The question of Governor Cuomo and excommunication

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 5:00 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

In the wake of Governor Andrew Cuomo’s radical proposals on reproductive health—which I preached about here—some people have started to say: “Enough.” A few are even calling for his formal excommunication: The governor and his legislative lemmings just passed a draconian gun control bill designed to protect the children of New York. Almost in the same breath, the same governor, wants to enact legislation that will kill more children every day in the state of New York than were killed at Sandy... Read more

Well-known Irish priest plans to defy Vatican—UPDATED

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 5:00 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

From the New York Times: The Rev. Tony Flannery, 66, who was suspended by the Vatican last year, said he was told by the Vatican that he would be allowed to return to ministry only if he agreed to write, sign and publish a statement agreeing, among other things, that women should never be ordained as priests and that he would adhere to church orthodoxy on matters like contraception and homosexuality. “How can I put my name to such a... Read more

After abortion: “I was standing alone in a sterile room wearing a hospital gown…”

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 5:00 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

I doubt you’ll read anything more harrowing or heartbreaking than this remembrance by Katrina Fernandez of her abortion, which begins: With the upcoming March For Life, the topic of abortion seems to be every where at the moment. Because of this it’s been on my mind daily. Perhaps these daily reminders is what triggered the event that happened this morning. My first waking thought hit me like a sledge hammer and I was instantly transported back ten years. I was... Read more

Obama set to name a Catholic as his chief of staff

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 5:00 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

The Washington Post notes: The man in line to become President Obama’s next chief of staff is one of his most loyal and trusted confidants — a rare Washington player, associates said, whose sole objective is protecting and advancing the interests of his boss. Denis McDonough, 43, is widely known for his pivotal role as deputy national security adviser for the past two years, helping guide the U.S. military drawdown in Iraq and Afghanistan and the handling of the attack... Read more

Dance + shadow puppets = sheer wonder

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 5:00 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

A friend posted this to his Facebook page, and it was too good not to share. The incredible Pilobolus Dance Theatre performing their whimsical and wonderful “Shadowland”. “Amazing” doesn’t even begin to describe this. See for yourself. Read more

Snapshot: how Ohio is coping with priest shortage, changing demographics

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 5:00 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

An interesting microcosm of what is happening all over, from the Dayton Daily News: A looming shortage of active priests means that parishoners across the region — and around the U.S. — will be worshipping together more closely. Church leaders have been forced to reorganize and in some cases, churches and schools have been closed when as many as four parishes were consolidated in a single pastoral region centered around one place of worship. “It’s local and national,” said Father Len Wenke... Read more

Closed abbey searching for another religious group to take it over

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 5:00 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

You’ll remember that the Blue Cloud Abbey closed its doors last summer. Now, the search is on for another religious group or community to take it over. Details: Caretakers at Blue Cloud Abbey, the Benedictine monastery overlooking the Whetstone Valley in northeast South Dakota, are looking for another religious order to occupy their vacant premises. The 62-year-old abbey closed its doors in August, three months after its 14 monks decided that their declining numbers and aging membership made going on... Read more

Homily for January 20, 2013: 2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 4:50 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

[Click here for the readings] Every year on the anniversary of 9/11, I find myself thinking of 9/12: September 12th, 2001. The day after. Waking up. Looking out the window. Seeing the beautiful late summer sky that morning, just like the morning before. From all appearances, nothing had changed. But, in fact, everything had changed. Over a decade later, we are still grappling with how that day in history changed so much. It is the same way, I think, with... Read more

Pope to start tweeting in Latin

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 5:00 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

Details: Pope Benedict XVI plans to tweet in Latin, Vatican spokesmen have announced, resurrecting the dead language in a postmodern medium starting Sunday. “Twitter is a tool which requires rapid communication,” Roberto Spataro, secretary of the Vatican’s Pontifical Academy for Latin Studies, told the Guardian U.K. “In English you say ‘the corruption of the best one is horrible.’ In Latin, three words suffice: ‘corrupt optima pessima.’’’ But if character conservation is one of the goals, it doesn’t always work. For example,... Read more

Homily for January 20, 2013: 2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Last updated on: January 19, 2013 at 6:21 am By Deacon Greg Kandra