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The Deacon's Bench

Up in Canada, one region that has never had permanent deacons is about to see that change. From the Western Catholic Reporter: Members of the Edmonton Archdiocese’s first class preparing for the permanent diaconate will be ordained July 4 at St. Joseph Basilica, says the man who has been steering their formation for nearly four…

It remains, to my thinking, one of the great speeches of the last century. And it deserves attention again today. It’s Robert F. Kennedy’s improvised remarks in Indianpolis, delivered 40 years ago today, announcing the news of the assasination of Martin Luther King, Jr. You can read more about it and hear the speech at…

What helps make kids happy? A Canadian study says it’s the same for them as it is for the rest of us — it’s all about what’s inside, not outside: Spirituality is a major contributor to a child’s overall happiness — even more so than for adults — according to a new study from the…

Here is a story to give hope and uplift to anyone who has ever faced problems in life that seemed insurmountable: testimony by people from all walks of life who are living with physical challenges. One of those people: a deacon who was ordained after he was left a quadrapalegic. The story, from Long Island…

On a good day, I can hammer a nail straight into a piece of wood. Most days, I might add, are not good days. I have no talent for carpentry. So I was both envious, and impressed, with this wonderful story from CNS about a deacon (who grew up in the very parish where my…

That’s the sentiment expressed by a vocations director in Florida — and what led him to that conclusion is described in this article from Florida Catholic, describing a unique tour of a nearby seminary: Christina Fischer apologized to her tour guide for asking so many questions — and then, she asked another one. “I heard…

It’s not every day that you encounter the CEO of a major corporation who is also a devout Catholic. But the Associated Press just ran this intriguing profile of the new head of Eli Lilly and Co., and it bears reading: John Lechleiter could pick any mode of transportation he wants for his commute to…

What’s the most popular name for a Christian church? A reporter in Chicago conducted an informal survey of the Windy City and found some interesting answers: If church names are any indication, St. Paul is the most popular saint in the Chicago area, with 39 churches named for him. But overall, the most common name…

America on Wednesday will welcome a new cathedral — or co-cathedral — in the Lone Star State, as the shiny new co-cathedral of the Sacred Heart finally is dedicated in the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston. It’s been a massive undertaking — and will serve as a reminder that the South not only has a new cathedral,…

You never know where a deacon will pop up. This item about a deacon in prison ministry comes from a newspaper in Canada, and columnist Peter Duffy. It illustrates the surprising and vitally important work deacons are doing beyond the walls of the church: Silly of me, I know, but since this man spends part…
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