An interesting observation: Imagine this: It’s February 10, 2016 and there is a double-header debate with the Democratic candidates going first on MSNBC and the Republicans following on Fox News and all but one of the candidates on both stages has ashes on their foreheads… There are only about 1,200 days left before Election 2016. Although far too early for anyone to declare yet, some have expressed interest or are thought to be sure to enter the next presidential race.... Read more
After mentioning his desire for a “culture of encounter” a few weeks ago—specifically in regard to atheists— and emphasizing the need for “a culture of solidarity and encounter” recently in connection with the poor, Pope Francis used the terms again in a recorded address for the blind: This morning the Holy Father sent the following audio message to the Italian Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired (Unione Italiana Ciechi e Ipovedenti) on the occasion of their summer program for around... Read more
One of the newly ordained, Deacon Jason Schalow, dropped me a note to alert me to the ordination by Archbishop Jose Gomez last weekend—and point me to this story from The Tidings, which has profiles of the “deacon couples.” As the story notes: Those to be ordained and their wives have undergone a five-year period of formation in preparation for ministry in their parishes. The formation process integrates academic, pastoral and spiritual dimensions towards forming deacons and their wives in... Read more
From the paper in his hometown, Lynchburg, Virginia: Hundreds of people, including dozens of clergy members, gathered at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Lynchburg on Monday to remember the life of one of their deacons. Joseph Marotta, 39, drowned June 5 while on vacation at the Outer Banks with his family. He was ordained a permanent deacon at the church last fall and also was employed at Randolph College as a controller. Several deacons who spoke at Marotta’s funeral Mass... Read more
Over the weekend, news broke that the Arizona Diamondbacks have done something extraordinary: drafting paralyzed Arizona State outfielder Cory Hahn: The former Mater Dei High School (CA) star and “Mr. Baseball” in California who many thought would be a “can’t miss” prospect was paralyzed after sliding into second base during his freshman season at Arizona State in 2011. The Diamondbacks said this was not a symbolic 34th round selection, and the organization will make Hahn, who is a student-coach for Arizona... Read more
From the Diocese of Brooklyn: All services listed below are open to the public. Monday, June 10th Wake 2 – 5 p.m., 7 – 9 p.m. McLaughlin & Sons Funeral Home 9620 Third Avenue (on the corner of 97th Street) Brooklyn, New York 11209 Tuesday, June 11th Wake 12 p.m. – 5 p.m. McLaughlin & Sons Funeral Home 7:30 p.m. Vigil Mass Our Lady of Hope R.C. Church 61-21 71st Street (Eliot Avenue and 72nd Street) Middle Village, New York 11379... Read more
From the New York Times: The attendant was stationed at the front door of my friend Michael’s wedding. “The ceremony is in the chapel,” she said to the arriving guests. “The ragtime band will be playing in the courtyard. The mini-cheeseburgers and lobster rolls will be served under the tent. “Now, would you please hand over your cellphone?” Attendees were taken aback. Four hours without my PDA? All evening with no Twitter feed? What happens if the baby sitter calls?... Read more
From CNS: Religious freedom is talked about more than it is protected, Pope Francis said. “The serious violations inflicted on this basic right are causes of serious concern,” and the world’s nations must act together to uphold “the intangible dignity of the human person against every attack,” he said. The pope made his comments during an audience with Italian President Giorgio Napolitano at the Vatican June 8. The pope said the cooperation that exists between church and state in Italy... Read more
What’s unclear is if this will be a sequel (though Acts and the journeys of Paul would make a great one). From the Hollywood Reporter: Mark Burnett says there will be a follow-up project to his hugely successful 10-part miniseries, The Bible. The producer also revealed he has just finished editing the feature version of the series that will focus on Jesus. It now clocks in at two hours and 13 minutes, originally three hours. “Roma [Downey] and I will do a follow-up, one hundred... Read more
Details from Reuters: When televangelist Silas Malafaia gathered 40,000 followers outside Brazil’s Congress this week, it wasn’t just to raise their arms to the sky and praise the Lord. The rally was a show of support for lawmakers who oppose abortion and same-sex marriage and a message to other politicians that they should not ignore Brazil’s fast-growing evangelical churches if they want to stay in office. “Gay activism is moral garbage,” Malafaia roared into the microphone to a cheering crowd on the grassy esplanade of... Read more
The Deacon's Bench
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