Incest, anyone? The Anchoress has veins bulging out of her neck over this — and me, I’m just stupefied: A pep rally prank intended to bring laughter and cheers at a Minnesota high school has instead sparked a firestorm of controversy after parents of some senior student athletes took a practical joke too far. As reported by the Minneapolis Star Tribune, a recent winter sports pep rally at Rosemount (Minn.) High featured a comedy skit which took advantage of unknowing... Read more
From a train in Germany, a fit of laughter spreads like a virus — or at least something viral — and YouTubers are hysterically lapping it up: It’s unclear what the joke that sparked the mass hysterics was, but mobile phone footage uploaded to the video sharing site has caught the imagination of many online viewers. The origin of the laughter appears to a blonde woman sniggering at something on her phone. She is soon joined in her mirth by most... Read more
The notorious atheist died from pneumonia, related to his cancer, at 62. You can read the BBC’s obit here. Last year, I wrote a brief post on this blog about Hitchens, who had just announced he was dying. I asked that we keep him in our prayers: Prayer isn’t a chore, or a favor we do to bail out someone. It is an act of faith. And it is a gift. It engages the one who prays in a divine... Read more
Recently, a reporter with McClatchy Newspapers took a look at how much a role religion plays in this Catholic candidate’s life: For former Sen. Rick Santorum, it’s always been about faith. Deep religious faith fuels Santorum’s conservative politics. It’s what propelled him into becoming one of Congress’ leading opponents of abortion, same-sex marriage and wrongdoing by fellow lawmakers, regardless of party affiliation. Faith is the key ingredient that also powers Santorum’s long-shot drive for the 2012 Republican presidential nomination. Though... Read more
In 2002, when I was beginning formation for the diaconate, a young teenager by the name of Sean Suckiel worked at night answering phones in the rectory of my spiritual director. I used to see Sean a lot. He told once me that the one thing he had wanted, his whole life, was to be a priest when he grew up. Flash forward nine years, and there we are, in the photo above, moments after he was ordained a transitional... Read more
From someone at Commonweal: In the comments section of Commonweal, James Martin (in a similar spirit, and with our spirit) has helpfully provided this blessing for Christmas cookies: “O God, who see the cookies that you have graciously deigned to allow us to bake here according to this recipe that you have given us that we may give to others that which you have given to us here, bless, we pray, them, O Lord, that you may allow us to... Read more
This is now causing a sensation on YouTube. It comes to us from New Zealand. Take a look. Read more
Here’s an issue we in the West don’t hear about very much. Details: Parishes in India celebrated Dalit Liberation Sunday last weekend, with Christians renewing their commitment to those of Dalit origin who still suffer from the traditional practice of untouchability. The annual day is marked on the nearest Sunday to International Human Rights Day, Dec. 10. The theme this year was “Our God With the Struggling People.” The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India and the National Council of Churches... Read more
Just watch: Seems to me the folks behind this are clearly getting their inspiration from this video, which swept YouTube over the summer, around the feast of Corpus Christi. Read more
A priest reader sent this my way: a video from his ordination reception last June, featuring a priest friend whose talents obviously extend beyond pounding the pulpit. Way to go, daddy-o! Read more
The Deacon's Bench
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