Noted: In the second item of the California 10th NewsMinute sent March 16 to users of the state broadcast wire, The Associated Press reported erroneously that Robert Durst is a member of a band. He is a real estate heir; Fred Durst is the former frontman of Limp Bizkit. Good to know. Image from Wikipedia Read more
From Catholic News Agency: The Massachusetts Knights of Columbus withdrew from the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Boston on Sunday, saying that their motives for participating in the parade – which this year included a gay activist group – have been misrepresented.The Knights asked people to pray during the march in honor of St. Patrick, who was famous for bringing Christianity to pagan Ireland.A statement released by the Knights said that they had intended to march in the parade “as... Read more
From his homily this morning: Pope Francis has again forcefully emphasized the Catholic church’s need to be merciful, pointedly asking who Christians that do not allow someone to renter the church community think they are. Speaking Tuesday during his daily homily at the Domus Sanctae Marthae, Francis asked bluntly: “Who are you who shuts the door of your heart to a man, a woman who wants to improve, to return back into the people of God, because the Holy Spirit has stirred his... Read more
This may be unprecedented. Details from the Desert Dispatch in Barstow, California: For as long as Don Burgett can remember, he has answered the call to serve. Twenty-five years ago Burgett answered a special calling without hesitation. “I heard the calling from God,” Burgett said. “And I accepted the calling.” Burgett joined forces with Margarito Saenz and Francis Roman as deacons at St. Joseph’s Church. For almost 20 years the three of them preached and presided over funerals, weddings and... Read more
From CNS: Wyoming Catholic College, a Catholic university founded in 2005 in Lander, announced in late February that it “shall not participate in federal student loan programs.” The decision came after months of analysis and deliberations by the college and its board of directors. “While the financial benefits are undeniable,” said a news release, “the increasingly burdensome regulatory requirements are clearly troubling for faith-based institutions.” The decision to forego federal student loan and grant programs was reached in a unanimous... Read more
An interesting insight from the pages of The Economist: Drop into the McDonald’s branch in Syntagma, the central square of Athens, at this time of year and you will find that “fast food” has a double meaning. Along with the familiar burgers and fries, customers have the option of meals that conform with the dietary rules observed by Orthodox Christians during Lent: essentially vegan, though shellfish are allowed. Spring rolls and shrimp burgers loom large. Greek-owned chains tempt the pious with spinach in filo pastry and (a real ascetic feat) potato pies.... Read more
This popped up on my radar screen this morning, and it’s worth a visit: “Keep it Catholic,” a fairly comprehensive website described as “an initiative of the Permanent Diaconate in the Catholic Diocese of Auckland, New Zealand.” The site has some valuable insight for all of us who serve as deacons, with essays and news and advice. (It offers, for example, a helpful primer on “Nine Steps to Delivering the Word of God.”) Drop by and look around! Photo of St.... Read more
Patricia Miller tries to answer that question in Salon: It’s one of the central contradictions of American politics: that there’s no such thing as the “Catholic vote,” yet the Catholics vote still matters. There’s no “Catholic vote” in terms of Catholics representing an electoral bloc that votes according to what their bishops tell them, or in lockstep with the tenets of their religion. Yet winning Catholic voters has been essential to almost every presidential victory in modern times. And the... Read more
The press release: Aaron Neville, a four-time Grammy Award-winning singer and musician, will receive the University of Notre Dame’s 2015 Laetare Medal, the oldest and most prestigious honor given to American Catholics, at Notre Dame’s 170th University Commencement ceremony May 17 (Sunday). “Aaron Neville proudly embraces and honors his faith through his God-given musical talents,” said Notre Dame’s president, Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C. “Through tumultuous times in his life, Aaron turned to God, the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Jude for strength, forgiveness and... Read more
The Toledo Blade has a long look at the rise of Christian radio in Ohio—and spotlights Annunciation Radio and the two deacons who are bringing The Word to the air: Scan the radio dials in northwest Ohio and it won’t be long before you come across a religious song, sermon, lesson in Christian living, or a faith-oriented talk show. Such Toledo broadcast radio stations as Proclaim FM and Annunciation Radio have studios and DJs, airing Christian-oriented music and talk with... Read more
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