The New York Times tells the story of how one community coped with its aging population: At the foot of a long drive leading to the Franciscan Retreat Center in Hastings-on-Hudson, N.Y., the “Welcome and Parking” sign is misleading. The convent closed in 2011, when its original population of 100 nuns had dwindled to 35, the youngest past age 60, most in their 80s and 90s, and a few past their 100th birthdays. Now the huge building, at the crest... Read more
Last year, I posted an item by Taylor Marshall on the unique relationship between deacons and the chalice, in which he noted: Deacons in all rites and traditions, East and West, are associated with the chalice in the liturgy. Deacons literally “hold the Mystery of Faith” at the minor elevation of the Holy Mass. Whether or not Saint Paul intended to denote the Eucharistic chalice by the words “mystery of faith” in 1 Tim 3:8-9, I suspect that the... Read more
Details from Reuters: The French Catholic Church will revive a centuries-old custom next week with an updated national “prayer for France” opposing the same-sex marriage and euthanasia reforms planned by the new Socialist government. The prayer, to be read in all churches on Aug 15, echoes the defense of traditional marriage by Pope Benedict and Catholic leaders around the world as gay nuptials gain acceptance, especially in Europe and North America. King Louis XIII decreed in 1638 that all churches... Read more
Details: Carlos Ballve – known as “Litus” to his friends – plays defense on the Spanish field hockey team that is competing in the London 2012 Olympic Games. But as soon as the competition ends, he will head to a Belgium seminary to begin the process of becoming priest. According to the Spanish daily El Pais, even though he always considered himself a believer, it was only in 2005 that he became aware of the importance of God in his... Read more
You may remember the story that sent shockwaves around the country last summer, about the Missouri priest accused of possessing child pornography. His case led to a U.S. bishop facing criminal charges. Last week, the man at the center of the storm, copped a plea: A Kansas City Catholic priest pleaded guilty to federal child pornography charges on Thursday, admitting to the crimes just weeks before he was scheduled to go on trial for taking sexually explicit photos of several... Read more
Incredible, but true. Details, from The Age in Australia: Father Greg Reynolds wants his church of dissident Catholics to welcome all – ”every man and his dog”, one might say, risking the non-inclusive language he deplores – but even he was taken aback when that was put to the test during Mass yesterday. A first-time visitor arrived late at the Inclusive Catholics service in South Yarra with a large and well-trained German shepherd. When the consecrated bread and wine were... Read more
It happened in Zambia. Details, from the National Catholic Reporter: Zambian authorities deported a Rwandese Catholic priest after he was detained for two days and questioned for preaching about poverty and justice for the poor during a Mass. Edgar Lungu, minister of home affairs, confirmed that Father Viateur Banyangandora, pastor of the parish in Lundazi, Zambia, was sent to his homeland Aug. 1. He declined to say why the priest, 40, was deported. “Father Banyangandora’s conduct was found to be... Read more
As a footnote: I’m amused that the YouTube ad for this is offering me a special on Domino’s Pizza. Anyway, for your Sunday edification, here’s a blast from the past. Originally posted in August 2009. Read more
Originally posted in August 2009 “This is the work of God, that you believe in the one He sent.” This week, I read about a man who did believe – and who spent his life doing the work of God. His name was William McCarthy. But countless people knew him as just “Father Bill.” He died last week at the age of 82. For 55 years, he served as priest in Quincy, Massachusetts. In the late 1970s and early 80s, he noticed... Read more
The Deacon's Bench
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