Catholic Church opens its doors to Jewish neighbors in need for Rosh Hashanah

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 5:04 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

What a great story. Details: A ruptured pipe threatened to dampen Rosh Hashanah services on Long Island, but instead it brought neighbors of two faiths closer together. Synagogue leaders arrived at the Jewish Center of Island Park on Sunday to find the ground floor completely flooded. “The nipple of the pipe had burst, completely flooding about two-thirds of the way back through the building,” said Steve Gappelberg, a member of the center. “It was unusable.” “I haven’t been in the building because... Read more

Hooray for Hollywood: how two stars reacted to paparazzi

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 5:04 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

A great idea, nicely executed by Emma Stone and Andrew Garfield. Details: In one slick, subversive move, Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone took a paparazzi moment and turned it into an act of kindness. The celebrity couple used the set of photographers waiting outside their New York City lunch spot on Saturday to help raise awareness for charity. (h/t: EOnline) Once the “Spider-Man” stars got wind the paparazzi wanted to snap the perfect shot, the duo decided to hold up signs... Read more

Catholics then, Muslims now

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 5:04 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

In this morning’s New York Times, author and journalist Doug Saunders looks at the parallels between bigotry directed toward Catholics a century ago, and what is being directed toward Muslims today: For the first time in decades, it has become acceptable in some circles to declare that a specific religious minority can’t be trusted. During the Republican primaries, Muslims were accused of harboring plans for “stealth Shariah.” A group of five Republican House members, led by Michele Bachmann, groundlessly accused... Read more

Clarence Thomas: “I was going to be a priest…”

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 5:04 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

The notoriously silent Supreme Court justice had a few things to say recently about the law and his faith during an interview at the National Archives to mark the 225th anniversary of the Constitution. From the New York Times: For the most part, Justice Thomas spoke somberly about the weight of history and the burdens of his job. But he allowed himself the occasional bit of rueful humor. “People say horrible things,” he said, smiling. “They say that, well, I’m... Read more

“In the end it will be the servants who save us all”

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 5:04 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

I’m reading Mark Shriver’s excellent tribute to his father “A Good Man,” and just came across this sterling passage, from a 1986 speech Sargent Shriver delivered to Peace Corps Volunteers. It could be a rallying cry for diakonia: “Stay as you are…be servants of peace…work at home as you have worked abroad, humbly, persistently, intelligently. Weep with those who are sorrowful, rejoice with those who are joyful. Teach those who are ignorant. Care for those who are sick. Serve your... Read more

In the e-mail: “His Excellency was smart not to bring permanent deacons into the diocese…”

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 4:56 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

A reader takes objection to this post about the lack of deacons in Lincoln, Nebraska. He writes: I disagree with your post on the diaconate in the Diocese of Lincoln. His Excellency was smart not to bring permanent deacons into the diocese. There is very little theology behind the permanent diaconate which is agreed upon across the Church, for a number of reasons, and this has caused much strife. It is impossible to replicate exactly the ancient diaconate; also, we... Read more

Catholic high school opens Muslim prayer room

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 5:04 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

Not long ago, something like that would have been unthinkable. But it’s becoming a reality in London, Ontario in Canada. Details: Mother Teresa Catholic secondary school is turning a second-floor office into an Islamic prayer room — the first high school in the city, private or public, to do so. Carpet will soon cover the tile flooring, speakers will be installed and prayer mats purchased to provide the school’s Muslim students, estimated at around two dozen, with a quiet and... Read more

“What’s wrong in the Vatican press office?”

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 5:04 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

That’s the question being posed by editor Robert Royal over at The Catholic Thing — and it’s a good question: The Vatican hired Greg Burke in June, an experienced journalist at Catholic and secular outlets, as a special consultant to help with press communications. Given the multiple stumbles and misfires in recent years, it seemed that – finally – Rome understood the need for a very different approach in the current global communications network. So what happened this week after... Read more

Rage: cathedral in Niger attacked, ransacked by protesters

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 5:04 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

From AFP: Several Christian leaders are being held in protective custody in Niger after demonstrators angry at an anti-Islam film ransacked a major Catholic church, a local journalist said Sunday. Hundreds of protesters stormed the cathedral in Niger’s second city of Zinder after Friday prayers, and set fire to US and British flags, a local priest and the journalist told AFP. The Islamic Council of Niger, the highest religious body in the mainly Muslim country, condemned the US-made film that... Read more

Canada mourns a priest who wore wigs, taught in gibberish, and wore bunny ears for Easter

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 5:04 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

Details: Monsignor Fee Otterson was a playful soul who once showed up to a family barbecue in a horrendous wig, once officiated an Easter service in bunny ears. He would lead drama classes in gibberish to challenge the communication skills of students. He walked school hallways wearing the red-and-white striped hat of Cat in the Hat or an old-fashioned judge’s white wig. And he was known to friends as “the Needle,” launching off-the-wall one-liners at parties with a conspiratorial wink,... Read more