Pope approves decrees of canonization for St. Therese’s parents

Last updated on: June 29, 2015 at 6:54 am By Deacon Greg Kandra

Details: Pope Francis approved on Saturday the decrees allowing for the canonization of Louis and Zelie Martin, the parents of St. Therese of the Child Jesus (of Lisieux). The Holy Father approved the decrees allowing Louis and Zelie Martin to be canonized during the Ordinary Consistory in the Apostolic Palace of the Vatican. The couple will be the first to be canonized together as husband and wife, giving testimony to their ‘extraordinary witness of conjugal and familial spirituality’, said Cardinal... Read more

Charleston’s amazing grace

Last updated on: June 28, 2015 at 9:08 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

View image | gettyimages.com My friend Fr. Gregory West of Charleston, South Carolina sent me the above snapshot, taken last week. The caption reads: Gregory West leads a prayer in front of the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church after a mass shooting killed nine people. Fr. West adds: This was snapped by a Getty Images photographer last Monday as I was headed off to a week long Catholic camp with eight of our middle schoolers. The kids prayed amazingly in... Read more

Ordination update: 14 new deacons for Washington

Last updated on: June 28, 2015 at 4:13 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

Details: Cardinal Donald Wuerl, Archbishop of Washington, ordained fourteen men as permanent deacons for the Archdiocese of Washington at a Mass of Ordination today at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. In his homily, Cardinal Wuerl reflected on the ordination taking place in an age of renewed focus on our Catholic identity and in a culture that questions it. “Our Catholic identity even when challenged should remain for us a source of conviction and pride. We... Read more

Charleston’s amazing grace

Last updated on: June 28, 2015 at 4:09 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

[getty src=”478082084?et=z6wCjWjySjV43kp55pvhMg&viewMoreLink=off&sig=TPcrLkd5-pn6faRq3xLUbiwDHLNMsO43ie7oN_YsAZw=&caption=true” width=”594″ height=”396″] View image | gettyimages.com My friend Fr. Gregory West of Charleston, South Carolina sent me the above snapshot, taken last week. The caption reads: Gregory West leads a prayer in front of the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church after a mass shooting killed nine people. Fr. West adds: This was snapped by a Getty Images photographer last Monday as I was headed off to a week long Catholic camp with eight of our middle schoolers. The... Read more

Ordination update: 14 new deacons for Washington

Last updated on: June 28, 2015 at 3:59 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

Details: Cardinal Donald Wuerl, Archbishop of Washington, ordained fourteen men as permanent deacons for the Archdiocese of Washington at a Mass of Ordination today at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.In his homily, Cardinal Wuerl reflected on the ordination taking place in an age of renewed focus on our Catholic identity and in a culture that questions it. “Our Catholic identity even when challenged should remain for us a source of conviction and pride. We recognize... Read more

Journey to Genesee: “Those who think they have arrived have lost their way”

Last updated on: June 28, 2015 at 9:56 am By Deacon Greg Kandra

I spent Saturday afternoon visiting with my sister, who lives part of the year in Geneseo, New York, about an hour’s drive southeast of Buffalo. She arranged for us to get a private tour of a place I’ve always wanted to visit: The Abbey of the Genesee, a well-known Trappist monastery just a short drive from her home. It was a miserable, rainy afternoon, so we confined most of our visit to the indoors. Our guide was the delightful Brother... Read more

Journey to Genesee: “Those who think they have arrived have lost their way”

Last updated on: June 28, 2015 at 5:09 am By Deacon Greg Kandra

The viewpoint that dare not speak its name

Last updated on: June 26, 2015 at 11:50 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

View image | gettyimages.com Someone mentioned this bit of news to me tonight. I didn’t believe it. But it’s true: The editorial board of PennLive/The Patriot-News in Harrisburg, Pa. is taking a hardcore stance against those who disagree with the Supreme Court ruling to legalize gay marriage. “As a result of Friday’s ruling, PennLive/The Patriot-News will no longer accept, nor will it print, op-Eds and letters to the editor in opposition to same-sex marriage,” they declared. After receiving strong pushback, the newspaper’s editorial... Read more

A great night in Buffalo

Last updated on: June 27, 2015 at 6:40 am By Deacon Greg Kandra

I’m pleased to announce that CNEWA’s ONE magazine tonight won 12 awards at the annual Catholic Press Association gathering, including 1st Place for General Excellence (Mission Magazines). Among other things, the judges wrote: First-rate journalism. Consistently strong reporting and research, not simply quotes and descriptions. Any one of the news features in a given issue could easily have been a cover story… The editors of ONE raise the bar for every publication that wants to use strong photos in a large format magazine.... Read more

Great moments in journalism: the Philadelphia story and bias

Last updated on: June 26, 2015 at 4:53 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

[getty src=”161209473?et=lgxeXeGIRcVHOk56jlpGKQ&viewMoreLink=off&sig=LqmJIThHwM0Sl0uVcW7CAx5d0EhDtOpaAQxjsQ98h7s=&caption=true” width=”594″ height=”419″] View image | gettyimages.com I was struck by these two competing headlines this morning. They offer quite a study in contrasts. From Voice of America: Catholic Church to Welcome Homosexuals at Philadelphia Meeting. A U.S. bishop says homosexuals will be able to attend a global meeting of Catholic families in Philadelphia during a visit by Pope Francis. About 15,000 people are expected to attend lectures and take part in workshops during that five-day event in... Read more