Details: During the past five years, 18 men bonded as brothers as they first discerned and then navigated their four year journey to the diaconate. On June 6, in the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi, surrounded by family and friends and joined by priests and deacons of the diocese, each stepped forward to be ordained by Bishop Paul G. Bootkoski and become part of the brotherhood shared by the clergy. “You must shine forth Jesus Christ with the care... Read more
From the AP: Burger King has long been providing quick meals. Pope Francis has now used it for a quick change. With hundreds of thousands of Catholic faithful waiting, Pope Francis needed a place to don his vestments to celebrate Mass at the Christ the Redeemer square in Santa Cruz. He had just spent more than 30 minutes in his popemobile waving to thousands lined up on the streets as he drove to the square for the service. Enter the... Read more
And the pope’s reaction? Take a look at the video below, via Rome Reports. File this in the “What On Earth Was He Thinking?” File. UPDATE: Here’s an answer to the “What on Earth Was He Thinking?” question. A couple readers have pointed out that it’s apparently a replica of one that belonged toFr. Luis Espinal, the martyred Jesuit. There is a government human rights award that also uses this image. Espinal hoped for dialog between Christianity and Marxism, as did many... Read more
Some readers may remember the post about Ulf Ekman, a prominent Evangelical pastor who stunned the world when he announced last year he was becoming Catholic. Now, an update, The National Catholic Register: On March 9, 2014, Ulf Ekman, founder and pastor of Word of Life church in Uppsala, Sweden, shocked his congregation with the announcement that he and his wife, Birgitta, were leaving Word of Life to join the Catholic Church. The Ekmans’ decision created a commotion, not only among... Read more
Details: During the past five years, 18 men bonded as brothers as they first discerned and then navigated their four year journey to the diaconate. On June 6, in the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi, surrounded by family and friends and joined by priests and deacons of the diocese, each stepped forward to be ordained by Bishop Paul G. Bootkoski and become part of the brotherhood shared by the clergy. “You must shine forth Jesus Christ with the care... Read more
A terrific and timely new video by Eric Coughlin about how we should dress for Mass, featuring (among others) the great Brandon Vogt and his family. Read Brandon’s take on all this, too: How you dress matters. There are at least two reasons why. First, because of what it says to others. Dressing nicely communicates respect and honor. When you dress specially for Mass, you’re telling God, “You are worth the effort; you deserve my best.” It tells your fellow... Read more
From The New York Times: Anticipating huge public demand for a glimpse of Pope Francis during his visit to Congress on Sept. 24, Speaker John A. Boehner said Wednesday that the speech would be broadcast live to those gathered on the West Front of the Capitol, with the possibility that the pope himself would make an appearance outside after his remarks. “Given the unprecedented nature of his visit, Pope Francis’ address to a joint meeting of Congress will be broadcast... Read more
From The Clarion Herald: In ordaining 19 men as permanent deacons on June 27 at St. Louis Cathedral, Archbishop Gregory Aymond called their new ministry of ordained service to the church “a great privilege but also a tremendous responsibility.”“The natural question is, ‘How can I do this with love and effectiveness?’” Archbishop Aymond asked in his homily. “May I suggest to you, my brothers, be humble, don’t be taken in by your new title, by your place in the sanctuary... Read more
An alert reader—thank you, Frank Weathers—pointed this out to me, from a parish in California: Holy Name of Mary Parish Staff:Fr. Rich Danyluk, SS.CC. Deacons: Marv and Sharon Estey Mario and Irene Lopez, Spanish Ministry Jose and Maria Guadamuz, Spanish Ministry Al and Rita Austin Seriously? Read more
From Philly.com: A religious education director at a Montgomery County Catholic school—Waldron Mercy Academy—has been dismissed because, parents say, she is lesbian wedded to a woman. Many parents have voiced support for the educator, Margie Winters, director of religious education and outreach, calling her “inspirational” and “dedicated.” Now they’re directing their ire not at the school and its sponsor, the Sisters of Mercy, but at the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and Archbishop Charles Chaput. “It’s time to get the attention of the... Read more
The Deacon's Bench
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