Those are the cheerful, friendly words that Pope Francis used from the loggia of St. John Lateran, closing out an eventful Sunday during which the Holy Father finally took possession of his home basilica in Rome. (I can’t help but notice that in the picture here, he is using what appears to be the crucifix/staff that was used by John Paul II: a simpler, more modern design—and in silver— than the gold one preferred by Pope Benedict.) From his... Read more
Is this a first? I could be wrong, but I’m not aware of any other former U.S. congresmen ordained to the diaconate. Details: Bishop Joe Vásquez will ordain 11 men to the permanent diaconate April 13 at St. Margaret Mary Parish in Cedar Park. Permanent deacons serve the church in the three-fold ministry of word, liturgy and charity. They proclaim, preach and teach the Gospel; baptize infants and witness marriages; and conduct wake, funeral and Communion services. Men exploring the... Read more
Is this a first? I could be wrong, but I’m not aware of any other former U.S. congresmen ordained to the diaconate. Details: Bishop Joe Vásquez will ordain 11 men to the permanent diaconate April 13 at St. Margaret Mary Parish in Cedar Park. Permanent deacons serve the church in the three-fold ministry of word, liturgy and charity. They proclaim, preach and teach the Gospel; baptize infants and witness marriages; and conduct wake, funeral and Communion services. Men exploring the... Read more
Details: Funeral services for legendary movie critic Roger Ebert have been set for Monday. The service is scheduled at Holy Name Cathedral, 730 N. State St., a church official confirmed. The program starts at 10 a.m. and will be open to the public, but seats will be first-come, first-served, a publicist for Ebert’s family said in a press release. A memorial tribute is planned for April 11, according to the news release, but further details were not available. Ebert, who... Read more
John Allen, wrapping up his visit to Argentina, draws some interesting conclusions about the new pope from those who know him best: I arrived in Argentina under the assumption that what we’ve seen from Pope Francis so far is mostly a matter of style, and that the real substance of his papacy is yet to come. That is, things like spurning the papal limo, living in the Casa Santa Marta, and going to a youth prison for Holy Thursday struck... Read more
Details from the Times-Republican in Iowa: Some may call it CSI with animals, but Gary Pusillo prefers to call his work forensic science. Pusillo, a rural Marshalltown resident, runs his own company, INTI Services, that investigates problems in animal husbandry. He travels across the country and abroad. Pusillo is often called to farms that supply food to major corporations that could have animals dying or getting sick and he looks for the cause. He looks at the feed, medications, water,... Read more
From the Miami Herald: Thirty-three years ago, Mother Teresa of Calcutta came to Miami to put her merciful motto of love into action: “To serve the poorest of the poor.” Since then, each morning a group of sisters of the congregation of the Missionaries of Charity, donning their distinctive white blue-bordered saris, passes through the gates of their beloved Overtown convent — where they live without air conditioning, washing machines or television — and cross the street to enter the... Read more
This is really quite remarkable. At a secular university, Catholic students have banded together to create a website expressing support for the faith-professing chaplain that gay students are trying to get fired. Dawn Eden has the scoop. You can find some of the wonderful testimonials here. (I have to note: yesterday, after posting on this story, I received a half a dozen e-mails from people who know Father Greg and couldn’t say enough good things about him and his ministry.)... Read more
You can’t make this stuff up: Spokane’s Gonzaga University has denied a Knights of Columbus group application to be recognized as an official student organization. Those seeking the status were notified of the University’s decision at a meeting on March 7. The group was notified of the decision by Dean of Students Kassi Kain and Assistant Director for Student Activities Dave Rovick. “The Knights of Columbus, by their very nature, is a men’s organization in which only Catholics may participate... Read more
The Deacon's Bench
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