Bishop investigating LCWR explains “causes for concern”

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 5:08 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

Details from Toledo’s Bishop Leonard Blair, in his weekly newspaper column: The word “investigation” is often used to describe the work that I carried out on behalf of the CDF. “Investigation” suggests an attempt to uncover things that might not be known. In reality, what the CDF commissioned was a doctrinal “assessment,” an appraisal of materials which are readily available to anyone who cares to read them on the LCWR website and in other LCWR published resources. The assessment was... Read more

Congratulations, Fr. Duffy

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 5:08 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

Longtime FOB (Friend of the Bench) Michael Duffy was ordained Saturday to be a priest for the Diocese of Rockville Centre. He celebrated his first Mass Sunday at St. Frances de Chantal Parish in Wantagh, NY. Ad multos annos! Read more

NCR: Standing ovation for Sister Margaret Farley at theologians meeting

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 5:08 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

Details from National Catholic Reporter: Mercy Sr. Margaret Farley addressed for the first time publicly Friday evening the Vatican’s harsh criticism of one of her books, saying it points to “profoundly important” questions facing the Catholic community regarding the roles of truth and power. Speaking slowly, and at times faltering for words, Farley, a prominent moral theologian, addressed the issue during a session at the 67th annual meeting of the Catholic Theological Society of America (CTSA) that saw some 300... Read more

Corpus Christi FAIL: “I was thisclose to walking out…”

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 5:08 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

When I hit my knees tonight, I may have to thank God that I didn’t have the kind of Corpus Christi Sunday that Joanne McPortland had: No procession, no Tantum ergo, no Adoro te devote, no Panis angelicus—that was a given. But I expected at least a couple of reminders of the mystery we were celebrating, the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ. And when what I got instead was a mishmash of the same old DavidMartyMichael HaasHaugenJoncas 100%-Jesus-free songs about us—we... Read more

Corpus Christi at my parish in Queens

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 5:08 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

A few shots from this afternoon. The priest with the Blessed Sacrament is Fr. Antonin Kocurek who, in addition to serving as an assistant in the parish, ministers to immigrants in our diocese from the Czech Republic. Read more

WSJ: Vouchers breathe new life into Catholic schools

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 5:08 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

How’s this for a little good news: Chicago Catholic elementary schools saw enrollment increase 3% this year and 1% last year—the first two-year growth spurt since 1965. Greater Boston elementary schools had a 2% bump—the first in 20 years. And Los Angeles, Indianapolis and Bridgeport, Conn., also added desks for the first time in years. Nationally since 2000, U.S. Catholic school enrollment has plummeted by 23%, and 1,900 schools have closed, driven by demographic changes and fallout from priest sexual-abuse... Read more

For Corpus Christi: “God in the Streets of New York”

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 5:08 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

That’s the title of this short, beautiful film produced by Grassroots Films, following a Eucharistic procession through the streets of New York. Take four minutes and watch. This is Corpus Christi: the Body of Christ. Read more

The way we were: June 8, 1968

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 5:08 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

One of many heart-rending images captured by photographer Paul Fusco from a window on RFK’s funeral train. See the gallery here. And check out the full collection of pictures at Magnum Photos. Were we ever that young and innocent? Read more

Transcendent

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 5:02 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

That’s the only way to describe this stunning picture, from the recent ordination of deacons in Hartford: Read more

Crystal Cathedral’s new name: Christ Cathedral

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 5:08 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

Well, that’s simple to remember, isn’t it? Details: The Crystal Cathedral received a new name Saturday: Christ Cathedral. The name for the anticipated central worship space for Orange County’s Catholics came from more than 4,100 submissions, and received the Vatican’s approval in April. The diocese plans to move into its new cathedral next June, when the current Crystal Cathedral congregation relocates to another Catholic church. The arrangement is part of a bankruptcy deal in which the diocese purchased the cathedral for... Read more