Catholic Church

By Carrie Gress, The Catholic Thing - In current culture, Catholic doctrine is frequently mocked as a silly set of rules and regulations, but it turns out to be something much richer, deeper, and healthier than most imagine. It is this overlooked doctrine that has the potential to create the space for our laughter. And when it is abandoned, laughter ends. But if we maintain or recover our own integrity through the sacramental life, trust, vulnerability, and real care have room to grow. Tables can once again become animated by giggles, guffaws, and even snorts as families delight in each other.

By Msgr. Charles Pope - The Gospel today is, to the world and to those who are perishing, utter madness, utter foolishness. For Christ, in effect, declares that dying (to this world) is the only way to true life. While the world’s so-called wisdom declares to us that the way to life is power, prestige, possessions and popularity, Jesus says, die to all that and you’ll find true life... The word “paradox” refers to something that is contrary to the usual way of thinking. And the true gospel, (not the watered down, compromised one) is a real insult to the world. ...

By Daniel Payne, CNA Staff - The Wisconsin Supreme Court on Thursday ruled that (Catholic Charities Bureau's) activities were not “primarily” religious under state law, stripping the group of a key tax break and ordering it to pay into the state unemployment system... In its divided 4-3 ruling on Thursday, the Supreme Court of Wisconsin agreed with the state, upholding a lower court ruling and ordering that CCB and its subgroups “offer services that would be the same regardless of the motivation of the provider,” which the court called “a strong indication” that the group does not “operate primarily for religious purposes.”

By Jason Scott Jones, The Stream - I know too many fellow believers and patriots who have swallowed what some call the “black pill.” That is, they’ve let frustration, fear, and indignation consume them, to the point that to protect themselves from further disappointment, they now embrace despair. They dwell on each piece of genuine negative news, and each rumor or ominous warning, with almost a perverse glee. Like Job’s “friends” in the Bible, they advise us to “curse God and die.” ....