Westboro Baptist Church stages a protest—and finds something they didn’t expect

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 3:57 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

It happened in Kansas City, where counter-protesters held signs expressing condolences at the death of the church’s founder: Members of the Westboro Baptist Church continued their protests without their longtime pastor Fred Phelps outside the Midland Theatre in Downtown Kansas City. More than 20 protesters protested pop star’s Lorde concert, however it was another message that stuck out. A group of counter protesters held up a sign that read “sorry for your loss.” Megan Coleman helped make the sign. “We... Read more

Pope Francis names O’Malley, woman sex abuse victim to special anti-abuse panel

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 3:57 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

From John Allen in The Boston Globe: Pope Francis today named Cardinal Sean P. O’Malley of Boston and seven other figures with reputations as reformers to guide a new Vatican anti-abuse commission, a move intended to demonstrate resolve about confronting the child sexual abuse scandals that have rocked Catholicism. O’Malley, already the lone American on the pope’s “G8” council of cardinal advisers, is also the lone American among the commission members announced today. O’Malley’s new responsibility is not a full-time... Read more

Homily for March 23, 2014: 3rd Sunday of Lent

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 4:32 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

In late February, I received an email from a woman in the Michigan. She had stumbled across my blog and she wanted to share something with me. She told me she was born and raised Catholic, and was educated by Dominicans, but had left the faith when she was young. She ended up joining the United Church of Christ. Feeling called to something more, she entered the seminary and was ordained a minister, eventually serving as a pastor. She retired... Read more

Everybody cut footloose: Kevin Bacon’s epic entrance on The Tonight Show

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 3:57 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

Those of us of a certain age (cough) can’t help but love this. Jimmy Fallon announces that dancing has been banned on The Tonight Show. And Kevin Bacon rebels—as only he can. Read more

Looking for a little inspiration for this Sunday’s homily?

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 3:57 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

Try this. Take it away, Peter, Paul and Mary. From 1966 on the BBC. And then there’s this version, which comes from 1961, from the great Mahalia Jackson. Read more

“You are married to the Lord and your daddy is your boyfriend”

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 3:57 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

A growing phenomenon in some places, as reported by the Daily Mail: Purity balls, in which a girl pledges to remain ‘pure’ until her wedding day, symbolically ‘marries’ God, and promises her father that she will remain a virgin until she’s a wife, have become a phenomenon in America, now taking place in 48 out of the 50 states. The balls resemble giant wedding ceremonies, with the girls – all around the age of 12 – wearing white gowns and... Read more

This nun is on fire: the amazing performance everyone is talking about

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 3:57 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

Behold, the nun who is rocking “The Voice” in Italy: A singing, swaying, amazing nun stunned judges in a recent performance on “The Voice of Italy.” Video of 25-year-old Sister Cristina Scuccia has gone viral on YouTube, and it’s a clip that needs no translation. The judges/coaches on the reality singing competition have their backs to her. Rotating one’s chair means you’re interested in having a singer on your team. As Scuccia gives a top-tier performance of “No One” by Alicia... Read more

Battling the problem of pornography among future priests

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 3:57 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

Here’s an issue you don’t hear about very much, from the National Catholic Register: Fifteen-year-old Alex (not his real name) has been thinking of a possible vocation to the priesthood for several years already. Aware that he’s still a youth, he’s comfortable with the ongoing discernment process: He’s busy trying to deepen his prayer life, and delighted, as well, with some initial dating experiences. When he thinks of considering the priesthood, though, one of his main motives for hesitating is... Read more

The story behind a papal “selfie”

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 3:57 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

It happened this week, and ZENIT has the story: Little did Marco Antonio Lome and his wife Zaira Venegas know that they, too, would have their own ‘selfie’ with the Pope. Like many newlywed couples, Lome and Venegas travelled to Rome after their recent nuptials to receive a papal blessing. As is customary, at the end of each General Audience, the Holy Father individually greets the couples. Describing his encounter as “very emotional”, Lome said there were many things he... Read more

Melinda Gates discusses contraceptives and her Catholic faith

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 3:57 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

It was part of an interview broadcast Tuesday night as part of the TED conference in Canada. From The Vancouver Sun: Melinda Gates also talked about the personal wrestle she had as a Roman Catholic over her decision to help fund contraceptives for women in developing countries. Condoms may be useful for stopping transmittable diseases, but women can’t convince their husbands to use them for planning families, she said. “Women will tell you I can’t negotiate condoms with my husband.... Read more