The Deacon's Bench
From the great Grassroots Films comes this short video that sums it all up beautifully. Happy Father’s Day, dads. (And a special prayerful wish for my own dad, shown here with a future deacon and my sister over 50 years ago…) Read more
From the great Grassroots Films comes this short video that sums it all up beautifully. Happy Father’s Day, dads. (And a special prayerful wish for my own dad, shown here with a future deacon and my sister over 50 years ago…) Read more
[Click here for readings.] In the 1950s, one of the most popular shows on television every Sunday asked the question: “What’s My Line?” A panel of celebrities would have to guess what someone did for a living by asking a series of simple yes-or-no questions. The show was a sensation. It ran from 1950 to 1967 on CBS—to this day, the longest-running primetime network television game show. I thought of this show when I looked over today’s readings, because in... Read more
Details: The ordination of 10 men as permanent deacons in the Diocese of Salina includes a man whose son is studying for the priesthood. That will be a first in the diocese and an event that both Ron Lehman and his son Brent of Manhattan are eagerly awaiting. “I’m excited to see it happen. It’s a really exciting time,” Brent Lehman said of his father’s ordination. “I thought it was really cool,” he said when he father began formation for... Read more
[Click here for readings.] In the 1950s, one of the most popular shows on television every Sunday asked the question: “What’s My Line?” A panel of celebrities would have to guess what someone did for a living by asking a series of simple yes-or-no questions. The show was a sensation. It ran from 1950 to 1967 on CBS—to this day, the longest-running primetime network television game show. I thought of this show when I looked over today’s readings, because in... Read more
In a word: hilarious. N.B.: Some of the language is foul — or fowl. Read more
Details from David Gibson: President Obama on Friday nominated Ken Hackett, former head of Catholic Relief Services, to be the next U.S. ambassador to the Vatican. It’s a savvy move, picking a Catholic whose career in the church has been dedicated to alleviating suffering as America’s representative to a pope whose has made helping the poor a priority for his pontificate. Hackett replaces Miguel Diaz, who left the post last November to teach at the University of Dayton. Diaz is... Read more
This advice comes from Kathleen T. Choi who writes “In Little Ways” for The Hawaii Catholic Herald, newspaper of the Diocese of Honolulu: Dear Father X, Every Sunday, as we walk out the door, we shake your hand and say, “Good sermon, Father.” We’re not lying. We’re usually fairly satisfied with what you have to say, but no one is perfect. Even Kobe Bryant misses the occasional easy layup. You studied preaching in seminary, and presumably your professors gave you tips.... Read more
From Catholic New York: In an often-harsh world, one of the greatest charisms deacons can bring through their ministry is tenderness, said Cardinal Dolan at the Mass of Ordination for eight deacons who will serve in the archdiocese. “Perhaps, in a dramatic way, the deacon is called to the charism of tenderness in the life of the Church,” the cardinal said June 8 to the eight men he ordained as deacons. In their work as deacons, they are called to... Read more
This is something to see, from Aid to the Church in Need. As described on YouTube: The promising future that the so-called Arab Spring foretold has become rather a nightmare in Syria: an escalating conflict that has forced thousands of Syrians to leave their country. Christian families in particular face a hardship reality in the refugees camps in Lebanon, Turkey and Jordan. CRTN and Aid to the Church in Need present in this short film the testimony of men and... Read more
Details: Parishioners from St. Andrew Catholic Church, which has a longstanding commitment to social justice issues, will march in Sunday’s Portland Pride Parade with a banner proclaiming their parish identity, despite the wishes of Archbishop Alexander K. Sample. At least four Catholic parishes are expected to participate in the parade, according to the Rev. Tara Wilkins, executive director of the Community of Welcoming Congregations. Members of St. Francis of Assisi, St. Philip Neri and St. André Bessette (the Downtown Chapel) also are expected to march. In the past, they have... Read more
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