And that’s not all. A remarkable vocation story, and a remarkable vocation, from The Cody Enterprisein Wyoming. Among other things, it gives a powerful sense of what it means to minister in some of the more remote corners of the country: In the New Testament, Paul asks the Romans, “And how can people preach unless they are sent? As it is written, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who bring Good News.’” For the Rev. Philip Vaske of Cody,... Read more
From Christian Today: The romantically-named Chapel of the Snows in McMurdo Sound, Antarctica, has provided services and chaplaincy for research staff for more than 50 years. Now, though, staff cutbacks and declining attendance at services mean that Roman Catholics will no longer be part of it. Radio New Zealand has reported that there is no longer a need for a Catholic priest at the remote outpost and that the National Science Foundation, which runs the research facility, has asked the... Read more
From this morning’s paper: Lui Akira Francesco Matsuo said he was standing in line for communion one Sunday at his Roman Catholic church in Detroit when a fellow parishioner pulled him aside: Didn’t he know that the archbishop had just urged supporters of same-sex marriage not to take communion? Mr. Matsuo, who is transgender, left and never returned to his parish. Now, two years later, he is among a large group of gay and transgender Catholics who are seeking a meeting with... Read more
Not long ago I chronicled the exceptional renovation work undertaken in my diocese at Holy Name of Jesus Parish. Now, in a move even more ambitious, our own Fr. Dwight Longenecker (shown above) has broken ground on a new church for his parish in Greenville, South Carolina, and it’s a beauty. Here’s the present church for Our Lady of the Rosary: Here is what will be: The local paper reports on the groundbreaking: Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church recently... Read more
Over at CNEWA, we’ve just posted online the Summer edition of our award-winning magazine, ONE. The issue features a fascinating glimpse into the life of a married Orthodox priest in suburban Chicago —who, to support his growing family, works nights at a nearby factory: As the city of Chicago prepares for bed, the Rev. Sharbel Iskandar Bcheiry prepares to head to work, not the work of a priest — visiting the sick or administering the sacraments — but that of... Read more
View image | gettyimages.com A timely reminder from today’s Office of Readings. This comes from a sermon by Saint Caesarius of Arles: Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. My brothers and sisters, sweet is the thought of mercy, but even more so is mercy itself. It is what all men hope for, but unfortunately, not what all men deserve. For while all men wish to receive it, only a few are willing to give it. How can a... Read more
The New York Times takes notice: Rick Perry’s voice softens when he talks about the joy he gets from looking at his iPad and seeing “that 20-week picture of my first grandbaby.” Marco Rubio says ultrasounds of his sons and daughters reinforced how “they were children — and they were our children.” Rand Paul recalls watching fetuses suck their thumbs. And Chris Christie says the ultrasound of his first daughter changed his views on abortion. If they seem to be... Read more
Not long ago I chronicled the exceptional renovation work undertaken in my diocese at Holy Name of Jesus Parish. Now, in a move even more ambitious, our own Fr. Dwight Longenecker (shown above) has broken ground on a new church for his parish in Greenville, South Carolina, and it’s a beauty. Here’s the present church for Our Lady of the Rosary: Here is what will be: The local paper reports on the groundbreaking: Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church recently... Read more
Over at CNEWA, we’ve just posted online the Summer edition of our award-winning magazine, ONE. The issue features a fascinating glimpse into the life of a married Orthodox priest in suburban Chicago —who, to support his growing family, works nights at a nearby factory: As the city of Chicago prepares for bed, the Rev. Sharbel Iskandar Bcheiry prepares to head to work, not the work of a priest — visiting the sick or administering the sacraments — but that of... Read more
[getty src=”179644549?et=NTIXjNc4TFpC9tL-pXmzpg&viewMoreLink=on&sig=kdVyZXSFlNUXnrksSPdujc6pXDfVnVDyWnx4qm12qB0=&caption=true” width=”594″ height=”453″] View image | gettyimages.com A timely reminder from today’s Office of Readings. This comes from a sermon by Saint Caesarius of Arles: Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. My brothers and sisters, sweet is the thought of mercy, but even more so is mercy itself. It is what all men hope for, but unfortunately, not what all men deserve. For while all men wish to receive it, only a few are willing to give... Read more
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