Tom Bosley, R.I.P.

The affable dad on “Happy Days” died today at 83 from lung cancer. May he rest in peace. He entertained millions of people with his acting, myself included.


I recall when “Happy Days” debuted on TV in 1974. That’s the year I started high school, and watching Richie, Fonzie, Ralph Malph, and Potsie was “must see TV” (to coin a phrase) for me and my whole family each week. I always liked Mr. Bosley’s Howard Cunningham character — A.K.A. “Mr. C.” His calm, avuncular, and wise persona was almost grandfatherly. Let’s all pray for the repose of his soul, that the Lord will grant him an eternity of happy days in His presence.

Do you recognize this face?

That’s my buddy and brother in Christ, Marcus Grodi, the founder and president of the Coming Home Network, which for over 15 years has been helping Protestant clergy converts come home to the Catholic Church (hence the organization’s name). 


Anyway, I’m going to have the privilege and joy of joining Marcus, my bishop, Most Rev. Frederick Campbell, Bishop of Columbus, and a pantheon of illustrious Catholic speakers and authors, including Scott Hahn, Fr. Mitch Pacwa, and several others at the 8th-annual “Deep in History” conference, sponsored by the CHNetwork. 


It takes place this coming weekend, October 22-24, 2010, at the Easton Hilton Hotel in Columbus, Ohio. My talk theme will be “The Fathers Know Best: A Look at the Relationship Between Scripture & Tradition in the Early Church.”


There’s still time to register! Click here for the details. I hope to see you there. (Please share this on your FB pages, on Twitter, blogs, etc. Many thanks.)

What do you say to a cradle-Catholic who doubts the doctrine of the communion of saints?

Well, here’s what I said in response to Ed, a recent caller to my “Open Line” radio broadcast (Thursdays from 3-5 p.m. ET). He also had doubts about the bodily Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, so we talked about that as well. To listen, click here, or click the image.


If you’d like to acquire a copy of my book on the communion of saints, Any Friend of God’s Is a Friend of Mine, I’d suggest to go first to your local Catholic bookstore. If you don’t have one near you, you can get the book here.


Here are some additional, popular-level resources on these subjects:

Any Friend of God’s Is a Friend of Mine

Immaculate Conception and the Assumption  

How to Argue for Mary’s Assumption

Assumptions About Mary

Saints Preserve Us

The fastest goal keeper ever

The goalie is wearing a light-green uniform. At about the 35-second mark, you’ll understand why I named this post as I did. 

A prank phone call that backfired beautifully

I’ve known a lot of former atheists over the years. One of my very favorites is Jennifer Fulwiler. Among the reasons I like her so much (there are many) is that she’s a skilled and insightful writer. I’m happy to say that she writes a regular column for us at Envoy Magazine.


For the moment, though, I’d like to direct your attention to her blog, where she posted an unexpectedly powerful story about how she tried to prank a telemarketer, back when she was a Christan-despising atheist. As you’ll see, she didn’t expect the results she got, and I didn’t expect that the story would move me as much as it did. I really think you’ll like it, too.


P.S. Jennifer wrote the cover story in this next issue of Envoy Magazine (vol. 9.4). It’s called “Up From Atheism.” As soon as it’s out, I’ll let you know.

Muslim blasphemer dances on the high altar at the Florence Cathedral

Here’s an outrageous story that will likely go unnoticed and unreported by the media. Try to imagine what would happen if a Christian were to perform this same moronic dance in crowded mosque. Do you think he’d leave the building alive? I don’t know if this Muslim is deranged or just maliciously trying to insult and provoke Catholics, but either way, he’s a jackass, and I hope he’s prosecuted for this. May God forgive him. (Click the picture at left for the video.)


More information on this story here.
UPDATE (3:45 p.m.) — It occurred to me that others will have the same question that I had when I first saw this: Does this profane the altar such that it would need to be reconsecrated before Mass could be celebrated upon it again?

Not being a canon lawyer, I have no way to answer that question with certitude, but I would like to both post the canons that seem relevant and solicit the opinions of any canon lawyers who might wish to expound on how (and if) these canons are applicable in this particular case. Is there a iuris doctor canonici in the house? I invite your comments. 

Can.  1211 Sacred places are violated by gravely injurious actions done in them with scandal to the faithful, actions which, in the judgment of the local ordinary, are so grave and contrary to the holiness of the place that it is not permitted to carry on worship in them until the damage is repaired by a penitential rite according to the norm of the liturgical books.

Can.  1212 Sacred places lose their dedication or blessing if they have been destroyed in large part, or have been turned over permanently to profane use by decree of the competent ordinary or in fact.

Quote of the Day

“Game, set, match equals tennis.
Set, match, run equals arson.”
— Demetri Martin

The earliest known daguerreotype image of Abraham Lincoln

This is fascinating.


The basic story is this: In 1977, Albert Kaplan, an antiquarian collector of 19th-century artifacts, shelled out $27 to buy an old daguerreotype called “Portrait of a Young Man” from a New York art gallery. As he scrutinized the face in the picture, he became convinced that he was looking at a young Abraham Lincoln.


The following video elaborates how he became certain that the youth in the picture grew up to become the revered President of the United States who presided over the Civil War, freed the slaves, and was cut down by an assassin’s bullet at age 56.

New Media and the Holy Sacraments Just Don't Mix

Take a Virtual Tour of St. Peter's Tomb Beneath St. Peter Basilica

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