Meet Bishop Bobblehead

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 5:40 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

From Erie, PA, here’s something…well…eerie: The story: Donald Trautman, the Roman Catholic bishop in Erie, Pa., received a special gift in honor of his 75th birthday: a bobblehead in his likeness. The Erie Times-News reports Trautman was presented with the swaying-headed statue last month at a gathering of priests from 13-county diocese. Trautman calls the likeness “pretty close.” An Erie priest came up with the idea for the dolls, which were also distributed to all the priests in the diocese. Read more

What do you wear to Mass?

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 5:40 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

Something like this, maybe? Or maybe not. It’s rare to see folks dressed like that today — even rarer in the heat of summer. I have a few thoughts on all that right here. Read more

RIP John Chervokas, "squeezable" Catholic

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 5:40 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

The man who came up with the idea to tell the world “Please don’t squeeze the Charmin” has died. Obituaries note that in addition to coining one of the most enduring advertising slogans ever, ad executive John Chervokas also wrote books on spirituality and prayer that included “Patient Prayers” and “Pinstripe Prayers, or How to Talk to God While Pursuing Mammon.” He’ll receive a Catholic burial in Westchester County, New York later this week. Details: John Chervokas, a former... Read more

New poll: God's approval rating at 52%

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 5:40 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

Last time I checked, that was better than Obama. (Though I’m told some people do get the two of them confused.) At least God doesn’t have to worry about re-election. Details. Read more

Voris on WYD: "We prefer to rely on the higher authority of Our Lord…" — UPDATED

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 5:40 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

After the organizers of World Youth Day put out a statement Monday disavowing any connection with Michael Voris’s appearance there next month, Voris’s media operation, Real Catholic TV, yesterday responded with a statement of its own. It’s posted as a comment on Patrick Madrid’s blog (and, as yet, not posted elsewhere). In an e-mail, Real Catholic TV told me they’re planning a video response later today. The statement: The faithful who work at http://www.realcatholictv.com would like to thank the United States Conference... Read more

Wearing your faith on your sleeve

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 5:40 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

From Hawaii comes this engaging photo essay about devoutly religious men and women, from different faiths, who are proud to show what they believe by what they wear and how they dress. Consider this profile of a sister: “Living in poverty and simplicity is easier,” says Sister Linh Nguyen. I don’t have to think: What should I wear? Does this match?” With the six sisters at her convent—the Daughters of St. Paul—“We do normal things. We love movies. We save... Read more

Atheists sue to remove Ground Zero cross

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 5:40 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

Is anyone surprised at this? A group of atheists filed suit Monday to prevent the iconic symbol from being displayed in the 9/11 Memorial and Museum. Details: American Atheists, a group that describes its mission as protecting civil rights for non-believers, claims the government installation of the religious symbol is an unconstitutional “mingling of church and state.” The group’s president, Dave Silverman, insists that no religious symbols should be included in the memorial of the 9/11 terror attacks at Ground... Read more

The color purple: prose (and cons) from the Bulwer-Lytton prize

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 5:40 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

Well, this one didn’t nab the top prize, but it should have: “As his small boat scudded before a brisk breeze under a sapphire sky dappled with cerulean clouds with indigo bases, through cobalt seas that deepened to navy nearer the boat and faded to azure at the horizon, Ian was at a loss as to why he felt blue.” The top winner, meantime, is the handiwork of Prof. Sue Fondrie, from the University of Wisconsin, who contributed this piece of deathless prose:... Read more

Take heart: famous authors who didn't give up

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 5:40 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

Ready to throw in the towel? Consider a few well-known writers who didn’t. For example: Feel glum over oodles of rejection letters? Get this: John Grisham’s first novel was rejected 25 times. Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen (Chicken Soup for the Soul) received 134 rejections. Beatrix Potter had so much trouble publishing The Tale of Peter Rabbit, she initially had to self-publish it. Robert Pirsig (Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance) received 121 rejections before it was published... Read more

"We are there to worship God in Word and sacrament, not in Apple or Microsoft…"

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 5:40 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

After last week’s installment, Bishop Christopher Coyne continues his treatise on tweeting at funerals: As a liturgy, a funeral Mass is a sacred service within a sacred space. It is an action of God’s people the Body of Christ and of Christ Himself, the head of the Body. It is a mystical moment in which the prayers and actions of the heavenly Church of Christ, the angels, and saints is joined with those of the earthly Church of those striving... Read more