Free Republic

President Donald Trump’s tariffs are threatening to put a crimp in Christmas. The United States imports as much as 75% of the toy products it sells from China, according to the U.S. Commerce Department, making it one of the industries most reliant on that country’s supply chain. Along with sports equipment and games, it is the fourth-largest import category from that nation. As a result, toy industry officials are warning U.S. consumers to expect higher prices and fewer choices this year, including for the holidays, as a result of Trump’s tariffs. “Christmas is in danger,” said Greg Ahearn, president and...

Many small businesses are still threatened by the trade war facing the United States, even though President Donald Trump suspended most tariffs for 90 days. The escalating tariffs on China have halted imports — and manufacturing — for many American companies, including mom-and-pop stores and family-owned businesses that cannot easily shift production or sourcing to other countries. ‘This is life or death,” says Rick Woldenberg, the CEO of Learning Resources, a century-old toy manufacturing company that makes educational materials for thousands of American schools. Woldenberg told Breitbart News that the Trump administration’s tariffs on China — which hit 145% as...

Sunday 12 January 2025 The Baptism of the Lord Feast Site historique Marguerite-Bourgeoys, Montreal Readings at MassLiturgical Colour: White. Year: C(I).First readingIsaiah 40:1-5,9-11The glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all mankind shall see it‘Console my people, console them’says your God.‘Speak to the heart of Jerusalemand call to herthat her time of service is ended,that her sin is atoned for,that she has received from the hand of the Lorddouble punishment for all her crimes.’A voice cries, ‘Prepare in the wildernessa way for the Lord.Make a straight highway for our Godacross the desert.Let every valley be filled in,every mountain...

11 January 2025 Saturday after Epiphany SundaySt. Paulin Church, Trier Readings at MassThe readings shown here are for places where the Epiphany is celebrated on Sunday 5 January.If you are celebrating the Epiphany on Monday 6 January this year then these are not the right readings. To see the right readings, you need to set this web site to use your own local calendar. On this web page, find the list of dates. After the last date there is a heading which says “Calendar Used”. Click on the calendar name below this heading, and choose your local calendar from...

10 January 2025 Friday after Epiphany SundaySan Pietro I Orseolo, Venice Readings at MassThe readings shown here are for places where the Epiphany is celebrated on Sunday 5 January.If you are celebrating the Epiphany on Monday 6 January this year then these are not the right readings. To see the right readings, you need to set this web site to use your own local calendar. On this web page, find the list of dates. After the last date there is a heading which says “Calendar Used”. Click on the calendar name below this heading, and choose your local calendar...

9 January 2025 Thursday after Epiphany Sunday Saint Adrian Catholic Church, Adrian, MNReadings at MassThe readings shown here are for places where the Epiphany is celebrated on Sunday 5 January.If you are celebrating the Epiphany on Monday 6 January this year then these are not the right readings. To see the right readings, you need to set this web site to use your own local calendar. On this web page, find the list of dates. After the last date there is a heading which says “Calendar Used”. Click on the calendar name below this heading, and choose your local...

8 January 2025 Wednesday after Epiphany SundaySt. Michael and St. Gudula Cathedral, BrusselsReadings at MassThe readings shown here are for places where the Epiphany is celebrated on Sunday 5 January.If you are celebrating the Epiphany on Monday 6 January this year then these are not the right readings. To see the right readings, you need to set this web site to use your own local calendar. On this web page, find the list of dates. After the last date there is a heading which says “Calendar Used”. Click on the calendar name below this heading, and choose your local...

6 January 2025 Monday after Epiphany SundaySt. André Bessette Parish, Amesbury, MA Readings at MassThe readings shown here are for places where the Epiphany is celebrated on Sunday 5 January.If you are celebrating the Epiphany on Monday 6 January this year then these are not the right readings. To see the right readings, you need to set this web site to use your own local calendar. On this web page, find the list of dates. After the last date there is a heading which says “Calendar Used”. Click on the calendar name below this heading, and choose your local calendar...

7 January 2025 Tuesday after Epiphany Sunday Saint Raymond of Penafort Catholic Church, Springfield, VAReadings at MassThe readings shown here are for places where the Epiphany is celebrated on Sunday 5 January.If you are celebrating the Epiphany on Monday 6 January this year then these are not the right readings. To see the right readings, you need to set this web site to use your own local calendar. On this web page, find the list of dates. After the last date there is a heading which says “Calendar Used”. Click on the calendar name below this heading, and choose...

Sunday 5 January 2025 The Epiphany of the Lord Solemnity the Sanctuary of St. John Nepomuk Neumann, PhiladelphiaReadings at MassThe readings shown here are for places where the Epiphany is celebrated on Sunday 5 January.If you are celebrating the Epiphany on Monday 6 January this year then these are not the right readings. To see the right readings, you need to set this web site to use your own local calendar. On this web page, find the list of dates. After the last date there is a heading which says “Calendar Used”. Click on the calendar name below this heading,...

Saturday 4 January 2025Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, Cedar Rapids, Iowa Readings at MassLiturgical Colour: White. Year: C(I).Readings for the feriaReadings for the memorialThese are the readings for the feriaFirst reading1 John 3:7-10No-one sins who has been begotten by GodMy children, do not let anyone lead you astray:to live a holy lifeis to be holy just as he is holy;to lead a sinful life is to belong to the devil,since the devil was a sinner from the beginning.It was to undo all that the devil has donethat the Son of God appeared.No one who...

Two years ago my 9 year old daughter caught me moving the “Elf on the Shelf” around. So I told her the truth that it has been me. But I asked her would you rather not known the truth and continue to have daddy move the elf? She was thoughtful. Now 2 years later we spent Christmas out of the country and it was too difficult to set up presents for the favorite daughter. So I told Santa could not find us and we’d have to work it out after Christmas. Now it is after Christmas and she’s asking. I...

Friday 3 January 2025 3 January Sainte-Geneviève, in the city of Sainte-Geneviève, MissouriReadings at MassLiturgical Colour: White. Year: C(I).First reading1 John 2:29-3:6Everyone must try to be as pure as ChristYou know that God is righteous –then you must recognise that everyone whose life is righteoushas been begotten by him.Think of the love that the Father has lavished on us,by letting us be called God’s children;and that is what we are.Because the world refused to acknowledge him,therefore it does not acknowledge us.My dear people, we are already the children of Godbut what we are to be in the future has not...

A recent photograph of Steve Bannon, former advisor to Donald Trump, has ignited a media frenzy in Turkey. The image, widely circulated on social media, features Bannon wearing a t-shirt emblazoned with the phrase "Free Constantinople," a message that has been perceived by many in Turkey as provocative. The controversy began when Rahim Kassam, a British political commentator, shared the photo on X (formerly known as Twitter). Kassam captioned the image, "Steve Bannon opened his favorite Christmas present," implying the t-shirt was a gift. Unsurprisingly, the Turkish media reacted strongly, labeling the image a "provocation" and engaging in extensive commentary....

Thursday 2 January 2025 Saints Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen, Bishops, Doctors on 2 January St. Basil the Great Byzantine Catholic Church, MiamiReadings at MassLiturgical Colour: White. Year: C(I).Readings for the feriaReadings for the memorialThese are the readings for the feriaFirst reading1 John 2:22-28The anointing he gave you teaches you everythingThe man who denies that Jesus is the Christ –he is the liar,he is Antichrist;and he is denying the Father as well as the Son,because no one who has the Father can deny the Son,and to acknowledge the Son is to have the Father as well.Keep alive in...

Wednesday 1 January 2025Mary, the Holy Mother of God SolemnityMary, Mother of God Parish, ChicagoReadings at MassLiturgical Colour: White. Year: C(I).First readingNumbers 6:22-27They are to call down my name on the sons of Israel, and I will bless themThe Lord spoke to Moses and said, ‘Say this to Aaron and his sons: “This is how you are to bless the sons of Israel. You shall say to them: May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord let his face shine on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord uncover his face to you and bring...

Tuesday 31 December 20247th day within the octave of Christmas (optional commemoration of Saint Silvester I, Pope)St. Sylvester church, MunichReadings at MassLiturgical Colour: White. Year: C(I).First reading1 John 2:18-21You have been anointed by the Holy OneChildren, these are the last days;you were told that an Antichrist must come,and now several antichrists have already appeared;we know from this that these are the last days.Those rivals of Christ came out of our own number, but they had never really belonged;if they had belonged, they would have stayed with us;but they left us, to prove that not one of themever belonged to...

Monday 30 December 2024 6th day within the octave of Christmas The Immaculate Conception and St Egwin's Catholic Church Evesham, UKReadings at MassLiturgical Colour: White. Year: C(I).First reading1 John 2:12-17Observance of the will of GodI am writing to you, my own children,whose sins have already been forgiven through his name;I am writing to you, fathers,who have come to know the onewho has existed since the beginning;I am writing to you, young men,who have already overcome the Evil One;I have written to you, children,because you already know the Father;I have written to you, fathers,because you have come to know the...

The following was sent to more than 150 priests and religious in the diocese of Perugia, Italy. - - - - - - - Dear fellow Pastor of the precious souls of God, I want to wish you a Holy Christmas! As pastors, we have a great responsibility before God and before the immortal souls entrusted to us! The good pastor is ready to lay down his life for the sheep like Jesus (Jn 10:11). It seems to me that this “lay down his life” today means to OFFER THE TRUTH OF GOD, which truly makes us free (Jn 8:32)...

Sunday 29 December 2024 The Holy FamilySt Thomas à Becket church, Greatford, UKReadings at MassLiturgical Colour: White. Year: C(I).First reading1 Samuel 1:20-22,24-28This is the child I prayed for: he is made over to the Lord.Hannah conceived and gave birth to a son, and called him Samuel ‘since’ she said ‘I asked the Lord for him.’ When a year had gone by, the husband Elkanah went up again with all his family to offer the annual sacrifice to the Lord and to fulfil his vow. Hannah, however, did not go up, having said to her husband, ‘Not before the child...