Pat McNamara talks about “New York Catholics”

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 4:12 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

NCR has interviewed author (and Patheos blogger) Pat McNamara about his new book “New York Catholics,” which profiles nearly 80 New Yorkers who have filled the pews of my state—including Thomas Merton, Fulton Sheen, Jimmy Fallon, Dorothy Day, Martin Scorcese… and (incredibly) me: A number of contemporary voices noted that Fr. Thomas Merton was a big influence on their lives. Your book showed on more than one occasion the continuity or connectedness between the historical figures and the contemporary individuals in... Read more

Pope to canonize Junipero Serra

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 4:12 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

Image from Serra Club of Bethlehem, PA From Catholic News Agency: In a surprise addition to his fall 2015 trip to the U.S., Pope Francis is planning to canonize the founder of California’s first missions, Bl. Junipero Serra.“In September, God willing, I will canonize Junipero Serra in the United States,” declared Pope Francis aboard Sri Lankan Air Flight UL4111 on the way to Manila.Bl. Serra, a Franciscan priest, lived in what is now California in the 1700s. A Spanish-born missionary,... Read more

For worse and for better: a husband writes of his young wife’s mental illness

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 4:12 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

Photo by Jeff Belmonte from Cuiabá, Brazil via Wikipedia A friend posted this on FB yesterday. It should be required reading for everyone in love, everyone who’s engaged, everyone who plans to embark on a lifetime commitment to another. If you want to know what “for better and for worse” means, here it is. It’s holding the hand of another, wherever the road takes you, and never letting go. Mark Lukach has written movingly about his young wife’s journey into mental illness,... Read more

Laicized priest Thomas Williams speaks out on mandatory celibacy

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 4:12 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

From Kathy Schiffer’s blog: “..My basic thought is that personal failures don’t necessarily mean that institutions like priestly celibacy are necessarily wrong-headed. The fact that many married people commit adultery shouldn’t call into question the validity of marriage as an essential social institution. We would often justify our personal wrongdoing by blaming an institution or by changing a norm, rather than by changing ourselves. Part of being an adult means taking accountability for our actions and their consequences.” He knows... Read more

Pope Francis: Respect for religion should limit freedom of expression

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 4:12 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

From the CNS blog: Commenting on recent killings by Islamist terrorists at a Paris newspaper, Pope Francis condemned killing in the name of God, but said freedom of expression should be limited by respect for religion and that mockery of faith can be expected to provoke violence. Asked by a French reporter to compare freedom of religion and freedom of expression as human rights, Pope Francis linked his answer to the Jan. 7 attacks at the offices of Charlie Hebdo,... Read more

Deacons to wear the collar in Madison—UPDATED

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 4:12 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

From The Catholic Herald: In an effort to help permanent deacons in the Diocese of Madison become more easily identified as they minister, Bishop Robert C. Morlino has given permission that all permanent deacons in the diocese will be permitted to wear a grey clerical shirt and white collar when actively engaged in diaconal ministry. The permission is effective January 23. “In my interaction with the permanent diaconate formation program in the Diocese of La Crosse, I learned that many... Read more

“Religious accommodation”: Duke University chapel to have Muslim call to prayer every Friday

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 4:12 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

Duke University Chapel via Wikipedia / Public Domain The university’s press release: Members of the Duke Muslim Students Association will chant a weekly call-to-prayer from the Duke Chapel bell tower beginning Friday, Jan. 16. The chant, called the “adhan,” announces the start of the group’s jummah prayer service, which takes place in the chapel basement each Friday at 1 p.m. The service is open to the public. The chant lasts about three minutes and will be moderately amplified. {More information... Read more

Pope Francis makes unscheduled visit to Buddhist temple

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 4:12 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

From AP: Pope Francis has become the second pontiff to visit a Buddhist temple, changing his schedule at the last minute to pay his respects at an important place of worship in Sri Lanka’s capital and to witness a key ritual for Buddhists: the opening of a casket containing relics of two important disciples of the Buddha. Francis listened respectfully as Buddhist monks chanted and prayed while opening the stupa, or casket, in the Agrashravaka temple on Wednesday, the Vatican said.... Read more

Reuters: meet the “father-priests” of the Philippines

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 4:12 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

Details: Every Sunday morning, dozens of Roman Catholics gather at a small chapel on an island in the central Philippines to listen to Father Jess Siva share his personal experiences as a priest, and as a parent. Siva, 54, has been celebrating Mass in the town of Lambunao for the past 15 years, giving communion, performing last rites for the dying, hearing confessions and officiating at marriages. But while his small flock admire him, Church leaders in the Philippines consider... Read more

Son to vest his father at diaconate ordination

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 4:12 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

I received the following e-mail yesterday from the Diocese of Arlington: I wanted to be sure you had our new release about the permanent diaconate ordination that will take place this weekend in Arlington, Va. We are very excited for the eleven men. I also thought you would enjoy hearing that one of the men, Ralph Goldsmith, will be vested as a deacon by his son – Father Goldsmith, a priest of the Diocese of Richmond. Bishop Loverde to Ordain... Read more