From NCR: One of the 13 cardinals said to have signed a letter to Pope Francis sharply criticizing the ongoing Synod of Bishops has said he no longer has concerns about the gathering and is even optimistic about its outcome. South African Cardinal Wilfrid Napier told reporters at a briefing Tuesday that Francis’ response to the letter — addressing the entire bishops’ gathering on its second day of work Oct. 6 — “made a huge difference … in the scale... Read more
From a nun, of course, Sister Theresa Aletheia Noble: To preface this list, I have to say that most people I meet are very kind and excited to speak to a religious sister. Atheists. Muslims. Bikers. Former Catholics. Punks. People from all kinds of backgrounds and views love nuns. It makes sense. Kids know that they can come home and tell their mother the most disappointing, shocking and scandalous thing and their mom will still love them. I think this... Read more
I think most thoughtful Catholics would say “Yes.” And some bishops at the Synod seem to agree. From National Catholic Register: Could marriage preparation by itself become a thing of the past for couples approaching the wedding altar? The idea of a “marriage catechumenate” — a period of formation for marriage that would cover a period of time both before and after the wedding day — has been part of the discussion at the ongoing synod of the family taking... Read more
View image | gettyimages.com Some highlights, from Fides: As every year, in view of World Mission Day, this year celebrated on Sunday, October 18, Fides News Service offers some statistics chosen to give a panorama of the missionary Church all over the world. The tables are taken from the latest edition of the “Church’s Book of Statistics” published (updated to 31 December 2013) regarding members of the Church, church structures, healthcare, welfare and education. Please note that variations, increase... Read more
Planning to address the children of my parish as they prepare for their First Holy Communion, I instead addressed my homily yesterday to their parents. Here is some of what I said, just published at Aleteia: We see these milestones in the lives of our children and sometimes they go by in a blur. Sometimes it becomes a list of to-dos. “I have to take the kids to Mass.” “I have to find their baptismal certificates.” “I have to plan a party.”... Read more
From Katrina Fernandez over at Aleteia, raising a very good point: I know it seems like a small thing, silly perhaps, but I keep scanning the headlines and reading the news looking for those two small words. Small words with significant meaning. Single. Parents. Each time I read a news article about the discussions within the synod of the family yet see no mention of single parents, my heart sinks a little more. They’ve got everyone there—divorced and remarried, same-sex... Read more
It happened on Saturday, and here’s the preview from The Boston Pilot: Cardinal Seán P. O’Malley will ordain twelve men to the Order of Permanent Deacon at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross on Oct. 17, 2015 at 10 a.m. The candidates began their studies in September 2011 when they started attending classes two nights a week. In addition, they met one Saturday a month for formation and made two retreats a year, one with their wives and one together... Read more
I think most thoughtful Catholics would say “Yes.” And some bishops at the Synod seem to agree. From National Catholic Register: Could marriage preparation by itself become a thing of the past for couples approaching the wedding altar? The idea of a “marriage catechumenate” — a period of formation for marriage that would cover a period of time both before and after the wedding day — has been part of the discussion at the ongoing synod of the family taking... Read more
[getty src=”493178242?et=_5u2pc2aRUlOXA0ax2-CJw&viewMoreLink=off&sig=OkBbpmH7zGtzP7ShCJ-1doJkd67ZSrbMYofVuEs5YHU=” width=”594″ height=”395″] View image | gettyimages.com Some highlights, from Fides: As every year, in view of World Mission Day, this year celebrated on Sunday, October 18, Fides News Service offers some statistics chosen to give a panorama of the missionary Church all over the world. The tables are taken from the latest edition of the “Church’s Book of Statistics” published (updated to 31 December 2013) regarding members of the Church, church structures, healthcare, welfare and education. Please note... Read more
Planning to address the children of my parish as they prepare for their First Holy Communion, I instead addressed my homily yesterday to their parents. Here is some of what I said, just published at Aleteia: We see these milestones in the lives of our children and sometimes they go by in a blur. Sometimes it becomes a list of to-dos. “I have to take the kids to Mass.” “I have to find their baptismal certificates.” “I have to plan a party.”... Read more
The Deacon's Bench
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