Report: “Scores of Christians” kidnapped by ISIS in Homs, Syria

Last updated on: August 7, 2015 at 9:30 am By Deacon Greg Kandra

Details: Fighters from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) have abducted scores of people, including several Christian families, after seizing a strategically located town in the central Syrian province of Homs, an activist group has said. The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) said on Friday that at least 230 people had been kidnapped, including 60 Christians, some of whom were taken from a church in Qaryatain, which was captured overnight after heavy fighting with the... Read more

“Our country is in desperate need of servant leaders, willing to kneel and embrace those who are not like them…”

Last updated on: August 7, 2015 at 8:54 am By Deacon Greg Kandra

After last night’s debate, I stumbled on this essay from Howard Schultz, CEO of Starbucks, in The New York Times. From the earliest days of Starbucks, I’ve been captivated by the art of leadership. I was mentored over three decades by Warren G. Bennis, the eminent professor and scholar on leadership. I’ve gathered insights from peers, and I’ve drawn inspiration from our 300,000 employees. But nothing I’ve read or heard in the past few years has rivaled the power of the... Read more

See you at Spago, Papa: Francis reportedly invites Oprah, Hollywood moguls to Vatican

Last updated on: August 6, 2015 at 4:41 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

From The Daily Mail: What do television mogul Oprah Winfrey, fast-talking Hollywood agent Ari Emanuel and Academy Award winner Matt Damon have in common? All three have been invited to a special audience with Pope Francis in the Vatican this coming fall. The powerful trio, along with a handful of other show business heavyweights, have made it onto an exclusive shortlist to meet with the pontiff in order to discuss ways to improve the portrayal of the Catholic Church in... Read more

Check this out: previously unreleased audio of Chris Farley as Shrek

Last updated on: August 6, 2015 at 4:34 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

What might have been? Details: Back in 1997 a very different SNL star almost voiced Shrek. Chris Farley, who’s been in the news recently because the new documentary, I Am Chris Farley, hit theaters this summer, was apparently originally cast as the animated ogre, according to his brother Kevin Farley. He told Yahoo: “Originally the Shrek character was a little bit more like Chris, like a humble, bumbling innocent guy.” The role eventually went to Mike Myers, and Farley died of a drug overdose later that year. But... Read more

Check this out: previously unreleased audio of Chris Farley as Shrek

Last updated on: August 6, 2015 at 12:47 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

See you at Spago, Papa: Francis reportedly invites Oprah, Hollywood moguls to Vatican

Last updated on: August 6, 2015 at 9:26 am By Deacon Greg Kandra

Hundreds of high school football players gather to pray in Atlanta

Last updated on: August 6, 2015 at 8:56 am By Deacon Greg Kandra

Here’s something you don’t see often in the mainstream media. Not so very long ago, covering something like this in Atlanta would have been unimaginable. But perhaps the coverage of this story indicates how much the demographics have changed. From Channel 11 in Atlanta: Decked out in matching green jerseys, hundreds of football players from metro Atlanta’s Catholic high schools came together last night in prayer. It’s part of a nationwide movement in advance of the upcoming football season. More... Read more

Where can I get one of these?

Last updated on: August 5, 2015 at 5:23 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

Love this. A lot. From Mary DeTurris Poust in the Diocese of Albany, who posted this on Facebook. Caption: As seen in Bishop Scharfenberger’s office at the Pastoral Center. Mary adds: “One of my favorite things in the boss’s office. It’s a permanent fixture.” Follow Bishop Scharfenbereger (a Queens boy and FOB) on Instagram here. Read more

People who are divorced and remarried aren’t excommunicated? Really?

Last updated on: August 5, 2015 at 5:19 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

The pope’s remarks earlier today seem to have caught some people by surprise. In fact, he didn’t really say anything new. He reminded the world of what the Catholic Church teaches about divorce and remarriage and encouraged an attitude of mercy and welcome toward those in these circumstances. Those who are curious can check out the USCCB web page For Your Marriage: Some people believe that a Catholic who divorces is excommunicated. Not true! Divorced persons are full members of the... Read more

A look at the chapels of Christ Cathedral

Last updated on: August 5, 2015 at 5:14 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

Bishop Vann in Orange County recently reflected on some of the work being done on the former Crystal Cathedral, as it is transformed into a Catholic worship center—and his newspaper has a number of pictures of newly dedicated chapels on the campus: Right before our eyes is living history as chapels of prayer and worship, thanks to the generosity and goodness of so many, now come to life right before our eyes. All of these chapels on the campus are surely... Read more