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The Deacon's Bench

My brother-in-law sent me this e-mail tonight. He said, “If this story is one you wish to share, feel free.” I do: Greg, after reading your homily for tomorrow, I think back to my days living at Mom and Dad’s house going to St. Raphael’s during Advent. There was always this sign hung in the…

If you pop over to Salt & Light TV, they’re streaming a fascinating interview with the late, great Avery Dulles. The word “Lincolnesque” leaps to mind. Meantime, Rocco has details of his upcoming sendoff.

This is “Gaudete Sunday,” and “gaudete” means “rejoice.” In fact, that word recurs again and again in this Sunday’s scriptures. We don these bright vestments and we exult, because the Incarnation is so close. But if you scan the headlines, there’s not much cause for rejoicing. It was reported last week that if the big…

To quote Samuel Johnson, in another context: it’s like a dog walking on its hind legs. It’s not done well, but you’re surprised to find it done at all. I survived. The evidence can be found here, or just click the icon below. Meantime, a delightful dog moment for a Saturday, below. This pooch isn’t…

Yes, we’re scraping the bottom of the media barrel here: someone has decided to put me on the radio. Those who enjoy train wrecks can tune at this link at 11 am ET. Saturday. It’s Catholic Radio 2.0 with the legendary Brian Craig, a.k.a. Commander Craig. The 11 am show will be live. But it…

As expected, the tributes to Avery Dulles are beginning to pour in, and one of the sweetest and most personal comes from a frequent visitor to The Bench, James Martin, S.J., who has blogged about his friend and colleague. He remembers a train trip to Boston with the man he called “Avery,” and the return…

One of the singular moments assigned to the deacon at mass is to utter the phrase: “Let us offer one another the sign of peace.” But where and when that moment occurs may be about to change. John Allen has some analysis and insight: In response to a worldwide consultation requested by Pope Benedict XVI,…

This just in from the Jesuits: This morning, we received this announcement from the New York Province of the Society of Jesus: “This is to inform you that Avery Cardinal Dulles died this morning at about 6:30 at Murray-Weigel Hall. Funeral arrangements will be announced shortly. May he rest in peace.” [Murray-Weigel Hall is the…

A loyal reader alerted me to this news, which I found both surprising and heartening. I had no idea Gary Sinise was a convert, did you? Read on: Two priests were among more than a half-dozen Catholics in a group of 24 people awarded the Presidential Citizens Medal Dec. 10 by President George W. Bush.…

Pope Benedict continues to use every modern tool he can to spread The Word. The pope who sent text messages at World Youth Day is now using another tool for the New Evangelization: In preparation for Christmas, Pope Benedict XVI asked Rome university students to read and meditate on St. Paul’s Letter to the Romans…
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