From FOX in Phoenix: Catholic Charities has opened up a new bar in Phoenix — a coffee and wine bar. The nonprofit is venturing into the business side. Yeah, it’s not something you would normally put together — a Catholic charity and the bar scene. But the nonprofit is blending the two, catering to the coffee, wine, and beer crowd. A sacred sacrament during mass. This is what you’d normally expect when you talk about Catholics and wine. But this is what... Read more
Check out this profile of the diplomat, just posted on the State Department YouTube page (you can read a full biography of him here): Read more
After last week’s discussion about what to say at weddings and funerals about receiving Communion, canon lawyer Ed Peters has read over some of the announcements in that post and has a suggestion: There are various reasons why one might not approach for Communion. One might not have fasted for an hour before Communion time or one might have already received that day. Granted, these are not likely reasons for refraining, and a few other rules apply even to them, but they... Read more
Wednesday night, 18 men took part in the Rite of Candidacy for the diaconate class of 2017 in the Diocese of Brooklyn. They were admitted to candidacy at St. Kevin Church in Flushing, New York, with Auxiliary Bishop Raymond Chappetto presiding. I’m pleased and proud to report that one of the men, Thomas Jorge, is from my parish, and I’m serving as his mentor through formation. Some pictures of the event, below. Congratulations, all! Olga and Thomas Jorge. Blessings to... Read more
Pope Francis wears a firefighter’s helmet as he arrives to lead his general audience in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican on 16 October. (photo: CNS/L’Osservatore Romano via Reuters) Read more. Read more
Following yesterday’s thwarted funeral, some reaction in Italy: The head of Rome’s Jewish community praised protesters who blocked the funeral of a convicted Nazi war criminal as Italy marked on Wednesday the 70th anniversary of the deportation of Jews from the Rome ghetto. Erich Priebke’s final resting place is now unclear after the protesters forced a suspension of his funeral on Tuesday in the Italian town of Albano Laziale. His body is lying at a military airport near Rome pending... Read more
Some may remember that last year, Deacon Jim Knipper edited and published a collection of homilies and reflections for Cycle C, “Hungry and You Fed Me.” The book featured work by (among others) James Martin, SJ; Richard Rohr, OFM; and, um, me. Today, the second volume in the trilogy (eventually set to cover all three lectionary cycles) has been launched: “Naked and You Clothed Me,” with homilies and reflections for Cycle A. In addition to the previous lineup, the list... Read more
“The Church is Apostolic because she is sent to take the Gospel to the whole world. The same mission that Jesus entrusted to the Apostles continues in the journey of history: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age” (Matthew... Read more
From Catholic News Service: The Vatican is about to launch its own cricket club and will field a women’s squad if it finds enough players. “It may be that instead of watching players who go out to play with cricket caps on, we’re going to have a series who play with veils on as they bat up,” said John McCarthy, a former cricket player and Australia’s ambassador to the Holy See. “We are looking for Sri Lankan, Indian and Pakistani... Read more
Photo: Melissa Lyttle, Tampa Bay Times Wow. Just wow. From The Tampa Bay Times in Florida: As soon as they pulled into the church lot, Davion changed his mind. ”Miss! Hey, Miss!” he called to his caseworker, who was driving. “I don’t want to do this anymore.” In the back seat, he hugged the Bible someone had given him at the foster home. “You’re going to be great,” Connie Going said. Outside St. Mark Missionary Baptist Church, she straightened his... Read more
The Deacon's Bench
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