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October 14, 2020

Note from the Assistant Managing Editor:

Our reflection this week is from Pope Benedict XVI, about God's grace.  "If we first of all have learned to recognize God in his goodness, then we can also learn to have trust in the dark ways that God always goes ahead of us as grace, that he means well towards us."

Fr. Paul Mankowski's "What Went Wrong?" is an insightful look at the Crisis in the Church — both of sexual abuse and of liturgical abuse.  "The old-fashioned vices of lust, pride, and sloth have erected an administrative apparatus effective at transmitting the consolations of the Faith but powerless at correction and problem-solving."

Next, Graham Osborne shares his "Testimony," which is a powerful story of miracles and prayer.

We also have a great short video from Prager University: "Never Apologize to the Mob."  This is a must-watch for all of us who hold, or who have ever held, currently "unpopular" opinions.

God bless you all this week! - Meaghen Gonzalez

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"When gifts are replaced by rights, so is gratitude replaced by claims. And claims breed resentment" - Roger Scruton

New Resources

 
The Grace of a Call, the Grace to Follow - Pope Benedict XVI - from The Yes of Jesus Christ: Exercises in Faith, Hope and Love

With grace we are dealing with something other: it cannot be measured in the way that money can be counted and possessions can be reckoned up.

 
What Went Wrong? - Fr. Paul Mankowski, S.J. - Catholic Culture

In his address to the Confraternity of Catholic Clergy, Fr. Mankowski presented an excellent analysis of how the Catholic clerical sexual abuse crisis occurred.

 
Testimony - Graham Osborne - The B.C. Catholic

When sharing or defending the faith, we can never overlook the power of our own testimony: evidence of how God has worked in our own lives.

 
Protector of the Indians - Anthony Esolen - Magnificat

It is winter, 1517.

 
Saint Jerome in His Study - Denis R. McNamara - Magnificat

During a lifespan that crossed from the 4th to early 5th century, Saint Jerome was a priest, a monk, a pope's secretary, a desert hermit, and head of a monastery in Bethlehem.

 
Never Apologize to the Mob - Paris Dennard - Prager University

"The mob" is out to cancel anyone who crosses it. Paris Dennard describes the problem and offers a solution.

 
The embrace of eternity - Father George W. Rutler - From the Pastor

Of the many scientific contributions made by priests, including Father Copernicus's heliocentrism and Father Lemaître's "Big Bang" theory, some would rank higher the invention of champagne by Dom Pérignon.

Editorials of Interest

Pope and Pell meet - CNA

Former Vatican finance czar Cardinal George Pell met with Pope Francis in a private audience at the Vatican Monday.

Cardinal Pell speaks on maintaining hope in prison, Vatican finances - CNA

Cardinal George Pell, who was acquitted this year after becoming the highest-ranking Catholic cleric ever to be convicted of sexual abuse, spoke this week about how he maintained hope during his 400 days in prison.

Pope's new encyclical ignores previous social teaching - Catholic Culture

How much longer can sensible Catholics maintain that Pope Francis is merely trying to develop — rather than to change — the teachings of the Catholic Church?

12 Things to Know About the Knights of Columbus - NC Register

Some facts and statistics on the world's largest Catholic fraternal service organization.

When the State Tells You How to Run Your Church Service: Analyzing Coronavirus Guidance Documents on Religious Services - ICLRS

Does the coronavirus pandemic justify the government telling churches how to run their worship services?

Opinion: Proposed changes to MAID are pure madness - National Post

This bill effectively allows medical death on demand for almost anyone who wants it.

Barrett hearings day 1: Healthcare and anti-Catholicism take center stage - CWR

As Senate Democrats on Monday focused on how Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett, some comments drew criticism for apparent anti-Catholic bigotry.

Darren Grimes under police investigation after David Starkey interview - Telegraph

Commentator to be interviewed on suspicion of stirring up racial hatred over comments made by historian.

America Is Having a Moral Convulsion - The Atlantic

Levels of trust in this country — in our institutions, in our politics, and in one another — are in precipitous decline. And when social trust collapses, nations fail. Can we get it back before it's too late?

Electric Cars: A Hill to Die On? - Hudson Institute

Danger lurks beneath the glowing headlines. China's industrial policy prioritizes electric autos, and many Americans fear that the United States will lose out in this sector.

The Toxic Waste of Roe v. Wade - First Things

Given a written constitution and the principle of judicial review, grave mistakes by the Supreme Court are exceptionally toxic and hard to remedy, as three wrongly-decided cases illustrate.

The Killer and the Saint: Pranzini and Thérèse - CWR

The sensational story of the murderous Pranzini would inspire the young saint to adopt her "first sinner."

Acedia: the lost name for the emotion we're all feeling right now - The Conversation

With some communities in rebooted lockdown conditions and movement restricted everywhere else, no one is posting pictures of their sourdough.

If you sup with the Devil - First Things

"If you sup with the devil, you'd better bring a long spoon."

Spending Large Sums Like an Artist - Life Craft

"The magnificent man is like an artist; for he can see what is fitting and spend large sums tastefully."

St. John Henry Cardinal Newman and
St. Justin Martyr, pray for us

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