Here's something you don't see every day: color footage of "I Love Lucy"

August 6, 2011 By Deacon Greg Kandra

Today would have marked Lucille Ball’s 100th birthday, so here’s something altogether different, shot by an audience member on October 12, 1951, and interspersed with final footage from the actual episode. The YouTube clip notes: The episode filmed that night was 6th Episode of the First Season, “The Audition”.(It was a remake of “I Love Lucy” pilot episode, which was presumed lost until 1990.) Although there were many people who tried to capture the scene of filming, Jess Oppenheimer, the... Read more

Is America ready for a President who is not Christian? — UPDATED

August 6, 2011 By Deacon Greg Kandra

It may surprise a few people, but the GOP frontrunner for 2012 isn’t one. Jimmy Akin helps make the distinction: I’m well known for holding the position that abortion is the black hole political issue of our time. Given the number of people it kills every year, it outmasses virtually every other issue in play. But it’s possible that other, equally important issues can arise. One of those, for me, is the core doctrine of the Christian faith: the nature... Read more

A Catholic sitcom? Seriously?

August 6, 2011 By Deacon Greg Kandra

Seriously. Those wily folks at Catholic TV in Boston have just taped one. The Georgia Bulletin has a preview: The kitchen table where the Willits family usually eats is covered this morning with cables, batteries, audio and recording paraphernalia—equipment to start filming a possible Catholic sitcom. A crew of six and Father Robert Reed, president of CatholicTV, have flown in from Boston, turning the Willits’ home into a set for the pilot of the show tentatively titled “Mass Confusion.” What... Read more

Army to host concert for atheists at Fort Bragg

August 6, 2011 By Deacon Greg Kandra

Was this really necessary? Some people evidently think so. Details: A group of military atheists have won the backing of U.S. Army officials to hold a “Rock Beyond Belief” concert for nonbelievers at North Carolina’s Fort Bragg next year. The victory came after several church-state separation watchdog groups complained last month to the Secretary of the Army that a Christian-themed concert held at the fort last September gave “selective benefits” to religious groups. That concert, staged by the Billy Graham... Read more

Homily for August 7, 2011: 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time

August 6, 2011 By Deacon Greg Kandra

This gospel passage that we’ve just heard may be among the most haunting in all of scripture. It has a lot to say about fear, about faith, about trust — about daring to do the impossible. While no one disputes that this event actually happened, you’ll find a lot of interpretations of what we’re supposed to learn from it. Some will tell you it’s a metaphor about the Church, the “barq of Peter,” being tossed about during turbulent times; others... Read more

For sale: Pope Paul VI's 1964 limousine used during visit to New York

August 6, 2011 By Deacon Greg Kandra

Won’t this look great in your driveway? Details: Back in 1965 for Pope Paul VI’s visit to the United States, a custom built 1964 Lincoln Continental Limousine was built for the Holy Father. That ’64 Continental is now up for auction at Bonhams on August 19 in California, where it’s expected to sell for up to $350,000. This 1964 Lincoln Continental Limousine was custom built by Lehmann-Peterson for Pope Paul VI’s visit to the New York in 1965 to speak... Read more

Homily for August 7, 2011: 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time

August 6, 2011 By Deacon Greg Kandra

First look: snazzy confessionals for World Youth Day

August 5, 2011 By Deacon Greg Kandra

No question: you’ll definitely be able to spot them in a crowd. Take a look: Details, from Women of Grace (h/t New Advent) Young people who want to participate in the Sacrament of Reconciliation at World Youth Day will be able to do so in ultra-modern portable confessionals that resemble a sailing ship and will sport the pope’s logo. Round Town News is reporting that 200 portable confessional boxes are being erected along the Paseo de Coches in Madrid to accommodate... Read more

Happy Anniversary, Palm Beach deacons

August 5, 2011 By Deacon Greg Kandra

The diocese is marking 10 years since it began its diaconate program; the first class (12 of them, like the apostles!) was ordained in 2006, and is pictured below. Florida Catholic takes a closer look at this vocation and the men who are a part of it: As the 12 men received the special sacrament of holy orders Sept. 9, 2006, becoming permanent deacons, it was that commitment and the men’s dedication that Bishop Gerald M. Barbarito emphasized during his... Read more

Divorced grandfather ordained a priest in California

August 5, 2011 By Deacon Greg Kandra

He’s shown above with his children and grandchildren (and, according to the caption, his ex-wife on the far right). His surprising vocation is described in The Tidings: Grandfather-of-three, Patrick Sheridan, was ordained a Benedictine priest during a July 16 concelebrated Mass at St. Mary in Palmdale with Auxiliary Bishop Alexander Salazar, presider, and Abbot Damien Toilolo of St. Andrew’s Abbey. Nearly 300 people attended the ordination liturgy. The offertory gifts were brought up by Father Sheridan’s daughter, Heather, her husband,... Read more