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June 2014

June 26, 2014

When the parish administrator is a deacon

Photo: Lisa Johnston An interesting glimpse into another aspect of the vocation, from the St....

June 18, 2014

Report: gay man in Michigan removed from parish ministry after “commitment ceremony”

This story isn't that unusual. But the swift response from the bishop is. Details: A...

June 09, 2014

How to be a “Pentecost Church”

Some good advice here, from Rev. Emily Heath of the United Church of Christ: This...

May 2014

May 26, 2014

Check this out: one parish’s own news show—and this place is a hotbed for vocations

A friend from Georgia sent this my way. All I can say is: wow. It's...

May 22, 2014

More on blessings from EMHCs—with a helpful solution from Archbishop Chaput

Various people have written in over the last 24 hours, suggesting that it's just not...

May 14, 2014

Bishop urges Catholics at “blended” parish in Virginia to go elsewhere—UPDATED

You may remember when this unique parish made news last year. Now it's in the...

May 05, 2014

What’s your pastor worried about?

The good folks at CARA have some answers: CARA recently asked a random sample of...

April 2014

April 29, 2014

Report: Archdiocese of New York moves to close historic parishes in massive consolidation

Details: The Archdiocese of New York took a major step last week toward consolidating its...

April 24, 2014

Maryland parish offers regular “White Mass” named for St. Lawrence, to support “people with different abilities”

Details: There’s a quiet room at St. Aloysius Church in Leonardtown named after St. Lawrence....

April 21, 2014

From death to life: joining a parish gives meaning to men on death row

From CNS: Some of the newest members of Holy Family Parish will never attend Mass...

March 2014

March 15, 2014

The challenge of Pittsburgh: one priest to run four parishes

He's be assisted by a parochial vicar and three deacons. From The Pittsburgh Catholic: On...

January 2014

January 20, 2014

“How to Build an Awesome Altar Serving Program in 10 Easy Steps”

People who visit The Bench regularly know that I never tire of gushing about my...

January 17, 2014

Who’s the boss: priests take classes to learn management skills

From The New York Times: They came for prayer and fellowship, naturally. They gave confession...

December 2013

December 09, 2013

The “consumer mentality” of American parishes: Want fries with that?

An episcopal priest, Fr. Tim Schenck, has some interesting observations on his blog, and I...

September 2013

September 22, 2013

New Orleans archbishop orders school calendars changed to keep Sundays free

Details: After months of nudging Catholics to reclaim Sunday as a day to attend Mass...

September 15, 2013

“What is a parish?”: a homily for September 15, 2013

Today, traditionally the feast of Our Lady of Sorrows, is also my parish's feast day....

August 2013

August 17, 2013

Farewell

Well, it's over. Msgr. Joseph Funaro, my pastor emeritus, has been to sent to his...

August 13, 2013

A prayer for Joe Funaro

Msgr. Funaro, seated, with the parish clergy, just before Midnight Mass 2012. My pastor emeritus,...

August 13, 2013

A prayer for Joe Funaro

Msgr. Funaro, seated, with the parish clergy, just before Midnight Mass 2012. My pastor emeritus,...

November 2012

November 10, 2012

After Sandy, parish unites to save a couple’s wedding

I don't know about you, but I could use a little good news about now. ...

November 08, 2012

Pastor publishes parish evaluation of his priestly ministry

I've never heard of a pastor doing something like this, but I'm awfully impressed. Fr....

June 2012

June 11, 2012

CARA survey: many U.S. Catholics parish shop

The group's ongoing study of American Catholics is continuing to yield interesting nuggets, like this...

June 07, 2012

See you at Spago: Georgia parish sets out to produce faith-based film

While most parishes are busy raising money to fund schools or fix the plumbing, a...

May 2012

May 29, 2012

Iowa seeks separation of church and sports

Details: The state’s largest Catholic Diocese is implementing a policy to create a separation between...

April 2012

April 17, 2012

Pastor who declined gay marriage petition gets standing ovation

Earlier, I posted about parishes in Seattle that were declining to take part in the...

August 2011

August 22, 2011

Where the "pastor" is a woman

Technically, she's a "Minister of Parish Life." But last month, Dorothy Carlson was named to...

July 2011

July 19, 2011

Report: fewer priests, fewer parishes, more masses

Does this sound familiar? Details: More U.S. Catholics are attending Masses at fewer parishes staffed...