Ordination update: 21 new deacons for Manchester

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 4:29 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

A reader in New Hampshire sent this my way: a picture of the newly ordained, along with a list of the names. After receiving recommendations from the Deacon Personnel Board, Bishop Libasci has made the following Permanent Deacon appointments of the newly ordained Deacons effective May 24, 2014. Dc. Geoff Ashman assigned to St. Matthew Parish, Windham Dc. Wayne Bolduc assigned to St. Theresa Parish, Henniker and St. Mary Parish, Hillsborough Dc. John Castelot assigned to St. Francis of Assisi... Read more

Sudan husband appeals his wife’s death sentence

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

From The BBC: The husband of a woman facing the death penalty in Sudan for abandoning her religious faith has told the BBC he is hopeful an appeal against the sentence for apostasy will be successful. Daniel Wani said Meriam Ibrahim was well when he saw her on Wednesday a day after she gave birth in prison. According to Islamic law, she can nurse her baby daughter for two years before the sentence is carried out. Born to a Muslim... Read more

“I am not worthy to be here”: death row inmate confirmed by bishop

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 4:29 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

From The Catholic Sentinel in Portland, Oregon: One of Oregon’s most infamous prisoners Tuesday received the Sacrament of Confirmation from Archbishop Alexander Sample in a heavily-guarded private ceremony in the maximum security prison here. Gary Haugen was convicted in November, 2011 of murdering a fellow inmate while serving a life sentence for the murder of his former girlfriend’s mother. Haugen has gained notoriety for dropping his appeals and asking to be executed. A second death row prisoner, Jason Van Brumwell, who... Read more

The rise of the “labor priest”

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

An interesting observation on a subject you don’t hear about very much—and one that has a distinctly diaconal dimension: “Labor priests” were a recognized presence in the labor movement of the 1920s through the 1960s. Father Barry, the Karl Malden character in the 1954 film “On the Waterfront,” was the model of the priest who sided with workers. Priests conducted Parish Labor Schools where workers interested in collective bargaining studied Catholic social justice doctrine, labor law, and parliamentary procedure. While... Read more

Islamist extremists attack group praying rosary in Indonesia

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

Details: A group of Islamic extremists in the area of Besi have brutally and violently attacked faithful of the parish of the Holy Family of Banteng , in the area north of Yogyakarta (island of Java). Church sources in Semarang confirm the attack took place at 9 last night when Catholics held their weekly meeting to pray the Rosary and practice their Sunday hymns. Local witnesses report that, suddenly, a group of Islamic fundamentalists raided the private house owned by... Read more

Dolly Parton’s priest: “Father Jim is the best opening act I’ve ever had”

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

Now for something completely different. From Richmond, Kentucky: In the three years since it opened, no performer has filled the EKU Center for the Arts with sound or fans as Dolly Parton did Tuesday night. The Country Music Hall of Famer made her second appearance in Richmond for the St. Mark Catholic Church “Evening Among Friends” in what most observers believe is her final concert tour. If that is the case, the concert gave the 2,000 fans who packed the... Read more

Sister Cristina: “I’ve had the time of my life…!”

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

She’s made it into the final round of “The Voice,” in part on the strength of this performance of the hit from “Dirty Dancing.” Read all about it. Read more

USCCB: More than 15,000 permanent deacons now active in the U.S.

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 4:29 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

A press release from Washington: The 2013-2014 annual survey of permanent deacons in the United States finds the majority are married Caucasians, and the number at retirement age is on the increase. The survey also finds that U.S. permanent deacons reflect a greater ethnic mix than U.S. priests in general but less of a mix than the general Catholic population. The findings are outlined in “A Portrait of the Permanent Diaconate: A Study for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops... Read more

Catholic Worker hosts “woman priest.” What would Dorothy Day think?

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

This news caught my eye this morning: In the middle of a living room, a table is set like an altar, with wine and bread prepared for Holy Communion. At the head is a priest dressed in a black shirt, jeans and sandals, hair tied behind the head revealing a gold earring hanging from each ear. She has a deep purple stole around her neck, which rests on her lap as she sits. This is Janice Sevre-Duszynska, 64, an ordained... Read more

The perils of celebrity priests

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

Over at Catholic Answers, Michelle Arnold has a thought-provoking piece about the perils of celebrity priests. And she offers a valuable check list with some warning signs: I cannot presume to offer advice to priests on how to avoid the trap of celebrity. I can only leave that to the discernment of the priest and his bishop. But I can offer my fellow laity some questions to ponder when discerning whether or not they should retreat from the mosh pits surrounding the... Read more