Where the Rubber Hits the Road

After the Big Bang, it was dark and cold. And then there was light. Now, for the first time, astronomers have glimpsed that dawn of the universe 13.6 billion years ago when the earliest stars were turning on the light in the cosmic darkness. Astronomers glimpse cosmic dawn, when the stars switched on | CTV News :

Rethinking “Mission Territory” | George Weigel | First Things :

Catholic social doctrine sheds light on how to combat gun violence | National Catholic Reporter :

Trudeau's Troubling Insistence That Charities Pick A Side On Abortion :

Reflections on Francis and the deconstruction of the 'Imperial Papacy' :

For the first time in my life, I find myself in substantial agreement with Robert Mickens, who now covers Vatican affairs for La Croix. In his most recent column there, Mickens examines the enormous and enduring influence of Cardinal Angelo Sodano. It’s an eye-opener.  The Pope and the Vatican’s top power broker | Catholic Culture :

The Jordan Peterson Phenomenon

Why Does God Allow Natural Disasters? : Strange Notions

How is Lent observed around the world?

Catholics Need Faith and Reason, Not a New Paradigm :

Experts serve up some hard data to inform debates over the family

Vancouver archbishop critiques euthanasia provision in hospice care – Catholic World Report

Whispers in the Loggia: Whither The Reform? – Amid a Move to Korea, Aftershocks in Rome

+Bishop Robert Barron is quoted in a recent book co-authored by John Allen entitled  To Light A Fire On Earth: Proclaiming the Gospel in a Secular Age  as offering three principles for Catholics to keep their lives in harmony with God’s stage directions in lieu of being mired in the unwanted drama that afflicts our peace when we choose our own preferred method of acting. Essentially they are: a) Find the center of your life as determine what’s occupying that space. b) Know yourself for who you are: a sinner. c) Repeat often: It’s not about me.   Finding the center of your life  means to do exactly and simply that: locate those value, needs, and wants that are primordial to your path in life. Then make the firm decision to install Christ in that place of honor and power. For example, if what really drives you or floats your boat are things like friends, reputation, material comforts, power, pleasure, or prestige, you can be 100% certain that rancor, stress, a...

Robert Royal on the ongoing, radical recasting of marriage and the Church’s understanding of the Eucharist . . . and her very self. Three Crises – and Three Opportunities - The Catholic Thing :

The heart of the current pontificate is understood more in the footnotes than the main text. Francis’ Fifth: A Pontificate of Footnotes :

The Vatican secretary of state’s recent comments on  Amoris Laetitia  elevates conscience to a degree that relativizes the objectivity of the moral law. ‘The New Paradigm,’ Conscience and the Death of Catholic Morality

LifeSiteNews does harm with stories like 'Vatican financial scandal' | National Catholic Reporter :

Church of Holy Sepulchre shut down—Aleteia

Texas bishops tell parishes to cut ties with pro-life group : Bishops in Texas have told parishes in the state to not to participate in the activities of one of the state’s largest pro-life organizations.

This could be the first 'extra-biblical' reference to the prophet who foretold the birth of Jesus some 700 years in advance, and for whom the Book of Isaiah is named. Researchers say they have discovered Prophet Isaiah’s ‘signature’ | National Post :

Bishop Robert Barron believes once people are hooked on beauty, they are more receptive to the truths of the faith. How focusing on Catholicism’s beauty can lead people to the faith | CatholicHerald.co.uk :

Faith and culture are inextricably connected because a culture is always an expression of the faith which informs it. If a culture is animated by a belief in the triune splendour of the good, the true, and the beautiful, it will shine forth goodness, truth, and beauty. Faith and Culture - The Imaginative Conservative :

Of Space Aliens and the Catholic Faith

Hippocrates was more than the first scientist of medicine but also the founder of medical ethics and Social Justice. Hippocrates on Social Justice | Augustines Alley :

One hell of an impression | CBC News :

Cardinal Collins: We're not seeking a war with the government - Vatican News :

Fashioning a Post-Fusionist Christian Politics | The American Conservative

In a speech at Villanova on Thursday, Archbishop Chaput said the increased role of government is in response to the collapse of civil society. Chaput: Increased government due to collapse of civil society in America :

Teresa Kettelkamp, a former staffer for the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors and now a full member, says of the anti-abuse fight, “The Church is not failing on this issue, the Church is aggressively addressing it … People who want things to change faster are not realistic about how things change.” Member of Pope's anti-abuse panel insists, 'The Church is not failing' :

Three short (and hilarious) Catholic jokes

What to Know if You Want to Know Theology

A rough week for the Holy See | Catholic Culture :

The Ostrich Defense of Abortion | Public Discourse

In an undercover video released Wednesday, a former technician for a tissue-harvesting company details how an aborted baby was kept alive so that its heart could be harvested at a California Planned Parenthood facility, raising more legal questions about the group's practices. Planned Parenthood kept aborted babies alive to harvest heart, brain: ex-technician - Washington Times :

The Virtue of Radical Honesty - The New York Times : Steven Pinker is what we need now.

'Big Bang Theory' star talks about his Catholic upbringing—Aleteia

Archaeologists find Biblical evidence under Jonah’s tomb :

Is it really such a radical idea to think healthcare professionals should not be forced to help in procedures to which they morally object? Why we must protect the conscience rights of medical professionals | CatholicHerald.co.uk :

New York Times Denies Basic Scientific Fact | The American Conservative

After latest shooting, we should pray and be angry, archbishop says – Catholic Philly

Five Paradoxes of the Sexual Revolution: Part II - The Catholic Thing

Five Paradoxes of the Sexual Revolution, Part I - The Catholic Thing

C.S. Lewis tells you how to observe Lent

Conscience and Grace: A Lenten Meditation | George Weigel | First Things

Cardinal Collins of Toronto calls for resistance to a controversial new government requirement – Catholic World Report

The Rev. Billy Graham, who transformed American religious life through his preaching and activism, becoming a counselor to presidents and the most widely heard Christian evangelist in history, died Wednesday. He was 99. Evangelist Billy Graham dies at age 99 | CTV News :

Guilt over Aboriginals can lead to teaching children untruths. It’s happening in Canada | National Post :

British government will not overrule repeal of gay marriage in Bermuda :

While one could see Monday's resignation of an embattled Nigerian bishop as the pope blinking, it may also be an act of mercy by the pope and humility by the bishop. Did the pope blink in Nigeria, or is it a typically Catholic mess? :

America Is Under Attack and the President Doesn't Care - The Atlantic :

Companies Pay Workers to Get Savvier With Money - WSJ :

Ancient altar in Jerusalem’s Holy Sepulchre found hiding in plain sight--Aleteia :

Three Secular Maxims for the “New Evangelization” Evangelist :

Pope Francis Backs Down, Accepts Resignation of Nigerian Bishop

Men Without Conviction, Churches Without People | George Weigel | First Things

Vatican investigator meets with Chile abuse victim in NYC

Quiet progress of pope's anti-abuse commission a hard sell

“Snack Music” Satisfies The Creative Taste Buds – The New Ottawa Critics

Head of Catholic physicians' group warns of threats to conscientious objection | National Catholic Reporter

Pope Francis: Blessed Paul VI to Be Canonized This Year

The Limits Of Science – William M. Briggs

Justin Trudeau's "Peoplekind" remark overshadowed religious freedom issues in Canada--Aleteia

Pope Francis reveals he meets with victims of sex abuse on Fridays

Will Pope Francis Surrender to China? – Foreign Policy

Euthanasia dispute in Belgium: When do doctors cross a line? - Health - CBC News

Canadian Press: Trudeau’s accusations against pro-life groups are ‘baloney’ | News | LifeSite

It is legal in the Netherlands for doctors and psychiatrists to lethally inject the sick, disabled, elderly, and mentally ill who ask to die. It is not legal for them to kill patients who have not repeatedly asked to die. But that happens anyway, and not rarely. Various studies come up with different numbers, but it seems safe to say that hundreds of patients– 431 in 2015 –are killed each year non-voluntarily, which in Dutch euthanasia-speak is called ”termination without request or consent.” E uthanasia Prevention Coalition Euthanasia Prevention Coalition: Non - voluntary euthanasia/organ harvesting - Coming soon to the Netherlands.

So this is life on Mars: Intergalactic travel from a Catholic perspective | Maitland-Newcastle Catholic News

‘Let’s not make it just about…sins of the flesh’: an interview with Cardinal Cupich | CatholicHerald.co.uk

Netherlands passes law making everyone an organ donor by default | Ottawa Citizen

Don Briel's Death: Remarkable Last Days | National Review

3 Types of People Who Secretly Enjoy Being Miserable

Why is the Trudeau government poking the anti-abortion bear? - CBC News | Opinion

How despots exploit Vatican foreign policy | CatholicHerald.co.uk

Pope says he prays for those who call him a heretic – Catholic World Report

Editorial: Simple solutions when values collide

Edward Feser: Time, space, and God

5 Myths About Papal Infallibility Too Many People Still Believe (Maybe Even You!) | ChurchPOP

Pope Francis Is Playacting Realpolitik – Foreign Policy

Pope Francis offers a “worksheet” for Lent: Check it out!

5 years in, pope praised for outreach, criticized for abuse response

Terry Glavin: Is the Pope abandoning China’s Christians to Beijing’s brutal regime? | National Post

Stunning image of a single strontium atom wins British photography prize | National Post

The Alarming Trend Of Bullying Hospitals And Hospices Into Assisted Suicide

Pork Roll, Lent, and Catholic Identity | George Weigel | First Things

Living a Loving Lent: How to Observe the Penitential Season as a Family

Finding Your Peace in Suffering and Sorrow

Here's what you need to know about Ash Wednesday

In an Age of Moral Confusion, We Must Be Clear About the True Meaning of Conscience

5 Ways to (really) celebrate Mardi Gras

Should you give up sex for Lent?

We have assisted death. Now we need to get the facts about it | National Post

Dutch euthanasia regulator quits over dementia killings | CatholicHerald.co.uk

The Ever-Deepening Mystery of the Dead Sea Scrolls | Catholic Answers

Good Works or Once Saved, Always Saved? - Catholic Stand : Catholic Stand

French bishop proclaims 70th healing in Lourdes a miracle

The Guardian view on the Catholic church and child abuse: Pope Francis gets it wrong | Editorial | Opinion | The Guardian

Benedict XVI’s Abdication, Five Years Later

The Collective Conscience « Catholic Insight

"Today I Witnessed A Story Of Love" - This Is All You Need To See And Read To Know That True Love Never Dies.

Catholic midwife ousted for refusing to oversee abortions | Daily Mail Online

Protester tries to push legal boundaries of new abortion ‘bubble-zone’ law | National Post

Yet another reason to be blown away by our universe (VIDEO)

10 Reasons Why Catholics Don’t Evangelize

Formulating a Plan of Life for Lent and Beyond

The rules of the streets: Which laws help – and hurt – the homeless – Catholic World Report

How Bad the Vocations Crisis Really Is, From the Perspective of a Priest | ChurchPOP

Human eggs grown to maturity in lab: researchers | CTV News

Chile Faux Pas the Latest of Pope Francis’ Interview Missteps

No paradigm shifts, Weigel says -- but church history is full of them | National Catholic Reporter

Back to the Garden by Fr. Denis Lemieux - Madonna House Apostolate

Three classic Catholic jokes

For something a little different this Lent, here are 5 recommendations

Father Raymond J. de Souza: Apparently it’s OK to violate doctors’ charter rights | National Post

Vatican Communications Reboot Continues, With Launch of New Website

Baloney Meter: Is advocating against abortion out of line with the charter? | CTV News

No compromise on Canada Summer Jobs policy

"Despite the media and blogosphere attention he attracts, Bishop Marcelo Sánchez Sorondo, a 75-year-old Argentine who is chancellor of various pontifical academies, is a small-bore bit player in the current drama of what friends and critics alike regard as an increasingly dysfunctional Vatican. Yet when someone of even his relative insignificance announces that “right now, those who are best implementing the social doctrine of the Church are the Chinese,” that dysfunction comes into sharp relief — and a correction of the record is imperative…" Catholic Church & China: Bishop Praises Communist State | National Review

Peter Colapietro, ‘Saloon Priest’ Who Ministered to Lowly and Mighty, Dies at 69 - The New York Times

11 Tips to make Mass more meaningful

Pope gets practical on homilies: 'No more than 10 minutes, please!'

Men Without Conviction, Churches Without People | George Weigel | First Things

In a rare new letter penned by Benedict XVI, the retired pontiff said he is in the last phase of his life, and while his physical strength might be waning, he is surrounded by a “love and goodness” that he never imagined. In rare letter, Benedict XVI says he's 'on pilgrimage home' :