Twenty Things That Caught My Eye Today: On the Frontlines of Charity in Poland, Religious Education, #Dobbs & More

1. ‘We decided to go where there’s a chance to live’: Stories of refugees at the Poland-Ukraine border

2. Ukrainian and Polish volunteers prepare to distribute much needed supplies for refugees in an effort that recalls great acts of charity in Poland’s proud history.

3. Kyiv Independent: Russian Forces Drop Heavy Bomb on Mariupol Theater Where Hundreds Are Sheltering

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6. Pennsylvania priest spearheads mission to rescue Ukrainian orphans

7. Surrogate-born babies stranded in Kyiv basement

8. Tevi Troy: A century of toying with Ukrainians

9. Kyiv’s mayor learns from the IDF how to defend Ukraine

10. The Ukraine Crisis Should Give China Pause on Taiwan

11. As of next Monday, Vatican Radio will expand its broadcasts to Ukraine and Russia, to help communicate the Gospel message and to better interpret current events through this perspective. 

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13. New York Times: Health Agency Under Cuomo ‘Misled the Public’ on Nursing Home Deaths

The New York State Health Department presented nursing home data that concealed the deaths of 4,100 people, according to an audit by the state comptroller.

14. Virginia expands safe haven law with hopes of saving more newborns

15. I Followed the Lives of 3,290 Teenagers. This Is What I Learned About Religion and Education.

Being involved with his church reinforced biblical teachings, leading John to think of Christ as the person he most wanted to emulate (most teenagers answer by referring to an actor, an athlete or a family member). By observing how his parents and others in his religious community behaved, John learned to see God as someone he “can talk to and tell personal things to.”

The academic advantage of religious working-class children begins in middle and high school with the grades they earn. Among those raised in the working class, 21 percent of religious teenagers brought home report cards filled with A’s, compared with 9 percent of their less-religious peers. Grades are also the strongest predictor of getting into and completing college, and religious boys are more than twice as likely to earn grades that help them be competitive for college admissions and scholarships.

Religious girls from working-class families also see educational benefits compared with less religious girls, but there are other factors that help them be academically successful outside of religion. Girls are socialized to be conscientious and compliant, have an easier time developing social ties with family members and peers, and are less prone to get caught up in risky behaviors.

Why does religion give boys like John an academic advantage? Because it offers them the social capital that affluent teenagers can get elsewhere. Religious communities keep families rooted to a place and help kids develop trusting relationships with youth ministers and friends’ parents who share a common outlook on life. Collectively, these adults encourage teenagers to follow the rules and avoid antisocial behaviors.

16. The clearest explanation of Blaine amendments I’ve seen — it’s a short video.

17. Biden’s HHS Pushes ‘Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Accessibility’ Agenda to Racialize Government

18. A Groggy Senate Approves Making Daylight Saving Time Permanent

19.  Some good links — including a Shepherd’s Pie recipe, but also Ukraine — at the Theology of Home website

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