"God's Favourite Idiot," a new Netflix comedy, isn't just a comedy, and it isn't just religious. It's a combination of the two. Read more

The day before my ordination last summer I was giving my four-year-old nephew a lift in the car.

I wanted to test him, so I said: "Tristan, what's happening tomorrow?" He said: "Uncle Frankie, you're being ordained."

I was surprised. I thought: four years old and he knows terminology like that. This kid's a genius.

Then I said: "And Tristan what happens when I am ordained?" He said: "You become a priest."

I thought: that's two out of two. I need to go for the third and final question, so I said: "And Tristan, what do priests do?" And he said: "They wear dresses!"

I've put the cause for his canonisation on hold, but it certainly made me laugh out loud! Continue reading.

Frankie Mulgrew is a priest for the Salford Diocese, England. He has been a professional comedian, and recently edited a book, Does God LOL?, published by Darton, Longman and Todd.

Source: Catholic Herald

Image: Author's own

A joke that can be greeted only with a groan or, better still, complete silence, can hardly be a real joke now, can it?

Santa walks into a bar and the barman says: Sorry, we're claused.

But punning has a rich history.

It dates back to prehistoric times, graces the pages of the greatest of writers (think Chaucer, Shakespeare, Joyce), delights the hearts of newspaper headline writers throughout the world and is more or less essential to cryptic crossword setters.

'Are you pudding in an appearance at the Christmas break-up?'
'Will my presents be welcome?'
'Yes, and Yule enjoy it.'
'I Noel I will, holly.'
'Anyway, Merry Chrysanthemum.'
'And a Happy Nude Ear to you.'

And on and on it can go, a game of sheer, infuriating wits played by two or more geniuses. Repartee at its very best ... or worst, depending on your point of view. Continue reading.

Source: Eureka Street

Image: Raymond Briggs

The evening was billed as an opportunity to hear two Catholic celebrities discuss how joy and humor infuse their spiritual lives.

They both delivered, with surprises and zingers that began the moment the two walked onstage.

Mr Colbert went to shake Cardinal Dolan's hand, but the cardinal took Mr Colbert's hand and kissed it — a disarming role reversal for a big prelate with a big job and a big ring.

Cardinal Dolan was introduced as a man who might one day be elected pope, to which he said, "If I am elected pope, which is probably the greatest gag all evening, I'll be Stephen III."

Cardinal Dolan introduced Mr Colbert's wife, Evelyn, who was sitting in the audience, and brought her up to the stage. The cardinal put his arm around her and gave her a kiss on the cheek, and when Mr Colbert feigned offense, the cardinal said, in a remark that brought down the house, "I can kiss your wife. You can't kiss mine." Continue reading