Cardinal O’Brien Leaving Scotland for “Spiritual Renewal, Prayer and Penance”

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

Details: Disgraced former Cardinal Keith O’Brien is to leave Scotland for several months after admitting inappropriate sexual conduct during his church career, the Vatican has said. Britain’s most senior Catholic cleric resigned earlier this year amid allegations that he made homosexual approaches to young trainee priests. The Vatican confirmed today that O’Brien will leave Scotland ‘for spiritual renewal’. The cardinal stepped down as leader of the Scottish Catholic Church at the end of February after admitting that his sexual conduct... Read more

Angelina Jolie and the Illness No One Wants to Mention

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

Writer Jamie Calloway-Hanauer raises an issue many would prefer to overlook: In the hours following the publication of Angelina Jolie’s story, others came forward with their own stories, and the media coverage since has been non-stop. However, when a similarly famous actress, Catherine Zeta Jones, came forward with her diagnosis of bipolar II disorder, it made only a news ripple compared to the crashing wave of coverage Jolie’s disclosure has received. Don’t get me wrong — Jolie’s announcement is hugely significant and... Read more

Come, Holy Spirit: Pope Releases Doves Presented to Him by Pilgrims

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

Details: Two doves celebrated their freedom with a soaring flight over St. Peter’s Square on Wednesday, all thanks to Pope Francis. As Francis toured the square in his open-topped popemobile at his weekly public audience, someone in the crowd thrust a white bird cage with two doves inside at him. Looking puzzled, his security detail took the cage and handed it to Francis. Without hesitation, the pope opened the cage door, thrust a hand inside, extracted one dove and sent... Read more

Florida Priest Presides Over Burials for Those No One Else Will Claim—UPDATED

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

Here’s a story about a poignant and prayerful work of mercy most people never hear about. Details: No one Mary Helen Wells knew was at her funeral. The physical sum of her 85 years filled a donated urn Monday afternoon, among 36 other donated urns full of unwanted remains. A kindly priest said prayers and stowed them in a crypt. A groundskeeper sealed it, and the mourners, gathered on principle, dispersed. In South Florida, hundreds die every year without a... Read more

Perfectly Frank: A fascinating video glimpse inside the studio as Sinatra records “It Was a Very Good Year”

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

The singing legend died 15 years ago today. Herewith, a great piece of television, from a special Walter Cronkite hosted to mark Frank Sinatra’s 50th birthday in 1965. They don’t make singers like this anymore. And they don’t do television like this anymore, either. Read more

Cardinal Dolan slams Governor Cuomo over abortion bill

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

From the New York Daily News: New York’s Timothy Cardinal Dolan made it clear this morning that if Gov. Cuomo proceeds with his plans to strengthen state abortion laws, he will face the wrath of the Catholic Bishops. “I am going to hope that the better natures prevail here, but boy if you come out you can expect us to be as vociferous and rigorous as possible in our opposition to this,” Dolan said during an interview with an Albany... Read more

Ordination update: 13 new deacons for Trenton

Last updated on: May 14, 2013 at 11:24 am By Deacon Greg Kandra

Details: The 13 men who were ordained as permanent deacons for the diocese May 11 were reminded by Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., that their vocation is primarily one of service to the Church through the Sacrament of Holy Orders. “This morning we come together, the community of faith that is the Diocese of Trenton, to meet the needs of the Church through the ordination of 13 deacons, men of great faith who in their lives have discerned God’s call... Read more

More parents naming their baby boys “Messiah”

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

From Reuters: Sophia tops the list of names for American baby girls for the second year in a row, while King and Messiah are becoming increasingly popular names for boys, the U.S. Social Security Administration said on Thursday. Jacob has become a standby for boys’ names, topping that category for the 14th straight year. Liam and Elizabeth broke into the Top 10 at No. 6 and No. 10 respectively, the SSA said in a statement. But rising on the list... Read more

Ordination update: 13 new deacons for Trenton

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

Graphic images at abortion protests: is this free speech?

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

The Supreme Court may soon decide. Details: Kenneth T. Scott opposes abortion, and he says so in public. Sometimes he holds up large pictures of aborted fetuses. Sometimes he makes his points near churches that he believes are not doing enough to combat abortion. A couple of years ago, the Supreme Court ruled that hateful antigay protests at military funerals deserved First Amendment protection. It will soon decide whether to hear a sequel, this one involving Mr. Scott. On Palm Sunday in... Read more