Big Pulpit

FRIDAY EXTRA

left, Jordan Peterson, right, William Lane Craig (Credit: Crisis Magazine)

The Peterson–Craig Encounter: A Missed Opportunity?

. . .On January 26, Wycliffe College, a graduate school federated with the University of Toronto, hosted a discussion on the question: “Is there meaning to life?” The three participants included philosopher & theologian William Lane Craig, atheist philosopher Rebecca Goldstein, & clinical psychologist & professor of psychology Jordan Peterson. . .

by Scott Ventureyra, Ph.D.,

of Crisis Magazine

A Strange Post-Liberal Ecumenism – Rod Dreher, TAC Blogger
Anti-Christian Harvard – Rod Dreher, TAC Blogger
‘Black Panther’ Star Boldly Proclaims “I Fell in Love with Jesus” – Ph. Kosloski, Aleteia
How Focusing on Catholicism’s Beauty Can Lead People to the Faith – Francis Phillips
St. Polycarp & the Grain of Incense – Fr. Dwight Longenecker
Top Imam Calls for Major Reforming Islam, Sharia; Is That Possible? – Joh. Zmirak Ph.D.
Coffee, Roman Style – Carrie Gress, my favorite catholic things
What Do We Agree On? – David Carlin, The Catholic Thing
Why Do Catholics Abstain from Meat on Fridays & Fast? – Deacon Mic. Bickerstaff, ICL™
Of Space Aliens & the Catholic Faith – Sabrina Arena Ferrisi, National Catholic Register
France Debates How to Pay for Saving Crumbling Cathedrals – John Laurenson, Mrktplc
Inequality Is the Wrong Indicator, Why We Should Focus on Poverty Instead – Js. Ponce
Jacob Rees-Mogg: Catholics Should Not Be Afraid to Enter Public Life – Amy-Jo Crowley
A Book Launch, Hidden Mystical Power, & Art of the Impossible: Part II – Dv. Torkington
5 Inspiring Video Presentations of the Via Crucis – Philip Kosloski, Aleteia
New Book on Catholic Fundraising: Pray, Pray, Pray, Ask – Brice Sokolowski
Note: A new post is published daily at 12:01 am U.S. Central Time

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FRIDAY EDITION

Archbishop Charles J. Chaput of Philadelphia (Credit: Paul Haring of Catholic News Service)

Things To Come: Faith, State, & Society in a New World

. . .“There are no new paradigms; no new hermeneutical principles; no revolutions in thought; & no possible concordats with the world & its alibis, that can the erase the radicalism & liberating beauty of Christian anthropology”. . .

by Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap.,

via The Catholic World Report

A Rough Week for the Holy See – Phil Lawler, Catholic Culture
The Failure of Sweden’s Motherhood Experiment – Allan C. Carlson, Mercatornet
German Bishops Allow Communion for Protestant Spouses in ‘Some Cases’ – E. Pentin
A Tale of Two Countries, a Choice Between Two Cultures – K.V. Turley, The CWR
How Modernism Has Affected the Church – Carlos Caso-Rosendi
Change Your Heart, Change Your Abortion Votes, Bishop Tells Sen. Durbin – CNA/CWR
New Book on Catholic Fundraising: Pray, Pray, Pray, Ask – Brice Sokolowski
American Recusants – Charle A. Coulombe, The Anglicanorum Cœtibus Society
How Black Catholic Nuns Rewrote the American Story – Dia. B. Morrow, Catholic Philly
What to Know if You Want to Know Theology – Fr. John P. Cush S.T.D., NC Register
The Ostrich Defense of Abortion – Christopher Kaczor Ph.D., Public Discourse
Texas Bishops Support Catholic Charities in Wake of Gay Adoption Lawsuit – CNA/CWR
My First Conversion – Eric Sammons, Swimming Upstream
Intelligent Piety: The Christian Humanism of Flannery O’Connor – Bra. J. Birzer Ph.D.
It’s the Market – Not Socialism – that Fosters Solidarity – George Maggs, CapX
Premonition of Calvary: 2nd Sunday of Lent Readings Explained – John Bergsma Ph.D.
Note: A new post is published daily at 12:01 am U.S. Central Time
For the SVNDAY LATE EDITION (25 February, AD 2018) click here.
For the MONDAY EDITION (26 February, AD 2018) click here.
For the MONDAY EXTRA (26 February, AD 2018) click here.

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THVRSDAY EXTRA

Fr. Anthony Spadaro Editor of La Civilta Cattolica (Credit: Crisis Magazine)

The Mathematical Innovations of Father Antonio Spadaro

. . .Fr. Antonio Spadaro, a close associate of Pope Francis, raised eyebrows in July 2017 when he described religious life in the United States, with such confidence that can come only from a profound knowledge of a subject or a total lack of it.  . .

by Father George W. Rutler, S.T.D., Th.D.,

of Crisis Magazine

Why Did the Cardinal Rebuke the Pope? – Michael Davis, Catholic Herald
Forced to Resign for Her Faith, This Magistrate Sued the State & Won – Bre Payton
Who Will Get the Red Hat Next – John L. Allen Jr. & Inés San Martin, Crux
What Happened to the Wealth of the Knights Templar? – Billy Ryan, uCatholic
An Eerie Eyewitness Account of a Haunted House in England – K.V. Turley, NC Register
The Trans Teen Industrial Complex – Rod Dreher, TAC Blogger
New Book on Catholic Fundraising: Pray, Pray, Pray, Ask – Brice Sokolowski
Hosts ‘Miraculously’ Preserved 16 Months After Devastating Earthquake – Edw. Pentin
The New York Times Reacts to Falling Fertility Rates – John M. Grondelski Ph.D., Crisis
A Modern Pandora’s Box: Amoris Lætitia? – Tom Collingwood, Catholic Stand
When God Came to the Reality TV Show Big Brother – Ann Widdecombe, Cthlc Herald
When It Comes To Our Youth, Silence Is Not Golden – Todd Nolan, Catholic Stand
Producer of ‘Paul, Apostle of Christ’ Talks About His Film – Mark Pattison, Cthlc Herald
Abandoned by the U.S., Syrian Christians Seek Help from Iran – John Zmirak Ph.D.
Feast of the Chair of Saint Peter, Apostle – Liz Estler, Catholic Spiritual Direction
Canada’s Pro-Abortion Politics – Charlotte Allen, First Things
Note: A new post is published daily at 12:01 am U.S. Central Time
For the VVEDNESDAY LATE EXTRA (20 February, AD 2017) click here.
For the SVNDAY LATE EDITION (25 February, AD 2018) click here.
For the MONDAY EDITION (26 February, AD 2018) click here.
For the MONDAY EXTRA (26 February, AD 2018) click here.

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THVRSDAY EDITION

Michael Voris & Fr. Dwight Longenecker (Credit: Carlos Caso-Rosendi)

Voris, Longenecker, & a Two-Edged Sword

. . .this article by Fr. Dwight Longenecker dealing with a controversial figure in Catholic media: Mr. Michael Voris. . .

by Carlos Caso-Rosendi

Media Story Biased of Gays Adopting Refugee Child at Catholic Charities – B. Ross, GR
Barnes & Noble Circling the Drain – Donald R. McClarey J.D., The American Catholic
The New York Times Denies Basic Scientific Fact – Rod Dreher, TAC Blogger
Aren’t Catholic Schools Supposed to be Catholic? – Marcia Segelstein, NC Register
Christ’s Masculinity: A Model for Educating Boys – Patrick Whalen, Catholic Exchange
More on the Ancient Liturgy of Jerusalem – Gregory DiPippo, New Liturgical Movement
How to Correctly Run a Lent Appeal – Brice Sokolowski, CatholicFundraiser.net
Benedict XVI’s Final Pilgrimage Home – James Day, Crisis Magazine
Card. Cupich’s Revolutionary Conscience – Fr. Gerald E. Murray J.C.D., The Cthlc Thing
Easter Vanishes from iPhone Calendars Leaving Christians Asking Why – J-P Mauro
Durandus on Lenten Veils – Gregory DiPippo, New Liturgical Movement
Are We Entering an Apprenticeship Renaissance? – Joseph Sunde, Powerblog
Walking on My Knees with Mother Mary – Ann Tran, Ignitum Today
Card. Zen a Longtime, Vocal Critic of China’s Policies – Matthew E. Bunson, NC Register
China & Religion: A Snapshot – Matthew E. Bunson, National Catholic Register
Gov’t Regulation of Social Media Would Be Bad – Paul Levinson, Mercatornet
Note: A new post is published daily at 12:01 am U.S. Central Time
For the VVEDNESDAY LATE EXTRA (20 February, AD 2017) click here.
For the SVNDAY LATE EDITION (25 February, AD 2018) click here.
For the MONDAY EDITION (26 February, AD 2018) click here.
For the MONDAY EXTRA (26 February, AD 2018) click here.

THVRSDAY EDITION Read More »

VVEDNESDAY LATE EXTRA

  2 Comments
Priestly Jesus in Altar Window (Credit: Catholic Stand)

The High Priestly Prayer of Jesus

John 17 contains the longest recorded prayer of Jesus Christ, which he said right after the Last Supper.

by Ray Sullivan,

of Catholic Stand

Making the Church Appealing; What “Sells”? – Fr. Z’s Blog
Woody Allen & Billy Graham – Donald R. McClarey J.D., The American Catholic
Archbishop Scicluna Hospitalized in Chile Amid Abuse Investigation – CNA via The CWR
Why I Obey the Church – Shaun McAfee O.P., National Catholic Register
Pope’s Request for $25M Donations to Scandal-Hit Hospital Problematic – Cthlc Herald
Did Pope Blink in Nigeria, Or Just a Typical Catholic Mess? – J. Allen & I.S. Martin, Crux
How to Correctly Run a Lent Appeal – Brice Sokolowski, CatholicFundraiser.net
Requiescat in Pace: Billy Graham – Donald R. McClarey J.D., The American Catholic
How Hurricane Harvey Led These Texans to Pope Francis – Rachel Lenz, NC Register
A Review of Samson, the New Biblical Epic – Derya Little, National Catholic Register
A Look at Parkland, from the Pierced Heart of a Sandy Hook Mother – J. Pronechen, Rg
Why We Must Protect Conscience Rights of Medical Professionals – A. Tettenborn, CH
Vatican-China Accord in Sight, Reconciliation Not – Peter Jesserer Smith, NC Register
The Healing of the Lord – Cecily Lowe, Catholic Stand
“I Love”: A Sanctifying Response to Adversity – J. Bolton, Augustine’s Alley
How Entrepreneurship Transforms a Village – Anna Kelly, Acton Institute
Note: A new post is published daily at 12:01 am U.S. Central Time

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VVEDNESDAY EDITION

Ferdi McDermott (Credit: National Catholic Register)

A New ‘War of the Vendée’ Has Begun

Meet Ferdi McDermott — Catholic educator & revolutionary

by K.V. Turley,

of the National Catholic Register

Ancient Altar in Jerusalem’s Holy Sepulchre Found Hiding in Plain Sight – Joan Lewis
Is the Story of Adam & Eve a Myth? – Fr. Dwight Longenecker
The Vile Case That Shows How Far Vatican Has to Go in Child Protection – Ed Condon
Mega-Masses & Too Many Hosts – Fr. Z’s Blog
How to Raise Devoted Catholic Kids Attending Public School – Sabrina A. Ferrisi, NCReg
The Problem is Not “Islamophobia” but Ignorance of Islam – Wil. Kilpatrick Ph.D., CWR
How to Correctly Run a Lent Appeal – Brice Sokolowski, CatholicFundraiser.net
The Neglected Predella: Its Importance for Altar Arrangements – Shawn R. Tribe, LAJ
Are Mission Trips Toxic? Not Necessarily, & Here’s Why. . . – Fr. D. Longenecker, NC Reg
Scientists Make Human-Animal Hybrids. . . – Wesley J. Smith J.D., Life News
First-Round MLB Draft Pick Puts God Back Above Baseball – Trent Beattie, NC Register
“Personal Relationship with Jesus” — A Catholic Concept? – Dave Armstrong, NC Rgstr
YouTube Censors Video Exposing Planned Parenthood’s Abortion Agenda – Mic. Bilger
Toronto Card. Collins Calls for Resistance to Trudeau’s Govt Requirement – The CWR
Family Faith Snapshots: Sam Guzman, The Catholic Gentleman – Katie Warner, NCRgstr
Parents of Terminally Ill Alfie Evans Lose High Court Case – Catholic Herald
Note: A new post is published daily at 12:01 am U.S. Central Time

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TVESDAY EXTRA

  1 Comment
John Henry Cardinal Newman (Credit: First Things)

Development, or Corruption; There Can Be No ‘Paradigm Shifts’ in the Church

. . .regarding Amoris Lætitia, some advance positions contrary to the constant teaching of the Catholic Church, by denying that adultery is always a grave objective sin or by making the Church’s entire sacramental economy exclusively dependent on people’s subjective dispositions. . .

by Gerhard Cardinal Müller,

of First Things

Michael Voris – Our Savonarola? – Fr. Dwight Longenecker
Attacks on the Family, Mark Steyn Video Interview – Fr. Z’s Blog
Nine Converts from Atheism Share Their Journey Home – Chloe Langr, epicPew
Steering Clear of “The Catholic Ghetto” – Michael Pakaluk Ph.D., The Catholic Thing
New Bishop Appointed for Rockville Centre Diocese – Sister B.M. Reis F.S.P., Vtcn Nws
Are We Declining? Are We Falling? – Rod Dreher, TAC Blogger
How to Correctly Run a Lent Appeal – Brice Sokolowski, CatholicFundraiser.net
When Will the Shooting Stop? – John Horvat II, Crisis Magazine
John Michael Talbot Debuts Podcast on Breadbox Media – Pete Socks, Catholic Stand
Florentine Street Shrines, Will Today’s Della Robbia Please Step Forward? – D. Clayton
Dear Vatican, Put Not Your Trust in China or Turkey – William Kilpatrick Ph.D., Crisis
Why Don’t We Care About the Slaughter of Nigerian Christians? – M. Brown, The Strm
Call for Masses for Ireland’s Abortion Referendum – Joseph Shaw, Rorate Cæli
Don Briel, Remembered – Maria Wiering, The Catholic Spirit
An Indonesian Miracle of Muslim-Catholic Friendship – Elizabeth J. Seah, Ignitum Today
Vatican & China Could Sign Deal on Bishops ‘After March’ – Catholic Herald
Note: A new post is published daily at 12:01 am U.S. Central Time
For the TVESDAY EDITION (20 February, AD 2018) click here.

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TVESDAY EDITION

  3 Comments
LizziesAnswers (Credit: YouTube via ChurchPop)

Major Protestant YouTube Star Announces She’s Converting to Catholicism

YouTube star Lizzie Estella Reezay of the YouTube channel LizziesAnswers has announced that she’s converting from Protestantism to Catholicism.

from ChurchPop

5 Beautiful Catholic Churches on the Beach – Jim Graves, National Catholic Register
Worried about Cardinal Cupich’s “Paradigm Shift”? . . . – Fr. A. Lucie-Smith Ph.D., CH
Drunk Stoned Perverted Dead – Edward Feser Ph.D.
Card. Mahoney Cancels Appearance After Locals Vow to Protest – Claire Chretien, Lf St
Ireland: Abortionists Upset as Legal Abortion Support Collapses – SPUC via Life News
In Praise of Fr. Francis Canavan’s Prophetic Eye – Ronda Chervin, The Cthlc World Rprt
How to Correctly Run a Lent Appeal – Brice Sokolowski, CatholicFundraiser.net
Pope Francis’ Feast of Forgiveness — Confession – Edward Pentin, Natl Cthlc Register
Pressing Pause on the “Transgender Moment” – Matthew J. Franck, Public Discourse
The Monks of Solesmes Publishing Studies of Gnostic Chants – R. Yoder, The Amish Cth
What’s Wrong with the New NIH Study on Transgender Kids? – Jane Robbins, Life Site
The Post-Napoleonic Church – Ælredus Rievallensis, Canticum Salomonis
Bishops in Nigeria Release Books on Marriage, Family Life – CNA via The CWR
The Vocation of a Soldier, Service, & the Act of Love – J. Bolton, Augustine’s Alley
Francis de Sales: Model of Apologists – Shaun McAfee O.P., Catholic Answers Magazine
From Inmates to Entrepreneurs – Brittany Hunter, Foundation for Economic Education
Note: A new post is published daily at 12:01 am U.S. Central Time
For the TVESDAY EXTRA (20 February, AD 2018) click here.

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MONDAY EXTRA II

St. Joseph of Cupertino (Credit: franciscandiscernment.org)

Levitation: Miracle or Science? The Life & Flights of Saint Joseph of Cupertino

. . .let’s look at the life of one of the most renowned of Catholic levitators, St. Joseph of Cupertino (Guiseppe Desa, born in 1603 in Italy) & consider whether recent advances in understanding quantum mechanical forces could explain his miraculous ability.

by Daniel Demers,

of Catholic Stand

How One of Christ’s Apostles Ended up Far Away in India – uCatholic
Those Cupich Seminars: Why Now? – Christopher R. Altieri, The Dispatch via The CWR
Mary Ann Glendon Resigns from Vatican Bank Oversight Board – CNA via The CWR
Vatican Backs Down, Accepts Resignation of Nigerian Bishop – Edward Pentin, NC Rgstr
Facebook Suspended Me for Sharing My Religious Beliefs on Homosexuality – M. Rioux
Secular Architecture Fail in US, Possibly the Whole World – M. Gilleland, Laudator. . .
How to Correctly Run a Lent Appeal – Brice Sokolowski, CatholicFundraiser.net
Transgenderism: Semantic Contagion or Biological Fact? – Anne Hendershott, The CWR
The Insidiousness of the Culture of Death – Janet Meyer, Catholic Stand
Science, Not Sabotage, Behind Filipino ‘Rash Wednesday’ Mystery – CNA via The CWR
The Vatican & China: A Surrender or an Alliance? – John Zmirak Ph.D., The Stream
What’s Happening in Vatican-China Talks? The Necessary Background – Phil Lawler, CC
Religious Freedom Must Be Recognized as a Right, Not an Exception – Oz Bishops
Right-to-Try Puts Patients Before Bureaucracy – Lindsay Marie, Foundation for Econ. Ed.
Video: I Speak on EWTN about New Book I Edited by Francis Canavan – Dawn Goldstein
Quiet Progress of Pope’s Anti-Abuse Commission a Hard Sell – John L. Allen Jr., Crux
Note: A new post is published daily at 12:01 am U.S. Central Time
For the TVESDAY EDITION (20 February, AD 2018) click here.
For the TVESDAY EXTRA (20 February, AD 2018) click here.

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MONDAY EXTRA I

Correcting Father James Martin. . . Again

. . .I was bewildered by the way Fr. James Martin twists the plain meaning of Sacred Scripture & Church teaching. . .

by Father Dwight Longenecker

Gay Olympians Accidentally Prove Why ‘Gay Marriage’ Wrong – Doug Mainwaring, LS
Cardinal Cupich Misreads Vatican II on Conscience – Richard A. Spinello Ph.D., Crisis
Taking Leave: Pope Francis’ Motu Proprio. . . – P.J. Smith, First Things
Did a Man Really Breastfeed a Baby? – William M. Briggs Ph.D., Statistician to the Stars!
What Ireland’s Abortion Referendum is Really About – K.V. Turley, Crisis Magazine
Belgium: Euthanasia Commission Under Fire After Whistleblower Letter – Mic. Cook
How to Correctly Run a Lent Appeal – Brice Sokolowski, CatholicFundraiser.net
Isn’t Father Loss Part of Nikolas Cruz’s Story? – Carolyn Moynihan, Mercatornet
Just Who are the Wicked Tenants of God’s Vineyard? – Dom Cingoranelli, Cthlc Stand
10 Million Catholics in China Face Storm They Can’t Control – Ian Johnson, NYTimes
How Ireland’s Boot Camp for Missionaries Changed US & World – Msgr. O’Sullivan, NCRg
Hungarian Prime Minister: ‘Christianity is Europe’s Last Hope’ – Doug Mainwaring, LS
A Book Launch, Hidden Mystical Power, & the Art of the Impossible – D. Torkington, CS
Hawaii Bill Would Require Background Checks for Parents who Homeschool – TCF
Pro-Lifers Endorses Jeanne Ives for Illinois Gov. Over Bruce Rauner – M. Quigley, LN
Pope Reappoints O’Malley to Work of Safeguarding Commission – CNA via NC Register
Note: A new post is published daily at 12:01 am U.S. Central Time

MONDAY EXTRA I Read More »

MONDAY EDITION

Fr. Gerald E. Murray (Credit: Screen Shot via ar15.com)

Video: Father Gerald Murray & Professor Robert Royal on Father Anthony Spadaro’s Talk at Georgetown University

The other day my friend Fr. Gerald Murray and Prof. Robert Royal were on The World Over offering some analysis of present issues.  I think you will find it useful. They get into it near the 5:00 mark.

by Father John Zuhlsdorf,

of Fr. Z’s Blog

There is a Major Hole in Church’s Current Argument on Immigration – Mic. Davis, CH
How a Beloved NYC Priest Saved Mickey Rourke’s Life – Isabel Vincent, New York Post
The End of the Progressives – Carlos Caso-Rosendi
Cardinal Cupich’s Modernist View of the Family – R. Jared Staudt, Crisis Magazine
State Islam in France – Theodore Dalrymple, City Journal
Reclaiming Parental Rights as Building Blocks to a Healthy Society – Art. Goldberg, PD
How to Correctly Run a Lent Appeal – Brice Sokolowski, CatholicFundraiser.net
How to Pore Over the Entire Bible in 365 Days – Elisabeth Deffner, NC Register
The Vatican Gap between Theory & Practice – CNA via The Catholic World Report
Pope Francis, the Pastoral Criterion of Reform – Andrea Gagliarducci, Monday Vatican
Pope Francis Is Playacting Realpolitik with China – George Weigel, Foreign Policy
From North Korea to Catholicism: Mi Jin’s Answered Prayer – CNA via The CWR
Revival of Sex Abuse Commission Comes Amid Growing Criticism – N. Winfield, AP/CH
How Capitalism Enables Christians to Promote Flourishing – Zach Kim, IfFW&E
Bishop Sherrington Speaks Out Against Abortion Clinic ‘Buffer Zones’ – Catholic Herald
Politics as a ‘Vocation’ – Laura DeMaria, Catholic Stand
Note: A new post is published daily at 12:01 am U.S. Central Time

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SVNDAY EDITION

Priest Collar (Credit: Pixabay via Catholic Stand)

Discernment: It May Not Turn Out The Way You Expect

There are many beautiful things in and around the Catholic church.  One of the things that most people may not get to see is the discernment process of men and women who are trying to decide on the next phase of their lives.

by Dan Byron,

of Catholic Stand

For These 40 Days, Francis Pushes Pause – Rocco Palmo, Whispers in the Loggia
How St. Teresa Benedicta Reconciled with Her Devout Jewish Mother – F. Phillips, CH
5 Challenging Quotes from ‘The Imitation of Christ’ on Humility – Phi. Kosloski, Aleteia
How to Find Your Friends in Heaven – Sherry Antonetti, NC Register
A Tabernacle Inspired by a Medieval Masterpiece – Kinga U. Lipinska, Lit Arts Journal
The Four Last Things – Dan Burke, Catholic Spiritual Direction
The Miraculous Grotto Where Mary Breastfed Jesus – Billy Ryan, uCatholic
The History & Significance of the Wedding Cake – Paul Sullins, Mercatornet
“Repent & Believe” – Rocco Palmo, Whispers in the Loggia
What Is the Sign of the Cross? – St. Francis De Sales, Catholic Exchange
The Secret to Helping Your Child Love Reading – Evgeny Terekhin, Seton Magazine
Where Exactly Was Jesus Baptized? – uCatholic
Practical Lessons for a Deeper Faith this Lent – Deacon Michael Bickerstaff, ICL™
In Vancouver, Lunar New Year bumps Friday abstinence for Asian Catholics – CNA
For Lent: “Thou Mastering Me God!” – Fr. Robert P. Imbelli, The Catholic Thing
The Healing Power of Tears – Richard Decker, Catholic Exchange
Note: A new post is published daily at 12:01 am U.S. Central Time
For the TVESDAY EDITION (20 February, AD 2018) click here.
For the TVESDAY EXTRA (20 February, AD 2018) click here.

SVNDAY EDITION Read More »