Details: The San Diego Diocese is seeking a way to shelter asylum-seekers so they can remain with their children, according to Bishop Robert McElroy who celebrated a binational Mass June 9 at the U.S.-Mexico border. McElroy said the diocese is answering the Trump administration policy of separating children from parents who seek asylum or enter illegally by “opening up a program that will try to take in mothers who come here and are granted the first level of asylum, so... Read more
The man behind the acclaimed groundbreaking series “Catholicism” has now turned his attention to something that is the cornerstone of our Sundays: The Mass. He sent around this email launching it today: This beautiful new series will help you more fully, consciously, and actively participate in the source and summit of the Christian life. It is my hope that you will be transformed through these insights on this most privileged and intimate encounter with our Lord Jesus Christ. This looks... Read more
I’m headed to scenic Wisconsin later this morning, to Green Bay (“Titletown”) and the 2018 Catholic Media Conference and Catholic Press Association Awards banquet. I’m looking forward to seeing some old friends — and making some new ones — and serving as deacon for Mass at the Shrine of Our Lady of Good Help, site of the only approved Marian apparition in the United States. Blogging may be light, but I hope to post a few things (and eat lots of... Read more
This quote from a diocesan newspaper, covering a diaconate ordination, is a little bit, um, off… (Matthew 20:28) UPDATE: To his eternal credit, the editor has posted a thoughtful and contrite correction. To wit: In the homily at Mass for the Ordination of Deacons on June 2, Archbishop Robert J. Carlson quoted the Prayer of Consecration, which he would use in ordaining each of 25 men to the permanent diaconate. “May (these men) excel in every virtue: in love that is... Read more
In case you missed it, take a few moments to watch and listen to this remarkable performance from Sunday night’s Tony Awards: Bruce Springsteen describing — and singing — about “My Hometown,” and the mysterious, beautiful, haunting memories of growing up Catholic in New Jersey all those years ago. This was an eloquent, powerful performance —and, perhaps, a revealing one. Of all the moments from his acclaimed one-man show, this is the one he wanted to share with an international... Read more
From Angelus: Archbishop José H. Gomez ordained 16 new permanent deacons for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in downtown Los Angeles on Saturday, June 9. Restored in 1968 as a fully functioning ministry within the Church, the deacon is ordained to serve God’s people in communion with the bishop and his priests. The 15 married men and one single man completed their theological formation during a five-year period, in preparation for... Read more
From the diocesan website: On June 9, Bishop Noonan ordained eight devoted men to the Order of Deacon at the Basilica of the National Shrine of Mary, Queen of the Universe. Deacon Louis Bartos, Jr., Sacred Heart Parish, New Smyrna Deacon Thomas Cuff, St. Margaret Mary Parish, Winter Park Deacon Mark Fry, Sts. Peter and Paul Parish, Winter Park Deacon Hector Isaza Zapata, Our Lady of the Lakes Parish, Deltona Deacon Anthony Medina Cruz, St. Mary Magdalen Parish, Altamonte Deacon... Read more
From Catholic News Agency: The sanctuary of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in China’s Henan province is a popular pilgrimage site for many Catholics, where thousands have journeyed since its founding in 1903 to pray and walk the shrine’s Way of the Cross. However, on the evening of June 5, local government authorities tore down the sanctuary’s images of Christ along the Way of the Cross, only weeks after Chinese officials told Bishop Joseph Zhang Yinlin of Weihui (Anyang) to... Read more
This classic is our recessional hymn this week. It has an interesting history: “Faith of our Fathers” is a Catholic hymn, written in 1849 by Frederick William Faber in memory of the Catholic martyrs from the time of the establishment of the Church of England by Henry VIII and Elizabeth.Faber wrote two versions of the hymn: with seven stanzas for Ireland and with four for England.The Irish version was sung at hurling matches until the 1960s. In England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland it is usually sung to the traditional tune Sawston; in the United States, the tune St... Read more
In the wake of two shocking, high-profile suicides, a priest friend on Facebook offered this testament yesterday, adding, “I’m open about my struggle because so many people of faith hide their depression like a secret guilt. It’s a disease, like diabetes. Share as you like.” He writes: As someone who lives with depression (and as a priest) I find that the biggest power that depression has is that it robs one of a sense of perspective. Little things become horrible... Read more
The Deacon's Bench
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