New school policy targets parents “not living in accord with church teaching”

Last updated on: August 22, 2015 at 12:12 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

It also requires non-Catholics to attend Mass and contribute to the parishes. Details, from The Springfield State Journal Register: The Springfield Catholic Diocese’s new school policy could call into question parents’ lifestyles, especially if they go against Catholic teaching, and takes a new approach toward a more Protestant tradition of tithing. The Family School Agreement would also require that non-Catholic families to attend Mass weekly and contribute to Catholic parishes, even while in most instances paying higher tuition rates at... Read more

Homily for August 23, 2015: 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time

Last updated on: August 22, 2015 at 12:08 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

It could be one of the most important questions you ask yourself: Why are you Catholic? What keeps you coming back here week after week, year after year? In a time when so many other faiths are out there, offering what they claim is an easier, less difficult path to God—including a church right down the street that is promising free coffee and candy every Sunday morning—what draws you here? What makes you accept teachings that are hard, and pews... Read more

Praying with the sheep: pope joins faithful in the pews for Mass at St. Peter’s

Last updated on: August 22, 2015 at 12:06 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

Does anyone recall a pope ever doing this? From Vatican Radio: Pope Francis surprised the faithful in St. Peter’s Basilica on Friday when he attended the 7:00 morning Mass at the Altar of St. Pius X in the church. It was the feast day of the saint. The Mass was celebrated by Msgr. Lucio Bonora, an official of the Vatican’s Secretary of State, who was unaware the Pope planned on being there. When he was informed Pope Francis was praying... Read more

“Catholics for Choice” bakes a cake for Planned Parenthood

Last updated on: August 22, 2015 at 12:04 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

How nice. From the group’s press release: Women’s health clinics across the country will again be harassed by the antichoice movement this weekend. In response, Catholics organized to remind clinic staff that we stand with Planned Parenthood and support the important work they do. Today, Catholics for Choice delivered cakes and messages of goodwill to women’s clinics on behalf of Catholic supporters, showing that only a small minority of Catholics agree with the extremist voices of the bishops on the question of... Read more

Praying with the sheep: pope joins faithful in the pews for Mass at St. Peter’s

Last updated on: August 22, 2015 at 2:33 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

“Catholics for Choice” bakes a cake for Planned Parenthood

Last updated on: August 22, 2015 at 10:42 am By Deacon Greg Kandra

Great moments in journalism: attack on a woman becomes an attack on “women priests”—UPDATED

Last updated on: August 22, 2015 at 9:28 am By Deacon Greg Kandra

The story is horrible: The man who attacked and seriously burned a Queens woman Wednesday night — splashing her in the face with a Drano-like substance — snuck up and ambushed her as she walked alone to her car, law-enforcement sources said. “Can I ask you something?” the assailant said, before hurling an off-brand drain cleaner in the face of Dr. Alexandra Dyer, an ordained priest who has devoted her life to helping others. The 59-year-old St. Albans resident had just left... Read more

Pregnant nun costumes for Halloween? Fine. Caitlyn Jenner? Maybe not.

Last updated on: August 21, 2015 at 12:54 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

I don’t remember much public anxiety about Halloween costumes that might offend Catholics—like, say, this one or this one. But there’s now controversy brewing over reports of a Caitlyn Jenner Halloween costume, with some fretting it might be considered “insensitive”: Halloween probably isn’t the best time to deal with an incredibly sensitive subject like gender reassignment. But that hasn’t deterred a major company from conjuring up a Caitlyn Jenner costume in time for Oct. 31. Spirit Halloween, the company behind the pop-up costume... Read more

Great moments in journalism: attack on a woman becomes an attack on “women priests”—UPDATED

Last updated on: August 21, 2015 at 12:01 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

Saluting a Florida deacon from Trinidad—and Brooklyn

Last updated on: August 21, 2015 at 12:01 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

I had the good fortune of meeting Deacon Lionel Roberts when I visited his parish and gave a mission there last winter. I was thrilled to learn he had originally been ordained for the Diocese of Brooklyn—and, even better, he was in the same class as my pastor’s father, Deacon Larry Sanchez. Now he’s getting more attention: Lionel Roberts moved to St. Petersburg more than 30 years ago bringing the life experience of a northern transplant and a Caribbean immigrant. Before... Read more