What Makes a Politician ‘Catholic’?

Last updated on: March 5, 2019 at 11:04 am By Deacon Greg Kandra

The pope has some ideas: What makes a politician “Catholic” is not party affiliation, but dedication to promoting the common good, particularly through listening to and empowering people who often are overlooked, Pope Francis said. “I invite you to live your faith with great freedom, never believing that there exists only one form of political commitment for Catholics, a Catholic party,” the pope said March 4 during a meeting with 26 young Latin America leaders attending a course on politics... Read more

Each of Us Is a Work in Progress: Homily for March 6, 2019, Ash Wednesday

Last updated on: March 5, 2019 at 9:25 am By Deacon Greg Kandra

Last weekend, I was walking up 72nd Road, here behind the church, and passed the site where the two apartment buildings are going up. One of them is finished, and appears ready for occupants. But the other one is taking longer than expected. It is very much a construction site. Scaffolding is still up. There are signs warning you to be careful and wear a hard hat. It seems they’re running a little behind: one large sign proudly proclaims the... Read more

After Turmoil in Tennessee, Pope Names New Bishop for Memphis

Last updated on: March 5, 2019 at 10:08 am By Deacon Greg Kandra

You may remember the series of bombshells that hit the church in Tennessee last year, when Bishop Martin Holley was removed from office. Today, word of a new bishop for the diocese, Bishop David Talley, who hails from Louisiana. Among other things, he is a convert — born and raised Southern Baptist — and he worked as a social worker with abused children before discerning his vocation. Details: The Holy Father has appointed Bishop of the diocese of Memphis (USA)... Read more

Prayer Request: For Angela, a Consecrated Virgin from the Diocese of Brooklyn

Last updated on: March 4, 2019 at 7:38 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

I was saddened to learn today that a beautiful soul, Angela Scannapieco, has gone home to the Lord, her spouse. Some may remember when I profiled Angela two years ago on my blog: My parish tonight completed a nine-week Novena for Vocations, featuring guest speakers every week on different vocations, and our speaker tonight was Angela— one of two consecrated virgins in the Diocese of Brooklyn. She made news and made history 16 years ago: After several years of prayer and preparation, two... Read more

Tennessee Bishops Speak Out Against the ‘Heartbeat Bill’

Last updated on: March 4, 2019 at 11:54 am By Deacon Greg Kandra

“We must be prudent and support other pro-life pieces of pro-life legislation that stand a better chance of being upheld in the courts…” This announcement may raise a few eyebrows: Joint statement of the Bishops of the Dioceses of Knoxville and Nashville and the Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Memphis. We believe that the sanctity of human life must be respected and protected absolutely from the moment of conception to natural death. So while we wholeheartedly support the intention... Read more

BREAKING: Pope Francis Opens Vatican Archives on Pius XII, Declaring ‘The Church is Not Afraid of History’

Last updated on: March 4, 2019 at 11:20 am By Deacon Greg Kandra

From remarks by Pope Francis this morning to “superiors, collaborators, and employees” of the Vatican Secret Archive, commemorating the 80th anniversary of the election of Pius XII: By wish of Pope Benedict XVI, you Superiors and Officials of the Vatican Secret Archive, as well as of the Historical Archives of the Holy See and of the Vatican City State, since 2006 you have been working on a common project of inventorying and preparation of substantial documentation produced during the pontificate... Read more

After Lawsuit, The Washington Post Issues ‘Editor’s Note’ on Covington Story

Last updated on: March 2, 2019 at 8:11 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

This was published in the paper late Friday: A Washington Post article first posted online on Jan. 19 reported on a Jan. 18 incident at the Lincoln Memorial. Subsequent reporting, a student’s statement and additional video allow for a more complete assessment of what occurred, either contradicting or failing to confirm accounts provided in that story — including that Native American activist Nathan Phillips was prevented by one student from moving on, that his group had been taunted by the... Read more

‘Could Men and Women Work Together in the Diaconate?’

Last updated on: March 2, 2019 at 7:46 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

That’s the question Rita Ferrone asks — and answers — in this piece from Le Croix: At a recent symposium on “The Future of Women Deacons” held at Fordham University, Fr. Bernard Pottier, SJ, made a comment that I found particularly refreshing. He said that when men and women work together in the church it enriches the ministry of both. He said it is not a question of complementarity—”you can do something I can’t do, and I can do something you can’t... Read more

What Happens to a ‘Transitional’ Deacon Who Is Not Ordained a Priest?

Last updated on: March 1, 2019 at 7:22 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

A deacon writes: Knowing that you have posted many discussions about diaconate-related questions, I have a question about transitional deacons. I was having a chat with my pastor yesterday morning, over a cup of coffee, about the plight of a transitional deacon who might possibly not be ordained to the priesthood. I asked if he would remain a deacon forever, or if there were some time limitation associated with his diaconate ordination. My thought was, once ordained a deacon,... Read more

Thumb Thing Amazing: Just in Time for Ash Wednesday, Meet a Deacon Turning Ashes into Art

Last updated on: March 1, 2019 at 1:44 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

From The Evangelist in Albany: Greg Zoltowski, a deacon at Our Lady of Grace in Ballston Lake at the time, often constructed charcoal drawings in his studio. Using his thumbs as his main tool, smearing and blending shadows and highlights to create depth and shape, a sudden connection struck him. Could he draw using palm ashes as a medium? It was 2000 and Ash Wednesday was rapidly approaching. After successfully trying the method, he brought the idea to his parish.... Read more