Praying for Geraldine

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 5:47 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

Above and beyond the lively debate about whether Geraldine Ferraro merits a Catholic funeral, I think we can all agree on this: God is merciful, and prayer can’t hurt. That’s the gist of my column this week. From “All Things New”: Msgr. Peter Elliott, writing about the notion of purgatory, once offered another beautiful thought: “Eternal rest,” “pardon,” “peace,” “refreshment,” and “perpetual light” are words we use when praying for the dead. Each has its own tradition stretching back to... Read more

If Google had existed in 1960 …

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 5:47 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

…would it have looked like this? Source. Read more

In praise of the "necessary others"

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 5:47 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

I’ve posted a lot of items around here about wearing the Roman collar. Elizabeth Scalia has a few choice thoughts about those who do — and suffer because of it: When Buddhist monks and nuns go out in public wearing their robes, they usually get some curious looks, but they’re not harangued for their vows of celibacy, and many folks (myself included) like seeing them and taking note of the fact that there are people who give up a great... Read more

"Every 21 minutes, our next possible leader is aborted…"

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 5:47 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

That’s the in-your-face message of these billboards, featuring an image of President Obama, which have gone up around Chicago. (Click to enlarge.) The story behind them: Thirty pro-life billboards featuring the image of Barack Obama are going up in South Chicago, U.S. president Barack Obama’s adopted hometown, starting tomorrow. “Every 21 minutes, our next possible LEADER is aborted,” states the ad, which features an artistic rendering of Obama’s profile with a caption directing viewers to “thatsabortion.com.” “Our future leaders are... Read more

"Catholic artists today are virtually invisible"

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 5:47 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

That’s the assessment of someone in a position to know, this year’s recipient of the distinguished Laetare Medal. Details: Faithful Catholics have all but disappeared from the arts in America — leaving the arts “spiritually impoverished” and undercutting the ways the church “speaks to the world,” according to Dana Gioia, Catholic poet and former chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts. “Catholic artists today are virtually invisible,” Gioia observed in a lecture at Catholic University. Gioia said he considers... Read more

Dolan to inmates: "All of us are sinners"

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 5:47 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

One of the most famous bishops in America — maybe the most famous? — marked Lent with a visit to a local prison. From a Staten Island website: The modest chapel at the Arthur Kill Correctional Facility in Charleston is a daily source of comfort and redemption for dozens of the prison’s 950 inmates. Today, its grace and sanctity took on added meaning as Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan, spiritual leader of Catholics in 405 parishes in the southern region of... Read more

Fr. Corapi's order says investigation has not yet begun

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 5:47 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

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And the Diocese of Corpus Christi disputes a characterization posted on Fr. Corapi’s website, claiming that it was a bishop who suspended the priest. Details, from Catholic News Service: Marty Wind, director of communications for the Diocese of Corpus Christi, disputed (Bobbi) Ruffatto’s claim that Bishop Mulvey placed Father Corapi on leave. He said the action was taken by officials of the priest’s order, the Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity in Robstown, Texas. “We have been... Read more

Quote of the day

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 5:47 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

“What are my sources of strength? My husband and my three kids [Donna, Laura and John Jr.], my health-care team, and my religion. My desk drawer is filled with all kinds of prayers.” — Geraldine Ferraro, writing about her struggle with cancer, quoted here. Read more

Woody Allen raises money for Catholic hospital in Rome

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 5:47 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

Surprised? I was. Read the details below, from the Reuters: What’s a nice Jewish boy from Brooklyn doing helping to raise money for a Catholic hospital owned by the Vatican in a city where until 1870 the papacy required Jews to live in a ghetto? If that nice Jewish boy is Woody Allen, the conundrum is resolved by a four-letter word: Jazz. “Woody Allen and his New Orleans Jazz Band” charmed a packed house in Rome’s Conciliazione Auditorium three blocks from... Read more

A Catholic funeral for Geraldine Ferraro? — UPDATED

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 5:47 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

52 Comments

A commenter raised the issue, citing the former congresswoman’s support for abortion rights, and declared: “Geraldine Ferraro should be denied a Catholic Mass with Catholic sacraments and yes, may God have mercy upon her soul.” Details about Ferraro’s funeral haven’t yet been released. I presume it will be Catholic. (To those who have asked: no, I don’t think it will be held at my parish. As of Sunday afternoon, no one had contacted the rectory about it.) But this sort... Read more