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A ring of gas and dust surrounding a pair of sunlike stars is the first proof that planets can form around closely orbiting stellar partners, new images reveal.

President Obama’s Middle East trip, China’s investment in U.S. debt, and a mobile eatery’s fan following headline today’s show.

AP - As early as last August, the swine flu virus may have been spreading among people — long before it was first recognized in April, scientists reported Thursday. The Leisure & Cultural Services Department has inspected about 70 trees in Perth Street, Dunbar Road and Shek Ku Street and found no signs of termite infestation or abnormal conditions. Poll cards for Wan Chai District Council by-election on June 21 have been posted to more than 6,200 electors in the Canal Road Constituency, the Registration & Electoral Office says.

Baccalaureate Homily for Carroll College, Helena Montana

Cathedral of St. Helena

May 9, 2009

            Last year, Pope Benedict XVI visited the campus of The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.  On that memorable occasion, he told Catholic educators from all over the United States that "every Catholic educational institution is a place to encounter the living God who in Jesus Christ reveals his transforming love and truth" so much so that "those who meet him are drawn by the very power of the Gospel to lead a new life characterized by all that is beautiful, good and true: a life of Christian witness (Pope Benedict, Address to Catholic Educators at The Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C., April 17, 2008)."  Think about that for just a moment: a Catholic college is a place to encounter the Lord Jesus Christ so that one can lead a new life!

          Today you will graduate from Carroll College.  In a few short hours, you will participate in your commencement ceremony, that "rite of passage" which makes the present, past, and the future — however uncertain — immediate and imminent.  Along with the faculty and staff who have been so much a part of your life these past four years or so, you will process into the PE Center as Carroll students.  Your parents — who have sacrificed so much to bring you to this day — and your family and friends will cheer and applaud as you leave the PE Center to join the ranks of proud alumni of Carroll College at the beginning of its 100^th anniversary year.  Congratulations to all who have played a part in this wonderful occasion, especially to the members of this graduating class.

          I want to ask you to do something right now.  I know you have so much going though your minds today but I want to ask you to pause and take a deep breath.  Think back to the words of Pope Benedict XVI that I quoted to you a moment go about a Catholic College — Carroll College in your case — being a place to encounter God in the Lord Jesus.  Whether your major was business or one of the sciences, communications or one of the humanities or professions; whether you played on one of the Saints' great athletic teams or participated in students organizations and clubs; whether your GPA was at the top or, well, not at the top, I want you to ask yourself, "was Carroll a place where I encountered God?"  "Was I drawn by the power of the Gospel to lead a new life, a life of Christian witness?"  Or, as I graduate today, do I look back on these past four years or so and hear the same words Jesus spoke to Philip in the Gospel today: "Have I been with you for so long and you still do not know me?"  Have I been present, with you, in your midst here at Carroll College, just like I was with the disciples in John's Gospel, and you just did not see me or hear me or recognize me — or, worse, did your turn away?

          My dear friends, the great thing about our Church and our faith is that Christ is always present, no matter what.  If we want to find him or see him or hear him, he is never far away. 

          For those who did encounter the living God in Jesus Christ revealing his love and truth at Carroll College, that encounter will continue to transform you and to help you lead a life that is characterized by all that is beautiful, good and true.  Live up to that goal today, tomorrow and forever.  As you graduate from Carroll College — even if you are not sure what the future holds — you can be confident in Jesus words in today's Gospel: "Whoever believes in me will do the works I do and greater … whoever has seen me, has seen the Father … if you ask anything of me in my name, I will do it."

          For those who, for one reason or another, perhaps had more difficulty in their encounter with God these past few years, here is the good news: it is not too late, it is never too late.  Open your minds, open your hearts to the Lord Jesus and his Gospel.  Although your years at Carroll are coming to an end, your life is just beginning.  You, too, must gather the strength and the humility to stand before the Lord this day and say, "I want you in my life."  You, too, must ask the Lord for anything in his name and must believe and trust his words, "I will do it."

          And so it is for all of us today: administrators, faculty and staff; parents, families and friends; board members, alumni and benefactors.  For 100 years, Carroll College has provided a Catholic education and a place to meet the Lord Jesus.  For 100 years, Carroll College has "shown us the Father" here in Helena.  For 100 years, Carroll College has believed in Him, has believed in the Lord Jesus and has done His work.  And for 100 years, because of Carroll College, Christ has transformed young minds and hearts to lead new lives characterized by all that is beautiful, good and true.

          Today is your graduation day.  Today more than any other day that has gone before, may you see in all that has been and is yet to be — because of Carroll College — may you bear witness to Christ's transforming love and truth, in the word's of Carroll College's motto: non scholae sed vitae: not for school but for life!    

                                      Very Reverend David M. O'Connell, C.M.

                                      President

                                      The Catholic University of America