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Words Matter
Deacon Victor Puscas Comments Off on Words Matter
Like a lot of guys, I played baseball in high school. I was what the local college scouts euphemistically called a “defensive specialist.” That was simply a nice way of saying I couldn’t hit. Not yet ready to give up the “glory days” of high school baseball about which Bruce Springsteen famously crooned, I attended Read More
Learning How to Be a Spiritual Director
Deacon Scott D. Gilfillan Comments Off on Learning How to Be a Spiritual Director
At the age of 62, I embarked upon a new journey: learn how to be a spiritual director. I thought I knew everything I needed to know about spiritual direction, but one day I realized I knew very little. The awakening occurred during the pandemic. I was the director of a diocesan retreat center. The Read More
Expectations of Married Deacons
Leon Suprenant Comments Off on Expectations of Married Deacons
We know from the Catechism of the Catholic Church that Christian marriage brings a man and woman together for the rest of their lives, to love each other and their children with the love with which Christ loves his Church. We also know that the Church calls bishops and priests to remain celibate for the Read More
A Look at ‘Courageous Humility’
Deacon Greg Kandra Comments Off on A Look at ‘Courageous Humility’
Honestly, this isn’t what I expected. Like most deacons, I’ve been following William Ditewig’s writings for many years — decades, really — and have been captivated and inspired by his insights and astounding depth of knowledge about all things diaconal. It’s not a stretch to call Bill Ditewig (and he’s just plain “Bill” to most Read More
‘The Spirit of the Liturgy’
Father Gregory Rothfuchs Comments Off on ‘The Spirit of the Liturgy’
As the Church in the United States progresses more deeply into the National Eucharistic Revival with its four invitations posed by the U.S. bishops, the quest to “reinvigorate worship” and engage in “robust faith formation” invites deacons in a particular way, as servants of the Sacred Mysteries, to understand the nature of the liturgy more Read More
Benedict XVI’s Theology of Diakonia
Dr. Roland Millare Comments Off on Benedict XVI’s Theology of Diakonia
Deacon Greg Kandra has written a wonderful reflection on “The Diaconate of Benedict XVI” in the March/April publication of The Deacon. He outlines Benedict’s diaconal ministry via the proclamation of the Word, charity, and his ministry at the altar. To complement Deacon Kandra’s article I would like to highlight Benedict’s theology of diakonia, which can Read More
‘Remembering Why We Preach’ Is a Self-Guided Retreat
Deacon Victor Puscas Comments Off on ‘Remembering Why We Preach’ Is a Self-Guided Retreat
I have had the pleasure of meeting both authors of “Remembering Why We Preach” — Dr. Karla J. Bellinger and Father Michael E. Connors, CSC — through the University of Notre Dame Summer Preaching Conferences and the Marten Program in Homiletics and Liturgics. Though fond of both of them, I shall attempt to remain objective. Read More
Reflections of a Deacon’s Daughter
Melissa Lesieur Comments Off on Reflections of a Deacon’s Daughter
Where is Dad? On a Saturday morning, if Dad is in his bedroom with the door shut tightly, we know that he is preaching this weekend. And when Dad is working on his homily, it is best not to interrupt him. No, we are not PKs growing up in a Protestant minister’s house, although my Read More