Research sheds light on “near death” experiences, discovers surge in electrical activity in the brain

Last updated on: August 12, 2013 at 6:37 am By Deacon Greg Kandra

Details, from The Telegraph: Near death experiences in which people report “seeing the light” could be explained by increases in electrical activity in the brain after the heart stops, scientists have found. The first study to examine the neurophysiological state of the dying brain in animals has identified surges in activity, which suggest a level of consciousness after “clinical death” – when the heart stops beating and blood stops flowing to the brain. Researchers analyzed the recordings of brain activity... Read more

Judge: no, you can’t name your child “Messiah”

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 4:40 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

Details, from AP: A judge in Tennessee changed a 7-month-old boy’s name to Martin from Messiah, saying the religious name was earned by one person and “that one person is Jesus Christ.” Child Support Magistrate Lu Ann Ballew ordered the name change last week, according to WBIR-TV (http://on.wbir.com/1cDOeTY).The boy’s parents were in court because they could not agree on the child’s last name, but when the judge heard the boy’s first name, she ordered it changed, too. “It could put him at... Read more

I’m hopelessly square

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 4:40 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

Yesterday, a legend from my youth, Eydie Gorme, died. Below, a stellar moment from the Steve Allen Show in 1958. You’ve seen this technique used countless times—Saturday Night Live likes to use it, usually hilariously and with a side order of snark—but this long tracking shot backstage with Eydie and Steve and Ann Sothern and Steve Allen and Dina Shore is still a delight. RIP, Eydie. Read more

Pope sends greetings to Muslims at close of Angelus

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 4:40 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

Details from Vatican Radio: Pope Francis spoke to the thousands of pilgrims gathered in St. Peter’s Square about how God’s love is our greatest treasure. He said today’s gospel reading from St Luke talks to us about our desire for a meeting with Christ, calling it a key aspect of human life. All of us, the Pope said, “have this desire in our hearts, be it explicit or hidden.” In St. Luke’s account of Jesus walking with his disciples towards... Read more

Pope sends greetings to Muslims at close of Angelus

Last updated on: August 11, 2013 at 7:35 am By Deacon Greg Kandra

I’m hopelessly square

Last updated on: August 11, 2013 at 7:22 am By Deacon Greg Kandra

The last thing you’d expect to hear on “America’s Got Talent”

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 4:40 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

But it’s just great. Did the audience have any idea what they were hearing? Just watch. Read more

A groom on the morning of his wedding: “It will all be a gift”

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 4:40 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

This guy understands that finding the love of your life is an answer to a prayer: So I’m getting married today. It’s about 1:00am and, as I imagine most soon-to-be grooms experience, I’m having trouble sleeping. In about thirteen hours, Jackie Francois will be walking down the aisle towards me—me, a bum from Florida. Man, oh man. I’m also aware that it will likely be a day of mourning for all single, male Catholics ages 14 to 44. I... Read more

Bishop Lynch: “I am convinced that many so called Pro-Life groups are not really pro-life but merely anti-abortion”

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 4:40 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

Remarkable to read words like this coming from a Catholic bishop in the United States. Here’s Bishop Robert Lynch, from St. Petersburg: I am convinced that many so called Pro-Life groups are not really pro-life but merely anti-abortion. We heard nothing from the heavy hitters in the prolife movement in the last week when Florida last night executed a man on death row for 34 years having been diagnosed as a severe schizophrenic. Which personality did the state execute? Many priests... Read more

That “aha” moment: God, spirituality and the science of 12-step programs

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 4:40 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

An interesting glimpse inside the science of the recovery movement, and some insight into conversion, too, from National Geographic: Established treatment facilities like Sierra Tucson offer everything from traditional medicine to such alternative approaches as equine therapy and healing circles. According to Nia Sipp, staff psychiatrist with Sierra Tucson, the goal is not just removing the substance or behavior but also facilitating self-reflection and creating social systems. “Oftentimes people feel that it’s about God and other things,” Sipp said. But she believes... Read more