The Deacon's Bench
Someone posted this on Facebook this afternoon. Eighth grade at St. Peter’s Catholic School, Olney, Maryland—42 years ago. I’m the dork in the front in the gray jacket. Read more
Someone posted this on Facebook this afternoon. Eighth grade at St. Peter’s Catholic School, Olney, Maryland—42 years ago. I’m the dork in the front in the gray jacket. Read more
Small world: those who are familiar with the sensational Christmas concert at my parish also know John Easterlin, the superb tenor who annually spreads “10,000 Joys.” Right now, he’s appearing in Indianapolis and was invited to sing about the weather on a local station. Take it away, John. Read more
This is just beautiful—and proudly, wondrously pro-life. Read more
From The New Orleans Clarion Herald: It took a long time, but the parishioners of St. Nicholas of Myra now have their church back. On March 8, Archbishop Gregory Aymond dedicated the rebuilt church established in 1971 but shuttered since Hurricane Katrina’s waters wiped out everything but the steel beam frame, concrete slab and metal roof supported by 2-by-6 tongue-and-groove beams. “I feel like I’m going to burst I’m so excited,” said parishioner Linda Giroir, who with husband Gene were... Read more
Leave it to Bill Ditewig to remind us of that intriguing fact—and a few other things, too: So, we all know the things that are NOT true about St. Patrick: He wasn’t Irish by birth, he didn’t really cast out snakes from Ireland, he wasn’t the first person to bring Christianity to Ireland, and he probably didn’t use the shamrock as a sign of the Trinity in his teaching. What we do know is that he was the son of... Read more
A Ukrainian priest sent this to me: the national anthem of Ukraine, translated into English, sung by ordinary Ukrainians. Prepare to be moved. Read more
Details: The new leader of Germany’s Roman Catholic bishops called for a revision of the Church’s ban on divorced people who re-marry receiving Communion, in an interview published Sunday. Reinhard Marx, a close associate of Pope Francis who was elected head of the German Episcopal Conference on Wednesday, told the Welt am Sonntag newspaper that he felt such an easing of Church doctrine was “practicable”. Re-married Catholics “who acknowledge their failure should be able to apply for a readmission to... Read more
In Baton Rouge, via Rod Dreher. Read more
Renovation and restoration work has been continuing apace for many months, almost exactly one year after the big news broke. Below, a first shot, with all the scaffolding removed. Dedication is slated for later this spring. The co-cathedral’s website, meantime, offers a video tour of the pre-restoration church, giving a hint of the rich architecture and art being brought lovingly back to life. A new fresco, below, over the rear wall depicts notable holy men and women from New York,... Read more
He’s be assisted by a parochial vicar and three deacons. From The Pittsburgh Catholic: On the door of Father Stephen Kresak’s refrigerator in the rectory of Corpus Christi Parish in McKeesport is a decorative magnet that a parishioner gave him. He keeps it where he will see it each morning as a reminder that “I don’t know what the future holds, but I know who holds the future.” On April 28, Father Kresak is slated to become pastor of four... Read more
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