28 March AD 2024

FRIDAY EDITION

52 Books Every Catholic School Library Should Have

Talk to your school librarian to make sure that your school’s books are carefully curated & selected. More & more I’m finding children’s literature that is full of ideas that go against the Catholic faith ☩ Becky Roach of Catholic Link

The Avuncular Episcopacy

Some bishops have shown themselves to be true leaders in the Church’s recent crises, but too many bishops seem content to be spiritual uncles and not true spiritual fathers. ☩ Nicholas Senz of The Catholic World Report

Quæritur: Missing Mass in a winter storm

This Sunday morning a big snow storm made the roads look treacherous. I live 10 miles from church. I assumed Mass was cancelled but could find no texts or other notices either way. Later, I found out Mass was, indeed, celebrated (to a congregation of 15). I shall confess my failure to attend Mass. I’m concerned I’ve incurred a mortal sin. What do you think? ☩ Fr. Z's Blog

Miraculous Image of Blessed Mother Holding Baby Appears in Pregnancy Sonogram, See the Photo!

An Instagram user sent ChurchPOP a sonogram image seemingly portraying the Blessed Mother holding a pregnant woman’s baby. ☩ ChurchPOP

Church in Italy preserves the remains of a saintly dragon slayer . . . & the dragon he slew

Little is known about the actual life of St. Donatus, but legends abound. ☩ Daniel Esparza of Aleteia

New Movie Reveals Former Planned Parenthood Director’s Shocking True Story – Watch the Trailer Here!

From the writers & producers of God’s Not Dead & I Can Only Imagine, Unplanned tells the incredible story of former Planned Parenthood clinic director Abby Johnson. ☩ ChurchPOP

When red tape hits the homeless: San Diego charity closes due to new restrictions

Due to new guidelines passed by the State Legislature of California, a non-profit is ceasing operations & will dissolve by the end of the month. ☩ Joseph Sunde of PowerBlog

Why Do People Hate the "Good Person"? The 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time Readings Explained

The Readings for this Sunday show both Jesus and Jeremiah facing opposition for speaking God’s truth to their contemporaries. They raise interesting questions about why it is that the “good person” so often suffers at the hands of others, & offer encouragement to those who experience this suffering. ☩ John Bergsma, Ph.D., of The Sacred Page

Pope Pius X Explains How to Fundraise

☩ Brice Sokolowksi of CatholicFundraiser.net

The Baroque: Tridentine Art for the Latin Mass

☩ David Clayton of New Liturgical Movement

The Miraculous Medal: A Catholic’s Ultimate Fashion Accessory

☩ Meghan Ashley Styling (Fashion from a Catholic Perspective)

Texas’ New Anti-Christian Bills & Why Christians Should be Concerned

Members of the Texas legislature are gearing up to consider several new bills that some groups are calling “Ban the Bible” bills. ☩ Nancy Flory of The Stream

Quæritur: Marijuana & validity of marriage

Recently marijuana was legalized in Canada. . . . My understanding is that Catholics cannot be impaired by drugs and alcohol at the time of the wedding for the sake of validity because of their inability to give free consent to the marriage. Would this mean that habitual pot heads wouldn’t be able to marry in the Catholic Church? ☩ Fr. Z's Blog

Women Deacons? Pope Francis Will Soon Decide

Would you like to see a woman deacon giving the homily at your Sunday Mass later this year? ☩ Fr. Regis Scanlon, O.F.M. Cap.

Christianity & Culture War

David French, who has litigated religious liberty cases, makes a strong, necessary point about anti-Christian bigotry. ☩ Rod Dreher of The American Conservative

Bishop Rick Sitka of Knoxville: “I Would Excommunicate Any Catholic Legislator” Who Voted for Abortions Up to Birth

He would excommunicate any Catholic politician who advocated for abortion on demand. ☩ Micaiah Bilger of Life News

Political Illiteracy: Jim Wallis & “God’s Politics”

Jim Wallis is an intelligent and sincere person, someone worth listening to on serious subjects. But he appears to be politically illiterate, but. . . ☩ Benjamin Locker, Ph.D., of The Imaginative Conservative

Quæritur: Butter in coffee on Ash Wednesday

I know this is a bit early for Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, but I am curious (and excited about Lent). There’s a trend of putting butter into one’s coffee. ☩ Fr. Z's Blog