Culture of Death: Rescuers in China Save Newborn Flushed Down Toilet—UPDATED

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

Details: Chinese firefighters have rescued a newborn boy from a sewer pipe below a squat toilet, sawing out an L-shaped section and then delicately dismantling it to free the cocooned baby, who greeted the rescuers with cries. A tenant heard the baby’s sounds in the public restroom of a residential building in Zhejiang province in eastern China on Saturday and notified authorities, according to the state-run news site Zhejiang News. A video of the two-hour rescue that followed was broadcast... Read more

Canadian Court Rules Catholic Mayor Can Offer Prayer Before Meetings

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

I wonder if this idea would fly in the United States: A Catholic mayor in Canada had his prayers answered when an appeals court ruled that saying a prayer before council meetings does not compromise the government body’s neutrality, the Toronto Sun reported. Jean Tremblay, the Catholic mayor of Saguenay, Quebec, fought the order to stop reciting prayer and to remove a crucifix and a statue of Jesus Christ from the chamber. According to the paper, the ruling overturned a... Read more

Must-See Video: A Catholic View of Memorial Day

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

From CNS and the leader of the U.S. Archdiocese for the Military Services. Always remember. Never forget. Watch below. Read more

One Woman Writes About Her “Uneasy Catholic Motherhood”

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

Here’s a snapshot of one kind of American Catholic mother, writer Mary Elizabeth Williams. From Salon: It’s probably a lot easier if you’re certain. If you’re a firm atheist or a devout evangelical. But when you’re living a faith you love in an institution that regularly outrages you, it’s a little tougher. Especially when you’ve got kids. Thirteen years ago, I carried a baby into a church and, as her family and friends stood around her, promised to raise her in... Read more

Cardinal Pell Admits Cover-Up for “Fear of Scandal”

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

Details: Fear of scandal prompted the cover-up of child sex abuse allegations within the Catholic Church, Australia’s top-ranking Cardinal George Pell admitted Monday. Pell, speaking at an inquiry by Victoria’s parliament into child sex abuse in the state, denied being personally involved in the cover-up of paedophile priests, but said it was clear it happened. “The primary motivation would have been to respect the reputation of the church,” he told the inquiry into the abuse of children by religious and... Read more

Have You Seen This Great Wedding Proposal Video Yet?

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

From the ubiquitous Brandon Vogt: On May 25, 2013, my sister-in-law, Elizabeth Floegel, boarded a plane and soared into the clouds, ready to go skydiving. What she didn’t know was that her boyfriend, Brian Charif, was waiting on the ground…ready to pop a life-changing question. See if this doesn’t make you weep with giddy joy. Congratulations, Elizabeth and Brain — and thank you, Brandon! Read more

Trinity

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

Well, there are three of us. Pictured: Your Humble Blogger, wrapping up his West Coast Odyssey with a visit to the legendary Church of the Good Shepherd in Beverly Hills, with two wonderful clergymen serving that parish, Msgr. Thomas Welbers (left, doing his best impression of Sir Richard Attenborough) and Deacon Eric Stoltz (right). The parish is something of a legend in Hollywood—at one time, dubbed “Our Lady of the Cadillacs” because of the starry and well-heeled figures who populated... Read more

Ordination Update: 5 New Deacons for Springfield

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 4:45 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

Details: Five men were ordained permanent deacons for the Diocese of Springfield as part of an 11 a.m. ordination Mass held at St. Michael’s Cathedral here May 25. Springfield Bishop Timothy A. McDonnell presided over the “Rite of Diaconate Ordination” as the men from across western Massachusetts became the newest permanent deacons in the diocese. The newly-ordained are: Deacon David A. Culliton of Greenfield; Deacon Keith T. Davies of Ware; Deacon George L. Galli, Jr. of Williamstown; Deacon Daniel P.... Read more

Ordination Update: 6 New Deacons for Albany

Last updated on: May 26, 2013 at 10:14 am By Deacon Greg Kandra

A deacon reader writes: I am sending this picture of the six new deacons (four permanent and two transitional) ordained this morning (Saturday) by the Most Rev. Howard J. Hubbard, Bishop of Albany. From left to right in the photo are: Robert Sweeney, Brian Slezak, Joseph Romand, Andrew Grebe, Richard DiCaprio, and James Davis. Slezak and Davis are the transitional deacons. Congratulations, brothers! Ad multos annos! Read more

Ordination Update: 5 New Deacons for Springfield

Last updated on: May 26, 2013 at 10:06 am By Deacon Greg Kandra