Yet, there’s no mention of abortion in this piece. From NPR, reporter Kelly McEvers interviews the senator’s pastor, the Rev. Jim Arsenault, from St. Elizabeth’s Catholic Church in Richmond, VA: MCEVERS: Senator Kaine has talked about his Catholic faith as being one of the major, you know, drivers behind his work as a politician. Is that clear to you as a pastor, and what are some specific examples? ARSENAULT: Well, I can give you one. This past Good Friday, we... Read more

I’m here in scenic Easton, Pennsylvania, not far from Allentown and Bethlehem, leading a retreat for the deacons of the Diocese of Metuchen. It’s a great group, and a lovely spot—although very very warm. (At last report, 95 degrees, not counting the heat index). We’re about half-way through the retreat—titled “Believe, Teach, Practice: the Deacon as New Evangelist”—and we have a nice break this sunny Saturday afternoon, so I thought I’d post a few pictures. Here’s the Saint Francis Retreat... Read more

From NYPD‘s Facebook page: Two NYPD cops selflessly moved what they thought was an explosive device away from thousands of people in Times Square. Here’s more about these two heroes and how they protected NYC: Sergeant Hameed Armani is a 10-year veteran of the NYPD. He came to the U.S. from Afghanistan. When asked why he and Police Officer Peter Cybulski drove away instead of fleeing the police van the sergeant responded, “I looked around and saw people, including many... Read more

As we mark her feast day, here’s something to ponder, from the pen of St. Anselm: St Mary Magdalene, you came with springing tears to the spring of mercy, Christ; from him your burning thirst was abundantly refreshed; through him your sins were forgiven; by him your bitter sorrow was consoled. My dearest lady, well you know by your own life how a sinful soul can be reconciled with its creator, what counsel a soul in misery needs, what medicine... Read more

With all this happening in the world, items like this on Facebook can be easily overlooked. They shouldn’t be. (h/t to Fr. Jim Sichko for passing this along). Fr. Greg Ketcham is pastor of St. Mary Church in Downs, IL, in the Diocese of Peoria. He posted this message on the parish website:   Hi My Parish Family & Good Friends I have been in Houston, Texas now for over a week.  I already miss all of you!  It looks like... Read more

The Prefect for the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, in an essay for L’Osservatore Romano, reflects on tomorrow’s new feast for St. Mary Magdalene. Diane Montagna has the scoop:  Mary Magdalene reminds us of the need to recover the primacy of God and the primacy of adoration in the life of the Church and in the liturgical celebration. This was a fundamental goal of the Second Vatican Council and continues to be so now. God must... Read more

Now for something completely different. With a huge tip of the biretta to Gilbert & Sullivan, the Rev. Chuck Wood of Our Lady of the Lake Parish in Lake Oswego, Oregon bids farewell to his flock as he prepares to become pastor at St. Wenceslaus nearby. Read more

From CNS:  Pope Francis married a young deaf couple in the chapel of his residence at the Vatican. Teodoro Pisciottani and Paulina Szczepanska, the daughter of a Vatican employee, were married July 9 at the Vatican’s Domus Sanctae Marthae. Pope Francis does not often preside over wedding ceremonies — the most recent was a wedding of 20 couples in St. Peter’s Basilica in 2014 that was televised on Vatican television. The private wedding in July was reported in a regional... Read more

An innovative form of evangelization is starting in New Orleans. From The Times-Picayune:  Roman Catholic Archbishop Gregory Aymond is taking to the big screen with an invitation to all local moviegoers: “Come join us!” Before each movie starting on July 22, New Orleans area theaters will show a 15-second spot depicting young Catholics participating in the life of the church, and concluding with the archbishop encouraging viewers to learn more about the faith. For the next 12 months, the commercials will run... Read more