Two men studying for the priesthood will be ordained transitional deacons. Matthew Libra will be ordained at St. Edward Parish in Lebanon by Archbishop John Vlazny on Sept. 11. The Mass of Ordination will begin at 11 a.m.  Jeff Eirvin will be ordained on Oct. 7 at St. Peter Basilica in the Vatican.

Many of the off-kilter values that characterize contemporary Western society are showcased in "Eat Pray Love" (Columbia), the fact-based narrative of one woman's yearlong globe-trotting quest for enlightenment and self-understanding.

Not long ago, I was informed by long distance telephone that a very dear friend of mine had just dropped dead. I was left numb with grief. Looking back on that experience, I find myself wishing that I could have read Mary Jo Tully’s new book, "The Path toward Resurrection," before that tragic event. It would have been a tremendous source of strength for me during those dark hours.

This week a new neighbor arrives to the north. He is the Most Rev. Blase Cupich, recently appointed the sixth bishop of Spokane. He succeeds Bishop William Skylstad, who has served more than 20 years as eastern Washington’s shepherd of the flock. Spokane is a diocese with more than 80 parish communities and is home to Gonzaga University’s Bulldogs.

Today’s Gospel could have as easily appeared in the daily newspaper as in our Scriptures. Each day we hear new stories of mortgage foreclosures and housing developments that have not been completed. We know of businesses that closed and banks that have failed. Each day we calculate anew the cost of waging war and not seeking peace.  We are not as likely to ignore the “hidden” costs that seem part of every project and plan.