The Deacon's Bench - Where a Roman Catholic deacon ponders the world

Is Mariah Carey a genius?

December 4, 2018 By Deacon Greg Kandra

Well, writer Michael Arceneaux seems to think so. Let’s hear him out: Almost 25 years after its release, “All I Want For Christmas Is You” is not only her biggest selling single ever, it outpaces holiday staples such as “Feliz Navidad” and “Jingle Bell Rock.” In 1994, Mariah Carey was quoted saying that in recording the song, she meant for it to be “fun.” Fun it is, but the song truly encapsulates what has made Mariah Carey such an enduring hitmaker. But… Read more

Homeless man smashes statues in Phoenix basilica

December 4, 2018 By Deacon Greg Kandra

The same weekend a shrine was desecrated in Brooklyn, a vandal attacked statues in Phoenix. Details: A homeless man is in jail after police say he walked into a Phoenix church and damaged several century-old statues. “I preached on it yesterday,” said Rev. Michael Weldon of St. Mary’s Basilica in downtown Phoenix. “After the mass, the people came over and knelt and many of them were weeping.” According to Phoenix police, 35-year-old Devon Thomas entered the church around 1 p.m…. Read more

Massachusetts deacon says he’s being punished for praying for Buffalo deacon

December 4, 2018 By Deacon Greg Kandra

I’ve never heard of a case quite like this. It happened in Russell, Massachusetts: David Baillargeon, a deacon at Holy Family Parish Roman Catholic church in Russell, claims he was reprimanded for saying a prayer during Mass on Sunday for a deacon in Buffalo, New York, who has called for the resignation of that diocese’s bishop. Baillargeon spoke out Monday against the church’s handling of clergy sexual abuse, arguing that more needs to be done to investigate such cases, including in Western Massachusetts. Baillargeon,… Read more

Ordination update: 24 new deacons for Birmingham

December 3, 2018 By Deacon Greg Kandra

Here’s the first image of the new deacons, ordained by Bishop Robert Baker on December 1, 2018, at the Cathedral of Saint Paul in Birmingham. I can’t think of a better way to begin a new liturgical year than with a big new class of deacons. A complete list of names: Congratulations, brothers, and welcome! Ad multos annos! Read more

Outrage: Man urinates on shrine, destroys statues at Brooklyn Catholic church

December 3, 2018 By Deacon Greg Kandra

Details: A man urinated on and then knocked over two statues of angels guarding the Virgin Mary in front of Our Lady of Consolation Church, Williamsburg, at 4 a.m., Sunday, Dec. 2. The statues broke into pieces, but the figure of the Virgin remains unharmed. Surveillance video caught the violent act as the man, approximately 30 years old, approached the statues, relieved himself on them and then forcefully knocked over the two statues. Police are looking for the suspect in… Read more

WATCH: Hollywood’s Chris Pratt on Christmas and God’s fatherly love for us

December 3, 2018 By Deacon Greg Kandra

Hollywood star Chris Pratt offered some timely wisdom last night at the conclusion of Disneyland’s Candelight Processional — which included Pratt narrating the Christmas story. He’s been outspoken before about his religion — most notably at the MTV awards. But his off-script remarks at the conclusion of this Disney tradition were an unexpected and touching testament of faith. Give a listen below. via ytCropper Read more

Full coverage: why more women are wearing veils

December 3, 2018 By Deacon Greg Kandra

I’ve seen this in my own parish in Queens: more women (or varying ages) showing up for Mass with some sort of head covering or veil. A decade ago, you’d almost never see it. Now, you do. The numbers are small — a dozen or so at a Mass — but it’s noticeable. Some insight, from Birgit Jones at CatholicMom.com: A resurgence in the optional devotion of wearing a mantilla, or chapel veil, has many people in the pew scratching their… Read more

‘The truth has to be told’: Deacon accuses priest of attempted sexual assault

December 2, 2018 By Deacon Greg Kandra

From The Day in New London: A former deacon at Sacred Heart Church in Groton has alleged that the current pastor of St. Agnes Church in Niantic, the Rev. Gregory Mullaney, repeatedly propositioned him for sex while on a 2006 trip to Rome and tried to sexually assault him in the street after he fled from a restaurant where the two had been dining. In addition, Deacon Mark King alleges in a sworn statement he made in 2006 that during the trip Mullaney… Read more

Bismarck Bishop: ‘Without the diaconate, the church is not complete’

December 2, 2018 By Deacon Greg Kandra

Friday, the Feast of St. Andrew, the Diocese of Bismarck’s Bishop David Kagan ordained five men to the permanent diaconate: Ben Auch, Robert Bohn, Leonard Krebs, John Paul Martin and Bob Nutsch. While I wait to get some pictures of that blessed event, enjoy this reflection by the bishop from last week. Kudos! Read more

When Jesus walked through Hollywood: watch this amazing Eucharistic procession

December 1, 2018 By Deacon Greg Kandra

It happened on the feast of Christ the King: Hundreds of Catholics processed through Hollywood’s Walk of Fame in a special Eucharistic procession for the poor this month. The event was organized by the Beloved Movement, a forum that promotes discipleship and spiritual community. An estimated 700 people attended the Hollywood Beloved Procession after Mass at Blessed Sacrament Church on Nov. 17. As part of the event, volunteers on the walk sat and listened to some of the city’s homeless… Read more