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Wow. How’s THIS for a Vibrant Parish?

June 19, 2013 By

Here in Denver for the Catholic Media Conference, I was struck by the bulletin for a local parish, which shows a whopping seven deacons. I visited the parish website and found even more astonishing facts (as of December 2012): Registered individual Catholics: 15,730 Registered Catholic families: 4,500 Estimate of young adults (8-25): 1,649 Estimate of Adults 70+ age: 982 (numbers may be low because registrations before 1991 did not have records for birthdays, etc.) Sacraments Total … [Read More...]

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Pope Francis: “In this culture, let’s face it, we are the minority…”

June 19, 2013 By

From remarks yesterday to the Diocese of Rome: “I'm Not Ashamed of the Gospel” was the theme of Pope Francis' catechesis given yesterday afternoon in the Paul VI Hall for the inauguration of the Ecclesial Congress (17-19 June) that concludes the Diocese of Rome's pastoral year. The theme of the pastoral year was: “Christ, We Need You! The Responsibility of the Baptized in Proclaiming Jesus Christ.” The meeting began with Cardinal Agostino Vallini, vicar general of the Diocese, … [Read More...]

Cuomo Abortion Bill in New York Fails—UPDATED

June 19, 2013 By

Details:  New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo's proposed bill to dramatically expand legal abortion in the state died in the state senate following months of Catholic and pro-life opposition. The four-senator Independent Democratic Coalition, which has a power-sharing agreement to control the senate … [Read More...]

Is One of the World’s Greatest Churches About to Become a Mosque?

June 19, 2013 By

Reports a few weeks ago indicated as much—and now it's closer to reality:  While unrest in Turkey continues to capture attention, more subtle and more telling events concerning the Islamification of Turkey — and not just at the hands of Prime Minister Erdogan but majorities of Turks — are … [Read More...]

UPDATE: Teacher Fired Because of Abusive Husband Offered New Job

June 19, 2013 By

An followup on a story I posted over the weekend:  A California Catholic school teacher fired for allegedly posing a safety risk because she was a victim of domestic violence has received a new job offer in a different city, KNSD-TV reported on Monday. Carie Charlesworth told the station that … [Read More...]

Ah, travel

June 18, 2013 By

Remember when air travel was like this? Yeah. Neither do I. This is more like it: As I write, I'm sitting at a table in Au Bon Pain at the United terminal at LaGuardia, waiting for my flight to Denver for the Catholic Media Conference (you can follow on twitter at #cmc13). I'm looking … [Read More...]

Man Shot During Mass Sunday Expected to Survive

June 18, 2013 By

Details: Because James Evans turned his head at just the right moment, the bullet came out through his cheek instead of entering his brain, his wife said. Tara Evans spoke briefly during a news conference Monday at McKay-Dee Hospital. She nodded and smiled, then cried as Dr. Barbara Kerwin, the … [Read More...]

Ordination Update: 9 New Deacons for Buffalo

June 18, 2013 By

H/T to Deacon Don Weigel for passing this along. The men were ordained Saturday at St. Joseph Cathedral. Caption: Laying hands on Deacon Paul Augustyn; Deacon Thomas Friedman; Deacon Mark Kehl; Deacon Francis Lagona; Deacon Marc Leaderstorf; Deacon V. Gregory Moran; Deacon David Rotterman; Deacon … [Read More...]

St. Joseph Added to Other Eucharistic Prayers

June 17, 2013 By

A pleasant surprise, courtesy Fr. Z:  Decades after John XXIII placed the name of Joseph in the Roman Canon, it seems that the name of the great Patron of the Dying, Terror of Demons, will be in the Eucharistic Prayers II, III and IV in the 3rd edition of theMissale Romanum. I received a copy … [Read More...]

Where Can Catholics Renew Wedding Vows?

June 17, 2013 By

A reader writes:  I belong to a wonderful parish in GA about 20 minutes outside Savannah, GA.  I would so love to renew our vows for our 40th wedding anniversary, but my husband, [who is not Catholic] will not consent to doing this in church by my priest (even though he was married in the … [Read More...]

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Ordination Update: 25 New Deacons for Pittsburgh

June 17, 2013 By

They are a diverse bunch: The men of the deacon class of 2013, who have made this formation journey together, are a diverse yet cohesive group: They range in age from 45 to 64, with the average being 55. One is single; the rest are married and, collectively, they have a total of 49 children and … [Read More...]

In Plea for Peace, Patriarch Consecrates Middle East to Mary

June 17, 2013 By

Details:  The Patriarch of Antioch of the Maronites Boutros Bechara Rai consecrated Lebanon and the entire Middle East to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, praying that all the peoples of the region are freed "from the sins that lead to divisions, aggression and violence ". The solemn Act of … [Read More...]

Thousands Pack into New Catholic Church in United Arab Emirates

June 17, 2013 By

Details:  There was a huge outpouring an faith and devotion as more than 8,500 worshippers from across the United Arab Emirates celebrated the first Mass at the emirate’s new Catholic church on Friday the 14th June 2013. It was one of the biggest ever turnouts, with residents travelling from … [Read More...]

Priest Develops App to Let His Flock Know When He’s Hearing Confessions

June 17, 2013 By

Details:  God may be omnipresent — but His priests aren’t. So a holy man in Madison, Wisc., has turned to app development, along with divine guidance, to find a better way to tend to the needs of his 800-family flock. Father Richard Heilman is launching a My Confessor App that will let … [Read More...]

Forgiven: Woman Sentenced to Death Will Leave Prison, Go Shopping with Victim’s Grandson

June 17, 2013 By

Paula Cooper's case garnered international attention—earning sympathy from Pope John Paul II and from an Italian friar, Fr. Vito Bracone (shown above) who organized a petition drive to spare her life. Now, after nearly three decades, she is about to go free. Details:  Paula Cooper was just … [Read More...]

Inspired by Pope, Boy Donates First Communion Money to Charity

June 16, 2013 By

Details from Allentown, PA: A young boy from Lehigh County is practicing what he preaches. Alex Trinidad, 8, recently celebrated his First Holy Communion. Family and friends gave him money for the occasion. Alex turned around and gave it to people in need. The elementary student donated … [Read More...]

Father’s Day Horror: Man Allegedly Shoots Father-in-Law During Mass

June 16, 2013 By

It happened in Ogden, Utah:  Everything was calm and peaceful at St. James Catholic Church on Sunday afternoon before a man walked in and shot his father-in-law in the back of the head. Witnesses said they had just started to say a prayer when a man and woman walked into the church holding … [Read More...]

First “Righteous Gentile” Killed for Saving Jews Beatified

June 16, 2013 By

From the Times of Israel:  An Italian Catholic activist and journalist who was declared a Righteous Gentile for saving Jewish lives during World War II has formally been put on the road to sainthood by the Roman Catholic church. Odoardo Focherini was beatified – the step before sainthood – … [Read More...]