Details: Smith College President Kathleen McCartney led a vigil attended by 130 people Monday afternoon three days after she apologized for her original wording in an email she sent to the campus community in reaction to the recent police killings of three blacks. McCartney sent two emails Friday, which were obtained by the Gazette from a Smith faculty member. The first, with a subject line reading “All Lives Matter,” was sent by McCartney to Smith students, faculty and staff with... Read more
The Kansas City Star reports: A Walgreen’s customer in California saw a blue and silver roll of gift wrap that at first glance looked like Hannukah paper. At second glance, she saw a swastika in the design. Kansas City-based Hallmark Cards Inc., which licensed the wrapping paper rolls, heard about the problem Sunday night and alerted its retailers on Monday to remove the design from their shelves. “We apologize for the oversight and apologize to anyone who was offended. That... Read more
…a group of people: the Ebola fighters. (Last year, you’ll recall, the cover boy was Pope Francis.) Notably, one of the people profiled is Dr. Kent Brantly, the first Ebola victim to be treated in the United States. His deep faith was mentioned often in the news coverage of his treatment—and fittingly, he is photographed for the story in a church pew. He notes: I’ve had time to reflect on what happened to me. Am I the same person I was before... Read more
A seasonal reminder from Catholics Come Home. Share this with someone you love and want to come home. Read more
I want one. Now. Details: Buying a new home can often be a roller coaster ride. And now potential purchasers can experience that nervous thrill before they even commit to splashing out their hard-earned cash. That’s because a real estate broker in Ermelo, Netherlands, has installed a miniature version of the popular fairground attraction inside a seller’s home. Prospective buyers are invited to hop into its wooden carriage, which then whisks them through the property. A promotional video from broker... Read more
From Vatican Radio: Following a series of reflections concentrating on the Church, Pope Francis at his weekly General Audience in St Peter’s Square on Wednesday opened a new Chapter, a weekly catechesis focusing on the Family. He began this new cycle by recalling the Extraordinary Synod of Bishops on the Family which took place in October. The Holy Father told the thousands of faithful present that he wanted to share with them what took place and what the Synod has... Read more
And it makes for interesting reading. Among other things, across the pond they suggest “Rev. Deacon” as a form of address, and advocate wearing a cassock, cotta (a.k.a., surplice) and stole for baptisms and weddings. But that’s for starters. There’s much more about the faculties accorded the deacon, his formation, and the discernment of candidates (including issues of age and family responsibilities). Check it out. And before you ask: no, I have no idea why the deacons pictured are wearing three... Read more
The details coming out of Washington this day are horrifying: A CIA-led interrogation program kept suspects in cold cells, doused them with refrigerated water and force-fed some rectally, according to graphic details revealed today in a report by Senate Democrats. At least one detainee died in an unheated cell. Another tried to chew his arm and committed acts of self-mutilation. Others hallucinated, suffered from paranoia and exhibited other signs of psychosis. The report issued today by Democrats on the Senate intelligence committee... Read more
From CNS: As his international Council of Cardinals began a three-day meeting to discuss the reform of the Roman Curia, Pope Francis said having a perfect organizational chart for the church won’t guarantee that the church fulfills its mission of bringing people to Christ.Celebrating an early morning Mass in the chapel of his residence Dec. 9, Pope Francis prayed that “the Lord would give us the grace to work, to be joyful Christians,” who generate and raise new members, and... Read more
Behold, an annual tradition known as “Honor Your Mother.” The Catholic Sun reports: Thousands of people were drawn to the streets of downtown Phoenix Dec. 6 in an outpouring of love for Our Lady of Guadalupe at the annual Honor Your Mother celebration. Phoenix police shut down traffic to allow for the parade of colorfully arrayed participants in a procession that stretched from Immaculate Heart of Mary Church all the way to the area just outside St. Mary’s Basilica and... Read more
The Deacon's Bench
Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In