Leslie Miller
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Articles by Leslie Miller
Oak Park Library: Off to a fresh start
TOP SHELF— Mia Lopez appears right at home in her new role as head librarian at the Oak Park Library on Kanan Road. She’s been touted for her organizational skills and willingness to bring creativity to the library’s programs. Courtesy photos The Oak Park Library has a new branch manager, Mia Lopez, who’s enjoying a successful first year in charge of the public library on the campus of Oak Park High School.
Digital identities deserve protection
The digital age has always been a balancing act between the thrill of what’s new and the strength of safeguards for the public. Throughout my career, I’ve seen that the most transformative tools put power back into the hands of people. As generative artificial intelligence moves from a futuristic concept to a part of daily life, the public finds itself at a crossroads. Technology and policy have to work together to protect what is most personal to all individuals: their identity.
In the age of AI, your digital identity needs this protection
In the age of AI, your digital identity needs this protection (washingtonpost.com) In the age of AI, your digital identity needs this protection By Leslie Miller 2026032710310900 The digital age has always been a balancing act between the thrill of what's new and the strength of safeguards for the public. Throughout my career, I've seen that the most transformative tools put power back into the hands of people.
Expanding likeness detection to civic leaders and journalists
News and Events YouTube is where the world comes to understand the events shaping their lives—from breaking news to the debates that drive civic discourse. As AI-generated content evolves, the individuals at the center of these conversations need reliable tools to protect their identities. Last year, we launched likeness detection to creators in the YouTube Partner Program, an industry-first tool to manage AI-generated content.
Protecting teens in the digital world, not from the digital world
Inside YouTube The rise in popularity of new technologies among teenagers, from gaming to smartphones to streaming platforms, has understandably raised important questions about not only the right way for parents to help their kids navigate the changing tech landscape; but also the role that regulation should play in both protecting and empowering young people.
Alum Scientist Targets ‘Undruggables’ With AI
In her work in antibody design and engineering for the drug-development Absci, Rui Yin Ph.D. ’24 works to engineer better biologics that can take on stubborn targets—no small task. “Antibodies are little proteins, and if you unfold them, they’re like little strings of beads of amino acids. The possibilities to mix and match the beads are enormous,” she said.
Unlocking Math-in Jail
University of Maryland mathematics Professor Sandra Cerrai has always loved teaching, but the students in a new math class she led this spring were especially inspiring. “I have rarely seen such participation, such a commitment, such engagement in a classroom,” Cerrai said. “It’s unbelievable.” It wasn’t her typical group of advanced undergraduates diving into probability or grad students working toward an advanced degree; instead, they’re inmates at the Washington, D.C. Jail.
How YouTube supported the 2022 U.S. midterm elections
News and Events By Leslie Miller VP of Government Affairs & Public Policy, YouTube Dec.19.2022 How YouTube connected people to authoritative information and limited the spread of harmful misinformation pertaining to the 2022 U.S. midterm elections. How YouTube connected people to authoritative information and limited the spread of harmful misinformation pertaining to the 2022 U.S. midterm elections.
The 2022 U.S. midterm elections on YouTube
News & Events By Leslie Miller VP of Government Affairs & Public Policy, YouTube Sep.01.2022 How YouTube is connecting people to authoritative information and limiting the spread of harmful misinformation pertaining to the 2022 U.S. midterm elections. At YouTube, we’re constantly working to make sure we can be a reliable source for timely news and information.
As the Coast Guard's new head chaplain, priest navigates between two worlds
As the Coast Guard's new head chaplain, priest navigates between two worlds by Leslie Miller Catholic News Service 12 hours ago Father Daniel L. Mode, an Arlington, Va., priest and U.S. Navy captain who was named the head chaplain of the U.S. Coast Guard in April, set up a prayer room with a tabernacle for the reserved Blessed Sacrament next to his office at the Coast Guard headquarters in Washington.
Agency head says community response to resettling refugees 'overwhelming'
ARLINGTON, Va. (CNS) — The stream of refugees and other immigrants into Northern Virginia in the past year has been nonstop — but the staff of the Diocese of Arlington’s Catholic Charities Migration and Refugee Services has kept up with the unprecedented need. The resettlement ministry has welcomed more than 1,000 newcomers since October. It has restructured and almost doubled the size of its staff from 33 to 62, even opening a new office in Woodbridge, Virginia, to accommodate the influx.
Local - Arlington Catholic Herald
The Virginia General Assembly passed a budget that cuts the state’s only school choice program by more than half. The Education Improvement Scholarships Tax Credits Program (EISTC) uses donor-funded scholarships to provide financial assistance to low-income students to attend eligible private schools and nonpublic pre-K programs. In the current fiscal year, the program has generated … VCC urges action on budget cut for school choice program Read More »
Adult formation series at Berryville parish offers tools for interfaith dialogue
When Calvin Smith was hired as director of faith formation at St. Bridget of Ireland Church in Berryville last year, one of the first things he did was survey parishioners about the kinds of adult education classes they would like to see offered at the parish.
Traveling exhibit offers up-close views of Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel ceiling
Michelangelo’s Old Testament frescoes on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican are some of the Western world’s most recognized and celebrated works of art: The Creation of Adam, The Fall of Man, images of the prophets and the ancestors of Christ. But when you visit Rome to see them in person, you have to crane your neck and squint your eyes to get a good look at the 33 frescoes more than 60 feet above your head.
FOCCUS premarital questionnaire helps couples see their strengths, blind spots
When couples get married in the Arlington diocese, their six months of preparation usually includes filling out a premarital questionnaire known as the FOCCUS Pre-marriage Inventory. FOCCUS — which stands for Facilitating Open Couple Communication, Understanding and Study — is a tool designed to help engaged couples learn more about themselves and their relationship, said Thérèse Bermpohl, executive director of the diocesan Office of Marriage, Family and Respect Life.
Diocesan conference looks at welcoming students with intellectual disabilities
Students with intellectual disabilities need more than to be included in Catholic schools — they need to feel they are welcomed, wanted and truly belong, said Beth Foraker, a longtime educator and parent of a student with Down syndrome. Belonging is delight, joy and laughter. That is the level up from just inclusion.” Beth Foraker “Belonging is delight, joy and laughter.
Diocesan schools increasingly serve students of differing ethnicities and approaches to learning
When Annie Fernandez was a young teacher at a Catholic school in her native India, diversity meant religious differences. “We had Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs,” she said. “But the people all looked the same.” Today, as principal of St. Michael School in Annandale, Fernandez takes a broader view. “I have learned the actual meaning of diversity,” she said.
Diocesan schools serve students with all their personal and cultural differences
When Annie Fernandez was a young teacher at a Catholic school in her native India, diversity meant religious differences. “We had Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs,” she said. “But the people all looked the same.” Today, as principal of St. Michael School in Annandale, Fernandez takes a broader view. “I have learned the actual meaning of diversity,” she said.
Bishop Burbidge encourages young people before 49th annual March for Life
Bishop Michael F. Burbidge encouraged a large crowd including many young people at a Mass for the Gift of Human Life Jan. 21 at the Cathedral of St. Thomas More in Arlington. “My dear young friends, what a sign of hope we will be,” he said, noting that he would join Christendom College in leading the 49th annual March for Life down Constitution Avenue towards the U.S. Supreme Court. He spoke about the story of David and Goliath.
Local pastors and faithful gather to mark Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
Clergy and laypeople from several Christian denominations gathered to pray for “the visible unity of the church" at an ecumenical service Jan. 19 at St. Bernadette Church in Springfield. The service marked the International Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, held every year Jan. 18-25. Bishop Michael F. Burbidge presided, along with pastors and ministers from area Episcopal, Baptist, Lutheran, Methodist and Catholic churches.
Parishioner is inspired to sow seeds of Salesian spirituality beyond St. John Neumann Church in Reston
Carol Swiger has learned to bloom where she was planted. At age 12, she attended a convent boarding school where she wanted to stay and become a nun. Then her mother became ill, and as the oldest daughter, she was called home to take care of the family. Later, she got married and built a career as a business systems consultant, working with some of the nation’s largest companies — until she injured her back in her mid-40s, and was unable to keep up the frequent travel her work required.
Jeff Caruso: Faithful citizenship is 'about loving our neighbor as ourselves'
Each year when the new session of the Virginia General Assembly kicks off in early January, Jeff Caruso knows he’ll be off like a racehorse at the starting bell — and he won’t stop running for weeks. Virginia’s legislative session, which begins Jan. 12, is one of the shortest in the country — 60 days in even years, 46 in odd, said Caruso, executive director of the Virginia Catholic Conference.
Hark: 2021 ‘Herald Angel’ keeps Basilica of St. Mary seniors active and connected
Barbara Juszczyk is not a reader or a knitter. “I like activities,” she said. After retiring from the federal government more than 20 years ago, she’s had time to explore all the cultural events and recreation the area has to offer, from opera to theater to day trips to horse racing — she and her husband, Bob, attend the Preakness Stakes in Baltimore every year. “I keep my husband and me out and about regularly,” said Juszczyk.
Bishop Burbidge’s 2021 ‘virtual Christmas card’ showcases student singers, musicians
Last year during the first Christmas of the pandemic, Bishop Michael F. Burbidge wanted to give the people of the diocese a little gift that would raise their spirits. So he sent out a “virtual Christmas card” in which he conveyed his Christmas greetings, along with a video recording of a beloved carol, sung by students from the four diocesan Catholic high schools.
As pandemic slows, Catholic Charities reports growing need for rent, utility aid
Many people are back to work after pandemic-related layoffs, but financial struggles continue for families in Northern Virginia, say diocesan Catholic Charities staffers who are still getting a flood of requests for emergency rent and utility assistance.
Catechists need new approaches to reach a 'lost generation,' college chaplain says
Father Christopher Vaccaro is not trying to be dramatic when he calls today’s college students a “lost generation” as far as religion goes. He knows that anyone who follows the news is aware that research over many decades shows a steady decline in church attendance, but Father Vaccaro, chaplain and director of Catholic campus ministry at the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, has begun using terms such as “grave” and “dire” for the current state of belief.
Herndon couple's adoption journey intertwines suffering and joy
Joy and Vini Granados believe in miracles — they’ve even experienced a few. They also know better than most couples how joy and suffering are so often intertwined. I always wanted to get married and be a mom, but I didn’t know if I would live long enough.” Joy Granados After getting married in 2016, they wanted children — they’d both been married before and knew they were getting a late start. But Joy, 39, didn’t think she could get pregnant.
Delving deeper into the Eucharist: New spiritual resources include prayer guides, devotional events to prepare for Golden Jubilee
As part of the first fruits of the Arlington diocese’s preparation for its Golden Jubilee, or 50th anniversary, in 2024, Catholics soon will be seeing a range of new spiritual resources — from prayer guides to educational presentations and devotional opportunities — all to help deepen their understanding and appreciation of the Eucharist. “The Mass and the Eucharist are essential to our Catholic life,” said Father William P.
Precious Blood Church in Culpeper celebrates ‘so much grace’ at 75th anniversary
Bishop Michael F. Burbidge celebrated a festive bilingual Mass for the 75th anniversary of Precious Blood Church in Culpeper Nov. 7. “All of the Diocese of Arlington is united in prayer with you,” as “this vibrant, faith-filled parish continues to build up the body of Christ,” he said. “How can you sum up 75 years?” asked Father Kevin B. Walsh, pastor. “There has been so much living, so much grace and so much to be thankful for,” he said in his homily.
Catholic Campaign for Human Development grant funds help worker-owners start cleaning co-op in Arlington
Lorena Contreras has been cleaning houses in Northern Virginia for more than a decade, but she always worked for other people. Our goal is to have a job that makes our lives better and eventually make more jobs for other workers, and pay them what they deserve." Co-op worker-owner Lorena Contreras Sometimes the owners of the companies she worked for made her work longer hours than scheduled, or didn’t pay her on time, or didn’t pay her for all the hours she worked.
Arlington Knights plan to expand this year’s delivery-only Thanksgiving feast
For 35 years, the Arlington Council of the Knights of Columbus has been known for its huge community Thanksgiving dinners that provided meals for 200 to 300 guests in person, with hundreds more meals delivered to shelters, low-income communities and Meals on Wheels recipients.
Beatitudes are a guide to saintly living, says Bishop Burbidge at All Saints’ Day Mass
The saints were “people like us, with strengths and weaknesses,” said Bishop Michael F. Burbidge at a Mass for the solemnity of All Saints Nov. 1 at the Cathedral of St. Thomas More in Arlington. In his homily, he said the saints “experienced blessings and hardships, had different backgrounds and personalities, and had moments when their faith was strong and times when it was weak.
Committees - UK Parliament
Meeting details At 3.00pm: Oral evidence Work Draft Online Safety Bill (Legislative scrutiny) Director of Public Policy for Northern Europe at Facebook At 4.30pm: Oral evidence Work Draft Online Safety Bill (Legislative scrutiny) Vice President, Government Affairs and Public Policy at YouTube At 6.00pm: Oral evidence Work Draft Online Safety Bill (Legislative scrutiny) Director, Senior Director, Global Public Policy Strategy, Development and Partnerships, at Twitter
Prayer and pizza: Teens celebrate their faith at RALLY 2021
More than 750 high school students and adult youth ministers from 44 parishes gathered Oct. 24 at Bishop O’Connell High School in Arlington for RALLY 2021, a day of prayer, fellowship, inspiration, heartfelt sharing and listening — and of course pizza.
Arlington Diocese will kick off 3-year Golden Jubilee celebration this November
A three-year celebration of the Arlington diocese’s Golden Jubilee will kick off this November and continue through the official 50th anniversary in 2024. The celebration is not just an extended party — the three-year focus is intended to spark “a spiritual and intellectual renewal bearing fruit in evangelization and works of mercy,” according to the Diocese.
At long last, bells for St. Bernadette
Like the angel who finally got his wings, Michael LeMay is finally getting his bells. LeMay, who died in June, was the Northern Virginia architect who designed St. Bernadette Church in Springfield, where Bishop Michael F. Burbidge celebrated Mass Oct. 14 for the 40th anniversary of the church’s dedication in 1981. Bells have a way of helping us remember what we can so easily forget: the holy presence of God in our midst.” Bishop Michael F.
Blessing: Third graders help launch diocesan participation in 7-year Laudato Si’ initiative
Third graders at St. Mark School in Vienna helped kick off the Arlington diocese’s participation Oct. 7 in Pope Francis’ seven-year “action platform” to embrace the spiritual and environmental principles addressed in the pope’s 2015 environmental encyclical “Laudato Si’: On Care for Our Common Home.” The students participated in a prayer service and blessing of the soil in the church’s new Mary garden, which will feature native plants to attract bees, butterflies and other pollinator insects.
Multicultural missionaries: Missionhurst priests and brothers celebrate 75 years in Arlington, Virginia
In an increasingly multicultural society, ethnic and racial tensions often arise. But a group of international missionaries with long ties to the Arlington diocese stands as a witness to universal brotherhood. “It’s possible for a brother who does not look like me, who does not eat like me, it’s possible to live together.
Spanish Apostolate offers new 'Certificate of Discipleship' program, prepares for national leadership congress
A new four-week online formation program aims to turn Catholics into true disciples who recognize “that everything we have belongs to God,” said Joel de Loera, director of the diocesan Spanish Apostolate, which is sponsoring the program. “If everything we have is a blessing from God, then what is my response to God bestowing all these blessings?” de Loera said.
Prayers for migrants, refugees: ‘Each one has a face, a name and a story’
The theme of this year’s World Day of Migrants and Refugees is “Toward an ever-wider we,” Bishop Michael F. Burbidge said as he celebrated a Mass for migrants and refugees Sept. 23 at the Cathedral of St. Thomas More in Arlington, in advance of the Vatican’s celebration Sept. 26.
Spanish-language Cursillo group marks 40 years in Arlington diocese
Iris Chavez was 19 and her boyfriend Rigoberto was 21 when they were invited to attend a weekend retreat sponsored by Cursillo, the lay Catholic spirituality movement named for the “short course” in Christianity developed in Spain in the 1940s. The three-day retreats — separate events for women and men — reignited their faith and inspired them to learn more. “We were just not aware of how beautiful our faith is,” she said. It would seem like it's just like another retreat, but it’s not.
Many Catholic students fill 'gap year' with faith-based service
A growing number of students have been taking a timeout from academics for a year to gain hands-on learning experience in the world outside the classroom. Some call this a “gap year,” which may take place either before entering college or later. Often students will take a break after earning a bachelor’s degree, while discerning graduate school or next career steps.
Purcellville parish celebrates 100 years of history
Hundreds of parishioners and community members spread out across the parish grounds at St. Francis de Sales Church in Purcellville Sept. 18 for a picnic that pulled out all the stops to mark 100 years since it became a mission. Four grillmasters cooked burgers and sausages on a large outdoor grill. Parishioners who run nearby Dirt Farm Brewing and Corcoran Vineyards and Cidery provided drinks for a wine and beer garden. A band played in front of the church.
Diocese will join pope’s new 7-year plan to act on teachings of Laudato Si’
It’s been six years since Pope Francis released his groundbreaking environmental encyclical “Laudato Si’: On Care for Our Common Home” — and most Catholics are just beginning to unpack what it means to truly care for God’s creation. In May, the pope asked the global church to join him in a seven-year “action platform” to embrace the spiritual and environmental principles he addressed in the encyclical, and become better stewards of our planet.
New diocesan website offers support for couples facing infertility
Like most young Catholic couples, when Matthew and Elizabeth Marcolini got married, “we thought we were going to have kids,” said Matthew. But they didn’t. And as time went on, they still didn’t. About 10 percent of U.S. women between the ages of 15 and 44 have difficulty getting pregnant or staying pregnant." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention After pregnancy tests came up negative month after month, “at some moment it hits you,” said Elizabeth.
Saint John Paul the Great creates new STEM department
Hassan Moore believes Americans today are great users of technology, but when it comes to understanding and creating technology, we’re falling short. “We used to be a world leader in technological progress, but we stopped making things a long time ago in America,” said Moore, a native of New Orleans, who has taught physics, engineering, computer programming and math.
After high-flying career with TSA, David Lima helps Catholic schools thrive
David Lima’s winding career path has been fueled by prayer and patriotism. Lima, 46, started as a Catholic high school teacher in Taunton, Mass. — at the school both he and his wife, Julie, attended. But salaries for new teachers were so low that he left after a couple of years to earn more money while Julie worked on her doctorate. “I loved Catholic education, but I had to feed my family,” he said. Then 9/11 happened.
Priest suspended in Costa Rica for saying Mass in Latin
ROME – Following Pope Francis’s decree restricting the celebration of the traditional Latin Mass, a Catholic priest in Costa Rica is being suspended for disobedience after continuing to celebrate Mass in Latin. Father Sixto Varela, from the diocese of Alajuela, is now expected to travel to Mexico to receive spiritual direction. In addition, he was forced to resign from his position of parish priest of the parish of St. Joseph.
Italian newspaper claims Vatican in touch with Taliban over Afghan refugees
Pope Francis leaves after delivering his Angelus prayer from his studio window overlooking St. Peter's Square, at the Vatican, Sunday, Aug. 22, 2021. (Credit: Gregorio Borgia/AP.) ROME – It’s become customary for Pope Francis to use the final minutes of his Sunday Angelus prayer to let the world know what global conflict has caught his attention. Hence, his silence over the crisis in Afghanistan this week was deafening.
Bishop Burbidge blesses new ADA-accessible barn at Wheatland Farm
“This is sacred ground,” said Bishop Michael F. Burbidge before he blessed a new ADA-accessible horse barn at Wheatland Farm near Purcellville Aug. 22. “It is a joy to bless this building and let this great work continue,” he said to about 100 students, families and supporters gathered for the blessing.
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