Inspiration Faith & Prayer Health & Wellness Entertainment Love & Family
Newsletters Special Offers

The Deacon's Bench

A recent high-profile extramarital affair has prompted New York Times to take a closer look at the institution of marriage — and what it finds might surprise you: Despite strong social riptides working against it — the liberalization of divorce laws, the vanishing stigma of divorce, the continual online temptations of social sites like MySpace…

Actually, it’s Worcester, to be precise. Just as in the days of the early Church, the diocese recently welcomed seven men into the diaconate. From the Catholic Free Press: An inspiration to return to the Catholic Church. An opportunity to see Dad at his happiest – or have him home more often. These were among…

Some people bring bibles to church. Some bring rosaries. One pastor is encouraging his flock to pack heat. From the New York Times: Ken Pagano, the pastor of the New Bethel Church here, is passionate about gun rights. He shoots regularly at the local firing range, and his sermon two weeks ago was on “God,…

“I loved his music. His young voice was almost a miracle, his poise in retrospect eery, his joy, tempered by pain, often unbearably uplifting. He made the greatest music video of all time; and he made some of the greatest records of all time. He was everything our culture worships; and yet he was obviously…

If anyone has any doubts about Michael Jackson’s impact on our culture, the videos below should put those doubts to rest. Three interpretations of a classic. The marching band just might be my favorite. (Besides the familiar original, of course.) What a talent. What a tragedy.

We finally had the formal dedication of the studio (and blessing of the chapel) for the new home for New Evangelization Television (NET) this afternoon. The building, just off Prospect Park in Brooklyn, was officially renamed the “Msgr. Michael Dempsey Studio,” after the founder of the channel. And the man himself was there for the…

“Farrah is in intensive care and is supported by Catholic priests consistent with her faith. I have reports that Farrah has received last rights. (sic) It is time now to make contact with your God and say a prayer.” — A blog post reportedly written by a business partner of Farrah Fawcett. UPDATE: Reports indicate…

It’s not unusual for a parish to be upset when a pastor is reassigned. But it is unusual for a lot of powerful high-profile local politicians to get involved, as they’ve done in one New Jersey parish. Take a look: Political powerbrokers and parishioners are pressing the leader of northern New Jersey’s Roman Catholics to…

Susan Boyle may have competition for Most Inspiring YouTube Performance. This comes from America’s Got Talent (the Yankee offshoot of the show that launched Boyle). Just watch and listen and feel the tears welling in your eyes. Consider this an early gift for Independence Day. (And, by the way, a grateful wave of the deacon’s…

This is truly stupefying. A woman who is an Episcopal priest has taken objection to a proposed rite for women who have undergone abortion. The Rev. Nina Churchman writes: I found the text for Rachel’s Tears online and was sickened to discover that the rite for abortion is couched wholly in terms of sin and…
archives most recent
search this blog
More from Beliefnet and our partners