Some exciting news: I’m launching a Patreon page to support The Deacon’s Bench and give readers a few extra perks.
I’ve been mulling this move for a while. It’s a way to not only subsidize this little adventure (and cover the costs of things like a hosting platform and design support and, you know, paying the mortgage) but also to offer readers something extra and, I hope, worthwhile.
Significantly, it will also help to keep The Deacon’s Bench free of advertising. (I ran ads for a few weeks over the spring and into the summer, with mixed results.) Going forward, the generosity and good will of the “patrons” can keep this little blog entirely reader-supported.
Anyway: You can visit my Patreons page to learn more. Just click the button below.
I hope to throw in some additional offerings in the months ahead and (once I figure out how to plug in a microphone and mix audio, gulp) eventually add a regular podcast to the menu of features.
N.B.: The Deacon’s Bench as it is now will remain unchanged. The Patreon page will just offer additional features (things like exclusive book excerpts, signed books, announcements and more!).
I’ve been at this now for — incredibly — 13 years, starting just a few days after my ordination. And now, I’m delighted to be able to offer something more for those who have been loyally following The Bench.
I’ll add: It’s a special privilege to remember you in my prayers — especially today, the feast of St. Maximilian Kolbe, one of the patrons of communications.
He founded the Militia of the Immaculata, which in one of its prayers appeals to the great saint himself:
“Apostle of the communications media, help our journalists to be promoters of truth and goodness.”
But another prayer, in particular, strikes me as especially timely for this moment in our country and our world:
St. Maximilian, amidst the hate and lonely misery of Auschwitz, you brought love into the lives of fellow captives, and sowed the seeds of hope amidst despair. You bore witness to the world, by word and deed, that only “Love alone creates.”
Help me to become more like yourself. With you and Mary and the Church, may I proclaim that only “Love alone creates.” To the hungry and oppressed, the naked and homeless, the scorned and hated, the lonely and despairing, may I proclaim the power of Christ’s love, which endures forever and ever. Amen.
St. Maximilian Kolbe, pray for us, our media and our world!
Thank you and God bless you.
To paraphrase the great Charles Osgood: See you on the Internet!
