O’Malley on Francis: “I don’t see the pope changing doctrine…”

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 3:58 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

Photo: Essdras M. Suarez / Boston Globe From The Boston Globe: Cardinal Sean P. O’Malley says he shares in the sense of wonder at how swiftly Pope Francis has captured the world’s attention and softened, with his sometimes startling words and personal gestures, the image of the Roman Catholic Church. But he cautions that those with high expectations that the shift in tone presages major changes in church teachings on contraception, abortion, homosexuality, and other flashpoint issues are likely to... Read more

Cardinal Schönborn describes meeting with pope, discussions about marriage and family

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 3:58 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

From the National Catholic Reporter: “It is fascinating to see how Pope Francis is encouraging, reviving and renewing the church. Our meeting with him was an excellent lesson on how to live the Gospel today,” Cardinal Christoph Schönborn of Vienna said after a 90-minute audience with the pope during the Austrian bishops’ “ad limina” visit to the Vatican in the last week of January. The Austrian bishops took the results of the recent Vatican questionnaire to Rome with them. Responses... Read more

American bishop on contraception: “That train left the station long ago”

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 3:58 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

The German bishops have weighed in on their survey results for the upcoming synod, and now an American bishop offers a snapshot of what some Catholics in his diocese had to say. Bishop Robert Lynch of St. Petersburg, Florida, reports that nearly 7,000 people responded. Some highlights, from his blog: Before you start looking at the numbers, there are several things which you need to keep in mind. The survey responses generally reflect the “choir,” those people who faithfully attend Mass... Read more

“Aid in Dying” movement taking hold

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 3:58 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

From The New York Times: Helping the terminally ill end their lives, condemned for decades as immoral, is gaining traction. Banned everywhere but Oregon until 2008, it is now legal in five states. Its advocates, who have learned to shun the term “assisted suicide,” believe that as baby boomers watch frail parents suffer, support for what they call the “aid in dying” movement will grow further. In January, a district court in New Mexico authorized doctors to provide lethal prescriptions... Read more

Homily for February 9, 2014: World Marriage Day

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 4:33 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

Last year, my wife and I went out to dinner to celebrate our 27th wedding anniversary. The waitress seemed impressed. She asked us, “What’s your secret?” I smiled and told her: “Patience.” Then my wife chimed in: “And prayer.” And now you know what it takes to be married to me. That explains why my wife says so many rosaries. This Sunday, as we mark World Marriage Day, I think those two “P’s” – patience and prayer – are vital... Read more

Jimmy Fallon and The Muppets sign off “Late Night”

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 3:58 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

Thursday, we got a look at how Jay Leno said “So long, farewell” to The Tonight Show. Jimmy Fallon’s goodbye Friday night was just as inspired, and even hipper. I loved it. Watch. Read more

“This is going to be the most important decision by Pope Francis for the U.S. church…”

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 3:58 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

From The Wall Street Journal: The biting winter in Chicago has been especially cold for the Catholic Church, with the revelation on Jan. 21 of embarrassing church documents describing how the archdiocese handled claims of sexual abuse. Yet a fresh chapter in the archdiocese’s history is waiting to begin as Pope Francis considers who will replace Cardinal Francis George —the current archbishop has been due to retire for more than two years. The pope’s choice will likely signal how he intends to... Read more

Pope Francis: “Marriage today is considered a form of emotional satisfaction that can be modified at will…”

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 3:58 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

From CNS: Pope Francis said contemporary ideas of marriage as an arrangement defined by personal needs promote a mentality of divorce, and he called for better preparation of engaged couples as well as ministry to Catholics whose marriages have failed. The pope’s remarks appeared in a message distributed Feb. 7 to Polish bishops making “ad limina” visits to Rome to report on the state of their dioceses. Pope Francis met with the group but, as he frequently does, dispensed with... Read more

Classic: stars sing “So long, farewell” to Jay Leno

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 3:58 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

An inspired send-off from last night’s “Tonight” show. While it won’t rival Carson’s finale, it had its moments. And: for those who missed it, I flipped over to CBS as Leno’s credits were rolling and caught Letterman saying, as his show ended, “Goodnight, Jay!” Celebs Sing Farewell To Jay – Leno's Final Show… by IdolxMuzic Read more

In Canada, former Anglican takes “leap of faith” in ordination as Catholic deacon

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 3:58 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

From The B.C. Catholic in Vancouver: The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity began with a joyous occasion for the Archdiocese of Vancouver. In the presence of 100 parishioners and his fellow converts to Catholicism, Michael Shier was ordained a deacon Jan. 18. Archbishop J. Michael Miller, CSB, celebrated the ordination Mass at Holy Rosary Cathedral. Among the concelebrants were vocations director Father Joseph Nguyen and chancellor Father Bruce McAllister. “Before Our Lord died for us, He prayed that His... Read more