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The Deacon's Bench

The familiar saying attributed to St. Francis says we are to preach the gospel at all times, using words if necessary. If you want another take on that idea, a reader sent me a link to this compelling piece on apologetics, which reminds us that sometimes the most powerful and persuasive defense of the faith…

Want a new bishop in your diocese? Be patient. As the Los Angeles Times points out, several leading figures are nearing retirement age, and change is in the wind: With Los Angeles Cardinal Roger Mahony prominently among them, many of the nation’s senior Roman Catholic bishops are nearing mandatory retirement, offering the Vatican a significant…

It was a more-dramatic-than-usual Palm Sunday at St. Patrick’s, as Rocco reports, with updates: Cardinal Edward Egan was taken to St. Vincent’s Hospital [late Saturday] after experiencing stomach pains… Doctors were running tests Sunday. Egan was awake and alert. Doctors were unclear what his problem was, but Church officials said the situation was not serious.…

Yes, it is, and this inspired commercial makes you want to share — and dance, and just grin. Enjoy. A jolly H/T to Sister Boogaloo herself, The Anchoress. Meantime, if you want to know how they did it, watch this. And for something altogether different, there’s this version. You’ll never think of “The Sound of…

With a tip of the cap and a raised glass of Guiness to James Joyce, The Bench takes a cheerful look at the elect who are preparing to become the converted at next weekend’s Easter Vigil. A snapshot of the story in Baltimore, from the Sun: A police officer assigned to watch over a church…

I’ve just stumbled on this engaging blog by a priest in the Church of England, who offers these thoughts about why he is serving in Iraq right now: In reality I am here because I believe The Almighty wants me here. I have a profound and simple faith. I have to admit I have never…

“Making felt banners does not help produce a reverence for God and the moral law. Catechesis may have improved in the schools, but fewer Catholic children are going to Catholics schools or to religious education classes. Instead they are picking up their attitudes from their poorly-catechized parents, among whom are prominent politicians. But this still…

And how has your Lent been going? Mine, not so great. It went by too quickly. Too much frenzy, too many distractions, precious little time to be still, to ponder, to pray. I gave up swearing and eating meat, and was doing both before the ashes were completely gone from my brow. Damn. Thankfully, I…

After spending the last few weeks in the desert of Lent, suddenly we find ourselves in an oasis, clutching long leaves of palms. But like so many things you see after being in the desert, it’s a mirage. What we see, or think we see, is about to shift before our eyes. Soon enough, the…

And now, a little ’70s flashback for you. From the movie version of “Jesus Christ Superstar,” just for Palm Sunday: Incredibly, Ted Neeley, who played Jesus way back when, is now touring in another stage production of the show. A 65-year-old Jesus??!! Meantime, for further diversion, there’s this interp from a revival a few years…
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