Check out another upcoming Catholic sitcom, “The Jim Gaffigan Show”

Last updated on: May 14, 2015 at 12:25 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

The stand-up guy, and stand-up comic, is producing a TV series based on his life, set to premiere this summer on TV Land. In contrast to another recently-announced show about a Catholic family, this one doesn’t present religion as a problem to be mocked —except, perhaps, by people who are small-minded and intolerant. The pilot is full of the foibles and challenges facing a comic who just happens to be Christian. It’s knowing, whimsical, a little irreverent. And it’s real. The Church... Read more

Ordination update: Chicago to ordain 14 deacons this weekend

Last updated on: May 14, 2015 at 12:19 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

The press release: Most Rev. Francis J. Kane, Auxiliary Bishop of Chicago, will ordain fourteen men as permanent deacons at 2:15 p.m., on Sunday, May 17, at Holy Name Cathedral, State and Superior Streets in Chicago. One has already been ordained by Archbishop Blase J. Cupich, on Saturday, May 9, with the transitional deacons at the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception at the University of St. Mary of the Lake / Mundelein Seminary. The newly ordained deacons completed a comprehensive... Read more

Ordination update: Chicago to ordain 14 deacons this weekend

Last updated on: May 14, 2015 at 8:15 am By Deacon Greg Kandra

Homily for May 14, 2015: Ascension Thursday

Last updated on: May 14, 2015 at 11:28 am By Deacon Greg Kandra

Some of you probably saw the report that came out Tuesday from the Pew Research Center. They tracked religious affiliation between 2007 and 2014. According to the study, the number of people who are Christian is declining. Sharply. An overwhelming majority, about 70% of Americans, still call themselves Christian. But that number has dropped eight percentage points in seven years. And the number of people who are not connected with any religion in particular, the “unaffiliated,” is at an all-time... Read more

Douthat: those grim numbers from Pew may not be as grim as you think

Last updated on: May 13, 2015 at 2:49 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

The New York Times conservative commentator Ross Douthat — a Catholic—takes a slightly less pessimistic view on yesterday’s report by Pew: Catholicism might not be in quite as dire shape as it seems. The plunge in Catholic adherence might be the most surprising thing in the Pew data, since for a long time overall Catholic numbers have been kept up by immigration even as white Catholics have drifted away. But some surprises are just polling outliers: For a contrary take, read Mark Gray, who blogs for... Read more

Holy See formally recognizes Palestine — UPDATED

Last updated on: May 13, 2015 at 2:35 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

Details to come. But here’s the headline from the Associated Press: Vatican officially recognizes state of Palestine in new treaty. UPDATE: From The Washington Post: News of the agreement triggered conflicting statements on its significance, with some accounts describing it as a groundbreaking step while others portrayed it as largely symbolic and nothing new. The accord wraps up work by the Bilateral Commission of the Holy See and the State of Palestine and “deals with essential aspects of the... Read more

Anglican church hosts 10 minute Sunday service

Last updated on: May 13, 2015 at 10:14 am By Deacon Greg Kandra

And this is a good idea…why? Details: A village church made history when it held the first ever 10 minute service. St Mary’s Church, in Hawridge, held the short parish service, led by the Rector of Hawridge Rev David Burgess, on Sunday, May 3. It was believed to be the first ever short service. Rev Burgess was aiming for a 10 minute service, but he did overrun by two minutes on the day. Friend of St Mary’s Church Janet Hopkinson... Read more

“The Preacher’s Mistake”

Last updated on: May 13, 2015 at 9:07 am By Deacon Greg Kandra

A Redemptorist reader, Fr. John McKenna, sent this along, and it’s too good not to share. It’s credited to William Croswell Doane, the first bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Albany, who served in that capacity from 1869 until his death in 1913. “The Preacher’s Mistake” The parish priest Of austerity, Climbed up in a high church steeple To be nearer God So that he might hand His word down to His people. When the sun was high When the... Read more

Pope repeats the “three words” for happy family life

Last updated on: May 13, 2015 at 8:53 am By Deacon Greg Kandra

From Vatican Radio: Pope Francis at his Wednesday General Audience continued his catechesis on the family, focusing on family life. “Today’s catechesis is like the gateway to a series of reflections on the life of the family, its real life, with its different times and events.” On this gateway, he said, “are written three words, which I’ve already used many times: ‘May I?’, ‘Thank you,’ and ‘Pardon me.’” These three words, Pope Francis said, “open the path” to a happy... Read more

Homily for May 14, 2015: Ascension Thursday

Last updated on: May 13, 2015 at 3:06 am By Deacon Greg Kandra