And this picture was the result. Shown are (l-r) Seminarian Jose Diaz, who was in residence at our parish for the summer; parish administrator, Father Frank Passenant; newly ordained priest Father Robert Mema; pastor Bishop Paul Sanzhez; and some deacon. (Photo by Niranjan Fernando) This was taken last Sunday, as part of my parish’s annual St. John Vianney novena for vocations. The novena concludes today, his feast day. Matthew O’Connor from The Tablet, our diocesan newspaper, was there: Our Lady... Read more

Maybe:  Father Rafael Bercasio pastors perhaps the smallest parish in America — and the most uniquely situated. A short walk away from the south rim of the Grand Canyon sits El Cristo Rey Chapel, a small wooden building that serves as the spiritual home of the Catholic families who work at the national park. El Cristo Rey has 26 registered families, who are “always outnumbered by the tourists,” Father Bercasio said. The chapel is located within the boundaries of Grand... Read more

Yeah, this is a thing. Check out The New York Times video mini-documentary above. The filmmaker Lauren DeFilippo notes: Driving from my parents’ house on the A1A highway along the east coast, I stumbled upon the Daytona Beach Drive-In Christian Church. At first the idea of sitting in a car to go to church seemed deranged to me. What could be more vacant of spirituality and human connection than going to church sealed off in the most alienating of American... Read more

Can designer babies be far behind? Details:  Scientists for the first time have successfully edited genes in human embryos to repair a common and serious disease-causing mutation, producing apparently healthy embryos, according to a study published on Wednesday. The research marks a major milestone and, while a long way from clinical use, it raises the prospect that gene editing may one day protect babies from a variety of hereditary conditions. But the achievement is also an example of human genetic... Read more

Some happy news:  On Saturday, July 22, two novices made their profession as Little Sisters of the Poor at our novitiate in Queens Village, NY. Sr. Mary Gerard (pictured on the bishop’s right), originally from upstate New York, received her first assignment for our home in Palatine, Illinois. Sr. Faustina Clare (pictured on the bishop’s left), from southern Maryland, has been assigned to our home in Philadelphia. Two new novices were received into the Congregation the previous day.  Most Rev.... Read more

This news was causing a stir on social media today: The Knights of Columbus, long associated with swords, capes and chapeaus, will be going through a significant uniform change. The traditional regalia worn by the Knights’ Fourth Degree members will be replaced, announced Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson during the Knights of Columbus 135th Supreme Convention being held in St. Louis Aug. 1. The address was available via livestream on EWTN. Throughout the years, the regalia of the Fourth Degree, known as... Read more

The former vice president appeared on CNN, as part of a live town hall discussion about climate change:    Glenmary Father John S. Rausch appeared on CNN Aug. 1 as part of a climate change town hall event with former United States Vice President Al Gore. After being introduced by host Anderson Cooper, Father John said his experience as a priest in Appalachia has led him to believe the climate crisis is a crisis in spirituality. “There are many who... Read more

From The Irish Times:  Ireland’s youngest priest takes up his new position as a curate in Portlaoise this week – the first time he will lived on his own as he makes his transition into his new surroundings. Fr David Vard (25) was ordained in his hometown of Newbridge by Bishop Denis Nulty of Kildare and Leighlin last month surrounded by his proud family and friends. He is hoping to use his age and love of social media to appeal to a younger generation. The Newbridge native who takes... Read more

Look who popped up, like Forest Gump, on television. This report aired on NET, the television station for the Diocese of Brooklyn. My parish holds a novena every year around the feast of St. John Vianney, to pray for vocations to the priesthood. The high point is a Sunday Mass celebrated by a newly ordained priest. This year, the priest was the Rev. Robert Mema. Check out the video above. After the Mass—in another ongoing custom—Father Mema stepped outside to... Read more