Archbishop Kurtz on digital media: We need to move “from diatribe to dialogue”

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 3:54 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

Louisville’s Archbishop Joseph Kurtz delivered the keynote at last night’s session of the Catholic Media Conference in Charlotte, North Carolina. A portion, from his blog: I believe that the Catholic press will be called over the next decade to influence the new digital frontier by carving out a place for dialogue. This may well be your greatest challenge and deepest contribution to the new evangelization. Let’s call this a movement from diatribe to dialogue. Merriam-Webster first gives the archaic usage... Read more

St. Roberto Clemente?

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 3:54 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

From RNS: Richard Rossi is on a crusade of sorts, traveling to cities across the country to collect stories about the fabled healing powers of baseball great Roberto Clemente. His goal? Nothing short of making Clemente an officially recognized Catholic saint. “He had a calling to be a great baseball player,” Rossi said, “but he had a calling beyond baseball.” Clemente played right field for the Pittsburgh Pirates from 1955-1972. He reached 3,000 hits and won the National League MVP trophy in... Read more

A deacon speaks: “My wife has been my greatest inspiration and support…”

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 3:54 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

I’m here in Charlotte for the Catholic Media Conference, and one of the exciting things you get to do is catch up on newspapers and magazines you don’t normally see. This morning, I got to read a copy of Agua Viva, the magazine for the diocese of Las Cruces. The cover story is all about the diaconate. Snip: Deacons in the Diocese of Las Cruces serve in a multitude of ministries. At the parish level, a deacon serves at the... Read more

Mass in Charlotte

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 3:54 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

Journalists gathered for the Catholic Media Conference attended Mass tonight at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Charlotte—which is a little different from the St. Patrick’s I know in New York. When you look up, you’re awed. The ceiling is just gorgeous. The building itself, meantime, is more like a parish church than a traditional cathedral, with an intimate and friendly atmosphere. There’s a beautiful statue of Our Lady of Sorrows, with her heart pierced by swords. Bishop Peter Jugis celebrated Mass.... Read more

Vatican panel approves miracle for Fulton Sheen

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 3:54 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

Details: The possible miracle needed for the beatification of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen took another step toward papal recognition on June 17 when a panel of theologians met at the Vatican, the Archbishop Fulton Sheen Foundation has announced. As a normal part of the sainthood process, the theologians met to consider whether or not the promoters of Archbishop Sheen’s cause demonstrated that the proposed miracle — the survival of a child delivered stillborn – occurred after prayers for the intercession... Read more

Sister act in Charlotte

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 3:54 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

You never know who you’ll bump into at a convention of Catholics. This morning, for example, I ran into these gals. These are two jolly members of the Poor Clares. They’re delightful ladies —and pals with Elizabeth Scalia, so you know they’re classy dames. (The one on the left is Mother Dolores, but I didn’t get the name of her friend…) They have a little table set up and they’re giving away snazzy brown tee shirts that say “Got Prayer?”... Read more

Report: gay man in Michigan removed from parish ministry after “commitment ceremony”

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 3:54 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

This story isn’t that unusual. But the swift response from the bishop is. Details: A gay man in Marquette was told he can no longer have an active role in his Catholic church after he and his longtime partner held a commitment ceremony, according to news reports out of Northern Michigan. Bobby Glenn Brown and his partner ,Don Roberts, held a ceremony celebrating 31 years together among friends and family on Saturday, June 14. The next day, officials at St.... Read more

Meet the “evangelical” Catholics reshaping the GOP

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 3:54 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

From Religion News Service: How many voters know that former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush is a Roman Catholic? Or that Texas Sen. Ted Cruz is a Southern Baptist, not a Latino Catholic? Or that Florida Sen. Marco Rubio worships at both a Catholic parish and an evangelical church? More importantly, does it matter? Actually, it does in today’s Republican Party, where a number of factors have forged a new religious identity that supersedes familiar old categories. These prominent Republicans are... Read more

Charlotte ordains its largest group of Hispanic deacons

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 4:28 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

Colombian-born Guillermo Anzola responds when his name is called during the election of candidates portion of the diaconate ordination Mass at St. Mark Church on May 31. (Rico De Silva | Catholic News Herald) I’ve just arrived in sunny (and very warm) Charlotte, North Carolina for the 2014 Catholic Media Conference and Catholic Press Association Awards. So it’s fitting that the first text message I received on my phone was about Charlotte’s new deacons. From The Catholic News Herald: Bishop... Read more

SF archbishop responds to critics on the March for Marriage

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 3:54 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

He has posted a letter on the archdiocesan website. He doesn’t mention his most prominent critic, Nancy Pelosi, but several others are named on the letterhead. The letter: Dear Fellow Citizens, Your letter sharing with me your thoughts on the upcoming “March for Marriage” in Washington, D.C., was forwarded to me while I was attending meetings out of town, and I have reflected on what you have to say. I appreciate your affirmation of my Church’s teaching—not unique to our religion, but... Read more