What the world has been waiting for: a selfie stick that looks like you have a friend taking the picture

Last updated on: May 4, 2015 at 10:25 am By Deacon Greg Kandra

Check this out: Fascinated by the idea of technology and its illusionary ‘connectedness’ and ‘sociableness’, [designers] Snee and Crowe created the ‘selfie arm’. the sarcastic solution to a quintessential problem — nobody wants to look alone while they mindlessly snap pictures of themselves — the product conveniently provides you a welcoming arm and, better yet, it doesn’t talk or have emotions of any sort. You can even create fake accounts and use its finger to like all your images; its not... Read more

Boom: Australia sees surge in vocations

Last updated on: May 4, 2015 at 10:08 am By Deacon Greg Kandra

From Sydney: Morning prayer at Corpus Christi College, where 59 men are currently studying to become Catholic priests. That’s more than double the 1999 enrollment figure of 28 students. This year there are 17 first year students among them: the highest it’s been in decades. Father Brendan Lane is the priest in charge. “We’ve got another eight rooms that we’re going to build this year because we think we’re going to grow more and we don’t want to have to... Read more

Boom: Australia sees surge in vocations

Last updated on: May 4, 2015 at 6:32 am By Deacon Greg Kandra

What the world has been waiting for: a selfie stick that looks like you have a friend taking the picture

Last updated on: May 4, 2015 at 6:27 am By Deacon Greg Kandra

A message from the pope in English

Last updated on: May 4, 2015 at 6:25 am By Deacon Greg Kandra

These are the words he left in the guest book at the Pontifical North American College this weekend: Read more

“A.D.” and the stoning of Stephen — UPDATED

Last updated on: May 4, 2015 at 6:20 am By Deacon Greg Kandra

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

Minnesota gets a married priest

Last updated on: May 3, 2015 at 11:51 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

Details: Vaughn Treco, a married man, grandfather of two and former Anglican priest, has received the approval of Pope Francis to be ordained to the Catholic diaconate and priesthood in early May. His ordination as a Catholic priest who is married is allowed as an exception to the normal requirement for celibacy. Upon ordination, Treco will serve within the geographic boundaries of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis as a member of the Personal Ordinariate of the Chair of... Read more

Ordination update: 9 new deacons for Cleveland

Last updated on: May 3, 2015 at 11:46 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

From the Diocese of Cleveland website: Most Reverend Richard Lennon, Bishop of Cleveland ordained 9 men to the Sacred Order of Deacon on Saturday, May 2nd Those men ordained to the Permanent Diaconate include: Deacon John Joseph Amedeo, Sr. of Akron; Dennis Alan Conrad of Westlake; Mark Alan Cunningham of Bay Village; Bruce Elliot Dobbins, Jr. of Hinckley; John Joseph Hirnikl of Uniontown; Keith Andrew Jenkins of Westlake; Stephen Charles Makara, Jr. of Uniontown; Dean Raymond Paoletta of Medina; Timothy Joseph Shell... Read more

Ahead of the Synod, proposing a change for the Sacrament of Penance

Last updated on: May 3, 2015 at 5:09 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

From Chiesa in Italy, come details of one theological proposal that would not permit communion for the divorced and remarried, but would extend sacramental grace: The author is the Dominican theologian Thomas Michelet, of the theological faculty of Fribourg, Switzerland.Fr. Michelet’s proposal is to institute an “ordo paenitentium” for those who find themselves in a persistent condition of divergence from the law of God, so that they undertake a journey of conversion that could last for many years or even for... Read more

Ordination update: 9 new deacons for Cleveland

Last updated on: May 3, 2015 at 4:40 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra