Encore: bishops plan second Fortnight for Freedom for 2013

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 5:01 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

Don’t throw away those foam fingers yet. From the USCCB website: The U.S. Catholic bishops have launched a pastoral strategy addressing critical life, marriage and religious liberty concerns. The five-part strategy or call to prayer was approved by the bishops in November and is set to begin after Christmas. The overall focus is to invite Catholics to pray for rebuilding a culture favorable to life and marriage and for increased protections of religious liberty. Campaign components include monthly Eucharistic holy hours... Read more

An encounter with St. Nick

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 5:01 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

My colleague Michael La Civita posted this remembrance of a poignant trip to Italy over at CNEWA’s blog, ONE-TO-ONE: In May 1997, I traveled to Puglia, Italy, to visit my father’s family. While there, I visited Bari, home to the Wonder Worker, good ole St. Nick. Here’s how I concluded an article on that visit, which coincided with another Feast of St. Nicholas, which we celebrate today: “One Russian family caught my eye. The father watched his youngest child as his... Read more

Ordination update: 12 new deacons for Columbus

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 4:51 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

Hello, Columbus! There’s a full write up in a recent edition of the Catholic Times. Congratulations, brothers, and welcome! Ad multos annos! Read more

Pope Benedict makes Forbes “Most Powerful People” list at #5

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 5:01 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

He’s just below Bill Gates (#4) and above Ben Bernanke (#6). The Forbes thumbnail profile: How’s this for a job description? According to the doctrine of Papal Supremacy, the Pope enjoys “supreme, full, immediate, and universal power” over the souls of 1.2 billion Catholics around the world. They turn to the Vicar of Christ for the final word on life’s most personal decisions, including birth control, abortion, marriage and euthanasia. Of course, the pope faces dissent anyway–recently from “radical feminist”... Read more

Ordination update: 12 new deacons for Columbus

Last updated on: December 6, 2012 at 4:20 am By Deacon Greg Kandra

Hello, Columbus! There’s a full write up in a recent edition of the Catholic Times. Congratulations, brothers, and welcome! Ad multos annos! Read more

How Dave Brubeck made liturgy swing

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 5:01 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

I found this great piece by Bob Faw on Dave Brubeck, and it gives more dimension to his religiously themed jazz music, including his legendary jazz Mass called “To Hope!” Watch Dave Brubeck on PBS. See more from Religion & Ethics NewsWeekly. And YouTube offers this sensational piece of music from his Mass: the gorgeous, jazzy and thrilling communion song. As Brubeck explained it: “The priest said, ‘Dave, I want people to be happy. I’m tired of people coming up... Read more

Meet the deacon novelist

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 5:01 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

Details, from Arkansas Catholic: In “I Hear Your Heartbeat” Deacon Larry Hatch’s recently released first novel, the reader is reminded that to receive forgiveness, one must first be willing to forgive. “Unforgiveness is the poison you drink hoping the other person will die,” said Hatch, who serves St. Agnes Church in Mena. The story follows Tallet Jinx, a 60-something widower rancher who happens across a token from his high school days that sets off memories of his then-sweetheart, Gemima Renner.... Read more

Remembering jazz great Dave Brubeck, Catholic

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 5:01 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

The composer and musician died today: Dave Brubeck, a jazz musician who attained pop-star acclaim with recordings such as “Take Five” and “Blue Rondo a la Turk,” died Wednesday morning at Norwalk Hospital, in Norwalk, Conn., said his longtime manager-producer-conductor Russell Gloyd. Brubeck was one day short of his 92nd birthday. He died of heart failure, en route to “a regular treatment with his cardiologist,” said Gloyd. Significantly, he was also a Catholic convert: To Hope! A Celebration was Brubeck’s first... Read more

When it’s appropriate to clap at Mass: a handy list

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 5:01 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

Marcel over at Aggie Catholics has a helpful post about applause during liturgy. While it’s frowned upon—the pope is not a fan of it—there are a few instances when it might be acceptable: Clapping is usually done for a human achievement and is not for God. So, it is a misplaced act in most liturgies. There are some places where it is explicitly allowed though. For instance, in the Rite of Ordination for priests there is an exception for the USA where... Read more

Here come the Anglicans: Brooklyn ordains its first Ordinariate priest

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 5:01 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

My pastor, Auxiliary Bishop Paul Sanchez, did the honors. Details, from the Brooklyn Tablet: When Auxiliary Bishop Paul Sanchez laid hands upon the head of Belen Gonzalez y Perez Nov. 20 at St. James Cathedral-Basilica, Downtown Brooklyn, Father Gonzalez y Perez became the first former Anglican priest to be ordained a Catholic priest in Brooklyn. He concelebrated a First Mass of thanksgiving Nov. 25 at St. Charles Borromeo Church, Brooklyn Heights, with Father Ed Doran, pastor. “I’ve been in discernment... Read more