Guest Post: THE UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME: THE GOOD NEWS AND THE BAD NEWS

 by James M. Thunder  

published in The Narthex, blog of New Oxford Review, in four parts Feb. 24, March 8, 11 and 13
Part 1: Notre Dame: The Good News & the Bad News | New Oxford Review

Folks, the good news out of Notre Dame is shockingly good. The bad news out of Notre Dame is shockingly bad. I’ll start with the bad.

On January 8, 2026, Notre Dame issued a press release announcing that a professor, Susan Ostermann, was being appointed, effective July 1, as director of the Liu Institute. Because of her public and persistent pro-abortion views, this appointment has been met with objections by:

Some Good News from the Headlines

Take time to smell the flowers, praise
God for the beauty of the earth,
and talk to the flamingo.

We all need to take heart from the good news that's out there. It's too easy to feel like the whack-a-mole when we read the media. Remember, the mainstream media are purveyors of the worst of the worst. "If it bleeds, it leads!" Every time a disaster occurs whether it's a terrorist attack or a natural event we get non-stop rehashing of it, sometimes for days.

Sad isn't it? Bad news sells apparently. Good news is "oft interred" and given little attention.

Well, today I'm focusing on some good news and praying in thanksgiving. I'm also asking my guardian angel to keep me focused on my blessings and all the beauty of the earth. Sure, evil assaults us and we, as warriors in the Church Militant, need to fight on the battlefield. But sometimes we all need R & R as a respite and opportunity to recharge. So check out the good news today and rejoice in hope. Nothing "just happens." All is according to the providence of God.

Good News Monday

Thought I'd start the week with some good news. Remember that "All things work together for good for those who love the Lord and serve according to His purpose." So God brings good out of even the bad news. But it's still nice now and then to see the good news happening. So check out these items of interest from the past few weeks and remember to thank God for them.

Some Good Political News for a Change!

If the "never Trumpers" were victorious in November I shudder to think about what we'd be facing now. But they weren't and there's plenty of good news on the home front every day. Trump has put some great folks in the cabinet and has signed some terrific executive orders. Lets take a look at a little of the good new:

• Sean Duffy, Catholic father of nine whose youngest has Down Syndrome will run the Department of Transportation. What a witness this family will be to the country. Many little Down Syndrome angels are likely to be saved because of this beautiful family and their faith. Who can look at precious little Valentina and not smile!

Sean Duffy with some of his family including little Valentina StellaMaris 

Need a Break from the Bad News? Check out these delightful stories!

I think we could all use some inspiring stories these days. A steady diet of bad news is hard on the heart. So here's my First Friday dose of smiles. Remember the "Got milk?? ad, well here's my "Got hope?" ad. The movie Life is Beautiful shows the power of hope and humor in one of the most dismal times in history. It's fiction, but we all know there were people in the concentration camps who spread hope. In our dark culture, we can do the same.  

Mrs. American Winner Says Having Seven Children Makes Her Feel “Most Empowered”

Bad News and Good News: Although Learning about Bad News is Ultimately Good News!

Good news? Bad news? Give it all to the Lord in prayer!
All God's creatures remind us how much we need prayer!

First the bad news - although when bad news is exposed it's good news for those searching for the truth:

 BOMBSHELL REPORT: Hunter Biden Emails Show He Secured Funds for Biolabs in Ukraine

•  Here are the details, and remember also that then-Vice President Joe Biden was in charge of relations with Ukraine at the time all of this was happening:

Some Good News for a Change!

 We all need a little good news in these crazy times of daily insanity. So here are a few headlines to cheer the Christian heart.

Michigan AG admits Defeat! Religious Adoption Orgs Can Refuse Same-Sex Households

The Canadian Truckers are the Best!!!

Florida plans to protect parents’ rights!

Watch for the points of light. Darkness is nothing, i.e., no thing. And all it takes to dispel it is a lit match and a lighted candle. Let’s continue to light up the darkness with the virtues of faith, hope, and charity. 

GOD WINS!

Good News and Hope! Let's Take Back Our Country!

The midterms are coming and this pro-life woman is running to be a senator from Pennslvania. Barnette is a conservative, a home schooling mom. She was also conceived in rape and understands the value of all human life. Think about the pro-abortion EMILY's list (Early Money Is Like Yeast.) Early prayers are even more so. Let's start praying for Kathy Barnette and support her campaign. It's time to take back our country from the godless liberals who hate us, who consider us "deplorables," who want to instill their evil ideas in our children. Visit Barnette's website. I'm sending a donation, a Mass, and a letter of support. May God bless her as she fights for her family and ours. Visit her site.

Good News and Bad News on the Latin Mass Front

Good news from a good bishop:

Bishop Paprocki: “The problem has not been solved, but tensions have been heightened.”

Bishop Thomas Paprocki of Springfield, IL offers hope, consolation, and kindness to those who love the TLM. Following the motus proprio, Tradionis Custodes, he issued a decree on continuance of the Latin Mass in Springfield. 

Some Happy News for a Change: Wise Men Still Seek Him!

Thank you, Bishop Strickland! 

A US Bishop Discovers the Traditional Latin Mass

Catholics are responding to the violence and vandalism of our time with love.

Catholics Gather for prayer vigil in Boston in front of Mary statue vandalized by arsonist

Catholics hold nightly prayer vigils at the statue of St. Louis IX 

Bishop Morlino: Put Jesus Front and Center

The Tabernacle Isn't Just a Piece of the Furniture!

And by 2018, all the church's in his diocese will move the tabernacle back where it belongs -- in the center of the sanctuary. Praised be to Jesus Christ and two thumbs up for Bishop Morlino!

And two thumbs up to the pastor of St. Louis Catholic Church in Alexandria, VA. St. Louis was our family parish for over thirty years. During that time we grieved to see the tabernacle moved to a tiny side altar. In the latest renovation, the current pastor, Fr. Matthew Zuberbueler, moved Jesus back where he belongs to the center of the Church.

When a worshiper enters a Catholic Church, there should be no question about its purpose, the honor and glory of God especially in the Real Presence of His Son here on earth. The larger "house of the Lord" is only there for the worship of the one who dwells within the little golden house on the altar. Thank you, Bishop Morlino and Fr. Zuberbueler. May other bishops and clergymen follow your example to make the house of the Lord a fitting place for worshiping the King of the Universe.