On Monday, Aug. 21, many Americans will witness an extremely rare astronomical phenomenon, a total solar eclipse. The sun will appear to be darkened for a time as the moon passes between the earth and the sun, casting its shadow over much of the earth’s surface. The last time such an event occurred across the whole of the contiguous United States was in 1918! Thousands of people will travel great distances to experience this extraordinary phenomenon.
After years of planning, more than 3,500 Catholics from across the United States gathered in Orlando from July 1-4 for an historic event. As an initiative of the American bishops, “The Convocation of Catholic Leaders: The Joy of the Gospel in America” brought together bishop-led delegations from around the country as well as other Catholic apostolates and movements to pray, reflect and engage in a crucial dialogue about the significant challenges and opportunities offered to the Church at this moment in our history.