The CBS News legend died today, just days after announcing his retirement. He was 84. I knew him during my time at CBS, and would sometimes bump into him by the elevator in our building, or at Lee’s Art Shop on 57th Street. He was always gracious, friendly and warm, even though I’m sure he had only the slightest clue who I was or what I did. I used to visit Lee’s to buy gift cards and wrapping paper; he went there... Read more

Nine years ago, this happened. [img attachment=”103591″ align=”aligncenter” size=”full” alt=”GKNM” /] Little did I realize what God had in store. And the miracles just keep coming, too many to count. Someone is keeping tabs on me, I’m sure. I can’t believe it’s been nine years. It was only yesterday. And it was a lifetime ago. [img attachment=”103619″ align=”aligncenter” size=”full” alt=”EDprocess” /] What a blessing this has been. Thank you, Lord. “Your servant, Lord, your servant am I…”  Read more

From Newsweek today: An Indian priest kidnapped in Yemen is safe in the war-torn country and New Delhi is in the last stages of negotiating his release, according to a government minister. Four gunmen had reportedly attacked a Catholic nursing home overseen by Mother Teresa’s Missionaries of Charity organization in March in the southern port city of Aden, where they kidnapped Uzhunnalil and killed 16 people, including four nuns. Media reports had claimed that the Islamic State militant group (ISIS)... Read more

Yeah, this is a great idea, sure, why not, go ahead: For centuries the key Christian sacraments of baptism and communion have symbolised people coming together in one place. But under potentially radical plans being considered by the Church of Scotland, the rites could be administered online for the first time in a move to redefine the idea of a congregation in the internet age. The suggestion, to be debated by members of the Kirk’s decision-making General Assembly which meets in Edinburgh next... Read more

This is awesome: When the Rev. Jeff Bayhi’s vision of a home for underage victims of human trafficking turned toward reality, he spoke with Sister Eugenia Bonetti, who oversees several such facilities in Italy. One part of his plan was non-negotiable. “I told her, ‘I’ve got the money, but I’m not doing it without nuns,’” Bayhi said. Now, he has them. When ground was broken April 28 on Metanoia Manor, the Baton Rouge-area home that will eventually house 16 young... Read more

Kudos to the diocese and to Deacon John  Guarino who is profiled in this video as part of the Year of Mercy. Take a look.   Read more

From the USCCB website:  Two Committee chairmen of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) issued the following statement in response to guidance issued May 13 by the U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Department of Education entitled “Dear Colleague Letter on Transgender Students”: The Catholic Church consistently affirms the inherent dignity of each and every human person and advocates for the wellbeing of all people, particularly the most vulnerable. Especially at a young age and in schools, it... Read more

If you missed it, take a moment to look at what Pope Francis did Friday. He paid a surprise visit to L’Arche, a home for the mentally disabled outside Rome.  The L’Arche philosophy is “the praise of imperfection.” WWJD?  This. (And read more about the founder of L’Arche, the great Jean Vanier, here.) Read more

I love this story. It’s not often you find something like this in the secular press—yet, here it is: Grant Mays was not able to attend the Centerville High School scholar-athlete banquet Sunday. Considering the events of Saturday, the Elks lacrosse captain was fortunate to even make it to Sunday. The senior midfielder appeared to make a gutsy play shortly after halftime of a game at Moeller, where the Elks trailed the Crusaders, 8-2. A Crusader shot on goal hit... Read more