Ordination Update: 8 New Deacons for Arlington

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 4:44 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

From the Catholic Herald: For the first time since Arlington Bishop Paul S. Loverde reinstated the permanent diaconate formation program in 2005, transitional and permanent deacons were ordained together in a June 1 ceremony at the Cathedral of St. Thomas More in Arlington. Father Thomas P. Ferguson, diocesan director of diaconate formation, said that the combined ordination was a matter of timing. “(There were) three men whose formation period was coming to an end the same time that five transitional... Read more

On Choosing a Vocation: “Making Yourself is Different Than Producing a Product…”

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 4:51 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

A little profundity —and a challenge to the world—from David Brooks, in the New York Times: A human life is not just a means to produce outcomes, it is an end in itself. When we evaluate our friends, we don’t just measure the consequences of their lives. We measure who they intrinsically are. We don’t merely want to know if they have done good. We want to know if they are good. That’s why when most people pick a vocation,... Read more

Mass Appeal: Celebrating the Liturgy—But Not in Church

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 4:51 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

Last month, I posted the unusual story about Mass being celebrated in a Manila shopping mall. Turns out, that’s not the only non-sacred place people can attend Mass in the Philippines: Every Sunday at the upscale Power Plant Mall in metro Manila, the establishment tucked between a Japanese chocolate confectioner and a modern Italian furniture store has an overflowing crowd. It’s not a shop, and it’s not a restaurant. It’s a Catholic chapel that seats 700 and remains overcrowded on... Read more

Ordination Update: 8 New Deacons for Arlington

Last updated on: June 5, 2013 at 9:28 am By Deacon Greg Kandra

Ordination Update: 9 New Deacons in Omaha

Last updated on: June 5, 2013 at 9:12 am By Deacon Greg Kandra

I got an e-mail this afternoon from George Butterfield at Creighton University: Deacon Greg, these nine men were ordained on May 4, 2013, in St. Cecilia’s Cathedral, Omaha, Nebraska, by Archbishop George Lucas. Names left to right are: Brendan Kelly, Chuck Sheik, John Vrbka, Tim Howard, Nick Rasmussen, Alan Le Clair, Dave Graef, Ray Jackman, Lyle Simmons, and Archbishop Lucas. Ad multos annos! Congratulations, brothers, and welcome! Read more

A Death in the Family: Deacon Joe Marotta—UPDATED

Last updated on: June 5, 2013 at 9:06 am By Deacon Greg Kandra

I’m numb. Deacon Joe Marotta, ordained just last fall for the Diocese of Richmond, is gone. He was 39. Details from another blog: Shock. Grief. We got word this afternoon that our Deacon and friend, Joe Marotta, drowned while on vacation with his family. It is a vivid and painful reminder that life is not fair. Joe leaves behind a tremendous and tenacious wife, Katie, and five young children. After years of study, prayer, and preparation, Joe was ordained as... Read more

Defying School Board, Student Rips Up Graduation Speech and Says the Lord’s Prayer Instead

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 4:51 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

It happened in South Carolina: A high school valedictorian from South Carolina ripped up his approved speech on stage this past weekend, and minutes later, delivered the Lord’s Prayer in defiance of the school district’s decision to no longer include prayer at graduation ceremonies. Roy Costner IV drew loud applause and cheers when he surprised attendees of the Liberty High School graduation at Clemson’s Littlejohn Colliseum on Saturday. “From the ACLU sending FOIA requests to every district in the state... Read more

Jesus, As You’ve Never Seen Him Before: An Amazing Blend of Classic Art and Photoshop

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 4:51 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

Details: French photographer Léo Caillard visualized this project which brings a little modern flair to some perfectly sculpted, centuries-old masterpieces. To create this project called Street Stone, Caillard first photographed the statues and then he photographed his friends in similar poses, wearing selected trendy outfits. Using digital manipulation, and with some photo retouching assistance from French art director Alexis Persani, Caillard merged the two photographs together to create the illusion of the classic figures dressed in modern day garb. The final... Read more

Bishop Argues for “Only One Authentically Catholic” View of Gay Marriage Before a Hostile Audience

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 4:51 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

From National Catholic Reporter: Bishop Thomas Paprocki of Springfield, Ill., walked into a beehive when he agreed to speak about same-sex marriage before a small audience in Phoenix over the weekend. But at least the bishop was there, taking the stings. Paprocki joined Sr. Jeannine Gramick, a longtime advocate for gay and lesbian people, on the stage Friday in front of about 150 people at Shadow Rock United Church of Christ. The presentation, organized by Robert Blair Kaiser and his... Read more

So Why Was He Known as “Deacon” Jones?

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 4:51 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

The football legend—who coined the word “sack” to describe his signature defensive tackle—died today at the age of 74. He was born as David Jones. But that wouldn’t do. From his obit in the LA Times: He said he gave himself the nickname Deacon after joining the Rams because there were too many David Joneses in the local phone book. “Football is a violent world and Deacon has a religious connotation,” he told The Times in 1980. “I thought a... Read more