A couple years ago, I posted this interview with the head coach of the Baltimore Ravens, John Harbaugh, who talked candidly and passionately about his Catholic faith. Now the reporter who did that interview, George Matysek of the Catholic Review, has posted excerpts as a video online. Check it out below. Read more
What does it take to make a parish come alive? A local paper in Santa Clara, California has been taking a look at the various religions that make up its diverse community, and it’s concluding its series with a profile of a large and thriving Catholic parish that owes much of its vibrancy to the growing Latino population. It’s a revealing glimpse at what the American Catholic Church is becoming. From the Santa Clara Press-Democrat: Hundreds of Catholic parishioners sit... Read more
Continuing his thoughtful and informational series on the deacon as “Minister of the Word,” Deacon Bill Ditewig has now turned his attention to preaching: With regard to the deacon preaching at Mass, the GIRM notes that the deacon preaches “on occasion”. The norm is for the priest-presiding to preach, but he may also ask the deacon to preach the homily. This has caused no little confusion: just what does “on occasion” mean? Some pastors have interpreted this too mean “rarely”... Read more
“The Anxiety of Joseph” by James Tissot In the late 19th century, one of the most sought-after realist portrait painters was a Frenchman by the name of James Tissot. He made his reputation painting society women and the wealthy in and around Paris. But at one point in his life, while doing research for a painting, he stepped inside a church. While there, he had a profound religious experience. He left a changed man, and devoted the rest of his... Read more
“The Anxiety of Joseph” by James Tissot In the late 19th century, one of the most sought-after realist portrait painters was a Frenchman by the name of James Tissot. He made his reputation painting society women and the wealthy in and around Paris. But at one point in his life, while doing research for a painting, he stepped inside a church. While there, he had a profound religious experience. He left a changed man, and devoted the rest of his... Read more
Lou Gossett, Jr. stopped by our studio today for an interview. As you can tell from the picture below, he has a new book to plug. And, from the look of things, an annoying deacon/blogger attached to his arm. The book — “An Actor and a Gentleman” — tells the story of his life, his faith, and his family. Gossett grew up in Brooklyn, and I suspect that figures prominently in the book, (along with remembrances of his great-grandmother, who... Read more
Lou Gossett, Jr. stopped by our studio today for an interview. As you can tell from the picture below, he has a new book to plug. And, from the look of things, an annoying deacon/blogger attached to his arm. The book — “An Actor and a Gentleman” — tells the story of his life, his faith, and his family. Gossett grew up in Brooklyn, and I suspect that figures prominently in the book, (along with remembrances of his great-grandmother, who... Read more
We had the annual Christmas concert at my parish last weekend. For those who couldn’t make it to Queens, no problem. You can see some highlights right here. Enjoy. It’s a glorious event, in a glorious setting. Read more
We had the annual Christmas concert at my parish last weekend. For those who couldn’t make it to Queens, no problem. You can see some highlights right here. Enjoy. It’s a glorious event, in a glorious setting. Read more
Wonder why the deacon proclaims the gospel? Wonder no more… Deacon Bill Ditewig is ruminating these days on the deacon as Minister of the Word, and he reminds us of a few points that we all need to remember: The deacon — as servant to and for the People of God — proclaims Christ in the Gospel in order to sacramentalize the servant-character of the Gospel itself. The Gospel not only delivers “good news”; that good news is also a... Read more
The Deacon's Bench
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