No pulse: How doctors reinvented the human heart

No Pulse: How Doctors Reinvented The Human Heart: Meeko the calf stood nuzzling a pile of hay. He didn’t seem to have much appetite, and he looked a little bored. Every now and then, he glanced up, as though wondering why so many people with clipboards were standing around watching him.

Here’s the reason fire trucks and ambulances have chains hanging from the bottom

The Reason Fire Trucks Have Chains Hanging From the Bottom | Mental Floss: Getting stuck behind a service vehicle like a fire truck, school bus, or ambulance can give you time to think. If you have a car that sits low enough to the ground, you might be able to catch a glimpse of chains hanging from underneath the truck. Why are they there?

Just another manic transday

Just another manic transday | Charlotte was BothWELBORN: Time for an update. There’s always something going on in this area, but today’s highlights might be particularly helpful in making the nonsense clear ... as nonsense. First, let’s return to Lia Thomas, male member of the UPenn women’s swim team. I first wrote about this a couple of weeks ago...

Want to be happier? Science says buying a little time leads to significantly greater life satisfaction

Want to be happier? Science says buying a little time leads to signifi: In 1930, the influential economist John Maynard Keynes assessed how technological and economic advances had reduced the number of hours the average person worked. He predicted that within two generations, most people would work only three hours a day.

NASA brings together 24 theologians to discuss alien contact

NASA Theologians: NASA Hired 24 Theologians to Prepare Humans for Alien Contact: We might be preparing to set up a colony on Mars and go even beyond, but the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) wants to know if humans will be okay if we come across alien life out there. So, it set up a year-long program to bring together 24 theologists to discuss the impact of such a finding, Futurism reported.

At Christmas, families are the guardians of tradition

At Christmas, Families are the Guardians of Tradition. | Classical Catholic EducationLANGLEY: Nothing makes us aware more poignantly that our permanent home is not on this earth than the Catholic traditions that surround our major feast days. No matter where our earthly home is, it is our Catholic traditions that remain permanent despite the ever flowing Heraclitian world of flux through which we travel as strangers and sojourners.

This Sunday, follow the star (not the ‘experts’)

This%20Sunday%2C%20Follow%20the%20Star%20%28Not%20the%20%u2018Experts%u2019%29%20%7C%20Ex%20Corde%20at%20Benedictine%20CollegeHOOPES: This Sunday the Church in the United States celebrates the Epiphany of the Lord, which is all about how God reveals himself to those who honestly seek him — and eludes those who don’t. The Gospel and readings present examples of seekers of truth so that we will ask, “Which one am I?” Compare three truth-seekers — the magi, Herod, and the scribes.

Like your calendar? Thank the Catholic Church

Like Your Calendar? Thank the Catholic Church - GmailBUNSON: On the night of October 4, 1582, the citizens of Spain and its colonies, Portugal, Poland, and most of Italy went to bed and woke up ten days later. The peculiar event was not some medieval miracle but was, in fact, an effort by the Church to bring about a badly needed change to time. Having decreed months before that a reform of the calendar was essential for the good of Western civilization...

‘He Must Decrease, I Must Increase’ — As Cupich Suppresses Traditional Worship, Video of Chicago Mass Divides Catholics

Did Father Michael Pfleger's Christmas Eve Mass in Chicago go too far? | Catholic News Agency: Outraged by a freewheeling Christmas Eve Mass that featured jazz musicians, choreographed dances around the altar, and theatrical lighting effects, some Catholics are calling on Cardinal Blase Cupich to crack down on liturgical abuses in Novus Ordo Masses in the Archdiocese of Chicago, rather than imposing severe restrictions on reverential Traditional Latin Masses.

News from the East, frozen assets, and the sixth day of Christmas

News from the East, frozen assets, and the sixth day of ChristmasCONDON: It’s New Year’s Eve, if you’re into that sort of thing. If you’re not, good for you — let’s call it the vigil of the Feast of Mary, Mother of God. I’ve never been one for going out on Dec. 31, and never really understood the attendant hoopla. On the eve of the new millennium, I made the effort to mission it into central London...

Who is my neighbor? Answered by a touching Christmas commercial

Who Is My Neighbor? Answered by a Touching Christmas Commercial - Community in MissionPOPE: In these days of nearly instant information availability, we think we know a lot about people, things, and issues. Truth be told, we may know more in a quantitative sense but less in a qualitative sense. Too much information can make us less discerning...

Top 5 most under-covered Vatican stories of 2021

Top Five Most Under-Covered Vatican Stories of 2021 | CruxALLEN: Every year, certain storylines dominate news coverage of the Vatican. Some are largely positive, though many tend to be negative, such as the clerical abuse scandals that have been a strong contender for biggest Vatican story of the year for each of the last 20 years. Reporters being basically pack animals, the inevitable effect of a few stories looking so large is that...

Synod on Sinicization: In secret meeting, Beijing lays out Communist religious vision for Hong Kong Catholics

Historic conclave: Chinese bishops, priests brief Hong Kong clerics on Xi's religious views | Reuters: Chinese bishops and religious leaders briefed senior Hong Kong Catholic clergymen on President Xi Jinping's vision of religion with "Chinese characteristics" in an unprecedented meeting organised by the mainland's representative office in the city, according to four clerics.

A writer, raised by atheist parents, reflects on the brilliance of ‘A Charlie Brown Christmas’ [you may hit a paywall here, but it’s well worth reading]

Charlie Brown Christmas Special: An Inside Job - The Atlantic: For half a century, it’s been one of the most significant phrases in American Christianity. A prelude to something sacred in an unlikely place: the Gospel of Luke, King James translation, as recited by Linus van Pelt in A Charlie Brown Christmas...

Our lives, our homes can be like Rivendell in the essentials. But it will require something very difficult...

Tolkienian Wisdom for Christmastide and the New Year - LifeCraftCUDDEBACK: I am not sure what to call the opposite of living-in-the-present, but I think I have become accustomed to it. Practices and dispositions now common among us subtly draw us away from really being present in the present. Fears that draw our imagination and thoughts to what might happen. Regular consumption of what poses as ‘news’ that fosters such fears...

Why are there so many Thai restaurants in America? The answer might surprise you...

New%20Advent%3A%20Why%20are%20there%20so%20many%20Thai%20restaurants%20in%20America%3F%20Most%20people%20won%u2019t%20guess%20the%20answer...: It’s a Thai government project that has been going on for decades...

Follow this script the next time an airline says they’re ‘bumping’ you to the next flight

Follow This Script The Next Time An Airline Says They're 'Bumping' You To The Next Flight - Digg: Lawyer and TikToker Erika Kullberg explains in simple steps how to get the maximum compensation when an airline suggests "bumping" you onto the next flight because they're overbooked. In the video, Kullberg cites Department of Transportation rules — which outlines the compensation that travelers are entitled to when airlines sell more tickets than they have seats.

This ‘miracle of the flowers’ near Turin has happened repeatedly for 600 years

This%20%u2018Miracle%20of%20the%20Flowers%u2019%20Has%20Happened%20Repeatedly%20Near%20Turin%20for%20600%20Years%7C%20National%20Catholic%20RegisterPRONECHEN: Christmas miracles do happen. One took place during the 12 days of Christmas 682 years ago — a miracle that has repeated every year since then except for the merest fraction of times. With the event came another title for our Blessed Mother — Our Lady of the Flowers. To be exact, the miracle took place on the evening of Dec. 29, 1336...

The year 2025 will be a Holy Year, and so might 2031 (Our Lady of Guadalupe) and 2033 (2,000th anniversary of Redemption)

How%20the%20Catholic%20Church%u2019s%20Holy%20Jubilees%20Have%20Taken%20Shape%20Over%20the%20Centuries%7C%20National%20Catholic%20RegisterDESOUZA: Whether there would be a holy year in 2025 was not clear. Not that anyone in Rome said that there wouldn’t be one, but there had been no confirmation of it, and very little talk about it. On the final Sunday of the year, the announcement was made in the underwhelming fashion. There will be a holy year in 2025, keeping the tradition of holy years every quarter-century...

Mother Teresa’s Missionaries of Charity Seek Swift Fix After Indian Government Blocks Foreign Donations

Mother%20Teresa%u2019s%20Missionaries%20of%20Charity%20seek%20swift%20fix%20after%20Indian%20government%20blocks%20foreign%20donations%20%7C%20Catholic%20News%20Agency: Supporters of Mother Teresa’s Missionaries of Charity reacted with surprise and concern to the Indian government’s ruling that the organization is now ineligible for foreign donations, but a spokeswoman for the Calcutta-based branch of the organization believes the situation will be remedied without much effect on the missionaries’ work.

Painting or icon? That big hole in New York Times report on Catholic University controversy

Painting%20or%20icon%3F%20That%20big%20hole%20in%20New%20York%20Times%20report%20on%20Catholic%20University%20controversy%20%u2014%20GetReligionMATTINGLY: Let’s start here: There is nothing new about artists painting images of Jesus as a Black man. A few of these images may have been controversial at the time of their creation, in part because of the political motivations of some (repeat “some”) artists. But the vast majority are clearly works of Christian devotion showing reverence for the Incarnation of Jesus Christ...

Cardinal Cupich Issues New Restrictions on Traditional Latin Masses

Cardinal Cupich Issues New Restrictions on Traditional Latin Masses| National Catholic Register: Cardinal Blase Cupich has issued a new policy for the Archdiocese of Chicago that curtails the celebration of the Traditional Latin Mass and other sacraments in Latin using liturgical books that pre-Vatican II. Under the policy, which takes effect Jan. 25, priests, deacons, and ordained ministers who wish to use the “old rite” must submit their requests to Cardinal Cupich in writing and agree to abide by the new norms.

Yes, Herod’s slaughter of the Holy Innocents really happened, and here is the historical evidence...

Yes, the Slaughter of the Innocents Really Happened, and Here Is the Evidence| National Catholic RegisterAKIN: On Dec. 28, the Church commemorates the slaughter of the holy innocents. These are the baby boys in Bethlehem that Herod the Great had slaughtered in an attempt to kill the Baby Jesus. But many people today challenge the idea that this ever took place. “We have no record of it!” they say. Actually, we do ...

On the Feast of the Holy Innocents, there’s something we have to make clear

There Is Something We Must Make Clear on the Feast of the Holy Innocents| National Catholic RegisterGRONDELSKI: Last year, both Father James Martin and papal biographer Austen Ivereigh took the occasion of the feast to tweet about immigration. Using the Holy Family’s Flight into Egypt as their hook, they tried to refocus the feast to the plight of refugees. There’s a grain of truth to that argument: the Holy Family had to live in Egypt for a time. But that’s not what is central to this feast, and what is central to this feast is what made them live in Egypt.

Love and marriage (and sex), our Christmas specials, and Cardinal Cupich’s crackdown on the Latin Mass

The Chicago Way, and 'In Case You Missed It' - The PillarJDFLYNN: Cardinal Blase Cupich, issued on Christmas Day a policy that restricts the Extraordinary Form in the Archdiocese of Chicago beyond most expectations, in the name of the ecclesial unity. The cardinal’s policy will require parishes or groups normally celebrating the Extraordinary Form to celebrate the Ordinary Form of the Mass at least once monthly, and at Christmas, Easter, the Triduum, and Pentecost.

Is it still Christmas? The octave, the 12 days, and what you need to know

Is it still Christmas? The octave, the 12 days, and what you need to know: Christmas is December 25, right? Or maybe it’s an eight-day celebration — something called an “octave?” But aren’t there 12 days of Christmas? Yes. The answer to each of those questions is “yes.” When Catholics talk about “Christmas,” they mean more than one thing — actually they mean several overlapping things. And, well, if you’re not versed in the lingo, that can get a bit confusing...

Christmas is full of paradoxes. Here are 12 examples...

Paradoxes of Christmas - Community in MissionPOPE: In the ancient Church and up until rather recently, one genuflected at the two references to the Incarnation during the Mass: during the Creed and in the Last Gospel (John 1). Why was this done? It was explained to me that the mystery of the Incarnation is so deep, one can only fall in silent reverence. There are many paradoxes and seeming impossibilities in the Incarnation...

To understand Catholicism, you need to get Italy

To understand Catholicism, you need to get Italy | CruxALLEN: If you were an American Catholic who carved out space midday Friday to watch Pope Francis lead the traditional Christmas Eve Mass, you may have tripped over a section of his homily in which, seemingly out of a clear blue sky, he brought up workplace safety and issued the cry, “On the day of Life, let us repeat: no more deaths in the workplace!”

Myanmar Cardinal Pleads for Peace After 38 Killed in ‘Christmas Massacre’

Myanmar%20cardinal%20pleads%20for%20peace%20after%2038%20killed%20in%20%u2018Christmas%20massacre%u2019%20%7C%20Crux: After nearly 40 people were killed in a brutal attack in eastern Myanmar right before Christmas, Cardinal Charles Bo of Yangon made an appeal to both government and opposition forces to stop the violence and begin pursuing peaceful dialogue. The killing of at least 38 civilians in Mo So village, in Myanmar’s Hpruso, Kayah (Karenni) State “is a heart-breaking and horrific atrocity which I condemn fully and unreservedly with all my heart,” Bo said in his Dec. 26 message.

The Holy Family makes Christmas last all year

This Sunday, the Holy Family Makes Christmas Last All Year | Ex Corde at Benedictine CollegeHOOPES: This Sunday, the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, the Gospel shows how Christmas provides every family member a model for how to live the joy of Christmas year round. Every family role can turn negative and harmful if one ingredient is missing; with that ingredient, family life is a joy. St. Paul tells the Colossians the secret to family life is to above all “put on love, that is, the bond of perfection.”

Christmas’ message of joy is anchored in the biblical story of the Nativity

Christmas%u2019%20Message%20of%20Joy%20Is%20Anchored%20in%20the%20Biblical%20Story%20of%20the%20Nativity%7C%20National%20Catholic%20RegisterBARBER: That Christmas involves a message of “joy” is anchored in the biblical story of the Nativity itself. The angel who appears to the shepherd in the field on the night of Jesus’ birth announces: “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring to you good tidings of great joy, which shall be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a savior who is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:10-11).

Holy Family Sunday: God’s plan for marriage and family life

Holy%20Family%20Sunday%3A%20God%u2019s%20Plan%20for%20Marriage%20and%20Family%20Life%7C%20National%20Catholic%20RegisterPOPE: Here is God’s basic teaching on family and marriage and its structure: a father in honor over his children in a fruitful, stable and lasting relationship with his wife, who is supportive of her husband and his authority. He supports, loves and encourages his wife and confirms her authority over the children. The children honor and obey their parents, who instruct and admonish their children...

Pope Francis Encourages Married Couples to Rely on Christ in Letter for Feast of the Holy Family

Pope Francis encourages married couples to rely on Christ in letter for Feast of the Holy Family | Catholic News Agency: On the Feast of the Holy Family, Pope Francis encouraged married couples to rely on the strength of Christ and his graces as they weather the storms of life together. In a letter to spouses Dec. 26, Pope Francis wrote that “marriage, as a vocation, calls you to steer a tiny boat — wave-tossed yet sturdy, thanks to the reality of the sacrament — across a sometimes stormy sea.”

Full Text: Pope Francis’ Christmas Urbi et Orbi Blessing 2021

Full%20Text%3A%20Pope%20Francis%u2019%20Christmas%20Urbi%20et%20Orbi%20Blessing%202021%7C%20National%20Catholic%20RegisterCOAT OF ARMS: Dear brothers and sisters, Happy Christmas! The Word of God, who created the world and who gives meaning to history and to humanity’s journey, became flesh and came to dwell among us. He came like a whisper, like the murmur of a gentle breeze, to fill with wonder the heart of every man and woman who is open to this mystery. The Word became flesh in order to dialogue with us. God does not desire to carry on a monologue, but a dialogue...

Pope’s Christmas Urbi Et Orbi Blessing: ‘Today, the Love That Moves the Sun and Stars Became Flesh’

Pope%u2019s%20Christmas%20Urbi%20Et%20Orbi%20Blessing%3A%20%u2018Today%2C%20the%20Love%20That%20Moves%20the%20Sun%20and%20Stars%20Became%20Flesh%u2019%7C%20National%20Catholic%20Register: Giving his traditional Christmas “Urbi et Orbi” blessing on Saturday, Pope Francis urged leaders to be open to dialogue to resolve the world’s many “conflicts, crises and disagreements.” Speaking from the central balcony overlooking a rainy St. Peter’s Square on Dec. 25, the Pope said that people had become so accustomed to disputes that “by now we hardly even notice them.”

How young saints teach us holiness

How%20Young%20Saints%20Teach%20Us%20Holiness%20%u2013%20Building%20Catholic%20CultureSTAUDT: Advent and Christmas lead us to talk about child saints. We have the patron saint of children, St. Nicholas, on December 5; we focus on the Annunciation and Visitation, which occurred when Mary herself was a very young, teenage, woman; we contemplate God’s becoming a babe for us; and we have the feast of the Holy Innocents during the Octave of Christmas. It is amazing how many young saints have died in defense of the faith and chastity, sharing in the witness of the Holy Innocents.

Mass confusion, a cardinal’s Christmas card, and a scandalous birth

Mass%20confusion%2C%20a%20cardinal%u2019s%20Christmas%20card%2C%20and%20a%20scandalous%20birthCONDON: Pillar reader Cardinal Angelo Becciu sent an extended Christmas card to his brother Cardinal George Pell in the form of an open letter this week. The former sostituto of the Secretariat of State has been in a state of public disgrace since being sacked by the pope last year, and charged in July with a range of crimes, including embezzlement and abuse of office.

Vatican Announces Francis to Beatify John Paul I, the Pope of 33 Days, in September 2022

Pope%20Francis%20to%20beatify%20%u2018smiling%20pope%u2019%20John%20Paul%20I%20in%20September%202022%20%7C%20Catholic%20News%20Agency: Pope Francis will beatify the “smiling pope” John Paul I on Sept. 4, 2022. Vatican News, the website overseen by the Vatican’s Dicastery for Communication, said on Dec. 23 that the pope who reigned for only 33 days will be beatified in St. Peter’s Basilica. It added that the Congregation for the Causes of Saints shared the ceremony’s date with Cardinal Beniamino Stella, postulator of the cause of canonization...

The earthiness of Christmas celebrates an enfleshed, Divine Savior, Who was once an infant

The sacred earthiness of ChristmasWEIGEL: A massive, 16-volume Lives of the Saints, first published between 1872 and 1877, informs me that, here in the Eternal City, the feast of Christmas first became a celebration distinct from the ancient feast of the Epiphany in the mid-fourth century — and that St. John Chrysostom, one of the four doctors of the Church who support the cathedra in Bernini’s bronze masterpiece...

Pope St. John Paul II was right: Mercy is a virtue for political life

Healing the Land - Comment MagazinePHILPOTT: In a durable democracy, elections are the ultimate means of resolving conflicts lawfully and peacefully. So, when a candidate refuses to abide by the results of a presidential election, when a third of the electorate believes that the election was fraudulent, and when a faction assaults the US Capitol to prevent certifying the election, these stand as warning signs that a body politic’s long-standing aches and pains have progressed to a dangerous illness...

Pure joy: This Catholic school teacher promised her 3rd-graders hot chocolate if she made the shot ... and the crowd goes wild!

New Advent: This teacher promised her 3rd-graders hot chocolate if she made the shot ... and the crowd goes wild!: If you think these kids are jumping off the walls now, wait till Ms. Fitz gives them that liquid sugar she promised...

Christmas Roundtable: What do you tell your kids about Santa Claus? Which Christmas carol is the best? And more...

Christmas%20Roundtable%3A%20Do%20You%20Tell%20Your%20Kids%20About%20Santa%3F%20Which%20Carol%20Is%20the%20Best%3F%20And%20More%u2026%7C%20National%20Catholic%20RegisterLIEDL: Dec. 25 is a federal holiday. But just because Uncle Sam takes Christmas Day off from work doesn’t mean that Catholics should be taking their Christmas cues from ambient American culture. Whether the true religious meaning of the holiday is acknowledged or not, the Christmas season in America tends to be overly commercialized, overly stressful and over before it’s really even begun...

Archbishop Roche on ‘Traditionis Custodes’ and its guidelines: ‘The liturgical possibilities are in place’

Archbishop%20Roche%20on%20%u2018Traditionis%20Custodes%u2019%20and%20Its%20Guidelines%3A%20%u2018The%20Litugical%20Possibilities%20Are%20in%20Place%u2019%7C%20National%20Catholic%20RegisterPENTIN: The promotion of the traditional liturgy has been “curtailed but does not characterize discrimination,” Archbishop Arthur Roche has said in Dec. 22 comments to the Register. “What is important to realize now is that the Holy Father has spoken,” the prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments continued...

Cathy Ruse offers ways to fight back against radical sex ed in schools

Respect%20Life%20Radio%20Podcast%20-%20Cathy%20Ruse%3A%20Parents%20fight%20back%20%u2014%20radical%20Sex%20Ed%20in%20schools%20%28Part%201%20of%202%29%20%7C%20Free%20Listening%20on%20Podbean%20App: “And that’s when I learned that right down the street a spiritual battle was raging over the bodies and souls of the next generation. And the sexual left was winning. And the other side, my side, wasn't even on the battlefield. But I am convinced, thanks be to God, that that is about to change,” said Cathy Ruse...

Hindu Nationalists Hit Indian Christians With Anti-Conversion ‘Christmas Whammy’

Hindu%20Nationalists%20Hit%20Indian%20Christians%20With%20Anti-Conversion%20%u2018Christmas%20Whammy%u2019%7C%20National%20Catholic%20Register: Some Christians in India are having nightmarish times ahead of this Christmas. Alongside brazen attacks on Christian targets in several states and a Missionaries of Charity home in Gujarat state charged with “conversion,” the conversion issue has escalated with an anti-conversion bill presented Dec. 21 in the legislature of southern Karnataka state.

Pope Francis Meets Metropolitan Hilarion as Hopes Rise for Second Summit With Moscow Patriarch

Pope Francis meets Metropolitan Hilarion as hopes rise for second summit with Moscow patriarch | Catholic News Agency: Pope Francis met with Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk on Wednesday amid rising expectations of a second encounter between the Pope and the head of the Russian Orthodox Church in 2022. The Holy See press office said that the Pope received the chairman of the Department for External Church Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate before his general audience on Dec. 22.

What you need to know about shopping for olive oil without getting ripped off

New Advent: What you need to know about shopping for olive oil without getting ripped off: Ingredient expert Jack Bishop shares tips for buying extra-virgin olive oil...

Have yourself a sad and lifeless Christmas

Have Yourself a Sad and Lifeless Christmas | Catholic Answers: In London, early on a Christmas morning, a family was busily preparing a goose, plum pudding, chestnuts, and other delectable items for the holiday’s feast. Suddenly, there were loud knocks at the door, which, when opened, did not reveal faces of well-wishers or visiting relatives...

What are the laity supposed to be?

What Are the Laity Supposed to Be? - Word on FireBARRON: Back in the 1950s, Dorothy Day, the co-founder of the Catholic Worker Movement, began to articulate a vision that was largely ratified at the Second Vatican Council. She said that the prevailing notion of a “commandments spirituality” for the laity and a “counsels spirituality” for the clergy was dysfunctional...

A message from the Lord for the final week of Advent

A Late Advent Message From the Lord - Community in MissionPOPE: As the end of Advent approaches, the Office of Readings features some final admonitions from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah. On the one hand they console; on the other, they challenge us to remain firm. Isaiah addressed a people in exile who still awaited the first coming of the Lord. Today, these texts speak to us in difficult times when, exiled from Heaven, we await His magnificent Second Coming.

Here are 3 keys to getting intense and rejuvenating rest this Christmas

3 Keys to Intense Rest this Christmas - LifeCraftCUDDEBACK: Toiling together and resting together are two things we crave. These are the two main kinds of activity nature provides to join us with those we love. In these we enact our relationships and experience the choicest joys. This time of year offers unique opportunity to think about and to enact toil and rest...

Pope Francis Names Scranton’s Father Jeffrey Walsh as New Bishop of Gaylord, Michigan

Pope Francis names new bishop for Catholic Diocese of Gaylord | Catholic News Agency: Pope Francis on Tuesday named a new bishop for the Catholic Diocese of Gaylord, Michigan. The pope appointed Father Jeffrey J. Walsh, a priest of the Diocese of Scranton, Pennsylvania, on Dec. 21 to the post that had remained vacant for more than a year and a half. The 56-year-old is currently serving as the pastor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish and Saint Rose of Lima Parish in Carbondale, a city in Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania.

‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ is a movie about Divine Providence, Our Father’s protective care for all of us

Divine%20Providence%20and%20%u2018It%u2019s%20a%20Wonderful%20Life%u2019%7C%20National%20Catholic%20RegisterGRONDELSKI: It’s a Wonderful Life is an American Christmas viewing tradition. No doubt the sentimentality, the warm memories of growing up, the “feel good” and “happy ending” aspects of the film all make it a great holiday film. But I’ve argued that ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ has deeper and very Catholic meanings. Today I’d like to explore one of them: Divine Providence...

As an exorcist, I have heard the demonically oppressed consistently relate these 6 basic messages. Don’t believe them. They’re all lies...

Satan's Six Messages - SpiritualDirection.comROSETTI: When discerning whether someone has a demonic problem or not, I typically ask what “messages” they are hearing in their heads. Over the years, I have heard the demonically possessed and oppressed consistently relate six basic messages. Satan whispers (or yells!) these in people’s heads without respite. There is a little bit of this mental negativism in all of us, we who are tainted by Original Sin...

Listen to ‘Fiat: A Nativity Story’ — an audio drama on the birth of Our Lord

Fiat: A Nativity Story Audio Drama - Rosary ArmyWILLITS: Join us for a very special production of Fiat: A Nativity Story. This unique audio experience is a special Christmas edition of the Adventures in Imperfect Living podcast that brings the Christmas story to life with a dynamic soundtrack and cast in an immersive audio experience. We hope you enjoy and share this special presentation with your family and friends as we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.

A London ice cream man named Hasan Dervish just died and his touching funeral procession, full of ice cream trucks, has gone viral

The 'King of the ice-cream' whose funeral was marked by a fleet of vans paying touching tribute | Daily Mail Online: The first image of the ice cream seller whose funeral procession included a fleet of trucks, has been released by his family. Hasan Dervish, 62, was given a unique send off, with a number of ice cream trucks seen following behind the main funeral car. His brother Savash Turkel paid tribute to Hasan on social media, uploading an image alongside a short written tribute...

Pope Calls Domestic Abuse ‘Almost Satanic’ in New TV Special

Pope%20Francis%20calls%20domestic%20abuse%20%u2018satanic%u2019%20during%20new%20television%20special%20%7C%20Catholic%20News%20Agency: In a new television interview aired on Sunday, Pope Francis spoke to four people who have faced difficult life circumstances, including a mother of four children who was a victim of domestic violence.

Caritas appeals for aid after typhoon claims more than 200 lives in Philippines

Caritas appeals for aid after typhoon claims over 200 lives in Philippines - Catholic News Service: Super Typhoon Rai has claimed more than 200 lives since making landfall in the Visayas and Mindanao region, Philippine authorities said. “We now have 208 dead and 52 are still missing. As relief efforts continued following one of the deadliest typhoons to have struck Southeast Asia, we have mobilized all police forces to help the local governments in the region to find the 52 missing individuals”

Here’s an explainer on the Vatican’s responses to the dubia on ‘Traditionis Custodes’

Vatican%20answers%20the%20dubia%20on%20%27Traditionis%20custodes%27%20-%20Here%u2019s%20what%20it%20meansJDFLYNN: Framed as responses to 11 questions about the meaning of Traditionis custodes, the document issued Saturday offers a more restricting interpretation of the pope’s July policies than that which has guided the implementation efforts of some U.S. bishops. So what did the Congregation say? Traditionis custodes permitted bishops to designate “one or more locations” where the Extraordinary Form of the Mass could be celebrated in their dioceses...

New Liturgy Document ‘Does Not Directly Address’ Former Ecclesia Dei Communities, Says FSSP

FSSP: New liturgy document 'does not directly address' former Ecclesia Dei communities | Catholic News Agency: One of the largest traditional societies of apostolic life responded to the latest document issued by the Congregation for Divine Worship that further outlines restrictions on the Traditional Latin Mass. “The recent document from the Congregation for Divine Worship released on December 18th does not directly address the former Ecclesia Dei communities such as the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter who possess their own proper law,” said a statement from the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter (FSSP), published to their website on Saturday.

What 30 kinds of online Catholics would be, if they were Muppets (which one are you?)

New Advent: What 30 kinds of online Catholics would be, if they were Muppets (which one are you?): See the full list of 30 in this Twitter thread by Catholic graphic designer John Herreid.

Mary is truly extraordinary, but for one reason only: Her relationship to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit

This Sunday, Honor Mary by Sharing in Her Greatness | Ex Corde at Benedictine CollegeHOOPES: This Sunday, the Fourth Sunday of Advent Year C, could be called “Mary Sunday.” Each year, the Church prepares for Christmas in this last week by looking to the Blessed Mother. The readings this year stress just how extraordinary and unique Mary is — and just how ordinary and alike every other Christian she is at exactly the same time. The Old Testament prophet Micah predicts Mary in the first reading...

Vatican insiders say reports of Cardinal Peter Turkson’s Vatican resignation are ‘credible’

Vatican insiders: Reports of Cardinal Peter Turkson's resignation 'credible' | Catholic News AgencyGAGLIARDUCCI: Cardinal Peter Turkson's tenure as prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development may be coming to an end. Various Vatican sources told CNA that a recent report by a traditionalist blog claiming that Turkson was set to resign is "credible." Turkson has been the first prefect of the dicastery since Aug. 31, 2016. His five-year term mandate expired in September, so it was taken for granted he would be confirmed for a second mandate.

Pope Francis Further Tightens Restrictions on Traditional Catholic Rites as CDF Responds to 11 ‘Traditionis Custodes’ Dubia

Traditionis custodes: Vatican further tightens restrictions on Traditional Latin Mass | Catholic News Agency: The Vatican issued Saturday further strict guidelines on the celebration of the Traditional Latin Mass, in response to questions about the motu proprio Traditionis custodes. The explanatory document, which bans confirmations and ordinations according to pre-Vatican II Roman Missals, was published Dec. 18 with Pope Francis’ approval, the Vatican’s liturgy office said.

Both Vatican and USCCB Prepared Transgender Policies That Went Unpublished, Sources Say

Vatican and USCCB leave transgender policy texts unpublishedJDFLYNN: While U.S. bishops have made headlines for releasing policies addressing gender identity and pastoral ministry, guidelines on the subject have been drafted but not published by both the U.S. bishops’ conference and the Vatican’s doctrinal office, leaving diocesan bishops to address the issue at the local level.

This cook wants to show you a Risotto Style Pasta Technique that he says will rock your world

New Advent: This cook wants to show you a Risotto Style Pasta Technique that he says will rock your world: From cooking YouTuber Ethan Chlebowski

Scientists discover world’s first true millipede, with 1,306 legs, living 200 feet underground in Australia

First%20true%20millipede%20discovered%u2014new%20species%20has%201%2C306%20legs%20%7C%20National%20Geographic: Scientists in Australia have discovered a new species of millipede that lives 200 feet underground, has no eyes, and scurries around on 1,306 legs. They named it Eumillipes persephone after Persephone, the Greek goddess and queen of the underworld. But this new invertebrate deserves a crown for another reason: It has the most legs of any creature on Earth, living or dead.

The O Antiphons, which begin today (Dec. 17), are expressions of Messianic hope

The O Antiphons - Expressions of Messianic hope - Our Lady's Blue ArmyFOLEY: As Christmas Day approaches, it’s good to adopt the mind and spirit of the Church in anticipation of this great and festive event. One way we can do this is by following the Mass readings of the days from Dec. 17 to 25 and by reflecting on what are known as the Great Advent Antiphons or “O Antiphons.” These antiphons, thought to date back as far as the sixth century...

Today, Dec. 17, Pope Francis becomes only the seventh pope to serve in office at age 85.

Pope Francis and Divine Providence| National Catholic RegisterDESOUZA: On the occasion of his birthday, one might marvel at the ways that Divine Providence has moved in the life of Jorge Bergoglio. Why limit what Providence can do might indeed be theme of the twists and turns of his extraordinary life. Fifty years ago, at the age of 35, a young Father Bergoglio was only two years ordained a priest and preparing to complete his final vows as a Jesuit...

FDA allows women to procure abortion pills by mail

BREAKING: FDA Allows Women to Procure Abortion Pills by Mail| National Catholic Register: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) lifted restrictions on mifepristone, a drug approved for use in medical abortions, on Thursday. The decision authorizes doctors to prescribe the drugs online and mail the pills, allowing women to perform early abortions — up to 10 weeks of gestation — without leaving their homes. The FDA first approved mifepristone, which is paired with another drug called misoprostol, for earlier abortions in 2000.

30 years ago, due to an autopilot failure, this Boeing 747 flirted with breaking the speed of sound

A Boeing 747 Once Flirted With Supersonic Speed During A Dive: Thirty years ago, a Boeing 747 freighter rolled into a steep dive without the pilots noticing. The aircraft would lose 10,000 feet of altitude and reach speeds of at least 0.98 Mach, flirting with supersonic speed and causing structural damage. This is what happened over Canada on that day.

The 5 best places in the world to attend Midnight Mass on Christmas

5 Best Places In The World To Attend Midnight Mass On ChristmasLISI: As Christmas Day approaches, more and more of us are wrapping up gifts and mailing out cards. Many of you are also packing your bags and planning trips this holiday season. But Christmas is about more than just presents, cards and trips. It’s the time of year when Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus. For Roman Catholics and many other Christian denominations, Advent...

7 suggestions for Christmas giving, in the form of books

Books for Christmas 2021WEIGEL: The vindication of Cardinal George Pell by Australia’s High Court in April 2020 was an unalloyed joy amidst Plague Time. With this third volume, Ignatius Press completes the publication of Cardinal Pell’s remarkable prison diary, which has become something of a modern spiritual classic, even as it has introduced the real George Pell to a world audience bombarded for decades by media caricatures of the man...

Pope turns 85: Gloves come off as Francis’ reform hits stride

Pope at 85: Gloves come off as Francis' reform hits stride | AP News: Pope Francis celebrated his 85th birthday on Friday, a milestone made even more remarkable given the coronavirus pandemic, his summertime intestinal surgery and the weight of history: His predecessor retired at this age and the last pope to have lived any longer was Leo XIII over a century ago.

After blood fails to liquefy, Naples turns to ‘intense prayer’ — bringing ‘Miracle of St. Januarius’ several hours later

sg: The blood of St. Januarius liquefied on Thursday after a day of intense prayer in the Italian city of Naples. The newspaper Il Messaggero reported that the miracle took place on the evening of Dec. 16. It quoted the Museum of the Treasure of San Gennaro as saying: “After an entire day of prayers and the constant intonation of the ancient song of the ‘relatives’ of St. Januarius, who since this morning have invoked the dissolution of the solid blood clot, the miracle of St. Januarius took place at 5:59 p.m. today.”

Trauma surgeon breaks down every injury sustained by Harry and Marv in ‘Home Alone’

New%20Advent%3A%20Trauma%20surgeon%20breaks%20down%20every%20injury%20sustained%20by%20Harry%20and%20Marv%20in%20%u2018Home%20Alone%u2019: Trauma surgeon Annie Onishi is back with WIRED, this time to go over the Home Alone films (you know, the ones that MATTER). Annie breaks down every injury from the first two films, explaining what would happen if Harry and Marv actually experienced the physical trauma that they sustain in the films...

The Age of Faith isn’t over. It’s never over in a believing heart. That’s why we sing Christmas carols...

The Music of the Season | Francis X. Maier | First ThingsMAIER: The Pennsylvania state lottery has, as its spokesperson, a talking groundhog. This supersized rodent shows up with his criminal gang of faux carolers every December. They then hijack the airwaves and rework the lyrics of “The Twelve Days of Christmas” into a siren song for gambling. And why not? When the holiday snow glistens, so the marketing hypnosis suggests, everyone can afford to risk a few (or more than a few) dollars on the prospect of winning mythically fantastic wealth...

You can be learn a lot about a person when you drive by his home daily for years...

Just%20Missing%20John%20%u2013%20Theology%20of%20HomeGRESS: I don’t remember when I started paying attention to John’s home, but it must have been within months of moving into our new neighborhood over a decade ago. I actually never met him. I’m not even sure his name is John, but that’s what sticks in my mind; a good strong name for a man nearing the end of his life; the kind of man they don’t seem to make anymore...

Cardinal Pell has one question for Cardinal Becciu about mysterious $1.65 million transfer to Australia: ‘Will he just tell us what the money was sent for?’

Cardinal%20Pell%20Has%20One%20Question%20for%20Cardinal%20Becciu%3A%20%u2018Will%20He%20Just%20Tell%20Us%20What%20the%20Money%20Was%20Sent%20for%3F%u2019%7C%20National%20Catholic%20RegisterDESMOND: When Cardinal George Pell took a leave of absence in 2018 from his post as the inaugural prefect of the Secretariat for the Economy and returned to Australia to stand trial for his “historic sexual abuse” case, he was the highest ranking Church official to be swept up in a decades-long global scandal that has shattered victims and wreaked havoc on the Church’s moral credibility.

Traditional Catholics sound alarm as Rome suppresses 6 out of 7 sacraments in traditional form

Traditional Catholics Sound Alarm As Rome Suppresses Most Old Rite Sacraments| National Catholic RegisterPENTIN: Canon lawyers and experts in the traditional liturgy have warned that a pastoral instruction issued by the Diocese of Rome that bans traditional communities and priests from celebrating all the sacraments with the exception of the Eucharist according to the traditional form of the Roman Rite is unlawful and will harm souls if allowed to continue.

For Second Consecutive Year, Blood of St. Januarius Fails to Liquefy on Mount Vesuvius Eruption Anniversary

San%20Gennaro%u2019s%20blood%20fails%20to%20liquefy%20at%20start%20of%20December%20anniversary%20%7C%20Catholic%20News%20Agency: The blood of St. Januarius, patron of the Italian city of Naples, remained solid on Thursday morning, so far failing to liquefy in December for the second consecutive year. The liquefaction traditionally happens at least three times a year: Sept. 19, the saint’s feast day, the first Saturday of May, and Dec. 16, the anniversary of the 1631 eruption of Mount Vesuvius.

Gregorian University in Rome attracts criticism for handling of plagiarism accusations

Catholic Gregorian University in Rome attracts criticism for handling of plagiarism accusations | Catholic News Agency: A Catholic university in Rome has been criticized for its response to claims that some past students may have plagiarized their doctoral dissertations. In 2019, Scottish Bishop Stephen Robson was accused of having plagiarized parts of his doctoral dissertation, which was accepted by the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome in 2003.

Despite Kentucky tornadoes, Virgin Mary statue still stands — and Catholics offer help

Despite%20Kentucky%20tornadoes%2C%20Virgin%20Mary%20statue%20still%20stands%u2014and%20Catholics%20offer%20help%20%7C%20Catholic%20News%20Agency: The deadly storms that hit nine states in the Midwest and the South produced an image of a statue of the Virgin Mary and Christ Child, seemingly untouched outside the damaged building of Resurrection Catholic Church.

Archaeologists in Israel discover 2,000-year-old synagogue in hometown of St. Mary Magdalene

Synagogue where Mary Magdalene may have worshipped discovered in Israel | CruxCOLLINS: A 2,000-year-old synagogue has been found in what is believed to be the hometown of Mary Magdalene. The synagogue is the second to be found in ancient Magdala, after the first was found in 2009 during the construction of a Catholic visitor’s center in the town – now called Migdal – off the Sea of Galilee in northern Israel.

Billie Eilish says watching porn from age 11 ‘really destroyed my brain’ and now she says ‘porn is a disgrace’

Billie Eilish says watching porn from age 11 'really destroyed my brain' - CNN: Grammy-winning singer Billie Eilish has spoken about an addiction to watching pornography, starting at age 11, and how it gave her nightmares and messed her up when she started dating. Eilish, who turns 20 on Saturday, was speaking on ‘The Howard Stern Show’ on Sirius XM radio on Monday...

Pope’s Wednesday Audience: ‘Learn from St. Joseph how to cultivate spaces for silence’

Pope Francis at the general audience: Learn from St. Joseph to cultivate silence | Catholic News Agency: Pope Francis invited Catholics on Wednesday to learn from St. Joseph how to cultivate silence in their everyday lives. Speaking at his general audience in the Vatican’s Paul VI Hall on Dec. 15, the pope noted that the Gospels do not contain a single word spoken by the foster father of Jesus.

Caught on GoPro: Incredible wingsuit BASE jump from the top of Italy’s 9,000-foot Monte Agnèr

New%20Advent%3A%20Caught%20on%20GoPro%3A%20Incredible%20wingsuit%20BASE%20jump%20from%20the%20top%20of%20Italy%u2019s%209%2C000-foot%20Monte%20Agn%E8r: From the YouTube channel Dom.e Wingsuit...

From Canadian hidden-camera show ‘Just For Laughs’ — Young woman asks for directions, then turns into an old man...

New%20Advent%3A%20From%20Canadian%20hidden-camera%20show%20%u2018Just%20For%20Laughs%u2019%20%u2014%20Young%20woman%20asks%20for%20directions%2C%20then%20turns%20into%20an%20old%20man...: People passing by are happy to help out this tourist, who is touting a massive backpack. But as soon as they look up from the map, she’s disappeared...

What I’ve learned rescuing my daughter from her transgender fantasy

What%20I%u2019ve%20Learned%20Rescuing%20My%20Daughter%20From%20Her%20Transgender%20Fantasy%20-%20The%20Stream: My daughter was an ultrafeminine girl since birth. She insisted that her room be painted pink, and she refused to wear anything but dresses until third grade. She avoided her older brother’s toys and sports, choosing tea sets and Shopkins, a series of tiny, collectible toys. Her favorite activity was to slip into my closet and don my few sparkly clothes and shiniest of heels...

If you desire a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, then know why He died and suffered for you

If you desire a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, then know why He died and suffered for you. | Knowing Is DoingTORRE: Sometime ago, I was invited to give a presentation on the importance of developing an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ. The irony of this presentation was that it was directed to a protestant multidenominational audience. You may ask why would someone invite a Catholic to speak on developing a personal relationship with Jesus Christ to a group of Protestant brothers and sisters who probably already have an active relationship with Him...

Writer Casey Chalk on Respect Life Radio: How you can help Christians persecuted in Muslim lands

Casey Chalk: How to help Christians persecuted in Muslim lands: “We need to view the persecuted Church as our brothers and sisters in Christ. When we go to Communion, we can remember them, we can unite our prayers to their prayers, and their sufferings before Christ. The more that we do that — and really make...a spiritual communion of it and devote our prayers to it — the more that we will recognize them as those who are certainly deserving, not only of our prayers, but all the help that we can muster”

Why is persecution of Christians on the rise worldwide?

Why is persecution of Christians on the rise? | Catholic CultureMIRUS: In some cases over the centuries, hostility toward Christians has arisen because of popular loyalty to false gods or—as we know from the riot of the silversmiths in Ephesus recounted in Acts 19—simply because of the financial advantages of promoting pagan worship. More often, of course, the root cause of Christian persecution has been Christian witness to the moral life...

What is ‘Countdown to the Kingdom?’ Can its predictions of the future be trusted?

What Is Countdown to the Kingdom? | Catholic AnswersAKIN: Countdown to the Kingdom is a prophecy-centered website run by Catholic authors Christine Watkins and Mark Mallett. It anticipates the fulfillment in our day of various prophecies from public and private revelation, which it integrates into an overall scenario represented by a timeline on its website. The scenario involves the seven seals prophecy from the book of Revelation...

In the Vatican: A Hungarian bailout? A synod debacle?

In the Vatican: A Hungarian bailout? A synod debacle?JDFLYNN: In 2013, the Vatican’s commercial bank, the IOR, agreed to invest 41 million euros into a fund that would purchase and redevelop the Budapest Exchange Palace. The Exchange Palace is a beautiful old 1905 building, with a grand atrium and Beaux-Arts design, which was built in central Budapest to house the Hungarian stock exchange...

The Lateran Palace in Rome, home of the popes for almost 1,000 years, opens to visitors

The Lateran Palace in Rome, Where Popes Resided for Centuries, Opens to Visitors| National Catholic Register: Starting Dec. 13, pilgrims as well as art and history lovers are now able to access the Lateran Palace, a high place of the history of Christianity in Rome. Adjacent to the Archbasilica of St. John Lateran, the Cathedral Church of Rome and the seat of the pope as the bishop of Rome, the palace served as the residence of popes for almost a millennium, until the residence was transferred to the Vatican in the 14th century, after the Avignon Papacy...

Witness the rarely-seen Catholic ceremony where scissors are thrown around a church and women become Byzantine nuns

With Great Joy! Witness the Rarely-Seen Life Profession of Byzantine Nuns| National Catholic RegisterKLESKO: It is a rare thing to witness the life profession of a Byzantine nun. I was blessed to view the livestream of Sister Natalia and Sister Petra’s life profession via Christ the Bridegroom’s Facebook page. I was struck by the words of the Gospel of St. Luke — “Put out into the deep and let your nets down for a catch.” It occurred to me that these words of Our Lord serve two purposes...

This iPhone app called ‘Blower’ says it can blow out candles — and it actually works! So what’s the trick?

New%20Advent%3A%20This%20iPhone%20app%20called%20%u2018Blower%u2019%20says%20it%20can%20blow%20out%20candles.%20Turns%20out%2C%20it%20actually%20works%21%20So%20what%u2019s%20the%20trick%3F: The Action Lab shows you how an app can blow wind out of your phone — enough to blow out candles...

Diocese announces sanctions on Spanish bishop who attempted marriage with writer of Satanic books

Diocese announces sanctions on Spanish bishop who attempted marriage | Catholic News Agency: The apostolic administrator of Solsona announced Saturday that the diocese’s former bishop, Xavier Novell i Gomà, had incurred suspension when he attempted marriage last month. Bishop Novell, 52, attempted marriage with Sílvia Caballol i Clemente, herself a divorcee, Nov. 22, in a civil ceremony.

Watch these rare ocean creatures caught on candid robot camera

Videos of rare deep-sea marine life near California | Popular Science: Is there anything dreamier than a giant phantom jelly billowing in the midst of a deep-sea “snowstorm” ? Depends on personal preference. Maybe you’d be more inspired by a whalefish flickering in the calm waters like an infrared sensor. Or a barreleye fish snaking through the inky depths.

Why was Jesus born when and where He was?

Why Was Jesus Born When and Where He Was? - Community in MissionPOPE: In preparation for the coming of Christmas, we have been discussing some of St. Thomas Aquinas’ writings. In this last installment we’ll be looking at his commentary on the time and place of Jesus’ birth. We live in a culture that tends toward a kind of temporal pride. We think that we have come of age...

Wokeism — what it is, where it came from, and 3 tips on how to combat its errors

New%20Advent%3A%20Wokeism%20%u2014%20what%20it%20is%2C%20where%20it%20came%20from%2C%20and%203%20tips%20on%20how%20to%20combat%20its%20errorsSTEFANICK: Wokeism. It’s the new worldview made popular by a convergence of movements seeking to right the wrongs in the world. So where does it come from? Some think that wokeism finds its roots in the post-modern deconstructionist movement that exploded in French universities in the last century...

Vatican Restores Synod Website Link to New Ways Ministry, Apologizes ‘to All LGBT ... for the Pain Caused’

Vatican official apologizes for taking down LGBTQ resource - ABC News: A Vatican official apologized to a leading Catholic LGBTQ advocacy group for having yanked a reference to it on the Vatican website, drawing immediate praise Monday from the group as an “historic" move to repair the painful rift between the Catholic hierarchy and the gay community.

In Vatican’s clumsy stab at censorship, the massage becomes the message

In%20Vatican%u2019s%20clumsy%20stab%20at%20censorship%2C%20the%20massage%20becomes%20the%20message%20%7C%20CruxALLEN: Of all the silly and self-defeating habits the Vatican has fallen into over the years – and, let’s face it, it’s not a short list – censoring the words the pope speaks during his airborne press conferences is perhaps the most absurd. After all, the pope speaks those words in front of about 70 journalists traveling with him aboard the papal plane...

On Gaudete Sunday, 5 steps to better mental health

Five Steps to Better Mental Health - A Homily for the Third Sunday of Advent - Community in MissionPOPE: In modern times, we tend to link our notions of happiness and inner well-being to external circumstances and happenstance. We think that happiness will be found when the things of this world are arranged in the way we like. If we can just accumulate enough money and creature comforts, we think we’ll be happy and have a better sense of mental well-being.

At Gaudete Sunday Angelus, Pope Francis Prays for Victims of Tornadoes in U.S.

Pope Francis prays for victims of tornadoes in South and Midwest | Catholic News Agency: Pope Francis expressed his closeness on Sunday to the victims of tornadoes that struck at least six U.S. states, killing scores of people. Speaking after his Angelus address on Dec. 12, he referred to the tornadoes that left a wake of destruction in Arkansas, Illinois, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, and Tennessee late Friday and early Saturday.

Our Lady of Guadalupe — a loving mother for us all

Our%20Lady%20of%20Guadalupe%20%u2013%20a%20loving%20mother%20for%20us%20all%20-%20Our%20Lady%27s%20Blue%20ArmyFOLEY: As we celebrate the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe on Sunday, Dec. 12, we will also commemorate the third Sunday of Advent, also known as “Gaudete Sunday.” Gaudete is Latin for “Rejoice” and the entrance antiphon for the Mass of the day reminds us that we are called to rejoice in the expectation of the coming of the Lord on Christmas Day: “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let all men know your forbearance. The Lord is at hand.”

How Friday night’s rare and deadly December tornado outbreak unfolded

How%20Friday%20night%u2019s%20rare%20and%20deadly%20December%20tornado%20outbreak%20unfolded: A devastating outbreak of tornadoes that swept through parts of the Midwest and Tennessee River Valley on Friday night is poised to become the worst on record to strike the United States during December.

‘What I told the students of Princeton’ — How Abigail Shrier, hated by transgender activists, responded to campus controversy

What I told the students of Princeton - by Abigail ShrierSHRIER: The question I get most often—the thing that most interviewers want to know, even when they’re pretending to care about more high-minded things—is: What’s it like to be so hated? I can only assume that’s what some of you rubberneckers want to know as well: What’s it like to be on a GLAAD black list? What’s it like to have top ACLU lawyers come out in favor of banning your book?

You can rejoice if you have told God honestly that you love Him, using the only language He will accept: Your actions

This%20Sunday%2C%20the%20Real%20Joy%20of%20Christmas%20Isn%u2019t%20What%20You%20Think%20%7C%20Ex%20Corde%20at%20Benedictine%20CollegeHOOPES: This Sunday, the Third Sunday of Advent Year C, Gaudete or “Rejoice” Sunday, John the Baptist solemnly pronounces what exactly will separate the chosen and discarded, and Paul backs him up in the second reading. The thing that will reveal that we are worthy of God is not what we think — but it brings more joy than we will ever experience without it...

Kentucky governor: Tornadoes may have killed more than 100 people; path of destruction extends 200+ miles

Kentucky governor: Storms may have killed at least 70 people | AP News: Kentucky’s governor said at least 70 may have died in the state and the toll was climbing after tornadoes and severe weather ripped through at least five states, leaving widespread devastation. Gov. Andy Beshear said the twister touched down for more than 200 miles in Kentucky and the death toll could exceed 100 across 10 or more counties.

The Nazis hosted the Winter Olympics in 1936. In two months, Communist Chinese thugs will host the games. What an obscenity...

From Garmisch-Partenkirchen 1936 to Beijing 2022WEIGEL: In July 2016, as we were sitting on the fantail of the Swiss sidewheeler Rhone while she chugged across Lake Geneva, my host pointed out the city of Lausanne, where a massive, glass-bedecked curvilinear building was shimmering in the summer sun. “Isn’t that the headquarters of the International Olympic Committee?” I asked. When my friend replied in the affirmative, I said, “I thought I smelled it.”

This guy threw out a hard drive containing $384 million of Bitcoin. Now he’s fighting to dig up the landfill [language warning]

Half a Billion in Bitcoin, Lost in the Dump | The New Yorker: If things had gone just a bit differently, James Howells might today be as rich as the Queen of England. The decisive moment, he now thinks, occurred one evening in August, 2013, when he was twenty-eight and at home with his family in Newport, a small city on the Welsh coast. Howells and his partner, Hafina, were raising three children, and family trips...

Bishop plays the Grinch, tells kids at Mass that Coca-Cola created Santa Claus

Bishop plays Grinch, tells Massgoers Coca Cola created Santa Claus | Crux: As children around the world finalize the list of toys and trinkets they hope to find under the tree from Santa Claus this year, a new Grinch has emerged in Italy in the figure of Bishop Antonio Staglianò of Noto, who on Sunday, soured his congregation’s Christmas cheer. He didn’t sneak around town stealing ornaments or presents, but rather told his parishioners that not only does Santa Claus not exist, but that his distinguishing red robes were invented by the Coca Cola company for marketing purposes...

Everyone knows about Our Lady of Guadalupe — not everyone knows the important role of miraculous roses in her appearance

The Miraculous Roses of Our Lady of Guadalupe| National Catholic RegisterARMSTRONG: The story begins nearly twelve years after Hernan Cortes landed with Spanish soldiers and nearly 10 years after their battles were over, which put an end to the practice of human sacrifice and gave Spain control. But conversions to the Catholic faith through Franciscan missionaries occurred at a snail’s pace. It even seemed that the natives were ready to revolt against the Spanish government, whose brutality undermined the missionaries’ efforts to evangelize....

Will the NCAA force out Catholic colleges through ‘gender equity’ enforcement?

Will the NCAA Force Out Catholic Colleges?| National Catholic RegisterREILLY: Athletics has long been an important part of Catholic education in the United States, but trouble is brewing. Already schools and colleges face social and legal pressure to abandon their Catholic mission and conform to gender ideology by allowing biological males to play on girls’ sports teams and enter locker rooms.

Pope Francis Tells Vatican Officials: Look out for ‘Self-Referential’ Founders Who Put Themselves ‘Above the Church’

Pope%20Francis%3A%20Look%20out%20for%20%u2018self-referential%u2019%20founders%20who%20put%20themselves%20%u2018above%20the%20Church%u2019%20%7C%20Catholic%20News%20Agency: Pope Francis asked Vatican officials on Saturday to look out for “self-referential” founders of Catholic communities who put themselves “above the Church.” The Pope told members of the Vatican department that oversees consecrated life on Dec. 11 to focus on “discerning and accompanying,” while carefully scrutinizing leaders.

This Chick-fil-A in Georgia was decorated with half a million Christmas lights to be a ‘symbol of hope’

Georgia Chick-Fil-a Decorates With 500K Christmas Lights: The operator of a Chick-fil-A in Athens, Georgia, has taken a cue from National Lampoon's Clark W. Griswold and decked his restaurant out with a truly staggering number of Christmas lights. Alex Clark — no relation, obviously — began his annual feat of exterior illumination in 2015 as a way to spread hope and start new family traditions in the college town.

What life is like on Foula, Britain’s most remote inhabited island

Foula: Britain's most remote inhabited island - BBC Travel: I learned several new words during my time in Shetland, the distant island chain drifting between Scotland and Norway. One of them was equinoctial. It means "of or relating to the equinox". It is frequently used to describe equinoctial gales, which can feel relentless this far north when the seasons change in spring and autumn. In a place as exposed to the elements as Shetland, they can be definitive; on its most distant island of Foula, they can act as a sort of gatekeeper.

Go to Confession. God’s mercy is greater than your sins. Never forget that...

Remember, His mercy is greater than your sins | Knowing Is DoingTORRE: There is a long-standing sacramental fallacy amongst Catholics that if you ask God to forgive your sins, he will. This is not to say that God could not since He is the author of life and is not bound by time or space. If God choses to forgive someone for his actions, then He can if He desires. The origin of this prevalent mind set is due in many respects from a misunderstanding of God’s mercy revealed through His Son Jesus Christ hence no need for the sacrament of confession...

Canon law, Christmas trees, and cultural appropriation

Canon law, Christmas trees, and cultural appropriationCONDON: It’s Gaudete Sunday this weekend. The importance of this day often gets lost under the endless, rather fussy clerical protestations that they are wearing rose-colored vestments. The third Sunday of Advent marks the turning of our seasonal focus from Christ’s eventual coming in glory to his nearness in the coming feast of Christmas. It also marks a break in the middle of a season meant to be penitential in the mind of the Church...

Watch the moment unranked Rutgers upset No. 1 Purdue on a spectacular buzzer-beater

New Advent: Watch the moment unranked Rutgers upset No. 1 Purdue on a spectacular buzzer-beater: And the fans go wild!

Pope Francis’ acceptance of Archbishop Aupetit’s resignation carries consequences

Pope%20Francis%u2019%20Acceptance%20of%20Archbishop%20Aupetit%u2019s%20Resignation%20Carries%20Consequences%7C%20National%20Catholic%20RegisterDESOUZA: The resignation offered by the Archbishop Michel Aupetit of Paris, and the explanation given by Pope Francis about why he accepted it, remain “ambiguous.” But there is one definitive consequence that is not in doubt — the number of priests who refuse nominations to be bishops will increase. Archbishop Aupetit was the subject of media reports about his “autocratic” management style...

Here is the paradox of God’s power: He defeats Satan’s pride by the humility of His Son

An Advent Meditation on the Paradox of God's Power - Community in MissionPOPE: One of the great cries of Advent is for God to rend the heavens and come down, for Him to stir up His mighty power and come to save us. But what is it that we really seek? Is it armies with thunder and lightning? Is it vindication and peace on our terms? In a way, it is a dangerous cry if we mean it that way, for who among us can say that no wrath should come to us but only to those other people who deserve it?

Supreme Court lets challenge to Texas abortion law proceed, allows law to remain in effect

Supreme Court lets challenge to Texas abortion law proceed, allows law to remain in effect | Fox News: The Supreme Court Friday morning ruled that a lawsuit by abortion providers against Texas over its abortion law may proceed, despite arguments by Texas that the way the law was written made it so that parties could not sue against the law until it was enforced.

America’s seminary beachhead in Rome is neither accidental nor unimportant

America%u2019s%20seminary%20beachhead%20in%20Rome%20neither%20accidental%20nor%20unimportant%20%7C%20CruxALLEN: Yesterday was the feast of the Immaculate Conception, which is a holy day of obligation for the church everywhere but also a public holiday in 25 countries, including here in Italy – where, at least in terms of a day off work, it’s observed with a fidelity bordering on religious zealotry. The Immacolata is also a special day for...

This guy used a paper plate to build a birdwatching visor and it really works — check it out

Someone Built A Bird Watching Visor And It Worked Beyond His Wildest Dreams - Digg: Some guy built a special birding visor, taped a plate around his face, sprinkled some bird food and let nature take its course.

Religious Liberty on the Docket as Supreme Court Hears Oral Arguments in Maine Education Case

Supreme Court considers religious liberty in Maine education case | Catholic News Agency: Attorneys representing a Maine family at the Supreme Court are feeling confident following Wednesday’s oral arguments in the case Carson v. Makin. The case asks whether a state – such as Maine – breaches the free exercise clause or equal protection clause of the First Amendment by barring students in a student-aid program from using their aid to attend schools offering a “sectarian” education.

How did eggnog get its name?

Why Is Eggnog Called Eggnog? | Mental Floss: The egg in the word eggnog needs no explanation, but here’s one anyway: Egg is a foundational ingredient in the festive beverage, usually made by combining egg yolks with some other additives (milk, sugar, alcohol, spices) and whisking in beaten egg whites.

What happened when this woman met her Nazi torturer

What Happened When This Woman Met Her Nazi Torturer| National Catholic RegisterTURLEY: This is the story of a young woman, a gifted pianist, who, after the Nazi invasion of France, began to work for the Resistance. Her subsequent arrest and torture at the hands of the Gestapo left her disabled and in acute pain for the rest of her life. Needless to say, she was unable to fulfill her heart’s desire to become a concert pianist...

When was Jesus born? Italian researcher puts Christ’s birth in December, 1 BC

When%20Was%20Jesus%20Born%3F%20Italian%20Researcher%20Puts%20Christ%u2019s%20Birth%20in%20December%2C%201%20BC%7C%20National%20Catholic%20RegisterPENTIN: As Christmas approaches, debate often arises over when exactly Jesus was born. Did the Nativity really happen during winter in Bethlehem 2,020 years ago? Recent research by a group of Italian researchers suggests that it did. They propose that the date of Jesus’ birth can be ascertained through an understanding of the Jewish pilgrimages that took place at that time...

Is Pope Francis really dying? What we know about the viral claim...

Is Pope Francis Really Dying? What We Know About the Viral Claim -: Is Pope Francis really dying? That’s what a recent Newsmax report claims. Newsmax White House correspondent and political columnist John Gizzi wrote an article claiming Pope Francis “is dying” and the Vatican does not expect him to survive past 2022. The article adds that the Vatican is preparing for a conclave.

How do bicycles really work? You probably think you know, but you don’t...

New%20Advent%3A%20How%20do%20bicycles%20really%20work%3F%20You%20probably%20think%20you%20know%2C%20but%20you%20don%u2019t...: Why are bicycles stable? The most common answer is gyroscopic effects, but this is not right...

Behold! The New York Times dares to explore the spiritual ‘fire’ inside Denzel Washington

Behold%21%20The%20New%20York%20Times%20dared%20to%20explore%20the%20spiritual%20%27fire%27%20inside%20Denzel%20Washington%20%u2014%20GetReligionMATTINGLY: Behold. It is time for me to praise — at great length — something published in The New York Times. It was even written by Maureen Dowd, of all people. The headline on this length first-person feature: “Denzel Washington, Man on Fire.” No, this story isn’t about the stunningly violent, but at times quite biblical, 2004 movie entitled “Man on Fire”...

Justice Sonia Sotomayor is a bullying pro-choicer

Justice Sonia Sotomayor: the Bullying Pro-Choicer| National Catholic RegisterMILLS: Yes, the justice is a bit of a bully. She may, for all I know, be the nicest of people in normal life, but not on the court. Sonia Sotomayor became a little famous in pro-life circles last week for one of her comments in the oral argument in Dobbs vs. Jackson Women’s Health. She tries to protect legal abortion by claiming that any idea of when the unborn child is alive comes from religion and therefore not something the court can recognize. The pro-life arguments and the biological facts don’t matter.

The cheesesteak is the 2nd best sandwich from Philadelphia. Here’s one that’s even better, and you can make it at home...

New%20Advent%3A%20The%20cheesesteak%20is%20the%202nd%20best%20sandwich%20from%20Philadelphia.%20Here%u2019s%20one%20that%u2019s%20even%20better...: My favorite sandwich from Philadelphia is actually not the Cheesesteak, that distinction belongs to the Roast Pork Sandwich, it's simple ingredients done right.

I, as many before, have found pig slaughtering to be a powerful humanizing force in my life

Crafting the Human by Slaughtering a Pig - LifeCraftCUDDEBACK: The pig slaughter itself is characterized by a spirit of gratitude. We are grateful: for the pig, that noble beast, seemingly custom designed to nourish through its life and death the human body and spirit. For this amazing Valley, whose earth, flora and fauna give life to pig and person alike. For family and friends gathered for moments of sharing a wide range of experiences and emotions...

Primer on the Church: Christ is still at work in His Church

Primer on the Church, Christ is Still at WorkTSAKANIKAS: The Resurrection has glorified Christ’s humanity permanently and enabled the power of the glorified body to communicate Jesus’ invisible and eternal life through signs Christ instituted while he was on earth. His glorified body communicates this eternal life through the sacraments and especially Holy Communion. By baptism, a new humanity is “clothed” in Christ and permitted to enter the heavenly Jerusalem...

8 things you need to know about the Immaculate Conception

8 Things You Need to Know About the Immaculate Conception| National Catholic RegisterAKIN: Who does the Immaculate Conception refer to? There's a popular idea that it refers to Jesus' conception by the Virgin Mary. It doesn't. Instead, it refers to the special way in which the Virgin Mary herself was conceived. This conception was not virginal. (That is, she had a human father as well as a human mother.) But it was special and unique in another way. The Catechism of the Catholic Church explains it like this...

The exoneration of a key Vatican official in the finance trial puts Pope Francis and senior officials in the spotlight

Exoneration of Key Vatican Official in Finance Trial Puts Pope Francis and Senior Officials in the Spotlight| National Catholic RegisterPENTIN: A key element in the ongoing Vatican trial over a London property deal that led to massive financial losses for the Holy See is how Vatican officials came to sign off on agreements in 2018 that caused the Vatican the most damage. A 487-page indictment published ahead of the trial gives some clue, but a recent decision by the president of the tribunal to formally exonerate Msgr. Alberto Perlasca...

On Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, Pope Francis Hails ‘the Beauty of Mary’s Heart’

a: Pope Francis highlighted “the beauty of Mary’s heart” in his Angelus address on the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception. The pope said on Dec. 8 that the Blessed Virgin Mary’s encounter with the Angel Gabriel, described in St. Luke’s Gospel, revealed her deep humility.

Chicago Public Schools eliminating sex-specific restrooms for boys and girls to ‘increase gender equity’

Chicago Public Schools eliminating sex-specific restrooms to 'increase gender equity' | Fox News: Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is requiring all schools in the district to adopt new signage in an effort to make restrooms gender-neutral. The initiative, which CPS is referring to as a "big step forward for gender equity," requires the schools to display language outside of restrooms informing students, whether they are male or female, that they may use the restroom that aligns with their gender identity.

8 things to know and share about St. Ambrose, who had one of the strangest life stories ever

St. Ambrose: Strangest Life Story Ever? (8 Things to Know and Share)| National Catholic RegisterAKIN: St. Ambrose’s memorial is Dec. 7. He was one of the four original doctors of the Church, and he baptized St. Augustine. He also had perhaps the strangest life story of any of the Church Fathers! Here are 8 things to know and share …

Extremely rare giant phantom jelly found 3,200 feet deep in Monterey Bay

Extremely Rare Giant Phantom Jelly Found 3,200 ft Deep in Monterey Bay TwistedSifter: This ghostly giant is a rare sight. But in November 2021, MBARI ((Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute) researchers spotted this giant phantom jelly (Stygiomedusa gigantea) with the ROV Doc Ricketts 990 meters (3,200 feet) deep in Monterey Bay. The bell of this deep-sea denizen is more than one meter...

Why are chimpanzees suddenly attacking gorillas in Central Africa?

Why Are Chimpanzees and Gorillas Suddenly Going to War? | Discover Magazine: It's truly a wild time in the animal kingdom! Chimpanzees and gorillas have coexisted peacefully for many years, but in February of 2019 researchers were shocked to witness a vicious act of violence in Gabon's Loango National Park. The researchers, from Osnabrück University and the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology in Germany...

‘Not north of hope,’ St. Joseph’s penal law, and the last witness of St. Ambrose

'Not north of hope,' St. Joseph's penal law, and the last witness of St. AmbroseJDFLYNN: Today is the feast of St. Ambrose, and you’re reading The Tuesday Pillar Post. I’m sending this newsletter from the mean streets of Crookston, Minnesota, where I’ve been spending a couple of da— Just kidding. The streets are not mean in Crookston, Minnesota. Neither are the people. In fact, I’ve spent the last few days here in Minnesota to do some reporting...

Pope approves updates to norms for dealing with ‘grave crimes’

Pope%20approves%20updates%20to%20norms%20for%20dealing%20with%20%u2018grave%20crimes%u2019%20%7C%20Crux: Pope Francis has given formal approval to a series of updates and modifications that have been made over the years to the norms regarding clerical sexual abuse and other crimes reserved to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. The newest version of the so-called “Norms on the delicts reserved to the Congregation of the Doctrine of Faith” does not introduce any new crimes, but it does seek to improve the procedural norms regarding the penal process and to update those canons connected with the recently revised “Book VI: Penal Sanctions in the Church” that was to go into effect Dec. 8.

Hindu nationalists attack Catholic school in India after YouTube video accusing institution of baptizing students

Hindu nationalists attack Catholic school in India | Crux: A Catholic school in India was attacked on Dec. 6 by a group of Hindu nationalists after a YouTube channel accused the institution of baptizing Hindu students. The incident took place at St. Joseph School in Ganj Basoda in the state of Madhya Pradesh. The YouTube channel “Aayudh” had used an Oct. 31 photo of the Catholic children at the parish church receiving First Communion from the bishop, misidentifying it as a baptism ceremony at the school, which is located nearly a mile away.

Switzerland approves use of ‘Sarco Suicide Pod’ — creepy euthanasia device expected to be operational by 2022

Switzerland%20Approves%20Assisted%20%u2018Suicide%20Capsule%u2019: Switzerland has just legalized a new way to die by assisted suicide. The country’s medical review board has authorized the use of the Sarco Suicide Pod, which is a 3-D-printed portable coffin-like capsule with windows that can be transported to a tranquil place for a person’s final moments of life.

New Report Finds Freedom of Conscience Under Threat in France, Spain, and Sweden

New report finds freedom of conscience under threat in France, Spain, and Sweden | Catholic News Agency: A new report published Tuesday highlighted concerns that the right to conscientious objection is under threat in France, Spain, and Sweden. The Observatory on Intolerance and Discrimination Against Christians in Europe (OIDAC) published the 71-page report examining freedom of expression, parental rights, and freedom of conscience in five European countries: France, Germany, Spain, Sweden, and the U.K.

The opponents of the Mississippi abortion law make clear that they just want a right to a dead baby

Supreme Court Abortion Case Oral Aguments Clarify Debate | National ReviewLOPEZ: It may just be morning in America — that was the overwhelming feeling as I stood outside the Supreme Court with the sun warming us on as oral arguments in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, the Mississippi abortion case, were to be heard. For those of us who are outside the Court every January marking with sorrow the anniversary of Roe v. Wade, hope was palpable.

Pope on resignation of French archbishop: What did he do that was so bad?

Pope on resignation of French archbishop: What did he do that was so bad? | Crux: Pope Francis on his way back to Rome on Monday criticized the rise of western populism, advocated on behalf of migrants, and stressed the need to continue working for unity with the Orthodox. Speaking to journalists on board his flight from Athens to Rome at the end of a Dec. 2-6 visit to Cyprus and Greece, the pope also touched on the fall from grace of French Archbishop Michel Aupetit, the former archbishop of Paris.

19 little-remembered facts about St. Nicholas

19 Little-Remembered Facts About St. Nicholas| National Catholic RegisterPRONECHEN: Father Joseph Marquis has portrayed St. Nicholas (and Santa) for over 45 years and founded the St. Nicholas Institute. Father Marquis is a wealth of facts, from familiar to forgotten — like these 19 facts that can help us celebrate St. Nicholas better and appreciate his makeover into Santa.

What happened to St. Nicholas?

What Happened to St. Nicholas?| National Catholic RegisterCRAUGHWELL: For nearly 1700 years, St. Nicholas has been one of the most popular saints of the Church — in the East and the West. The number of churches, chapels, religious institutions and altars dedicated to him throughout the Christian world defy counting. According to the new edition of Butler’s Lives of the Saints, about 400 churches are dedicated to him in England alone.

Christ has cast down the old idols, and the new idolaters will be sent away empty

Christ Has Cast Down the Old Idols, and New Idolaters Will Be Sent Away Empty| National Catholic RegisterMARTIN: Leaving Los Angeles (the “City of Angels”) recently, my wife and I landed in Las Vegas (“Sin City”) where we were forced to spend three hellish hours waiting for another flight. One’s heart goes out to the poor souls who must live and work there. What a dreadful place it must be. Unless you love slot machines and are eager to try your luck, it is not a suitable setting for the cultivation of the soul.

Pope Francis Says He Accepted Paris Archbishop’s Resignation ‘on the Altar of Hypocrisy’

Pope%20Francis%20Says%20He%20Accepted%20Paris%20Archbishop%u2019s%20Resignation%20%u2018on%20the%20Altar%20of%20Hypocrisy%u2019%7C%20National%20Catholic%20Register: On the papal plane on Monday, Pope Francis said that he accepted the resignation of Archbishop Michel Aupetit of Paris “not on the altar of truth, but on the altar of hypocrisy.” Answering questions aboard his return flight from Athens, Greece, to Rome on Dec. 6, the Pope said that the archbishop of Paris stepped down because he had “lost his reputation so publicly.”

Given the conundra about the Knights of St. John, the Pope’s probably glad he skipped Malta

Given conundra about Knights, Pope probably glad he skipped Malta | CruxALLEN: When rumors about Pope Francis’s current voyage to Cyprus and Greece began to look serious in the late summer and early fall, it was believed the outing would also include a stop in Malta. In the end that didn’t happen, and, from Pope Francis’s point of view, it’s probably just as well...

Greek Orthodox Priest Shouts ‘Pope, You Are a Heretic’ at Francis in Athens

Orthodox priest shouts 'Pope, you are a heretic' at Francis in Athens | Reuters: An elderly Greek Orthodox priest shouted "Pope, you are a heretic" as Pope Francis was entering the Orthodox Archbishopric in Athens on Saturday and was taken away by police, a reminder of the lingering distrust between the two divided churches.

The Lord of the Rings’ Gollum changed film history — all thanks to Andy Serkis and 18 animators

Gollum%20in%20Lord%20of%20the%20Rings%20is%20Andy%20Serkis%u2019%20misunderstood%20triumph%20-%20Polygon: Motion capture is the biggest technological advance in the field of screen acting since The Jazz Singer ushered in the era of synchronized sound in 1927, but it’s unclear where the field would be without the performance of Andy Serkis as Gollum in Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings...

Second Sunday of Advent: I wanna be ready to put on a long white robe...

I%20Wanna%20Be%20Ready%20to%20Put%20on%20a%20Long%20White%20Robe%20%u2013%20A%20Homily%20for%20the%20Second%20Sunday%20of%20Advent%20-%20Community%20in%20MissionPOPE: The New Testament opens in the desert near the banks of the River Jordan, with John the Baptist, of whom Jesus says, He is the Elijah who was to come (Mt 11:14). In John the Baptist is the fulfillment of the Elijah figure, who was to come to prepare the hearts of the people for the great coming of the Messiah. All of this leads us to this Sunday’s Gospel...

Antony and Cleopatra in a nutshell

Antony and Cleopatra in a NutshellPEARCE: Following hot on the heels of Macbeth and being first performed in late 1606 or early 1607, Antony and Cleopatra might be coupled with Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare’s earlier tragedy about erotic recklessness, written eleven years earlier. If, however, Romeo and Juliet might be forgiven for the follies of their head-weak and heart-strong youth...

This new Carlo Acutis Book makes a great Christmas present for Catholic children

Carlo Acutis Book Makes A Great Christmas Present For Catholic ChildrenLISI: It’s not typical for me to review children’s books — it’s also not every day that I get to review a book about Carlo Acutis. Acutis’ mother, Antonia, attributed to her deceased son’s intercession her ability to give birth to twins at age 44, exactly four years to the day after Acutis’ death...

Ralph Martin: Don’t misunderstand the mission of the Catholic Church, which is to proclaim Jesus Christ as the Savior of the whole world

Ralph Martin: Misunderstanding the mission of the Catholic Church: “It's easy to get the impression these days that the main thing the Catholic Church is concerned about is getting people vaccinated or climate change or the Amazon, things like that,” said Ralph Martin, president of Renewal Ministries. “Quite honestly, the primary mission of the Church isn't to save the Amazon, it’s to save people from hell. It's to boldly proclaim Jesus Christ as the Savior of the whole world.”

Loyola Marymount’s professor of “Yoga Studies” docks grades if students don’t list preferred pronouns — now alumni of Catholic college are saying enough is enough

New Loyola Marymount alumni petition targets use of preferred pronouns | Catholic News Agency: After learning that students at Loyola Marymount University allegedly were required to include their preferred pronouns on assignments and are given the option to change their name and gender identity, an alumni-led group is petitioning the Los Angeles-area Catholic school to stop its “institutional commitment to gender ideology."

Overdue book returned anonymously to Idaho library 111 years later, but probably not by the original borrower

Overdue book returned anonymously to Idaho library 111 years later: A children's book checked out from the Boise, Idaho, public library in 1910 vanished for 111 years only to be returned anonymously, library officials said. A copy of “New Chronicles of Rebecca” by Kate Douglas Wiggin, still in good condition, was recently returned to the Garden Valley District Library, about 51 miles outside of Boise, city library officials said.

‘Metanoia and Eucharistic’ — On Day 4 of Trip to Cyprus and Greece, Pope Francis Offers Mass in Athens

Pope Francis in Greece: Let us ask for the grace of hope | Catholic News Agency: In Athens, Pope Francis said Sunday that the Greek language gave the entire Church a word that sums up the gift of Christ. This word is “eucharistia” -- the ancient Greek word meaning “thanksgiving” adopted by the early Church as a word for the sacred host, the Eucharist. “For us Christians, thanksgiving is at the heart of our faith and life,” Pope Francis said after offering Mass in Athens’ Megaron Concert Hall on Dec. 5.

Planned Parenthood Los Angeles says hack breached about 400,000 patients’ information

Planned%20Parenthood%20Los%20Angeles%20says%20hack%20breached%20about%20400%2C000%20patients%u2019%20information%20-%20The%20Washington%20Post: A hacker gained access to the personal information of hundreds of thousands of Planned Parenthood patients in October, the reproductive health-care group’s Los Angeles branch said Wednesday. The breach is limited to the Los Angeles affiliate, and spokesperson John Erickson said there is no indication at this point that the information...

The Pope pitched unity in Cyprus, but were the Cypriots ready to catch?

Pope pitched unity in Cyprus, but were the Cypriots ready to catch? | CruxALLEN: By necessity, media coverage of papal trips is always far more about what’s pitched than what’s caught. Under pressures of time, reporters do an excellent job of capturing what the pope says and does, where he goes and whom he meets, and the message he appears to be trying to get across, but that’s about it.

Pope Francis Meets Greek Orthodox Leaders in Athens, Apologizes for Actions That ‘Gravely Weakened Our Communion’

Pope Francis apologizes for mistakes of Catholics in meeting with Greek Orthodox leaders in Athens, Greece | Catholic News Agency: Pope Francis apologized for the ways Catholics have contributed to division with Orthodox Christians during a meeting with Greek Orthodox leaders in Athens on Saturday. Pope Francis spoke during a meeting with leaders of the Greek Orthodox Church, including His Beatitude Ieronymos II, archbishop of Athens and All Greece...

This video of a teenager teasing his mom with a trombone has gone viral, and it’s easy to see why

New%20Advent%3A%20This%20video%20of%20a%20teenager%20teasing%20his%20mom%20with%20a%20trombone%20has%20gone%20viral%2C%20and%20it%u2019s%20easy%20to%20see%20why: From Peet Montzingo on YouTube...

Bad atheists acting like atheists anger another atheist

Bad Atheists Acting Like Atheists Anger Another Atheist - The StreamMILLS: “What a grift that was!” says atheist philosopher Phil Torres, angry at the once famous “New Atheists.” People like Richard Dawkins, Sam Harris, and Steven Pinker had given him “immense hope” and now they’ve upset him. He writes like a boy hurt to find his heroes aren’t heroic. Their movement...

The shallowing of Notre-Dame de Paris

The shallowing of Notre-Dame de Paris | Catholic CultureMIRUS: The interior makeover of the Cathedral of Notre-Dame in Paris presents us with some very disturbing questions. Everybody will remember the fire in April of 2019 which severely damaged one of the best-known churches in Christendom, and the outpouring of gifts from rich and famous people around the world to aid in its restoration. The restoration of the exterior is proceeding under the authority...

Why the Supreme Court’s ‘Dobbs v. Jackson’ oral arguments give us cause for hope

Supreme%20Court%u2019s%20%u2018Dobbs%20v.%20Jackson%u2019%20Oral%20Arguments%20Promising%20for%20Pro-Life%20Cause%7C%20National%20Catholic%20RegisterALVARE: Pro-life activists and scholars — with nearly 50 years of experience reaching, striving, yearning for the best possible arguments to undercut the patently unconstitutional “law” declaring abortion a constitutional right — could find much to celebrate, much to mourn in the oral arguments heard today at the U.S. Supreme Court about whether to overrule Roe v. Wade and the case that largely affirmed it, Planned Parenthood v. Casey.

“I’m no longer an atheist” — Social media personality Kaitlin Bennett announces conversion to Catholic faith, and explains what finally brought her home

"No Longer an Atheist": Activist Kaitlin Bennett Announces Conversion to Catholic Faith: Conservative activist and social media personality Kaitlin Bennett announced on Dec. 2 that she left atheism to join the Catholic Church. She is currently in RCIA. In a 13-minute YouTube video, the 26-year-old conservative activist reveals her incredible conversion story. Wearing a Miraculous Medal and standing next to a statue of Our Lady, she explains how her journey to the Catholic Church began...

George Harrison helping Ringo Starr write the Beatles’ ‘Octopus’s Garden’ is a beautiful thing to watch

George Harrison Helping Ringo Starr Write The Beatles' 'Octopus's Garden' Is A Beautiful Thing To Watch - Digg: In this clip from Peter Jackson's "Get Back" docu-series, George Harrison gives Ringo Starr a helping hand on his signature song.

This Sunday, a voice echoes in the mountains and valleys of your immense heart

This Sunday, a Voice Echoes in the Mountains and Valleys of Your Immense Heart | Ex Corde at Benedictine CollegeHOOPES: The specific conditions of your life are the stage for a remarkable upheaval that is about to happen, says the Gospel for the Second Sunday of Advent, Year C. And by “specific conditions” it means really specific: Christ is coming into our world, with our president and our current pope — and he will interact in your life according to the way you have shaped it by your career, your pastimes, and your daily habits, good and bad.

TAN has a new book about the ‘St. Gallen Mafia’ — here’s what I thought after reading it

The St Gallen Mafia | Fr. Dwight LongeneckerLONGENECKER: This week I have been on retreat at Belmont Abbey and had the privilege of going to lunch with the editors at TAN Books which is located just a few minutes from the Abbey. The Abbey, by the way, is in the midst of what future church historians will name “the Southern Catholic Renaissance” or something like that or “The South did Rise Again, but Who Thought it Would be Catholic?”

Passive Catholic discipleship is a recipe for failure

Passive Catholic Discipleship is a Recipe For Failure - Catholic Missionary Disciples - College Station, TXLEJEUNE: Decline. Scandals. Confusion. Herein lies the noise which currently undergirds the Catholic Church in the eyes of our current Western culture. We certainly have problems. But all these problems (and many more) are merely the outward symptoms of a much deeper issue. The deeper issue is found in having too many self-identified Catholics who have accepted false gods in place of Jesus. These Gods can wear many faces and the world knows them well...

Pope Francis Decries Global ‘Retreat From Democracy’ in Athens Speech

Pope%20Francis%20decries%20global%20%u2018retreat%20from%20democracy%u2019%20in%20Athens%20speech%20%7C%20Catholic%20News%20Agency: Pope Francis lamented a global “retreat from democracy” in a speech on Saturday in Athens, the cradle of Western civilization. The pope was speaking to political leaders, representatives of civil society, and members of the diplomatic corps at the Presidential Palace on Dec. 3, hours after arriving from Cyprus.

Benedict XVI has gotten three COVID-19 vaccinations ‘out of conviction,’ says Archbishop Gänswein

Archbishop%20G%E4nswein%3A%20Benedict%20XVI%20had%20three%20COVID-19%20vaccine%20doses%20%u2018out%20of%20conviction%u2019%20%7C%20Catholic%20News%20Agency: Archbishop Georg Gänswein has said that both he and Benedict XVI have received three COVID-19 vaccine doses “out of conviction.” The pope emeritus’ private secretary made the remark in a nine-page interview in the December edition of the German publication Vatican-magazin. The Vatican began administering doses of the Pfizer-BioNtech vaccine in January and confirmed in February that the pope emeritus had received the second dose of the vaccine...

Apostolic nuncio to European Union dies after contracting COVID-19

Apostolic nuncio to EU dies after contracting COVID-19 | Catholic News Agency: Archbishop Aldo Giordano, the apostolic nuncio to the European Union, died Thursday at the age of 67 after he was hospitalized with COVID-19. Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich paid tribute to the archbishop, who died on Dec. 2 in Leuven, Belgium. Giordano served as general secretary of the Council of European Bishops’ Conferences (CCEE) from 1995 to 2008 and as permanent observer of the Holy See to the Council of Europe from 2008 to 2013.

Pope Francis travels to Cyprus, offers message of healing to a divided country

Pope Francis offers message of healing to a divided Cyprus | Crux: On his second day in Cyprus, Pope Francis celebrated Mass for the island’s Catholic community and said the only way to truly recover from the tensions that still divide the country is to seek healing in Jesus together, as brothers and sisters. In his homily, the pope focused on the day’s Gospel reading from Matthew in which two blind men cry out to Jesus for help, asking him to have mercy on them.

What I learned eating at 8,000 Chinese restaurants

What I learned eating at 8,000 Chinese restaurants - BBC News: Many people in America love Chinese food, but David R. Chan is perhaps in a league of his own. Mr. Chan, a 72-year-old former tax lawyer based in Los Angeles, claims to have dined at nearly 8,000 Chinese restaurants across the U.S. and counting. Each is archived in a spreadsheet that he has maintained for four decades, along with thousands of restaurant business cards and menus.