Dressing for Mass: “So much of what we wear communicates our identity”

Last updated on: July 8, 2015 at 2:18 am By Deacon Greg Kandra

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. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nY4eNCqnSGk 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... Read more

Pope’s speech to Congress to be broadcast live to audience gathered outside the Capitol

Last updated on: July 8, 2015 at 2:15 am By Deacon Greg Kandra

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

Ordination update: 19 new deacons for New Orleans

Last updated on: July 8, 2015 at 2:11 am By Deacon Greg Kandra

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... Read more

An interesting lineup of deacons at this parish…

Last updated on: July 8, 2015 at 2:09 am By Deacon Greg Kandra

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

Lesbian married to a woman dismissed from Philadelphia Catholic school — UPDATED

Last updated on: July 8, 2015 at 2:06 am By Deacon Greg Kandra

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

Entire county clerk’s staff resigns rather than issue same-sex marriage licenses

Last updated on: July 7, 2015 at 6:29 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

From The Jackson Sun: The three officers in the Decatur County Clerk’s Office have resigned from their positions because of their opposition to the Supreme Court’s decision on same-sex marriage, a county official said today. According to Decatur County Commissioner David Boroughs, County Clerk Gwen Pope and employees Sharon Bell and Mickey Butler have all resigned because of religious opposition to the ruling. Boroughs said he confirmed the resignations after speaking with County Mayor Mike Creasy. “That’s a personal individual... Read more

“If anyone is discerning a calling, my advice is simple: Give the keys to God and see where he wants to take you.”

Last updated on: July 7, 2015 at 8:49 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

Some months back, my old friend Sister Camille D’Arienzo got in touch and asked me if I’d take part in her interview series for The National Catholic Reporter. I said sure. This week, they published the results. I’d more or less forgotten about it until a friend tonight sent me the link. Snip: What have you learned from being a deacon? I never cease to be amazed, awed, humbled and challenged. God uses us in ways we may never have imagined. And... Read more

Praying with the boss at work

Last updated on: July 7, 2015 at 3:53 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

View image | gettyimages.com An interesting spotlight on a topic rarely discussed, via the BBC: Saying prayers with colleagues would feel a bit uncomfortable, too intimate an activity in the workplace for many people. Yet at Chinese real estate giant Tiantai Group, known as Tentimes Group in English, that is exactly what they do in the boardroom before making important decisions. Three-quarters of the firm’s eight-strong senior management team are Christians and founder and chairman Wang Ruoxiong, who himself... Read more

Pope Francis: “We evangelize not with grand words, but with the ‘joy of the Gospel'”

Last updated on: July 7, 2015 at 3:20 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

From his homily today in Ecuador: We evangelize not with grand words, or complicated concepts, but with “the joy of the Gospel”, which “fills the hearts and lives of all who encounter Jesus. For those who accept his offer of salvation are set free from sin, sorrow, inner emptiness and loneliness” (ibid., 1). We who are gathered here at table with Jesus are ourselves a cry, a shout born of the conviction that his presence leads us to unity, “pointing... Read more

Franciscan abducted in Syria

Last updated on: July 7, 2015 at 11:34 am By Deacon Greg Kandra

Details: This morning, two Catholic priests from Homs told me of the abduction of the Rev. Dhiya Aziz, who belongs to the Franciscan missionaries serving in the Holy Land. The kidnapping took place on Saturday 4 July, while he was in his parish of Yacubiyeh, a village in Syria’s Idlib province, more than 56 miles northeast of Latakia. The Franciscans are asking for prayers, and released this communique yesterday: “Some militants of an unknown armed brigade, perhaps connected with Jahbat al-Nusra, came... Read more