Forgotten Catholic Origins of the Christmas Tree, Prejudices Abound in Luther, and More Great Links!

The Best in Catholic Blogging

Click on the 7 Perfect Ugly Sweaters for Catholics link to read more.
Click on the 7 Perfect Ugly Sweaters for Catholics link to read more. (photo: CNS via YouTube)

The Forgotten Catholic Origins of the Christmas Tree – ChurchPop

Pope Francis: “Without Jesus, Christmas is an Empty Feast” – Giacomo Galeazzi, Vatican Insider

Christ Must be Centre of Catholic Mental Health Provision – Matthew Pittam, Catholic Herald

Don’t Miss the “Magic” of Childhood – Sarah Greydanus, Catholic Stand

Mary Christmas! – Guy McClung Ph.D. J.D., The American Catholic

Prejudices Abound in Luther – Allison Low, Catholic Stand

Keynote Speeches: Rome Catholic Fundraising Conference 2017 – Brice Sokolowski, CatholicFundraiser.net

Pope Francis Rebukes Ex-Vatican Officials Who Claim to be ‘Martyrs’ – Catholic Herald

The Love of the Holy Family in Bethlehem – Jacques-Bénigne Bossuet, Catholic Exchange

Curia’s Biggest Problem? The Rule of Law is Being Overlooked – Ed Condon, Catholic Herald

The Harness of Hart - Edward Feser, Ph.D.+++

Kiev Xmas Will Be Celebrated December 25 & January 7 – Vladimir Rozanskij, AsiaNews.it

Prophetic Words from 1966 about the Post-Conciliar State of the Church – Fr. Z’s Blog

More Martin . . . Further Facts about the Fraterculus – Fr. John Hunwicke, Fr Hunwicke's Mutual Enrichment

Fact Check: Boston Globes Role & the Priestly Sex Scandal – David F. Pierre Jr., The Media Report

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Palestinian Christians celebrate Easter Sunday Mass at Holy Family Church in Gaza City on March 31, amid the ongoing battles Israel and the Hamas militant group.

People Explain ‘Why I Go to Mass’

‘Why go to Mass on Sundays? It is not enough to answer that it is a precept of the Church. … We Christians need to participate in Sunday Mass because only with the grace of Jesus, with his living presence in us and among us, can we put into practice his commandment, and thus be his credible witnesses.’ —Pope Francis