February 1, 2020 Profiles in Catholicism

A Message from the Editor

Human life is a divine gift. We abuse that gift by war, murder, and abortion.

We also remember our relatives, friends, and others murdered in the Holocaust.

Special Prayer

A Prayer for Unborn Children and Their Mothers

Dear God:

Today there are many people who deny the existence and value of your children in the wombs of their mothers. As has happened to so many groups of humans before, this denial makes it possible to provide legal and cultural sanctions to the brutal ending of these innocent lives and denies us all the opportunity to witness their beauty. We pray today for the wisdom to discover how to open the hearts and minds of every American to unborn children at risk of being aborted. We also pray for the parents of all unborn children, that they may have the grace and strength to care for the glorious gift of life you have given them.

by Denise Mackura Profiles in Catholicism

A Prayer for the Three Children Murdered in Dublin

Three young children in Dublin found dead on the floor. A chilling note, “Don’t go upstairs.” A woman, a mother, found wandering the streets, rushed to a hospital in a disoriented state. Lord Jesus, there is so much we do not understand about human misery and anguish and reaching the end of your rope. We can do so little but mourn and grieve. Yet, Jesus, you pronounced a blessing on those who mourn. To mourn is to enter into the pain of the world. Our tears become as drops of rain upon the blinding dust that covers our hardened hearts. We become more like you, Jesus, when you grieved over Jerusalem, unable to save it from itself. Lord Jesus, we live in a world so callused by death and cruelty, a world so mad that love itself gets twisted and tarnished and turned inside out. That is why we look to you for light in the darkness and for a love that will, in the end, conquer all. Amen.

by Father Joseph Chamblain, O.S.M. Profiles in Catholicism

Prayer for a Martyr

Oh Lord, we kneel before you today

to pray for a martyr.

Rev. Lawan Andimi was abducted

held as a captive

and beheaded

by the infamous Boko Haram in Nigeria.

He was not the first Christian martyr there.

On the day after Christmas, a young bride and her bridal party were also beheaded.

Oh Lord, we pray that this persecution of Christians

may soon stop.

We pray that the local authorities will find a way

to end this persecution of Christians,

and that, indeed, Boko Haram will find its way back

to the One God of Jews, Christians, and Muslims,

Repent and strive to sin no more.

by Dr. Eugene Fisher Profiles in Catholicism

A Prayer for the Eight Who Died As Fire Hits Czech Disabled Home.

O Lord, how can this news be Good News?

In his Psalms King David prayed:

“We thank you, God, we give thanks:

We call upon your name,

We declare your wonderful deeds.”

Yet this headline fills our news. How? Why?

Your answer:

“I will choose the time:

I will judge fairly.

The earth and all its inhabitants will quake

But I have firmly set its pillars.”

King David reminds us:

“For judgment comes not from east or west,

Not from the desert or from the mountains,”

But from God who decides.”

“But from God who decides.”

“But from God who decides.”

“A cup is in the Lord’s hands.”

I believe Lord, help my unbelief.

From Psalm 75

by Father David O. Brown, O.S.M. Profiles in Catholicism

A Prayer for the Four Seminarians Who Were Kidnapped in Nigeria

Good and gracious God, We thank you for your careful watch of the four seminarians, aged between 18 and 23, who were abducted when armed kidnappers forced their way into the Good Shepherd Major Seminary in Kaduna. The four, all first-year students of philosophy at the Seminary, were forced into vehicles as the intruders then made their escape from the police and the armed forces. You know, God, that our seminarians are very important to us all over the world. They study and know that their work is to pray with us the Mass and give us the opportunity to receive the Body and Blood of Christ. Please continue to care for them. We are grateful, too, God for the release of the captured seminarian and the willingness of the kidnappers to negotiate suggests that the kidnapping was not carried out by Boko Haram, as was initially feared. While kidnappings in Nigeria are frequently done for monetary gain, Islamist groups in Nigeria, ideologically rather than financially motivated, often kill Christian hostages who refuse to convert to Islam. Thank you, Almighty God, for realizing the importance of all seminarians to your people on their journey to you. Bless them and carefully guide them on the path of holiness.

We ask you this through Christ our Lord, Amen

by Eileen Quinn Knight, Ph.D. Profiles in Catholicism

A Prayer for Fr. José Manuel Rondón

Dear Lord

We pray that you embrace the murdered Fr. José Manuel Rondón

Molina into your infinite loving care. We also pray that you inspire all in Venezuela to end this violence. Amen

by Gordon Nary Profiles in Catholicism

A Quote to Remember

Never tire of firmly speaking out in defense of life from its conception and do not be deterred from the commitment to defend the dignity of every human person with courageous determination. Christ is with you: be not afraid!

by Saint Pope John Paul II

Interviews

• Professor Andrew J. Boyd

• Father Charles B. Chilufya. S.J.

• Robert Colquhoun

• Paul Benjamin Linton

• Anna Nuzzo

• Father Jonathan Opio

• Andrew J. Schatkin

General Articles/Commentaries

• Cardinal's Letter on Roe Act by Cardinal Sean P. O'Malley Echoes Link to Abortion

• Patriots’ tight end Benjamin Watson is producing an anti-abortion documentary by Zelda Caldwell Aleteia

• What the street tells me: Reflections in front of an abortion clinic by Richard McGuire The Catholic World Report

• Pro-Life Journalist's Car Set on Fire by Feminist Pro-Choice Group

by Jesus Caritas Est Catholic News World

• The Measure of Being Pro-Life

by Franciscan Action Network

• Macbeth, Abortion, and Human Rights by Jerry Salyehe Catholic World Report

• A Perspective On Abortion Regarding Bodily Autonomy by René Albert Patheos

• Patriots’ tight end Benjamin Watson is producing an anti-abortion documentary by Zelda Caldwell Aleteia

• Mom of twins says 'miracle' events led her to reject abortion, choose life

by Dave Hrbacek The Pilot

• Planned Parenthood Targets Latinos — and the Green Bay Packers Are Paying for It by Mary Rose Short National Catholic Register

• Trump seals his Catholic deal. The selling of the church's moral authority is complete

by Tom Robert National Catholic Reporter

• Pope speaks to U.S. bishops about pro-life issues, transgender ideology by Catholic News Service/Crux

• Pope Francis: “I will never grow tired of condemning every form of anti-Semitism” by Gerard O’Connell America

• Rooting Out Antisemitism by Henry Karlson Patheos

• Poll: What do Americans know about the Holocaust? Some, not Much by Yonat Shimron Religion News Service Link to The Holocaust

• Pope on Holocaust atrocities: Let’s all say never again by Associated Press/Crux

• European Bishops Statement on 75th anniversary of liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau by Independent Catholic News

• 25 Muslim faith leaders make ‘groundbreaking’ visit to Auschwitz by Vanessa Gera The Times of Israel

• The Fire This Time:In the Face of Rising White Supremacist Violence, Police Continue to Investigate Victims and Activists

by Alice Speri The Intercept

Link to White Supremacy

• Paula White’s sermon comment about ‘satanic pregnancies’ goes viral by Bob Smietana Religion News Service

• Courage by Cardinal Michael Czerny, SJ IgNation

• Myanmar's genocide denial frustrates Rohingya refugees by Stephan Uttom and Rock Ronald Rozario UCANews.com Link to War/Acts of War /Terrorism/Genocide

• The teaching of the Catholic Church is clear: We are against war. by Father James Martin. S.J.. America

• War crime pardons dishonor the Christian roots of the modern military by Matthew Shadle America

• How Afghanistan changed this Catholic vet’s relationship to violence—and God by Jesuitical America

• JFK's grandson slams Mike Pence's op-ed on Donald Trump's impeachment by Shane O'Brien IrishCentral Link to United States Politics

• Cardinal Cupich warns against the Church entering partisan politics

by Christopher White Crux

• What Did Hannah Arendt Really Mean by the Banality of Evil? by Thomas White Pocket

• The religious significance of the assassination of Qassem Soleiman

by James J. Fox National Catholic Reporter

• 1 of 4 kidnapped Nigerian seminarians released after suffering serious injuries by Catholic News Agency/Angelus

• Bishop says Nigeria’s government giving Boko Haram a ‘confidence boost’ by Crux Staff Crux

• DR Congo still beset with deep-seated problems, say Catholic leaders, Bishops fear that the country risks being broken apart by violence

by La Croix International staff (with Catholic News Service)

Link to African Challenges

• South Sudan peace declaration signed in Rome

by Courtney Mares Catholic News Agency/Angelus

• Millions of people in southern Africa facing food crisis

by Crux Staff

• The Mischief of The Two Popes by Fr. Robert P. Imbelli The Catholic Thing

• Cardinal Müller: Many in German ‘synodal process’ seek ‘political power’

by Charles C. Camosy Crux

• Judge Blocks Order Allowing State, Local Officials to Veto Resettlement

by Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society

• Judge Blocks Trump’s Order on State Refugee Resettlement

by Carol Zimmerman The Tablet

Link to General United States Immigration Challenges

• God’s infinite mercy

by Cardinal Blase Cupich Chicago Catholic

• Theological Drift.Benedict’s Estrangement from Ratzinger

by Massimo Faggioli Commonweal

• How young women religious are changing the church by Jessica Mesman U.S. Catholic

• Laura Maria Caterina Bassi of Bologna by the Vatican Observatory Faith and Science

• “The Most Horrible Thing I’ve Ever Done.” A Border Patrol Agent Talks About Separating Children from Parents

by Rebecca Hamilton Patheos

Link to Separation of Children from their Parents

• Catholic immigration activists step up in battle against Trump policies

by Sarah Salvadore National Catholic Reporter

• Rally demands humanitarian treatment of child migrants by Barbara Kentish Independent Catholic News Link to Europe Challenges

• Priest, staff helping migrants in Guatemala receive death threats by Rhina Guidos Catholic News Service/Crux Link to Guatemala Immigration Challenges

• Images at southern border ‘wound the soul,’ says Mexican bishop by David Agren Crux Link to Mexico Immigration Challenges

• The Sameness and Difference of Saint Thérèse by Brother André Marie Catholicism.org

• Vatican conference highlights importance of elderly in the church

by Junno Arocho Esteves Catholic News Service/Angelus

Link to Elder Outreach/Services

• Poland, Past and Present An effort to document the lost Jewish life in the town of Kanczuga, and to preserve what remains by Jonathan Feldstein and Patrick Czerwony Tablet

• The myth of the self-regulating institution of 'pope emeritus'

by Massimo Faggioli National Catholic Reporter

• Belgian Doctors Face Trial in Country’s First Euthanasia Case

by The New York Times/Bioethics.com

Link to Euthanasia

• Faith of the best African footballer

by Lucie Sarr La Croiz International

Link to Sports and Spirituality

• New rugby club in Argentina helps kids with learning disabilities

by Inés San Martín Crux

• She Is 96 and Does Not Fear Her Death. But Do Her Children?

by John Leland The New York Times

Link to End of Life

• When friendship fails, forgive

by Anne Windholz U.S.Catholic

Link to Forgiveness

• AIDS, the Catholic Church and LGBT issues today Featured in Plague: Untold Stories of AIDS & the Catholic Church/America Link to HIV/AIDS and to LGBTQ Challenges

• Benedict is defending celibacy from the media, not from Francis by Charles Collins Crux Link to Sex, Sexuality, and Celibacy

• Ireland’s Church Leaders unite to welcome new Power-Sharing Deal by Linda Bordoni Vatican News

• Catholics Reflect on 10 Years of the Good, Bad and Ugly of Social Media by Peter Jesserer Smith National Catholic Reporter Link to Social Media

• Francis Chan, Christian Unity and the Real Presence of Christ by Rene Albert Patheos

• Remembering Kobe Bryant: Formed and saved by his Catholic faith by Aleteia

• The Catholic faith of Kobe Bryant by Catholic News Agency/Angelus

• A (Complicated) Prayer for Kobe by Aly Wane America

• How parishes can tackle the U.S. church’s money crisis by Michael White and Tom Corcoran America Link to Parish Challenges

• A scandal in Oxford: the curious case of the stolen gospel

by Charlotte Higgins The Guardian

• Residents fear what may come next after quakes, archbishop says

by Mark Pattison Catholic News Service/Angelus

• Are we morally obligated to meditate?

by Sigal Samuel Vox

• The teaching of the Catholic Church is clear: We are against war. by Father James Martin. S.J.. America Link to War/Acts of War /Terrorism/Genocide

• War crime pardons dishonor the Christian roots of the modern military by Matthew Shadle America

• Anti-Popes, Anti-Traditionalism, and the Current Attacks on Pope Francis by Henry Karson Patheos

• Quakes Severely Damage Historic Puerto Rico Convent of Sisters of Fatima by Rebecca Torrellas The Tablet

• Evolving door: New Year may bring new opportunities for women at Vatican

by Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service/Crux

Link to Women's Challenges and Outreach

• Francis appoints first woman to managerial role at Vatican's Secretariat of State

by Joshua J. McElwee National Catholic Reporter

• Francis criticizes world's 'very weak' response to climate change in address to diplomats

by Joshua J. McElwee Earthbeat

Link to Environment and Climate Challenges

• Pro-Trump group targets Catholic voters using cellphone technology.' Geofencing' captures cellphone data of Mass-goers

by Heidi Schlumpf National Catholic Reporter

Link to United States Politics

• Those Who Shamed Us For Immorality Are Now Its Biggest Defenders: The Gaslighting Cycle of the Christian Trump Supporter by Rebecca Bratten Weiss Patheos

• Donald Trump and the New Crusades

by Shane Phillips Patheos

• Finland’s Female Prime Minister Bans President Trump by Andrew Hall Patheos

• U.S. government urged to boost funding and strengthen security at religious sites

by Tim Swift Catholic News Service/America

Link to Fear, Hate, Prejudice, and Discrimination against Others

• Gustav Klimt in the Brain Lab. What is neuroscience doing to art?

by Kevin Berger Nautilus

• 7 Little-known facts about Michelangelo’s Pietà by V. M. Traverso Aleteia Link to Spirituality and Art

• Francis appoints first woman to managerial role at Vatican's Secretariat of State

by Joshua J. McElwee National Catholic Reporter

• Philippine bishop appeals for help as volcano erupts

by Joe Torres UCANews.com

• Duterte resumes attacks on Philippine Catholic bishops

by UCANews Reporter UCANews.com

• Burying Germany’s war dead with dignity is a delicate work of mercy

by Zita Ballinger Fletcher America

• Kelly And Pompeo: How A Journalist Masterfully Combated Gaslighting

by Stephanie Sarkis Forbes

• Ignatius Press to keep Benedict XVI listed as coauthor of new celibacy book

by JD Flynn Catholic News Agency/The Catholic World Report

• Two men in white: Book saga shows need to rethink norms for retired popes

by Richard Gaillardetz National Catholic Reporter

• US Bishops Offer Prayers After Americans Killed Fighting Fires in Australia by Catholic News Agency/National Catholic Register

• The melody Paul Simon borrowed from Bach by J-P Mauro Aleteia Link to Spirituality and Music

• In Iceland, composer and Polish Carmelite sisters turn saints' poetry into music by Zita Ballinger Fletcher Global Sisters Report

• Watching My Son Grow, and My Mom Return to Childhood. My brilliant mom was diagnosed with dementia when my son was a baby. For a time, their interests and abilities matched exactly. by Lizzie Skurnick Parenting Link to Dementia​

• Families Sending Relatives with Dementia to Thailand for Care by The Guardian/Bioethics.com

• Pressure on Iran as nuclear deal unravels by Nathan Morley Vatican News Link to Nuclear Challenges

• Why we need to have a debate over nuclear weapons and nuclear deterrence by Russell Shaw Catholic World Report

• EU nations threaten Iran with sanctions over nuclear worries by Stefan J. Bos Vatican News

• The Cancer Chair. Is suffering meaningless? by Christian Wiman Harpers Link to Cancer

• Pope Blesses Rosaries for Prisoners by Inés San Martín The Tablet Link to The Rosary and to Prison Challenges

• U.S. Bishops Say Death Row Inmate Likely Innocent, Call for New Trial by Catholic News Agency/National Catholic Register Link to Death Penalty

• Archbishop Gomez urges nation to overcome racism that still clouds hearts by Catholic News Service/Angelus Link to Racial Challenges

• Catholic suicide surge a wakeup call for Indonesian Church by Ryan Dagur UCANews.com Link to Suicide/Assisted Suicide/Euthanasia

• Hearing cites successes, undone work in protecting trafficking victims

by Mark Pattison Catholic News Service/Crux

Link to Human Trafficking

• Envy, hate, and the increase in violent anti-Semitism by Anne Hendershott The Catholic World Report

• 14 with church ties named in Alaska misconduct review

by Becky Bohrer Associated Press/Crux

• Welcome for Vatican guidelines on support of children born to Catholic clergy

by Noel Baker Irish Examiner

• Missing Priest found Dead - RIP Fr. José Manuel Rondón Molina at Age 47 who Ministered to Cloister

by Jesus Caritas Est - Catholic News World

• Around the World, 260 Million Christians Face Persecution

by Catholic News Agency/National Catholic Register

• Stealth Disease Likely to Blame for 20% of Worldwide Deaths

by NPR/Bioethics.com

• UN alarmed over children killed in Myanmar conflict

by John Zaw UCAnews.com

Link to Children Outreach/Protection

• Spanish cardinal: ‘Marxist communism … has been reborn’ in the country

by Catholic News Service/Crux

• The Little Girl Satanist Next Door

by Edwin Benson Return to Order

Link to Exorcism and Satanism

• Amazon is selling products that are outright Satanic and meant for Satanic practices. by Return to Order

• Human Rights Defenders Killed in 2020 in Colombia - Bishops express "immense pain and concern..."

by Jesus Caritas Est Catholic News World

Link to Human Rights

• It’s Time We Celebrate Ella Baker Day

by Mark Engler The Nation

• Donald Trump, a Racist, Sends Awful Tweet About MLK Jr. Day

by Ben Dreyfuss Mother Jones

Link to Racial Challenges

• Walt Disney and unintentional transcendence by Thomas M. Doran The Dispatch

• New book seeks to show Father James Martin ‘as a person’ to his critics by Christopher White Crux

• With wall on three sides, Comboni Sisters in West Bank build bridges by Judith Sudilovsky Catholic News Service/Crux

• Joan of Arc has been a saint for 100 years. Her exploitation continues. by Mark Alpert America

• Dirty Money and Bad Science at MIT's Media Lab by Noam Cohen Wired

• The China/Vatican Agreement: A Human Tragedy by Betty Clermont The Open Tabernacle Link to Catholicism and China

• Flemish priest killed in South Africa by Linda Bordo Vatican News Link to Murdered Priests

• At least 19 people killed in attack in South Sudan by Francesca Merlo Vatican News

• 11 Martyrs of Nowogrodek Poland by Brian Kelly Cstholicism.org

• Eight Die As Fire Hits Czech Disabled Home. by Stefan J. Bos Vatican News

• Priest appeals for more shelters for volcano evacuees in Philippines by Catholic News Service/Crux

• Catholic School Teachers Complete Active Shooter Training by Emily Drooby New Evangelization Television (NET) Link to Catholic Schools and to Gun Violence

• G. K. Chesterton’s Conversion to Catholicism (In Brief) by Dave Armstrong Patheos

• Pastor executed as Boko Haram resurfaces in surge of violent attacks in Nigeria by Shola Lawal America

• Niger, Burkina Faso bishops warn of ‘inter-communal conflicts’ if jihadist attacks continue by Crux Staff

• Trump’s new executive order is making refugee resettlement more difficult by Kevin Clarke America

• T.P.S. was meant to protect immigrants from global danger zones. Now thousands may face deportation

by Kevin Clarke America

• Understanding the debate about celibacy by Greg Erlandson Echoes

• Parish in Rome opens doors to the poor, 24 hours a day by Inés San Martín Crux Link to Homeless and to Poverty

• Missing Priest found Dead - RIP Fr. José Manuel Rondón Molina at Age 47 who Ministered to Cloister by Jesus Caritas Est - Est Catholic News World Link to Murdered Priests

• Pope Francis Replaces Conservative Archbishop of Philadelphia by Elizabeth Dias and Jason Horowitz The New York Times

• Vatican women’s magazine blames drop in nuns on abuses by Nicole Winfield Crux

• Operation Encore and the Saudi Connection: A Secret History of the 9/11 Investigation by Tim Golden and Sebastian Rotel ProPublica

• Cardinal Cupich: Promoting human dignity is our baptismal call by Cardinal Blase Cupich National Catholic Reporter

• Ask a Priest -Cancer and Church by Peter Monty, SJ IgNation Link to Cancer

• How St. John Henry Newman can help us understand why Catholics are leaving the church by David C. Paternostro, S.J. America Link to Parish Challenges

• Catholic actor arrested at Washington climate protest by Ellen Teague Independent Catholic News Link to Environment and Climate Challenges

• Lawsuit charges USCCB misled Catholics about Peter's Pence collection by Dennis Sadowski Catholic News Service/Angelus Link to Financial Crimes

• Patient receiving “precautionary” treatment for coronavirus at Belfast hospital by IrishCentral Staff IrishCentral Link to Coronavisus

• Q&A: WHO representative addresses China's new virus outbreak by Sam McNeil Medical Press

• As coronavirus spreads, churches outside China take preventive measures by Catholic News Service/Crux

• Day of Reparation held in India archdiocese after Eucharistic desecration by Nirmala Carvalho Crux

• ‘I am being starved by the church’, says expelled Kerala nun by Hindustan Times

• Auschwitz survivors warn of rising anti-Semitism 75 years later

by Vanessa Gera Associated Press/America

• East African locust invasion reaches Kenya by Francesca Merlo Vatican News

• Horrific murder of three young children in Dublin by IrishCentral Staff Link to Murder

• Hundreds gather at candlelit vigil for murdered children as father speaks out by Shane O'Brien Irish Central

• Why Does an Accused Sex-Predator Priest Say He’s a ‘Senior Vice President’ in Rudy Giuliani’s Consulting Firm?

by Seth Hettena Rolling Stone

Link to Clerical Sexual Violence Against Minors

• End-of-life care the real battleground of moral theology, author says by Crux Staff Crux

Link to End of Life

Please support one of our organizations and people who need help

• Please send a donation for help save the life of my close friend Alwin Rex in India. Please read the article How do we love our neighbor as ourselves? and send a donation of $10.00 or more to help cover his healthcare costs to Father Thomas Ayyaneth, SyroMalankara Catholic Eparchial Chancery,1500 DePaul Street, Elmont, New York 11003, USA with a notation that the donation is for Alwin Rex. Father Thomas will process donations and send them to his pastor. Thank you Gordon Nary Editor, Profiles in Catholicism

• Donation request for mentally retarded children in India

• When Children are Set Free by Father Shay Cullen Preda Foundation

Book Reviews/Commentaries

• The Heart and the Abyss: Preventing Abortion

by Ward Biemans SJ

Reviewed by Dr Pravin Thevathasan Catholic Medical Quarterly

• Wonderfully Made: A Weekly Journal for Faith‑Filled Moms‑to‑Be by Clarissa Valbuena Aljentera

Reviewed by Michelle Martin Chicago Catholic

• Surprised by Joy

by C .S. Lewis

Reviewed by Eileen Quinn Knight, Ph.D. Profiles in Catholicism

• Smile of Joy: Mary of Nazareth

by Thomas Casey, S.J.

Reviewed by Eileen Quinn Knight, Ph.D. Profiles in Catholicism

• The Virgin of Prince Street: Expeditions Into Devotion

by Sonja Livingston

Reviewed by James M. Chesbro America

• Healing Racial Trauma – The Road to Resilience by Sheila Wise Rowe Patheos Commentary by Redbud Writers Guild Patheos

• Grace Will Lead Us Home: The Charleston Church Massacre and the Hard, Inspiring Journey to Forgiveness

by Jennifer Berry Hawes

Reviewed by Diana L. Hayes National Catholic Reporter

• Olive, Again

by Elizabeth Strou

Reviewed by Mary Gibbons America

• Poverty Is Not Natural

by George Curtis

Reviewed by Bernadette Meaden Independent Catholic News

• The Topeka School by Ben Lerner Commentary by Elaine Blair The New York Review of Books

• Walter Rauschenbusch by Joseph J. Fahey Reviewed by Ryan Di Corpo America

• Mary and Early Christian Women: Hidden Leadership, by Ally Kateusz Reviewed by Christine Schenk National Catholic Reporter

• Worship as Community Drama: Introduction to Liturgy Evaluation

by Pierre Hegy

Reviewed by Peter C. Phan National Catholic Reporter

• The Enchantments of Mammon

by Eugene McCarraher

Reviewed by David Bentley Hart Commonweal

• The Galápagos Islands: A Spiritual Journey

by Brian McLaren

Film Reviews/Commentaries

• Revolution of the Heart. The Dorothy Day Story Commentary by Julie Bourbon National Catholic Reporter

• Just Mercy

Reviewed by Mark Pattison Catholic News Service

• The Cave Reviewed by John Anderson America

• Blind Eyes Opened Commentary by Patty Knap Aleteia

• Circus of Life (Zindagi Tamasha) Commentary by Kamran Chaudhry UCANews.com

• Jojo Rabbit Reviewed by by Simcha Fisher America

• Joker Reviewed by Peter Bradshaw The Guardian

• The Irishman Reviewed Raj Vijayakumar IgNation

• The Nun’s Story Commentary by Nadra Nittle America

• Plastic Ocean Commentary by Bob Wegener EarthBeat

Television Reviews/Commentaries

• Thre New Pope

by Elise Harris Crux

Feasting with the Saints

• February 23 Anniversary of the Crowning of Simon de Brion as Pope Martin IV

Prayers

I Am Becoming a Catholic

He called me...At first it was a tiny call and I said:

"Well I am listening" He called again and again I said:

"I am listening"

Sometimes His voice is strong and clear,

other times I can hardly hear Him,

Sometimes He calls me when I am looking at a beautiful sunset,

Sometimes He calls me when I am helping to serve the homeless,

sometimes He calls me when I am out to dinner with friends.

I am still listening

He wants me to follow Him now and always.

He wants me to follow Him in joy and solitude.

He wants me to follow Him when others are in need.

He wants me to follow Him when I have chosen to hurt Him

and then say I am sorry.

He is after me night and day.

He is after me at the dawn of a new day.

He is after me when daylight disappears.

His never ending loving call is for ME!

I want to belong to Him and His Church.

I want His presence to become stronger in my everyday life.

I want Him to love me now and forever.

I say YES and again YES.

He hugs me with a strong embrace.

He and I are together with the rest of His followers.Now and forever. by Holy Name RC(A Committee Profiles in Catholicism

A Prayer to End Gun Violence

Lord Jesus, as you approached the city of Jerusalem, Before your passion, As your people waved palms in your honor, You saw the city and wept over it because you Loved it.

You knew of the violence and chaos you would suffer In that beloved city still you loved it and wept over it. Lord Jesus, look upon our cities, weep over them, Love them and protect them. Weep over us and strengthen us as we suffer Violence and chaos. Weep over us and love us. Lord Jesus, weep over us and love us. (See Lk 19) by Father David O. Brown, O.S.M.. Profiles in Catholicism

A Prayer for Migrant Children

Good Lord, who said “Whoever receives one of these little ones, receives me,” bless the little ones who are caught in the struggle of migration, separation, and abuse. Give all those adults who are responsible for them and for their welfare the wisdom and courage to do the children justice and to protect them. Make our hearts more,loving and willing to do the right thing by them. May we see in all people young and old your image and so reverence their great dignity. We make our prayer through you who came among us as a child and who was forced to flee the threat of violence Amen by Father Louis Cameli Profiles in Catholicism

Videos

Fr. Paul Scalia on Catholic Approach to Abortion

Special Interview from Asia :Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle

How to be a Missionary in the Modern Age with Fr. Will Conquer