Religious exemption and New York's gay marriage law

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

Those curious about what this exemption does and does not cover might be interested in this item, from a Baptist website: Religious exemption language that was part of a successful “gay marriage” bill in New York addresses a handful of religious liberty concerns but ignores a large number of other religious conflicts, says an attorney familiar with the issue. The religious exemption language was critical to getting a handful of Republican senators — four total — to support the bill,... Read more

Ordination update: 5 new deacons in Kingston, Ontario

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 5:26 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

Welcome, eh? A deacon reader up north sent along this happy news, along with a link to the archdiocesan website, with more pictures and information. Congratulations! Ad multos annos! Read more

A miracle for Fr. Peyton?

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

Maybe. With so much bad news flowing out of Catholic Albany, New York these days, this news is heartening: A possible miraculous cure attributed to Catholic media pioneer Father Patrick Peyton, C.S.C., could advance the beatification cause of the “Rosary Priest” known for his motto “The family that prays together, stays together.” A tribunal based in the Diocese of Albany, N.Y., has investigated the alleged miracle and will forward its findings to Rome on June 28. The details of the... Read more

Ordination update: 5 new deacons in Kingston, Ontario

Last updated on: June 28, 2011 at 6:43 am By Deacon Greg Kandra

Welcome, eh? A deacon reader up north sent along this happy news, along with a link to the archdiocesan website, with more pictures and information. Congratulations! Ad multos annos! Read more

God's green earth: NJ parish first in nation to be certified "green"

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

Here’s an unusual distinction for a Catholic parish, whose members are taking their call to be stewards of the earth very seriously: “We are called to care for Creation.” said Fr. Bob Stagg of The Church of the Presentation in Upper Saddle River, NJ. Presentation is the first Catholic parish nationwide to be accepted into the GreenFaith Certification Program, the country’s only interfaith environmental certification program for houses of worship. The Program is designed to help churches, synagogues, mosques and... Read more

A priest forever: one man's career after the collar

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

He’s still serving others. Details, from the Post Crescent in Wisconsin: Tending to the needs of others is a natural part of Gary Crevier’s character. “My whole life has been of service, people helping people,” said Crevier, 69, of Appleton. During his childhood, his parents were foster parents. “That whole aspect of reaching out to people was there,” he said. He spent time on missions, was a Catholic priest for 23 years and, after leaving ministry in 1991 to get... Read more

"If someone does not know God, introduce them to Avery Gerleman."

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

That’s the astonishing statement of the doctor who treated a young girl whose extraordinary recovery from a deadly auto-immune disorder is now being investigated as a miracle — one that could nudge the fabled Fr. Emil Kapaun closer to sainthood. An excerpt: On Dec. 4, as the hospital staff put Avery through physical therapy that caused her almost torturous pain, she stood up, a sight that no doctor had dared hope for. By that time, because of the e-mails the... Read more

Want a good cry?

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

This should do it. Girl gets big surprise at college graduation: her Marine brother, whom she thought was in Afghanistan. Read more

Passing the torch

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

From the In My Backyard Desk, a little news about a change where I work, at the Catholic Near East Welfare Association: Msgr. John E. Kozar, former national director of the Pontifical Mission Societies in the United States, has been appointed president of the Catholic Near East Welfare Association and the Pontifical Mission for Palestine. When the appointments take effect Sept. 15, he will succeed Msgr. Robert L. Stern, a priest of the Archdiocese of New York who has been... Read more

What we have come to: no more "him" or "her" in pre-school

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

The mind boggles: At the “Egalia” preschool, staff avoid using words like “him” or “her” and address the 33 kids as “friends” rather than girls and boys. From the color and placement of toys to the choice of books, every detail has been carefully planned to make sure the children don’t fall into gender stereotypes. “Society expects girls to be girlie, nice and pretty and boys to be manly, rough and outgoing,” says Jenny Johnsson, a 31-year-old teacher. “Egalia gives... Read more