We are dedicating and blessing our new organ this Sunday, so what could be a better celebratory entrance hymn than “Cry Out With Joy” by James Chepponis? This version by the Pittsburgh Diocesan Choir is thrillingly done, and you can hear how the organ trumpets are put to good use. Check it out below. This weekend, our parish also marks the 100th anniversary of the first pastor being named to our parish, Father (later Monsignor) Joseph McLaughlin. And we will... Read more
CNS just posted this lovely video, spotlighting a recent convalidation ceremony in Virginia. Twenty-one couples that had been married civilly gathered to receive the sacrament of marriage: Good Shepherd’s first convalidation ceremony occurred in 2002 and continued every two years until 2016. The event was such a success that the parish decided to have another this year. Leah Tenorio, parish director of Hispanic ministry, has noticed that convalidation is helpful for couples and their children in building their faith. “I... Read more
Amazing news: It is said to be China’s biggest church and on Easter Sunday thousands of worshippers will flock to this Asian mega-temple to pledge their allegiance – not to the Communist Party, but to the Cross. The 5,000-capacity Liushi church, which boasts more than twice as many seats as Westminster Abbey and a 206ft crucifix that can be seen for miles around, opened last year with one theologian declaring it a “miracle that such a small town was able... Read more
Beautiful: Hurricane Irma could barrel towards Florida as early as this weekend and anxious residents preparing for the storm in Orlando are leaning on each other at local stores to grab what’s left of important supplies. Pam Brekke was next in line at a Lowe’s hardware store when she was turned away in tears after the last generator was sold to the person ahead of her in line. “My father is on oxygen and I’m worried about this storm,” she said.... Read more
Details: Carson Wentz is in love. He wants to tell the world. But sometimes he can’t. If his significant other were named Sue or Jane, no one would mind. But Wentz is in love with Jesus, and while many share his devotion, he understands that just as many may not. As a Christian, Wentz believes that he has an obligation to use his platform as an NFL quarterback to be a disciple and spread God’s word. But some Eagles fans... Read more
Big fat h/t to Larry D for first posting this early today—a bracing musical answer to Hurricane Harvey from the storm’s survivors. (Go to his link to read more about it). Read more
From The Washington Post: President Trump gave $1 million of his own money to charities helping the Houston area recover from Hurricane Harvey, splitting the gift among 12 nonprofits, the White House announced Wednesday. The gift had been promised late last week. In a statement, the White House said that Trump and first lady Melania Trump had witnessed some of these charities at work firsthand during their two visits to areas of Texas hit by the hurricane, which was the... Read more
Details: Perhaps there was some divine intervention when a fired Montgomery County police officer pulled into the parking lot of a church Wednesday to attempt to take his own life. Instead, a pastor at Saint Teresa of Avila Church in Norristown, Pa., stopped the troubled ex-officer, identified as Charles Murray, sitting in his vehicle, with a hose attached to the exhaust pipe and the engine running, according to 6ABC in Philadelphia. The pastor, identified as Father Jerry Wild, spotted the officer,... Read more
Keep a Kleenex handy. Watch the video and you will be thrilled, moved and, yes, a little teary-eyed. Read more about it here. Read more
From The Washington Post: Leaders at Washington National Cathedral, the closest thing in the country’s capital to an official church, have decided after two years of study and debate to remove two stained-glass windows honoring Confederate figures Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson. Saying the stories told in the two 4-by-6-foot windows were painful, distracting and one-sided, a majority of the Cathedral’s governing body voted to remove the windows Tuesday night. On Wednesday morning, stone masons were at work putting... Read more
The Deacon's Bench
Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In