Vatican archbishop overseeing World Meeting of Families under investigation for embezzlement

Last updated on: May 29, 2015 at 2:41 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

From Philly.com: The Vatican archbishop in charge of overseeing the World Meeting of Families is reportedly under investigation for possible embezzlement, according to several European news organizations. Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia, president of the Pontifical Council for the Family, reportedly bought a 14th-century castle in Umbria at an artficially low price with the intention of reselling it for a profit a full market value. “The alleged scam would have netted a profit” of about $4.4 million, according to the British newspaper... Read more

Vatican archbishop overseeing World Meeting of Families under investigation for embezzlement

Last updated on: May 29, 2015 at 2:26 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

From “nones” to nothing: study charts what may be America’s least religious generation

Last updated on: May 29, 2015 at 2:24 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

[getty src=”545764695?et=wHXMU9iSSyNE7IhLq6Zj8g&viewMoreLink=on&sig=OJipa7RvvKdf-lYcAJmLcXVvnW5ySmdLIGWXdheKF5Q=” width=”508″ height=”338″] View image | gettyimages.com A press release, from San Diego State University, offers some sobering statistics: In what may be the largest study ever conducted on changes in Americans’ religious involvement, researchers led by San Diego State University psychology professor Jean M. Twenge found that millennials are the least religious generation of the last six decades, and possibly in the nation’s history. The researchers — including Ramya Sastry from SDSU, Julie J. Exline and Joshua B.... Read more

Taking the plunge: number of weddings held at religious institutions drops to just 28%

Last updated on: May 29, 2015 at 2:22 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

[getty src=”544490463?et=gbAse1qkT_NLPo4FwZSF3A&viewMoreLink=on&sig=cVxMIryr8bg86ICjtkDDISC3LRAftif-Nkkfslnpg1I=” width=”508″ height=”339″] View image | gettyimages.com A few days ago, I posted on the rising expenses of the wedding industry—and an alert reader pointed me to this release from a couple months back, which helps put it in context: The Knot 2014 Real Weddings Survey can be broken down on a region-by-region basis across more than 80 markets. Regional highlights include: Cost of Weddings: New York City (Manhattan) and Long Island have the highest average wedding spend ($76,328... Read more

Juneau to ordain 2 deacons

Last updated on: May 29, 2015 at 2:18 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

From the diocesan website: With praise and thanksgiving to Almighty God The Diocese of Juneau joyfully announces and invites you to the ordination of Steven B. Olmstead and Michael Galbraith to the Holy Order of Deacons by Most Reverend Edward J. Burns, Bishop of Juneau on Friday, May 29th, 2015 at 7:00 pm in the evening at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, 9055 Atlin Drive, Juneau, Alaska. Vespers: Thursday, May 28th, 6:00 p.m. Cathedral of the Nativity of the Blessed... Read more

From “nones” to nothing: study charts what may be America’s least religious generation

Last updated on: May 29, 2015 at 10:30 am By Deacon Greg Kandra

View image | gettyimages.com A press release, from San Diego State University, offers some sobering statistics: In what may be the largest study ever conducted on changes in Americans’ religious involvement, researchers led by San Diego State University psychology professor Jean M. Twenge found that millennials are the least religious generation of the last six decades, and possibly in the nation’s history. The researchers — including Ramya Sastry from SDSU, Julie J. Exline and Joshua B. Grubbs from Case Western... Read more

Taking the plunge: number of weddings held at religious institutions drops to just 28%

Last updated on: May 29, 2015 at 9:15 am By Deacon Greg Kandra

View image | gettyimages.com A few days ago, I posted on the rising expenses of the wedding industry—and an alert reader pointed me to this release from a couple months back, which helps put it in context: The Knot 2014 Real Weddings Survey can be broken down on a region-by-region basis across more than 80 markets. Regional highlights include: Cost of Weddings: New York City (Manhattan) and Long Island have the highest average wedding spend ($76,328 and $55,327, respectively), and... Read more

Juneau to ordain 2 deacons

Last updated on: May 29, 2015 at 10:35 am By Deacon Greg Kandra

Ordination update: 6 new deacons for Sioux Falls

Last updated on: May 28, 2015 at 11:17 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

From the Diocese of Sioux Falls website: The Ordination to the Order of Deacon took place on May 28, 2015 at The Cathedral of Saint Joseph in Sioux Falls. Bishop Paul J. Swain ordained James Bregel, William Kappler, Roger Puthoff, William Radio and Joseph Tegethoff as permanent deacons and Barry Reuwsaat to the transitional diaconate. There’s a full gallery of pictures here. And a video of the entire ordination can be viewed here. Congratulations, brothers, and welcome! Ad multos annos!... Read more

VIDEO: Deacons answering the call in Brooklyn

Last updated on: May 28, 2015 at 4:31 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

Behold: a nicely done video report on the ordination of deacons in Brooklyn last week, from the Diocese of Brooklyn TV channel, NET. Bishop Nichols DiMarzio writes in the current edition of The Tablet: In the last several weeks, I had the opportunity to personally interview the candidates for the Permanent Diaconate and their wives. These individual meetings were both a heartwarming and engaging experience for me to ascertain the motivations of our candidates, as well as to witness their... Read more