Woodstock Theological Center to close in June

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 4:59 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

From NCR: After almost 40 years as a leading U.S. institution of Catholic theological research and reflection, Woodstock Theological Center will close its doors June 30. Formed by the Jesuits in 1974 and based at Georgetown University here, the center has been a significant resource for developments in Catholic thought on a variety of issues. The center’s closing will not affect the vast and historic Woodstock Library at Georgetown, one of the most notable Catholic theological libraries in the country,... Read more

Reports of an early conclave—and tweeting cardinals will go silent

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 4:59 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

A few tidbits this morning from Catholic News Service: Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, Vatican spokesman, confirmed this morning that top cardinals and canon lawyers at the Vatican are studying the possibility of beginning the conclave to elect a new pope before March 15. But only the cardinals can announce the exact date the conclave will begin, he told reporters this morning. Under the rules established in the apostolic constitution “Universi Dominici Gregis” on the vacancy of the papacy and the... Read more

Homily for February 17, 2013: 1st Sunday of Lent

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 4:49 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

[Click here for readings.] This was the kind of news all of us carnivores love – but it couldn’t have come at a worse time. On Ash Wednesday, a hamburger chain called Jake’s Wayback Burgers announced the introduction of a new hamburger called the Triple Triplenine-patty burger. Nine hamburger patties, nine slices of cheese, lettuce and tomato stacked between two pieces of bread. KHOU in Houston reports it has 5,100 calories and 117 grams of saturated fat. That’s about the... Read more

What about the pope’s last, unfinished encyclical?

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 4:59 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

His planned trilogy on the theological virtues will remain, it seems, incomplete. Catholic News Service has some interesting background: In December, the Vatican spokesman, Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, said that Pope Benedict’s fourth encyclical would be released in the first half of 2013. Treating the subject of faith, the encyclical would complete a trilogy on the three “theological virtues,” following “Deus Caritas Est” (2005) on charity, and “Spe Salvi” (2007) on hope. Then, on the day after the pope’s announcement,... Read more

“Ashes to Go”: Episcopalians take to the streets for Ash Wednesday

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 4:59 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

An interesting glimpse at how our Episcopalian siblings marked the beginning of Lent—and their foreheads—in Maryland, from the Baltimore Sun: Leta Dunham got her breakfast order to go at a Roland Avenue Starbucks Wednesday morning: a grande triple skim latte in her cup and, on her forehead, an ashen reminder that we are all destined to become dust. Dunham was among Ash Wednesday observers who took advantage of Ashes to Go, a service offered by area Episcopal and Methodist churches at more than a... Read more

Homily for February 17, 2013: 1st Sunday of Lent

Last updated on: February 16, 2013 at 4:47 am By Deacon Greg Kandra

Archbishop Lori pens “Prayer for the Church in Time of Transition”

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 4:59 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

This is an initiative launched by the Knights of Columbus. A press release sent out tonight reads: The Knights of Columbus – the world’s largest Catholic fraternal group – is asking its members and all Catholics to pray daily for the pope and the church in anticipation of Pope Benedict XVI’s retirement and the election of a new pope. The Knights’ campaign comes at a time when Pope Benedict XVI has publicly asked for prayers for himself, his successor and the church.... Read more

“Alex, I’ll take ‘Great Catholic Evangelists’ for $1,000…”

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 4:59 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

And the answer is: “This jolly figure has been called the greatest evangelist in the church today.” And I reply: “Who is Fr. Robert Barron?” And with this, I lose. Well, I still think Fr. Barron is a great evangelist, but he himself has another answer in mind —and it’s worth checking it out in this preview of his new series on the New Evangelization. And, of course, Fr. Barron is right. 🙂 Meantime, here’s a look at another trailer for... Read more

The Vatican confronts the digital age

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 4:59 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

Is the changing media landscape becoming a growing problem for the church? One writer thinks so, and makes some compelling observations: When Joseph Ratzinger became pope in 2005, the most common assumption (made by his fans and detractors alike) was that he’d continue in his role as an enforcer of theological orthodoxy. There were visions of a highly authoritarian papacy. Instead, his pontificate has been marked by a string of gaffes, scandals, and serious public relations blunders that have significantly diminished... Read more

“Exult, let them exult…”

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 4:59 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

It’s that time of year again. If you’re looking for a handy recording of the “Exsultet,” a great resource is this National Association of Pastoral Musicians page, which has a PDF of the music and text, plus an MP3 recording that the more media-savvy may be able to download. The page also has some other chants for Holy Week. Bookmark it! I also found this very good YouTube version, which comes with music and text and could be a... Read more