WTF: Why the fuss?

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

My blog neighbor The Anchoress looks at all the fuss kicked up about Leah Libresco and draws some compelling conclusions: Why so much coverage on Leah? Perhaps the answer is this: Leah’s conversion goes against all of the prevailing narratives that dominate secularist thinking. Religion — or at least religion that goes beyond affirming oneself and actually costs something of one — is the “opiate of the masses” suited only to “bitter clingers” and intellectually-dim peasants (except it isn’t and never was); Leah is... Read more

Rubio on “Meet the Press” says he felt “called” to be Catholic

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

Most of the attention yesterday was focused on his remarks on immigration, but the Christian Post takes up another angle: Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) said he felt “called” to leave the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS), or Mormon Church, to join the Catholic Church in a Sunday interview on NBC’s “Meet the Press.” Rubio – who is currently being considered as a vice presidential nominee by Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney, who is a Mormon – explained that his... Read more

It’s true: it don’t rain there in the summertime

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

When I arrived in Indianapolis for the 2012 Catholic Media Conference, one of the prevailing prayers I heard again and again was for rain. The region has been battling drought. The ground was parched. Grass was brown. The air was hot. But the city was in good spirits and did a fine job of rolling out the red carpet for the assorted writers, editors, bloggers, communications specialists, bishops and various hangers-on who make up, God love ’em, the Catholic press.... Read more

Parishioners gather to “hug” their church in the face of parish merger

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

It happened in the Diocese of Grand Rapids earlier today: Parishioners at St. Mary’s Catholic Church gathered to “hug” their church Sunday. They were hoping to send a message to the Diocese of Grand Rapids about a plan that would merge their parish with several others. The parishioners at St. Mary’s are concerned with the“Our Faith, Our Future” plan — a 33-page document almost three years in the making that, in one way or another, will affect every church in... Read more

Leah speaks: “Christianity offered an explanation I came to find compelling”

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

My blog neighbor — one-time-atheist-and-soon-to-be-Catholic — Leah Libresco popped up on CNN today to talk about her journey. Read more

Homecoming: in Maryland, an Anglican congregation becomes Catholic — UPDATED

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

Great news from my home state (h/t to Fr. Scott Hurd): The sign outside Christ the King Church is currently blank, still a work in progress. Like all things at the tranquil, leafy site of this Hampton church, it’s in a state of transition. “White-out doesn’t work on these signs,” Father Edward Meeks said with a laugh. Father Meeks, like a third of his congregation, grew up Catholic. And this weekend, Meeks and his congregants will return to the church. Meeks... Read more

On blogging: our panel from the Catholic Media Conference

Last updated on: December 19, 2015 at 10:46 am By Deacon Greg Kandra

Those who are curious about what we had to say Friday afternoon can hear the presentation at this link. Kudos, btw, to the talented young guy who recorded this, Matt Palmer of the Catholic Review — who, not insignificantly took home a couple awards from the Catholic Press Association Friday night. It was great to meet him and so many other gifted and passionate Catholic journalists at the conference. Elizabeth has written more about her experience here. (I hope to... Read more

Maine’s newest Catholic priest is the son of an Episcopal priest

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

He’s also married with children, and took a remarkable path into the Church and the priesthood. Details: When David Affleck was ordained earlier this month as Maine’s newest Roman Catholic priest, his wife, Katherine, sat in the pews at Portland’s Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. Wait, what? A Catholic priest who’s married? With children? That can’t be right. Except it is. Affleck, 62, of York, is a former Episcopal priest who took advantage of a 1980 papal provision that allows... Read more

Ad multos annos! New priests for Brooklyn!

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

I was flying back from Indianapolis and missed the ordinations today, but above is the first picture of the new crop. Details on the men, from the Brooklyn Tablet: Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio will ordain six men to the priesthood for the Diocese of Brooklyn at a Mass at St. James Cathedral-Basilica, 250 Cathedral Place, Downtown Brooklyn, on Saturday, June 23, at 11 a.m. The six men are Father Sergiy Emanuel, Father Giancarlo Pattugalan, Father Larry Ryan, Father Stephen Saffron, Father... Read more

Homily for June 24, 2012: Nativity of John the Baptist — UPDATED WITH AUDIO

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 5:01 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

[Click here for readings] For audio of this homily, click the green arrow below. [audio:http://wp.patheos.com.s3.amazonaws.com/blogs/deaconsbench/files/2012/06/HOMILY062412.mp3|titles=HOMILY062412] Last week, we had a parish council meeting, and Msgr. Funaro made an announcement that truly shocked people. Some people actually gasped. “Time is really slipping away,” Msgr. Funaro said. “Fr. Anthony reminded me the other night: It’s only six months until Christmas.” Go ahead. Gasp. But for a preview of coming attractions, and a glance ahead to Christmas, look no further than the feast... Read more