January 18, 2024

Catholic News

A daily news briefing from Catholic News Agency, powered by artificial intelligence. Ask your smart speaker to play “Catholic News,” or listen every morning wherever you get podcasts. www.catholicnewsagency.com - Seventeen-year-old high school senior Susan Lutzke may have successfully saved her childhood Catholic elementary school from closing after raising more than $400,000 to address the institution’s financial difficulties. The principals of Saint Bede School in Ingleside, Illinois, announced on December 13, 2023, that if the money wasn’t raised by January 26, the school could face closure. Loving her experience at Saint Bede, Lutzke immediately sprung into action. The crowdfunding campaign almost instantly began generating funds, with almost 900 donations ranging from $10 to $50,000. In an updated statement on the GoFundMe, Susan Lutzke wrote on Sunday: “We’re thrilled to announce that we have officially surpassed our initial goal of $400,000 with 12 days left until the deadline.” A spokesperson for the Archdiocese of Chicago’s Catholic Schools Office told ABC7Chicago earlier this month that decreased funding from the state has made it challenging for some Catholic schools to stay open. https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/256563/teen-hits-major-fundraising-feat-in-attempt-to-save-her-childhood-catholic-school A bill under consideration in Congress would preemptively disallow the White House’s to strip federal funding from some crisis pregnancy centers throughout the US. The Supporting Pregnant and Parenting Women and Families Act was introduced in the House of Representatives this month. The bill if passed would “prohibit the Secretary of Health and Human Services from restricting funding for pregnancy centers.” The bill, which is scheduled to be considered on Thursday, is meant to counteract the Biden administration’s efforts to restrict crisis pregnancy centers around the country from participating in a major federal welfare program. https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/256557/house-to-consider-bill-to-halt-biden-administration-s-defunding-of-crisis-pregnancy-centers The celebration of Mass at a southern California parish was interrupted by an armed police pursuit of a suspected gunman on Tuesday morning. The incident occurred during the 8:30 am Mass on Tuesday at Saint Joseph Catholic Church in Placentia, Orange County, California. https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/256559/mass-at-california-catholic-church-parish-interrupted-by-armed-police-pursuit The 51st national March for Life — the largest annual pro-life event in the world — is just around the corner, on Friday, January 19. For more information ahead of the March, visit Catholic News Agency dot com. https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/256554/some-snow-predicted-for-2024-march-for-life-plus-everything-else-you-need-to-know https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/256561/how-to-watch-the-march-for-life-ewtn-s-complete-coverage-schedule Today, the Church celebrates Saint Charles of Sezze. Saint Charles was born John Charles Marchioni in Sezze, Italy on October 19, 1613. He was known for his holiness, simplicity, and charity. He was generous to travelers and sought out spiritual advice. In 1656 he worked tirelessly with victims of the plague. He also wrote several mystical works including his autobiography entitled "The Grandeurs of the Mercies of God.” Tradition states he was called to the bedside of the dying Pope Clement IX for a blessing. https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/saint/st-charles-of-sezze-416