Details:  The General Assembly of the Church of Scotland has voted to allow its ministers to be in same-sex marriages. The gathering, which opened in Edinburgh today, voted in favour of extending a law passed last May that permits ministers to be in same-sex civil partnerships. The outcome follows years of deliberation on the issue within the Church. The decision means the Kirk adopts a position which maintains a traditional view of marriage between a man and woman, but allows... Read more

The Deacon’s Wife and I will be heading out the door later today, bound for JFK Airport to begin our journey to Rome for the Jubilee for Deacons.  Blogging may be light; we’ll see how the wi-fi is. I’ll be in Rome all week, giving a talk Friday afternoon at a quaint little parish church called Santa Maria sopra Minerva. [img attachment=”103825″ align=”aligncenter” size=”full” alt=”slidesantamaria0″ /] My topic: “The Deacon as Image of Mercy in the Workplace.” If you’re in... Read more

From The Compass Flickr page: Bishop David Ricken ordained five men to the permanent diaconate May 14 at St. Francis Xavier Cathedral. The new deacons include: Deacon Tony DeBroux, Deacon Mark Fuller, Deacon Bob Seymour, Deacon Bernie Terrien and Deacon Dan Zajicek. Check out the great album of photos from the ordination here.  Congratulations and welcome, brothers! Ad multos annos! Read more

This popped up on the diocese’s Facebook feed Saturday afternoon: Bishop Roger Morin ordained seven men to the permanent diaconate today at Nativity BVM Cathedral. Congratulations to Deacons Richard Smith, Richard Kren, Ronald Alexander, Jesus Arellano, Jim Gunkel, Paul Matherne and Michael Butler. Congratulations and welcome, brothers! Ad multos annos! [img attachment=”103818″ align=”aligncenter” size=”full” alt=”13254267_10154239549143140_668883715920711772_n” /] Read more

From Vatican Radio:  Pope emeritus Benedict XVI has said he never told anyone the publication of the “Third Secret of Fatima” in the year 2000 was incomplete, and confirmed the document was published in its totality. A Communiqué was published Saturday by the Holy See Press Office on various articles regarding the “Third Secret of Fatima.” “ Several articles have appeared recently, including declarations attributed to Professor Ingo Dollinger according to which Cardinal Ratzinger, after the publication of the Third... Read more

This is the season of sacraments. These weeks after Easter are a time of promise and joy. Besides the usual weddings and baptisms, there are ordinations and confirmations and First Communions. Just last weekend, 88 children received Christ in the Eucharist for the first time here in this church. It was something beautiful to see. But there was another First Holy Communion service that took place last weekend that deserves attention. It was also beautiful—but in a way you might... Read more

Here’s a fascinating glimpse at a vocation within a vocation, from the National Catholic Register’s Peter Jesserer Smith: Linda Carnazzo knew that when she was dating her future husband that he might have another vocation as well: to serve as a priest in the Melkite Greek Catholic Church. Which meant she had to discern seriously another vocation: whether she could take up the maternal vocation of the priest’s wife. “He brought up the idea and asked me to take it... Read more

Here’s something different. My wife complains endlessly about how difficult it is to find flattering, modest outfits for the wife of a deacon to wear. This might be something to check out. Details: Muslim fashion bloggers and designers have been making an impact in the online fashion world for years. Now, one exclusively online modest fashion company is taking a big leap of faith by opening a brick-and-mortar store in Florida. Verona Collection, a company that designs and sells hijabs, dresses, cardigans, and... Read more