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The Deacon's Bench

She was up at the crack of dawn to sing for the crowd at the TODAY show. It was a chilly November morning, but this performance could make you melt.  Behold: Susan Boyle’s gorgeous interp of “Cry Me A River.”

John Allen has a few interesting thoughts about the Patrick Kennedy-Bishop Thomas Tobin communion clash: I have no insider scoop to offer, but I can summarize here what I’ve been saying on-air: the most interesting question about the story isn’t so much “why,” but “why now”? That is, there’s no mystery about why Tobin took…

“Holy Communion in the Catholic Church is one of the holy sacraments. Practicing Roman Catholics believe in extreme unction; in other words, that the wine and unleavened bread are transformed into the actual body and blood of Christ – a belief that in itself, is somewhat controversial.” — Rachel Stockton, writing about the Kennedy-Tobin standoff…

“For the archdiocese and Catholic Charities, two core tenets of our faith are at the heart of our concerns: our understanding of the nature of marriage and our commitment to expressing Christ’s love through service to others. Under the legislative language before the D.C. Council, the archdiocese would be forced to choose between these two…

Another high profile Catholic politician — and one who is no stranger to clashing with bishops — has added his two cents to the Kennedy-Tobin debate: Former New York Gov. Mario Cuomo said Sunday that church leaders should be cautious about pressuring Catholic politicians over issues such as abortion because people might not vote for…

I posted this eons ago, back at my old blog site, but it seems a good time to revisit this classic from My Close Personal Friend (MCPF) Stephen Colbert. Happy Feast of Christ the King, y’all.

One of the most publicized standoffs in what’s been dubbed the “wafer wars” has reportedly escalated: Providence Bishop Thomas J. Tobin has forbidden Rep. Patrick J. Kennedy to receive the Roman Catholic sacrament of Holy Communion because of his advocacy of abortion rights, the Rhode Island Democrat said Friday. “The bishop instructed me not to…

Some are starting to wonder — and they raise some good points. Chicago Sun-Times columnist Cathleen Falsani has this to say about it: Now, don’t get me wrong. I’m not one of those paranoid religious folks who believes that there is an organized effort to take the Christ out of Christmas orchestrated by a clandestine…

As the esteemed Fr. Z notes, it’s a “vicar of online ministry.” He makes a persuasive case (one, sadly, most dioceses will likely dismiss or ignore) that the future lies in the electronic pulpit — the one you’re giving attention to right now. And he concludes that Christ himself was a communications pioneer: Our Lord…

Prayer for the Presentation of Mary from the Melkite Liturgy Troparion of the Vigil Today Anne brings us glad tidings, bearing in her arms the precious fruit that dispels all sorrow, the one being ever-precious fruit that dispels all sorrow, the one being ever-virginal. In fulfillment of her vow, she joyfully presents on this day…
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