Promoting Truth, Defending the Faith
The Voice of the Laity
| | Happy Feast Day St. Bridget! | | |
St. Bridget was the mother of 8 children, she founded the Bridgetines, and she was focused on ending abuses in the Church. As a way to honor his wounds, Jesus instructed St. Bridget to pray 15 Our Fathers and 15 Hail Marys, in addition to 15 new prayers that He taught her, each day for a year. When the year was up, He told her she would have honored each of His wounds. Pope Pius IX approved the prayers in 1862.
Join me in praying the 15 prayers of St. Bridget. I have been praying these prayers for nearly 20 years.
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In the News:
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Pope Leo makes notable statements on the wars: In the past week, Pope Leo connected with Ukraine's President condemning 'Russian aggression' against a 'martyred Ukraine.' Pope Leo has been publicly active stating he condemns the violence in Gaza following the attack on the Catholic Church and he reached out to Cardinal Pizzaballa to express support.
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Pope Leo states Rome is not called to "vie for primacy": Pope Leo XIV’s statement on July 17, 2025, that “Rome, Constantinople, and all the other Sees, are not called to vie for primacy,” made during a meeting with a U.S. Orthodox-Catholic pilgrimage group, is problematic because it appears to undermine the doctrine of papal primacy. This doctrine holds that the pope, as successor of St. Peter, possesses universal, immediate, and supreme jurisdiction over the entire Church, a divinely instituted role essential for unity. Pope Leo’s framing of primacy as a contest to be avoided dilutes this unique authority, aligning too closely with the Orthodox view of the pope as merely a “first among equals” with honorary, not jurisdictional, precedence. This raises concerns about weakening Catholic identity and doctrine in favor of ecumenical diplomacy, potentially compromising the Church’s mission to call all Christians to unity under Rome’s authoritative leadership.
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Fr. James Martin Twists the Bible on Sodomy: Fr. Martin reinterprets the biblical story of Sodom and Gomorrah, clearly understood as a condemnation of sodomy, as a narrative about inhospitality and mistreatment of migrants.
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Shocking Yeti Blood Oath Scandal at Catholic Seminary: In January 2024, St. John Vianney Seminary's ski retreat devolved into scandal after seminarians were pressured to partake in a bizarre “blood oath” ritual involving a dagger, fake bear blood, and a man in a yeti suit. Screams and disturbing imagery were captured on video, triggering backlash across clergy and students. The Archdiocese of Denver condemned it as an “imprudent and inappropriate prank” but found no canonical crime. Vice rector Fr. John Nepil lost his leadership role, the rector was replaced early, and a seminarian who refused participation was placed on sabbatical—raising concerns of retaliation. An exorcist was called in as tensions and spiritual unease escalated, exposing deeper rifts within the archdiocese.
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John-Henry Westen Confirmed Permanently as CEO by Board: John-Henry Westen called Vicki to share the great news following the July 22 board meeting where they voted to retain John-Henry Westen permanently as its CEO. Please join me in congratulating John-Henry in being restored to his rightful place as leader of LSN!
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Failing Innocent Children: A Biden-Harris administration Child Migrant hotline for innocent children failed to respond to 65,000 calls, anti-trafficking expert Ali Hopper told House lawmakers. The unanswered calls included reports of neglect and abuse, including one case where a child reported grown men entering his room at night and touching him, with no action taken.
| | Our Latest Newsletter Contributions... | | |
Eternity Awaits: The Last Four Things
by Vicki Yamasaki, CUP Founder & Chair
| | | | Life is fragile, its end sudden and unpredictable. Two personal events have seared this truth into my heart: the first is a relative I hold close to my heart recently diagnosed with end-stage COPD, now striving to mend relationships and forgive those who have hurt her, and the second a dear friend who collapsed in our backyard this weekend, rushed to the hospital for heart tests. These moments help remind me and them of the Catholic teaching on the Four Last Things—Death, Judgment, Heaven, and Hell. Yet, over the last 20–30 years, Catholics, especially young people, have been deprived of robust catechesis on these eternal truths, leaving many unprepared for their Particular Judgment. The tragic flood in Kerr, Texas, where children lost their lives, serves as a heart-wrenching reminder that even the young face death, underscoring the urgent need to teach the Four Last Things to all. As St. Leonard of Port Maurice warned, “Hell exists and few go to Heaven,” citing the narrow path to salvation (Matthew 7:14). St. Catherine of Siena’s visions of Purgatory and Hell confirm this reality, urging conversion. As Catholics, we must live in a state of grace, for “you know neither the day nor the hour” (Matthew 25:13). Why, then, do we presume loved ones are in Heaven, risking the sin of presumption? | | | |
Please keep Father Fasching in your prayers. I had a wonderful conversation with Father Fasching where shared that his PET scan (to ensure the cancer is entirely gone) will be at the end of August.
Please pray also for Bishop Kemme who has continued to graciously allow Father Fasching to remain at the Wichita Priest Retirement Center. We are eternally grateful to him for his compassion, love, and pastoral care of Father Fasching.
Overwhelming thanks to everyone who has signed up for Mass intentions—Father Fasching is fully booked for most of January 2026. Reserve your spot soon by sending Mass stipends via mail or Venmo (@Jeff-Fasching).
Thank you for your continued support and prayers for Father Fasching!
Father Fasching
Wichita Priest Retirement Center
6900 East 45th Street N.
Bel Aire, KS 67226
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Shocking Yeti Blood Oath Scandal at Catholic Seminary
Taylor Marshall | July 16
| A “blood oath” involving a priest and seminarians, including a ritual with a man dressed in a white Yeti costume, has scandalized the Catholic Archdiocese of Denver. Dr. Taylor Marshall provides commentary. | |  | |
Heroic Catholics Persecuted By Absolute Tyrants
Return to Tradition | July 22
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Surge of arrests of priests, monks and nuns by the CCP and taking down the image of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Since the passing of Pope Francis China is stepping up their persecution of the Church in China.
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