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February 2018

February 26, 2018

Have altar, will travel: check out these beautiful portable altars

I stumbled on this story late today: an account of a gorgeous, hand-made portable altar...

February 26, 2018

San Diego names its first woman chancellor

At 35, she's also remarkably young. From The Southern Cross: In a groundbreaking decision, San...

February 26, 2018

Cardinal Tobin: ‘Helping Dreamers to become American citizens is a clear moral test’

Cardinal Joseph Tobin of Newark writes in today's New York Times: The Gospel of Jesus...

February 26, 2018

Pro-life Catholic congressman snubbed by Democrats for reelection

Is anyone surprised? From Politico: Dan Lipinski is the kind of candidate Democrats need more...

February 26, 2018

On the move: “The Deacon’s Bench” returns to Patheos March 1

Unfold the boxes and collect old newspapers for wrapping the Hummel figurines: this blog is...

February 25, 2018

Gwen Stefani tweets about visit to cathedral, Lent

Local news reports picked up that the singer was visiting St. Louis — stopping by...

February 25, 2018

Christianity’s holiest site shut down, leaders charge ‘systematic’ campaign against Christians

It's due to a dispute over a proposed tax policy. Details: The Church of the...

February 24, 2018

For Jim

This weekend, we're marking the 10th anniversary of the day my deacon brother and classmate...

February 24, 2018

Here comes mercy: Sisters of Mercy to establish a foundation in Toledo

The announcement came in a letter from Bishop Daniel Thomas: [img attachment="282639" align="aligncenter" size="full"

February 24, 2018

Hymn of the Week: ‘The Glory of These Forty Days’

We hear this hymn during Lent, and this week it's the processional at my parish....

February 23, 2018

Brother deacons

From the Catholic Standard, here's a great profile of love and service, featuring brothers who...

February 22, 2018

Should priests carry guns?

The debate about arming teachers in classrooms reminded me of this post from a few...

February 21, 2018

Springfield Bishop Paprocki repeats: Senator Durbin is not to be admitted to Holy Communion

In an unusual move, a bishop — Thomas Paprocki of Springfield, Illinois —has posted this...

February 21, 2018

Star of ‘The Big Bang Theory’ talks about his ‘hippie Catholic’ upbringing—and his new show about faith

Johnny Galecki is one of the executive producers behind "Living Biblically," which CBS debuts next...

February 21, 2018

Billy Graham on the approach of death: ‘You cannot count your days, but you can make your days count’

Great wisdom from a great Christian, who entered eternal life today at the age of...

February 20, 2018

Wow: YouTube star announces she’s becoming Catholic

She's become a force on YouTube and social media, and now the 22-year-old woman behind...

February 20, 2018

Hey, who doesn’t love a great video of a priest playing the bagpipes while skiing?

Well, here it is. Details: Fr. Nolan, a priest from the Diocese of Boise, Idaho, is hitting...

February 19, 2018

USCCB announces national Catholic Call-in Day for Dreamers

The press release: Late last week, the Senate failed to achieve the 60 votes needed...

February 19, 2018

‘The light is on for you’: diocese offers confession every Wednesday night at every parish during Lent

It's happening in San Jose: “This Lenten initiative is a wonderful way for all of...

February 19, 2018

What a great idea: formation center launches blog for wives of deacons

Details, from Seton Hall University: The Center for Diaconal Formation of Immaculate Conception Seminary School of Theology is...

February 19, 2018

‘Hero’s Welcome’: one artist’s powerful tribute to coach Aaron Feis

A Canadian artist has put a powerful and heartbreaking perspective on the tragedy of school...

February 19, 2018

Vandals use statue of Virgin Mary to smash door, break into Tulsa Catholic church

Details: Tulsa Police are looking for whoever vandalized Saint Augustine Catholic Church on Apache near...

February 18, 2018

Shock: at least five killed in deadly attack at Russian Orthodox church

From The New York Times: A man carrying a knife and a hunting rifle opened...

February 17, 2018

Hymn of the Week: ‘Ave Verum’

Our musical interlude this Sunday, the first of Lent, is sung by the City Choir...

February 17, 2018

This just can’t go on: Homily for February 18, 2018, 1st Sunday of Lent

Last Wednesday, while most of us were busy getting ashes or buying last-minute Valentine’s Day...

February 17, 2018

North Carolina mom had child baptized—and now she’s behind bars

Evidently, she violated a court order regarding "decisions concerning religion" connected with child custody. Details: ...

February 16, 2018

Egypt dedicates church in honor of Christians beheaded by ISIS

Details: It is a special day for the Coptic community of Minya province, Upper Egypt,...

February 15, 2018

An unexpected Ash Wednesday greeting from…Mario Lopez?

Yes. The host of TV's "Extra"—and, to many of us, legendary for playing A.C....

February 15, 2018

‘Trust a God who can redeem what now seems unredeemable’

From a homily I delivered last fall, following the shootings in Las Vegas: Just last...

February 15, 2018

Pope reveals that he meets regularly with sex abuse victims

Details: Pope Francis revealed in a meeting with confreres of his Jesuit order last month...