From New Jersey: A group of atheists is suing a New Jersey animal shelter because it used a Catholic priest to “bless” cats and dogs, a new lawsuit claims. Last month, the Bergen County Animal Shelter enlisted a rosary-sporting Roman Catholic priest in a ceremony for the furry sinners, according to a federal lawsuit, filed by the American Atheists in Newark on Nov. 13. The priest — who wore a large cross around his neck and a hooded cassock —... Read more

A spectacular act of generosity: In life, Leonard Gigowski ran a corner grocery store. The bachelor loved ballroom dancing and pigeon racing. In death, he found a way to help generations of students pay their tuition at St. Thomas More High School, his own alma mater back when it was called St. Francis Minor Seminary. This quiet and frugal man left $13 million in a scholarship fund that covers up to half the tuition for needy students who don’t qualify... Read more

A priest I know likes to say that Thanksgiving is one of his favorite holidays, and not just because of the food. The church is always filled, he says, and the great thing is that people come to mass today not because they have to…but because they want to. He makes a beautiful point. There are no rules saying any of us has to be here this morning. I’m sure a lot of people have other things to do —... Read more

From The New York Times, the first interview with the man whose church is now a tragic part of American history: On any other Sunday, Frank Pomeroy, the pastor at First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs, Tex., would have been in the pulpit. He would have seen the gunman, his steely gaze familiar, barge in mid-sermon. He would have heard the gunfire break out. But he was hundreds of miles away. And so Mr. Pomeroy, reflecting in his first extensive... Read more

This is an excellent initiative and I’m pleased that CNEWA is a part of it: the bishops have declared this Sunday a day of prayer for persecuted Christians. From the USCCB: The Christian presence in the Holy Lands traces its roots to the earliest days of Christianity. These small, diverse communities have historically contributed to the vibrant social fabric of their societies in the fields of science, medicine, and philosophy. Their fraternity with the diversity of Churches and other religious... Read more

Great vocation story: A former journalist and an ex-barrister have said they are “living the dream” after taking the next step in their new lives as nuns. Martina Purdy [shown in the video above, offering a reflection last year on mercy] previously a political correspondent at the BBC and reporter with The Irish News, and one-time lawyer Elaine Kelly were speaking after making their first profession of vows, more than three years after joining the Adoration Sisters. The two women... Read more

This press release just arrived in my “in” box: Our Sunday Visitor announces the recent acquisition of Deacon Digest magazine, a bi-monthly periodical serving deacons, deacon candidates, and their wives and families. The magazine has been in existence for more than 30 years and was most recently published by Abbey Press. “In the past 50 years, since the restoration of the permanent diaconate by Pope Paul VI, there has been a growing need for continuing formation and support for permanent... Read more

The star most familiar for her role in “Touched by an Angel” has died. From Variety:  Della Reese, who segued from pop and jazz singing stardom in the ‘50s and ‘60s to a long career as a popular TV actress on “Touched by an Angel” and other shows, died Sunday night at her home in California. She was 86. “She was an incredible wife, mother, grandmother, friend, and pastor, as well as an award-winning actress and singer. Through her life... Read more

Some heartening news for lovers of history and sacred music, via this press release: Preservationist, historian and Academy Award winning filmmaker Martin Scorsese is lending his support to “Friends of the Erben Organ,” a newly formed 501c3 non-profit whose mission is to restore and preserve one of the most important historic instruments in America, the iconic 1868 Henry Erben pipe organ cited by the Organ Historical Society as “an instrument of exceptional historic merit.” He has joined the $2 million... Read more

From the vault: my homily for this Sunday from 2014: The gospel this Sunday is familiar to a lot of us. We tend to think it’s all about ability, or talent — what special gifts God has given you. Certainly, that’s a big part of it. But I think there is more to the parable of the talents than just a lesson in using your ability to sing or dance or juggle. First, it’s important to remember that in Jesus’s... Read more