Reading Bill Keller’s review of “Absolute Monarchs: A History of the Papacy” by John Julius Norwich, my eyes fell upon this choice paragraph, which mentions deacons, and a task one deacon in particular allegedly had to perform: “A scholar or devout Roman Catholic would probably not have had so much fun, for example, with the tale of Pope Joan, the mid-ninth-century Englishwoman who, according to lore, disguised herself as a man, became pope and was caught out only when she... Read more
The Cincinnati Enquirer (via USA TODAY) has an interesting look at Ohio’s new auxiliary, and his unusual journey into the priesthood. Details: Bishop Joe Binzer worked in the business world for a decade before entering the seminary and in June became the region’s highest-ranking Catholic leader behind Archbishop Dennis Schnurr. The former accountant, whose style is a combination of good-natured priest and meticulous organizer, has for years relied on his analytical skills, as well as his faith, to tackle some... Read more
The heart of a true baseball fan: “He deserved this. He worked so hard for this. He’s been in the league for so long. I’m not really the kind to take something away from him. He earned it.” — 23-year-old Yankee fan Christian Lopez. Moments after catching the baseball that made history for Derek Jeter, Lopez returned it. Read more. Read more
One of the great poets of our age, Mr. “Weird” Al Yankovic, speaks for us all. Read more
Last summer, I decided to revisit one of my favorite books, “The Great Gatsby.” I almost read it in one sitting. The sheer music of it was as captivating as I remember, and the lines just flowed. F. Scott Fitzgerald captured something elusive and haunting and real in that book; there’s a mystery and delicacy to it that somehow eluded the filmmakers in their overblown version from the 1970’s that featured Robert Redford and lots of pretty shirts. I was... Read more
“A sower went out to sow…” Those simple words begin one of the most memorable parables in the gospel – a story that has much to teach us not only about gardening and growing, but also about listening. Listening to the Word of God. Being receptive to it. Being open to it. That can be hard to do, when there is so much noise in the world distracting us from God and trying to drown out His Word. But there... Read more
The notorious Catholic priest who had a very public affair, caused a scandal, and subsequently joined the Episcopalians is about to launch his own TV show. Details: Just weeks ago Oprah Winfrey stepped down from her 25-year-run as the ultimate talk show star. Now some are hailing a former Roman Catholic priest as the one to fill the void. Father Alberto Cutié hit headlines in 2009 when he was photographed cavorting with a woman on a Miami beach. He soon... Read more
Early this morning, I posted on the death of Betty Ford. I took the post down a short time ago because a number of people were angry and shocked that I was memorializing a woman who was pro-abortion. Betty Ford was also instrumental in the lives of a number of people close to me who suffered from the scourges of breast cancer and alcoholism. Her candor in confronting those diseases made it easier for people I love — and countless... Read more
“A sower went out to sow…” Those simple words begin one of the most memorable parables in the gospel – a story that has much to teach us not only about gardening and growing, but also about listening. Listening to the Word of God. Being receptive to it. Being open to it. That can be hard to do, when there is so much noise in the world distracting us from God and trying to drown out His Word. But there... Read more
He hasn’t been seen on camera in several months. Today, that changed. He appeared on a video, wearing a Harley Davidson leather jacket, in front of a plain white background, to describe his next media venture. Below, John Corapi, 8 July 2011. Details. UPDATE: The Anchoress has just posted a few thoughts on last night’s video — and compares it to another video she just saw, which helps put The Black Sheep Dog in context. Read her post. It offers... Read more
The Deacon's Bench
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