Periodically, people will write to me, wondering why I don’t post about the alleged apparitions in the former Yugoslavia. I have a couple reasons. First, as a member of the clergy, I don’t believe that I should be endorsing unapproved Marian apparitions. And secondly: I keep coming across essays like this one. I know many devout people who are true believers. But as for me: I’ll await the judgment of the Holy See. UPDATE: For those who really want to delve... Read more
Details: Eclectic was the word to describe Day Three of Paris menswear week. Friday’s spring-summer collections had a little something for everyone: from the high-waisted gangster styles of film noir to fashions evoking Brazilian soccer and even the Catholic Church. In one collection — which its designer called the longest fashion show in history — the boundaries were blurred between clothing and performance art. “Here in Paris, the only thing that defines menswear is variety, difference. You cannot put it... Read more
Well, Ed Morrissey thinks so — and he’s got a point: In a speech today to a conference of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, the First Lady explained her concept of citizenship by likening it to the ministry of Jesus. Her explanation corroborates the same point that the US Conference of Catholic Bishops have been making for months about the intrusive nature of the HHS contraception mandate, emphasis mine: “It’s kind of like church,” Obama said. “Our faith journey isn’t just about showing... Read more
She posted this today at Huffington Post: I was on the highway when I first heard about the Supreme Court’s healthcare decision, riding with the other “Nuns on the Bus.” We were watching CNN coverage, dejected by the initial (erroneous) report that the Affordable Care Act had been overturned. And then, after NETWORK’s Communications Coordinator called us with the correct information, we cheered! My immediate reaction: elation mixed with relief and a sense that riding beside me were the hundreds... Read more
But in so many ways, it’s not something you can put a price on. Details, from the St. Louis Review: When he was ordained to the priesthood four years ago, Father Noah Waldman took some of the money he had saved over the years and bought himself his first chalice. The handmade vessel was commissioned by Church supplier Adrian Hamers of New York and modeled after a chalice [shown on the left] used by St. Philip Neri, a 16th century... Read more
Details, from U.S. Catholic and CNS: Some people are simply gifted at sport; they excel at any challenge involving a ball, a stick or a physical contest nearly as soon as they turn their hands to it. One such person is Father Geoff Hilton, a priest from Salford Diocese in the north of England, who will be serving as a chaplain to athletes competing in the 2012 Olympic Games in London. It was because of his sporting prowess that the... Read more
From the Shameless Self Promotion Desk: Catholic News Service, via the Boston Pilot, has a writeup on the blogging panel I took part in last week in Indianapolis: Blogging offers the Catholic Church one more way to evangelize for the faith while reaching new audiences, especially young people, a panel of Catholic bloggers told a packed room during the Catholic Media Conference in Indianapolis. The panelists, which included Bishop Christopher J. Coyne, apostolic administrator of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis, a... Read more
From Florida Catholic: As one journey ended, another began June 9 as six men from the Diocese of Orlando received their holy orders and were ordained permanent deacons by Bishop John Noonan at St. James Cathedral. The day was filled with joy and love as family and friends gathered to witness this blessed event. “Today is one of the most exciting days of my life,” said Deacon Jim Ferruzzi, the first deacon ever to be ordained from St. Stephen Parish... Read more
Details, from U.S. Catholic and CNS: Some people are simply gifted at sport; they excel at any challenge involving a ball, a stick or a physical contest nearly as soon as they turn their hands to it. One such person is Father Geoff Hilton, a priest from Salford Diocese in the north of England, who will be serving as a chaplain to athletes competing in the 2012 Olympic Games in London. It was because of his sporting prowess that the... Read more
From Catholic New York: Eleven men arrived at a common junction June 23 at St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Each lay prostrate on the altar while their families prayed for them. Rising, they took their final steps together before each would depart again on a separate road to a common destination. But each would now travel forward, in Cardinal Dolan’s words, “as an ordained minister of the Church. ” “Every journey in life has a beginning and an end,” Cardinal Dolan said... Read more
The Deacon's Bench
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