By Deacon John De Gano

 FACT: Life is precious.

 As I added my voice to the prayers of our school kids, teachers, parents and staff as they prayed a ‘living Rosary’ for a former teacher, colleague and friend, I couldn’t help but feel a bit guilty for my initial reaction of disbelief at Bishop Barnes’ announcement of the senseless tragedy unfolding just a few miles away.

By John De Gano

 Fresh from publishing his document on the environment, Laudato Si (May 23, 2015), Pope Francis did what any ‘worth-his-salt’ author would do, he went on a whirlwind promotional tour, stopping at the U.S. Capitol to speak to Congress, lunching with the  homeless, and preaching at Masses at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York, the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington D.C., and at Madison Square Garden.

By Deacon John Degano

 ‘Always be prepared to give an accounting of the reason for your faith.’’

 That’s one of my mantras.

 St. Peter actually wrote that in one of his letters to the Church.

 I have the luxury of living it in the world.

By John De Gano

 I am in my second childhood.

 That’s what my fellow staff members initially thought this summer when I began tearing up newspapers and dipping them in watered down glue before affixing them to the outside of a plastic bag-covered coffee can.