A good reflection on this from today’s New York Times: Amid the grandeur and permanence of St. Patrick’s Cathedral, they marched down the aisle in pairs, the graduating seniors of Rice High School in Harlem. They were the 70th commencement class in the school’s history, the latest to bear the venerable epithet of being “Rice men.” All those trappings of longevity, the bronze doors and marble pulpit and stained glass, were illusory. The graduation ceremony on May 27 was the... Read more
In April of 2005, an Army captain by the name of Scott Smiley found himself where most people would not want to be: in Mosul, Iraq, confronting a man in a car who fit the description of suspected car bomber. Captain Smiley knew what to do. He told the man to get out. The man held his hands up for a moment, but then he let his foot off the brake. The car began to roll. Scott fired warning shots... Read more
The diocese is taking a gamble that will undoubtedly pay off, big time: Friday, it ordained its very first class of permanent deacons. A few people dropped me a line last night to let me know about it. Any more information? Pictures? I checked the Diocese of Las Vegas website, but information was scarce. A local paper offered this story last fall, for those who are curious. Until I hear more: congratulations! Ad multos annos! UPDATE: Viva Las Vegas! Freshly... Read more
In April of 2005, an Army captain by the name of Scott Smiley found himself where most people would not want to be: in Mosul, Iraq, confronting a man in a car who fit the description of suspected car bomber. Captain Smiley knew what to do. He told the man to get out. The man held his hands up for a moment, but then he let his foot off the brake. The car began to roll. Scott fired warning shots... Read more
A remarkable and touching story from Buffalo: From the moment of their birth in Buffalo 92 years ago, twin brothers Julian and Adrian Riester rarely left each other’s side. They played together, went to school together, as young men traveled cross-country together — and, in their 20s, joined the Franciscan order together. And on Wednesday, after 65 years as identical twins wearing the identical brown robes of the Franciscans — mostly at St. Bonaventure University — Brother Julian Riester and... Read more
Bridging the divide between East and West is a big part of the mission of CNEWA, where I work. So when a colleague posted this on his Facebook page, I found it both newsworthy and noteworthy. When it comes to the plight of Eastern Christians, attention must be paid. From the Catholic Sun in Phoenix: As more and more refugees from Iraq are relocated to Arizona, Msgr. Felix Shabi has a happy problem: his community of Chaldean Catholics continues to... Read more
Those are the words of my own Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio at the ordination of 27 new deacons last weekend for the Diocese of Brooklyn. I wrote about the event here. Now a video report is up, courtesy of “Currents.” Check it out. And the diocesan newspaper, The Tablet, has a write up and slideshow. Read more
Well, at least he waited until the second version came out. But what happens when iPad3 is released?? Details: Apple lovers are known for their somewhat radical devotion to any new products the company introduces, but selling body parts to afford them is definitely something new — and scary. According to Global Times, a youngster in China’s Anhui province wanted a new iPad 2 tablet so badly he was willing to part with a kidney to be able to afford it.... Read more
Those are the words of my own Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio at the ordination of 27 new deacons last weekend for the Diocese of Brooklyn. I wrote about the event here. Now a video report is up, courtesy of “Currents.” Check it out. And the diocesan newspaper, The Tablet, has a write up and slideshow. Read more
A judge has ruled that even words like “Amen” and “benediction” cannot be a part of a public high school graduation ceremony, and now the class valedictorian is filing a motion to change that. Details: The valedictorian of Medina Valley High School wants to pray during her speech at Saturday’s graduation and has joined the fray over a federal judge’s order barring public prayer at the event. Angela Hildenbrand and a conservative advocacy group called a news conference Thursday in front... Read more
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