Details: It was just supposed to be a normal non-political prayer delivered by a guest invited by Republican Rep. Mike Kiegerl, but it didn’t turn out that way at all. When Father James Gordon of St. John Vianney Catholic school stood in front of the Kansas House of Representatives, he gave a highly political prayer that sounded distressingly like something that would come out of the mouth of a conservative extremist waging a culture war. Father James included topics such... Read more
A Florida newspaper looks at how some Protestants are observing the season: At almost 7 feet tall, the Rev. Clifford Johnson admits he likes to eat — a lot. Except now. Now, Johnson and many members of his Northside Jacksonville church are in the thick of their 40-day Lenten sacrifice of things like TV, soda, Facebook and chocolate. “It’s hard for me because I am a big guy, and I like to eat,” said Johnson, a former college and NBA... Read more
[Click here for readings.] About 20 years ago, the novelist William Styron took a courageous step, and described his battle with depression in a book called “Darkness Visible.” Depression is one of those afflictions that millions of us suffer with, but few want to talk about. The World Health Organization estimates over 120 million people live with it every day around the world. But Styron, as a famous and successful figure, came forward and wrote about how it had touched... Read more
[Click here for readings.] About 20 years ago, the novelist William Styron took a courageous step, and described his battle with depression in a book called “Darkness Visible.” Depression is one of those afflictions that millions of us suffer with, but few want to talk about. The World Health Organization estimates over 120 million people live with it every day around the world. But Styron, as a famous and successful figure, came forward and wrote about how it had touched... Read more
Who knew? A remarkable and surprising story: For those feeling down about the United States and its place in the world, meet Drew Lovejoy, a 17-year-old from rural Ohio. His background could not be more American. His father is black and Baptist from Georgia and his mother is white and Jewish from Iowa. But his fame is international after winning the all-Ireland dancing championship in Dublin for a third straight year. Drew is the first to admit that this is... Read more
Details: The Roman Catholic Church is hoping that they can tempt young men to join the priesthood to reverse a trend that has left many parishes across Spain without a priest. A new campaign launched this week by Spain’s Episcopal Conference promises a secure job with a modest salary that offers eternal rewards. “I do not promise you a great salary. I promise you a permanent job,” states one of nine priests who appear in the two-and-a-half minute clip broadcast... Read more
From Reuters: The Vatican on Friday told an ultra-traditionalist Roman Catholic splinter group they must accept non-negotiable doctrinal principles within a month or risk a painful break with Rome that would have “incalculable” consequences. The ultimatum was issued after a two-hour meeting between Swiss-born Bishop Bernard Fellay, leader of the dissident Society of Saint Pius X (SSPX) and U.S. Cardinal William Levada, head of the Vatican’s doctrinal department. Levada told Fellay the group’s response after years of negotiations was still... Read more
Really! Behold, the terpsichorean skills of David Rider. From the good folks at CNS, here’s a description from Robert Duncan of how it came to be: I briefly met David Rider two years ago in New York City while on retreat at the archdiocesan seminary. I was surprised to run into him on the streets of Rome last spring. He was wearing clerics and I gave him one of those “don’t-I-know-you-from-somewhere” finger wags. Since then, we’ve run into each other... Read more
Here’s a fascinating and timely video, from America Magazine, about a time and place we shouldn’t forget — when Irish Catholics were a minority facing discrimination and outright persecution right here in the United States. But the Church remained their rock and refuge. Just in time for St. Paddy’s Day: take a look at Old St. Patrick’s in New York City. Read more
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