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December 2007

December 14

He is with us

December 14, 2007

One of the most important things to remember about Christmas is that Christ’s birth is a real historical event. It happened, some time more than 2,000 years ago, that a child was born to Mary and Joseph in poverty and the world came to know Him as Jesus of Nazareth, Christ the Lord, Saviour, Messiah, Son of God.

Faith is no stranger in the political realm

December 14, 2007

All of England appears to be waiting for confirmation that its former prime minister has at last crossed the Tiber. Given that if the average Brit had a choice between going to Westminster Abbey for Evensong or dropping by Leicester Square for a bit of celebrity gazing there would be no choice, the pending conversion of Tony Blair as a news item of national interest does appear at first blush to be surprising.

Afghanistan mission more than a military matter

December 14, 2007

afghanistan.jpg [images/stories/international/afghanistan.jpg]Afghanistan leads the news these days and for good reason. But the fixation on the question of whether our troops should remain or come home has obscured the most important objective of Canada’s presence — namely, supporting the struggle of the Afghan people to live in peace with decent living conditions.

Hope and euthanasia

December 14, 2007

euthanasia.jpg [images/stories/misc/euthanasia.jpg]There may be a large found within the media coverage of Pope Benedict XVI’s encyclical on hope and the holding of the first International Symposium on Euthanasia in Toronto at the beginning of December. The first received paltry, pro forma coverage, the other almost none and the obvious links between the two were scarcely noted.

Jesus’ birth proof of God’s presence

December 14, 2007

Fourth Sunday of Advent (Year A), Dec. 23 (Isaiah 7:10-14; Psalm 24; Romans 1:1-7; Matthew 1:18-24) Great written works have many lives and this is especially true with biblical texts. The original audience for Isaiah’s prophecy was Jerusalem in the eighth century BC, and the sign of encouragement was meant for Ahaz the king. Jerusalem was under siege, and Ahaz was close to despair. Should he make foreign military alliances in order to lift the siege? The word that came through Isaiah was a resounding negative. All that was needed was trust in God.

The real Santa was a man of faith

December 14, 2007

While the original Santa Claus has been morphed into the secularized patron saint of shopping malls, some people are trying to peel away the layers of gift wrap to reveal the true St. Nick.

Dad’s favourite Christmas

December 14, 2007

Christmas does not bring out the best in the popular press. Every December we have to slog through articles about the commercialization of Christmas, sly digs against Christians and tips on how to avoid the tyranny of the Christian Christmas. Then, when we move to the Life sections, we see colour photographs of gift ideas, beginning at $100. Worse, though, are the articles of the alternative press accusing Christmas of miserable memories of unhappy families or impoverished childhoods. Snide remarks are made at the expense of the happy.

Faith expressed in art

December 14, 2007

AURORA, Ont. - The new sculpture in the middle of the atrium at the York Catholic District School Board’s offices in Aurora is a train wreck of Pentecost and Passion — a looming three metres of twisted bronze with fingers, doves, crosses, flames and one giant spike through Christ’s palm emerging from a sculpture that seems to move up toward the skylight in the ceiling.

Tips to help the elderly enjoy Christmas

December 14, 2007

Many people are filled with joyful anticipation and festive good cheer right now. But some are apprehensive and may also experience heightened feelings of loneliness as Christmas approaches. Or perhaps they feel empty inside.

Roche looks at the bright side of life

December 14, 2007

Global Conscience by Douglas Roche (Novalis, softcover, 208 pages, $22.95). When we think about the state of the world today, it’s difficult to ward off encroaching despair. The deaths in Iraq and Afghanistan haunt us. We worry about developments in Pakistan and Burma. Almost daily, there are warnings about the shrinking polar ice cap. Meanwhile, homeless people sleep rough on Canadian streets.

December 17

Juno has strong pro-life message

December 17, 2007

The titular Juno is an unwed teen (a marvelous performance by young Ellen Page) who finds herself pregnant after, more or less, seducing her shy classmate Paulie (Michael Cera).

Serving up dinner for refugees

December 17, 2007

RefugeeDinner.jpg [images/stories/ysn/RefugeeDinner.jpg]MISSISSAUGA, Ont. - Students, newly arrived refugees and guests chatted over platefuls of chicken, lasagna and vegetables inside St. Marcellinus Secondary School’s dimly lit auditorium while live piano music floated through the air. This was the scene during the fifth annual Christmas Refugee Dinner held Nov. 29.

Let’s take back Christmas

December 17, 2007

One event that I always look forward to during the Advent season is the blessing of the Nativity scene at my parish, St. Justin Martyr in Unionville, Ont. Every year, before the lighting, parishioners gather outside, in front of the manger, to sing Christmas carols. The nativity scene is blessed with holy water and then lit. This is the true meaning of Christmas for me, as I get to congregate and celebrate the season with my fellow parishioners and my family and reflect on the Nativity. But other people might argue against that.

Catholic teen heralded an international hero

December 17, 2007

Kayla Cornale has gone from being her younger cousin Lorena’s hero to hero in the eyes of the global community. The 17-year-old was featured on CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute aired live globally on Dec. 6 from the American Museum of Natural History in New York for creating a learning program using music to help autistic children communicate called Sounds into Syllables.

December 18

Aboriginal council calls for path to reconciliation

December 18, 2007

OTTAWA - The Catholic Aboriginal Council for Reconciliation calls for Christians to “walk together in a path toward reconciliation,” noting that a chapter concerning the residential schools has closed.

December 19

Unborn victims of crime bill debated in House

December 19, 2007

OTTAWA - The Unborn Victims of Crime Act (C-484) received its first hour of debate in the House of Commons Dec. 13, just before the House rose for a Christmas break.

December 20

Golden Compass controversy grows in Catholic circles

December 20, 2007

WASHINGTON - The movie The Golden Compass has prompted a blizzard of words assailing the movie and the books on which it is based, as well as defences of the film.

John Paul II day bill reintroduced

December 20, 2007

TORONTO - On Dec. 13, MPP for Newmarket-Aurora Frank Klees once again introduced in the Ontario Legislature a bill to proclaim April 2 Pope John Paul II Day.

Latinos find it hard to find a place

December 20, 2007

TORONTO - When Latin American immigrants say Canada is a cold country they’re not talking about the weather. When Hispanics go looking for the warmth of a community that knows and understands them they often find it more readily in Pentecostal and Evangelical churches than in staid and proper Catholic parishes.

Native reality brought to Toronto students

December 20, 2007

TORONTO - Native teens living in remote northern communities are not provided the same opportunities as southern Canadian teens, said the former Lieutenant Governor of Ontario.