The heated debate about bare shoulders during Mass reminded me of this post from a few years ago, which got a lot of attention: Remember when people actually used to get dressed up to go to church? When people actually showed up early for mass? When the pew wasn’t the preferred site for a family picnic? When did all this change? I must have missed the memo. Somewhere along the way, we went from neckties to tank tops, and from fasting to... Read more
From the AP, via KHOU in Houston: The cardinal leading the U.S. Catholic Church’s response to sex abuse is being accused of mishandling a case in which his deputy allegedly manipulated a woman into a sexual relationship, even as he counseled her husband on their marriage and solicited their donations. The allegations against Cardinal Daniel DiNardo come just a week before he presides over a meeting of U.S. bishops to adopt new accountability measures. Laura Pontikes said DiNardo thanked her... Read more
See update below, which indicates her death was not by legal euthanasia, but by suicide. Details: Noa Pothoven, 17, has been legally euthanized in the Netherlands, saying the pain she was dealing with after a childhood rape was “insufferable.” Noa, from Arnhem, said in a social media post a day before her death last Sunday that she “breaths but no longer lives.” Noa wrote an autobiography called Winning or Learning, which details her battles with post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and anorexia... Read more
Details: Pope Francis has approved the revised translation of the missal for Italy and includes changes to the Lord’s Prayer and Gloria. Italian Catholic bishops’ conference president Cardinal Gualtiero Bassetti announced that Pope Francis authorized the publication of the revised translation of the third edition of the Messale Romano, according to Avvenire, the daily newspaper of the Italian bishops’ conference. It will be some months before the books are printed and available for use. The bishops had approved the translation... Read more
It happened last Saturday, but here’s the story in The Catholic Free Press: Bishop McManus is to ordain nine men permanent deacons at a 10 a.m. Mass June 1 at St. Paul Cathedral, 15 Chatham St., Worcester. All are welcome. The Mass is to be streamed live at worcesterdiocese.org. Deacons assist in the celebration of Mass as ordinary ministers of Holy Communion, and by proclaiming the Gospel and preaching. They can assist at marriages and preside over funerals, and are... Read more
From People: The writing partner and wife of bestselling author/comedian Jim Gaffigan, and mother of their five kids — daughters Marre and Katie and sons Jack, Michael, and Patrick — was diagnosed with a life-threatening, pear-sized brain tumor and underwent a nine-hour operation to successfully remove it. Now Jeannie, 49, is writing about the experience in a new book, When Life Gives You Pears: The Healing Power of Faith, Family and Funny People, which will be released this fall. “We have been the beneficiaries of so... Read more
This vocation has to be one for the record books: Don Probo Vaccarini was ordained priest at the age of 69 after the death of his wife. He and his wife had 7 children and his four sons all became priests too. The Catholic priest, Don Probo Vaccarini, celebrated his 100th birthday on Tuesday, May 28, 2019 in Rimini, Italy. As a widower and with the encouragement of his family, he earned a second degree in theology and received at... Read more
From the diocese’s Facebook page: Congratulations to Martin Aubel, Dr. Glenn Bailey, Matthew Ochalek and Randy Kondrlik, who were installed as permanent deacons for the Diocese of Erie Friday night at St. Peter Cathedral. Bishop Lawrence Persico told the new deacons and the estimated 300 people who attended the ceremony that the deacons’ service to the people of God is threefold: “service to the Word of God, service at the altar of the Lord, and service to the poor.” Welcome,... Read more
You can check out the photo gallery here, from Long Island Catholic. Caption: Bishop John Barres ordained five men to the permanent diaconate for the Diocese of Rockville Centre on Saturday, June 1, at Saint Agnes Cathedral. The new deacons are: Michael George Boldizar; St. Anne, Garden City; Joseph Paul Guglielmo, St. Mary, East Islip; Albert Gerard Matousek, St. Bernard, Levittown; Christopher Paul Quinn; St. Martin of Tours, Bethpage and Ivan Toro, St. Hedwig, Floral Park. Photos by Cesar Gonzalez Congratulations and welcome, brothers! Ad multos annos! Read more
This didn’t get much attention yesterday, but it’s notable: a presidential message marking the 40th anniversary of Pope John Paul II’s first trip to Poland. From the White House website, the statement in full: On this day, we commemorate the 40th anniversary of St. Pope John Paul II’s historic celebration of the Mass on June 2, 1979, in Warsaw, the opening of a nine-day visit to Poland that changed the course of history. As we remember the long struggle of... Read more
The Deacon's Bench
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