From the In My Backyard Desk: The terrorists have won in Queens — where the owner of a salon called ISIS Nails was forced to change the name because of constant harassment from people who thought the shop was connected to the terror group. Charlene Tse finally caved last week and renamed her Forest Hills business Bess Nail and Spa. “Before we changed the name, we had a lot of people . . . coming to harass me,” she told... Read more
The website, unveiled today, is here. The logo: A description of the image and its meaning: The logo and the motto together provide a fitting summary of what the Jubilee Year is all about. The motto Merciful Like the Father (taken from the Gospel of Luke, 6:36) serves as an invitation to follow the merciful example of the Father who asks us not to judge or condemn but to forgive and to give love and forgiveness without measure (cfr. Lk 6:37-38). The logo – the... Read more
The website, unveiled today, is here. The logo: A description of the image and its meaning: The logo and the motto together provide a fitting summary of what the Jubilee Year is all about. The motto Merciful Like the Father (taken from the Gospel of Luke, 6:36) serves as an invitation to follow the merciful example of the Father who asks us not to judge or condemn but to forgive and to give love and forgiveness without measure (cfr. Lk 6:37-38). The logo – the... Read more
From the In My Backyard Desk: The terrorists have won in Queens — where the owner of a salon called ISIS Nails was forced to change the name because of constant harassment from people who thought the shop was connected to the terror group. Charlene Tse finally caved last week and renamed her Forest Hills business Bess Nail and Spa. “Before we changed the name, we had a lot of people . . . coming to harass me,” she told... Read more
The full text of the papal bull announcing the Jubilee of Mercy was published several days ago, and is now available on the Jubilee of Mercy website. There are a number of specific, concrete details worth noting: The initiative of “24 Hours for the Lord,” to be celebrated on the Friday and Saturday preceding the Fourth Week of Lent, should be implemented in every diocese. So many people, including the youth, are returning to the Sacrament of Reconciliation; through this experience they... Read more
Save the date: May 29, 2016. From the Holy See press office: “Some events are being organised which most likely will involve large crowds of people. We wanted the first event, which will be held from January 19-21, to be dedicated to all those involved with the organisation of pilgrimages. It will symbolically emphasise that the Holy Year is a true pilgrimage and should be lived as such. We will ask pilgrims to make a journey on foot, preparing themselves to... Read more
From the foundation that bears the saint’s name: The Saint Pio Foundation is proud to present the 1st “Saint Pio Award Ceremony,” which will take place at The Naval Heritage Center (701 Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest, Washington, DC 20004), on Friday, May 22, 2015, at 6:30pm. A cocktail reception will be followed by the award ceremony. The Saint Pio Award has been established to recognize the selfless and outstanding contribution to the Catholic Church of those individuals who have strongly committed... Read more
It happened in Oklahoma over the weekend, at the beginning of the month dedicated to Our Lady: Churchgoers were upset Sunday morning when they discovered a statue of the Virgin Mary vandalized with black spray paint. The defacement of the shrine at St. Thomas More University Parish and Student Center, 100 E Stinson, near the University of Oklahoma, likely happened overnight. Those in attendance were shocked by the vandalism and offended by a sign left on the statue, church officials... Read more
I was looking for a longer version of this clip, but it doesn’t appear to be available. Nonetheless: here’s a recap of last night’s episode of “A.D.: The Bible Continues,” which concludes with Stephen’s martyrdom. I found the stoning gripping and graphic—but Stephen wasn’t exactly the most saintly or sympathetic of martyrs. He was, actually, sorta snippy and petulant, demanding to preach when Peter wanted him to do other things. (Isn’t that just like a deacon?) For comparison, here’s the... Read more
These are the words he left in the guest book at the Pontifical North American College this weekend: Photo via Twitter Read more
The Deacon's Bench
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