Study says Catholic regions of U.S. more likely to pick risky stocks

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 5:05 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

Maybe it has something to do with faith? From Financial Post: Fish on Fridays, mass on Sundays, and risky mutual fund management throughout the week. That’s what a new study from the University of Georgia and Southern Methodist University says about funds based in predominantly Catholic areas of the U.S. “You would think generating profits would be the only decision factor in mutual fund management. We found that local culture, specifically religion, actually has a significant impact on the decisions... Read more

Meet the former Playboy centerfold who prays the rosary

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 5:05 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

From CatholicVote: In an interview with Fox News, former Baywatch star and Playboy Playmate Donna D’Errico talked about her recent hiking trip to Mount Arrarat, where she traveled to fulfil a lifelong dream of searching for Noah’s Ark. D’Errico says she’s wanted to search for the Ark since she was a child in Catholic School. So when the inevitable subject of religion and questionable choices she made in the past came up, D’Errico put her perspective on things in no uncertain terms:... Read more

Sister Simone Campbell at DNC: “Our faith affirms that we are all responsible for one another”

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 5:05 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

The outspoken “Nun on the Bus” spoke at the Democratic National Convention Wednesday night. You can read more about her appearance here. Religion News Service has a complete text of her remarks. But you can watch it for yourself below. Read more

Judge will try Bishop Finn case; verdict expected Thursday

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 5:05 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

A precedent-setting case is about to come to a sudden and unexpected close. Details: The criminal case against the highest-ranking Catholic official in the U.S. to be charged with shielding an abusive priest is headed for a swift ending after prosecutors and the bishop’s lawyer agreed Wednesday to let a judge — not jurors — decide the case. Attorneys for Kansas City Bishop Robert Finn and prosecutors will have their case tried by a judge Thursday, weeks ahead of a... Read more

Second coming: God returns to Democratic platform

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 5:05 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

It turns out, after yesterday’s debacle, God isn’t dead to the Democrats after all. Details: The Democrats opened the second night of their convention by adding God and Jerusalem to their platform, and awaiting the return of Bill Clinton. Approved on a voice vote, the party platform now mentions God and declares Jerusalem as the capital of Israel — two previous omissions that had been attacked by Republicans and other political organizations. The Associated Press reported that Clinton — who... Read more

Slash: Milwaukee to close, consolidate over 100 parishes

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 5:05 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

That will affect about half of all the parishes in the archdiocese. From Catholic News Service: The Milwaukee archdiocese will close or consolidate 103 of its 203 parishes through 2020. Church officials pointed to three principal factors during the next decade: •The number of priest retirements will exceed ordinations, resulting in a projected 40 percent reduction in the number of priests serving in parish ministry. •The costs of operating parishes and funding ministries are escalating rapidly and parishes can gain... Read more

Pope gets his first electric car

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 5:05 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

Details: Pope Benedict XVI is now a bit greener. The 85-year-old pontiff was presented with his first electric car on Wednesday, a customized white Renault Kangoo for jaunts around the gardens of the papal residence at Castel Gandolfo. Benedict has been dubbed the ‘‘green pope’’ for his environmental concerns, which have been a hallmark of his papacy. Earlier this year, Italian automaker NWG donated one to the pope, but for the Vatican press office to use. Renault also has given... Read more

Cutest baby picture ever: papal edition

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 5:05 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

From Catholic News Service’s Paul Haring. The caption: A woman holds her son with a handwritten note as Pope Benedict XVI — the former Joseph Ratzinger — leads his general audience in Paul VI hall at the Vatican Sept. 5. The woman held up her son when a group of 50 people from Benedictine College in Atchison, Kan., was introduced. Read more

At the Democratic Convention, a “Benediction for the Nation”

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 5:05 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

Below is the prayer recited last night at the Democratic National Convention by Jena Lee Nardella, of the Blood Water Mission: God, I stand before You and ask that the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be pleasing unto You. I pray for our President, Barack Obama. May he know Your presence, oh God, as he continues to serve as a leader of this nation, as a husband to Michelle, and as father to his daughters.... Read more

Lay ministers to lead funerals in U.K.

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 5:05 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

It’s happening in Liverpool, according to The Tablet: Twenty-two Lay Funeral Ministers, men and women, have been commissioned to lead funeral services where there is no Requiem Mass and no priest available. The move, which comes into effect in the autumn, is due to the declining number of priests and the large number of funerals that take place in parts of the archdiocese. A leaflet issued by the archdiocese, “Planning a Catholic Funeral”, explains that a lay funeral minister can... Read more