Never Forget: Recalling the Death of Bonhoeffer

Last updated on: April 9, 2019 at 11:42 am By Deacon Greg Kandra

The great preacher, writer, theologian and witness to the faith, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, was executed on April 9, 1945, just days before the Nazi camp where he was held, Flossenbürg, was liberated. He was 39. Here’s what happened: On 4 April 1945, the diaries of AdmiralWilhelm Canaris, head of the Abwehr, were discovered, and in a rage upon reading them, Hitler ordered that the Abwehr conspirators [those who had plotted for Hitler’s assassination] be destroyed. Bonhoeffer was led away just as he concluded his... Read more

For Those With Long Memories: A Happy Conclusion to a ‘Deacon’s Bench’ Epic

Last updated on: April 9, 2019 at 11:10 am By Deacon Greg Kandra

Wow. I first posted on this remarkable undertaking over a decade ago, when my blog was still at Beliefnet: St. Gerard’s was where her grandparents and parents were married, where she was baptized and wore the white dress, shoes and veil of First Communion. Years later, she can still hear the three great bells, still see the ceiling fresco of Mary crowned Queen of Heaven. Sharon Wilbur took those memories of St. Gerard’s Roman Catholic Church with her when she... Read more

‘Unplanned’ Becomes the Latest Battleground in the Culture Wars

Last updated on: April 8, 2019 at 9:21 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

From The New York Times: It was a rare packed house for a weeknight in the suburbs, and when the movie was over, the sold-out crowd of about 100 last Wednesday spilled haltingly into the light. A few — a gaggle of nuns in their habits, at least one collared priest — wore their dispositions on their sleeves. Others communicated in muted gestures, dabbed at tears, or lingered for long stretches in the popcorn-strewn vestibule at the AMC multiplex here,... Read more

‘A Busy Person’s Guide to Prayer’ is Now Available on Kindle

Last updated on: April 8, 2019 at 9:08 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

Over the last few weeks, a lot of folks have asked me about this, so I’m delighted to report today that my new book can now be purchased for download on Kindle! Can I hear an “Amen”?! You can find the book at Word Among Us Press (spoiler alert: it’s on sale right now, 20% off!) and at Amazon. (You can also find it in my right sidebar…just scroll to the bottom and you’ll see the book cover and a tab... Read more

Maybe We Need More Priests Like This Today

Last updated on: April 8, 2019 at 6:45 am By Deacon Greg Kandra

From North Texas Catholic, here’s an amazing account of the life of Father Peter Anthony Levy, who served eastern Texas in the late 1800s in territory that could only be called The Wild West: Most Texans who knew Fr. Levy saw him as a priest full of compassion and understanding. They could count on him as a person who kept his promises. Others, like a band of nefarious outlaws in southeast Texas, learned the hard way that this man on a... Read more

Video Spotlights Deacons in Annual Catholic Appeal

Last updated on: April 8, 2019 at 12:15 am By Deacon Greg Kandra

Here’s something cool from the In My Backyard Desk. We showed this video this weekend at my parish, to kick off the bishop’s Annual Catholic Appeal — and I was gratified and heartened to see the diaconate featured prominently. In the past, the promotional video has turned a spotlight on priestly vocations as a way to encourage giving — touting how the donations help to support seminarians. But it was great to see diaconate formation being given its due. Check... Read more

WATCH: Sister Cristina Kicks Up Her Heels on ‘Dancing with the Stars’

Last updated on: April 7, 2019 at 6:55 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

An eagle-eyed reader sent these clips my way: the performance of the celebrated Sister Cristina on Italy’s version of “Dancing with the Stars.” It might not be what you’d expect — closer in spirit to liturgical dance than “Strictly Ballroom.” (Make of that what you will.) There seems to have been a concerted effort to keep the dancing very mild, even tame. She dances with two other people, not with just one partner. Here’s her first performance, on March 30,... Read more

What Was Jesus Writing on the Ground?

Last updated on: April 7, 2019 at 6:24 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

The Gospel for this Sunday brings us once again to the haunting encounter with the woman caught in adultery, and it features (as far as I know) the only moment in scripture when Jesus writes something: Jesus bent down and began to write on the ground with his finger. But when they continued asking him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.”... Read more

‘Unplanned’ Continues Box Office Winning Streak

Last updated on: April 7, 2019 at 3:15 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

The latest, from Carmel Communications: UNPLANNED continued to surprise industry experts, with a strong box office run in its second week for an estimated 8th place finish. The film earned an estimated $3.2 million after expanding to 1,515 screens. The controversial film about Abby Johnson, a former Planned Parenthood clinic director-turned-pro-life advocate, beat industry predictions again with a per screen average of $2,111. Audience support continues to be strong, with word of mouth on social media providing support for the film... Read more

A Blessed Reminder: There is Kindness in the World

Last updated on: April 7, 2019 at 9:02 am By Deacon Greg Kandra

In the maelstrom of social media, it can be easy to forget that there are many unsung heroes who do simple acts of kindness that can transform at least one small corner of the world. Here’s one of them, from CBS News’s Steve Hartman. Read more