Meet some stars of Christian preaching you won’t see on television

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

From The New York Times: Quick: Name a famous American preacher. Chances are you came up with an television evangelist. The names come easily: Billy Graham, Robert H. Schuller and Oral Roberts; Jimmy Swaggart and Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker; Joel Osteen and T. D. Jakes. Since World War II, American preaching has been synonymous with high-tech, media-savvy soul-winning, usually with a conservative, evangelical theology. But while these evangelicals have sizable audiences and book sales, they appeal primarily to like-minded... Read more

I think Pope Francis would like this guy

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

Anyone who caught the Tony Awards last night saw the wonderful acceptance speech of James Monroe Igelhart, who won for his eye-popping, grin-inducing, hyper-caffeinated performance as the Genie in Disney’s “Aladdin.” Taking the stage after winning, he made a point of thanking God, first and foremost (he was emphatic about it, too) and then concluded with a zippy “praise shout.” The New York Times caught up with him in the press room later: “The praise shout was not planned,” he... Read more

A vocation 55 years in the making

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

The remarkable story of Louisville’s newest priest, from the Louisville Record: Deacon David A. Cockson knew he wanted to be a priest when he made his first holy Communion as a 7-year-old in Grand Island, Neb. Fifty-five years later, his religious vocation will be realized. His ordination, set for Saturday, will be the fulfilment of an unwavering commitment to his vocation delayed only by an equally strong devotion to his family. Deacon Cockson will be ordained a priest of the... Read more

Welcome to New York

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

From a friend’s Facebook page. Spotted in midtown Manhattan this weekend. Read more

Happy feast of St. Ephrem!

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

Lord and Master of my life, keep from me the spirit of indifference and discouragement, lust of power and idle chatter. Instead, grant to me, Your servant, the spirit of wholeness of being, humble-mindedness, patience, and love. O Lord and King, grant me the grace to be aware of my sins and not to judge my brother; for You are blessed now and ever and forever. Amen. – Prayer attributed to St. Ephrem, deacon of the church, whose feast is... Read more

How to be a “Pentecost Church”

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

Some good advice here, from Rev. Emily Heath of the United Church of Christ: This Sunday is Pentecost Sunday in the church. It’s the Sunday when churches everywhere are filled with the color red, symbolizing the Holy Spirit, and we celebrate a story from the church’s earliest days. On Pentecost we remember how the Holy Spirit came to the early disciples like a “mighty wind” and rested on them with “tongues of fire”. Suddenly they were able to speak in... Read more

Ordination update: 20 new deacons for St. Louis

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

The local TV station has the video below: From the diocese: Those to be ordained: Patrick Belding, James Carter, Timothy Dunn, Donald Elbert, Joseph Fragale, Carl Germain, James G’Sell, Daniel Henke, James Hoefl, Mark Jaeger, Walter LaBozzetta, A. John Lipin, Keith Mallon, Robert Marischen, Jorge Perez, Daniel Raidt, Mark Schmierbach, O. James Sigillito, Neal Westhoff, Joseph Wientge ST. LOUIS – Twenty new deacons will be ordained for the service of the Archdiocese of St. Louis as part of the 32nd class... Read more

So long, Springfield!

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

Thanks for a wonderful retreat. Praying for you all as you journey forward to “go and announce the gospel of the Lord!” Thanks to Fr. Barry Harmon and all the good people in the diaconate formation program for inviting me and making me feel so welcome. Below, a last shot with the new lectors and their wives. Read more

Tuam historian dismayed at media coverage: “I never used the word ‘dumped’

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

From The Irish Times: ‘I never used that word ‘dumped’,” Catherine Corless, a local historian in Co Galway, tells The Irish Times. “I never said to anyone that 800 bodies were dumped in a septic tank. That did not come from me at any point. They are not my words.” The story that emerged from her work was reported this week in dramatic headlines around the world. “Tell us the truth about the children dumped in Galway’s mass graves” – TheGuardian. “Bodies of 800... Read more

It’s electric: the tablet has finally arrived

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

I noticed it this week during the retreat for deacon candidates and their wives: a surprising number of those here are following the Liturgy of the Hours on a Kindle, iPad or smartphone. The iBreviary is incredibly popular. And now Tom McDonald reports a little piece of history: Suzi LeVine, incoming US ambassador to Switzerland, was sworn in using a Kindle displaying a page of the 19th Amendment (which gave women the vote). It’s evidently the first time that has happened. Who... Read more