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

Last updated on: August 21, 2015 at 11:59 am 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

Saluting a Florida deacon from Trinidad—and Brooklyn

Last updated on: August 21, 2015 at 11:57 am 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

Catholic deacon presiding at a lesbian wedding in Mississippi?

Last updated on: August 21, 2015 at 11:55 am By Deacon Greg Kandra

This popped up in my newsfeed this morning: part of a profile of writer, stand-up comic and cancer survivor Tig Notaro—who, not insignificantly, happens to be gay. She’s also about to get married to her longtime girlfriend, Stephanie: When Stephanie comes up, Tig’s face softens and she can’t help but smile. “We’re inseparable,” she says. “I’m never sick of that person.” She avoids the word fiancée because it sounds hoity-toity, but she’s pretty psyched about the word wife. They’re currently planning a wedding... Read more

Catholic deacon presiding at a lesbian wedding in Mississippi?

Last updated on: August 21, 2015 at 9:14 am By Deacon Greg Kandra

Meet the Pope Francis plush toy

Last updated on: August 20, 2015 at 11:01 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

This thing is selling like hotcakes—or, maybe, Pennsylvania scrapple: A company in Montgomery County [Pennsylvania] is producing a cute and cuddly version of the leader of the Catholic Church to celebrate Philadelphia’s upcoming visit from Pope Francis. …”They’ve already sold 50,000 pontiff dolls, with orders coming in from as close to home as City Hall to the faithful across the globe.“We have been inspired by the pope. We love his message of being inclusive and that inspired us,” said [Bleacher Creatures... Read more

Fruits of Fatima? Russia plans to build tallest statue of Jesus in the world

Last updated on: August 20, 2015 at 12:33 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

Check this out: The statue was cast in 2013 by Tsereteli, the famous Georgian-Russian sculptor, known for his gigantic projects such as a statue of Peter the Great in Moscow and ‘The Tear of Grief’ in the United States, dedicated to the struggle against world terrorism. The monument stands 50 metres taller than the world famous ‘Christ the Redeemer’ in Rio de Janeiro, and two metres higher than ‘The Christ the King’ in Lisbon. In Vladivostok, the monument will be... Read more

Meet the Pope Francis plush toy

Last updated on: August 20, 2015 at 11:52 am By Deacon Greg Kandra

This thing is selling like hotcakes—or, maybe, Pennsylvania scrapple: A company in Montgomery County [Pennsylvania] is producing a cute and cuddly version of the leader of the Catholic Church to celebrate Philadelphia’s upcoming visit from Pope Francis. …”They’ve already sold 50,000 pontiff dolls, with orders coming in from as close to home as City Hall to the faithful across the globe. “We have been inspired by the pope. We love his message of being inclusive and that inspired us,” said [Bleacher... Read more

Fruits of Fatima? Russia plans to build tallest statue of Jesus in the world

Last updated on: August 20, 2015 at 11:50 am By Deacon Greg Kandra

Trump: “I’m going to have to scare the Pope…

Last updated on: August 20, 2015 at 11:47 am By Deacon Greg Kandra

He offered some wisdom to CNN yesterday: Donald Trump has revealed he would warn the Pope that ISIS were out to get him if they meet next month. In an interview with CNN on Wednesday, Chris Cuomo asked the billionaire businessman what he would say in to Pope Francis if he came face-to face with him during his visit to the United States in September. The Republican presidential hopeful admitted he was a protestant, but said he thought the Pontiff was a... Read more

Trump: “I’m going to have to scare the Pope…

Last updated on: August 20, 2015 at 11:42 am By Deacon Greg Kandra