Well, this is pretty cool, from CNS: Catholics hear hymns in church, but hardly ever on the radio. Now they can augment their weekly diet of hymnody through a new audio web streaming service called Great Catholic Music. The service launched March 1, just before Lent, and plays a mix of pre-and post-Vatican II hymns and liturgical music all day, every day. “The response so far has been absolutely amazing,” said program director Michael Roberts in an interview with Catholic... Read more
A parishioner at Detroit’s Assumption Grotto (and longtime Friend of the Bench) Diane Korzeniewski posted on Facebook this morning her response to the removal from ministry of Father Eduard Perrone earlier this week. I reprint it below with her permission: I’m still trying to wrap my head around the Archdiocese of Detroit irreparably destroying Fr. Perrone’s reputation, at an international level, in less than 24 hours by feeding his name to the wolves well before it would have been necessary.... Read more
From The Los Angeles Times: A growing number of young people — largely millennials, though the trend extends to younger Gen Xers, now cresting 40, and down to Gen Z, the oldest of whom are freshly minted college grads — have turned away from traditional organized religion and are embracing more spiritual beliefs and practices like tarot, astrology, meditation, energy healing and crystals. And no, they don’t particularly care if you think it’s “woo-woo” or weird. Most millennials claim to... Read more
He unveiled his plans Thursday on Twitter: About the Arise Foundation: Arise’s vision is a world without slavery in which the human dignity of every person is respected. Arise was established in 2015 to achieve abolition by developing and supporting these networks. Collaboration is at the heart of what we do, finding and developing dynamic alliances with networks of frontline abolitionists, catalysing and developing their work. We do this by giving financial support or helping to deliver essential help on the... Read more
A remarkable vocation story from Arkansas Catholic: While everyone has to discern their life’s path, most have not had as drastic a fork in the road as Father Phillip Reaves — sacrificing self to serve the Lord or being a millionaire. He was destined to be an accountant for an oil company his father’s cousin was starting. About seven or eight years ago, after selling off an oil lease, each of his cousin’s children received $1 million after taxes. “I... Read more
From CNA: Archbishop Joseph Kurtz requested prayers Wednesday as he announced that he has been diagnosed with bladder cancer and will soon undergo treatment. The Archbishop of Louisville announced he will be out of the archdiocese for three months while he receives treatment. “I have been diagnosed with urothelial carcinoma in my bladder and prostate and will take part in a treatment plan that includes immunotherapy and chemotherapy for at least 12 weeks,” said Kurtz in a statement posted on the Archdiocese... Read more
Details: Two independent cinemas have cancelled screenings of the pro-life movie “Unplanned” after managers and owners received “serious threats,” according to the Canadian distributor of the movie. “They were originally going to (screen it) and were able to endure a lot of negative publicity,” said B.J. McKelvie, president of Cinedicom, the Canadian distributor of the U.S. film about former Planned Parenthood director Abby Johnson. “They got a lot of positive support as well. “Then things took a turn. There started... Read more
It happened in South Carolina: A former Bishop England High School teacher filed a lawsuit against the school, its principal and others because she says she was wrongfully fired over social media posts. Elizabeth Cox claims she was notified of her termination from her teaching position at Bishop England High School on June 7 by its principal, Patrick Finnerman. In a letter, Finnerman wrote the school had become aware that Cox has “a public Facebook account which identifies you as... Read more
This is fascinating: a glimpse at some of the design choices and processes involved in reconstructing and redesigning the Crystal Cathedral to make it the Christ Cathedral, which will be dedicated next week for the Diocese of Orange in California. This comes from the diocesan website. Take a look. For another perspective, here’s a brief look at the interior: Read more
Dear Church: can’t we do better than this? This cri de coeur comes from my blogging colleague Rebecca Frech: Before our children were even old enough to attend them, we heard of the beauty of Steubenville Catholic Conferences. Friends and acquaintances alike sang the praises of the renewal of faith and refreshed spirits that their children experienced each Summer. When our eldest children reached high school age, we were determined that this needed to be a part of their faith experience,... Read more
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