Judge suggests cutting some of the 10 Commandments

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

That sound you hear is Moses, doing a massive face/palm. Details: Could the Ten Commandments be reduced to six, a federal judge asked Monday. Would that neutralize the religious overtones of a commandments display that has the Giles County School Board in legal hot water? That unorthodox suggestion was made by Judge Michael Urbanski during oral arguments over whether the display amounts to a governmental endorsement of religion, as alleged in a lawsuit filed by a student at Narrows High... Read more

Homily for May 13, 2012: 6th Sunday of Easter

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 5:03 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

[Click here for readings.] Last Saturday, the New York Times introduced the world to a couple named Michael and Ruth French – and introduced the world, as well, to a remarkable story of enduring love, a love that reflects in many ways the message of this Sunday’s gospel. Their story began about a decade ago. That was when Ruth noticed that Michael’s personality was beginning to change. He became withdrawn and silent. He no longer spoke to Ruth over dinner.... Read more

“Does she have cooties?”: Catholic school forfeits baseball game over girl on opposing team

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

Details: A fundamentalist Arizona Catholic high school is refusing to play in a baseball final as their opponent’s team includes a girl on second base. Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic school, in Phoenix, will forfeit the final rather than play against Mesa Preparatory Academy because 15-year-old Paige Sultzbach is on their team. The fundamentalist Catholic school is run by the U.S. branch of the Society of Saint Pius X. The group represents conservative, traditional priests who broke from the Catholic... Read more

Kennedy widow to speak at Catholic commencement

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

Details: The widow of U.S. Sen. Edward Kennedy will be giving a spring commencement speech at a Roman Catholic college in Massachusetts after all. Boston College Law School announced Friday that Victoria Kennedy will give the keynote address at its May 25 commencement. Kennedy had been scheduled to deliver this year’s commencement speech at Anna Maria College in Paxton. But last month, the college withdrew the invitation under pressure from Bishop Robert McManus of the Diocese of Worcester (WUS’-tur). McManus... Read more

For Mother’s Day: six generations of daughters, from 7 weeks to 111 years

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

Check out this picture and story that originally aired on ABC News — and Happy Mother’s Day (a day early!): Read more

UPDATE: Gay Iowa grad reaches compromise with diocese over scholarship presentation

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

Details: The gay advocacy organization that provided Prince of Peace Catholic School senior Keaton Fuller with a $40,000 scholarship has prepared a script to be read at a May 20 graduation ceremony with the blessing of Bishop Martin Amos. The diocesan superintendent of schools will read the script but a representative of the Eychaner Foundation’s scholarship committee will be there to physically present a statue to Fuller. Amos in an earlier statement said “long-standing” policy would not allow an appearance... Read more

Homily for May 13, 2012: 6th Sunday of Easter

Last updated on: May 12, 2012 at 6:18 am By Deacon Greg Kandra

What kind of movie can you make using six lines in three minutes?

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

That was the challenge for filmmakers two years ago, as part of an unusual contest sponsored by Phillips. It was described thusly: The contest, which received over 600 entries from around the world, invited aspiring filmmakers to create an original short film using the same six-line dialogue as the Cannes Lions award-winning Parallel Lines short films directed by RSA talents Carl Erik Rinsch, Greg Fay, Johnny Hardstaff, Jake Scott and Hi-Sim. Director Ridley Scott picked the winner below, “Porcelain... Read more

Married deacons: it’s okay. You can have sex with your wives.

Last updated on: June 19, 2015 at 11:42 am By Deacon Greg Kandra

Somehow, this slipped under the radar a few months back. There’s been much debate, here and elsewhere, about the canon law requiring all clergy, including married deacons in the Latin rite, to observe continence and abstain from sex. In January, the USCCB issued the following letter to bishops, from Bishop Robert Carlson (Chairman of the Committee on Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations) and Archbishop Timothy Broglio (Chairman of the Committee on Canonical Affairs and Church Governance). Someone just emailed it... Read more

Seminary numbers highest in over 20 years

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

From NCR: U.S. Catholic seminary enrollment in theology this year is the highest in almost a quarter-century, the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate reported in the spring issue of its quarterly newsletter, The CARA Report. The reported growth in seminarians, however, does not begin to match the growth in the U.S. Catholic population, which has increased by about 25 percent in that time period. “This year’s total of 3,723 is the highest enrollment since the 3,788 reported for... Read more