Churches pass the collection plate to fight gay marriage

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

From the Associated Press: Scores of Maine churches will pass the collection plate a second time at Sunday services on Father’s Day to kick off a fundraising campaign for the lead opposition group to November’s ballot question asking voters to legalize same-sex marriages. Between 150 and 200 churches are expected to raise money for the Protect Marriage Maine political action committee, said Carroll Conley Jr., executive director of the Christian Civic League of Maine evangelical organization and a member of... Read more

Ordination update: 14 new deacons in Toronto

Last updated on: May 27, 2012 at 9:07 am By Deacon Greg Kandra

The press release takes note: Their occupations are widely different but they share a unifying commitment to their faith. Fourteen men – including an internationally recognized surgeon, a civic lawyer, a banker, a mail carrier, and an auto mechanic – will be ordained at St. Michael’s Cathedral at 10 a.m. on May 26 as permanent deacons for the Archdiocese of Toronto. The Mass and ordination ceremony will be presided over by Bishop Vincent Nguyen, Auxiliary Bishop of Toronto and Vicar... Read more

“Veni Sancte Spiritus” by Taize

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

The haunting chant that is another Pentecost perennial, sung by the choir of the Taize community. Read more

Ordination update: 14 new deacons in Toronto

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

“Veni Creator Spiritus”

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

One of the great chants, a staple for Pentecost, impeccably sung here by a Gregorian schola from Italy: A translation of the Latin verses: Come, Holy Ghost, Creator blest, and in our hearts take up Thy rest; come with Thy grace and heav’nly aid, To fill the hearts which Thou hast made. O Comforter, to Thee we cry, Thou heav’nly gift of God most high, Thou Fount of life, and Fire of love, and sweet anointing from above. O Finger... Read more

UPDATE: Jail will now allow sacramental wine for Mass

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

After this story hit, the jail has decided to change its policy. Details: A temporary policy allowing the use of sacramental wine in Catholic Mass at the Cannon Detention Center is now the jail’s permanent policy. A flareup this week over the use of wine during the celebration of Mass at the jail led to the replacement of a chaplain, Monsignor Ed Lofton. Lofton won’t be back at the jail, but Sheriff Al Cannon said Thursday that he would allow... Read more

One family, two deacons

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

A H/T to Padre Vic for posting this on his Facebook page: Deacon Dennis Dorner, Jr. being vested by his dad, Deacon Dennis Dorner, Sr., this morning during the ordination of transitional deacons in the Archdiocese of Atlanta. Congrats to both of the Dorner Deacons! 🙂 Read more

Worth a thousand words, Anglican edition

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

Behold, the 17 new Catholic deacons—soon to be priests—who were once Anglican priests in the UK. They were ordained today for the Personal Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham. Ad multos annos! UPDATE: This item crackled across the wire yesterday, with news about the ordinariate in the United States: A former Episcopal priest, Matthew Venuti of Mobile, Alabama, will make history when he becomes the first priest ordained for the Catholic Ordinariate of the Chair of St. Peter. The U.S.-based... Read more

Worth a thousand words, Anglican edition

Last updated on: May 26, 2012 at 9:11 am By Deacon Greg Kandra

In 2012, everything is a big production

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

Did we even have normal lives before YouTube and Vimeo? We’ve had wedding processions go viral, and “Thriller” dances at weddings become worldwide phenomena. Sometimes, entire cities have gotten into the act. Now another entry in the “Can you top this for sheer video exhibitionism?” sweepstakes: a marriage proposal that includes everything—tossed flower petals, dancing Jews, a same-sex kiss, a marching band, and over 60 friends and family members willing to stage something outrageously over-the-top for online posterity. Some... Read more