CNN sums it up: Former Pennsylvania U.S. Sen. Harris Wofford announced Sunday that he is marrying a man 50 years his junior, almost 20 years after his wife died. Wofford, a Democrat who was also a top adviser to John F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr., announced his marriage to Matthew Charlton in a New York Times op-ed published Sunday. “Too often, our society seeks to label people by pinning them on the wall — straight, gay or in... Read more

From The Catholic Herald in the U.K.: The Bishop of Wrexham has said that the closure of 22 churches across his diocese is a “huge opportunity for renewal”. In a pastoral letter to the diocese, Bishop Peter Brignall announced that he plans to shut 22 out of the current 62 Catholic churches by 2020. He wrote: “To some it will be shocking, to others not radical enough; to some it will come as a relief, to others a disappointment or... Read more

A great story, out of Kentucky: It’s been a tough five months for the family of a fallen Richmond police officer. Officer Daniel Ellis was shot and killed during a robbery investigation in November. Since then, the community has found ways to support his family. Saturday Saint Mark Roman Catholic Church teamed up with a famous comedian to cheer up Daniel Ellis’ widow, Katie Ellis. Jay Leno was in Richmond Saturday night, joking around with Father Jim Sichko like they... Read more

Every now and then, a story in the New York Times helps capture the tenor of our times and the world we live in. That happened yesterday, and the article really helps put our world in perspective. It was about exclusive new perks that some cruise ships and theme parks are offering for some well-heeled vacationers. The article  focused on a new ship just launched by Norwegian Cruise Line, called the Escape. Within the Escape is a private area called the... Read more

He’s on the same list this year with Broadway’s Lin-Manuel Miranda, Caitlyn Jenner, Lester Holt, and Mark Zuckerberg. Interestingly, he’s not on the list of “Leaders,” but grouped with “Titans.” (Other categories include “Artists,” “Pioneers” and “Icons.”) In a brief appreciation, Vice President Joe Biden writes: He’s electrified the world because he embodies the basic tenets of Catholic social doctrine that also cut across all great faiths—everyone is entitled to be treated with dignity; we have an obligation to help... Read more

Deacon Bill Ditewig has just posted some reflections on the pope’s exhortation—and in particular, he looks at the idea of conscience:  The conscience is subjective: it belongs to each, individual, human subject.  While other persons: family, friends, pastors, bishops, deacons, religious, catechists, scientists and teachers may assist me in the formation of my conscience, ultimately, as Vatican II teaches, I am alone with God in my conscience.  Someone else’s conscience cannot serve as — or replace — my own conscience. Therefore, my first... Read more

I’m spending more time in airports these days, and periodically I’ll see signs pointing the way to a chapel. More often than not, the “chapel” is a non-denominational prayer room with little more than a couple chairs scattered around, with some leaflets and Bibles on a table.  But if you’re looking for more than a place to pray, and need to get to Mass, what can you do? Happily, this website has the answer, listing major airports with links and... Read more

I’m packing my bags and hitting the road. Next stop: Joliet, Illinois. Saturday morning, I’ll be delivering the keynote at Peace Day 2016 in the Diocese of Joliet, speaking on behalf of CNEWA about the persecution of Christians in the Middle East and the plight of displaced persons and refugees in that corner of the world. If you’re in the neighborhood, stop by and say hello! Photo: Pixabay Read more

From The New York Times:  The earth shook and the steeple fell, taking most of the bell tower with it. A white facade gave way, leaving the pews open to the street. But amid the wreckage at the basilica, one object remained untouched: Our Mother of Monserrate, the statue of the Virgin Mary for which the church was named. Dressed in gold robes and wearing a tiny crown, she is only about three feet tall. But the statue, which landed... Read more