Padre Steve Leake, of the fine Da Mihi Animas blog, alerted me to some wonderful work being done by the young men in his Salesian formation program: a media ministry that’s spreading the Good News through modern media like YouTube. These guys have their very own Facebook page and have already produced some snazzy videos. Check out two examples below. New Evangelization, anyone? Oh yeah. This is it. Don Bosco, I’m sure, is smiling. Read more
Feeling sorry for yourself? Annoyed at your kids? Angry at your boss? This will change everything. Take four minutes and be moved beyond words. This puts it all in perspective. Beautifully. Painfully. (H/T to Gerard Nadal, who posted this on his FB page.) Read more
A New Jersey man is arguing that he has a right to be able to put a cross in his front yard — though local authorities disagree. Details: It started as a simple gesture. But it could have implications far beyond the quiet Livingston street where Patrick Racaniello affixed a wooden cross on a tree in his front yard. Township officials say Racaniello’s display, which he intended as a celebration of Lent, violated an ordinance that generally prohibits postings on... Read more
I mean…really? From the AP: The city council of South America’s biggest city has adopted legislation calling for a Heterosexual Pride Day to be celebrated on the third Sunday of each December. Sao Paulo Mayor Gilberto Kassab must sign the legislation for it to become law and has said only that he is studying it. His office declined Wednesday to say whether he supports the proposal. The legislation’s author, Carlos Apolinario, said the idea for a Heterosexual Pride Day is... Read more
Ladies and gentlemen: couch surfing. The only thing that would make this better? A TV. Read more
“In Catholic thinking, the right to immigration is a ‘natural right.’ That means it is universal and inalienable. But it is not absolute. Immigrants are obliged to respect and abide by the laws and traditions of the countries they come to reside in. Catholic teaching also recognizes the sovereignty of nations to secure their borders and make decisions about who and how many foreigners they allow into their countries. Our government has the duty to consider immigration’s impact on the... Read more
Think weddings have gotten out of control? Behold, the most extravagantly creative (and ridiculously over-priced) wedding invitation of the moment: a customized Viewmaster, featuring snapshots of the happy couple and delivered in a cardboard box. You can order a hundred of these for a mere $3450. (That doesn’t include postage, for mailing them to family and friends.) Details: Design your invitation in full-color kodachrome! This invite features a nostalgic viewmaster with custom picture reel and insert card for additional information.... Read more
There are some fascinating nuggets in this look at the recent CARA report on “The Changing Face of Catholic Parishes,” — including some valuable statistics on the diaconate: The study found that lay ecclesial ministry — somewhat formally defined in recent years as working at least 20 hours a week in paid parish employment as a recognized and authorized church minister — has continued to grow, as has the number permanent deacons. Updating several previous studies, the latest CARA study... Read more
Less than a month after this sad news out of Massachusetts, we’re learning of another priest who evidently took his own life in Alabama: The Archdiocese of Mobile announced the death of Rev. Ernest Hyndman, Jr., the pastor of St. Agatha Catholic Church in Bay Minette. His body was found in the church rectory Tuesday morning. No foul play is suspected. Church officials say he apparently took his own life. “Father Ernie”, as he was known to friends, attended St.... Read more
Surprised? Read all about it: For a month last year, Jordan Pahl, 16 at the time, awoke each day before sunrise. She dragged herself out of bed at 4 a.m., trudged down the stairs and grabbed an apple or yogurt out of the refrigerator. It was to be her last bit of sustenance before nightfall. Jordan was fasting for Ramadan, the ninth month in the Islamic calendar, during which Muslims abstain from eating and drinking from sunrise to sunset. But... Read more
The Deacon's Bench
Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In