Father Thomas Rosica, CSB of Salt + Light TV, interviews Archbishop Michael Miller about a new directory on the formation of deacons in Canada! Check it out below. Significantly, he mentions that the Canadian directory describes the deacon’s ministry as being of Word, Liturgy and Charity & Justice. He also notes that the candidates are asked to spend “1,000 hours” in study—but it’s much more broadly defined than some may think. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PhyTEAnRiAs&feature=share Read more

Details, via the Catholic Herald:  Pope Francis has reappointed Cardinal Raymond Leo Burke to the Apostolic Signatura, nearly three years after removing him as prefect. The Holy See announced Saturday morning that the American cardinal had been appointed to the Vatican’s highest court along with Cardinal Agostino Vallini, Cardinal Edoardo Menichelli, Archbishop Frans Daneels and Bishop Johannes Willibrordus Maria Hendriks. Cardinal Burke served as prefect of the court for six years before being removed in 2014 and appointed cardinal patron... Read more

The rendition in the video above was recorded at a wedding a few years ago, and I can’t think of a more stately and joyous hymn for the celebration of marriage. In that context, these words, in particular, strike a beautiful chord: And whether our tomorrows be filled with good or ill, we’ll triumph through our sorrows and rise to bless you still… The complete text:  O God beyond all praising, we worship you today and sing the love amazing that... Read more

From The New York Times:  The controversy over kneeling in protest of racial injustice moved beyond the world of professional sports this week, when a number of schools told students they were expected to stand during the national anthem. On Long Island, the Diocese of Rockville Centre, which runs a private Catholic school system, said students at its three high schools could face “serious disciplinary action” if they knelt during the anthem before sporting events. Sean P. Dolan, a spokesman... Read more

Since this is the Feast of the Archangels, I thought it a good moment to share a little aviation news. I got this email several weeks ago from Father Chris Piasta, chaplain at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport:  Dear Deacon Greg, On behalf of the Executive Board of the Catholic Guild at John F. Kennedy International Airport, I would like to honor you with the title of the “Clergy of the Year” at Our Lady of the Skies... Read more

You probably remember that a court recently sentenced the militants who carried out the infamous and horrifying executions of Copts on a beach two years ago. Now, more important news from Libya, which indicates the remains of those killed may have been located: In a press conference held on Thursday 28 September,  Libyan General Prosecutor Al Sadiq al Sour reported authorities have identified the place where the remains of the 21 Coptic Christians slaughtered by jihadists of the ISIS. According to the... Read more

From Vatican Radio:  Pope Francis will focus on the harmful effects of fake news against journalism for peace, in his message for peace for World Communications Day next year.  ““The truth will set you free” (Jn 8:32). Fake news and journalism for peace,” is the theme of the annual Catholic Church observance that the Pope announced with a post on Twitter(@Pontifex) on Friday. World Communications Day, the only worldwide celebration called for by the Second Vatican ‎Council ‎‎(“Inter Mirifica”, 1963), is marked... Read more

Watch the powerful video above for a stunning and indelible message that stands in defiance of hate. It happened yesterday:  The head of the Air Force Academy stood all his 4,000 cadets at attention Thursday to deliver a message on racial slurs found written on message boards at the academy’s preparatory school. Chins in and chests out, the cadets were flanked by 1,500 officers, sergeants, athletic coaches and civilian professors inside cavernous Mitchell Hall. Lt. Gen. Jay Silveria told them... Read more

You can watch the moving video above. From The Washington Post:  For the past 15 weeks, every gathering of House Republican leaders has had one thing in common: an empty chair, marking the absence of Majority Whip Steve Scalise. It was a sign of respect for the boisterous Louisianian and a reminder of the quiet anguish that has beset Capitol Hill since a lone gunman, targeting GOP lawmakers practicing in Virginia for a charity baseball game, wounded Scalise and four... Read more

While I’m biding my time at Logan Airport, waiting to head back to New York, I wanted to offer a big thank you to the wonderful folks at Christ the King Parish in Mashpee, MA, on scenic Cape Cod, for making this boy from Brooklyn feel like a kid from the cape. I preached all the Masses over the weekend, then preached a mission twice a day, Monday through Wednesday, and they made my visit a joy. It was a... Read more