A former Mormon moves closer to sainthood

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 5:06 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

My blogging diaconal brother Scott Dodge from Utah posted this item, which indicates the Church could one day have a Saint Cora: A Catholic News Agency report filed on Friday afternoon by Valerie Schmalz from San Francisco announced that the Holy See has paved the way for a complete investigation into the cause for Cora’s canonization. In a letter dater 29 March 2012, the Prefect of the Congregation for Causes of Saints, Angelo Cardinal Amato, granted the necessary nihil obstat for “the Cause for... Read more

Great moments in journalism: only approved quotes allowed

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 5:06 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

This is just…unreal. It is many things, but it ain’t journalism. From the New York Times: The quotations come back redacted, stripped of colorful metaphors, colloquial language and anything even mildly provocative. They are sent by e-mail from the Obama headquarters in Chicago to reporters who have interviewed campaign officials under one major condition: the press office has veto power over what statements can be quoted and attributed by name. Most reporters, desperate to pick the brains of the president’s... Read more

“We believe he died with forgiveness in his heart”

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 5:06 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

A move is afoot to have a South African hero declared a saint. But it’s not happening without controversy. Details: Everyone in this poor northern corner of South Africa has a story about Benedict Daswa’s kindness to his neighbors, his schoolteacher colleagues, the young villagers he helped to feed. It’s therefore all the more horrifying that some of those same friends and neighbors were in the mob that beat him to death in a spasm of violence born of... Read more

Running the race for the faith

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 5:06 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

A priest I met recently in Indianapolis, Fr. Rick Nagel, is behind a unique way of raising interest in vocations — one that could really give the priesthood legs. Details: Running a marathon is “very healthy for mind, body and spirit,” but it is also an excellent way to promote Catholicism, particularly vocations, said Father Rick Nagel of the Indianapolis Archdiocese. Father Nagel is director of the archdiocesan Office of Young Adult and College Campus Ministry. His office and... Read more

“Go and announce the gospel of the Lord”

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 5:06 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

That was the theme of the retreat I preached this weekend to the deacons of Pittsburgh in scenic Latrobe, Pennsylvania, at St. Vincent’s College. (That’s the basilica pictured above.) It was a rewarding weekend in many ways, and I left well-nourished physically AND spiritually! Thank you to all of those whose prayers and warm wishes accompanied us. And: I remain eternally grateful to the good men of Pittsburgh — and their wonderful wives! — who made this boy from Brooklyn feel so... Read more

Report: Suri Cruise to attend NYC Catholic school

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 5:06 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

And — if reports are true — not just any parish school, either. Details: E! News has learned that Katie Holmes, who recentlysettled her divorce with Cruise and reportedly attained primary custody of the 6-year-old, has enrolled Suri in Manhattan’s prestigious Convent of the Sacred Heart school. And as if attending Catholic church isn’t enough of a change for Suri, her enrollment also marks her first time at an all-girls school, as she was previously homeschooled. The $38,000-a-year Sacred Heart boasts past students including Lady... Read more

Come Holy Ghost: Class receives Sacrament of Confirmation in hospital with leukemia patient

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 5:06 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

A Texas reader sent this my way, describing it as “awesome” — and she’s right. Read on: Alexis Enriquez was sitting in a hospital room at Cook Children’s Medical Center May 14 when doctors delivered some disappointing news. The 15-year-old high school freshman, undergoing treatment for a third bout of leukemia, was scheduled for a curative bone marrow transplant May 24. But troubling lab results forced her medical team to postpone the surgery. The setback would have devastated most people.... Read more

Homily for July 15, 2012: 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 5:00 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

[I’m preaching a retreat this weekend to the deacons of Pittsburgh and their wives. The theme is taken from one of the new dismissals at Mass: “Go and announce the gospel of the Lord.” Below is the homily I’ll be delivering at the final liturgy on Sunday.] [Click here for readings] Boston’s Fenway Park has witnessed some great moments in sports history. But I don’t think anything can compare with what happened there five summers ago. If any of you... Read more

Homily for July 15, 2012: 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Last updated on: July 14, 2012 at 11:42 am By Deacon Greg Kandra

On the road again

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 5:06 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

I depart for Pittsburgh later this morning, to give a retreat to the diocese’s deacons and their wives in the scenic splendor of St. Vincent’s Archabbey in Latrobe. (Fifty years ago, my old pastor was a seminarian there, and his spiritual director was a fellow by the name of Rembert Weakland.) I’m looking forward to spending some quality time with my diaconal brothers in Pennsylvania—and a change of scenery is always fun. Blogging will be light, but I’ll try... Read more