Behold, the delayed stream of today’s ordination of deacons in Orlando. (FWIW: The processional is one of my favorites: “Out of Darkness,” which I selected for my Mass of Thanksgiving following my own ordination five years ago…) N.B.: The video will only be available for viewing until 11 pm EST on 9 June. I hope to post pictures and details soon. Meantime, congratulations, brothers! Read more
[Click here for readings] For audio of this homily, from the 11:30 am Mass, click the green arrow below. Last week, we marked the anniversary of D-Day, the invasion that began the end of World War II. If you go on the Internet, you can find some remarkable stories of Catholic priests who ministered to the soldiers – and how some of the priests spent the war. Many were martyrs for the faith, who died while administering the sacraments. But... Read more
That’s the only way to describe this stunning picture, from the recent ordination of deacons in Hartford: Read more
Today is this great deacon saint’s feast. I rather like the icon of him, shown above. Those of us who spend a lot of our time poised over pages of words — or screens of text — can relate. He has three desks, and too many words to keep track of! A little background on the saint, from CNEWA: Often referred to as the “Harp of the Holy Spirit,” this learned theologian and Doctor of the Church was born in... Read more
The story: Junior Garcia was carrying a 12-foot cross along Interstate-30 in Fort Worth and Arlington on Thursday afternoon. He was hard to miss. “This is my way of showing them Jesus Christ wants a personal relationship with every single one of them,” Garcia said. The idea came to him last July, when he was attending youth group at the Oasis Church in Saginaw. He said that he realized his Christian walk wasn’t what it should be. “Oh,... Read more
[Click here for readings] For audio of this homily, from the 11:30 am Mass, click the green arrow below. [audio:http://wp.patheos.com.s3.amazonaws.com/blogs/deaconsbench/files/2012/06/HOMILY061012.mp3|titles=HOMILY061012] Last week, we marked the anniversary of D-Day, the invasion that began the end of World War II. If you go on the Internet, you can find some remarkable stories of Catholic priests who ministered to the soldiers – and how some of the priests spent the war. Many were martyrs for the faith, who died while administering the sacraments.... Read more
From English teacher David McCullough, who offered these gems to the Wellesley High School graduating class in Boston: Your ceremonial costume… shapeless, uniform, one-size-fits-all. Whether male or female, tall or short, scholar or slacker, spray-tanned prom queen or intergalactic X-Box assassin, each of you is dressed, you’ll notice, exactly the same. And your diploma… but for your name, exactly the same. All of this is as it should be, because none of you is special. You are not special. You... Read more
Those who enjoyed this movie (count me in!) might also enjoy Fr. Michael Denk’s theological ruminations on it in Crisis: The Hulk, as compellingly played by Mark Ruffalo, is a man at war with himself. In one scene where mass destruction is evident Captain America says to Bruce Banner (Hulk’s alter-ego): “Doc… I think now is the perfect time for you to get angry.” Bruce replies: “That’s my secret Cap, I’m always angry.” Isn’t this true for all of us? ... Read more
Well, then, here. A grateful h/t to Joanne McPortland, who always knows how to crack me up. Read more
…four men will be ordained deacons on his feast, 9 June, in Sioux City. Pictured above, from a recent retreat: Dan Carney, Holy Trinity Parish, Fort Dodge; John Rudd, St. Patrick’s Parish, Estherville; Father Brent Lingle; Jorge Fernandez, Cathedral of Epiphany Parish; and Paul Kestel, St. Mary’s Parish, Storm Lake. Soon-to-be Deacon John Rudd dropped me a line on Facebook and noted: When Pope Paul VI re-established, the Permanent Diaconate, he did it on the Feast of St. Ephrem. This... Read more
The Deacon's Bench
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