7 Quick Takes Friday (set #214)

7 Quick Takes Friday

This week: The latest issue of New Evangelists Monthly awaits your perusal. Four cardinals have formally asked 5 clear and crucial questions – so far unanswered. Facebook and Twitter are censoring more and more Christian content – including the most basic pro-life speech. Martin Luther, “the man” as researched by a popular secular YouTube personality. Corpus Chrisi, Cologne Germany, 1947 (ironically, the good old days). A Catholic high school offers a simple prayer. Utopia University wants your children (fictional, but a proxy for much of modern academia).

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New Evangelists Monthly

Issue #55, July 2017, of New Evangelists Monthly is ready for your enjoyment! Scores of faithful Catholic bloggers have contributed their very best pieces from June. Contributing authors this month include: Stephen Korsman, Virginia Lieto, Chris Capolino, Fr. Stephen Morris, Matthew Coffin, David Wong, Dave Wanat, Carolyn Astfalk, Erin Cupp, Ellen Gable Hrkach, Blythe Kaufman, Bonnie Way, Rick Becker, Billie Jo Stoltz, James Hahn, Michael Seagriff, Mary Cooper, Kathleen Laplante, Aimee O’Connell, Victoria Clarizio, Shannon, Tom Perna, Susan Stabile, Elizabeth Reardon, Scott Smith, Laura Pearl, Melanie Jean Juneau, Roy Cooney, Larry Peterson, Alicia, Tucker Cordani, Matt Marks, Vijaya Bodach, Fr. Ben Hadrich, Sherry Antonetti, Thomas and Deborah Richard, Nancy Shuman, David Torkington, Rich Maffeo, Dn. Scott Dodge, De Maria, Leslie Klinger, Dn. John Donaghy, Sr. Maresa Lilley, Claire McGarry, Roxane Salonen, Lisa Ponchak, Maria Johnson, Brian Gill, Robert Collins, Jennifer James, Barbara Hosbach, John Schroeder, Rae Stabosz, Mike Maturen, Fr. Errol Fernandes, Rick Rice, Amy Wiggin, Margaret Felice, Tom Smith, Dn. Greg Horton, Thomas Cruz-Wiggins, Brian Mullins, Christian Miraglia, Larry Fox, Fr. Joseph Mungai, Jennifer Elia, Fr. Richard DeLillio, Bartimaeus Timeo and Ebeth Weidner.

This monthly “meta-magazine” showcases faithful Catholicism from theology to family life and “everything in between.” Enjoy it now at NewEvangelists.org.

Read Now

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Four cardinals have 5 clear questions, raised by conflicting understanding of our faith. Our faith is universal, but in recent years even neighboring bishops can have completely opposite practices for the civilly remarried. Truth does not vary diocese to diocese nor does it change over time. If you are unaware of the controversy, this clip from EWTN’s Raymond Arroyo will be very helpful.

Sadly one of the four – Cardinal Joachim Meisner – died this week, his questions unaddressed and left unanswered.

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Facebook and Twitter are increasingly censoring Christian pro-family content including pro-life support. They use internal and external “fact checkers,” invariably left leaning, to make their determination of “fake news”, “hate speech” and the like. Half of America, if not more, need better alternatives to these biased services.

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It has been 500 years since the Protestant revolution which split the universal Christian Church into countless variants. This was of course, initiated by the famous heretic Martin Luther. What kind of man was he? Here is a SECULAR piece that takes a non-religious look:

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In 1947, a devastated Germany still managed to recognize Corpus Christi. It was important to them as it should be. Today the churches still stand but are largely vacant. Their faith it would seem, lies in their government.

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Schools welcome and embrace the most marginal of values, but at the same time vigorously reject God (* except Islam). A Catholic high school produced this piece:

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This promotional video for Utopia University is supposed to be a spoof, but is unfortunately closer to the truth than not:


Some random thoughts or bits of information are worthy of sharing but don’t warrant their own full post. This idea was begun by Jennifer Fulwiler and is now continued by Kelly Mantoan. So, some Fridays I too participate when I have accumulated 7 worthy items. Thank you Kelly for hosting this project!

7 Quick Takes Friday (set #213)

7 Quick Takes Friday

This week: The latest issue of New Evangelists Monthly awaits your perusal. Fr. Mike Schmitz asks “why be Catholic and not just Christian?” What is in a name? Is silence in the Mass just “dead air”? A wonderful new chant album from the FSSP has just been released. US District Judge William Orrick doing a yeoman’s job burying the truth on the abortion industry. A surprising commentary on leftist intolerance from a surprising source.

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New Evangelists Monthly

Issue #54, June 2017, of New Evangelists Monthly is ready for your enjoyment! Scores of faithful Catholic bloggers have contributed their very best pieces from May. Contributing authors this month include: Fr. Stephen Morris, Virginia Lieto, Chris Capolino, Brian Gill, Michael Seagriff, Blythe Kaufman, Frank Rega, Erin Cupp, Dn. Scott Dodge, Rick Becker, Fr. Errol Fernandes, Larry Peterson, Dave Wanat, Lianna Mueller, Fr. Chori Jonathin Seraiah, Dn. John Donaghy, Victoria Clarizio, Jennifer Elia, Ashley Crane, Nancy Shuman, Ellen Gable Hrkach, Scott Smith, Tucker Cordani, Kathleen Laplante, Kirby Hoberg, Bonnie Way, David Wong, Melanie Jean Juneau, Lisa Laverty, Elizabeth Reardon, John Schroeder, David Torkington, Robert Collins, Barbara Szyszkiewicz, Roxane Salonen, Vinny Carr, Vijaya Bodach, Monica McConkey, Leslie Klinger, Fr. Gilles Surprenant, Claire McGarry, Fr. Ben Hadrich, Alicia, Sr. Maresa Lilley, Tom Smith, Rich Maffeo, Christian Miraglia, Rick Rice, Susan Stabile, Aimee O’Connell, Fr. Adrian Danker, Barbara Hosbach, Tom Perna, Carolyn Astfalk, Lisa Ponchak, Matt Marks, Msgr. Charles Pope, Lawrence and Susan Fox, Ellen Kolb, Laura Pearl, Thomas Cruz-Wiggins, W.L. Grayson, Julian Barkin, Joe Simmons, Christina Nagy, Fr. Richard DeLillio, Bartimaeus Timeo, Brian Mullins and Drusilla.

This monthly “meta-magazine” showcases faithful Catholicism from theology to family life and “everything in between.” Enjoy it now at NewEvangelists.org.

Read Now

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Is it actually important to be a Catholic Christian or is being any Christian all the same? Are the wide rainbow of denominations just alternative ways of sharing the same light?

Yes and no. Among many Christians there is some agreement yet there are many deep, even opposite, beliefs. Fundamental stuff like how do you get to heaven, is baptism important, how/when to baptize, or how to worship God. Is there no way to know the fullness of truth? Fr. Mike Schmitz has the bottom-line.

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You are not your name, but it is a big and permanent part of you given by your parents at your baptism.

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In radio, “dead air” is a big no-no. People will change the channel.

Likewise in the Mass, something must always be happening – right? No so if you understand the nature of The Most Holy Sacrifice of the Mass and the role of sacred silence in it. Cardinal Robert Sarah (an absolute super-star) has a new book on this topic. Bishop Barron discusses:

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The Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter (FSSP) has released a new chant album on the Requiem Mass. It looks awesome!

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William Orrick donated substantial money to President Obama’s campaign ($30,000) and helped raise other contributions ($200,000) – just as he had previously for other leftist candidates. Obama nominated William Orrick for the US District Court, a position he has aggressively used to support abortion and its commercial behemoth Planned Parenthood.

Once again shocking undercover videos reveal the complete depravity of PP so Orrick has censored them. This is how activist judges wield power (it has little to do with actual law).

The video in question is HERE (until it too is censored).

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The last word goes to CNN on-air personality Fareed Zakaria. It is shocking that such comments appeared on CNN. Shocking because he is absolutely correct about the strident intolerance of the left and that CNN did not stop him or have one of their famous “technical difficulties.” Mind you, Fareed is a true believer in leftist ideology, but kudos to him for recognizing and saying the obvious none-the-less.


Some random thoughts or bits of information are worthy of sharing but don’t warrant their own full post. This idea was begun by Jennifer Fulwiler and is now continued by Kelly Mantoan. So, some Fridays I too participate when I have accumulated 7 worthy items. Thank you Kelly for hosting this project!

7 Quick Takes Friday (set #212)

7 Quick Takes Friday

This week: The latest issue of New Evangelists Monthly awaits your perusal. Fr. Mike explores the trilemma (Jesus: liar, lunatic or Lord). Ben Shapiro takes a look at the currency of “feelings” and the increasing tendency to favor them above actual, you know, “facts”. Lia Mills claims pro-life is pro-woman and pro-choice. Young, thinking millennials discuss pro-life. Bishop Barron on the philosophical musings of Bill Nye. A big surprise when this dude exited his vehicle.

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New Evangelists Monthly

Issue #53, May 2017, of New Evangelists Monthly is ready for your enjoyment! Scores of faithful Catholic bloggers have contributed their very best pieces from April. Contributing authors this month include: Stephen Korsman, Brian Gill, Michael Seagriff, Dave Wanat, Fr. Ben Hadrich, Carolyn Astfalk, Virginia Lieto, Frank Rega, Mike Landry, Kirby Hoberg, Lisa Ponchak, John Schroeder, Rick Becker, Mary Cooper, Claire McGarry, Nancy Shuman, Chris Capolino, Fr. Stephen Morris, Blythe Kaufman, David Wong, Fr. Errol Fernandes, Susan Stabile, Fr. Richard DeLillio, Larry Peterson, Leslie Klinger, Laura Pearl, Sr. Maresa Lilley, Dn. John Donaghy, Dn. Scott Dodge, Barbara Szyszkiewicz, Ellen Kolb, Vinny Carr, Vijaya Bodach, De Maria, Tucker Cordani, Aimee O’Connell, Allison Howell, Theresa, Fr. Gilles Surprenant, Tom Perna, Fr. Adrian Danker, Robert Collins, Rich Maffeo, Rick Rice, Barbara Hosbach, Carissa Douglas, Roxane Salonen, Tom Smith, David Torkington, Ashley Crane, Alicia, Bartimaeus Timeo, Christian Miraglia, Matt Marks, Margaret Felice, Bonnie Way, Kim Padan, Erin Cupp, Christina Nagy, Monica McConkey, Anita Moore, Melanie Jean Juneau, Thomas Cruz-Wiggins and Tony Agnesi.

This monthly “meta-magazine” showcases faithful Catholicism from theology to family life and “everything in between.” Enjoy it now at NewEvangelists.org.

Read Now

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Jesus — liar, lunatic or Lord? Fr. Mike Schmitz provides an excellent explanation of C.S. Lewis’ trilemma.

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Ben Shapiro looks at the role of “feelings” in the great American ideological debate.

The issue, IMHO, is broader than that. Most importantly, it applies to religious “beliefs.” I quote “beliefs” because we all have all many of them. As far as they apply to religion, beliefs and the feelings that back them up are fundamentally irrelevant. What is important are facts.

Where can we get those facts? From God, through His Son our Lord and the means He provided to spread them throughout the world until the end of time. Hint: He never mentioned any book, even one that is unerringly inspired by Him.

Anyway, the video…

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Lia Mills raps on choice and life (really, it is much better than that sounds).

One small nit, I know she meant it in a very specific context, but said “I know my rights don’t require someone to die for me” (at 8:40). Yes, they did. Many died, but most importantly Our Savior.

Also, reflect on this: science, not “religion,” says a human being is created at conception. By definition, the body containing that person is their mother. By definition, that person is her child. By definition, when that person emerges from the body of their mother they are born. “Choice” (as commonly used) refers to the legal act of a mother to decide if her child is to be killed before his or her birth.

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Young, thinking pro-life women:

They make some good points. One that popped-out at me was the need to support women in their choice (to have babies). Yes, that is called marriage. Real marriage, not the currently perverted legal and social conception of it (gender independence, dissolubility, contraception, gender roles, etc.).

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Bishop Barron takes a look at the philosophical insights of Bill Nye, the science guy. (Actually, mediocre science guy and radical, leftist political guy would be a better description – but I digress.)

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Finally, from the Convert Journal “out of the blue” department we have this guy exiting his vehicle. Always look left, then right, then left again. Or something like that:

(That was a deer. Both were apparently OK.)


Some random thoughts or bits of information are worthy of sharing but don’t warrant their own full post. This idea was begun by Jennifer Fulwiler and is now continued by Kelly Mantoan. So, some Fridays I too participate when I have accumulated 7 worthy items. Thank you Kelly for hosting this project!

7 Quick Takes Friday (set #211)

7 Quick Takes Friday

This week: The latest issue of New Evangelists Monthly awaits your perusal. Another explosive Planned Parenthood undercover video. Pro-life promises kept by the administration. The Atonement Academy: what a real Catholic school looks like. A peek into what people are thinking. The unbridled hypocrisy of the left. Progressives were not always this way; why one writer “left the left.”

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New Evangelists Monthly

Issue #52, April 2017, of New Evangelists Monthly is ready for your enjoyment! Scores of faithful Catholic bloggers have contributed their very best pieces from March. Contributing authors this month include: Stephen Korsman, Matthew Coffin, Adam Crawford, Dave Wanat, Fr. Ben Hadrich, Rick Becker, Ellen Kolb, Blythe Kaufman, John Schroeder, Bonnie Way, Virginia Lieto, Chris Capolino, Michael Seagriff, Margaret Felice, Mike Landry, Fr. Gilles Surprenant, Lisa Laverty, Nancy Ward, Fr. Stephen Morris, Claire McGarry, Carolyn Astfalk, Nancy Shuman, Tucker Cordani, Vijaya Bodach, Rich Maffeo, Tom Perna, Monica McConkey, Elizabeth Reardon, Jennifer Elia, Roxane Salonen, Aimee O’Connell, Matt Marks, Kathleen Laplante, Tony Agnesi, Sr. Maresa Lilley, Dn. John Donaghy, Dn. Scott Dodge, Anita Moore, David Torkington, Allen Hebert, Melanie Jean Juneau, Leslie Klinger, Lisa Ponchak, Rita Buettner, Ellen Gable Hrkach, Brian Gill, Fr. Errol Fernandes, Thomas Cruz-Wiggins, Tom Smith, Barbara Hosbach, Alexandrina Brant, Kirby Hoberg, Kalley C, Eric Johnston, Jeff Walker, Joan Watson, Bartimaeus Timeo, Erin Cupp, Robert Collins, Christina Nagy, Erin, Susan Stabile, Barbara Szyszkiewicz, Rick Rice, De Maria, Thomas and Deborah Richard and Birgit Jones.

This monthly “meta-magazine” showcases faithful Catholicism from theology to family life and “everything in between.” Enjoy it now at NewEvangelists.org.

Read Now

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Abortion leaders like Planned Parenthood have their own worries. For example, their own Dr. DeShawn Taylor (Medical Director of Planned Parenthood of Arizona) explains the challenge of obtaining valuable body parts in late-term abortions. A unique challenge is dealing with babies accidentally born alive.

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The new administration is keeping their pro-life promises. In less than 3 months, we already have the following victories:

  • VP Mike Pence addressed the March for Life the week after taking oath
  • Removed funding for international abortions (“Mexico City Policy”)
  • Removed funding for the “UN Population Fund” (an extreme pro-abortion agency)
  • Removed Obama’s restriction on states defunding abortion centers
  • Nominated Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court
  • Numerous appointments and nominations of pro-life supporters

The really, really big impact will be the president’s Supreme Court appointments. Also important are over 100 federal judge appointments. This impact will last far, far beyond the tenure of the administration.

There are two articles I would like to bring to your attention. First, How Trump became the pro-life leader Republicans always needed is an interesting read. Second, Crossing a line at The New York Times.

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A school or college labeled Catholic is not necessarily so. Many have lost their Catholic identity and have become highly secular, usually leftist organizations — even when run by some religious orders. It is not so for all however. Occasionally I have noted some of the standouts. Fr. Zuhlsdorf (Fr. Z) recently featured aspect this one:

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Sometimes when I observe people, I wonder what their story is and what is on their mind right now. Everybody struggles. My prayer for us all is that we offer up our sacrifices and come closer to God through them. A friend (Rich) recently sent me this video:

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Freedom of religion must be protected for leftists and their favorite groups. Not so much (read: not at all) for faithful Christians. The hypocrisy is not even slightly hidden. This really isn’t news, just a reminder:

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On that point immediately above, Dave Rubin explains why he “left the left” (or at least what it has become):


Some random thoughts or bits of information are worthy of sharing but don’t warrant their own full post. This idea was begun by Jennifer Fulwiler and is now continued by Kelly Mantoan. So, some Fridays I too participate when I have accumulated 7 worthy items. Thank you Kelly for hosting this project!

7 Quick Takes Friday (set #210)

7 Quick Takes Friday

This week: The latest issue of New Evangelists Monthly awaits your perusal. A teen response to an outrageous Teen Vogue abortion piece. A young woman tells of her actual experience choosing abortion. “Jane Roe”, used by abortion politics and then a pro-life leader, has died. School choice (and other religious freedom) promises are being kept by the new administration. The “other side” is as determined to undermine us (Catholics and other Christians) as ever.

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New Evangelists Monthly

Issue #51, March 2017, of New Evangelists Monthly is ready for your enjoyment! Scores of faithful Catholic bloggers have contributed their very best pieces from February. Contributing authors this month include: Fr. Stephen Morris, Virginia Lieto, Chris Capolino, Christian LeBlanc, Dave Wanat, Barbara Hosbach, Rick Becker, Frank Rega, Bethanie Ryan, Katie Fitzgerald, Susan Stabile, Debbie Gaudino, Mike Landry, John Schroeder, Matthew Plese, Nancy Shuman, Vijaya Bodach, Bonnie Way, Rick Rice, Dn. Scott Dodge, Michael Seagriff, Tom Smith, Fr. Chori Jonathin Seraiah, Jamie Jo, David Wong, Fr. Ben Hadrich, Christina Nagy, Carolyn Astfalk, Blythe Kaufman, Robert Collins, Lianna Mueller, De Maria, Ellen Gable Hrkach, Larry Peterson, Matt Marks, David Torkington, Barbara Szyszkiewicz, Melanie Jean Juneau, Leslie Klinger, Elizabeth Reardon, Tony Agnesi, George Sipe, Ellen Kolb, Rich Maffeo, Fr. Gilles Surprenant, Bartimaeus Timeo, Erin, Roxane Salonen, Lisa Laverty, Fr. Errol Fernandes, Sr. Maresa Lilley, Kathleen S, Brian Gill, Christian Miraglia, Lisa Ponchak, Dennis McGeehan, Claire McGarry, Jeff Walker, Jim Hahn, Tom Perna, Jennifer Elia, Tracy Smith, Thomas and Deborah Richard, Erin Cupp, Ebeth Weidner and Fr. David Bird.

This monthly “meta-magazine” showcases faithful Catholicism from theology to family life and “everything in between.” Enjoy it now at NewEvangelists.org.

Read Now

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Teen Vogue recently published a piece apparently aimed at normalizing abortion. It centered on how a friend helps a friend afterwards, as one might for the pulling of a wisdom tooth. A passionate, articulate young lady (16 years old) speaking for Students For Life offers this response:

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This is instructional. An apparently secular young woman tells her abortion story. Turns out, it was not at all like getting a wisdom tooth pulled.

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“Jane Roe” recently died. Hers is an untold story in the secular (yes, fake news) press. EWTN tells the real story:

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School choice is in the news. This should be important to every Catholic, and for that matter, every parent.

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President Trump visiting St. Andrew’s and his support for school choice is not surprising. While he certainly has some legendary lapses and personal flaws, he is already delivering on pre-election promises:

BTW, the president has chosen many Catholics to key positions in his administration including Kellyanne Conway. This is very, very good for the pro-life movement.

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It would be foolish to think those with a certain political ideology will now retreat. Beyond their violence, rioting, paid disruptions of town hall meetings, and many other immoral manipulations lies the usual lawsuits. In this current case, well settled law is again being challenged (and successfully in a “sympathetic” lower court):


Some random thoughts or bits of information are worthy of sharing but don’t warrant their own full post. This idea was begun by Jennifer Fulwiler and is now continued by Kelly Mantoan. So, some Fridays I too participate when I have accumulated 7 worthy items. Thank you Kelly for hosting this project!

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