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The Deacon's Bench

Another diocese is making some hard choices about closing parishes — but seems to have found an innovative way of handling it that may keep most churches open: The number of parishes in the Roman Catholic Diocese of La Crosse could be halved under a plan accepted Thursday by Bishop Jerome Listecki. The plan is…

We could all use a little Monty Python right about now, don’t you think? I stumbled on this funny bit: the pope arguing with Michelangelo about his “Last Supper.” Which may explain why it was eventually done by DaVinci. Enjoy.

Image: Pentecost, by Deacon Bernard Deschler, The Deacon’s Studio Almighty and ever-living God,you fulfilled the Easter promise by sending us your Holy Spirit.May that Spirit unite the races and nations on earth to proclaim your glory.Grand this through our Lord Jesus Christ,your Son,who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,one God, for ever…

This news shouldn’t be a surprise to most people in the pews, but it is awfully interesting: The age and nationality of many of the new priests to be ordained in the United States this year continues a trend of recent years as more foreign-born men in their mid-30s are entering the priesthood. The average…

The pope’s visit is just a happy memory now, but one writer, from Hawaii, has just published her delightful account of her visit to New York. (H/T to Rocco, who always seems to be in the right place at the right time.) Here’s a snip, from her conclusion, the day after the mass at Yankee…

To help mark the bicentennial of the Archdiocese of New York — or, more accurately, the Diocese — a museum in Gotham is about to open an exhibit that tells the fascinating, sometimes surprising history of Catholics in America’s largest city. From the New York Sun: “Catholics in New York, 1808-1946” — organized in light…

Here’s a story that really hit home for me: the struggle of journalists to keep their faith. It comes from The Quill, the journal of the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ): When Los Angeles Times reporter William Lobdell was given the religion beat, he believed God had, literally, answered his prayers. But, as Lobdell confessed…

The Pope who has an iPod is getting into text messaging. (When is he going to start a blog, like one of his cardinals?) Here’s what is being planned for the World Youth Day gathering later this year: Pope Benedict will text message thousands of young Catholics on their mobile phones during World Youth Day…

Ordination season is fast upon us — and there’s news of some deacons about to be ordained in St. Louis: Archbishop Raymond L. Burke will ordain 13 men to the Order of the Diaconate at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 10, at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis, Lindell Boulevard and Newstead Avenue in the Central…

This is a wonderful video, sent in from a reader (thank you, Mary!) that celebrates the rosary. Watch — and break out the beads!
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