Fr. Lombardi responds to reports on pope’s phone call to Argentinian woman

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 3:56 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

Details: The director of the Holy See Press Office, Fr Federico Lombardi, has responded to widespread media reports about an Argentinian woman who says that Pope Francis called to tell her she could take Communion, even though her husband is divorced and they have not been married in church. News stories earlier this week ran conflicting reports about the woman, Jacquelina Lisbona, who had written to the Pope several months ago after being denied Communion by her parish priest. According... Read more

Lifetime plans reality series “The Sisterhood” about women becoming nuns

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 3:56 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

From The Hollywood Reporter: Lifetime is going inside a Catholic convent for its newest docuseries. The female-skewing cable network has ordered The Sisterhood, a groundbreaking new unscripted series that will follow the journey of five young women as they decide whether or not to become nuns, The Hollywood Reporter has learned. For the first time ever, cameras will be granted access inside a Catholic convent where the five women live and work together before making the life-changing decision to take their vows and... Read more

Shock: former high-ranking priest in New Hampshire sentenced to four years in prison

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 3:56 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

From The Manchester Union Leader in New Hampshire: The one-time top ranking priest in the Diocese of Manchester, the Rev. Msgr. Edward J. Arsenault, was sentenced to four years in New Hampshire State Prison today by a judge who urged him to do good in prison. Arsenault was also ordered to repay $300,000 in restitution to the Diocese, Catholic Medical Center and the estate of fellow Monsignor John Molan. “I’m truly and sincerely sorry for what I did,” said Arsenault... Read more

Jesuits report big jump in vocation inquiries

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 3:56 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

From CBS News: Sean McCreight has a passion for teaching. But the 25-year-old California native is leaving that behind to pursue an even higher calling: becoming a Jesuit priest. “I think to see Pope Francis living an active religious life, that’s another aspect that’s attractive to me,” he said. “His life is so filled with serving the church and serving her people that I can also see myself doing those things.” A year after Pope Francis’ election, one of the first... Read more

Words to live by

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 3:56 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

So I arrived at work to find this banner in the lobby of the Cardinal Cooke Catholic Center in New York: I especially love the quotes at the bottom, which carry a diaconal spirit: “Christ, make me become and remain the servant of your unique power, the servant of your sweet power, the servant of your power that knows no eventide. Make me be a servant. Indeed, the servant of your servants.” — Blessed John Paul II “Consult not your... Read more

Report: Pope phoned divorced and remarried woman to say she can receive communion—UPDATED

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 3:56 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

Details: Pope Francis has phoned a divorced and remarried Catholic woman in Argentina to tell her that she could “safely receive Communion”,according to an extraordinary report in La Stampa. The woman’s husband, writing on Facebook, claims that the Pope – introducing himself as “Father Bergoglio” – spoke to his wife, who’d been divorced before marrying him and told her that men or women who were divorced and received Communion weren’t doing anything wrong. He apparently added that this matter is... Read more

Cleared Chicago priest under investigation again, but will remain in ministry

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 3:56 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

You may remember this story from just last week. The priest at the center of it is now facing new charges. From The Chicago Sun-Times: A Chicago Catholic priest, who became the subject of a second child abuse allegation on Monday, will remain in active ministry but will not be alone with children, the archdiocese of Chicago said Tuesday. The Rev. Michael W. O’Connell was reinstated last week to active ministry as pastor of St. Alphonsus Catholic Parish on the... Read more

Historic: Pope names Coptic priest as personal secretary

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 3:56 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

This is pretty remarkable, when you think about it, from the National Catholic Register: Msgr. Yoannis Lahzi Gaid, a priest of the Coptic Patriarchate of Alexandria, has been made second personal secretary to Pope Francis. The position is among the Pope’s closest collaborators, and this marks the first time that an Eastern Catholic priest has been appointed to the position. The vacancy filled by Msgr. Lahzi Gaid March 17 was created when Msgr. Alfred Xuereb was transferred from his position... Read more

Where are parents sending their kids to school in New York City? You might be surprised

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 3:56 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

A reader sent me the graph above, from the New York City Independent Budget Office, with this news: Jewish schools now serve the largest number of students among nonpublic schools, with enrollment close to 95,000. Enrollment at Jewish schools has eclipsed that of Roman Catholic schools, historically the most popular alternative to public schools. Enrollment in Roman Catholic schools declined by over 47,000 students (35 percent) from 2002-2003 through 2012-2013. Independent schools have grown by 6,600 students (19 percent) in... Read more

Jesus at 70: Ted Neeley continues to sing his iconic role, hopes to perform for the pope

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 3:56 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

Details: Ted Neeley, the original lead in “Jesus Christ Superstar”, is back four decades on as the son of God in the hit musical in Rome, and hopes Pope Francis will be in the audience. The pontiff will be “just down the street and we’re hoping he’s going to come visit us and see the show. I think he’s a wonderful, wonderful man,” an enthusiastic 70-year-old Neely told AFP between rehearsals of the world-famous rock opera. The Texan musician and... Read more