The state’s Catholic Conference has chosen neither — and taken a stance it describes as “neutral.” The bishop of Madison, Robert Morlino, has more to say in his weekly newspaper column: The question to which the dilemma boils down is rather simple on its face: is the sacrifice which union members, including school teachers, are called upon to make, proportionate to the relative sacrifice called for from all in difficult economic times? In other words, is the sacrifice fair in... Read more
I stumbled on this almost by accident, and was delighted to see it was produced by Brooklyn’s homegrown Grassroots Films (“The Human Experience”, “Fishers of Men”). It’s a terrific glimpse into the Dominicans — the Order of Preachers, don’cha know — and well worth a look. Enjoy. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJI2Tsw96jQ Read more
Last month, I reported on my fixation with “Angry Birds.” This month, I’ve discovered what I want for my birthday. See below. Read more
“Where would I be today without my crosses? What knowledge and wisdom would I lack without the challenges and difficulties that caused me to ask questions and passionately seek answers. When you suffer, platitudes aren’t enough, slogans won’t do. You have to go deeper, search for real answers and often learn that there are no simple answers. Suffering also unlocks an acceptance of paradox and an appreciation that all is not as it seems and some of God’s greater gifts... Read more
The problem reportedly surfaced last weekend, and drew the attention of higher-ups in the diocese. Here’s more, from the Minneapolis-St. Paul Star Tribune (and I’m sure you can spot the glaring factual error in the second paragraph…): At a recent Sunday mass at St. Edward Catholic Church in Bloomington, a woman stepped to the lectern on the altar — and started to preach. Before long, the vicar general of the archdiocese was paying a call to St. Edward’s pastor, the... Read more
In a rare move, a woman who attempted ordination as a deacon has had a change of heart. Norma Jean Coons announced as much on her own website: On July 22, 2007, I was ordained to the diaconate by Bishop Patricia Fresen, of Germany and South Africa who was ordained by three male bishops in Germany for the group called Roman Catholic Women Priests. The ordination took place at the Santa Barbara Immaculate Heart Spiritual Center. Because neither Patricia Fresen... Read more
A lot of deacons are involved in prison ministry — but few have spoken about it with such insight. Details, from Catholic San Francisco: There are enough house rules as is at San Quentin State Prison, and it is not Deacon Larry Chatmon’s place to add to them when he serves inmates in his prison ministry. He does have some friendly advice for them, however, when they leave the chapel after services. “I tell them, ‘You have to take what... Read more
“Come see what 2011 will be the year of.” — Wording on invitation to Apple event, reportedly launching the next generation iPad Read more
That’s the memorable remark of one priest to a member of his flock who consistently skipped communion. How should pastors handle this? Catholic News Service has an interesting take: Father Adam Forno occasionally notices parishioners skipping the Eucharist at St. John the Evangelist and St. Joseph parish in Rensselaer, where he is pastor. Sometimes, a Massgoer doesn’t receive Communion because he or she has remarried without having a first marriage annulled. Other times, it is because of personal shame. “We’ve... Read more
That’s the notion I’m chewing on this week over in my column, “All Things New.” A snip: A couple years ago, during Easter season, a man stopped me after church one Sunday. He was perturbed. “What’s all this Latin doing in the mass?” he asked. “What do you mean?” “All this Latin!” he said, exasperated. “I thought they took that out. I don’t understand it.” I explained that, well, it is the Easter season, and some of the prayers at... Read more
The Deacon's Bench
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