A personal glimpse at the tragedy via National Catholic Register:  Bishop Gerald Barnes of the Diocese of San Bernardino, Calif., participated in a candlelight vigil at San Manuel Stadium in San Bernardino Dec. 3 in response to the murder of 14 people and wounding of 21 others by Syed Rizwan Farook and Tashfeen Malik on Dec. 2. In a prepared statement, he invited the public to join him in praying for the victims and for the protection of those in law... Read more

The new deacons were ordained yesterday at St. Joseph Parish in Jacksonville, FL: Please remember them in your prayers: George Joseph Barletta, David Roland Belanger, Michael James Elison, Michael Anthony Federico, Robert James Gardner, Brian Nicholas Hughes, Edward Paul Prisby, Santiago Andrés Rosado-Rodriguez, Angel Joaquin Sanchez ,Mark Vincent Sciullo, Paul Joseph Testa, Milton Vega. Congratulations, brothers, and welcome! Ad multos annos!  Read more

This is making the rounds on social media this weekend, and is worth a read. Among other things, it clarifies the notion of jihad in Islam—and states that groups such as ISIS are, in the view of Islamic teaching, heretics. It comes from First Things by John A. Azumah, and was published last January—but it seems even more timely now: When it comes to the conduct of jihad, Islamic terrorist groups are… at odds with all the main traditions of Islam. All... Read more

Note: I’m preaching at the Rite of Welcome for our parish’s RCIA candidates tomorrow, so this homily (by necessity, shorter than usual) is primarily for them.  We find ourselves on this second Sunday of Advent in the desert, hearing the voice of one crying in the wilderness. “Prepare the way of the Lord!” Make straight his paths. Valleys will be filled, mountains will be leveled. What John the Baptist is talking about requires more than a shovel and a big... Read more

Details: When seven men step forward to be ordained permanent deacons Dec. 5 at the Cathedral of St. Paul, it will be the first time since 2010. The five-year break resulted from changes to the diaconate formation program, including its establishment as an institute under the St. Paul Seminary School of Divinity. “It’s been a long time coming,” said Deacon Joe Michalak, ordained in 2010 and the director for the Institute for Diaconate Formation at the St. Paul Seminary. “I’m... Read more

Great moments in public service: Nevada Assemblywoman Michele Fiore is celebrating the birth of Jesus with the image here, the cover photo she has posted on her Facebook page. Her message: It’s up to Americans to protect America. We’re just your ordinary American family.-With love & liberty, Michele Local news reports indicate she posted this online two days before the San Bernardino shootings. UPDATE: A priest friend in South Carolina alerted me to this piece of news:  A state lawmaker who opposed... Read more

Behold this year’s edition of the U.S. Air Force Christmas flash mob, held this year at Union Station in Washington, DC.  They do one of theses every year. And it’s always wonderful.  As a tribute to the era it celebrates—the 1940’s—they’re calling it a “Flash Back.” I think we could all use this right about now, don’t you? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6POSLMdQWCM Photo: U.S. Air Force / Jim Lotz Read more

Msgr. Gerard Lopez, Vicar General of the Diocese of San Bernardino, just sent this my way. It was composed by Sister Jeremy Gallet, SP, and Sister Marilu Covani, SP, both sisters of Providence of St. Mother Theodore Guerin from Indiana. This has been sent to pastors around the diocese. Bishop Barnes has requested that all parishes use a special Penitential Rite for the next two Sundays of Advent responding to the violent events in our diocese. Attached you will find a copy of... Read more

Great stuff from Brooklyn and the Archdiocese of New York: In partnership with the Archdiocese of New York, the Diocese of Brooklyn has launched a campaign to promote the Sacrament of Reconciliation and encourage people to return to church during the Christmas season. On December 14th, parishes from the five boroughs and the upper counties will offer Reconciliation Monday. Confessions will be made available in all churches from 4 p.m. through 8 p.m. Inspired by Pope Francis’ announcement on the... Read more

Some provocative thoughts on public prayer from retired Col. Lawrence Wilkerson:  In last weekend’s football game featuring the U.S. Air Force Academy’s team and the University of New Mexico’s team, 57 of the 60 Academy football team members knelt and prayed — ostentatiously, publicly — in the end zone prior to the game. They did not, as Christ’s disciple Matthew advises, put themselves in a closet; they prayed in front of the world. Therein rests the problem. When I saw the photograph depicting... Read more