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| WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2 |
| TALKS AT THE WHITE HOUSE President Trump invited Republican and Democratic congressional leaders to the White House to discuss a fight over his proposed border wall, as the partial government shutdown continues. READ |
| HOUSE DEMOCRATS FUNDING PLAN Democrats take control of the House tomorrow, and plan to move quickly on a budget bill to re-open the government, but without funding for President Trump’s proposed border wall. READ |
| BISHOPS START RETREAT The U.S. bishops begin a 7-day retreat at Mundelein seminary in Chicago amid the ongoing sexual abuse scandal. Just as the bishops arrive, the Associated Press reported that Vatican Cardinal Marc Ouellet had blocked the U.S. bishops from voting on proposals to deal with the crisis because the Holy See needed more time to discuss the measures. READ |
| CALI-EXODUS Over the last 15 years “6 million Californians over the age of 25 left the state; in the last 30 years, perhaps 10 million fled … studies suggest that the reasons for radical outmigration were quality-of-life complaints, soaring home prices and taxes, poor state services …” READ |
| HOLLYWOOD Former Saturday Night Live star Jane Curtin said on CNN that her 2019 wish “is to make sure that the Republican Party dies.” READ |
| MORE ON McCARRICK A man who says he was sexually abused by Archbishop Theodore McCarrick testified on behalf of a Vatican investigation that he was repeatedly groped and assaulted during confession. READ |
| LATIN MASS GROWTH In 1988, the traditional Latin Mass was celebrated in only about 20 places in the United States. Today, that number is over 500. Priests who celebrate the Latin Mass have noticed an increase in attendance since the Church scandal erupted this summer. READ |
| SAINT OF THE DAY Saint Basil is the Father of Eastern monasticism—as Saint Benedict is for western monasticism. Besides being a good pastor, Saint Basil also lead the fight against Arianism, a heresy that denied the divinity of Christ. READ |
| DAILY READINGS “All the ends of the earth have seen the savings power of God.” (Ps 98:1) READ |
| GIVING A social worker who lived a frugal life was able to leave an $11 million legacy to children’s charities. READ |