The Deacon's Bench
Vice President Joseph Biden blesses himself after receiving communion at the memorial Mass for Archbishop Pietro Sambi on 14 September 2011. Photo: by CNS/Leslie E. Kossoff [Okay. This has gone far enough. Comments now closed. — Ed.] Read more
Vice President Joseph Biden blesses himself after receiving communion at the memorial Mass for Archbishop Pietro Sambi on 14 September 2011. Photo: by CNS/Leslie E. Kossoff [Okay. This has gone far enough. Comments now closed. — Ed.] Read more
Imagine my surprise when I stumbled on this engaging and interesting piece, about a Friend of the Bench (FOB), Deacon Charles Rohrbacher, and his daughter, Phoebe, both artists based in Alaska who have shows opening later this year: About 10 years ago, Charles, with the help of his father and other friends, stripped his garage down to the beams and built a heated room with lots of lights to serve as his studio. There are flat files, books and drawers... Read more
A reader sent along the following e-mail: Eight deacon candidates will be ordained tomorrow at St. Teresa of Avila Church in Carson City, Nevada for service in the Diocese of Reno, Nevada. It would be wonderful if you could post this information on your blog. We would all appreciate your prayers. You got ‘em. Pictures to come next week. God bless, brothers! Meantime, below is the prayer of consecration from the Rite of Ordination: Almighty God, be present with us... Read more
A lot of people here and elsewhere have grabbed torches and pitchforks and are stalking off into the woods in search of Fr. Frank Pavone’s superior, Bishop Zurek. Dr. Gerard Nadal is trying to call them back: I love the energy and focus that Father Pavone has brought to the pro-life movement. I love that he has embraced Silent No More, Rachel’s Vineyard, Gospel of Life Ministries, the training of fellow priests, Alveda King and the National Black Pro-life... Read more
From a friend’s FB page: Read more
Imagine my surprise when I stumbled on this engaging and interesting piece, about a Friend of the Bench (FOB), Deacon Charles Rohrbacher, and his daughter, Phoebe, both artists based in Alaska who have shows opening later this year: About 10 years ago, Charles, with the help of his father and other friends, stripped his garage down to the beams and built a heated room with lots of lights to serve as his studio. There are flat files, books and drawers... Read more
According to a new book, more Americans are custom-designing their own beliefs and theologies. From HuffPo, and USA TODAY: If World War II-era warbler Kate Smith sang today, her anthem could be “Gods Bless America.” That’s one of the key findings in newly released research that reveals America’s drift from clearly defined religious denominations to faiths cut to fit personal preferences. The folks who make up God as they go are side by side with self-proclaimed believers who claim the Christian... Read more
The probe extends beyond Priests for Life, to include two of its affiliates. From Amarillo.com: Bishop Patrick J. Zurek has demanded that the Rev. Frank Pavone, national director of Priests for Life, produce documentation for how donations have been handled by the Staten Island, N.Y., charity’s affiliates Rachel’s Vineyard and Missionaries of the Gospel of Life, said Monsignor Harold Waldow, vicar of clergy for the Diocese of Amarillo. Zurek has tethered Pavone indefinitely to Amarillo, cutting him off from full-time... Read more
“The Holy Virgin in Old Age” by James Tissot Can the human heart refrain from partaking in her pain, in that Mother’s pain untold? — Stabat Mater Visit here and here for more on this feast day. Read more
Take a wild guess. Read on, from Forbes: There are some surprises in the ten happiest jobs, as reported a General Social Survey by the National Organization for Research at the University of Chicago. (I am indebted to Lew Perelman in drawing my attention to the Christian Science Monitor article.) 1. Clergy: The least worldly are reported to be the happiest of all 2. Firefighters: Eighty percent of firefighters are “very satisfied” with their jobs, which involve helping people. 3.... Read more
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