The largest priest ordination class in the U.S.: Paterson, NJ—UPDATED

Last updated on: June 8, 2015 at 12:32 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

Last year, the distinction belonged to Brooklyn. Now, a neighbor to the northwest earns that title. Check it out, from the diocesan website via The Beacon: Bishop Serratelli had the joyful distinction of ordaining the largest ordination class in the nation May 23 in St. Philip Church here.The 14 men of diverse cultural backgrounds and life experiences that he ordained to the priesthood for the Paterson Diocese were matched only by the Archdiocese of Chicago in number as the most for... Read more

Must-see: trailer for “Risen,” detective thriller about the Resurrection

Last updated on: June 8, 2015 at 11:23 am By Deacon Greg Kandra

Details about the movie, which serves as a kind of sequel to “Passion of the Christ”: Joseph Fiennes appears fully Roman in Risen. But there’s a lot of director Roman Polanski in him, too, the British actor says. He believes his Roman military tribune offers a new perspective on the Bible’s resurrection story by taking after Polanski’s famed Chinatown detective Jake Gittes. “Risen is an incredible noir detective tale. That’s the angle that appealed to me,” says Fiennes. The movie, which arrives in theaters Jan. 22, 2016,... Read more

Report: abortions down in most states, dropping 12% since 2010

Last updated on: June 8, 2015 at 6:53 am By Deacon Greg Kandra

From AP: Abortions have declined in states where new laws make it harder to have them — but they’ve also waned in states where abortion rights are protected, an Associated Press survey finds. Nearly everywhere, in red states and blue, abortions are down since 2010. Explanations vary. Abortion-rights advocates attribute it to expanded access to effective contraceptives and a drop in unintended pregnancies. Some abortion foes say there has been a shift in societal attitudes as more women choose to... Read more

Is the priest shortage a “manufactured crisis”?

Last updated on: June 8, 2015 at 12:28 am By Deacon Greg Kandra

View image | gettyimages.com From TribLive in Pittsburgh, a look at some of the challenges facing priests and deacons in Pennsylvania: Paul Sullins, a sociology professor at The Catholic University of America in Washington, cautions against overreacting to what he calls an artificial crisis “manufactured by those who say we need to make these radical changes in order to solve the problem,” referring to proposed changes such as expanding priesthood eligibility to married men and — more controversially — to... Read more

One family, three vocations

Last updated on: June 7, 2015 at 7:36 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

From The Catholic Free Press in Worcester: Jim and Patti Duffy have eight children. Five of them are still at home. Their three oldest have entered religious life at St. Benedict Center in Still River. Most recently, their son, Michael, now known as Brother Patrick Joseph, MICM, joined his twin, Brother Christopher Isaac, who entered the center’s monastery nearly four years ago. In a nearby convent is Sister Mary Imelda, their biological sister. Mr. Duffy said he and his wife... Read more

Pope Francis: decision on Medjugorje coming soon

Last updated on: June 7, 2015 at 7:22 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

From Catholic News Agency: When asked by a Bosnian journalist about the status of his decision on the Marian apparitions in Medjugorje on his flight from Sarajevo to Rome, Pope Francis said that after a lengthy study, a decision could be coming soon. “We’re at this point of making decisions … and then they will be announced,” the Pope told journalists on board his June 6 flight from Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina to Rome. Bosnian Croat journalist Silva Tomasevic brought the topic... Read more

Pope Francis: decision on Medjugorje coming soon

Last updated on: June 7, 2015 at 9:09 am By Deacon Greg Kandra

From Catholic News Agency: When asked by a Bosnian journalist about the status of his decision on the Marian apparitions in Medjugorje on his flight from Sarajevo to Rome, Pope Francis said that after a lengthy study, a decision could be coming soon.“We’re at this point of making decisions … and then they will be announced,” the Pope told journalists on board his June 6 flight from Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina to Rome.Bosnian Croat journalist Silva Tomasevic brought the topic up to... Read more

One family, three vocations

Last updated on: June 7, 2015 at 6:58 am By Deacon Greg Kandra

Rev. Leo O’Donovan’s homily at funeral of Beau Biden: “It is like the night of Good Friday”

Last updated on: June 6, 2015 at 7:30 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

A funeral homily worth hearing—a prayerful reflection on life and death, suffering and hope. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d7oSVpuKJVA Read more

Rev. Leo O’Donovan’s homily at funeral of Beau Biden: “It is like the night of Good Friday”

Last updated on: June 7, 2015 at 6:47 am By Deacon Greg Kandra

A funeral homily worth hearing—a prayerful reflection on life and death, suffering and hope. Read more