Fr. Robert Barron weighs in on “Noah”

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

One of the contemporary church’s most thoughtful evangelists offers his take on one of the year’s most controversial films: “Noah” is best interpreted, I think, as a modern cinematic midrash on the Biblical tale. The midrashim—extremely popular in ancient Israel—were imaginative elaborations of the often spare Scriptural narratives. They typically explored the psychological motivations of the major players in the stories and added creative plot lines, new characters, etc. In the midrashic manner, Aronofsky’s film presents any number of extra-Biblical elements, including a... Read more

Is this the Holy Grail?

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

Just in time for Easter, from The New York Daily News: Two historians claim the search for the Holy Grail is over. The famous cup used by Jesus Christ during the Last Supper was identified in a book written by Margarita Torres Jose Manuel Ortega del Rio, titled “Kings of the Grail” and published last week, as the jewel-encrusted goblet on display at the San Isidro Basilica in the northwestern Spanish city of Leon. News of the discovery caused masses... Read more

An infallible sense of fashion

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

Can you imagine if they showed up at the same party wearing the same outfit? Vanity Fair compares the stylings of two Popes, Olivia and Francis: It is customary both in real and reel life for a pope to meet with the president, but it’s a delicious coincidence that both the pontiff and Scandal’s high priestess of the podium chose heroic capelets for their respective encounters. Olivia Pope sports her endless collection of luxe coats like impenetrable breastplates, usually in a... Read more

More on the Holy Thursday washing of the feet

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

Further evidence that it’s a big Church. The Diocese of San Jose has posted the following on its website, which offers some questions and answers—and some theological analysis—about the ritual that has lately gotten a lot of attention. To wit: The priest who presides at the Holy Thursday Mass should be the primary example for the Christian community of Jesus’ self-giving and humbling act of love for his friends. That is why he is called to lead the washing of... Read more

Atlanta’s Archbishop responds: “I failed”

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

From The Georgia Bulletin, Archbishop Wilton Gregory responds to sharp criticism surrounding reports about his multi-million dollar new residence: “We are disturbed and disappointed to see our church leaders not setting the example of a simple life as Pope Francis calls for. How can we instill this in our children when they see their archdiocesan leadership living extravagantly? We ask you to rethink these decisions and understand the role model the clergy must serve so the youth of our society can... Read more

Bridgeport’s Caggiano to Voice of the Faithful: “We are family”

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

I overheard someone mentioning this on the elevator this afternoon. It happened a couple weeks ago, but I think it’s noteworthy for a lot of reasons. From The Connecticut Post: In what Jamie Dance, Voice of the Faithful chairwoman, called a “historic occasion,” Bishop Frank Caggiano met with the organization for what he said was the beginning of a conversation. Several people noted the group was started to seek reform within the Catholic Church and to support those sexually assaulted by priests, but Caggiano... Read more

Deacon who fell into grave sues archdiocese

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

Details from AP: A deacon who accidentally fell into a grave during a burial at San Gabriel Mission Cemetery is suing the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. City News Service reported Monday that Alfonso Valles broke his left arm in several places when a platform he was standing on collapsed and caused him to fall in August 2012. The claim, which names the archdiocese and the San Gabriel Mission as defendants, was filed last week. It seeks unspecified damages. Archdiocese spokeswoman... Read more

Vatican UN rep notes “great warmth” in meeting between Obama and Pope Francis

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

David Gibson over at RNS picks up on some interesting observations via Vatican Radio, following the meeting last week between President Obama and Pope Francis: Archbishop Silvano Tomasi, the Vatican’s representative to the United Nations in Geneva, said that in the wake of the meeting, the Catholic Church and the Obama administration could now develop a road toward “compromise” on controversial ethical issues, if not quite a “shared pathway.” “The first impression of this meeting is the public image of... Read more

“Mother Church rejoices”

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

Those are the words inscribed on this logo for the canonization of John XXIII and John Paul II—the same words John XXIII used to open Vatican II (and words that may be familiar to deacons practicing for The Exsultet these days…) The logo comes from the Diocese of Bergamo, which was the pontiff’s home diocese. Read more

Digital preaching: podcasts gain popularity in Florida

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

I wonder if this could catch on in the Catholic world? Details: More than a dozen Tallahassee churches are embracing the medium of podcasting in order to push their sermons and lectures beyond the pew, and the congregations are responding. Podcasts are audio files that can be heard on a number of devices, including computers, tablets and smartphones. In the case of these religious podcasts, a subscriber gets what their pastor said on Sunday morning downloaded directly to their device... Read more