Day: February 7, 2026

LAUGHABLE: Jasmine Crockett Tells MSNOW That Republicans Will ‘Absolutely’ Vote for Her in a General Election (VIDEO) – Far left Rep. The post LAUGHABLE: Jasmine Crockett Tells MSNOW That Republicans Will ‘Absolutely’ Vote for Her in a General Election (VIDEO) appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.
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LAUGHABLE: Jasmine Crockett Tells MSNOW That Republicans Will ‘Absolutely’ Vote for Her in a General Election (VIDEO) – Far left Rep. The post LAUGHABLE: Jasmine Crockett Tells MSNOW That Republicans Will ‘Absolutely’ Vote for Her in a General Election (VIDEO) appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

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Far left Rep.

The post LAUGHABLE: Jasmine Crockett Tells MSNOW That Republicans Will ‘Absolutely’ Vote for Her in a General Election (VIDEO) appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

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DELUSIONAL: Former Washington Post Editor Suggests Paper’s Problems Come From Going Too Soft on Trump (VIDEO) – The total meltdown of the left over the recent layoffs at the Washington Post continue to prove that the media class just doesn’t get what’s happening. The post DELUSIONAL: Former Washington Post Editor Suggests Paper’s Problems Come From Going Too Soft on Trump (VIDEO) appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.
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DELUSIONAL: Former Washington Post Editor Suggests Paper’s Problems Come From Going Too Soft on Trump (VIDEO) – The total meltdown of the left over the recent layoffs at the Washington Post continue to prove that the media class just doesn’t get what’s happening. The post DELUSIONAL: Former Washington Post Editor Suggests Paper’s Problems Come From Going Too Soft on Trump (VIDEO) appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

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The total meltdown of the left over the recent layoffs at the Washington Post continue to prove that the media class just doesn’t get what’s happening.

The post DELUSIONAL: Former Washington Post Editor Suggests Paper’s Problems Come From Going Too Soft on Trump (VIDEO) appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

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A Prayer For a Family: Prayer of the Day for Sunday, February 08, 2026 – #Prayer – O dear Jesus, I humbly implore You to grant Your special graces to our family. May our home be the shrine of peace, purity, love, labor and faith. I beg You, dear Jesus, to protect and bless all of us, absent and present, living and dead. O Mary, loving Mother of Jesus, and our Mother, pray to Jesus for our family, for all the families of the world, to guard the cradle of the newborn, the schools of the young and their vocations. Blessed Saint Joseph, holy …

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O dear Jesus,
I humbly implore You to grant Your special graces to our family.
May our home be the shrine of peace, purity, love, labor and faith.
I beg You, dear Jesus,
to protect and bless all of us,
absent and present,
living and dead.

O Mary,
loving Mother of Jesus,
and our Mother,
pray to Jesus for our family,
for all the families of the world,
to guard the cradle of the newborn,
the schools of the young and their vocations.
Blessed Saint Joseph,
holy …

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Gospel and Word of the Day – 08 February 2026 – First reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah 58:7-10 Thus says the LORD: Share your bread with the hungry, shelter the oppressed and the homeless; clothe the naked when you see them, and do not turn your back on your own. Then your light shall break forth like the dawn, and your wound shall quickly be healed; your vindication shall go before you, and the glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard. Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer, you shall cry for help, and he will say: Here I am! If you remove from your midst oppression, false accusation and malicious speech; if you bestow your bread on the hungry and satisfy the afflicted; then light shall rise for you in the darkness, and the gloom shall become for you like midday.   Second reading from the First Letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians 1 Corinthians 2:1-5 When I came to you, brothers and sisters, proclaiming the mystery of God, I did not come with sublimity of words or of wisdom. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ, and him crucified. I came to you in weakness and fear and much trembling, and my message and my proclamation were not with persuasive words of wisdom, but with a demonstration of Spirit and power, so that your faith might rest not on human wisdom but on the power of God.From the Gospel according to Matthew 5:13-16 Jesus said to his disciples: "You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its taste, with what can it be seasoned? It is no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket; it is set on a lampstand, where it gives light to all in the house. Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father."“You are the light of the world”. Light disperses darkness and enables us to see. Jesus is the light that has dispelled the darkness, but it [darkness] still remains in the world and in individuals. It is the task of Christians to disperse it by radiating the light of Christ and proclaiming his Gospel. It is a radiance that can also come from our words, but it must flow above all from our “good works” (v. 16). A disciple and a Christian community are light in the world when they direct others to God, helping each one to experience his goodness and his mercy. The disciple of Jesus is light when he knows how to live his faith outside narrow spaces, when he helps to eliminate prejudice, to eliminate slander, and to bring the light of truth into situations vitiated by hypocrisy and lies. To shed light. But it is not my light, it is the light of Jesus: we are instruments to enable Jesus’ light to reach everyone. (Pope Francis, Angelus, 9 February 2020)

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First reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah
58:7-10

Thus says the LORD:
Share your bread with the hungry,
shelter the oppressed and the homeless;
clothe the naked when you see them,
and do not turn your back on your own.
Then your light shall break forth like the dawn,
and your wound shall quickly be healed;
your vindication shall go before you,
and the glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard.
Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer,
you shall cry for help, and he will say: Here I am!
If you remove from your midst
oppression, false accusation and malicious speech;
if you bestow your bread on the hungry
and satisfy the afflicted;
then light shall rise for you in the darkness,
and the gloom shall become for you like midday.

 

Second reading from the First Letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians
1 Corinthians 2:1-5

When I came to you, brothers and sisters,
proclaiming the mystery of God,
I did not come with sublimity of words or of wisdom.
For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you
except Jesus Christ, and him crucified.
I came to you in weakness and fear and much trembling,
and my message and my proclamation
were not with persuasive words of wisdom,
but with a demonstration of Spirit and power,
so that your faith might rest not on human wisdom
but on the power of God.

From the Gospel according to Matthew
5:13-16

Jesus said to his disciples:
"You are the salt of the earth.
But if salt loses its taste, with what can it be seasoned?
It is no longer good for anything
but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.
You are the light of the world.
A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden.
Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket;
it is set on a lampstand,
where it gives light to all in the house.
Just so, your light must shine before others,
that they may see your good deeds
and glorify your heavenly Father."

“You are the light of the world”. Light disperses darkness and enables us to see. Jesus is the light that has dispelled the darkness, but it [darkness] still remains in the world and in individuals. It is the task of Christians to disperse it by radiating the light of Christ and proclaiming his Gospel. It is a radiance that can also come from our words, but it must flow above all from our “good works” (v. 16). A disciple and a Christian community are light in the world when they direct others to God, helping each one to experience his goodness and his mercy. The disciple of Jesus is light when he knows how to live his faith outside narrow spaces, when he helps to eliminate prejudice, to eliminate slander, and to bring the light of truth into situations vitiated by hypocrisy and lies. To shed light. But it is not my light, it is the light of Jesus: we are instruments to enable Jesus’ light to reach everyone. (Pope Francis, Angelus, 9 February 2020)

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Hunter Biden Launches HunterRx From Back Of Van #BabylonBee – MALIBU, CA — In direct competition with President Trump’s new TrumpRx website, Hunter Biden announced the launch of HunterRx, a brand new low-price pharmacy he runs out of the back of his van.
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Hunter Biden Launches HunterRx From Back Of Van #BabylonBee – MALIBU, CA — In direct competition with President Trump’s new TrumpRx website, Hunter Biden announced the launch of HunterRx, a brand new low-price pharmacy he runs out of the back of his van.

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MALIBU, CA — In direct competition with President Trump’s new TrumpRx website, Hunter Biden announced the launch of HunterRx, a brand new low-price pharmacy he runs out of the back of his van.

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7 Least-Gay Winter Olympics Events #BabylonBee – While the Summer Olympics are often lauded for their impressive displays of elite athletic prowess, the Winter Olympics are often (rightfully or wrongfully) seen as the "gay" version of the Olympic Games. Upon investigation, however, there may be a few not-quite-as-gay events.
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7 Least-Gay Winter Olympics Events #BabylonBee – While the Summer Olympics are often lauded for their impressive displays of elite athletic prowess, the Winter Olympics are often (rightfully or wrongfully) seen as the "gay" version of the Olympic Games. Upon investigation, however, there may be a few not-quite-as-gay events.

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While the Summer Olympics are often lauded for their impressive displays of elite athletic prowess, the Winter Olympics are often (rightfully or wrongfully) seen as the "gay" version of the Olympic Games. Upon investigation, however, there may be a few not-quite-as-gay events.

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Cuba’s bishops headed to Vatican this month to meet with Pope Leo XIV – #Catholic – Cuba’s bishops are scheduled to travel to Rome later this month to meet with Vatican dicasteries and present Pope Leo XIV with a report on the state of the dioceses on the island.In a message that will be read at Masses this weekend, the bishops will announce that they have been “called to Rome during Feb. 16–20 to pray in the four major basilicas, to meet for the first time with the Holy Father Leo XIV, and to share with him and with the heads of the Holy See’s dicasteries the vicissitudes, sorrows, joys, and hopes of the Church in Cuba.”The Cuban Conference of Catholic Bishops (COCC, by its Spanish acronym) states that the trip is part of the ad limina visit that bishops must make every five years to the See of St. Peter.“Every five years, the diocesan bishop must have a personal meeting with the Holy Father, present him with a report on the state of his diocese, and make a pilgrimage to the tombs of the apostles Peter and Paul,” the announcement states, citing the Code of Canon Law.The COCC reports that the meeting with Leo XIV will take place on the morning of Friday, Feb. 20. “We are filled with anticipation to listen to and converse with someone who, in a way, knows us, since he visited our country twice when he was the superior general of the Augustinian Fathers,” the announcement notes.The trip comes as the Catholic Church is the sole distributor of humanitarian aid sent by the United States government to people affected by Hurricane Melissa — a distribution that is taking place without the intervention of the Cuban government.This is in addition to the meetings that some bishops have held in recent days with the chargé d’affaires of the U.S. Embassy in Cuba, Mike Hammer.On Sunday, Feb. 1, Pope Leo XIV expressed his concern over “reports of increased tensions between Cuba and the United States of America.”The pontiff expressed his support for the bishops’ message of Jan. 31 and urged “all those responsible to promote a sincere and effective dialogue, to avoid violence and any action that could increase the sufferings of the dear Cuban people.”Prayer for their ad limina visit On the occasion of their trip to the Vatican, the bishops have asked the faithful to accompany them with their prayers and have published the following prayer on their website:Lord Jesus, Good Shepherd,who guide your Church along the paths of history,we pray for our bishops,who are making a pilgrimage to Rometo participate in the Ad Limina Apostolorum visit:May this visit be for them a time of grace and renewal in faith,of strengthening in communion with the successor of the Apostle Peter, Pope Leo XIV.Lord, assist our bishops with your grace,make this visit for thema moment of attentive listening and sincere conversion,of profound encounter with you and with their brotherswith Pope Leo and all his closest collaborators,so that upon their return, they may continue to inspire our life of faithand accompany the daily lives of our communities and people.May they, as they kneel before the tombs of the holy apostles,carry in their hearts the joys and sorrows,the hopes and wounds of this Church on pilgrimage in Cuba,and of all the Cuban people,especially the weakest and most weary,those who live in despair and poverty,violence or loneliness.Holy Mary, Virgin of charity,Mother of the Church and queen of the apostles,receive our bishops under your mantleand accompany them on this pilgrimage to Rome,so that, strengthened by the faith of Peter,they may return to our Church with renewed apostolic and missionary zeal.Amen.This story was first published by ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.
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Cuba’s bishops headed to Vatican this month to meet with Pope Leo XIV – #Catholic – Cuba’s bishops are scheduled to travel to Rome later this month to meet with Vatican dicasteries and present Pope Leo XIV with a report on the state of the dioceses on the island.In a message that will be read at Masses this weekend, the bishops will announce that they have been “called to Rome during Feb. 16–20 to pray in the four major basilicas, to meet for the first time with the Holy Father Leo XIV, and to share with him and with the heads of the Holy See’s dicasteries the vicissitudes, sorrows, joys, and hopes of the Church in Cuba.”The Cuban Conference of Catholic Bishops (COCC, by its Spanish acronym) states that the trip is part of the ad limina visit that bishops must make every five years to the See of St. Peter.“Every five years, the diocesan bishop must have a personal meeting with the Holy Father, present him with a report on the state of his diocese, and make a pilgrimage to the tombs of the apostles Peter and Paul,” the announcement states, citing the Code of Canon Law.The COCC reports that the meeting with Leo XIV will take place on the morning of Friday, Feb. 20. “We are filled with anticipation to listen to and converse with someone who, in a way, knows us, since he visited our country twice when he was the superior general of the Augustinian Fathers,” the announcement notes.The trip comes as the Catholic Church is the sole distributor of humanitarian aid sent by the United States government to people affected by Hurricane Melissa — a distribution that is taking place without the intervention of the Cuban government.This is in addition to the meetings that some bishops have held in recent days with the chargé d’affaires of the U.S. Embassy in Cuba, Mike Hammer.On Sunday, Feb. 1, Pope Leo XIV expressed his concern over “reports of increased tensions between Cuba and the United States of America.”The pontiff expressed his support for the bishops’ message of Jan. 31 and urged “all those responsible to promote a sincere and effective dialogue, to avoid violence and any action that could increase the sufferings of the dear Cuban people.”Prayer for their ad limina visit On the occasion of their trip to the Vatican, the bishops have asked the faithful to accompany them with their prayers and have published the following prayer on their website:Lord Jesus, Good Shepherd,who guide your Church along the paths of history,we pray for our bishops,who are making a pilgrimage to Rometo participate in the Ad Limina Apostolorum visit:May this visit be for them a time of grace and renewal in faith,of strengthening in communion with the successor of the Apostle Peter, Pope Leo XIV.Lord, assist our bishops with your grace,make this visit for thema moment of attentive listening and sincere conversion,of profound encounter with you and with their brotherswith Pope Leo and all his closest collaborators,so that upon their return, they may continue to inspire our life of faithand accompany the daily lives of our communities and people.May they, as they kneel before the tombs of the holy apostles,carry in their hearts the joys and sorrows,the hopes and wounds of this Church on pilgrimage in Cuba,and of all the Cuban people,especially the weakest and most weary,those who live in despair and poverty,violence or loneliness.Holy Mary, Virgin of charity,Mother of the Church and queen of the apostles,receive our bishops under your mantleand accompany them on this pilgrimage to Rome,so that, strengthened by the faith of Peter,they may return to our Church with renewed apostolic and missionary zeal.Amen.This story was first published by ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.

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The country’s bishops will travel to Rome from Feb. 16–20 to present to Pope Leo XIV “the vicissitudes, sorrows, joys, and hopes of the Church in Cuba.”

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Zambia bishops instruct clergy and faithful to stay out of partisan politics – #Catholic – Here is a roundup of world news you may have missed this past week:Zambia bishops instruct clergy and faithful to stay out of partisan politicsCatholic bishops in Zambia issued a pastoral letter this past week telling priests to refrain from engaging in party politics as preparations for the country’s August presidential and general elections begin.“The Church is not and must never be a mouthpiece for any political party or candidate. Our duty is to form consciences, promote the common good, and speak truth to power,” the letter stated, adding that “clergy who align themselves with political interests risk compromising their sacred vocation.” The bishops further emphasized that Church property should never be used for political campaigns or meetings, that priests should never accept political donations in exchange for influence, and that preaching from the pulpit remain centered on the Gospel rather than politics.Vietnam has an abundance of priests, lack of missionaries, report saysThe Catholic Church in Vietnam is facing a critical lack in missionaries despite having massive vocational growth, a report this week said.There is “a dire shortage of the missionary spirit required to reach the ‘peripheries’” in Vietnam, according to a UCA News article on Tuesday by Catholic commentator Petrus Po. Though the country in January welcomed 76 new transitional deacons, who are all expected to be ordained in the next year to the priesthood, Po observed that Vietnam’s clergy are heavily concentrated in urban centers, leaving areas such as the Central Highlands and northwestern areas to “wait months for a single Mass.” Amid shortages in rural areas, Po said the local Church should “embrace” the Vietnamese bishops’ designation of 2026 as the year of “Every Christian as a Missionary Disciple” by sending more priests to live in rural areas rather than merely “lending” them.Rising violence in Pakistan prompts increased worry among ChristiansCatholics in Pakistan are experiencing heightened anxiety as conflict between armed militant separatist groups and Pakistan’s security forces continues to strike closer to home.Amar Mansoor Bhatti, a 35-year old Catholic man, told UCA news that he awoke to the sound of gunfire and explosions this past week from the armed clash that has left more than 190 people dead including civilians. “The firing continued for more than eight hours until late afternoon. We stayed inside. We were afraid to step outside the house until Sunday morning [Feb. 1],” he said.The ongoing violence has included suicide bombing attacks, grenade strikes, gunfire, and more. A Christian woman, Maria Shamoon, was abducted from her home in Balochistan by separatists before being later rescued, the report noted.Kenya bishop cautions politicians against disrespecting places of worshipThe auxiliary bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Wote, Bishop Simon Peter Kamomoe, has cautioned politicians against showing disrespect to places of worship, warning that such actions amount to mocking God and undermining the sanctity of the churches in Kenya, ACI Africa, the sister service of EWTN News in Africa, reported Wednesday.Kamomoe issued a stern rebuke of political figures during his homily on Sunday following an attack on former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua during a Sunday church service at St. Peter’s Anglican Church in Othaya, Nyeri County, saying: “The leaders of this country don’t respect the sanctuaries of the Lord … That is mocking God, that is contempt, which is very unfortunate, and if they don’t change, they will see the results.”Filipino priest tapped to serve as new auxiliary bishop for Perth ArchdiocesePope Leo XIV has appointed Philippine-born priest Father Nelson Po to serve as an auxiliary bishop to the Archdiocese of Perth.“It was a big surprise to me. It was overwhelming and surreal because I have never dreamed of becoming a bishop. I went straight to the chapel and became very emotional. I felt so inadequate and unworthy, but I know that God’s strength will carry me through,” Nelson said regarding the news of his appointment, according to a Feb. 2 press release.Australian Catholic Bishops’ Conference president Archbishop Timothy Costelloe, SDB, welcomed the announcement, saying Nelson is “greeted with great joy and excitement by the whole Catholic community of the archdiocese.”Shifts in Syria’s Jazira region: Calm returns, crises remainThe entry of Syrian security forces into Qamishli, following similar deployments in Hasakah and Ayn al-Arab, marks a tangible step in implementing understandings between Damascus and the Syrian Democratic Forces under international pressure, ACI MENA, the Arabic-language sister service of EWTN News, reported Wednesday.For local Christians and other communities, the move has brought cautious relief, particularly with the end of compulsory service previously imposed under the label of “self-defense duty.” Yet stability on paper contrasts sharply with daily realities. Church sources report that around 12% of Jazira’s Christians emigrated in 2025, driven by insecurity and crushing costs, while those who remain face severe water shortages, near-total groundwater depletion, prolonged power cuts, environmental pollution, and persistent security incidents. Eastern Christian youth thrive in the Australian diasporaFrom Melbourne to Auckland, young people from Eastern Churches are finding creative ways to live their faith far from their ancestral homelands, ACI MENA recently reported.The Syriac Catholic youth festival in Australia combined prayer, theater, and open discussion on anxiety, technology, and Christian identity, drawing strong participation.Meanwhile, Chaldean youth gatherings in Australia and New Zealand focused on strengthening communion, daily liturgical life, and reflection on faith within multicultural societies. These initiatives show that, even in the diaspora, Eastern Christian youth are not merely preserving tradition but actively reshaping it for new contexts.
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Zambia bishops instruct clergy and faithful to stay out of partisan politics – #Catholic – Here is a roundup of world news you may have missed this past week:Zambia bishops instruct clergy and faithful to stay out of partisan politicsCatholic bishops in Zambia issued a pastoral letter this past week telling priests to refrain from engaging in party politics as preparations for the country’s August presidential and general elections begin.“The Church is not and must never be a mouthpiece for any political party or candidate. Our duty is to form consciences, promote the common good, and speak truth to power,” the letter stated, adding that “clergy who align themselves with political interests risk compromising their sacred vocation.” The bishops further emphasized that Church property should never be used for political campaigns or meetings, that priests should never accept political donations in exchange for influence, and that preaching from the pulpit remain centered on the Gospel rather than politics.Vietnam has an abundance of priests, lack of missionaries, report saysThe Catholic Church in Vietnam is facing a critical lack in missionaries despite having massive vocational growth, a report this week said.There is “a dire shortage of the missionary spirit required to reach the ‘peripheries’” in Vietnam, according to a UCA News article on Tuesday by Catholic commentator Petrus Po. Though the country in January welcomed 76 new transitional deacons, who are all expected to be ordained in the next year to the priesthood, Po observed that Vietnam’s clergy are heavily concentrated in urban centers, leaving areas such as the Central Highlands and northwestern areas to “wait months for a single Mass.” Amid shortages in rural areas, Po said the local Church should “embrace” the Vietnamese bishops’ designation of 2026 as the year of “Every Christian as a Missionary Disciple” by sending more priests to live in rural areas rather than merely “lending” them.Rising violence in Pakistan prompts increased worry among ChristiansCatholics in Pakistan are experiencing heightened anxiety as conflict between armed militant separatist groups and Pakistan’s security forces continues to strike closer to home.Amar Mansoor Bhatti, a 35-year old Catholic man, told UCA news that he awoke to the sound of gunfire and explosions this past week from the armed clash that has left more than 190 people dead including civilians. “The firing continued for more than eight hours until late afternoon. We stayed inside. We were afraid to step outside the house until Sunday morning [Feb. 1],” he said.The ongoing violence has included suicide bombing attacks, grenade strikes, gunfire, and more. A Christian woman, Maria Shamoon, was abducted from her home in Balochistan by separatists before being later rescued, the report noted.Kenya bishop cautions politicians against disrespecting places of worshipThe auxiliary bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Wote, Bishop Simon Peter Kamomoe, has cautioned politicians against showing disrespect to places of worship, warning that such actions amount to mocking God and undermining the sanctity of the churches in Kenya, ACI Africa, the sister service of EWTN News in Africa, reported Wednesday.Kamomoe issued a stern rebuke of political figures during his homily on Sunday following an attack on former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua during a Sunday church service at St. Peter’s Anglican Church in Othaya, Nyeri County, saying: “The leaders of this country don’t respect the sanctuaries of the Lord … That is mocking God, that is contempt, which is very unfortunate, and if they don’t change, they will see the results.”Filipino priest tapped to serve as new auxiliary bishop for Perth ArchdiocesePope Leo XIV has appointed Philippine-born priest Father Nelson Po to serve as an auxiliary bishop to the Archdiocese of Perth.“It was a big surprise to me. It was overwhelming and surreal because I have never dreamed of becoming a bishop. I went straight to the chapel and became very emotional. I felt so inadequate and unworthy, but I know that God’s strength will carry me through,” Nelson said regarding the news of his appointment, according to a Feb. 2 press release.Australian Catholic Bishops’ Conference president Archbishop Timothy Costelloe, SDB, welcomed the announcement, saying Nelson is “greeted with great joy and excitement by the whole Catholic community of the archdiocese.”Shifts in Syria’s Jazira region: Calm returns, crises remainThe entry of Syrian security forces into Qamishli, following similar deployments in Hasakah and Ayn al-Arab, marks a tangible step in implementing understandings between Damascus and the Syrian Democratic Forces under international pressure, ACI MENA, the Arabic-language sister service of EWTN News, reported Wednesday.For local Christians and other communities, the move has brought cautious relief, particularly with the end of compulsory service previously imposed under the label of “self-defense duty.” Yet stability on paper contrasts sharply with daily realities. Church sources report that around 12% of Jazira’s Christians emigrated in 2025, driven by insecurity and crushing costs, while those who remain face severe water shortages, near-total groundwater depletion, prolonged power cuts, environmental pollution, and persistent security incidents. Eastern Christian youth thrive in the Australian diasporaFrom Melbourne to Auckland, young people from Eastern Churches are finding creative ways to live their faith far from their ancestral homelands, ACI MENA recently reported.The Syriac Catholic youth festival in Australia combined prayer, theater, and open discussion on anxiety, technology, and Christian identity, drawing strong participation.Meanwhile, Chaldean youth gatherings in Australia and New Zealand focused on strengthening communion, daily liturgical life, and reflection on faith within multicultural societies. These initiatives show that, even in the diaspora, Eastern Christian youth are not merely preserving tradition but actively reshaping it for new contexts.

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“The Church is not and must never be a mouthpiece for any political party or candidate,” the Zambian bishops stated. Read more in this roundup of world news that you may have missed this past week.

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Hubble images globular cluster M72

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Lurking in the southwestern corner of Aquarius the Water-bearer, globular cluster M72 doesn’t stand out. At magnitude 9.4, it ranks among the dimmest globulars Charles Messier included in his celebrated catalog. But M72 also lies farther away than most Messier clusters. Its 100,000 stars shine across 55,000 light-years of intragalactic space. M72 appears to beContinue reading “Hubble images globular cluster M72”

The post Hubble images globular cluster M72 appeared first on Astronomy Magazine.

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Canadian Catholic bishops join members of Parliament in push to restrict medical aid in dying – #Catholic – Two legislative efforts to limit Canada’s medical aid in dying (MAID) framework converged Thursday, with Conservative member of Parliament (MP) Garnett Genuis announcing a bill focused on MAID coercion and the Catholic bishops supporting legislation to prohibit assisted dying for mental illness.Genuis introduced a private member’s bill Feb. 5 that would amend the Criminal Code to prohibit any federal or provincial government employee in a position of authority, other than a doctor or nurse, from initiating a discussion about medical aid in dying.Genuis said Bill C-260, “An Act to amend the Criminal Code (medical assistance in dying — protection against coercion),” comes in response to numerous stories of counselors suggesting MAID to persons such as military veterans or disabled men and women who are seeking support, not death.Meanwhile, the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) issued a statement the same day strongly supporting Langley MP Tamara Jansen’s private member’s Bill C-218, which would prevent persons whose sole medical condition is mental illness from accessing euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide (MAID).The statement from the CCCB’s permanent council, its most authoritative body between annual plenary assemblies, said Bill C-218 “would be a constructive step” toward limiting euthanasia and protecting individuals with mental illness.The bishops noted the U.N. Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities has called on Canada to rescind “Track 2 MAID,” which allows euthanasia for those whose natural death is not reasonably foreseeable, and to permanently exclude MAID for persons whose sole underlying medical condition is a mental illness.The bishops also called on the federal government “to allow free conscience voting on this matter, given its profound moral and social implications.”They said current research indicates mental illness is “not necessarily irremediable” and called for improved access to mental illness treatment and palliative care.At a news conference in Ottawa, Genuis said his Bill C-260 would clarify MAID laws by explicitly covering coercive situations such as counseling sessions.The member of Parliament for Sherwood Park-Fort Saskatchewan said the bill is aimed at countering the “discrimination and coercion” that “undermine the experience of persons trying to access supports that they are entitled to.”He cited the example of Nicolas Bergeron, a 46-year-old Quebec man who was not interested in medically-facilitated death. “But a social worker, who came to his house for an entirely different reason, repeatedly tried to push him to change his mind,” Genuis said.Genuis said the counselor presented Bergeron with “a very bleak, worst-case scenario for his illness and told him that sometimes you just have to stop fighting … This is wrong and this is not a one-off. This MAID coercion by nonexperts in positions of authority is part of a troubling pattern.”The bill states: “Every person who, being an officer or employee of the government of Canada or of a province, other than a medical practitioner or a registered nurse, including a nurse practitioner, initiates a discussion with a person about the availability to that person of medical assistance in dying is guilty of an offense punishable on summary conviction if they (a) by virtue of their profession, are in a position of trust or authority towards that person; and(b) know that the person has not specifically requested to have such a discussion with them.”While current law requires that a request for MAID be voluntary and free from external pressure, supporters of the bill argue that consent can be compromised when individuals feel they have no meaningful alternatives to relieve their suffering. Supporters say inadequate access to palliative care, disability supports, mental health treatment, or stable housing amounts to “systemic coercion.”The Criminal Code in Canada currently requires that individuals requesting MAID give informed consent and be advised of available means to relieve suffering, including palliative care. Proponents of Bill C-260 argue that explicitly naming coercion in the MAID context would make it a more enforceable criminal consideration rather than relying primarily on administrative checks and professional judgment.Genuis has repeatedly argued that MAID cannot be considered a genuine choice when people lack access to life-affirming supports. That concern was underscored during a House of Commons committee exchange last fall with Krista Carr, chief executive officer of Inclusion Canada.Appearing before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance, Carr told MPs that people with disabilities are already being placed at a disadvantage by public policy decisions that erode supports. Asked by Genuis whether people with disabilities would be “net worse off” as a result of proposed changes to disability tax credits, Carr replied: “Yes. I think it’s an unintended consequence of a bill meant to make life more affordable for Canadians. As a consequence of that, yes, in a net position they will be worse off than they are now.”The bill is being introduced amid ongoing debate over the scope and safeguards of Canada’s MAID regime, particularly for people whose natural death is not reasonably foreseeable. Disability advocates and organizations, including Inclusion Canada, have repeatedly warned that the expansion of MAID has outpaced the development of adequate social supports, placing people in precarious living situations at risk.As a private member’s bill, Bill C-260 must pass second reading in the House of Commons before proceeding to committee study.This story was first published by The B.C. Catholic on Feb. 5, 2026, and is reprinted here with permission.
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Canadian Catholic bishops join members of Parliament in push to restrict medical aid in dying – #Catholic – Two legislative efforts to limit Canada’s medical aid in dying (MAID) framework converged Thursday, with Conservative member of Parliament (MP) Garnett Genuis announcing a bill focused on MAID coercion and the Catholic bishops supporting legislation to prohibit assisted dying for mental illness.Genuis introduced a private member’s bill Feb. 5 that would amend the Criminal Code to prohibit any federal or provincial government employee in a position of authority, other than a doctor or nurse, from initiating a discussion about medical aid in dying.Genuis said Bill C-260, “An Act to amend the Criminal Code (medical assistance in dying — protection against coercion),” comes in response to numerous stories of counselors suggesting MAID to persons such as military veterans or disabled men and women who are seeking support, not death.Meanwhile, the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) issued a statement the same day strongly supporting Langley MP Tamara Jansen’s private member’s Bill C-218, which would prevent persons whose sole medical condition is mental illness from accessing euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide (MAID).The statement from the CCCB’s permanent council, its most authoritative body between annual plenary assemblies, said Bill C-218 “would be a constructive step” toward limiting euthanasia and protecting individuals with mental illness.The bishops noted the U.N. Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities has called on Canada to rescind “Track 2 MAID,” which allows euthanasia for those whose natural death is not reasonably foreseeable, and to permanently exclude MAID for persons whose sole underlying medical condition is a mental illness.The bishops also called on the federal government “to allow free conscience voting on this matter, given its profound moral and social implications.”They said current research indicates mental illness is “not necessarily irremediable” and called for improved access to mental illness treatment and palliative care.At a news conference in Ottawa, Genuis said his Bill C-260 would clarify MAID laws by explicitly covering coercive situations such as counseling sessions.The member of Parliament for Sherwood Park-Fort Saskatchewan said the bill is aimed at countering the “discrimination and coercion” that “undermine the experience of persons trying to access supports that they are entitled to.”He cited the example of Nicolas Bergeron, a 46-year-old Quebec man who was not interested in medically-facilitated death. “But a social worker, who came to his house for an entirely different reason, repeatedly tried to push him to change his mind,” Genuis said.Genuis said the counselor presented Bergeron with “a very bleak, worst-case scenario for his illness and told him that sometimes you just have to stop fighting … This is wrong and this is not a one-off. This MAID coercion by nonexperts in positions of authority is part of a troubling pattern.”The bill states: “Every person who, being an officer or employee of the government of Canada or of a province, other than a medical practitioner or a registered nurse, including a nurse practitioner, initiates a discussion with a person about the availability to that person of medical assistance in dying is guilty of an offense punishable on summary conviction if they (a) by virtue of their profession, are in a position of trust or authority towards that person; and(b) know that the person has not specifically requested to have such a discussion with them.”While current law requires that a request for MAID be voluntary and free from external pressure, supporters of the bill argue that consent can be compromised when individuals feel they have no meaningful alternatives to relieve their suffering. Supporters say inadequate access to palliative care, disability supports, mental health treatment, or stable housing amounts to “systemic coercion.”The Criminal Code in Canada currently requires that individuals requesting MAID give informed consent and be advised of available means to relieve suffering, including palliative care. Proponents of Bill C-260 argue that explicitly naming coercion in the MAID context would make it a more enforceable criminal consideration rather than relying primarily on administrative checks and professional judgment.Genuis has repeatedly argued that MAID cannot be considered a genuine choice when people lack access to life-affirming supports. That concern was underscored during a House of Commons committee exchange last fall with Krista Carr, chief executive officer of Inclusion Canada.Appearing before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance, Carr told MPs that people with disabilities are already being placed at a disadvantage by public policy decisions that erode supports. Asked by Genuis whether people with disabilities would be “net worse off” as a result of proposed changes to disability tax credits, Carr replied: “Yes. I think it’s an unintended consequence of a bill meant to make life more affordable for Canadians. As a consequence of that, yes, in a net position they will be worse off than they are now.”The bill is being introduced amid ongoing debate over the scope and safeguards of Canada’s MAID regime, particularly for people whose natural death is not reasonably foreseeable. Disability advocates and organizations, including Inclusion Canada, have repeatedly warned that the expansion of MAID has outpaced the development of adequate social supports, placing people in precarious living situations at risk.As a private member’s bill, Bill C-260 must pass second reading in the House of Commons before proceeding to committee study.This story was first published by The B.C. Catholic on Feb. 5, 2026, and is reprinted here with permission.

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The Canadian bishops issued a statement Feb. 5 supporting Bill C-218, which would prevent persons whose sole medical condition is mental illness from accessing physician-assisted suicide.

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Pope Leo XIV appoints Bishop James Golka to lead Archdiocese of Denver #Catholic Colorado Springs Bishop James Golka will lead the Archdiocese of Denver after Archbishop Samuel Aquila steps down from the post, the Vatican announced on Feb. 7.Aquila — who at 75 has reached the customary retirement age for prelates — has led the Colorado archdiocese since 2012, when he was appointed by Pope Benedict XVI. He was ordained in that archdiocese in 1976 and previously served as the bishop of Fargo, North Dakota.In a “farewell thank you” letter published on Feb. 7, Aquila said his heart was “filled above all with gratitude” as he prepares to enter retirement. “From the beginning of my ministry here, I have been convinced that the Lord is at work among us, calling us ever more deeply to conversion, communion, and mission,” the archbishop told the archdiocese. Aquila prayed that Golka would be “strengthened by your prayers, encouraged by your collaboration, and sustained by the grace of the office he will receive.” Golka has lead the Colorado Springs Diocese since 2021 after being appointed there by Pope Francis.Born Sept. 22, 1966, in Grand Island, Nebraska, Golka obtained philosophy and theology degrees at Creighton University. He served as a Jesuit lay missionary volunteer for the Native American Missions in South Dakota before attending St. Paul Seminary in Minnesota. After obtaining master’s degrees in divinity and sacramental theology, he was ordained in the Diocese of Grand Island on June 3, 1994. During his time in the Grand Island Diocese he served in various capacities, including as director of diocesan youth, chair of the personnel board, director of ongoing formation of clergy, and on the presbyteral council.Upon being named as bishop of Colorado Springs in 2021, Golka said he aimed to help the faithful “become fascinated by the Lord.”“I’m fascinated by Jesus Christ,” Golka said at the time. “It’s a gift that God gave me as a boy. I remember as a second-grader getting my first children’s Bible. I loved reading the stories of Jesus.”He was consecrated as a bishop on June 29, 2021.The Archdiocese of Denver will host a press conference on Feb. 7 at 12 p.m. EST to introduce Bishop-designate Golka. Watch the press conference here.
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Pope Leo XIV appoints Bishop James Golka to lead Archdiocese of Denver #Catholic Colorado Springs Bishop James Golka will lead the Archdiocese of Denver after Archbishop Samuel Aquila steps down from the post, the Vatican announced on Feb. 7.Aquila — who at 75 has reached the customary retirement age for prelates — has led the Colorado archdiocese since 2012, when he was appointed by Pope Benedict XVI. He was ordained in that archdiocese in 1976 and previously served as the bishop of Fargo, North Dakota.In a “farewell thank you” letter published on Feb. 7, Aquila said his heart was “filled above all with gratitude” as he prepares to enter retirement. “From the beginning of my ministry here, I have been convinced that the Lord is at work among us, calling us ever more deeply to conversion, communion, and mission,” the archbishop told the archdiocese. Aquila prayed that Golka would be “strengthened by your prayers, encouraged by your collaboration, and sustained by the grace of the office he will receive.” Golka has lead the Colorado Springs Diocese since 2021 after being appointed there by Pope Francis.Born Sept. 22, 1966, in Grand Island, Nebraska, Golka obtained philosophy and theology degrees at Creighton University. He served as a Jesuit lay missionary volunteer for the Native American Missions in South Dakota before attending St. Paul Seminary in Minnesota. After obtaining master’s degrees in divinity and sacramental theology, he was ordained in the Diocese of Grand Island on June 3, 1994. During his time in the Grand Island Diocese he served in various capacities, including as director of diocesan youth, chair of the personnel board, director of ongoing formation of clergy, and on the presbyteral council.Upon being named as bishop of Colorado Springs in 2021, Golka said he aimed to help the faithful “become fascinated by the Lord.”“I’m fascinated by Jesus Christ,” Golka said at the time. “It’s a gift that God gave me as a boy. I remember as a second-grader getting my first children’s Bible. I loved reading the stories of Jesus.”He was consecrated as a bishop on June 29, 2021.The Archdiocese of Denver will host a press conference on Feb. 7 at 12 p.m. EST to introduce Bishop-designate Golka. Watch the press conference here.

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The Holy Father accepted the resignation of Archbishop Samuel Aquila, the Holy See announced on Feb. 7.

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‘Hoodies from Heaven’ brings warmth to children in need #Catholic After retiring in 2021, Patrick McBee began subbing as an aide at local schools in Morgan County, West Virginia. He quickly realized that many children did not have the appropriate clothes to keep them warm during the winter months. Unable to wear their coats during the school day due to security reasons, McBee had an idea to help underprivileged children stay warm — hoodies.A member of the Knights of Columbus for over 20 years, McBee turned to his council for help bringing his idea to fruition. The council at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church — the only Catholic Church in Morgan Country — loved the idea and began the Hoodies from Heaven initiative, which solicits donations of new or gently used hoodies to give to children in need at local schools.Since its launch in 2024, Hoodies from Heaven has donated over 300 hoodies to children in six local schools. Each hoodie that is given to a child in need comes with a note that says “God loves you.”McBee told EWTN News that he knew something needed to be done after speaking with the school board and found out that over 1,000 families in Morgan County “identify as needy … and that’s not even counting the ones that do not go to DHHR — Department of Health and Human Resources.”McBee’s wife, Judy, added that “there wasn’t anything specific to help the school-aged children. There’s lots of support for unwed mothers or single mothers with babies and things, but there wasn’t anything for elementary, middle, and high school kids.”She added that part of the Knights’ mission is to “take care of children, widows, and orphans,” and “we knew that the babies were being taken care of. We saw that there were older children suffering and wanted to help them out and let them know that they’re not forgotten about by God.”The married couple explained that the hoodies are handed out by teachers and bus drivers “because they’re the first line of defense. … They distribute them to the kids that they see need them,” Judy said.Despite serving primarily in their local area, Hoodies from Heaven has helped others outside of their county. In September 2025, southwestern West Virginia experienced severe flooding, with many neighborhoods severely damaged or wiped out. The McBees sent over 60 hoodies and some sweatpants that were donated to the Catholic church in the area to be handed out to families in need.The McBees agreed that they would love to “plant the seeds in other Knights of Columbus councils — to do this is so easy,” Judy said.“The people, they just come forth with their generosity … I would say very rarely has a weekend passed that Patrick and I don’t go to Mass and come home with a bag or two of hoodies. It’s awesome how people just step up, but we think that if this word could get out to others, then they could start their own little programs and just specifically to help the older kids who get neglected sometimes.”Patrick shared a story he was told about a little boy who received one of the hoodies. When the boy received it, he asked if he had to give it back. When the teacher told him no and that it was for him to keep, he was “elated.”“When I heard that, that broke my heart,” Judy added.Judy shared that growing up in an affluent town in New Jersey, she “was very fortunate growing up and never wanted for anything as a kid. And I come here, here I am retired, and I see what I see and it just absolutely breaks my heart, but these children here are special.”“They’re very appreciative. They’re not spoiled. They’re not entitled. They know that they don’t come from an entitled background. They’re very humble. The kids here are just extraordinary, just absolutely extraordinary.”As for their hope for Hoodies from Heaven, Judy said: “If we could just make just a couple of kids happy and warm, feel that they’re that valued, and then the little note that goes with them telling them that God loves them too. We hope that that brings a message to them that plants a seed that as they grow older that they’ll know to rely on God, because God provides everything we need.”
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‘Hoodies from Heaven’ brings warmth to children in need #Catholic After retiring in 2021, Patrick McBee began subbing as an aide at local schools in Morgan County, West Virginia. He quickly realized that many children did not have the appropriate clothes to keep them warm during the winter months. Unable to wear their coats during the school day due to security reasons, McBee had an idea to help underprivileged children stay warm — hoodies.A member of the Knights of Columbus for over 20 years, McBee turned to his council for help bringing his idea to fruition. The council at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church — the only Catholic Church in Morgan Country — loved the idea and began the Hoodies from Heaven initiative, which solicits donations of new or gently used hoodies to give to children in need at local schools.Since its launch in 2024, Hoodies from Heaven has donated over 300 hoodies to children in six local schools. Each hoodie that is given to a child in need comes with a note that says “God loves you.”McBee told EWTN News that he knew something needed to be done after speaking with the school board and found out that over 1,000 families in Morgan County “identify as needy … and that’s not even counting the ones that do not go to DHHR — Department of Health and Human Resources.”McBee’s wife, Judy, added that “there wasn’t anything specific to help the school-aged children. There’s lots of support for unwed mothers or single mothers with babies and things, but there wasn’t anything for elementary, middle, and high school kids.”She added that part of the Knights’ mission is to “take care of children, widows, and orphans,” and “we knew that the babies were being taken care of. We saw that there were older children suffering and wanted to help them out and let them know that they’re not forgotten about by God.”The married couple explained that the hoodies are handed out by teachers and bus drivers “because they’re the first line of defense. … They distribute them to the kids that they see need them,” Judy said.Despite serving primarily in their local area, Hoodies from Heaven has helped others outside of their county. In September 2025, southwestern West Virginia experienced severe flooding, with many neighborhoods severely damaged or wiped out. The McBees sent over 60 hoodies and some sweatpants that were donated to the Catholic church in the area to be handed out to families in need.The McBees agreed that they would love to “plant the seeds in other Knights of Columbus councils — to do this is so easy,” Judy said.“The people, they just come forth with their generosity … I would say very rarely has a weekend passed that Patrick and I don’t go to Mass and come home with a bag or two of hoodies. It’s awesome how people just step up, but we think that if this word could get out to others, then they could start their own little programs and just specifically to help the older kids who get neglected sometimes.”Patrick shared a story he was told about a little boy who received one of the hoodies. When the boy received it, he asked if he had to give it back. When the teacher told him no and that it was for him to keep, he was “elated.”“When I heard that, that broke my heart,” Judy added.Judy shared that growing up in an affluent town in New Jersey, she “was very fortunate growing up and never wanted for anything as a kid. And I come here, here I am retired, and I see what I see and it just absolutely breaks my heart, but these children here are special.”“They’re very appreciative. They’re not spoiled. They’re not entitled. They know that they don’t come from an entitled background. They’re very humble. The kids here are just extraordinary, just absolutely extraordinary.”As for their hope for Hoodies from Heaven, Judy said: “If we could just make just a couple of kids happy and warm, feel that they’re that valued, and then the little note that goes with them telling them that God loves them too. We hope that that brings a message to them that plants a seed that as they grow older that they’ll know to rely on God, because God provides everything we need.”

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Amid the freezing temperatures hitting many parts of the U.S., one Knights of Columbus council is providing warmth to children in need through an initiative called “Hoodies from Heaven.”

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Trump Zings Washington Post Reporter During Press Gaggle Aboard Air Force One (VIDEO) – President Trump sparred with reporters during a press gaggle aboard Air Force One en route to Mar-a-Lago on Friday evening. The post Trump Zings Washington Post Reporter During Press Gaggle Aboard Air Force One (VIDEO) appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.
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Trump Zings Washington Post Reporter During Press Gaggle Aboard Air Force One (VIDEO) – President Trump sparred with reporters during a press gaggle aboard Air Force One en route to Mar-a-Lago on Friday evening. The post Trump Zings Washington Post Reporter During Press Gaggle Aboard Air Force One (VIDEO) appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

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Donald Trump speaks to reporters on an airplane, surrounded by microphones during a press event.

Donald Trump speaks to reporters on an airplane, surrounded by microphones during a press event.

President Trump sparred with reporters during a press gaggle aboard Air Force One en route to Mar-a-Lago on Friday evening.

The post Trump Zings Washington Post Reporter During Press Gaggle Aboard Air Force One (VIDEO) appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

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