New survey shows rapid decline of Christianity in U.S.; Catholics drop to 20%

October 17, 2019 By Deacon Greg Kandra

Details: The religious landscape of the United States continues to change at a rapid clip. In Pew Research Center telephone surveys conducted in 2018 and 2019, 65% of American adults describe themselves as Christians when asked about their religion, down 12 percentage points over the past decade. Meanwhile, the religiously unaffiliated share of the population, consisting of people who describe their religious identity as atheist, agnostic or “nothing in particular,” now stands at 26%, up from 17% in 2009. Both... Read more

In praise of the priest’s wife: ‘Your ministry begins before ordination even happens’

October 17, 2019 By Deacon Greg Kandra

Here’s something I think a lot of deacons — and their wives — will appreciate. A Greek Orthodox priest, Father Matthew Moore from Holy Trinity in Steubenville, has written an appreciation of the Presbytera, the priest’s wife, addressing a letter to her: Your ministry begins before ordination even happens. Some of you followed us all the way to seminary (in our Archdiocese, ours is in Boston), disrupting your entire life to support us. Some of you were newlyweds, and your... Read more

The billionaire servant leader who loves Jesus and owns In-N-Out

October 16, 2019 By Deacon Greg Kandra

Meet the woman behind the franchise, via The Christian Post: To the outside world, Lynsi Snyder has it all. At just 37 years old, she’s the owner and president of the iconic West Coast chain In-N-Out Burger, estimated by Forbes to be worth $3 billion. Snyder is also beloved by her employees: 2019 Glassdoor ratings have In-N-Out at #3, while Synder is rated the #3 CEO. But Snyder’s journey hasn’t exactly been picture-perfect; in fact, it’s been sprinkled with loss, pain, and suffering.... Read more

Archbishop Wilton Gregory on management, Bernardin and leading a troubled church

October 16, 2019 By Deacon Greg Kandra

“My mentor for being a bishop was Joseph Bernardin. Anything I do well as a bishop I place at his feet. Anything I goof up I learned on my own.” The (relatively) new archbishop of Washington gave an interview to Washingtonian magazine recently and covered a wide range of topics. Some highlights: Before we talk about your religious philosophy, I want to ask about your management philosophy. When you get a job like this, do they teach you that aspect... Read more

Synod update: a dissenting voice on married priests in the Amazon

October 16, 2019 By Deacon Greg Kandra

“We must allow people to hear the calling of Jesus, and sometimes because of our actions they’re unable to do so.” John Allen filed this at Crux: For the first time in one of the Vatican’s daily news briefings during the Oct. 6-27 Synod of Bishops on the Amazon, a dissenting voice was struck Wednesday about the idea of ordaining married men to solve priest shortages in the region. “I don’t see celibacy as the main problem” in attracting young... Read more

Huge: Groundbreaking for largest parish church in U.S.

October 16, 2019 By Deacon Greg Kandra

It’s happening in California: A vision of John Thomas Steinbock took an important step toward reality Tuesday with groundbreaking for a new Catholic church in Visalia. According to project officials, St. Charles Borromeo Church will seat over 3,000 when it opens in spring 2021, making it the largest seating capacity Catholic parish church in the United States. The current largest is the Baltimore Basilica at about 2,000 seats. The National Shrine in Washington, D.C., seats 10,000. Steinbock was the fourth... Read more

Synod update: Ordaining married men a ‘recurring topic’

October 15, 2019 By Deacon Greg Kandra

From RNS: The ordination of married men has been a recurring topic at the synod. Those participating in the meetings do not approach the issue from an ideological perspective. There has been no talk of the “right” of priests to marry or that celibacy is a bad idea. No one is advocating letting already ordained men marry; rather they propose allowing the ordination of men who are already married. The approach of those in favor has been pragmatic. If the... Read more

Andy Warhol, Catholic

October 15, 2019 By Deacon Greg Kandra

As he became a celebrity artist, Warhol maintained some of his Catholic practices while his peers removed themselves from religion. A new exhibition in his hometown of Pittsburgh looks at the celebrated artist’s spiritual side — and, most importantly, his Catholic faith: The last time the Andy Warhol Museum examined the Pop artist’s Catholic upbringing was in 2007, with “Personal Jesus: The Religious Art of Keith Haring and Andy Warhol,” which explored religious iconography in both artists’ work. But, The Warhol... Read more

Deacons, take note: an important ministry of healing for grieving parents

October 14, 2019 By Deacon Greg Kandra

“This was one of the most grace-filled experiences that I have had.” Several days ago, I received an email from Deacon Tom Dubois, Executive Director of the National Association of Diaconate Directors (NADD). He wanted to pass along some information that might be of particular interest to deacons. Here’s what he wrote: I received a phone call today from Mr. Charles Monaghan who, with his wife Diane, runs The Emmaus Ministry for Grieving Parents. Their ministry provides retreats nationwide for... Read more

‘I’m a Roman Catholic…I stand with them’: Cuomo backs funding for Cabrini statue

October 14, 2019 By Deacon Greg Kandra

A Columbus Day gift from New York’s Italian-American governor. Details: Ask and you shall receive. Gov. Cuomo announced Monday that the state will aid Italian-American groups and the Diocese of Brooklyn in subsidizing a statue honoring Mother Frances Cabrini after Mayor de Blasio took heat for shunning the first American saint. “I’m a Roman Catholic, I was an altar boy. I represent them, I stand with them,” the governor said as he stepped off for the start of the city’s... Read more