In Oakland, teachers must “demonstrate a public life consistent with the teachings of the Catholic Church”

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 4:11 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

Details: The new contract introduced by Bishop Michael Barber is intended to be less harsh than last year’s, which for the first time included a controversial requirement that teachers conform to church doctrine in their “personal” life. Still, the new contract language begs a question that could be asked in many workplaces: Where does public life end and private life begin? Concern over the church leaders poking into teachers’ private lives created much anxiety last year in a diocese where... Read more

This is huge: another novel by Harper Lee to be published

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 4:11 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

Readers rejoice! From AP: “To Kill a Mockingbird” will not be Harper Lee’s only published book after all. Publisher Harper announced Tuesday that “Go Set a Watchman,” a novel the Pulitzer Prize-winning author completed in the 1950s and put aside, will be released July 14. Rediscovered last fall, “Go Set a Watchman” is essentially a sequel to “To Kill a Mockingbird,” although it was finished earlier. The 304-page book will be Lee’s second, and the first new work in... Read more

It’s official: Pope Francis formally recognizes martyrdom of Oscar Romero

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 4:11 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

From CNS: After decades of debate within the church, Pope Francis formally recognized that Salvadoran Archbishop Oscar Romero was killed “in hatred of the faith” and not for purely political reasons.Pope Francis signed the decree Feb. 3, recognizing as martyrdom the March 24, 1980, assassination of Archbishop Romero in a San Salvador hospital chapel as he celebrated Mass. The decree clears the way for the beatification of Archbishop Romero. The postulator or chief promoter of his sainthood cause, Archbishop Vincenzo... Read more

Pope to commemorate 50th anniversary of Paul VI saying first Mass in the vernacular

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 4:11 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

From Pray Tell: It was announced in the most recent edition of L’Osservatore Romano that Pope Francis will commemorate the 50th anniversary of the first celebration of the liturgy in the vernacular by Paul VI. On March 7 at 6:00 PM, Pope Francis will celebrate Mass at the church of All Saints on the via Appia Nuova. This was the same parish where Paul VI celebrated in the vernacular for the first time… Continue. For those who are curious: a... Read more

NY Times: Catholics fear wave of church attacks in India

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 4:11 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

Details: A series of episodes at churches over the last two months has prompted Roman Catholics here to worry about a deliberate campaign of violence, and to call on Prime Minister Narendra Modi to speak out against religious intimidation. At least five Catholic churches in and around Delhi have reported various attacks, including suspected arson, burglary, vandalism and stone-throwing. The latest was discovered on Monday morning at St. Alphonsa’s Church in New Delhi, where a parish employee found the church’s front door... Read more

Bishop Barbarito update

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 4:11 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

As noted yesterday, Bishop Gerald Barbarito of Palm Beach underwent brain surgery Monday for a benign tumor. Late today, his secretary posted the following on Facebook: Just a quick update. The surgery for Bishop Barbarito is over and the surgeon was very happy with the process. He took us to see the Bishop in recovery – he is doing very well. Thank you all for your prayers and best wishes. Thank God. You can read the official statement on the... Read more

This is…different: one Seattle parish on Super Bowl Sunday—UPDATED WITH VIDEO

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 4:11 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

Source. Parish: St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Marysville, WA. Out of bounds? Yeah. I’d say so. A little liturgical background, from Zenit and EWTN: Some general norms of the Church regarding decorating the sanctuary are contained in the General Instruction of the Roman Missal, in Nos. 304 and following, which address some aspects directly regarding the decoration of the altar but whose principles may be applied to the sanctuary in general. It may be inferred that what the Church desires with... Read more

For Candlemas: “Let there be light”

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 4:11 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

View image | gettyimages.com From my homily for The Presentation of the Lord in 2014: This is a moment for cherishing once more the greatest gift that arrived 40 days ago on Christmas. The gift of our salvation. The gift of Christ. The gift of light. The holy and aged Simeon in today’s gospel said as much, when he finally beheld what the world has been waiting for: “My eyes have seen your salvation, which you prepared in the sight... Read more

Report: hundreds of thousands of Germans leaving the Church over taxes

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 4:11 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

From The Telegraph: Hundreds of thousands of German Christians are formally renouncing their faith and leaving the church in order to escape a controversial change in the tax laws. Up to 200,000 Germans are believed to have filed official declarations last year renouncing their membership of the Protestant church, the highest number in almost two decades. A similar number are thought to have left the Catholic Church. Church members in Germany are required by law to pay tax to fund... Read more

Palm Beach’s Bishop Barbarito to undergo brain surgery—UPDATED

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 4:11 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

A son of Brooklyn needs our prayers: Palm Beach Diocese Bishop Gerald M. Barbarito has announced that he will have surgery Monday to remove a benign brain tumor. In a statement posted Friday on its website, the diocese promised to keep the community updated on the bishop’s surgery and recovery. Bishop Barbarito has led the Palm Beach Diocese since 2003. The Diocese of Palm Beach covers Palm Beach, Martin, St. Lucie, Indian River and Okeechobee counties. The diocese ministers to more... Read more