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Browse › 2006 › December

December 2006

December 1

Sitting on the other side of the desk

December 1, 2006

Less than six years ago, I was a Catholic high school student sitting in classes and hanging out with friends. Now I find myself sitting on the other side of the desk. As a teacher at St. Edmund Campion Secondary School, I not only have the job of learning new skills but extending those learning skills outward to my students.

An inside look at cloistered life

December 1, 2006

ST. AGATHA, Ont. - The York University chaplaincy took six young women on a vocation vacation mid-November where they spent a weekend getting a glimpse of what religious life entails.

Communities walk together lighting The Way

December 1, 2006

TORONTO - Every Saturday night at 7:30 p.m. about 60 ethnically diverse members of the Neocatechumenal Way gather in the parish basement of Immaculate Conception Church in Toronto waiting for Mass to begin.

A donkey's-eye view on Christ's birth

December 1, 2006

Ruben The Donkey books [images/stories/books/ruben.jpg]BRANTFORD, Ont. - Rudolph the red nosed reindeer, meet Ruben the Donkey. This Christmas season some radio stations in Ontario will be adding a new Christmas jingle to their play list: "Ruben" sung by Belle River, Ont. country singer Gabe Gagnon.

Catholic educators challenged to unite

December 1, 2006

TORONTO - If Ontario's Catholic schools are struggling to stay afloat in turbulent waters, it would seem that half the time Catholics are stirring up the waves themselves. At a two-day conference dealing with the subject Nov. 24-25, leaders of the provincial separate school system struggled with how to overcome differences and face external challenges united.

The separate school system up for discussion

December 1, 2006

TORONTO - Ontario's Catholic community is embarking on another all-embracing discussion about the "distinctiveness, value and the future of Catholic education." The plan for the province-wide consultation was announced Nov. 25 at a symposium organized by the Institute for Catholic Education (ICE).

Contraception helped foster unsettled society

December 1, 2006

Janet Smith [images/stories/toronto_people/Janet_Smith.jpg]TORONTO - "Contraception why not?" is the question that Dr. Janet Smith has been posing to audiences for 20 years, a talk that has led to the sale of more than one million taped copies of her talk sold worldwide.

The Holy Family is a true witness to marriage

December 1, 2006

Holy Family [images/stories/misc/holyFamily.jpg]MISSISSAUGA, Ont. - When Canada was caught up in the midst of its gut-wrenching debate over legalizing same-sex marriage last year, Fr. Norm Roberts wondered whether there was a positive way to get out the church's message about the value of marriage and the family.

Interfaith marriage a threat to the faith?

December 1, 2006

Is marriage becoming a threat to religion? As more Canadians marry outside of their faith, religious leaders are starting to worry about how the children of interfaith marriages will ever gain a religious identity.

Governor General's Awards - Shortlist coincides with troubles of the day

December 1, 2006

As always, five English-language books were shortlisted for this year's Governor General's prize for fiction. The majority deal with war. As Canadians struggle with the tragedy of Afghanistan and our military's foggy role in it, this is not likely a coincidence.

The coming of the Lord will mean a new order

December 1, 2006

Second Sunday of Advent (Year C) Dec. 10 (Baruch 5:1-9; Psalm 126; Philippians 1:3-6, 8-11; Luke 3:1-6) It is always a struggle to remember the past, for there are so many ways of remembering. We can remember with bitterness, anger, fear or even shame. This was probably the situation of the exiles in Babylon for whom this prophecy was given. The horror of the destruction of Jerusalem and the deportation to Babylon was still a vivid memory. And then there was the sense of helplessness and degradation that results from being captives.

Liturgists to meet in Toronto

December 1, 2006

TORONTO - If good liturgy doesn't happen by accident, it must surely have something to do with the work of the North American Academy of Liturgy. The first week of January, the academy will bring about 250 scholars to Toronto in its continuing crusade to make sure accidents don't happen.

Napanee's St. Patrick's is surely a house worthy of God

December 1, 2006

It was a once-in-a-lifetime celebration for St. Patrick's parish, Napanee, my parish when I left to the seminary more than 60 years ago, and since my retirement 10 years ago.

December 6

Bishops call for free vote on marriage

December 6, 2006

Same Sex Marriage [images/stories/logos/Same Sex Marriage.jpg]OTTAWA - The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops has urged a completely free vote on a motion on whether to reopen the debate on marriage, one that would allow politicians to vote "in accordance with their conscience" on marriage.

December 7

Carroll to chair TCDSB

December 7, 2006

TORONTO - Continuity is the name of the game at the Toronto Catholic District School Board, where all 12 incumbent trustees were re-elected. Now those same 12 trustees have opted to continue under the leadership of Ward 8 trustee Oliver Carroll.

Pax Christi head hopes to meet Toronto group

December 7, 2006

PaxChristi [images/stories/logos/PaxChristi.jpg]TORONTO - The next secretary general of Pax Christi International wants to see the international Catholic movement gain a foothold in Canada.

Toronto gears up for congress

December 7, 2006

TORONTO - While the 49th International Eucharistic Congress isn't until June of 2008, planning is well underway. The archdiocese of Toronto plans to send 500 people on a pilgrimage to Quebec City where an expected 15,000 Catholics will gather to gain a deeper appreciation of the Eucharist.

Somerville Lecture - Bridging the Gap: Overcoming our Differences

December 7, 2006

Winnipeg Archbishop James Weisgerber [images/stories/canada_bishops/weisgerber.jpg]Editor's note: The following is the text of the sixth annual Henry Somerville Lecture in Christianity and Communications. Titled "Bridging the Gap: Overcoming our Differences," it was presented by Archbishop James Weisgerber of Winnipeg on Nov. 30 at the Newman Centre in Toronto and on Dec. 1 at St. Jerome's University in Waterloo. I am happy to take this opportunity tonight to address you not as a professional theologian, but as the pastor of a diocesan church. I would like to share with you the vision that guides me in my responsibilities as pastor of a particular church and as a member of the College of Bishops, which, together with the Pope, guides the universal church.

Papal gestures win over Turkish hosts

December 7, 2006

Pope visits the Istanbul, Blue Mosque [images/stories/international/Turkey_mosque.jpg]ISTANBUL, Turkey - During his four-day trip to Turkey, Pope Benedict XVI, known for his precise and incisive words, showed he was also a master of the spontaneous gesture. While his scholarly words in a September lecture in Germany offended millions of Muslims, his prayer in an Istanbul mosque surprised and delighted many of them.

December 30

Liturgists to meet in Toronto

November 30, 2006

TORONTO - If good liturgy doesn't happen by accident, it must surely have something to do with the work of the North American Academy of Liturgy. The first week of January, the academy will bring about 250 scholars to Toronto in its continuing crusade to make sure accidents don't happen.