The Deacon's Bench
You just have to watch this: the heart-tugging story of Matt and Katie…and Natalie. Kudos to Genesis Media which produced this video a couple years ago. It still packs a punch. Warning: Kleenex required. Read more
You just have to watch this: the heart-tugging story of Matt and Katie…and Natalie. Kudos to Genesis Media which produced this video a couple years ago. It still packs a punch. Warning: Kleenex required. Read more
From Detroit Catholic: New research from a Sacred Heart Major Seminary adjunct instructor suggests today’s unbaptized young adults are encountering the Catholic faith in a different way than their parents and grandparents did — and not how some would expect. Tamra Hull Fromm, Ph.D., who has taught theology at Sacred Heart and is director of discipleship and an instructor for the Catholic Biblical School of Michigan, shared the findings of her recent doctoral dissertation with Detroit Catholic, research she says could... Read more
From the Archdiocese of Washington YouTube page comes this stirring testimonial from a couple marking 45 years of marriage, Sharon and Lee Johnson. Just watch. Read more
Details: Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris will host its first Mass on June 15 two months after a fire engulfed the historic, 856-year-old church, causing widespread external damage and its spire to collapse. A small Mass will be celebrated by Paris Archbishop Michel Aupetit. According to the Archdiocese of Paris, the Mass will be held “on a very small scale late Saturday,” in a “side chapel with a restricted number of people” — at least 20 religious. According to French media,... Read more
A grateful diaconal bow to Sarah Flowers in the Office of Deacon Formation in the Diocese of San Jose! She sent me the picture below of the new deacons and their wives. The new deacons were ordained on May 18 by Bishop Oscar Cantú at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Joseph. The men are: Armando Brambila, Dinh Chu and Robert Lasalle-Klein. You can read about the ordination here (see page 7) Congratulations, brothers, and welcome! Ad multos annos! Read more
This news caught my eye this morning: More than six in ten (62%) Americans say they have become more supportive toward transgender rights compared to their views five years ago. By contrast, about one-quarter (25%) say their views are more opposed compared to five years ago. About three-quarters (76%) of Democrats report they have become more supportive of transgender rights in the last five years, compared to 64% of independents and only 47% of Republicans. Notably, increased support crosses ideological... Read more
From press release before the ordination: Permanent Deacons are members of the clergy of the Catholic Church. They may be single or married males. As ministers at the altar, permanent deacons assist the priest and bishop at the Liturgy. They proclaim God’s Word, preach and teach, baptize, may witness marriages, carry out funeral rites at the vigil and the grave, administer Holy Communion to the sick and dying, and perform other works of charity. Those being ordained are: Melvin Burton... Read more
From The Diocese of Albany Facebook page: The thought of priesthood could not have been further from the mind of husband, father of three, grandfather of four and former rock-band lead guitarist, Deacon Michael Melanson. After losing his wife to breast cancer in 2017, however, the future looked uncertain. Bringing his sorrow to prayer, the Holy Spirit and his 26 years of experience as a permanent deacon at Church of Immaculate Conception, Glenville, drew Deacon Melanson to thoughts of the... Read more
I thought I’d share a few pictures from yesterday, when my parish celebrated Pentecost by also celebrating the sacrament of Confirmation. (H/T to Maria Ribar for some of these great shots!) Some hardworking souls set to work decorating the church about an hour beforehand. We had about 70 confirmandi — including the mother of one of the young ladies being confirmed. It was the last hurrah for the Paschal Candle, which will now spend most of its time down by... Read more
Awful news: A Catholic priest in Wrocław is in stable condition after reportedly being stabbed before morning Mass on Monday, Polish sources are reporting. A spokesperson with University Clinical Hospital in Wrocław told the Polish press agency PAP that the priest, Fr. Ireneusz Bakalarczyk, was recovering well from surgery that treated internal injuries in his chest and abdomen that he reportedly sustained during the June 10 stabbing. Fr. Bakalarczyk was on his was to celebrate Mass at the church of the Blessed... Read more
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