FRIDAY EDITION
Live Perpetual Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament via Adorecast
☩ Team Catholify
The Fate of Bitter Winter’s 45 Arrested Reporters
Great media coverage and two petitions to free them is an occasion to publicly share some details on their capture, detention & present state. ☩ Marco Respinti of Bitter Winter
Michigan Priests & Injustice (Read Second Michigan Story -- Ed.)
The second story is darker. Due to what appears to be a possible unfolding scandal regarding a whistle-blower, a new activist group of Catholics in the Diocese of Gaylord is calling on Bishop Steven Raica to immediately reinstate a young priest. Bishop Raica suspended Fr. Matthew Cowan last month after Father Cowan filed a complaint of sexual harassment against a top diocesan official. ☩ Rod Dreher of The American Conservative
The Constructed Society & the Leaven of the Gospel
The great need in public life today isn’t support for the right parties & programs, it’s a better understanding of human life & the public good. & the Church can provide that if she’s free to be herself & speak. ☩ James Kalb, J.D., of the Catholic World Report
Booze, cigars & a halo? Chesterton sainthood cause awaits approval
A leading scholar behind the push to advance the canonization of celebrated writer G.K. Chesterton has published a new book making a case for the sainthood of the “prolific” 20th century author, hitting back at critics who see him as unsuited for a halo. ☩ Elise Harris of Crux
Vatican Rejects CCP’s Claim that Underground Catholics Should Join the Patriotic Church
Cardinal Fernando Filoni, the head of the Vatican’s congregation responsible for China, rejects false interpretations of the Vatican-China deal. ☩ Massimo Introvigne of Bitter Winter
‘Zero tolerance’ doesn’t seem an inflated expectation for pope’s summit
Twice now, & with ascending levels of authority, we’ve been cautioned not to expect too much from the summit on clerical sexual abuse Pp. Francis has called for in Feb. for the pres. of bishops’ confs. around the world. ☩ John L. Allen, Jr., of Crux
The Mystery of the Our Father’s Ending
Why do Christians say the Our Father (the “Lord’s Prayer”) slightly differently? ☩ Douglas M. Beaumont of Catholic Answers Magazine
Reclaim the Catholic Season of Carnival
Here in the U.S, we've come across the word “Carnival” almost exclusively in connection with the Mardi Gras celebration in New Orleans, so that people have the idea that Carnival is celebrated only on the day before Ash Wednesday (Mardi Gras, or “Fat Tuesday”). This, however, isn't so. Carnival is a season. ☩ Maria Augusta Von Trapp of Catholic Exchange
Pope Benedict XV Teaches How To Fundraise
☩ Brice Sokolowksi of CatholicFundraiser.net
It’s Not Fair, But Does Cardinal Dolan Deserve It?
☩ Edward N. Peters, J.C.D. J.D., of The Catholic World Report
The immorality of layoffs
☩ Matthew Walther of The Week
On the Role of Our Guardian Angels
☩ Msgr. Charles Pope of Community in Mission
An Inspiring Conversion Story
Heather Ross, Cream City Catholic founder Jake Ross’ wife, sits down with Cream City Catholic to tell her conversion story. Please enjoy this inspiring testament to the power of the Holy Spirit acting through a beautiful liturgy. ☩ Adam Rivera of Cream City Catholic
Popes in red rather than white?
Would you like to see the pope (or maybe the next one) resume wearing a red cassock? ☩ Fr. Z's Blog
Why Abel’s Sacrifice Was Better
The early Christians understood this. St. John Chrysostom observed that Abel’s piety is demonstrated by “the fact that he did not casually offer any one of his sheep but ‘one of the firstborn,’ that is, from the valuable and special ones,” whereas in Cain's case, “nothing of the kind is suggested”; Genesis 4:3’s description of Cain bringing “an offering of the fruit of the ground” suggests a lack of zeal or care. ☩ Joe Heschmeyer, J.D., of Catholic Answers Magazine
Femininity, Masculinity, & Toxic Ditches
Is there a double standard here? ☩ Anthony S. Layne of Catholic Stand
Over 1,000 Pro-Life People Rally Against Infanticide at Virginia State Capitol
Virginia lawmakers gathered with pro-life voters, students & other concerned residents to oppose radical pro-abortion legislation being pushed in states all across the country. The Right to Life rally took place outside the Virginia State Capitol. ☩ Micaiah Bilger of Life News
Why Vatican II’s Definition of Church Makes Sense
One of the most common criticisms of Vatican II is that it changed the teaching regarding the relationship between the idea of the Church of Christ & the Church. Much of the debate among interpreters of Vatican II has centered around the phrase subsistit in, found in the conciliar document Lumen Gentium (LG), which declares. . . ☩ Casey Chalk of Crisis Magazine
Suicide Rises When Faith Recedes
Suicide is the result of an assault against, or loss of, the theological virtue of hope. It is only common sense, therefore, that suicide rises when faith recedes. ☩ Fr. Donald Kloster of Liturgy Guy
That Song Is Heretical – Should Catholics Listen To “Christian Music”?
Ephesians 5: 18-19 says, “be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with all your heart.” ☩ Sara Estabrooks of Catholic Link
Aborted Baby Parts Are Being Infused With Mice in Shocking Experiments
Gristly experiments that take organs from aborted babies and implant them into mice are taking place in the United States. ☩ Micaiah Bilger of Life News
Wojtylan Fantasies, Revisited
☩ George Weigel of First Things
A Book for Couples Who Suffer Through Miscarriage
☩ Susanna Spencer of National Catholic Register
The Catholic Church Should Stop Weaseling & Excommunicate Andrew Cuomo
☩ Maureen Mullarkey of The Federalist
Promoting the Proper Use of Social Media
☩ Pete Socks of Catholic Stand
Nuns + Pink Habit = Ultimate Fashion Statement
☩ Meghan Ashley Styling