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,... 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
This op-ed piece appeared in the Edmonton (Canada) Journal last week, written by transgender activist Marni Panas: My Ukrainian Catholic faith has been a significant cornerstone in the life of me and my family, but I had been pulling away from my faith over the past few years, mostly out of fear I would not feel welcome expressing my authentic self. I am a transgender woman. Weeks before I came out last year to the rest of the world, I met the bishop — at his invitation — for another in... Read more
A first look, from the diocese’s Facebook page, below. This Sunday’s gospel couldn’t be more apt. “Whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all. For the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Congratulations, brothers, and welcome! Ad multos annos! Read more
This op-ed piece appeared in the Edmonton (Canada) Journal last week, written by transgender activist Marni Panas: My Ukrainian Catholic faith has been a significant cornerstone in the life of me and my family, but I had been pulling away from my faith over the past few years, mostly out of fear I would not feel welcome expressing my authentic self. I am a transgender woman. Weeks before I came out last year to the rest of the world, I met the bishop — at his invitation — for another in... Read more
A first look, from the diocese’s Facebook page, below. This Sunday’s gospel couldn’t be more apt. “Whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all. For the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Congratulations, brothers, and welcome! Ad multos annos! Read more
Beautiful story, from The Boston Pilot: On Oct. 3, senior priest Father John McCormick baptized his great-nephew Owen Rourke, pouring water over the 3-month-old’s head and blessing him, just as he had done for all his other family members — but this time was different. Father McCormick administered the sacrament from his sick bed in Regina Cleri, the archdiocese’s retirement residence for priests. Jay Rourke, Owen’s father and Father McCormick’s nephew, explained to The Pilot that Father McCormick is suffering... Read more
View image | gettyimages.com From Vatican Radio: Pope Francis on Saturday morning marked the 50th anniversary of the institution of the Synod of Bishops as a permanent body. Gathered with the Fathers of the XIV Ordinary Assembly of the Synod of Bishops – who are currently meeting in Rome to discuss the vocation and mission of the family in the Church and in contemporary society – Pope Francis spoke of both the process and the substance of the Synod as constitutive... Read more
From Zenit: The Argentine Pope is on this week’s cover of the famous magazine “Paris Match,” generally reserved for sports and stage celebrities. The magazine published a long interview with the Pope by Vatican expert Caroline Pigozzi, where such topics appear as poverty, human dignity, criticisms of capitalism and the environment. In sum, there is nothing new (there was thought of some revelation on an eventual trip to France, greatly desired by the country’s Catholics), or “scandalous,” (not even a... Read more
Beautiful story, from The Boston Pilot: On Oct. 3, senior priest Father John McCormick baptized his great-nephew Owen Rourke, pouring water over the 3-month-old’s head and blessing him, just as he had done for all his other family members — but this time was different. Father McCormick administered the sacrament from his sick bed in Regina Cleri, the archdiocese’s retirement residence for priests. Jay Rourke, Owen’s father and Father McCormick’s nephew, explained to The Pilot that Father McCormick is suffering... Read more
The Deacon's Bench
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