When I’m doing a baptism, the first question that is asked in the ritual is: “What name do you give your child?” Everyone answers that perfectly. But the second question is trickier. “What do you ask of God’s church for your child?” The correct answer, of course, is “Baptism.” Even though we’ve gone over this in the baptism class, sometimes people’s nerves get the best of them. They’re stumped. So I repeat: What do you ask of God’s church for your... Read more
Variety has this review: Yes, the various researchers and psychics who went into the haunted house — which provided the inspiration for the movie “The Exorcist” — spoke often of feeling cold and strange. But as is so often the case with these exercises, viewers at home simply had to take their word for it. Frankly, the producers seemed to squander an opportunity with their taped packages, which relied heavily on over-the-top dramatic recreations, which looked pretty pallid compared to clips from... Read more
Variety has this review: Yes, the various researchers and psychics who went into the haunted house — which provided the inspiration for the movie “The Exorcist” — spoke often of feeling cold and strange. But as is so often the case with these exercises, viewers at home simply had to take their word for it. Frankly, the producers seemed to squander an opportunity with their taped packages, which relied heavily on over-the-top dramatic recreations, which looked pretty pallid compared to clips from the... Read more
When I’m doing a baptism, the first question that is asked in the ritual is: “What name do you give your child?” Everyone answers that perfectly. But the second question is trickier. “What do you ask of God’s church for your child?” The correct answer, of course, is “Baptism.” Even though we’ve gone over this in the baptism class, sometimes people’s nerves get the best of them. They’re stumped. So I repeat: What do you ask of God’s church for your... Read more
I grew up around horses in Maryland. My sister, Karen, loves them; we spent our family weekends heading off to horse shows, fox hunts, and pony club meetings. The scents of my childhood were the intermingled perfume of horse sweat, leather saddle soap, and freshly manufactured manure. Ah. Good times. Now retired, my sister spends her free time following horses and horse lovers with a camera. This weekend, she attended the opening day for The Potomac Hunt club in Maryland and snapped a couple hundred... Read more
Our entrance hymn this weekend is “For All the Saints” and it left me feeling nostalgic for church music that is vigorous and, in a way, muscular. Read some of my thoughts on church music right here. But for now, crank up the volume and listen to this spectacular version below. They really don’t write them like this anymore. Dammit. Read more
View image | gettyimages.com Fron AP: A toddler dressed like the pope and pushed along in a popemobile got the top prize at President Barack Obama’s White House Halloween. Upon seeing the costume, Obama turned to the news media and declared “top prize.” Read more and see more pictures. Read more
If you’re looking for “The Deacon’s Bench,” you’re in the right place. Welcome to my new home at Aleteia. Thanks for dropping by. We are still unpacking and getting settled—pardon our dust—but things should be ship-shape soon. Posting may be light for a while, since my schedule is a little crazy right now and I’m battling a head cold that will require frequent trips to the Kleenex box. (Sniff, honk). But you’ll find what you’re looking for here, eventually. (Where... Read more
Behold, how they are marking Pastor Appreciation Month at the Elevation Church in North Carolina. Read more about it here. Did you do this for World Priest Day? Hmmm? (I won’t even mention World Deacon Day. Oh. Wait…) Oh, and I love the “Holly Spirit” line—which, I guess, refers to the pastor’s wife. Read more
From St. Louis: The cable network “Destination America” reportedly plans to air a purported exorcism live on national television on Friday, October 30, from a home in St. Louis which was associated with the well-known exorcism of “Roland Doe” in 1949. Given the public nature of this event, the Archdiocese of St. Louis – which is not involved in this dangerous endeavor – deems it necessary to educate and warn the public about the dangers of participating in such activities.... Read more
The Deacon's Bench
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