When the preacher can’t preach

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 5:35 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

What can you do about bad preaching? I wondered about that recently, after hearing from two different priests, from two different corners of the country, who expressed frustration at deacons whose homilies in their estimation just aren’t up to snuff. “It was dismal,” one pastor wrote about his deacon’s homily. “He preached, as always, far too long, vaguely. It was frustrating…” After outlining a litany of problems, from “flat delivery” to “lack of any real insight,” he raised an interesting... Read more

Could you eat on less than $5 a day?

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 5:35 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

Recently, a lot of people did — and some of them didn’t even have to. They took part in the Food Stamp Challenge, to experience what it’s like to live on a food stamp budget. Here in New York, several people involved with Catholic Charities blogged about the experience. It’s eye-opening. The ground rules: 1. Each person can only spend a total of $31.50 on food and beverages during the Challenge week – this translates to $4.50 per day, or... Read more

Ordination update: 6 new deacons in Archeparchy of Pittsburgh

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 5:09 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

Some news from the East! (Well, actually, Pennsylvania…). You can read the details here. Who’s who, below. His Grace Bishop Gerald N. Dino (center), Eparch of Phoenix, ordained six men of the Archeparchy of Pittsburgh to the Holy Diaconate on Sunday, Oct. 9. The ordinations with hierarchical Divine Liturgy took place at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, Munhall, Pa. The Deacon Formation Program Class of 2011 includes (front row): Deacon Thomas Klacik, Deacon Michael Meaders, Deacon Steven White,... Read more

Ordination update: 6 new deacons in Archeparchy of Pittsburgh

Last updated on: November 17, 2011 at 11:09 am By Deacon Greg Kandra

Some news from the East! (Well, actually, Pennsylvania…). You can read the detailshere. Who’s who, below. His Grace Bishop Gerald N. Dino (center), Eparch of Phoenix, ordained six men of the Archeparchy of Pittsburgh to the Holy Diaconate on Sunday, Oct. 9. The ordinations with hierarchical Divine Liturgy took place at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, Munhall, Pa. The Deacon Formation Program Class of 2011 includes (front row): Deacon Thomas Klacik, Deacon Michael Meaders, Deacon Steven White, Deacon... Read more

Bishops call for one date for Easter

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 5:35 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

The subject comes up periodically, and it was broached again during a meeting in Lebanon this week: Catholic bishops in the Orient called Thursday for a common Easter holiday across the Christian churches to boost unity within the religion. The exact date of Easter changes from year-to-year based on the movement of the moon, and is determined using different calendars by the Eastern Orthodox and Western Christian churches. The call came at the end of a conference of the Council... Read more

The spirituality of Springsteen

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 5:35 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

That was the topic of an unusual workshop held last month at St. Barnabas parish in New Jersey last month, where Augustinian friar Fr. Kevin Keelan spoke about the religious threads running through the writings of Bruce Springsteen. (One of those in attendance was Springsteen’s mother, Adele, shown above with the priest.) From the Trenton Monitor: Over 150 people, including Bruce’s mother Adele Springsteen, tapped their toes, nodded their heads, and silently mouthed lyrics as Father Keelen played the singer’s... Read more

The woman behind one of the most familiar voices in the world

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 5:35 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

Now it can be revealed: the woman heard by millions around the world at airports, train stations and on subway platforms. Read more

Bishops add two new memorials to U.S. calendar

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 5:35 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

Details: The U.S. bishops approved adding optional memorials for Blessed Pope John Paul II and Blessed Marianne Cope to the U.S. Proper of Saints calendar. The memorials were discussed and approved on Nov. 15 by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops during their fall General Assembly, which was held in Baltimore. By a vote of 154-2, the bishops approved placing a memorial for Bl. John Paul II on the calendar for Oct. 22, the anniversary of his election as... Read more

Dolan on Obama meeting: “Extraordinarily friendly”

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 5:35 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

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The head of the USCCB spoke with reporters the other day about his recent meeting at the White House. Details: The standoff between the White House and the nation’s Catholic bishops over gay marriage and other hot-button issues may be easing after a quiet Oval Office meeting between President Obama and the head of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. Still, Archbishop Timothy Dolan of New York and other prelates made it clear at their annual meeting on Monday (Nov.... Read more

Bishop Finn strikes deal, avoids indictment

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 5:35 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

Details from the Kansas City Star: Bishop Robert Finn on Tuesday avoided a possible criminal misdemeanor indictment in his handling of a priest facing child pornography charges by agreeing to enter into a diversion program with the Clay County prosecutor. Authorities have pledged not to prosecute Finn, the leader of the Catholic Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph, if he lives up to the terms of a five-year diversion agreement. Clay County Prosecutor Daniel L. White also announced that a grand... Read more