MONDAY, FEBRUARY 19

TRUMP SUPPORTS 16-WEEK PRO-LIFE LAW Former President Donald Trump reportedly told his advisors in private that he is open to supporting a national pro-life law prohibiting most abortions after 16 weeks of gestation. CatholicVote President Brian Burch warned that Trump would gain little from “playing defense” on abortion. READ

Fr. JAMES MARTIN BACKPEDALS PRAISE FOR ‘TRANS’ FUNERAL Fr. James Martin, SJ, partially backpedaled his praise of an LGBTQ funeral service held at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York after the raucous event provoked a firestorm of condemnations for “blasphemy.” READ

SAN FRANCISO APPOINTS NON-CITIZEN TO ELECTION COMMISSION San Francisco’s Board of Supervisors unanimously voted to place illegal immigrant Kelly Wong on the city’s Elections Commission last week. San Francisco passed a measure in 2020 removing the citizenship requirement to serve on city boards, commissions, and advisory bodies. READ

JIM BIDEN ALLEGEDLY USED BROTHER’S CLOUT IN FRAUD SCHEME President Joe Biden’s younger brother, Jim Biden, was deeply involved in a company now being investigated for an alleged massive Medicare fraud scheme. POLITICO obtained an email in which the younger Biden mentions using his connection with his brother, the former vice president, to help with the scheme. READ

PRO-TRUMP TRUCKERS TO BOYCOTT NEW YORK CITY Truckers who support Trump say they will refuse to drive loads to and from New York City following the $355 million verdict in Trump's civil fraud trial. "I've been on the radio for over an hour and I've talked to at least (10) Truckers who are gonna start refusing loads [on] Monday,” one trucker wrote on social media. READ

BIDEN BACKS DOWN ON ELECTRIC VEHICLE PUSH The New York Times reports that Biden is reportedly preparing to ease its push to force electric vehicles onto American consumers as demand for the vehicles remains low, dealerships have expressed serious concerns, and automakers have had to cut production and revamp production of gas vehicles. READ

CATHOLIC PARENTS OF ‘TRANS’ CHILD BRING CASE TO SUPREME COURT A new book gives the ever-increasing number of detransitioners a voice by calling attention to the lies and the medical, mental, and physical abuse of the “trans” agenda. READ

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TOP COUNTRY FOR MASS ATTENDANCE – AND PERSECUTION Nigeria is one of the countries in the world with the best Mass attendance rates. As many as 94% of self-identified Nigerian Catholics surveyed said they attend weekly or daily Mass, a 2023 study found. At the same time, Nigeria is one of the countries with the highest degree of anti-Catholic persecution. READ

GERMAN BISHOPS BACK DOWN ON ‘SYNODAL WAY’ In a significant setback for the Synodal Way project in Germany, the German bishops will not be voting on a step toward a forbidden “Synodal Council” at their upcoming plenary assembly. The rogue bishops seem to have been reined in by the pope; they made the decision to back down at the Vatican’s request. READ

KEEPING KIDS CATHOLIC What makes the faith stick? When we hear so much about “the rise of the nones,” and anecdotes from friends and neighbors about their children abandoning the faith as soon as they leave home – or sooner! – it makes us desperate to avoid the same outcome. A new study shares commonalities among families whose kids embrace the faith. READ

CATHOLIC 101 There’s a reason Fr. Mike Schmitz is one of the most popular priests in the country. He has a gift for teaching and explaining things so they’re practical and easy to understand. Fr. Schmitz offers his tips for a fruitful penitential season by prioritizing Christ in daily life, picking prudent penances, and more. “We are trusting that God sees our sacrifices and that they make a difference.” READ

SAINT OF THE DAY St. Conrad was born to a noble family in Northern Italy and married a noblewoman. After he accidentally set miles of forest, towns, and villages on fire, Conrad ran at first, but then turned himself in when an innocent man was condemned to death instead. Conrad and his wife gave away all their possessions as recompense and became religious. Conrad lived as a hermit for 36 years and became known far and wide for his wisdom and holiness. READ

DAILY PSALM “Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.” (John 6:63) READ

DAILY READINGS Today's Mass readings READ

HISTORY Today marks the 79th anniversary of the landing at Iwo Jima. Catholic priests offered the sacraments to the men before the battle began – and continued to serve the wounded and dying throughout the three-day conflict. After the famous flag was finally raised over the island, a Catholic priest said Mass on the same mountain. READ