That is how Pope Francis described some priests this morning in his daily homily, reminding those who are ordained to be attentive of their behavior. Summaries of his talks have become commonplace, thanks to the Vatican news service. But here is a rare video showing the pontiff in action today at the Casa Santa Marta chapel: insistent, gentle, thoughtful, bemused. Read more
From The Irish Times: He would have you believe he is just an ordinary Joe, “not a holy Joe”. But he, by the grace of God, the assent of Monica and to the occasional bemusement of his children, is Rev Adams. Rev Deacon Jim Adams, permanent deacon of the Roman Catholic Church in Dublin. One of the first such people to exist in a place once hailed as the Island of Saints and Scholars. History was made at Dublin’s Pro Cathedral... Read more
Your tax dollars at work. Details: The federal government is stretching your tax dollars — in search of the perfect condom. The National Institutes of Health will spend $224,863 to test 95 “custom-fitted” condoms so every American man can choose the one that fits just right. The study was prompted by concern that despite the wide-scale promotion of latex condoms to help prevent the spread of HIV, their use remains “disappointingly low,” the government said. Why? Because one-third to one-half... Read more
H/T to Kathy Schiffer for this picture: There’s more whacky wedding pictures, along with a reminder of why Catholics get married in church. I wrote about this subject two years ago, responding to a reader who was frustrated at not being able to have a wedding in a catering hall or a beach: It helps to look at marriage as what it truly is: a sacrament. It is the tradition of the church that – with some rare and specific exceptions... Read more
From my homily for this feast from 2013: At home, I have a little green book that someone gave me as an ordination gift: it’s the Rite of Baptism for Children, with all the prayers and readings for the sacrament. In the back, there’s a notation I scribbled on the inside cover: “Margaret Flanagan. July 1, 2007. First baby baptized.” I wrote that down in the book so I’d never forget. It was a big day for Margaret – and for me.... Read more
Of all the ink that has been spilled over the appalling anti-Catholic screed by Jamie Stiehm, the most powerful and, to my mind, inspiring response has come from our own Elizabeth Scalia. Late today, she offered this assessment: It ought not be dismissed, though, not when U.S. News — which has always been a more-than-respectable news outlet — has gone noticably silent on Stiehm’s piece. Silence usually implies consent, so perhaps we may understand their editorial board as being in agreement... Read more
A noteworthy obit about a noteworthy Brooklyn priest, from The New York Times: The Rev. Vincent J. Termine, a Roman Catholic priest who helped revive a dying parish in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn, in the 1960s and ’70s, then angered members of his predominantly white flock when he let black youths from another neighborhood participate in organized basketball at the church, died on Dec. 26 in Johns Island, S.C., where he had lived since 2009. He was 93. His death was confirmed... Read more
From NCR today: Primarily, I’ll be doing the same reporting and analysis I’ve always done, but I’ll also be helping theGlobe ramp up its overall Catholic coverage. One footnote in response to a question some have asked: I won’t be moving to Boston but will continue to divide my year among Rome, Denver, and road trips for reporting and speaking gigs. I am inexpressibly grateful to the National Catholic Reporter not only for the classy way they’ve handled this transition, but for 16... Read more
Here’s an interesting followup to the story that was sparking protests—but it appears this employee’s status and terms of employment are very different. Details: The Eastside Catholic drama coach who feared for her job after coming out as gay on The Ron and Don Show now says she is being embraced by the school’s administration and was even offered a raise. Stephanie Merrow met with Principal Polly Skinner Thursday afternoon. She described the meeting in positive terms and said the... Read more
A freak of nature: this is a blending of a croissant and a bagel. Paris meets New York. Le Oy! Details: Beloved Connecticut (and Yonkers, NY) grocery wonderland, Stew Leonard’s, has moved on from the Cronut with a new offering: a Crogel. Their Norwalk bakery has been experimenting with the croissant-bagel hybrid, and just announced they’re on sale. Here’s how they did it: “shape croissant dough into the size of a bagel, then kettle boil and hearth baked it. Crispy on the outside… buttery and flaky... Read more
The Deacon's Bench
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