[Click here for readings.] Audio: click green arrow to listen. His name was Andrew Horton. Chances are, most New Yorkers would never have heard of him. But he gained some attention a couple of weeks ago for the tragic way in which he died. Firefighters discovered his body in the rubble of a subway tunnel fire near Lexington and 63rd in early February. They quickly learned his identity — that he was 43 years old, had grown up in a... Read more
“Members of our church work, pay taxes, are charitable and responsible, take care of their children, participate in their communities and government, and serve in military. The state should be interested in religion for this purpose: We produce good citizens. So stop attacking us. We are in every way a blessing for this country. We feel attacked for our fundamental convictions as if we’re a detriment to our country. And that is a lie.” — Rev. Matthew Harrison, President of... Read more
Attendees numbered two: Blogger and author Brandon Vogt, and Your Humble Blogger. Venue: Steak-n-Shake in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. Monumental issues of great import were discussed, including the name of Mr. Vogt’s soon-to-be-born third child, who will be christened Augustine Xavier. (If that’s not a Catholic name, I don’t know what is…I’m hoping they just call him “Gus.”) Read more
This should do your heart good: Turning 100 is a significant milestone on its own, but Dana Jackson decided to also tie the knot on her one hundredth birthday. Jackson and Bill Strauss, 87 got married in the cafeteria of the Rosewood Health Care Center on February 6th. Read more
From a deacon friend’s Facebook page: Read more
The Georgia Bulletin has details behind the picture I posted yesterday: Ten new permanent deacons were ordained for service to the Archdiocese of Atlanta on Saturday, Feb. 11, at the Cathedral of Christ the King. Among family, friends, priests and brother deacons, the class of 2012 was all smiles as they reached the culmination of their formation during the Mass of Ordination, celebrated by Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory and concelebrated by Bishop Luis R. Zarama. The diaconate class of 2012... Read more
This is truly something remarkable — and well worth a visit. My brother deacon Eric Stoltz from the Archdiocese of Los Angeles has created and designed a beautifully executed new website devoted entirely to marking the 50th anniversary of the Second Vatican Council. Titled “Conciliaria,” the new site is a treasure trove of history, theology, journalism and trivia, with each entry marking a milestone in the council. As the site explains: Welcome to Conciliaria, where you can relive the moving and... Read more
The celebrated former movie star and cloistered nun will be returning to the Oscars later this month — and walking the red carpet in her habit. Details, from USA TODAY: If you spot a nun roaming the red carpet during the Oscar telecast Feb. 26, don’t adjust your set. Mother Dolores is not flying or singing, but the real deal — and the focus of God Is the Bigger Elvis, which is nominated in the best documentary short category and premieres April... Read more
But will that hold? Details: Despite a battle over birth-control policy between the White House and Roman Catholic leaders, Catholics’ political views differ little from those of non-Catholic voters, according to Reuters/Ipsos poll results released on Monday. About four in 10, or 37 percent, of Catholic voters approve of Democratic President Barack Obama’s performance, and 48 percent disapprove, according to the online survey of registered voters conducted February 6-13. The numbers are nearly identical for non-Catholic, with 37 percent approving... Read more
Details: In her first appearance before lawmakers since her department inflamed the Catholic Church with a new rule mandating the provision of female contraception, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius defended the rule as legally sound. “We certainly had our legal department look at a whole host of legal issues,” Sebelius testified before the Senate Finance Committee on Wednesday. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has said the administration’s “accommodation,” which was announced last Friday and mandates that insurance... Read more
The Deacon's Bench
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