That’s a question a lot of Catholics have asked and, while it’s making a comeback, the ancient language of the Church can still be hard to find in some places. Catholic News Service (whose excellent videos are becoming the standard by which all others are measured) offers this very good overview of Latin’s role in the Church: Read more
From the Boston Pilot: Cardinal Seán O’Malley will celebrate the Rite of Ordination to the Order of Deacon for 10 candidates at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross Sept. 22. Louis J. Piazza, a deacon candidate of the class of 2012, explained the significance of the rite and gave a bit of insight into the group of candidates for ordination. “We are welcomed in service to the bishop to work alongside the priests in our archdiocese and to make the... Read more
From the Boston Pilot: Cardinal Seán O’Malley will celebrate the Rite of Ordination to the Order of Deacon for 10 candidates at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross Sept. 22. Louis J. Piazza, a deacon candidate of the class of 2012, explained the significance of the rite and gave a bit of insight into the group of candidates for ordination. “We are welcomed in service to the bishop to work alongside the priests in our archdiocese and to make the... Read more
From the next issue of AMERICA, retired auxiliary bishop Emil Wcela of Rockville Centre weighs in: Women already minister extensively in the church. Consecrated religious serve in various fields. Thousands of other women serve in diocesan offices; in parishes as administrators, pastoral associates, directors of religious education, in the whole spectrum of parish life; in hospitals; in prisons. In contrast to the women of ancient times, women today play a very important part in public life, holding high offices in... Read more
And besides taking over a diocese, he will be taking over a high-profile project: transforming the Crystal Cathedral into the Christ Cathedral. Details over at Whispers in the Loggia. You can also find a brief write-up at the AP. Read more
In fact, this building is where I studied for the diaconate —for five years, it was my home away from home. Congratulations, to Cathedral Preparatory Seminary in Elmhurst, Queens. (Not insignificantly, it also is the last prep seminary of its kind in America.) From the Cardinal Newman Society: Today, September 20, 2012, the winners of the 2012-2013 Catholic High School Honor Roll competition were announced by The Cardinal Newman Society. Since 2004, the Honor Roll has recognized excellence in Catholic identity, academics... Read more
Those who have been waiting for more glimpses of this epic musical — following the sensational trailer released this summer—your wait is over. The producers have just released a mini-documentary/promotional video that focuses on the groundbreaking technique they used for recording the music: actually performing the songs live, with piano accompaniment, rather than lip-syncing. Prepare yourself for goosebumps. Take a look. Read more
At last, something to go with my Candy Corn Oreos. There’s a four letter word for this. Bliss. Read more
A few years ago, I gave a Thanksgiving Day homily in which I quoted the Unitarian minister Peter Fleck. He suggested that perhaps the pilgrims weren’t thankful because they survived; maybe they survived because they were thankful. As I noted: Gratitude doesn’t always come easily. We all know that generosity – the giving of a gift – means thinking more about others than about yourself. It represents an act of love. But so does being thankful. To give thanks is... Read more
One of the new bishops meeting the Holy Father today happens to be my new pastor (I hope he brings me back a tee shirt…) Details: “Every believer is called to the challenge of the new evangelization” Pope Benedict XVI said Thursday morning, and bishops must “boldly invite the people from every walk of life to an encounter with Christ and to render more solid the faith”. The Holy Father was addressing a group of bishops whom he appointed during... Read more
The Deacon's Bench
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