Francis, the saint who kissed hands—and hooves

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

A reader alerted me to this piece by Archbishop Charles Chaput, which talks about the significance of the saint from Assisi and offers these details, which may have some connection to a popular habit of Pope Francis: In his biography of Francis, Augustine Thompson—the Dominican author—notes that Francis had a passionate devotion to the Blessed Sacrament. It was the heart of his life. The Mass was the grounding for all his work. There’s no way of reinterpreting Francis in generically... Read more

“These are the boys of Pointe du Hoc”

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

Incredibly, this Friday marks the 70th anniversary of the D-Day invasion. Which means this marks the 30th anniversary of Ronald Reagan’s remarkable speech commemorating that event. Written by Peggy Noonan—using the skills she honed writing at CBS News Radio—it still stands the test of time. Radio writers like to talk about how their medium occupies the “theater of the mind.” This is what they’re talking about: writing that comes alive in the imagination, and makes what you are hearing tangible,... Read more

When is a priest not a priest?

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

From The Newark Star-Ledger: Chris Naples says something snapped inside him that January day. The Burlington County man sat in the gallery of the Delaware Supreme Court, watching as a lawyer for the Diocese of Trenton told the justices that the Rev. Terence McAlinden was not “on duty” — or serving in his capacity as a priest — when he allegedly molested Naples on trips to Delaware in the 1980s. McAlinden, who once headed the diocese’s youth group, had introduced... Read more

Beautiful ways to say “You can make a difference”

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

From my blog neighbor Tony Rossi: Today we’re highlighting the top three winners in The Christophers’ 24th Annual Poster Contest for High School Students. Each year, students – grades 9 through 12 – are invited to create a poster that visually interprets the theme, “You Can Make a Difference.” This year’s contest drew over 1,000 entries from high schools across the United States and around the world. Students employed a wide range of media in their submissions, including photography, computer... Read more

Archbishop: only two priests in Dublin are under the age of 40

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

From The Irish Times: Just two Catholic priests in Dublin are under 40, while a further 44 are aged between 70 and 75 and “in the next four or five years will be going into a more retired sort of life”, Archbishop of Dublin Diarmuid Martin said today. “We already have in Dublin two parishes where there is no permanent priests or resident priest, and the people look after that.” The Archbishop was speaking at Dublin’s Pro Cathedral this afternoon... Read more

Growing trend: divorce parties

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

This takes the cake, from AP: Divorce, it seems, has turned into a party — special cakes and all. Event planners, bakers, lawyers and academics note the rise of “divorce parties” over the last several years, many with cakes featuring weapon-wielding brides or gloomy black frosting on inverted tiers. “I’ve taken to naming them freedom fests, as you aren’t celebrating the end of the marriage but the freedom you have chosen in your life,” said Richard O’Malley, a New York-area... Read more

A special gift for the priest who has everything

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

Clerical jammies! This popped up on someone’s Facebook feed Tuesday night. On sale for $36.99. The pants come in different colors. But the shirt with that distinctive white square is, of course, basic black. Order these here. Might make a perfect gift for Father’s Day! Read more

Patriarch Bartholomew may join prayer summit this weekend

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

From Religion News Service: Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople may join Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli President Shimon Peres when they meet Pope Francis to pray for peace this weekend. The Vatican’s chief spokesman, the Rev. Federico Lombardi, said Tuesday (June 3) that the pope had invited the head of the Orthodox faith to join the Middle East leaders at a Vatican prayer summit to be held this Sunday (June 8). “It’s true that the pope invited him and... Read more

Ordination update: 17 new deacons for Chicago, largest diaconate diocese in the world

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

From Catholic New World: Cardinal George ordained seven men as permanent deacons on May 18, at Holy Name Cathedral. Another deacon was ordained on May 10 and another nine men were ordained May 25. More than 98 percent of deacons are married with families and most are also engaged in outside occupations. They are clergy, along with priests and bishops. The ministries that deacons perform include the teaching mission of the church, caring for the poor, performing baptisms and marriages,... Read more

First priest ordained in the United States

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

Who knew? From my blog neighbor Pat McNamara: The first Catholic priest ordained within the limits of the original thirteen States of the Union, pioneer missionary of Kentucky, b. at Orléans, France, 17 July, 1768; d. at Cincinnati, Ohio, 21 April, 1853. Educated at Montaigu College, Paris, he entered the Sulpician Seminary of his native city in 1789. He was subdeacon when the seminary was closed by the revolutionary government, in 1791, and sailed from Bordeaux for the American mission... Read more