He is 14-year-old Oliver Jawornicki, a.k.a. Ollie, who just happens to be working this summer at the U.S. Open in Queens. The story: In the middle of [Venus] Williams’ match against Elina Svitolina, she asked someone on her team to get her a cup of coffee. It was brought in from the stands and given to a ball boy, who then had to deliver it to her. But there was one problem: Williams had already left her courtside seat and was... Read more
Not many people may know that the TV legend who died yesterday — and who will forever be remembered as the Jewish Rhoda Morgenstern — was, in fact, raised Catholic. Several year ago, Father Dave Dwyer at Busted Halo interviewed her. Give a listen below. Pray for her, her family, and all who love her. Read more
“By means of work, man participates in the activity of God himself, his Creator.” — John Paul II Enjoy this Labor Day weekend — and enjoy as well these thoughts from a fellow laborer: “I come from your midst. I come from the quarries of Zakrzowek, from the Solvay furnaces in Borek Falecki, and then from Nowa Huta. Through all these surroundings, through my own experience of work, I boldly say that I learned the gospel anew.” — Pope John... Read more
O God, Master of this passing world, hear the humble voices of your children. The Sea of Galilee obeyed Your order and returned to its former quietude. You are still the Master of land and sea. We live in the shadow of a danger over which we have no control: the sea, like a provoked and angry giant, can awake from its seeming lethargy, overstep its conventional boundaries, invade our land, and spread chaos and disaster. During this hurricane season... Read more
The priest at the center of the AP story, the Rev. Quentin Dupont, was interviewed by phone by Kerry Weber of America magazine: Many people were introduced to you recently through the photo and story in an AP report about the death of Robert Fuller in May. But I want to start by pulling back a little to allow you to tell us a bit about yourself. What are your full-time responsibilities? My full-time responsibilities are as a graduate student at... Read more
This will be something to see. Check out the teaser trailer for the film below. From Netflix: Anthony Hopkins and Jonathan Pryce star in this intimate look at a historic turning point in the Catholic Church. Directed by Academy Award nominee Fernando Meirelles. In select theaters on November 27 in the US, November 29 in the UK and on Netflix December 20. Read more
Still more regarding the tragic case of Robert Fuller, from the archdiocese’s website: The Associated Press news story naturally leads the reader to assume certain things about the priest and his intentions. However, we are learning a very different reality was at work. We looked into this and can confirm that the priest who did the blessing did not know about Mr. Fuller’s intentions. The priest was a visiting priest who happened to be at St. Therese that particular Sunday... Read more
Catholic writer and speaker Meg Hunter-Kilmer posted this on Facebook yesterday, and I think it speaks for a lot of us — but in particular, for anyone who this fall is beginning formation for religious life. If you are discerning becoming a priest, sister, brother, or deacon, this is for you. Meg Hunter-Kilmer puts it beautifull: 10 years ago today I entered the convent. I quit my job, said goodbye to everyone I loved, and gave away everything I owned.... Read more
After she made headlines last week over her offensive tweets, the controversial appointee has quit: A citizen appointee of Gov. Ralph Northam who made derogatory attacks on others and anti-Catholic posts on social media resigned Wednesday following an outcry from Catholics. Northam on Aug. 16 appointed Gail Gordon Donegan, a Democratic activist from Alexandria, to the 18-member Virginia Council on Women. A Richmond Times-Dispatch review of her public social media history showed a history of attacks on other people as well as... Read more
From The New York Times: A 54-year-old priest who studied in the United States was installed this week as a bishop in China, the first to take office after a landmark deal signed last year between the Vatican and Beijing. According to Chinese media reports that were confirmed by the Vatican, Msgr. Antonio Yao Shun was installed on Monday as bishop of Jining in the northern Chinese autonomous region of Inner Mongolia. The ceremony in Jining seemed to signal that Beijing was willing... Read more
The Deacon's Bench
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