Serving Catholics for 25 Years Make a Donation August 4, 2021 Note from the Managing Editor Happy feast of St. John Vianney! Normally, we take the month of August off.  But there were so many great articles in this past week, we just had to share. I loved Archbishop Chaput's "The Virtue of Obedience," in which he addresses a very difficult question — how can we be obedient to a Church when it "undermines itself with corruption, falsehood, ambiguity, brutishness, cowardice, or mismanagement"? Also, I found Lara Ryd's "The Sanctifying Work of Pregnancy" especially poignant, and a beautiful read for any expectant mothers out there. One more recommendation: "Living in Hope: Saints Joachim and Anne. " If you've ever thought it was easier to lower your expectations so you wouldn't have to suffer disappointed hopes; if you've ever placed your hope for fulfillment in someone or something only to be betrayed; if you've ever tried to hold onto hope in the midst of severe suffering and disappointment, this read is for you. Our next update will arrive in your inbox on September 7th.  Thanks be to God, we are able to go ahead with the in utero intubation and c-section and our baby will be born on August 5th!  Thank you all for your prayers.  God bless! - Meaghen Gonzalez   Web version of this CERC Weekly Update here. Previous CERC Weekly Update here. Subscribe/unsubscribe here. Visit the CERC website at www.catholiceducation.org.   "I plead with you — never, ever give up on hope, never doubt, never tire, and never become discouraged. Be not afraid." - Pope St. John Paul II     New Resources   Offering Our Burdens to God Venerable Madeleine Delbrêl, The Joy of Believing We don't always want our suffering; we are tight-fisted about it, haggle over it, often botch the job.   The Virtue of Obedience Archbishop Charles Chaput, First Things We live in a turbulent time; a time that’s similar, in some ways, to the various Reformations of 500 years ago.   A Father’s Day Story Kevin Wells, Crisis Magazine The fresh-faced American priest stood there like Ichabod Crane:   Dressing like a Catholic R. Jared Staudt, Denver Catholic Is there a Catholic way to dress?   The Sanctifying Work of Pregnancy Lara Ryd, The Public Discourse Even as a woman shapes the child growing within her, the joys and trials of pregnancy are shaping her, sanctifying her, and teaching her how to depend on others during this season of peculiar service.   Living in Hope: Saints Joachim and Anne Fr. John Henry Hanson, St. Josemaria Institute Nothing disappoints more than misplaced hope.   Introduction to Christology 101 — Who Is Jesus? And How Do We Know He’s Real? Fr. John Cush, NC Register "At the time appointed by God, the only Son of the Father, the eternal Word, that is, the Word and substantial Image of the Father, became incarnate; without losing his divine nature he has assumed human nature." (CCC 479)   There can be no "unity" through the rejection of tradition Leila Miller, Leila Miller Blog Tradition unifies; it does not divide.   Loaves, Fish, and Shepherds Fr. Paul Scalia, The Catholic Thing Our Lord's multiplication of the loaves and fish occupies a privileged place in the list of miracles.     Editorials of Interest   Break open the bottle: giving gifts like the Magdalene Between the Paws Recently, I heard an argument that there is no such thing as a truly selfless gift.   To Find Your Life’s Mission, Follow Your Questions Public Discourse What are the small and humble questions that should animate all human lives, that work to reveal to us little by little our unique mission?   With my body I thee worship: the matrimonial gift Between the Paws "With this ring I thee wed; this gold and silver I thee give, with my body I thee worship and with all my worldly goods I thee endow."   Photos: Thousands witness Lady of La Vang statue unveiling LA Times In the statue, the first large-scale rendition in the U.S. of the sacred figure, Mary is depicted standing on a cloud, wearing a traditional Vietnamese ao dai dress and khan dong hat.   Location-based apps pose security risk for Holy See The Pillar The use of such apps within the Vatican City State could be a point of vulnerability in the Holy See's efforts to defend itself from cyberattacks and other intelligence.   Msgr. Burrill's Resignation and the Surveillance Age: 5 Points to Consider NC Register No harm, no foul may apply in sports. No crime, no foul does not apply in the life of the Church.   Newark archdiocese to investigate app use allegations The Pillar The Archdiocese of Newark says it will investigate the possibility of clerical sexual misconduct, in response to questions from The Pillar about the use of location-based hookup apps at several parish rectories in the archdiocese.   On Scandal National Review The content and method of The Pillar's report on the general secretary of the U.S. bishops' conference, Monsignor Jeffrey Burrill, has brought up a lot of objections.   Op-Ed by Top French Philosopher Michel Onfray Rorate Caeli "I'm an atheist, but the Latin Mass is our patrimony: Francis is destroying it; he is doing what he was elected to do."   A correctional facility The Critic Who, exactly, is being corrected by an execution?   Obesity, Responsibility, and Freedom The Epoch Times If someone else pays for the consequences of your actions, it is only natural that, one day, he will demand to control your actions.   Repudiating Roe: the pernicious doctrine of 'stare decisis' Mercatornet The doctrine of stare decisis is a dangerous tool, malleable, and peculiarly susceptible to manipulation and abuse.   Making A Good Confession Simply Catholic Making a good confession of our sins is like weeding the garden of the soul.   The Godliness of Gaming First Things From husbands-turned-drug-dealers to real-housewives-turned-reality-TV-stars, where might a sober adult turn for a hint of ethical instruction? To video games.   St. John Henry Cardinal Newman and St. Justin Martyr, pray for us. Subscribe / Unsubscribe Copyright © 2021 Catholic Education Resource Center