Heart full of hope: the story behind the beautiful cover of Boston Magazine

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

From the Atlantic Wire: For their May cover, following the Boston Marathon bombing, Boston Magazine has created an indelible image made from shoes worn by the marathon’s runners. The cover, while evoking the horror of the bombing, is primarily a forward looking message. Text inside the heart created by the shoes reads: “We Will Finish the Race.” Boston Magazine editor John Wolfson explained that the cover “helps us get out of the moment a little bit.” “To me, the cover says perseverance, and the... Read more

Praying “under the covers” in an atheist country

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

What’s it like to live and pray in an officially atheist state? CNS has a fascinating interview with Maria Dhimitri, who lived that way in Albania: “They said God didn’t exist. I couldn’t come to church or pray or speak of God at all,” she said of the communist regime that came to power in her country soon after World War II. The regime made worshipping increasingly difficult and finally imposed a ban on religion in the country in 1967,... Read more

Pope compares preparation for heaven to cataract surgery

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

His homily from today: Our journey of faith is not one of alienation, but prepares our hearts to see the beautiful face of God: this was Pope Francis’ message during Mass in the Domus Sanctae Marthae. On Friday Mass was attended by Staff from the Vatican Typography, the Vatican Labor Office and Vatican State Police. Emer McCarthy reports: The Gospel of the day recounts Jesus saying to his disciples: “Do not let your hearts be troubled”. “These words of Jesus... Read more

Bishop returns petition to gay man, with one comment

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

You may remember this story from earlier in April. Now, an update: The story of a Long Island Catholic ousted from his parish jobs for marrying his male partner generated headlines, outrage and an 18,000-signature petition to Bishop William Murphy to have Nicholas Coppola reinstated. But now the tale has an odd coda: Murphy, who heads the Diocese of Rockville Centre, mailed the petitions back to Coppola with a one-line cover letter on the bishop’s stationery that reads: “FROM YOUR... Read more

The distressing disguise of the poor: “I’m not a bum. I’m a human being”

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

Meet Ronald Davis, a homeless man from Chicago whose story has suddenly become a social media sensation: As one of Chicago’s more than 105,000 estimated homeless citizens, Ronald Davis’ story of struggling to survive on the streets may not be unique — but the reaction to his plea for work and dignity certainly is. A roughly year-old clip of Davis telling his story surfaced on Reddit early Wednesday and was first noticed by Gawker. By late morning, a Reddit user had called on... Read more

A teachable moment from Cardinal Dolan: “All are welcome!”

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

The cardinal, on his blog, explains: It was a lesson I began to learn when I was seven or eight . . . My buddy Freddie from across the street and I were playing outside. Mom called me for supper. “Can Freddie stay and eat supper with us?” I asked. “He’d sure be welcome, if it’s okay with his mom and dad,” she replied. “Thanks, Mrs. Dolan,” Freddie replied. “I’m sure it’s okay, because mom and dad are out, and... Read more

School says lesbian teacher was fired over “spousal relationship,” not because she’s gay

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

Details: A former teacher who said she was fired for being gay said she was told Tuesday night that she was fired for a spousal relationship, rather than her sexual orientation. Former Bishop Watterson physical education teacher Carla Hale met with principal Marian Hutson Tuesday night after Hale was fired for what was referred to as her written spousal relationship. Hale said Hutson told her the grievance documents support termination, saying that Hale was not terminated for being gay, but... Read more

Pope Francis will reportedly complete encyclical on faith

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

From John Thavis: It looks like Pope Francis will be finishing ex-Pope Benedict’s encyclical on faith. The Vatican spokesman, Father Federico Lombardi, said he would not exclude the possibility that Francis’ first encyclical would be issued later this year. The spokesman noted that before his resignation, Pope Benedict had already done initial work on an encyclical to mark the “Year of Faith.” Father Lombardi also said Pope Francis would continue to reside in the Vatican guest house, the Domus Sanctae... Read more

“The cooler, more welcoming side of the Catholic Church” —UPDATED

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

That’s how the Diocese of Brooklyn describes its new ads for “hipster Jesus.” From CNN: Ads around Brooklyn bring a new meaning to Joan Osborne’s lyrics, “What if God was one of us?” In a new ad campaign launched by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn this month, people in the borough and neighboring Queens have a new way to view Jesus: “The Original Hipster.” The ads feature the bottom half of a man – meant to be Jesus –... Read more

Gay Episcopal bishop slams Detroit archbishop over communion remarks

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

2 Comments

From the Detroit Free Press: Retired Episcopal Bishop Gene Robinson, who was the first openly gay man to become a U.S. bishop in the Episcopal Church, has written a Washington Post opinion piece denouncing Detroit Catholic Archbishop Allen Vigneron for saying Catholics who support gay unions or marriage should not receive communion. Robinson, who recently retired as Episcopal Bishop of New Hampshire, wrote in today’s Washington Post “On Faith” blog that Catholic leaders such as Vigneron “profane the Sacrament” and... Read more