Author Archives: Deacon Bob

About Deacon Bob

Moderator: Deacon Bob Yerhot of the Diocese of Winona-Rochester, Minnesota.

Is Sexual Difference a Construct of Society?

Posted on November 22, 2011 by Deacon Bob

A common idea floating around our culture today is that sexual differences between men and women are a construct of society, i.e., determined by social norms, expectations and experiences. The idea purports that sexual and gender traits are what society … Continue reading →

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Status of the Diaconate in the United States

Posted on November 22, 2011 by Deacon Bob

I ran across a very interesting article today from The Catholic World Reporter (www.catholicworldreport.com/Item/976/servants-of-the-lord.aspx) looking at the permanent diaconate in the United States. It is well worth your time to read. It discusses the differences in the prevalence of the … Continue reading →

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St. Augustine, the Blessed Virgin Mary, and the Dignity of the Church

Posted on November 21, 2011 by Deacon Bob

An excerpt from St. Augustine’s Discourses was offered today for our consideration in the Office of Readings for the Memorial of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This is a feast that is quite ancient in the Eastern Churches … Continue reading →

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Congratulations, Archbishop Sartain

Posted on November 21, 2011 by Deacon Bob

I read with pleasure this morning that Archbishop J. Peter Sartain of Seattle was elected secretary-elect of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Archbishop Sartain was a fellow student at the Gregorian University in Rome in the late 1970s. … Continue reading →

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Married Saint for the Day: St. Elizabeth of Hungary

Posted on November 20, 2011 by Deacon Bob

I’d like to highlight occasionally married saints who exemplify so well the dignity and nature of marriage. Today it will be St. Elizabeth of Hungary. St. Elizabeth was born in 1207 in a castle in northern Hungary. At a very … Continue reading →

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Marriage: Unique for a Reason

Posted on November 19, 2011 by Deacon Bob

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops have launched a new website entitled: Marriage: Unique for a Reason (www.marriageuniqueforareason.org). It is a fabulous place to visit and learn of the Church’s teachings on marriage and its defense as a union of … Continue reading →

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The Church Thrives Where Persecution Reigns

Posted on November 19, 2011 by Deacon Bob

The Catholic News Agency (www.catholicnewsagency.com) reports this morning on an official with the Vietnamese bishop’s conference, who foresees a confident future for the Church in Vietnam. He cites “flourishing” priestly vocations as one reason for this hope. They have over … Continue reading →

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Church of the Week

Posted on November 19, 2011 by Deacon Bob

St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church San Francisco, California  

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Benedict XVI in Benin

Posted on November 18, 2011 by Deacon Bob

The Holy Father begins a three-day apostolic visit to the West African country of Benin today. He is doing so to mark 150 years of Christianity in that country and to present a document entitled Africae Munus on the Church’s future … Continue reading →

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Blessed Fr. Carl Lampert

Posted on November 17, 2011 by Deacon Bob

You may not have noticed this in the news of late, but Fr. Carl Lampert was beatified four days ago in his native country, Austria. Bl. Fr. Lampert was a diocesan priest of the diocese of Innsbruck Feldkirch in Austria. … Continue reading →

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The Week of the Maccabees

Posted on November 17, 2011 by Deacon Bob

All this week we have been hearing read at daily Mass excerpts from the books of Maccabees. The setting was described on Monday; on Tuesday we heard of Eleazar; yesterday we heard of the mother and her seven sons; today … Continue reading →

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New Optional Memorials for Bl. John Paul II and Bl. Marianne Cope, OSF

Posted on November 16, 2011 by Deacon Bob

The US bishops at their annual meeting yesterday decided by a large margin to add two optional memorials to the Church calendar for the United States. October 22 will be the date for Blessed Pope John Paul II. That date … Continue reading →

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Quote for the Day

Posted on November 16, 2011 by Deacon Bob

“Thank God ahead of time!” – Ven. Solanus Casey, OFM Cap.

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Quote for the Day

Posted on November 15, 2011 by Deacon Bob

In keeping with the theme of my homily last weekend, here is a quote for today from St. Louis IX, SFO “Thank God for all the blessings he has bestowed on you so that you may be worthy to receive … Continue reading →

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Quiz Question

Posted on November 14, 2011 by Deacon Bob

Here is a quiz question. Anyone know the answer? Who is the patron saint of the West Indies? Answer tomorrow. Don’t wait for it…. post an answer.  

Posted in Saints and Prophets | 4 Comments