Cracking the Real Da Vinci Code under the Planetarium Dome at De Anza College! Caroline Cocciardi

by Dr. Dennis Augustine

Huge shoutout to our friends Sarah and Bill for inviting Cecile and me to join them and Bill’s cousin Dell and his wife Cathy for an incredible Friday afternoon!

We attended the 1:30 PM fully immersive, 360-degree lecture at the De Anza College Planetarium entitled "The Real DaVinci Code." It was narrated by Caroline Cocciardi, who happens to be an acquaintance of Sarah’s—and she completely blew us away!

We leaned all the way back in our seats, looking straight up as the stunning images mapped across the entire ceiling dome. For an hour, it felt like we were literally sitting right inside Leonardo da Vinci’s workshop in Milan during the late 1400s, watching him weave his magic.

We all know he was a genius, but Caroline showed us he was also a total Renaissance rebel. Born out of wedlock and treated like an outcast, he didn’t just paint masterpieces—he hid a secret language right in plain sight.

Forget the movie conspiracies! The real Da Vinci code is an intricate universe of mathematical knots, hidden signatures, and breathtaking geometry.

It was such a fun afternoon with great company. If you ever get a chance to catch Caroline's lecture, GO! You’ll never look at the Mona Lisa’s dress the same way again!

For inquiries about the presentation, you can reach out to: monalisaknot@hotmail.com

#TheRealDaVinciCode #CarolineCocciardi #DeAnzaPlanetarium

Global Rosary for Peace with Pope Leo XIV

by Dennis Augustine

Today, millions of faithful Catholics around the world will participate in a global prayer for peace led by Pope Leo XIV.

As they prepare to pray, my heart is full of memories of my late mother, Maria. I have taken out the beautiful, blessed Vatican rosary beads that I brought home for her in 1992—including the special piece made in tribute to Pope John Paul II. Cecile and our kids had seen the pope conducting mass.

Holding these beads takes me right back to my youth. I am thinking today of my days attending elementary school at Our Lady of Grace Church in Hoboken, NJ, and later graduating from St. Michael’s High School in Union City.

These Joyful Mysteries today feel like a beautiful bridge connecting my mother's lifelong devotion, my Catholic school roots, and a aspirational worldwide plea for peace and healing in our world.

The global broadcast begins at 1:00 PM EST (7:00 PM Rome time) live from the Vatican Gardens.

#GlobalRosary #PrayForPeace #Vatican #OurLadyOfGrace #StMichaels #FaithAndFamily #PopeJohnPaulll

The Vatican Reaches Out to Buddhists Worldwide on the Festival of Vesak (Buddha Day)

by Dennis Augustine

APOLOGIES FOR REPOSTING THIS! THE LAST ONE I DID HAD THE WRONG PHOTOS

As a Catholic participating in interfaith dialogue and a longtime student of Buddhist Studies and mindfulness practices — both here and throughout Southeast Asia — for over 40 years, I was happy to see the Vatican reach out to Buddhists worldwide for Vesak, celebrated this year on May 11, 2026.

Vesak is the major Buddhist festival commemorating the birth, enlightenment, and passing of the Buddha.

For 61 years, the Catholic Church has long affirmed the importance of embracing “all that is true and holy” in other religions. In its Vesak message, the Vatican noted that Buddhism’s path toward liberation and enlightenment “finds deep resonance in our shared pursuit of truth and fullness of life.”

Over the years, I’ve attended meditation retreats and spiritual programs abroad — including in Mandalay, Myanmar (Burma) — alongside Buddhist monks, Catholic nuns, priests, and rabbis, many of whom felt these experiences enriched their spiritual lives and deepened their compassion and understanding.

At a time when the world often feels divided, respectful interfaith dialogue and mindfulness practice can help open hearts rather than close them.

From War-Torn Sicily to a New Life in America: A Mother’s Courage 🇮🇹

by Dennis Augustine

Today is April 25th—Liberation Day in Italy. While ceremonies take place in the great cities, my heart is in the small fishing village of Roccalumera—thinking of my late mother.

Born in 1924, Mom was a teenager in 1943 when war quite literally rained down around her. She once told me how, while crossing the street, a “spray of bullets from above” tore through her village. Allied planes were strafing the coastal road toward Messina—and she was caught in the crossfire.

When I visited Sicily in 1963, I saw the proof with my own eyes. The old stucco buildings—what she called “popcorn walls”—still bore the scars of those bullets. It made me realize just how close I came to never being here at all.

She often said she had a “tough life”—and she meant it. But she was also deeply courageous. In 1947, just four years after surviving the war, she boarded a ship to America. She arrived in Hoboken and began again… just three years before I was born.

Today, on Liberation Day, I don’t just think of a country set free—I think of one young woman who survived, endured, and gave her family a future.

Freedom for Iran, Security for America, Peace for Israel and the Middle East 🇺🇸🇮🇷🇮🇱🌍

by Dennis Augustine

As the ceasefire nears its end, the world watches a defining moment unfold. The Iranian people are not our enemy—they are among the primary victims of this regime, which has ruled through fear, executions, corruption, and oppression since 1979.

Military analysts suggest the regime’s political threats may be more bluff than strength. Their command and control systems have been badly damaged, and internal divisions are surfacing. Those who once acted with impunity now face accountability.

The hope should not be the destruction of bridges, pipelines, or the suffering of ordinary citizens. The goal should be precise action against those responsible for terror, torture, and crimes against their own people—while preserving the nation itself for a better future.

The Iranian people have shown extraordinary courage, especially the young women and men who risked everything in the protests for freedom. Their voices matter. Their future matters.

Imagine an Iran free from extremism—where Persians, Jews, Arabs, Muslims, and all peoples of the region can live in dignity, trade openly, and build lasting peace together. Imagine the people of Iran and the people of Israel, who have both marched and spoken out around the world, helping create a new chapter for the Middle East.

This moment is bigger than war. It is about whether tyranny continues—or whether freedom finally has its day. We gave peace every chance for decades. But peace without freedom is only delay.

“You may say I’m a dreamer, but I’m not the only one.” — John Lennon

Justice, Peace & the Future of Iran

by Dennis Augustine

After taking a deeper dive into this issue — attending a peaceful protest in downtown Los Gatos square, and after heartfelt conversations with our Iranian friends — I’ve come to better understand a people who have been suppressed for nearly 50 years under a theocratic regime that has ignored the will of their people.

The protests in Iran are not only about economic collapse or social restrictions. They are about dignity, freedom, and the right to choose one’s future.

My namesake, Augustine of Hippo, wrote about what constitutes a just war. For Augustine, force is only morally justified to restrain grave injustice and protect the innocent — never for domination or revenge — and always ordered toward peace.

That moral lens matters: Iran’s ruling system — particularly the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) — has fueled instability across the Middle East through its proxy networks. The violence we’ve witnessed in the region, including October 7, did not emerge in isolation.

Yet the Iranian people themselves are not the architects of that policy. Many are its victims.They are asking not for chaos — but for liberation. Not for endless war — but for accountable governance. Not for domination — but for the freedom to decide.

Iran is home to nearly 90 million people shaped by one of history’s great civilizations — a culture that has given the world poetry, mathematics, medicine, architecture, philosophy, and art. Imagine what could happen if that creative energy were fully free again.

A free Iranian people would not destabilize the region — they could help stabilize it. Peace in the Middle East will not ultimately come through fear or suppression, but through justice rooted in freedom. A free Iran strengthens not only its own people — but the hope for peace in the region.

Happy Birthday & A Shepherd’s Farewell: Thank You Cardinal Dolan 🎂🕊️⛪️

by Dennis Augustine

Whenever we visited family or traveled in the New York area, stopping at St. Patrick’s Cathedral felt essential. I’m originally from Hoboken, NJ, and my wife Cecile—who is Jewish —and I always felt welcome there. Under Cardinal Timothy Dolan, the Cathedral felt joyful, human, and open to all, and a powerful voice against antisemitism as is Pope Leo. Last visit there was with our friends Nelson and Susie Bye.

As Cardinal Dolan celebrated his final Mass as Archbishop of New York on February 1, it’s a moment of gratitude and farewell. For almost two decades, he was a steady, unmistakably New York presence —plain-spoken, warm, quick with a joke, and deeply connected to the people he served.

Tomorrow, February 6, His Eminence turns 76 and officially retires as Archbishop of New York. He has warmly welcomed Archbishop Hicks, saying simply, “I love him already.” Big shoes to fill —but the spirit of teamwork and joy clearly remains .

Cardinal Timothy Dolan in no means finished yet…in good health and full of energy, he is by no means at the end of his ministry or influence. His presence will be felt stateside, and in Rome, for years to come. And we thank God for it.”

— George Weigel

In Memory of Matilda — The Angelic Innocent 10-Year-Old Terror Attack Victim 🕯️🐝

by Dennis Augustine

While vacationing in Maui, I’ve posted about Cecile and I being deeply shaken by the terrorist attack at the first night of Chanukah by the Sea event at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia.

What unfolded was absolute horror — but also humanity. A 43-year-old Muslim man of Syrian descent and father of two daughters, Ahmed al Ahmed courageously disarmed one of the alleged attackers and was seriously wounded in the process. We felt compelled to help and were one of the early donors to support his medical recovery. We also contributed to Chabad Almaden, in Silicon Valley where we live, in memory of the heroic Chabad rabbi, Eli Schlanger, father of 5, who was one of 15 people gunned down, including 87-year-old Holocaust survivor, Alex Kleytman, who shielded his wife Larisa from one of the gunman’s bullets.

One victim has stayed with us above all — 10-year-old Matilda. Her beautiful, angelic smile. Her innocence. As grandparents of three young children, her loss is unbearable to imagine. A child who should have been safe, whose family came seeking peace, taken by hatred.

As we return home to California, we’ve chosen to honor Matilda by donating to her family through a GoFundMe page launched by Matilda’s language teacher, Irina Goodhew, in her mother’s name. May her memory be a blessing

We pray for a world where antisemitism and all hatred are condemned and eliminated, and where compassion always rises higher than violence.

💔 Hanukkah Night of Terror, Courage, Terror & Resolve — Mass Shooting in Australia

by Dennis Augustine

Cecile and I were shocked and deeply saddened by the terror attack at Bondi Beach in Sydney during the first night of Hanukkah. A celebration of light was shattered by hatred and violence. Dozens were injured and sixteen innocent people were murdered including Chabad Rabbi Eli Schlanger, a devoted father of five — one just two months old — killed in cold blood.

As friends and supporters of Rabbi Mendel Weinfeld, Executive Director of Chabad Almaden in San Jose, this tragedy hits close to home. We were blessed to attend the joyful Chabad Hanukkah celebration at Santana Row in 2024 and would have attended again this year had we not been on a family vacation in Maui.

Rabbi Weinfeld made it clear: it is full steam ahead — working closely with law enforcement to ensure safety while continuing to bring light to the world. He echoed Rabbi Schlanger’s powerful belief:

They try to spread fear — we answer with light.

They try to silence us — we respond with mitzvos (good deeds)

They try to bring darkness — we fill the world with the fire of the menorah.

Amidst the darkness, there was courage: Ahmed al-Ahmed, a 43-year-old fruit shop owner and father, reportedly confronted and disarmed one of the attackers — saving lives. The assailants were a father who died on the site and his son who is under custody.

Condolences to the families of the victims who died including a Holocaust surviver. May their memories be a blessing.

Hanukkah Night Turned to Horror We answer hate with light.

“Pastor Sparks Controversy with Empty Nativity Scene — What Would My Dad Say?

by Dennis Augustine

My late father, Frank Augustine, nurtured his Nativity Shrine with a devotion rooted in his childhood hardships, including becoming an orphan at a young age. He also served as a lay brother at a Maryknoll seminary and as an Army chaplain’s aide.

Throughout the year, he displayed a beautiful manger scene in our storefront window, alternating it with an Easter display. Neighbors would pause, pray, and reflect on the sacred scene. Pastor Alex Santora of the Church of Our Lady of Grace in Hoboken, New Jersey, where I attended elementary school and mass, even wrote about it in his “Faith Matters” column in the Jersey Journal. Dad, who passed away just shy of reaching 101, lovingly cared for these displays.

Therefore, seeing St. Susanna, a Catholic church in the Boston suburb of Dedham, display a Nativity scene outside the church with an empty manger and a sign that read, “Ice was here,” was disconcerting. It not only upset the community but also angered C.J. Doyle, the executive director of the Catholic Action League of Massachusetts. He reportedly argued that Father Stephen Josoma, the pastor at St. Susanna, was politicizing Christmas and exploiting and trivializing the Holy Family to score political points.

While it’s true that the Holy Family faced hardships, their story is sacred, not a modern-day slogan. Scripture emphasizes the importance of balance: respecting lawful authority (Romans 13) but never bending God’s truth to human agendas (Acts 5:29). The Nativity deserves reverence, not politics. The manger is meant to illuminate hearts, not strike political blows. For my father, these displays were never mere props; they were prayers. And they deserve to remain sacred.”

Carrying Francis’ Light: Pope Leo XIV’s Shares a Lunch of Love

by Dennis Augustine

As a Catholic by birth — with a family name like Augustine, and with my late father Frank Augustine having served as a lay brother at the Maryknoll order in Ossining, New York — I’m especially moved by Pope Leo XIV of the Augustinian order.

After the Angelus (the simple Catholic prayer recited), Pope Leo XIV continued Pope Francis’ tradition of sharing lunch with 1,300 poor and vulnerable guests in the Paul VI Hall. Vincentian Family volunteers served vegetable lasagna, breaded cutlet with vegetables, and Neapolitan baba.

A powerful reminder that real faith is lived through service.

Photos: Vatican News Agency & EWTN Vatican

Reflections After Observing & Photographing the “No Kings” Rally in San Jose

by Dennis Augustine

Reflections After Observing & Photographing the “No Kings” Rally in San Jose

Bill and I biked 23-miles round trip to observe the “No Kings” rally at the McKinley monument at St. James Park in San Jose — not to participate, except for proudly holding up our miniature American flags.

As an Independent voter with conservative values here are "my personal reflections": While there was no physical violence, the atmosphere was tense and bitter. Speakers and banners shouted things like “F-Fascists — F-Trump,” “We love America, but we hate Trump,” and “I’m not a paid protestor — I’ll hate him for free.” And finally: "No Trump, No KKK, No Fascist USA."

Ironically, those shouting “No Kings” were exercising the very freedoms no monarch would ever allow. It reminded me that strong leadership and real results — peace through strength, secure borders, a strong economy, confronting antisemitism on campuses, bringing hostages home, peace between Jews and Arab nations, and standing up to crime and drug cartels — matter far more than slogans and rage.

We can debate and disagree, but let’s not forget: the only true “No Kings” rally in this country happened on July 4, 1776 — when freedom was first won through courage, unity, common sense, and our very survival. No matter where you stand on the issues enjoy the photos and video clip!

From the Basketball Sidelines to Heaven: Sister Jean’s Enduring Faith and Joy

by Dennis Augustine

“While we feel grief and a sense of loss, there is great joy in her legacy.”

— Loyola President Mark C. Reed

Being from Chicago, where I met Cecile while attending Podiatric Medical School and playing basketball, she had mentioned the passing of Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt, BVM — the beloved 106-year-old chaplain of Loyola University Chicago’s Ramblers, whose faith and optimism inspired a nation.

Born on August 21, 1919, Sister Jean joined the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in 1937. In 1994, she became the men’s basketball chaplain, a role she called “the most transformational and transcendent position of my life.”

Her days began with prayer, reflection, and the Rosary, strengthening the faith that guided her spirited pre-game blessings. For her 100th birthday, she received an Apostolic Blessing from Pope Francis, and at 105, a Presidential Proclamation from President Joe Biden, honoring her lifetime of service.

A beautiful life — and a legacy that will keep inspiring others to play with faith and heart.

The Miracle of Release — Freedom Restored, Families Reunited

by Dennis Augustine

Tears of joy flowed through Israel today and Cecile and I shed quite a few as the nightmare of being held captive came to an end. In one of the most emotional days in recent memory, all 20 surviving hostages held by Hamas were released under President Trump’s negotiated agreement.

As the freed men, women, and children embraced their loved ones — parents clutching sons, children running into the arms of mothers — tens of thousands gathered in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, waving flags, singing, and weeping with gratitude. Hostage Square is now Freedom Square.

The exchange, which also saw Israel begin releasing Palestinian prisoners, marked the official end of the two-year Gaza conflict — a delicate, hard-won peace forged through courage and conviction.

President Donald J. Trump arrived in Israel just as the hostages returned home. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Isaac Herzog greeted him at Ben Gurion Airport, thanking him for his relentless pursuit of peace and unwavering commitment to Israel’s security.

This wasn’t mere politics — it was humanity at its finest. A day when strength brought compassion, and leadership delivered hope. When the brave and the bold stand together, even the impossible begins to bend.

Israel also received the bodies of 4 hostages from the Red Cross today. May their memories be a blessing.

History in the Making: The First Step Toward Lasting Peace in the Middle East

by Dennis Augustine

When history turns the page—peace begins.”

Congratulations to all who helped make this peace deal a reality, including the mediators from Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey, and on the U.S. side, Steve Witkoff who helped broker the deal. What we’re witnessing is truly historic — Israelis and Palestinians alike dancing in the streets, families of hostages weeping with relief, and voices from every side — even Israel’s opposition party leader Yair Lapid — joining in praise, by congratulating Trump, “Prime Minister Netanyahu, the commanders and soldiers of the IDF, and above all, the families of the hostages…"

After years of fighting and heartbreak, hostages are coming home, and both peoples can finally glimpse a dawn of freedom and peace. Even the press are calling this a breakthrough moment. Palestinian Vice-President Hussein Al-Sheikh of the Palestinian Authority and U.N. Secretary-General Guterres also welcomed the deal and are hopeful that it will lead to security, stability, and peace that will lead to a two-state solution.

To President Trump and all those who shaped this agreement — your persistence has brought light to one of the world’s darkest conflicts. Many, including legislators and families of the hostages, are saying this is Nobel Peace Prize–worthy leadership. May this ceasefire be more than a pause — may it be the first step toward lasting peace, dignity, and safety for all.

Remembering October 7 & Bearing Witness

by Dennis Augustine

Today we pause to remember the tragic events of October 7 — the lives lost, the hostages still held in captivity, and those whose fates remain unknown. Their suffering and courage must never be forgotten. Cecile and I recently watched "Bearing Witness to the Massacre" (A Prime Video), released on October 3. It should be seen by everyone who has the mental and emotional capacity to truly grasp the magnitude of what happened and the human toll it continues to take. Praying for peace, compassion, and a lasting ceasefire to bring an end to the pain on all sides.

Bearing Witness (A poetic offering)

A quiet dawn was shattered by cries, homes turned to ashes beneath the skies.

Families broken, hearts torn in two, where laughter once lived, sorrow now grew.

Names we know, and many we don’t, stories unfinished, voices that won’t

Return to the table, the garden, the song—a grief that is endless, a wound deep and long.

Hostages hidden in shadows of fear, each passing sunrise, another lost year.

Still we remember, still we pray, for mercy to guide the hearts gone astray.

If we bear witness, may it not be in vain, but light a path through the anguish and pain.

May peace find footing where hatred has crossed—and teach us to love, whatever the cost.

From Terror Tunnels to Time Magazine: Hostage – Eli Sharabi’s Story of Love, Loss & Survival

by Dennis Augustine

Eli Sharabi spent 491 days as a hostage of Hamas after being kidnapped from Kibbutz Be’eri, just miles from Gaza. When he was finally freed, he returned to an unthinkable reality: his beloved wife Lianne, and their daughters, Noiya (16) and Yahel (13), and family dog were murdered in the October 7 massacre, along with his brother Yossi and 101 residents of the kibbutz

Eli endured torture, starvation, and the endless terror tunnels that opened into mosques and hospitals. He witnessed firsthand how Hamas hides among civilians, glorifies death, and exploits tragedy in the name of Allah. And yet—he still smiles. He chooses life.

“Our kibbutz used to help Palestinian civilians—sending money, even taking them across the border to hospitals in Israel,” Eli recalls. “Reconciling those memories with the slaughter of my family is almost impossible. But I choose to carry both truths.”

Eli’s resilience and faith in life have now reached the world stage. He is featured on the cover of Time Magazine, and his memoir, Hostage, will be released in the United States on October 7.

His story is not only one of survival, but of love, memory, and the unbreakable human spirit.

Screenshot from CBS Sunday Morning interview with Eli Sharabi / TIME Magazine

"Even Hamas' Own Numbers Prove—This is no Genocide

by Dennis Augustine

Trusting Hamas’ war stats is like letting a fox guard the henhouse. Even their own Gaza Health Ministry numbers confirm Israel’s claim: That out of more than 60,000 alleged deaths in Gaza up to the end of July, 32,113 combat-aged men (or 29% of Gaza’s population) make up 53% of fatalities — and many of the “children” (12,875) were actually fighters as young as 15 and 12,067 were women 15-65.

The one thing you can’t take away from Hamas is along with their backers, they are propaganda wizards. Compare those statistics to real genocides in countries, where populations are wiped out, Gaza’s population has grown over the years, while Israel’s Jewish population is barely above what it was at the end of the Holocaust. And name another country in wartime that alerts residents to leave their homes in advance of further airstrikes and expected ground operations and sends nearly 2 million meals to its residents and still gets accused of genocide.

Every innocent baby or child killed in Gaza is a tragedy but the blame lies squarely with Hamas, who hides among civilians and starves its hostages. The truth is, Hamas brought this war upon themselves and the Gazan people. They could end the suffering today — by surrendering and giving up their arms.

Bottom line: If this is “genocide,” then words have lost all meaning.

Post Cards from the Edge—Heroines in their 80s in Israel Refuse to let the Kidnapped Hostages be Forgotten

Since the October 7th massacre, when Hamas terrorists kidnapped hundreds of Israelis, six extraordinary women—Louise, Shlomit, Nira, Rachel, Tirza, and Ruti, all over 80 years old—have gathered every single day at Anchor Junction near Netanya in Israel. They refuse to let the kidnapped be forgotten.

It began just days after the attack, when Louise picked up a megaphone and a sign and called out: “What if it were your son?” and “We have to get them out of there.” From that moment, the vigil never stopped. Through rain, heat, and wind, they organize shifts on WhatsApp, wave flags, and remind passing drivers of the urgency.

Rachel, recently returned from the U.S., now fights for Israel’s future. Ruti carries her flag like a torch. Shlomit, Tirza, and Nira stand each day knowing the families’ pain is far greater than their own discomfort. They call themselves friends. The community calls them heroes.

And through artist and activist, Shoshke Engelmayer’s Daily Postcards, their courage is drawn, remembered, and shared — the voice of the kidnapped carried forward by those who refuse silence.

In Memory of Six Souls Whose Lives were Stolen: Carrying Their Light Forward

On the evening of Monday, August 18, we arrived at the first yahrzeit—the sacred anniversary of loss—of six young hostages whose lives were stolen one year ago in the tunnels of Gaza. For 10 months they endured captivity, yet their spirits still speak to us.

by Dennis Augustine

In Jewish tradition, a yahrzeit is not only a marker of grief but a call to kindle light where darkness once was—to remember by doing, to mourn by loving more deeply.

We hold in our hearts the names of:

Eden Yerushalmi — A young woman whose radiant spirit and love of life touched all who knew her.

Hersh Goldberg-Polin — A gentle soul with courage and humor that inspired resilience even in the darkness.

Ori Danino — A devoted friend and protector, remembered for his warmth and loyalty.

Carmel Gat — A compassionate healer whose kindness and care extended to everyone around one around her.

Almog Sarusi — A man of strength and laughter, who brought joy and light to the community.

Alex Lubnov — A bright young life full of promise, remembered for his dreams and determination.

Their families’ pain is unending, yet their memories ask us for something living: to answer cruelty with kindness, despair with action.

As Hersh’s parents, Jon and Rachel Goldberg-Polin, have urged: let these next 24 hours be filled with one good deed—however small, however simple.

May their memories be not only a blessing, but a quiet revolution of compassion.