FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 2

BIBLE PURCHASES POTENTIALLY FLAGGED AS ‘EXTREMISM’ INDICATOR An agency of the federal government “flagged” Bible purchases as an indication of “extremism” in communications with banks following the events of January 6, 2021. READ

MASSIVE TRUCKER CONVOY HEADS TO BORDER Hundreds of thousands of trucks and other vehicles are currently headed to the southern border in several convoys to protest the Biden administration’s immigration policies. The first “Take Our Border Back” convoy left Virginia Beach, Virginia on Monday, heading for Eagle Pass, Texas. READ

JUDGE TOSSES DISNEY CASE AGAINST DeSANTIS A federal judge on Wednesday dismissed Disney’s lawsuit against Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. “The federal court’s decision made it clear that Governor DeSantis was correct,” said DeSantis Press Secretary Jeremy Redfern. READ

MARK HOUCK CANDIDACY PICKS UP STEAM One year after he was acquitted of violating the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act, Catholic pro-life activist Mark Houck is gaining momentum in his run for a U.S. House Seat. Houck this week won the Republican committee vote for two local districts, placing him closer to scoring a stunning upset over his opponent. READ

DAD SUES SCHOOL DISTRICT FOR TRYING TO ‘TRANSITION’ DAUGHTER A widowed single father filed suit against a New Jersey school district that he alleges “transitioned” his minor daughter behind his back. A pro-LGBT student club’s staff advisor told colleagues at the school to refer to the girl by a male name and male pronouns and not to tell her father. READ

POLICE ARREST SUSPECT IN SAN FRAN CHURCH SHOOTING Local police arrested Debari Charvel Augustine, 22, who this week allegedly opened fire in the direction of St. Augustine Catholic Church in San Francisco, California. On January 30 when the shooting occurred, the St. Augustine parish’ Facebook page stated that no one inside the church was injured, though the bullets struck the church doors. READ

NYTIMES READERS REJECT PRO-DEI PIECE Readers of The New York Times blasted the outlet after it published an essay that attempted to defend the controversial push for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in American institutions. “Every single top-reader comment” on the Times' website “says ‘no, actually, the anti-DEI campaign has a point. Progressive group-think is rotting our universities,’” author Daniel Buck pointed out. READ

MARY'S MVPs: CATHOLIC SUPER BOWL STARS It’s Super Bowl season, and CatholicVote has compiled a list of some of the most memorable and faithful Catholic football stars and coaches that will leave you saying “Amen!” READ

PANAMANIAN CARDINAL DISAPPEARS, REAPPEARS Catholic Bishops in Panama have confirmed that the country’s first-ever cardinal was found after mysteriously going missing for two days. After he reappeared, the National Police offered no explanation of his disappearance. It was only communicated that he was found alone, driving his car. READ

RISING INTOLERANCE TOWARD CHRISTIANS IN THE WEST Intolerance towards Christians in the West has risen sharply in recent years. According to a new report from the Family Research Council, several countries are taking “authoritarian measures against Christians simply trying to live out their faith.” READ

RUNNING FOR THE EUCHARIST We show our love for the Eucharist by receiving Jesus’ body and blood at Mass, by going to Adoration, or by praying certain Eucharist devotions. But what about doing something radical and “ridiculous”? Meet the man who is doing a public 50-mile run out of love for the Eucharist. READ

CATHOLIC 101 Dr. Marcellino D’Ambrosio expounds on the idea that Candlemas is about bringing the light of Christ into a world filled with darkness. “The Presentation is a feast of mission, a reminder of the call to commit ourselves wholeheartedly to what our last three Popes have called ‘The New Evangelization.’” READ

SAINT OF THE DAY Forty days after Jesus’ birth, Mary and Joseph brought the boy to the temple to offer him and two turtle doves to the Lord, following the law of Moses. The celebration of today’s feast of the Presentation became widespread in the 5th and 6th centuries and has traditionally been the day on which men and women religious profess their vows. READ

DAILY PSALM “Who is this king of glory? It is the Lord!” (Psalm 24:8) READ

DAILY READINGS Today's Mass readings READ

BEAUTY CatholicVote’s Rose Church reflects on Giotto’s famous fresco, which invites us to be present at the encounter between Simeon and the Christ. Walk through a meditation for today’s feast with this artistic masterpiece! PRAY