9 Good News Stories: Father Becomes A Father; A Sea Lion Snacks

ACROSS AMERICA — It was a week of new beginnings.

Despite ongoing spikes in coronavirus cases and continued social unrest, the seasons changed and the Earth reset. The June solstice came and went, marking the official start of summer. And on Father’s Day, a New Jersey father became a different kind of father.

Edmond Ilg of Essex County was among 10 men ordained to the priesthood at a ceremony at the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Newark.

Ilg, 62, gave his first official blessing to his son, Phillip Ilg, who is also a priest, outside of the main entrance to the basilica. The Archdiocese of Newark said the rarity — a priest's dad ordained on Father's Day — was "moving and special," writes Eric Kiefer of Newark Patch.

The other new priests ordained on Sunday included a former naval nuclear engineer, a farmer and a reality TV show hopeful.

Below, scroll through eight more stories that will lift you up, make you smile and perhaps let you look at things through a different lens.

A Life-Changing Father’s Day Gift

Father’s Day this year took on new and joyful meaning for Dell Cullum of East Hampton, New York. For years, Cullum lived with the memory of his son, a precious little boy lost to leukemia. But recently, he was given a gift beyond measure when he took a DNA test and found someone he never even knew he'd been looking for — a second son, one he'd never even known existed. By Lisa Finn for East Hampton Patch

A Mother Opens Her Arms — And Kitchen

Yolanda Latimer of Ashburn, Virginia, is not a trained chef, but she is making use of everything she's learned from her grandmother and father the past 30 years to teach others how to cook. Latimer, a corporate recruiter by day, has spent the past three months cooking meals at home for her daughter, who was born premature and is considered immunocompromised. She recently took her passion for cooking and made the leap by starting her own business called Londa's Laboratory, which offers virtual cooking demonstrations using Zoom and her social media accounts. By Mark Hand for Ashburn Patch

A Furry Friend In Times Of Trauma

When 11-week-old bernedoodle, Lola Haven, first set her paws in the Romeoville, Illinois, Police Department, she instantly became the most beloved member of the department. Lola is the Romeoville police's first official wellness dog. Chief Kenneth Kroll said he had been mulling over the idea for years but was not in a position to implement it. After his recent promotion to chief, he knew it was the right time to introduce a furry ally to the community. By Abhinanda Datta for Romeoville Patch

Highway Marker Honors Escaped Slave

A future historical highway marker in Fairfax County, Virginia, will honor Ona Judge, a woman born into slavery at Mount Vernon and who escaped from the Washingtons. The marker honoring Judge was suggested by a student in Gov. Ralph Northam's Black History Month Historical Marker Contest. There were 19 other historical highway markers chosen to highlight Virginia's African American history. By Emily Leayman for Mount Vernon Patch

California Sea Lion Takes A Snack Break

Sometimes, we just need a moment. A Los Angeles County employee caught an unusual view of a California sea lion having its own moment this week while snacking on a fish in Marina del Rey. By Nicole Charky for Marina del Rey Patch

The Inspiring Side Of A Crisis

Amid the ongoing coronavirus crisis, many Americans are still stepping up to help others. One example comes from Colorado, where more than 2,000 people have pledged to contribute some of their federal stimulus checks to those who are struggling amid the pandemic. Over $1 million has been pledged to the Share the Stimulus initiative so far. By Amber Fisher for Denver Patch

Students Join To Help Others

A group of students in Basking Ridge, New Jersey, have joined together to start a community service project titled "Care-Full," which supports local communities as they battle the coronavirus pandemic. Through the project, the students will create and distribute care packages to underserved populations throughout central and northern New Jersey. By Alexis Tarazzi for Basking Ridge Patch

Graduates ‘Rise’ For Virus Victims

And with every new beginning comes an eventual ending.

Zoree Jones used her own ending — her high school graduation — to look beyond herself and her classmates. Jones, who attended Patriot High School in Nokesville, Virginia, instead assured them they would "rise with renewed hope for tomorrow.” She also used her speech to memorialize those who have died from the coronavirus. "We rise to remember those who we have lost," she said. By Mark Hand for Manassas Patch