Cincinnati Catholic school superintendent defends new contract

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

That contract made news several days ago. Now, Jim Rigg pens a column about that for the Cincinnati Enquirer: Instead of instilling new requirements, the revised contract attempts to lay out, in abundantly clear language, some of the principles of the Catholic Church. The listing is not exhaustive, and admittedly focuses on issues where the Catholic Church is perceived as countercultural. Not coincidentally, these same issues have been present in legal action against our schools. And he explains: Tension has been... Read more

Awesome: turning a homeless shelter into a 5-star restaurant for one night

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

Just watch. This one is a keeper: A professional prankster decided to give back on April Fools’ Day. Greg Benson teamed up with a restaurant crew to turn a homeless shelter into a five-star restaurant for the day. He and staff dressed up the dining area and served everyone a three-course meal that included filet mignon. Take a look, below. Read more

New York mother sacrifices her life for her unborn child

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

From The New York Post: A New York City mom made the ultimate sacrifice — giving up her own life so her baby girl could live. Doctors told cancer patient Elizabeth Joice that she would never get pregnant, so when she did last year, it was something of a miracle. But joy quickly turned to heartbreak for Elizabeth and her husband, Max, when doctors presented her with an impossible challenge: terminate the pregnancy and begin treatment — or put her... Read more

If you like your toast on the dark side…

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

…then this is just what you’ve been waiting for. Seriously. This can be yours. Read more. And order one here. Read more

How Pope Francis is rebranding the Catholic Church

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

From columnist Michael Gerson: A year ago, the prevailing narrative about the Catholic Church could hardly have been worse — pedophile priests, financial misdeeds, the arrest of the pope’s butler, for goodness’ sake. The Holy Spirit seemed to be on an extended vacation. Pope Francis’ “most important accomplishment so far,” said Allen, is a “massive change in story” from church in crisis to “humble, people’s pope takes world by storm.” It is a transformation that could be “taught in business... Read more

NY Times: among Catholic bishops, opulence is out

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

Not sure if this qualifies yet as a trend, but The New York Times thinks so. Details: The unhappy reaction of local Catholics to the archbishop’s new house in Atlanta is the latest in a series of lay uprisings since the new pope altered the landscape by choosing to live in a modest Vatican residence rather than the opulent apostolic palace, to travel in a Ford Focus and to denounce overspending by church leaders. “It breaks my heart when I see a priest or... Read more

Groundbreaking news in the world of choral music

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

From Kings College Choir in the UK. Read more

Obama gives Pelosi rosary blessed by Pope Francis

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

From The Washington Times: House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, criticized last year by a Vatican official for her support of abortion, received a rosary Tuesday from President Obama that was blessed by Pope Francis. Mrs. Pelosi told reporters of the president’s gift after having lunch with Mr. Obama at the White House. The president met with the pope last week at the Vatican. “I was happy to receive a rosary blessed by Pope Francis,” she said. “It means a great deal to me.” Read more. Read more

What? No elephants in the aisle?

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

Here’s something nifty: Passengers on a flight from Brisbane to Sydney on Monday were treated to an impromptu performance of “Circle of Life” by the Australian cast of “The Lion King.” Surprised travelers were greeted with song as they boarded Virgin Australia Flight 970. The cast was in Brisbane for an announcement that the Broadway production will open in the Australian city in September. Check it out. This kind of thing never happens to me. I’m lucky if I get peanuts. Read more

On call: a doctor studies for the diaconate

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

From Seton Hall University: Despite a busy medical practice, pediatrician Michael Giuliano has embarked on a spiritual journey to become a deacon. As a neonatal pediatrician and medical educator in Hackensack, N.J., Dr. Michael Giuliano leads an intensely busy life. “Literally there were years when I worked, studied, worked, slept,” he says. And yet, Giuliano has added two classes a week to his schedule as part of a four-year program of diaconate formation at Immaculate Conception Seminary School of Theology (ICSST). For... Read more