2016-09-30T16:02:57-04:00

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 4:02 pm   By

Details:  The Italian prelate who was Pope Benedict’s righthand man in theVatican during his scandal-dogged papacy has defended his much-criticised record, insisting he “gave everything” to the job despite the activities of “vipers” in the Roman curia. Speaking a day after Pope Francis named a Vatican diplomat as his new secretary of state, Tarcisio Bertone appeared defiant as he was asked about his time in office. “I see the record of the past seven years as positive. Of course, there were a lot... Read more

2016-09-30T16:02:57-04:00

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 4:02 pm   By

If you haven’t seen it, take a look at this video from the weekend, wherein Pope Francis issues his call to prayer and fasting next Saturday over the situation in Syria. The last minute or so shows a side of Francis we rarely see.  (Or, as another observer put it, “He means business.”) Read more

2016-09-30T16:02:57-04:00

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 4:02 pm   By

Seminarian Jeremy Canna becomes Deacon Jeremy Canna, at the hands of Brooklyn’s Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio. August 31, 2013. More pictures and details here.  Photo by Ed Wilkinson Read more

2016-09-30T16:02:57-04:00

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 4:02 pm   By

From today’s homily:  Where there is God there is no hatred, envy or jealousy, and there is no gossip that can kill. This was the message at the heart of Pope Francis’ homily this morning as he celebrated Mass in the Casa Santa Marta after the summer break. The Pope first reflected on today’s liturgical reading which tells of the meeting between Jesus and the people of Nazareth as recounted by the Gospel according to Luke. The Pope noted that... Read more

2016-09-30T16:02:58-04:00

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 4:02 pm   By

The evidence, from HuffPo:  During the act, Twitter exploded with commentary about the performance. One topic that gained major traction was a photo of Smith and his kids, Jaden and Willow, supposedly reacting to Cyrus. Their faces of shock and horror appeared to say it all. The image was picked up and shared by outlets like Buzzfeed, Us Weekly, Business Insider and Yahoo! News. However, it turns out the Smiths weren’t reacting to Cyrus at all. The MTV audience cam, which was focused on the crowd all night, shows the Smiths... Read more

2016-09-30T16:02:58-04:00

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 4:02 pm   By

I’m being ironic. The fact is: there are abundant signs of life and hope that some people may be missing (or, perhaps, choosing to ignore.) Case in point: the reconciliation business is booming in England and Wales, with more people returning to the faith through the Sacrament of Reconciliation/Confession.  (I wouldn’t be surprised to discover similar results in this country, but the evidence so far is purely anecdotal.) Here are some of the results of a phone survey conducted last... Read more

2016-09-30T16:02:58-04:00

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 4:02 pm   By

Photo by Alex Garcia The story, from the Chicago Tribune:  Please don’t let him die. That’s not much of a prayer, I suppose, but it’s what I said to God five years ago as I sat in a pew at St. Agnes of Bohemia Catholic Church in Little Village and watched the Rev. Matt Foley sworn in to the U.S. Army. Father Matt — Padre Mateo, as they called him in the neighborhood — had been the heart and soul... Read more

2016-09-30T16:02:58-04:00

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 4:02 pm   By

From the Irish Times:  Poet Seamus Heaney was remembered at his funeral Mass in Dublin today as a man who treated all people equally with a “common and shared humanity”. Widely regarded as the greatest Irish poet since WB Yeats, the Nobel laureate died in hospital in Dublin on Friday following a short illness. He was 74. After his funeral Mass at the Church of the Sacred Heart in Donnybrook, he will be laid to rest at Bellaghy Cemetery in Co Derry.... Read more

2016-09-30T16:02:58-04:00

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 4:02 pm   By

It’s a phenomenon that’s been developing for a while. Now, the Norfolk Daily News in Nebraska takes note of what’s happening in their corner of the country: Twenty-five years ago, having a nun for a teacher or principal was as common to Catholic schools as daily prayer. Few were better at building morals and character, challenging students to consider the world beyond the classroom or reminding them that tucking in one’s shirt was a rule that civilized people followed. With... Read more

2016-09-30T16:02:58-04:00

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 4:02 pm   By

From Vatican Insider:  “No more war!” Francis cried out at today’s Angelus prayer in St. Peter’s Square. Faithful welcomed his cry for peace as a liberation as everyone’s thoughts turned to Syria. “Violence never brings peace: war brings war, violence leads to more violence,” the Pope said, inviting those involved in the Syrian conflict “not to become closed in guarding their own interests” but “to be courageous and determined to try and find a middle ground and negotiate, overcoming blind... Read more

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