Feb. 1, 2026

02-01-26 CC EDITION

 

January 19, 2026

The Catholic Herald

Diocese of Charlotte reacts to first Sunday after altar rail ban

Niwa Limbu

THE LITURGY GUY

After the first weekend Bishop Martin’s altar rail ban went into effect, we heard a variety of responses from the priests and pastors of the Diocese of Charlotte. Some are making no change at this time as they wait for Rome’s response to the dubia. Others have already removed temporary rails from their parishes and have announced additional stations to receive communion. At least one parish is already recruiting Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion in their bulletin, as they will apparently no longer use the rail. We have even heard a pastor publicly advise his parishioners that he will deny them communion if they go to the rail to receive.

 

Earlier I received this open letter, written by a priest and addressed to the Priests and Pastors of the Diocese of Charlotte.

While addressed to his brother priests, it also provides a reminder to all that no one in good standing should be denied Communion, even if they go to an altar rail.
 

National Catholic Register

Why 2026 Will Be the Year of Leo

National Catholic Register

What’s Special About the Most ‘Fruitful’ US Dioceses? ‘It’s the People.’

The sees of Nashville and Tulsa are among those that are flourishing — in cities where Catholics are a distinct minority.

EWTN News

‘Dramatic’ decline in Catholic marriage highlights need for ‘proactive’ Church response

Catholic marriages in the U.S. have declined 75% in about 50 years, even as the Catholic population has risen.

National Catholic Register

Notre Dame Affirms Appointment of Abortion Advocate to Prominent Post

Scholar Susan Ostermann, due to take over as director of the university’s Asian studies institute on July 1, has written multiple columns castigating attempts to make abortion illegal.

National Catholic Register

Amy Coney Barrett Discusses Charlie Kirk, Motherhood, Originalism at Notre Dame

Speaking at her alma mater, Barrett urged students to model civil discourse while sharing personal insights on family life and judicial philosophy.

National Catholic Register

Tens of Thousands March in DC for 2026 March for Life

Pro-life advocates from across the country gathered in the nation’s capital, sharing personal stories, prayer and hope for a culture that cherishes every human life.

National Catholic Register

Full Text: Vice President JD Vance’s Speech at the 2026 March for Life

‘Let me just say, my friends, that we have to be clear: We cannot be neutral. Our country cannot be indifferent about whether its next generations live or die.’

National Catholic Register

The Post-Dobbs Era Demands Fresh Pro-Life Thinking

COMMENTARY: The pro-life movement’s efforts to effect change through policy must grapple with the increasingly obvious fact that neither major political party appears prepared to act on behalf of unborn children in any meaningful way.

Aleteia

The 4 people you need to forgive

to change your life

 

Cerith Gardiner

01/28/26

 

If 2026 already feels heavy, the reason may not be what you expect.

Now that we're a few weeks into the new year, we thought we could take stock of how galvanized we truly are for the year ahead. After all, there’s often a quiet pressure to reinvent yourself when we leave the last year behind: New habits, new goals, a cleaner slate. But what if the most powerful reset for 2026 isn’t about doing more — but about letting go?

MORE

 

National Catholic Register

St. Francis de Sales Shows Us How to Be Missionaries of God’s Love

COMMENTARY: The great doctor of the Church carried out one of the most important evangelization efforts in the Counter-Reformation.

CHURCHPOP

12 Fascinating Facts About Saint Francis of Assisi, in Honor of the 2026 Franciscan Jubilee Year

During this Franciscan Jubilee Year, let’s learn more about Saint Francis of Assisi. Here are 12 fascinating facts about his amazing life.

National Catholic Register

10 Reasons It’s a Great Time to Be Catholic

COMMENTARY: In an age of cultural confusion and spiritual hunger, the Church’s ancient faith, sacraments and moral clarity remain a compelling answer for modern Catholics.

 

4 Habits to Help You Get Along Better With Others

An excerpt from ‘How to Get Along With (Almost) Everybody’ by Dr. Ray Guarendi

 

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