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January 2008

January 10

Beware children and the Internet

January 10, 2008

There is finally a growing awareness that, if the Internet is like the Wild West, children are exceedingly vulnerable to being targets of stray bullets. These may take the form of pornography stumbled upon, online bullying by peers, commercial exploitation by manipulative corporate marketers or even — at an extreme — sexual luring by adults.

January 11

God and the battle between mind and brain

January 11, 2008

The Spiritual Brain: A Neuroscientist’s Case for the Existence of the Soul, by Mario Beauregard and Denyse O’Leary (HarperCollins, 368 pages, hardcover, $31.50). Materialists are legion in the universities, and it is a favourite sport of materialists to make fun of us credulous people who believe in God. Materialists, especially the 19-year-olds, are amazed that religious people even bother to go to university. What materialists don’t realize, of course, is that materialism is itself a belief system whose claims have not been scientifically verified.

Struggle to be family

January 11, 2008

One of the most useless and common complaints about the movies is that they’re not like real life. It’s like complaining that the water is wet, or exercise makes you tired.

Ignorance of God is our sin

January 11, 2008

Second Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A) Jan. 20 (Isaiah 49:3, 5-6; Psalm 40; 1 Corinthians 1:1-3; John 1:29-34) What is it like to be singled out by God for an important task? As any prophet or person of God can tell you, it is not always fun and games.

CCO New Year's conference draws 450 to Calgary

January 11, 2008

CALGARY - Songs of praise to God replaced the clang of champagne glasses as young adults welcomed in the New Year at the stroke of midnight.

Forming good habits

January 11, 2008

Are you busy? I usually am. Who isn’t these days? We seem to become too busy sometimes. We try to do lots of good, to the point that we forget what’s important. It brings to mind Jesus’ words to Martha about occupying herself with minor things.

Scarboro Missions hosts Catholic roshi

January 11, 2008

TORONTO - A Catholic Zen roshi from Texas is coming to town to explain what Buddhism teaches about compassion in a world that often fails to live up to our expectations.

James Magee Meritus's top businessperson

January 11, 2008

TORONTO - James Magee has been named this year’s Meritus Catholic Business person of the Year. Meritus is a not-for-profit organization that provides networking opportunities for Catholic business people. Every year the organization honours a businessperson who lives out Christian values in their personal and professional life.

100 years in search of Christian unity

January 11, 2008

If you pray for something for 100 years you might find the prayer refines itself in the light of new realities, and then perhaps the prayer itself deepens your understanding and broadens your horizon.

Two nuns honoured with Order of Canada

January 11, 2008

OTTAWA - Two Catholic nuns have been named Members of the Order of Canada in recognition of their contribution to Canadian health care. On Dec. 28, Governor General Michaëlle Jean named Sr. Margaret Smith of the Sisters of St. Joseph and Sr. Margaret Vickers of the Sisters of Charity among 61 new appointments to the Order of Canada.

DVD helps prepare for congress

January 11, 2008

OTTAWA - The upper room, where Jesus held the last supper and where the Holy Spirit descended at Pentecost, is also known as the cenacle. Thus it is fitting that a new DVD prepared by organizers of the June 2008 International Eucharistic Congress in Quebec City is called Encounters at the Cenacle.

Combination of factors lead to Kenyan turmoil

January 11, 2008

NAIROBI, Kenya - Church leaders, pastors and bishops are working to change the channel on the cycle of ethnic and political violence which has claimed nearly 500 lives since Kenya’s disputed national elections Dec. 27.

January 16

The archdiocese of Toronto to host Catholic media conference

January 16, 2008

TORONTO - The archdiocese of Toronto will be spiritual host for what could be the largest gathering of Catholic media ever held in Canada when the Catholic Media Convention 2008 comes to town May 28-30.

January 17

We need to pray unceasingly throughout life

January 17, 2008

This year's theme for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity (Jan. 20-26) uses Paul's words “Pray without ceasing” from his letter to the Thessalonians (5:13b-18). This is sage advice, not only in the cause of Christian unity, but for life in general.

Jesuits move offices closer to University of Toronto

January 17, 2008

Jesuits are always on the move, but the next move for the Jesuit Fathers of English Canada will concentrate the order's brain trust on the eastern edge of Queen's Park Circle, on the main campus of the University of Toronto.

Toronto man helps Ave Maria University in Florida

January 17, 2008

TORONTO - A Canadian manufacturer is hammering its nails into an oratory which will be the centre piece of Ave Maria, a brand new Catholic town in Naples, Florida, that will host Ave Maria University and an oratory in the city centre. The town and university is the brainchild of Domino's Pizza chain founder Tim Monaghan.

Wordly distractions mask our true purpose

January 17, 2008

Pain. Loss. Injustice. In these situations some common questions we ask are what is the cause of my misery? Why do corrupt people seem to gain the greatest rewards like success and wealth, while practiSing Christian believers appear to suffer? I frequently read the Old Testament, particularly the story of Job, because it holds the answers to these questions.

Friars' essay contest winners announced

January 17, 2008

TORONTO - Michael Scaffidi placed first in the sixth annual Friars' Student Writing Award contest for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, which runs from Jan. 20 to 27.

St. Paul urges Christians to 'be at peace'

January 17, 2008

From the conception of the Catholic Church to the present day, Christians have existed as a proud, yet humble people, full of courage and hope. Thousands died for Christ throughout the ages, be it in battles fought over the Holy Land, or in the merciless and bloody persecutions of tyrants and unjust empires.

We have freedom of speech, except for Catholics

January 17, 2008

Any Catholic who has gone to university in Ontario knows that there is a lot of anti-Catholic feeling here. And any Catholic whose family has been in Ontario for more than two generations is not particularly surprised.