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The Deacon's Bench

Most people might not consider Pope Benedict a Great Communicator, on a par with his predecessor Pope John Paul. But as John Thavis at CNS notes, the pontiff has a deeper understanding of the media and communications, and even mentioned it in his recent encyclical: Toward the end of his encyclical “Charity in Truth,” Pope…

I loved Alice Sebold’s “The Lovely Bones” when I read the novel a few years back. It’s a fascinating and moving glimpse at grief, narrated by a young girl who was murdered and who recounts how she watches over her family, and tries to bring her killer to justice. Now, Peter “Lord of the Rings”…

An archdiocese with nearly 400 deacons (!) hosted an annual convocation for them recently. The scoop, from the Catholic Herald: Urged to continue being active in home parishes and in ministries supported by the archdiocese, more than 300 deacons and their wives gathered for the annual Deacon Convocation at St. Mary’s Seminary, Aug. 8. The…

A recent statement by U.S. bishops is causing controversy among some Jewish groups, according to this report: Major Jewish groups and rabbis from the three largest branches of American Judaism said Thursday that their relationship with Roman Catholic leaders is at risk because of a recent U.S. bishops’ statement on salvation. Jewish groups said they…

I can’t think of a better way of building up a marriage than starting every day the way this couple does: When most married couples vow to love, honor and cherish each other on their wedding day, that is often the only time they voice those promises aloud. Not so for Dan and Helen Lococo…

I have to wonder, especially after getting this e-mail from a former CBS News colleague who can’t quite believe his eyes, or ears. He caught the CBS Evening News last night, to see what they had to say about the death of the legendary Don Hewitt. As he tells it: The CBS Evening News leads…

Here’s something you don’t hear about very often: a Catholic psychiatrist who has, in effect, made the mind his ministry: Dr. Tom Welch, keen of mind yet mild-mannered, has emerged as a champion of compassion. The 44-year-old Catholic psychiatrist — in addition to keeping a private practice and teaching — tours the country helping Catholics…

It’s summer and more of us are letting our minds wander. Over at The Anchoress, her mind is meandering through the hills of valleys of interior contemplation, and she stumbled upon this beautiful reflection, from a lady pursuing a religious vocation: I come to the door of the house, carrying my jar of ointment, still…

The President continued his campaign for health reform yesterday, taking his case (via conference call) to a variety of sympathetic religious groups: Addressing a coalition of religious progressives this afternoon in a teleconference call, President Barack Obama denied that his health care plan will include abortion and asked members of different religious denominations to “knock…

I popped over to visit Happy Catholic today and discovered The Zimmers. I’m now smitten. Who, you may ask, are The Zimmers? Just some rowdy senior citizen rockers who have caused a sensation across The Pond. Check out this delightful and raucous clip. It’s now officially replaced that wedding processional as my favorite video on…
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