They’ve pulled the plug on courtship, and the New York Times is there to write the obit: Raised in the age of so-called “hookup culture,” millennials — who are reaching an age where they are starting to think about settling down — are subverting the rules of courtship. Instead of dinner-and-a-movie, which seems as obsolete as a rotary phone, they rendezvous over phone texts, Facebook posts, instant messages and other “non-dates” that are leaving a generation confused about how to... Read more
I kid you not. I’m actually early with this; today is technically the vigil of the Feast of the Ass. But I wanted you to be able to get a jump on things. A seminarian friend writes: How can we ever come to receive the fullness of the treasury of the Church’s liturgical tradition ignoring stuff like this? Source: Wikipedia The Feast of the Ass (Latin: Festum Asinorum or asinaria festa, French: Fête de l’âne) was a medieval, Christian feast observed on January 14, celebrating the Flight into Egypt. It was... Read more
Details: The frescoed walls of the Sistine Chapel are ringing with the wails and coos of newborns as Pope Benedict XVI presides over his annual Mass to baptize 20 babies. Other babies slept through the Mass during which Benedict told the godparents their job is to teach the faith by example, even if it’s unfashionable, and show that Christianity isn’t a limit to personal freedom as it is sometimes portrayed. He says: “It’s not always easy to openly and uncompromisingly... Read more
New York’s governor has just declared that the flu this season has reached epidemic proportions: This flu season is nothing to sneeze at. Gov. Cuomo declared a statewide public health emergency Saturday to combat what’s already been a severe flu season. The declaration will make it easier for vaccinations to get to more children. “We are experiencing the worst flu season since at least 2009, and influenza activity in New York State is widespread, with cases reported in all 57 counties... Read more
On his Facebook page, Father James Martin, S.J., offers a snippet from his forthcoming book about Jesus: Why does Jesus feel the need to be baptized? Let’s see what the Gospels have to say. In Mark’s Gospel, he simply does it–sans explanation. Jesus “came from Nazareth in Galilee” and, upon his baptism, he saw the heavens “torn apart” and the Holy Spirit descending upon him “like a dove.” A voice from heaven says, “You are my Son, the beloved, with... Read more
Get a load of this spectacular last-second shot by the kid in black, #50. This is the stuff that hoop dreams are made of. God love him. Read more
Director Tom Hooper discusses the work that went into his interpretation of the musical, and offers this interesting insight: He said that he had consulted Australian director Baz Luhrmann who pointed out that moving between singing and talking can be difficult for an audience: “He said unless you can make some kind of contract with the audience that gives you permission to do this, it’s very tricky. Try as I might I couldn’t really see an obvious device. “Even with... Read more
[Click here for readings.] At home, I have a little green book that someone gave me as an ordination gift: it’s the Rite of Baptism for Children, with all the prayers and readings for the sacrament. In the back, there’s a notation I scribbled on the inside cover: “Margaret Flanagan. July 1, 2007. First baby baptized.” I wrote that down in the book so I’d never forget. It was a big day for Margaret – and for me. Of course,... Read more
[Click here for readings.] At home, I have a little green book that someone gave me as an ordination gift: it’s the Rite of Baptism for Children, with all the prayers and readings for the sacrament. In the back, there’s a notation I scribbled on the inside cover: “Margaret Flanagan. July 1, 2007. First baby baptized.” I wrote that down in the book so I’d never forget. It was a big day for Margaret – and for me. Of course,... Read more
You no doubt remember the video “Ordain a Lady” that set jaws dropping around the blogosphere. Now, a good response from blogger Kathleen Burke: (A grateful diaconal bow to Deacon Scott Dodge for this!) If you really loved the Church, and valued your membership in the Church as the Body of Christ, you’d be a little broken up about being excommunicated . . . you wouldn’t be glowing. And while St. Paul is the king of the run-on-sentence that’s no reason... Read more
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