If we’re all honest I think we would each admit that these last days of Ordinary Time are getting old. On Twitter, Bishop Coyne this morning pointed this out from the perspective of us preachers. We’ve been preaching on apocalyptic themes from our lectionary for the last few days. To be honest, it’s quite difficult thinking up something new to say each morning at Mass. Not to mention, it can be a bit depressing hearing about the end of the... Read more
A lot has been happening the last few days in Baltimore. Unfortunately I wasn’t able to attend the bishops and bloggers meet up – duty calls here at the parish! If you want a play by play, follow the hashtag #USCCB12 on twitter. Almost as good as being there in person! The Bishops today approved a very exciting new document on preaching. Preaching is where the rubber of the New Evangelization hits the road. As a young priest,... Read more
We’re still here. my parish is still in the dark, but thank God not much damage. I’m writing this post via iPhone so please excuse any typos. I have been incredibly moved by the resilience of the people of New York, New Jersey and beyond. Power is slowly coming back to our area – my mother just received her power. will have plans here at the parish to move Masses this Sunday to the parish auditorium where there is... Read more
This morning at the 9am Mass I preached with what I hope was fervor on the North American Martyrs – in particular St. Isaac Jogues. During my canonical retreat in preparation for my priesthood ordination my classmates and I listened to the audio version of the Lives of the North American Martyrs – and since then I cannot help but say with the French pronunciation of Isaac Jogues and Jean de Brebeuf! (I’m sure that got annoying after the 4th... Read more
UPDATED: Pope Francis today spoke to reporters aboard the Papal Plane – He responded to a question about divorced and remarried catholics. I think it’s fascinating and important. I’m updating this post because it got so many views and the words of the Holy Father may be helpful: On giving the Sacraments to remarried divorcees “This is an ongoing issue. I think this is the time to show mercy. Times have changed and the Church faces many problems, partly because of... Read more
It seems to me that the biggest and most difficult group to evangelize are young adults and teens. They’re all over the place – spiritually and emotionally. It’s a group that NEEDS to be reached if we are serious about our evangelization efforts. The New Evangelization has to begin with this group if it is going to be a success. I was blessed to be able to partake in an event that has been reaching thousands of young adults for the last... Read more
Something very special happened at Fordham Univeristy’s (my alma mater!) Rose Hill Campus last night. Stephen Colbert appeared with Cardinal Dolan in front of 3000 students and guests at an event the New York Times said “may have been the most successful Catholic youth evangelization event since Pope John Paul II last appeared at World Youth Day.” The event was not broadcasted or recorded so as to allow the participants to open up more freely. Twitter users were however present.... Read more
This is going to get a lot of people talking… Cardinal Dolan prayed at the conclusion of the DNC, making references to welcoming those waiting to be born and religious freedom. The video and text of His Eminence’s prayer is below. With a “firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence,” let us close this convention by praying for this land that we so cherish and love: Let us Pray. Almighty God, father of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, revealed... Read more
“Catholic Church attracts future priests using Facebook” That’s the headline from the BBC. It comes with a great video. The Diocese of Charleston in the US state of South Carolina has implemented a comprehensive social media strategy in the hope of attracting young people to the seminary, primarily targeting users of Facebook, Twitter and Foursquare. Led by Rev Jeffrey Kirby, vicar of vocations for the diocese, the aim of the plan is to encourage individuals to join the priesthood by... Read more
Crowds came out in huge numbers to bid farewell to their beloved pastor. A man not without controversy, even in death. In the end, a holy priest, a beloved pastor of souls. Watch below the final commendation of the Archbishop-emeritus of Milan, Cardinal Carlo Maria Martini, SJ: In paradisum deducant te Angeli; in tuo adventu suscipiant te martyres, et perducant te in civitatem sanctam Ierusalem. Chorus angelorum te suscipiat, et cum Lazaro quondam paupere æternam habeas requiem. Read more
Fr. Michael Duffy
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