Brian Curit

Why would Donald Trump start a war against the Catholic Church? For 250 years, American Catholics have founded hospitals, built universities, fed the hungry, sheltered refugees, educated children in the poorest corners of the nation, created some of the most beautiful art and music in human civilization, and fought for justice in places where justice had no other advocates. More than any other institution, we built this country.

With all due respect to the Office of the President, this post contains several claims that are factually inaccurate and theologically misguided, and as a Catholic I feel compelled to respond. 1. The Pope was not elected to please any president. Pope Leo XIV was elected by 133 cardinals from across the world in a sacred conclave, on the fourth ballot, on May 8, 2025.  The Holy Spirit guides the conclave, not American politics. To suggest that “if I wasn’t in the White House, Leo wouldn’t be in the Vatican”  is not only historically ignorant but theologically offensive to every Catholic on earth. 2. He was not an unknown outsider. Pope Leo XIV served as Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops under Pope Francis, one of the most powerful roles in the Vatican, responsible for selecting bishops for dioceses worldwide.  He was one of the most qualified candidates in the College of Cardinals. 3. He is deeply rooted in service, not politics. An Augustinian missionary who worked for decades in Peru, Pope Leo XIV dedicated his life to the poor and the Gospel long before any political figure noticed him.  His name honors Leo XIII, the Pope who championed workers’ rights and the poor during the Industrial Revolution, a tradition of Catholic Social Teaching that predates any modern political party. 4. The Pope’s role is prophetic, not partisan. When the Pope speaks on peace, nuclear weapons, immigration, or the dignity of nations, he is fulfilling the mission of Christ, not opposing any government. His first words as Pope were “Peace be with you all,”  echoing the Risen Christ (John 20:19). A Pope who is silent on injustice would be failing his divine mandate. 5. Demanding a Pope “get in line” with a president contradicts 2,000 years of Church history. From St. Peter before Nero, to St. Thomas More before Henry VIII, to John Paul II before Soviet communism, the Church has never existed to validate earthly power. “We must obey God rather than men.” (Acts 5:29) As Catholics, we pray for all leaders, including President Trump. But we stand firmly with our Holy Father. Habemus Papam. And he answers to God alone.

Kaine: "You don't sucker punch somebody in a bar and then blame your buddies when they don't join the fight with you. If the president wanted the support of allies, he should've respected them instead of putting tariffs on their economies and trash talking them."

The moment the Vatican answers to political power instead of truth, it stops being the Church. If the Trump administration tries to politically seize influence over it, Christians and Catholics worldwide should rise up. Faith must answer to God and truth, not politicians.

This is the BEST, most hilarious breakdown I have seen of the absurd rationales I have heard trying to justify trump's idiotic war. BRILLIANT! 👏👏👏

A man shouted, "IF YOU CAN'T AFFORD A BABY, MAYBE DON'T HAVE ONE!" at a sobbing nurse, making everything different for me. I was there to pick up light bulbs. At 73, I don’t linger. That’s when I caught sight of her. She looked young. Wrinkled scrubs, hair slipping free, hands shaking as she placed one thing on the belt. A can of hypoallergenic baby formula. "Card declined," said the cashier quietly. She stopped, saying, "There’s got to be some mistake… I just finished my shift. Let me try again?" The reader beeped. Declined. From behind me, the man laughed, "IF YOU CAN'T AFFORD A BABY, MAYBE DON'T HAVE ONE!" No reaction. The atmosphere turned tense. He added, "Some of us are in a rush! This isn’t a charity." She recoiled. "I'm sorry," she whispered. "I'll just… I'll put it back." That was it. Something old inside me woke up. "Leave it," I said. My own voice startled me. I stepped up, put my card in, and glanced at the cashier. "Run it." He scoffed. "Great! Somebody else trying to save the world." I turned slow, purposeful. Not fast now, but still firm at 73. "Saving the world?" I repeated. Everything fell silent. "I wore a uniform at 19," I explained. "I saw boys, younger than her, die in places you can’t name." He shifted but kept quiet. "It wasn’t about money," I clarified, taking a step forward. "It was about having each other’s backs." I pointed at him. "You’re not doing that now." His jaw clenched as he scanned the store. People stared. He muttered and left. Gone, just like that. I turned to the girl, who was quietly crying. "Thank you," she said. I handed over the receipt. Her phone screen turned on—and the picture on it made me freeze. ⬇️

Agree or Disagree: Bill Russell is a top 5 player of all time.

From 2003–04, the Patriots went 34–4 combined. 18 straight wins before losing to Pittsburgh. Got redemption in the 2004 AFC Championship. Then finished it off with back-to-back Super Bowls. Is this the most dominant run in sports history?

I love how Jonathan Roumie, who played Jesus in The Chosen series, explains in his usual humourous tone that Catholics don't worship Mary like it has been grossly misunderstood by Protestants. Worship is for God alone. We seek her intercession, just like she did for the couple at the wedding at Cana. Hail Mary 📿

Asked Paul Pierce about being embraced by the Celtics as a former player: “When I was coming up, there’d be times when I’d always look up, and I’d see Bob Cousy, I’d see John Havlicek, JoJo White — so it's always been like that. And these guys will come to our practice also. And it was always open arms to the former players who helped build this place, who helped decorate this place. And that's what Celtic culture is – it lives on through our history, through our culture. And that's something that's always gonna be, no matter who's here, as splayers or coaches or owners, the former players who helped build this arena, they always will be invited back, no matter who's here.”

I never thought I was raised by low income parents during a time when almost everyone treated each other with respect. We didn't eat a lot of fast food because it was considered a treat, not a food group. We drank Kool-Aid made from water that came from our kitchen sink with real sugar. We ate bologna sandwiches, or even tuna (which was in a can not a pouch), PB&J & , hot dogs, but mostly homemade meals consisting of mainly dough, meat, potatoes, vegetable, bread & butter, and homemade dessert. We grew up during a time when we mowed lawns, pulled weeds, babysat, helped neighbors with chores to be able to earn our own money. We went outside a lot to play games, ride bikes, red rover, dodge ball, run with siblings, and friends & played hide and seek. We drank tap water from the water hose outside... bottled water was unheard of. If we had a coke -it was in a glass bottle ... and we took the empties back to the store for a 5 cent deposit. We watched TV shows like Bonanza, Leave It To Beaver, Gilligan's Island, Happy Days, Bewitched, The Brady Bunch, Little House On The Prairie, and I Love Lucy. After school, we came home, and did homework, and chores before going outside or having friends over. We would ride our bikes for hours. We had to tell our parents where we were going, who we were going with, and what time we'd be back. You LEARNED from your parents instead of disrespecting them, and treating them as if they knew absolutely nothing. What they said was LAW, and you did not question it, and you had better know it!!! When the sun was starting to set you had better be home. In school we said the Pledge of Allegiance, we stood for the National Anthem, and listened to our teachers, also had prayer each morning. We watched what we said around our elders because we knew if we DISRESPECTED any grown-up we would get our behinds whipped, it wasn't called abuse, it was called discipline! We held doors, carried groceries, and gave up our seat for an older person without being asked. You didn't hear curse words on the radio in songs or TV, and if you cursed and got caught you had a bar of soap stuck in your mouth, and had to stand in the corner. “Please, Thank you, yes please no thank you yes ma'am no ma'am yes sir, and no sir were part of our daily vocabulary! Re-post if you're thankful for your childhood, and will never forget where you came from & the time you came from! ❤

Don Bacon on Russia-Ukraine: We shouldn't act like a referee in a boxing match between two equals. No, we have a victim, a democracy being invaded, and a dictator doing the invading. We should not act neutral. This is good versus evil. I expect more from a Republican administration: stand up to the bully, stand up to Putin. I'm a Reagan Republican. I support negotiations, but there's right and wrong here, and we’re acting morally blind.

Trump is the opposite of JFK

As an AD, the growing trend of individualism is making it harder to sustain winning programs. Great teams are built on sacrifice, accountability, and putting the program above personal goals. Championships still come from “we,” not “me.”

The weight room is about RESPECT. If you miss workouts, or are late, you disrespect your coaches and teammates, and the importance of training. And you are a distraction to those doing things right.

If the Patriots pulled what the Ravens just did, Bill Belichick would’ve gotten 10 lashes in the town square, there would’ve been an ESPN documentary and they would’ve lost a first round pick. “Trade-gate”

If you haven’t taught in a classroom post-Covid, you don’t know what it is like to teach the modern student. The students have changed. Teaching has changed. You have to be in the classroom daily to understand what I mean.

A very good night for Biddeford hockey fans! – BIDDEFORD GAZETTE

What is the Cost of Leadership? It costs $0 to say “hello.” It costs $0 to pick up trash It costs $0 to say “please.” It costs $0 to be kind It costs $0 to say “thank you.” It costs $0 to encourage others It costs $0 to smile Lead by Example. It costs nothing.