From the Telegraph newspaper: Rising numbers of children are being given late baptisms amid a scramble for places at the most popular Roman Catholic schools, it has emerged. Figures show that the number of children baptised after their first birthday has soared by a third in just 10 years. At the same time, fewer “cradle” baptisms of children under the age of one are being recorded. Similar figures have been recorded by the Church of England. The disclosure – in data... Read more
Details from HuffPo: On New Year’s Eve at 11:45 am, Pope Francis called up the small community of the Carmelite nuns of Luccena in Cordoba, Spain, but they didn’t pick up the phone. Their once-large community has now dwindled to a mere five nuns, three of which are from Argentina, which is also the pope’s home country. He left them a voicemail in Spanish which said: What are the nuns doing that they can’t answer [the phone]? I am Pope Francis, I... Read more
The Italian Jesuit journal La Civilta’ Cattolica offers an account of Pope Francis’s recent meeting with 120 superiors general of men’s religious orders in late November. CNS has highlights: While you can access the full 17-page article in English, Spanish or Italian at the journal’s website, here is a sampling of some of our favorite excerpts (CNS translations of the original Italian). Today’s religious men and women need to be prophetic, “capable of waking up the world,” of showing they are a special breed... Read more
H/T to Katrina Fernandez, who posted this on FB. When I saw this movie over the summer, I kept asking myself “How the hell did they DO that??!!” This offers an answer, and it’s just as impressive as the movie itself. At a time when so much movie-making is cynical and predictable and formulaic, the people behind this film dared to do something original and give audiences an experience unlike any other. Turns out, it wasn’t easy. Take a look. Read more
When was the last time this happened with an American politician? Read on, from the Catholic Herald: A Catholic MP has revealed that a month’s retreat helped her in her decision to quit politics. Sarah Teather MP, told the Guardian that she decided to attend a Jesuit retreat while she struggled with her decision whether to continue as a Liberal Democrat MP. Miss Teather said: “Sometimes you just have to shut up. This politician just needed to shut up and... Read more
It’s not the snow that’s so bad. It’s the cold—with wind chill, hovering in the single digits. One benefit: the snow covers the piles of garbage waiting to be collected at the curb. Personally, I’m grateful for the free day. On my to-do list: I have an annulment report to write, a homily to finish, and a host of writing and speaking commitments with rapidly approaching deadlines. Oh, and there’s that chant to learn, too. I also need to touch base... Read more
Details: Authorities have nabbed a man they believe killed a Roman Catholic priest during a “violent struggle” in a Northern California church rectory, police said. The suspect, Gary Lee Bullock, was arrested early Thursday afternoon in the southern part of Humboldt County near Garberville, said Eureka Police Chief Andy Mills. “There’s no question in our mind he’s responsible for this heinous act,” Mills told CNN’s Jake Tapper, citing evidence recovered at the crime scene and interviews with eyewitnesses allegedly linking... Read more
The Rome tourist industry be pleased. From the BBC: Pope Francis drew more than 6.6 million people to his audiences, Masses and other events in Vatican City during his first year in office, figures show. The statistics cover the period from the Argentinean’s election in March to the end of 2013, the Vatican said. His predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI, attracted just 2.3 million people for the whole of 2012. Pope Francis, named Person of the Year by Time magazine, is... Read more
Went downstairs tonight to look out the front window of our building. Here is what I saw: Queens at 11 PM ET. Pretty mild so far. Major props to the building staff for shoveling the walk! Read more
Something to warm your heart on a cold night, from Ireland. Delightful. Just watch. Read more
The Deacon's Bench
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