Another Religious Holiday Commercialized: Ramadan

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 4:03 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

An interesting development, courtesy Huffington Post: Growing up in a mostly Christian neighborhood in southern Virginia in the 1970s and 1980s, Raana Smith remembers feeling “lacking” around the holidays. While friends frolicked at Easter Egg hunts and got giddy over the presents under their Christmas trees each December, her Muslim family’s traditions didn’t translate well into toys or games that other kids could understand. Now 39 and the mother of a three-year-old, Smith is trying to help fill what she... Read more

Erie Bishop Says Hospital Can No Longer Be Called “Catholic”

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 4:03 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

Details: With the change in sponsorship from the Sisters of Saint Joseph to Highmark, Bishop Lawrence Persico announces the health system will no longer be considered a Catholic institution. Bishop Persico has officially made an announcement that says it’s his responsibility as a pastor, teacher and priest to inform the faithful of his decision. In a statement from the bishop, he says the health center no longer can be affiliated with the church because quote: “The directives state that Catholic... Read more

The Blood of Christ, the Blood of Immigrants

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 4:03 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

For the pope’s visit to the Italian island of Lampedusa, where scores of immigrants have died trying to reach safety, CNS notes: In his homily at an outdoor Mass, Pope Francis said he decided to visit Lampedusa, a small island with a population of 6,000 and just 70 miles from Tunisia, after seeing newspaper headlines in June describing the drowning of immigrants at sea. “Those boats, instead of being a means of hope, were a means of death,” he said.... Read more

At Refuge for Migrants, Pope Condemns the “Globalization of Indifference”

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 4:03 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

From the Vatican news site: In his homily at Mass celebrated with the residents of Lampedusa and the immigrants who have sought refuge there, Pope Francis spoke out against the “globalization of indifference” that leads to tragedies like the deaths of so many migrants seeking a better life. Below, please find Vatican Radio’s full text of the Holy Father’s homily: Immigrants who died at sea, from that boat that, instead of being a way of hope was a way of... Read more

Esquire magazine: “Pope Francis is Kind of Awesome”

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 4:03 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

The author, an atheist, is discovering what many of us already know: There is serious upheaval in the Vatican, with outsiders brought into major positions of power, and Francis speaking openly of “a current of corruption” in the Curia, but, as an atheist, I don’t really care about any of that. I’m sure it takes guts and brains to try and reform the Church, but whether the Vatican is a strong or a weak institution is of the smallest possible... Read more

Ordination Update: 11 New Deacons for Biloxi—UPDATED

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 4:43 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

Doing a routine search, I uncovered the happy news that 11 men were ordained deacons for the Diocese of Biloxi in Mississippi late last month. The diocesan website has the pictures shown here, but no details. Anybody have any names or info to share? Meantime, congratulations and welcome, brothers! Ad multos annos! UPDATE: Just got this e-mail from Deacon Ralph Torrelli, Director, Deacons Continuing Education and Homiletics Instructor, Diocese of Biloxi. He writes: This is our 2013 class – they started... Read more

Here’s a Different Protagonist for a Thriller: a Deacon

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 4:03 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

Details: He has worked all over the world, from foreign relations assignments to speech pathology to motivational speaking, but another career path has embroiled Redlands resident Roger Burgraff in murder, blackmail, and the darker side of the human soul. That career is in fiction, fortunately: In May, Burgraff published a thriller, “Deacon’s Winter,” about a Catholic deacon who struggles with crime, dirty politics and his own faith in the tough Chicago neighborhood where he grew up. The opening words of... Read more

South Carolina Church Robbed of Part of Its History

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 4:03 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

Details from Charleston, SC: Two bright red buildings stand out among miles of soggy swamp that lines Ritter Road in Colleton County. They’re a sure sign you’ve made it to Catholic Hill, a small settlement about 40 miles southwest of Charleston. The buildings — a steepled church and an old school house – belong to Saint James the Greater Catholic Mission. They’ve stood the test of time, but black spots and wear on their red cedar-shake show they’re in need... Read more

Ordination Update: 11 New Deacons for Biloxi—UPDATED

Last updated on: July 7, 2013 at 5:56 am By Deacon Greg Kandra

Virginia Priest Donates Kidney to Save Life of Parishioner

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 4:03 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

Wow: Bruce McComb says he owes his life to his pastor, Father Jonathan Goertz of St. Timothy Parish in Tappahannock. His statement, voiced in strong admiration, is not far from the truth. Mr. McComb, 60, was in desperate need of a kidney transplant. He had been on dialysis for three and a half years and had retired at age 54 because of kidney disease. He previously had received a kidney from his wife, Mimi, in 2002 which was deemed... Read more