prayers.

During times of political and religious division, Saint Patrick has served as a model of unity and determination.

Serving as a spiritual model that points to the life of Christ, whom Irish citizens turn to in prayer for guidance and protection, he serves as the patron saint of the country and as a theological symbol of its faithfulness.

Meet Saint Patrick

Saint Patrick was born in Roman Britain. He was captured by Irish pirates when he was fourteen and taken to Ireland as a slave, herding and tending sheep.

When he was enslaved, Patrick turned to God in times of darkness. He wrote The Confession as a memoir, reflecting on his experiences in captivity.

He finally escaped imprisonment when he was 20 years old, after experiencing a dream in which he was instructed to leave Ireland by going to the coast. This mystical vision inspired his spiritual growth and journey into the priesthood.

After ordination, he was sent back to Ireland to spread the Gospel. He successfully converted thousands of non-believers to Catholicism, leading the development of churches across the country, and using the symbolism of shamrocks to depict the Holy Trinity in his teachings.

Saint Patrick preached in Ireland for 40 years, converting the hearts and minds of entire kingdoms. He died on March 17, 461, on the site of the first church he built, after a life defined by poverty, traveling, and enduring suffering for the love and glory of the Lord.

Saint Patrick, Pray for Us

Saint Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland, serving as an intercessory friend for their national community and its history. Asking for the intercession of a saint is not praying to them – instead, it is like asking a friend to pray for you.

The feast day of Saint Patrick is March 17, which is known as Saint Patricks Day. This year, on Saint Patrick’s Day, many reflected on the testimony that this servant embodied and his mission and contributions to the Church.

As I arise today,
may the strength of God pilot me,
the power of God uphold me,
the wisdom of God guide me.
May the eye of God look before me,
the ear of God hear me,
the word of God speak for me.
May the hand of God protect me,
the way of God lie before me,
the shield of God defend me,
the host of God save me.
May Christ shield me today.

Christ with me, Christ before me,
Christ behind me,
Christ in me, Christ beneath me,
Christ above me,
Christ on my right, Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit,
Christ when I stand,
Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.

May Your salvation, O Lord, be ever with us.

Amen

Staff Writer

On Feb. 19, Prince Andrew, now known as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, was arrested at his Sandringham home for misconduct in public office.

The former Duke of York had his titles stripped due to his ties to child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. According to CNN, this is the first time in 400 years that a senior British royal has been arrested. The Thames Valley Police have since released Andrew “under investigation.”

Andrew had a bombshell interview in 2019 with the BBC with journalist Emily Maitlis, where he discussed his affiliation with Epstein. He was notably sweating profusely, which he wrote off as resulting from a medical condition.

However, his confusing answers and nervous demeanor have caused more suspicion towards his ties with Epstein.

King Charles III, the brother of the former prince and son of the late Queen Elizabeth II, expressed his concern regarding the case.

According to NBC News, he said, “I have learned with the deepest concern the news about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and suspicion of misconduct in public office. What now follows is the full, fair, and proper process by which this issue is investigated in the appropriate manner and by the appropriate authorities.”

He added, “In this, as I have said before, they have our full and wholehearted support and co-operation.”

The family of the late Virginia Giuffre, a victim of Jeffrey Epstein, put out a statement that said, “Today, our broken hearts have been lifted at the news that no one is above the law, not even royalty,” the family said. “For survivors everywhere, Virginia did this for you.”

President Donald Trump weighed in on the arrest. He told NBC News, “I think it’s a shame. I think it’s very sad. I think it’s so bad for the royal family. It’s a very, very sad to me. It’s a very sad thing when I see that.”

The former prince still denies any wrongdoing or connection to Epstein. However, if Andrew is convicted, he will face a lifetime imprisonment, as is standard with a charge of misconduct in public office.

Staff Writer

This summer, the FIFA World Cup is coming to North America. With 16 host cities across the U.S., Mexico, and Canada and over 104 games being played, it is set to be the largest World Cup in history.

Of the 16 host cities, 11 are in the U.S., including Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, MA, where seven games are set to be played during various dates in June and July. However, funding issues have created many problems for the city.

More than $600 million in federal grant money was set aside in the budget to assist host cities with the passing of President Donald Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill.”

However, cities were delayed in receiving funds due to the government shutdown in February, affecting the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which is a part of the Department of Homeland Security.

According to NBC News, Foxboro had requested eight million dollars of federal funding for security and public safety purposes, as they refused to pay the bill with public money.

Without this funding, Foxboro threatened to deny the necessary licenses for the games to be held at Gillette Stadium if the funding was not received by March 17.

According to NewsBreak, Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey told reporters that despite the funding issues, she remained confident that the World Cup games were going to happen. She noted how FIFA will be in Massachusetts,” and said, “It’s going to be great to have people come from all over the world and see our awesome state.”

In a joint statement released on March 11, after months of funding disagreements, Foxboro, Boston Soccer 2026, and Kraft Sports and Entertainment announced that the funding needed for public safety would be paid for, ensuring the approval of the needed licenses just a mere week before the March 17 deadline.

According to NBC News, a piece of the statement read, “As part of this arrangement, the Town of Foxborough will not incur any cost or financial burden related to the FIFA World Cup, with Boston Soccer 2026 providing advance funding for security-related capital expenditures and the full extent of deployment that public safety officials have determined is needed to execute the event with Kraft Sports + Entertainment’s backing.”

Foxboro officials, including Town Select Board chair Bill Yukna, told NBC News that the town and its citizens are very pleased with this agreement and are thankful for Robert Kraft’s involvement in providing a resolution to the funding issues.

Foxboro expects all issues to be resolved before the public hearing that will be held on March 17.

Staff Writer

Worcester’s academic community gathered on Monday, Jan. 20, as Assumption University and Quinsigamond Community College co-hosted their 41st Annual MLK Community Breakfast, continuing a four-decade tradition of honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s legacy.

Deborah Hall, CEO of YWCA Central Massachusetts, emceed the event, which featured Rabbi Valerie Cohen of Temple Emmanuel Sinai delivering the invocation.

Worcester’s civic leaders, including U.S. Representative Jim McGovern, State Senator Robyn Kennedy, Mayor Joseph M. Petty, and university presidents Luis G. Pedraja and Greg Weiner, addressed attendees.

Weiner connected King’s philosophy to Assumption’s mission, emphasizing that King championed unity through diversity. He noted that Assumption fosters civic friendship, where different perspectives strengthen the shared pursuit of truth and justice, work requiring courage, humility, and compassion.

Dr. Jennifer Davis Carey, former Executive Director of the Worcester Education Collaborative, delivered the keynote address. Carey brings extensive experience from K-12 and higher education, including directing minority recruitment at Harvard and Radcliffe Colleges and holding senior Massachusetts state positions.

The breakfast continued its scholarship tradition, having distributed over $200,000 since 1986 to support local students pursuing higher education. This year’s ceremony also presented the Eleanor T. Hawley Community Service Award and the Worcester Fire Department Lt. Herbert A. Wilson Achievement Award.

Clark University’s Campus and Community Ambassadors attended the breakfast, bringing an additional layer of community engagement to the event.

Feyzal Ebrahim, Associate Director of Community Living at Clark, reflected on the experience. “Despite the cold morning and the fresh blanket of snow, the atmosphere at Assumption University was warm, welcoming, and full of purpose,” Ebrahim said.

“From the moment we boarded the buses to the moment we were greeted by student hosts, it was clear that this gathering was not just a breakfast, but a community coming together in shared reflection.”

The program’s musical tributes and dramatic retelling of key moments from the Civil Rights Movement resonated deeply with Clark’s ambassadors. Ebrahim noted that witnessing these historical struggles brought to life reaffirmed their commitment to show up, serve, and stand beside their neighbors with humility and intention.

Clark’s work in Worcester’s Main South community embodies the values Dr. King championed—solidarity, service, and justice rooted in everyday action. Whether cleaning streets alongside residents, supporting local events, or simply being present where needed, the university aims to strengthen bonds between campus and community.

“The MLK Breakfast reinforced that the fight for dignity and equity is not historical, but rather ongoing, lived daily in Worcester’s neighborhoods,” Ebrahim said.

Community engagement extended beyond recognition. The Worcester Area Mission Society and United Congregational Church collected children’s books about Dr. King for Worcester and Fitchburg elementary students.

The YMCA and Empowering People for Inclusive Communities recruited volunteers for Worcester County service projects, ensuring King’s legacy continues through year-round action.

Staff Writer

On Jan. 3, the U.S. Military conducted an operation to seize Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores de Maduro. According to CNN, he is currently being held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn.

The US Department of State explained that “In March 2020, Maduro was charged in the Southern District of New York for narco-terrorism, conspiracy to import cocaine, possession of machine guns and destructive devices, and conspiracy to possess machine guns and destructive devices.”

President Trump claimed that drugs present in the US, infiltrated by a gang known as Cartel de los Soles, were under the direction of Maduro. This led Trump to directly blame Maduro for these drug-related deaths.

That same day, President Trump and members of his cabinet, including Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, debriefed the operation in a press conference, which was named “Operation Absolute Resolved.”

During the conference, Trump stated that the US will “run the country” until it can have a “safe, proper, and judicious transition,” according to CNN. Given this, Trump has also expressed that the US will seize oil reserves due to Venezuela allegedly stealing oil from the US.

Trump validated this argument by citing the Monroe Doctrine, which was created by President James Monroe back in 1823. It asserts that the Western Hemisphere was closed to further European colonization.

Since its establishment, the Monroe Doctrine has served as a justification for US intervention in Latin America, most notably used by Theodore Roosevelt in his “Roosevelt Corollary,” which expanded US involvement in Latin America, creating long-lasting impressions of imperialism.

Currently, Maduro’s Vice President Delcy Rodriguez is serving as interim president. Rodriguez claimed that Trump seized Venezuela as a means to deplete them of oil.

Trump fired back by stating she will “pay a very big price, probably bigger than Maduro,” according to Time Magazine. She has since doubled down, calling for a respectful relationship with the United States. Venezuela’s future remains in the balance.

Staff Writer

From the Early Church to Today

Who are the saints, and why are they important?

According to Catholic Share, saints are regarded as spiritual advocates for the faithful. Their lives are marked by exemplary holiness and sacrifice, often signified by the endurance of great trials or achievements of charity and faith for the universal Church.

Through a process called canonization, in which the Church confirms their presence in heaven following death, a saint is assigned a role as patron, meaning they intercede for specific groups or causes.

Catholic Share asserts that, “This practice reflects the Catholic belief in the communion of saints, where those in heaven remain connected to the living. The idea is not that saints have power of their own, but that they pray to God on behalf of those who ask.”

Praying for the intercession of a saint is not worshipping them – instead, it is like asking a friend to pray for you. Seeking spiritual guidance and assistance from the saints helps us grow in prayer, faith, and Christian community.

Reflecting on the life stories of these moral figures in Christian history inspires us to seek the good, the true, and the beautiful, following in Christ’s footsteps and accepting God’s will.

Meet Saint Valentine

In honor of Valentine’s Day celebrations occurring this week, it is only fitting to kick off the semester by highlighting St. Valentine himself.

St. Valentine of Rome is a third-century saint whose feast day lands on February 14th. He is often represented in pictures with birds and roses.

St. Valentine was a proud Christian during a time of Roman persecution, and was martyred for his testimony. Under the rule of Claudius II, he was imprisoned for his leadership in the marriage of Christian couples and helping other persecuted Christians in Rome, both of which were considered serious crimes. St. Valentine was sentenced to death after trying to convert Claudius II to the Christian faith, and was executed on February 14th.

During his life, his faith was tested by Judge Asterious, who demanded that if the Good News about Christ was true, then St. Valentine must prove so by restoring sight to his blind daughter. Catholic Online describes how “Placing his hands onto her eyes, Valentine restored the child’s vision…(and) On the day of his execution, he left the girl a note signed, ‘Your Valentine.’”

Lessons From Their Witness

St. Valentine’s story highlights the essence of martyrdom, especially in the Early Church, a time of intense persecution for the Christian faith. His testimony relays the virtues of love, hope, and courage, and inspires Christians to love wholeheartedly today.

Love – One of the most fundamental tenets of the Christian faith is love. St. Valentine’s story reveals the power of compassion, especially in a fallen world. True love is a relationship that seeks the good in another. In our own relationships today, whether they be familial, friendly, or romantic, may we reflect on this definition of love to grow in connection with others.

Hope – St. Valentine preached enduring hope that sees no end. Even when the times were unpromising, he continued his mission as a priest. May we embody his perspective and look for the light in our time, even if it sometimes appears like darkness.

Courage – St. Valentine’s public ministry took place under harsh persecution, but he preached the Good News regardless. He chose to pursue love and truth despite the risks. In our modern world, we are lucky enough to enjoy religious freedoms that allow us to pursue our faith with full agency. Let us reflect upon the courage that early Christians took in order to shape the faithful communities that we now enjoy and appreciate.

Saint Valentine, Pray for Us

St. Valentine is the patron saint of love, young people, and happy marriages. Being the patron saint of these groups means that he is recognized for his intercessory abilities to advocate for these specific causes in prayer. For his intercession, consider praying to St. Valentine:

Dear Saint and glorious martyr,

Teach us to love unselfishly and

to find great joy in giving.

Enable all true lovers to bring

out the best in each other.

Let them love each other in God

and in each other.

Staff Writer

In President Trump’s first year back to being President, he has stated on numerous occasions that he is interested in purchasing Greenland, from Denmark, for the United States. He also argued that the US could claim the island because of its efforts to defend the territory during World War Two after Denmark was invaded by Germany. “We already had it, but we returned it to Denmark” he said, adding that the US “should have kept it”.

But he insisted the US would not use force.

“We probably won’t get anything unless I decide to use excessive strength and force, where we would be frankly unstoppable. But I won’t do that,” Trump told an audience of world leaders.

While Greenland technically is not their own sovereign country, they are under the sovereign of the Kingdom of Denmark, they are in charge of their own government and runs itself in that category, but in regards to foreign affairs, that falls under the realm of the control of Denmark. The proposition of the US purchasing Greenland has come up before in 1946, but the offer was denied by Denmark. The position where Greenland is on the map and in regards to Europe is a perfect position for the US. In what Trump is arguing that it is vital for the security of the United States.

Geopolitically, the position of Greenland is significant, especially as the Arctic is becoming more available, due to climate change, and the effects that is having on the rest of the world. The U.S in the current time already does have military personnel on Greenland for missile defense and surveillance of the Arctic, which then leads to Trump thinking and encouraging having total control of Greenland, in his opinion, can help the U.S significantly in the power they hold globally.

President Trump’s continuous want and bringing up for the interest in the purchase of Greenland for the US is leading to more aggravation and distaste for the President and US for not listening that Greenland is not up for sale. It has been said again and again by both Greenland and their Sovereign Denmark, that Greenland is a part of Denmark, and is self-governing and not interested in becoming a part of a different country, where the civilians of Greenland are not interested.

Business & Finance Manager 

Michael Burry, the investor who gained fame for predicting the 2008 financial crisis, has closed his hedge fund, Scion Asset Management. 

Burry made headlines nearly two decades ago when he correctly bet against the U.S. housing market, profiting from the collapse of subprime mortgages, a story later dramatized in the 2015 film, The Big Short. 

In a letter to clients, Burry explained that his fund would be liquidated and that all capital would be returned by year’s end. He admitted that his view of value in the current market no longer aligned with what he saw in the prices of securities. 

Recent filings showed that Scion had taken bearish positions on technology giants like Palantir and Nvidia, reflecting Burry’s cautious stance amid the current artificial intelligence (AI) and technology-driven market optimism.

At the time of closure, the fund managed roughly $155 million. Burry also addressed social media speculation, clarifying that his investment in Palantir put options was far smaller than previously reported. 

Deregistering the fund ends his obligation to submit public filings, signaling a step away from traditional hedge fund management.

On X, Burry hinted that he was moving on to “much better things,” suggesting that future projects might take a different form, possibly operating as a family office or pursuing personal ventures. 

This decision mirrors a broader trend of veteran investors stepping away from conventional funds, especially when markets favor rapid growth over value-focused investing.

Burry’s departure is a reminder of the rare foresight he displayed in 2008, when spotting a bubble that almost everyone else missed.

Copy Editor

“‘The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear.’ Wrong. It’s attending SGA’s annual tree lighting,” junior Maryja Prytko said.

The annual Christmas tree lighting remains one of Assumption’s favorite campus events. 

It signifies the end of the fall semester and creates excitement for the upcoming holiday season, bringing the community together one last time before final exams. 

The tree lighting, which is annually sponsored by the Student Government Association (SGA), took place on Nov. 18 on the Hagan Lawn. 

The night started with students singing Christmas carols in front of the tree. After a countdown from ten, the lighting of the tree was followed by cheers and applause. The holiday celebration then continued in Pierre’s Pub. 

“I attended Assumption’s tree lighting last winter and it was a great experience! One of the reasons I chose Assumption was because of its small, close-knit community, and I really think the tree lighting ceremony resembled that. I enjoyed seeing everyone on campus come together for something fun during the stress of preparing for finals,” said Alison Insogna, who is from the class of 2028. 

Keegan McLeod, a senior at Assumption, said, “The tree lighting is a great tradition that kicks off the Christmas season at Assumption and brings people together for a joyful moment.” 

“The Tree Lighting is one of my favorite Assumption traditions! The whole school gathering to celebrate the official start to the holiday season creates an amazing community that sets Assumption apart,” said sophomore Connor Doyle. 

Meredith Gendreau from the class of 2027 added, “The tree lighting is one of my favorite Assumption traditions because it’s a time for everyone on campus to gather and welcome the Christmas season. It also brings a lot of happiness to the school ahead of finals!” 

“I always look forward to hearing the chorale sing and all of the excitement around the tree lighting. It’s one of my favorite events on campus,” said senior Lilly Dolan. 

With another Assumption Christmas tree lighting in the books, it’s time to enjoy Thanksgiving break, prepare for finals, and get ready for Christmas. Good luck, Greyhounds, and happy holidays!

Staff Writer 

In the next two years, by 2027, famous tech CEO and SpaceX founder Elon Musk could become the world’s first trillionaire. Musk is currently the world’s richest man, with Forbes estimating his net worth to be $500 billion. 

Musk co-founded “X” in 1999, which merged with another online banking company and became PayPal in 2000. In 2002, he founded SpaceX, and in 2004, he joined Tesla. 

His prominence kept growing as in 2008 he became Tesla’s CEO and Product Architect. 

His accomplishments did not stop there, as SpaceX and Tesla continued to grow with massive government contracts. In 2015, he co-founded OpenAI. 

Now that Musk has a net worth of roughly $500 billion, he looks to become the world’s first trillionaire, but it will not be an easy feat. Musk’s path to becoming a trillionaire relies on Tesla’s performance and its new pay package. 

As a shareholder and CEO, Musk voted on a package that will reward him with massive incentives if Tesla hits certain financial benchmarks. 

The incentives include offering him 12% of Tesla’s available stock and also paying him a large sum of money. 

Looking at their benchmarks from the past year, since Sept. 2024, Tesla’s market capitalization grew from $839.05 billion to $1.3 trillion after taking a sharp drop in April 2025 due to the tariffs.

Tesla’s market capitalization grew due to new investors and a higher price per share. 

Despite a rising market capitalization, Yahoo Finance found that since December of 2024, Tesla’s revenue and profits have decreased in the past year, as operating expenses have increased. 

With this said, for Musk to receive the incentive package, which would put him above the $1 trillion mark, Tesla’s market capitalization has to grow to 8.5 trillion, its revenue has to increase, and its production has to increase. 

Musk claims his desire to be a trillionaire is not greed for more money, but rooted in how he wants to maintain influence over Tesla amid the rise of artificial intelligence (AI). 

Musk wants to ensure that AI does not replace him in his company. He is also upset with the number of “activist shareholders” who seek to oust him. 

Musk is currently the richest person in the world, with Larry Ellison and Jeff Bezos trailing him, according to Forbes’ Real Time Billionaires List. 

Despite being ranked two and three, both of these men have approximately $250 billion less than Musk, giving him a massive advantage. Only time will tell if Musk becomes the world’s first trillionaire.