From Rocco: At this hour atop the Gianicolo, the 156 year-old seminary is slated to introduce Fr Peter Harman, 42 – a priest of Springfield in Illinois who’s served since 2013 as the NAC’s top pastoral formator – as its 23rd Rector. The choice formally made by the Congregation for the Clergy, which accepted the recommendation of the college’s 15-bishop Board of Governors, the appointment takes effect on February 1st. In the post, Harman succeeds Msgr Jim Checchio, who returns... Read more

Details:  An Italian nun who shot to global fame by winning “The Voice of Italy” talent show is set to star in a stage production of the musical “Sister Act,” which opens here in time for Christmas. Cristina Scuccia, better known as “Suor Cristina” (“Sister Cristina”), wowed judges and audiences last year with her soulful renditions of pop classics by artists such as Alicia Keys. Appearing on stage in her habit, silver cross swinging as she swayed, Scuccia became the unlikely... Read more

Saturday, the Diocese of San Bernardino in California gained seven new deacons: John Anthony Cruz, Ayed Khader, Alfonso Altamira Martinez, Mark Steven Martinez, Joseph Ramon Moorman, Guadalupe Juarez Ramirez, and Armando Garcia Servin. They were ordained at Sacred Heart Church in Rancho Cucamonga by Auxiliary Bishop Rutilio Del Riego. Congratulations, brothers, and welcome! Ad multos annos!   Read more

He has been out of the public eye for four years, after a dramatic and very public fall from grace. Now, it appears, he’s back. What seems to be a profile of him has popped up on Linked In.  N.B.: At this point, it’s impossible to tell who posted this profile, or when; its authenticity is unconfirmed. Matt Abbott has the scoop:  The other day, I received an email with a link to a public LinkedIn business profile that, by all... Read more

If you haven’t discovered Cecilia yet, stop by and say hello. It’s Aleteia’s brand new music service, featuring music, videos and stories about Catholic music.  As the website proclaims: Cecilia is an international project, sponsored by Aleteia, which takes its name from the patron saint of music and musicians: St. Cecilia.  The mission of Cecilia is to present to the world music that elevates and draws us closer to God. Topping that music this Sunday is “Lord I Need You,” by... Read more

Incredible:  Britain’s biggest cinema chains have banned the screening of a film in which the Archbishop of Canterbury and members of the public recite the Lord’s Prayer – because they say it could be offensive to movie-goers. Odeon, Cineworld and Vue have refused to show the one-minute film the Church of England planned to run in cinemas across the UK before the new Star Wars blockbuster, which opens a week before Christmas. Last night the Church of England threatened legal... Read more

A perennial favorite of mine this time of year, I’m pleased to toss this out there again, in a foot-stomping, hand-clapping, soul-stirring rendition by the Faith Celebration Choir. And if that’s a little too “Protestant” for your taste, check out this. Read more

From the U.K. comes this item, about a Catholic deacon marking a quarter century of service to the Church: Deacon Trevor Jones was joined by family, former colleagues and the Catholic community to mark 25 years since his ordination into the Catholic Church as a deacon. The Mass of Thanksgiving was celebrated at St George’s Catholic Church by Bishop Declan Lang. Deacon Trevor’s ordination 25 years ago is not something he ever expected to take place, but it is something... Read more

I was delighted to see my friend Fr. Jim Sichko popped up in the pages of Aleteia yesterday. His fundraisers in Richmond, Kentucky—featuring a lot of well-known names—have become the stuff of legend, and he is a tireless promotor not only of his parish but also important social issues.  (Last year, when Christian persecution in Iraq first made the headlines, he made the bold decision to paint a large Arabic “nun” letter on his church front door, signaling solidarity with our... Read more

A terrific glimpse inside Catholic Charities in Kansas City, from The Catholic Key: Teresa Davis. John Carter. Joan Brauninger. Winston Canady. They all think they have the greatest job in the world. They work for Catholic Charities of Kansas City-St. Joseph, serving the greatest people in the world — the poor — and following the call of the greatest teacher in the history of the world — Jesus Christ. “It’s 41,000 square feet of great,” said Davis, the facilities manager... Read more