USA AND NORTH KOREA President Trump accepts North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un’s invitation to meet and negotiate over its nuclear program. The meeting will take place within two months. http://cvote.it/2HgERfa
PROTECTING THOSE WHO DISAGREE A group of 22 GOP senators reintroduce the First Amendment Defense Act, which would bar the federal government from taking any action against individuals or organizations who believe marriage should be recognized as a union of one man and one woman. It also would prohibit any action against those who believe that sexual relations outside marriage are improper. http://cvote.it/2HiCfNB
ACLU VS ADOPTION AGENCIES Shamber Flore writes in the Detroit News: “An adoption agency called St. Vincent Catholic Charities helped to piece together the brokenness of my life by finding a permanent home for me…. But now a lawsuit brought by the ACLU is threatening St. Vincent’s and other faith-based adoption agencies. The ACLU is suing the state of Michigan for partnering with religious adoption agencies like St. Vincent simply because they are religious and follow a faith-based mission.” http://cvote.it/2Hi8KeU
SENATE BATTLEGROUND Many pundits expect Democrats to pick up several seats in the House, perhaps even win back a majority. But a new poll suggests that five Democrat senators are at serious risk of losing their seats to the GOP. The five senators: Jon Tester (MT), Joe Manchin (WV), Claire McCaskill (MO), Joe Donnelly (IN), and Heidi Heitkamp (ND). http://cvote.it/2tqtrTQ
PRO-LIFE MISSISSIPPI Great news: The Mississippi House of Representatives pass a bill to ban abortions after 15 weeks. Gov. Phil Bryant hailed the move. “I want Mississippi to be the safest place in America for an unborn child…. I look forward to signing it once the Senate follows suit.” http://cvote.it/2HjPFsW
BERNIE TARGETS PRO-LIFE DEM Rep. Dan Lipinski, D-IL, is one of the last true pro-life Democrats. His pro-abortion challenger, Marie Newman, is getting a million-dollar boost from an outside Super PAC. And now, Sen. Bernie Sanders has endorsed Newman for the March 20 primary for Illinois’ 3rd District. http://cvote.it/2HjeeGf
MARRIAGE AND PROCREATION Many people assume that Natural Family Planning, promoted by the Catholic Church, means the Rhythm method. But they couldn’t be further from the truth, says Katie Yoder. http://cvote.it/2HiD2hx
#CELIBACYMATTERS One Catholic priest is using social media to spread the good news about priestly celibacy and to answer misconceptions of the discipline. This is a healthy lifestyle. “It’s the way Jesus lived. If Jesus can live it then with his grace we can live it too,” said Fr. Harrison Ayre. http://cvote.it/2HkHyw9
GENEALOGY WOW: The Archdiocese of New York is set to unveil online ancestry database of sacramental records dating back to 1785. http://cvote.it/2Hj6Pql
SAINT OF THE DAY Saint Frances of Rome is a good example of what Vatican II hoped for—an active laity who take their baptismal call seriously. Although she lived centuries before the Council, her life shows that the call for an active, dedicated laity has been a part of the Church all along. Saint Frances is a good example of what we are all called to today—and always. http://cvote.it/dailysaint
DAILY MASS READINGS “I am the Lord your God: hear my voice.” (Ps 81:11) – http://cvote.it/Daily-Readings
LENTEN FOOD REVIEW A couple of Catholic journalists decided to compare fish sandwiches from popular fast food restaurants. http://cvote.it/2ty9MBI