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| MONDAY, APRIL 16 |
| SYRIA Christian patriarchs in Syria condemn the airstrikes in their country as “unjust aggression.” The patriarchs said that it was unlikely that the airstrikes will have the desired effect, and that they will only serve to encourage terrorists in the country and further delay a peaceful solution to the war. READ |
| HALEY: U.S. DOESN’T WANT WAR United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley claims that the goal of American airstrikes in Syria is only to take out chemical weapons. “Our goal is not to start war and our goal is not to kill people. Our goal is to send a very strong message to Assad and his friends that we are not going to watch them continue to use chemical weapons on their people.” READ |
| BARBARA BUSH IS ILL Former first lady Barbara Bush, 92, will no longer seek medical treatment in face of failing health. READ |
| LIZ WARREN MEETS HER MATCH Potential Democratic presidential candidate Liz Warren started lobbying rhetorical bombs at White House budget director Mick Mulvaney. But to Warren’s surprise, Mulvaney came roaring right back. The Washington Examiner noted: “It would be entertaining to have him stand toe-to-toe with every Senate committee featuring a Democratic presidential wannabe…Ambitious Democrats deserve someone willing and able to trade blows with them.” READ |
| EDUCATION BIAS A high school history textbook, published by Pearson, teaches that President Trump is mentally ill and his supporters are racists. READ |
| SEXUALITY AND IDENTITY In the eyes of the Church, you are so much more than just “gay.” Listen to Stephen Herreid’s interview of Daniel Mattson. READ |
| FREEDOM OF THE PRESS Conservative broadcaster Sinclair ordered the same message to be read by all of their local TV affiliates. Angered left-wing senators called on Federal Communications Chairman Ajit Pai to investigate Sinclair and considering pulling their broadcasting license. Pai replied: “I understand that you disliked or disagreed with the content of particular broadcasts, but I can hardly think of an action more chilling of free speech than the federal government investigating a broadcast station because of disagreement with its news coverage or promotion of that coverage.” READ |
| UNIVERSITY OF DALLAS The Board of Directors for the University of Dallas has decided to replace longtime President Thomas Keefe at the end of the semester “in order to continue to grow and maintain its position as one of the nation’s leading Catholic universities.” READ |
| SUPPORT FOR NFP GROWS Theresa Notare, director of the Natural Family Planning Program for the USSCB, said that Natural Family Planning is becoming more popular. “At one time, there was a culture of silence in Catholic dioceses, and NFP was not spoken about in marriage prep. Today it is.” READ |
| CATHOLICS AND FACEBOOK Mark Zuckerberg apologizes for his company’s treatment of Catholic pages. But there remain lingering questions about Facebook that should scare Catholics. READ |
| CHRISTIANS KILLED Unidentified gunmen on motorbikes opened fire at a group of Christians outside of a church in southwestern Pakistan, killing two. Just weeks earlier, an attack claimed by ISIS killed four Christians. READ |
| SAINT OF THE DAY Saint Bernadette was a poor, uneducated peasant girl who no one would believe had seen apparitions of the Blessed Mother. But Mary had appeared to her, and Lourdes has become a popular shrine of devotion to Mary, the Immaculate Conception, and of healing. READ |
| DAILY MASS READINGS “Blessed are they who follow the law of the Lord.” (Ps 119:1) READ |
| TRUTH We thought we’d share this great quote in honor of Pope Benedict XVI’s 91st birthday. |