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July 2008

July 13

Parents seek input on police in schools

July 13, 2008

TORONTO - Parents and student councils should be consulted before the Catholic school board assigns police to about eight high schools, says a Toronto-based parents’ group.

July 14

Trust that God is capable, compassionate, just

July 14, 2008

16th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A) July 20 (Wisdom 12:13, 16-19; Psalm 86; Romans 8:26-27; Matthew 13:24-43) Patience, forbearance and compassion are often equated with weakness. It is far better to be strong and quick to punish, some insist, so that one will be respected and feared. And basing their views of God on the more ancient and undeveloped layers of the Bible they build an image of a God who is quick to lash out with punishments.

Our greatest treasure is found within

July 14, 2008

17th Sunday in Ordinary Time, July 27 (1 Kings 3:5-12; Psalm 119; Romans 8:28-30; Matthew 13:44-52) We are all familiar with the stories of the genie in the bottle who grants the owner three wishes. It is amusing to think of what we might ask for: piles of money, everything we have always wanted, and then, goaded by a twinge of guilt, world peace. Solomon is in a similar position, but the one granting the wishes is not a genie but God.

Germany's lesson

July 14, 2008

Contemporary Germans have a reputation for stolidity, but nothing brings a German city to life like an international soccer victory. Thanks to the German soccer team’s great performance in the 2006 World Cup, my favourite memories include riding through the jubilant streets of Frankfurt in a minivan packed with flags, seminarians and bottles of beer.

We serve the church best with honesty

July 14, 2008

On the Feast of Sts. Peter and Paul I found myself attending Mass at a church in Toronto whose current pastor is an old friend. We had lunch afterwards and talked about the state of the church but nothing that emerged from that discussion matched the perspicacity of his morning homily.

Madonna House returns Order of Canada to protest against abortionists’ award

July 14, 2008

OTTAWA (CCN)—Members of the lay apostolate Madonna House returned the Order of Canada award their foundress received in 1976 to protest the appointment of abortionist Henry Morgentaler. “The awarding of the Order of Canada to Dr. Morgentaler compels us to protest in the most forceful, peaceful way available to us,” said Mark Schlingerman in a prepared statement to media gathered at Princess Gate, the main entrance to the Governor General’s residence July 8. “Not only do we find his medical practice at the dark side of the medical profession but his inclusion in the awards diminishes them.”

Ottawa and Winnipeg pilgrims fly to Melbourne and bus to Sydney

July 14, 2008

Sydney, Australia - Ottawa and Winnipeg pilgrims slept at St. Thomas More parish in Auckland (NZ) last night and left the church at 3:45 a.m. to go to the airport. They had Mass at 5:30 a.m. at the airport, before leaving Auckland at 7:40 a.m.

July 15

WYD officially begins

July 15, 2008

SYDNEY, Australia - The Toronto delegation finally landed in Sydney yesterday -- two hours past our expected arrival time. We had decided to leave early because our group heard that the Melbourne Airport was busy with the many pilgrims scrambling to get to Sydney.

John Lennon 'one of Christ's biggest fans'

July 15, 2008

LONDON - British radio has broadcast an interview with John Lennon in which the late singer-composer claimed the Beatles were a Christian band that wanted to bring people closer to God. In the interview, aired for the first time in the U.K., Lennon described himself as "one of Christ's biggest fans."

Becoming attached to Australia

July 15, 2008

For Wednesday July 16, 2008 SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - Today was the first day that I felt fully adjusted to the time change. I got up and was ready for what the day had to throw at me. Our days have been packed solid with many different activities. If you don't get a good night's rest, it's guaranteed you'll struggle the next day. Come to think of it, I should catch up on some sleep with it being 2 a.m., Friday morning here in Sydney.

July 16

D&P lays blame for food crisis on agribusiness

July 16, 2008

OTTAWA - The Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace has released a 22-page booklet blaming the roots of the current worldwide food crisis on the rise of for-profit agribusiness. Entitled Food System in Crisis: Hunger and the Pursuit of Profit, the booklet calls for a return of decision-making power to the people who grow and consume food, promoting “food sovereignty.”

July 17

Australia welcomes Pope at WYD08

July 17, 2008

SYDNEY, Australia - Pope Benedict XVI formally was welcomed to Australia with a 21-gun salute and bright sunshine that had only just begun drying the dew in the grassy garden of Sydney's Government House. Although he arrived in Australia July 13 and in Sydney July 16, the first days of his stay were dedicated to relaxation.

Toronto pilgrims watch Pope's arrival

July 17, 2008

SYDNEY, Australia - When heading out of the hostel early this morning, I could tell right away that something would be different about today. There was a buzz, to be precise. Police officers and city officials were prepping for Pope Benedict's official arrival here in Sydney. Streets were filled with pilgrims who continually shouted slogans such as "B-e-n-e-d-i-c-t-o."

Shareholders' motions sway policy

July 17, 2008

TORONTO - Shareholders trying to nudge corporate boardrooms in a more ethical direction had one of their most successful springs ever. Spring is when most companies hold annual general meetings, reporting their accomplishments and future plans directly to shareholders, electing new boards of directors and voting on shareholder proposals. This year the Vancouver-based Shareholder Association for Research and Education (SHARE) tracked 171 shareholder proposals.

July 21

Propose, don't impose

July 21, 2008

For Wednesday, July 16 SYDNEY, Australia - Morning catechesis at 9 a.m. began with praise and worship songs at St. Philip Neri church. There was the sacrament of Reconciliation from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. We started by playing a game to get to know everyone.

The Call

July 21, 2008

For Friday, July 18 SYDNEY, Australia - Ottawa pilgrim Melissa Delaney shared her personal testimony with us. She talked about how she would run away when she felt called by God. She had everything figured out for herself and she didn't want to give her life over to God. She wanted control and filled the void with relationships, drugs and alcohol and quickly became addicted.

Co-operation needed in native healing process

July 21, 2008

OTTAWA - Healing and reconciliation formed the agenda for a meeting of Catholic bishops with Assembly of First Nations National Chief Phil Fontaine in Quebec City July 16. “I recognize that thousands of Catholic men and women religious worked during the Indian residential schools era in what they sincerely believed to be in the best interest of Indian residential school students,” Fontaine said, according to an AFN news release. “However, it is important for these religious entities to both openly acknowledge their role in Indian residential schools and to hear directly from First Nations regarding their experiences.”

Papal messages at the Randwick Racecourse

July 21, 2008

For Sunday, July 20 SYDNEY, Australia - Last night, World Youth Day pilgrims fell asleep under a halo. There was a perfect circle of light around the moon and in that circle, there were no clouds, so the sky was darker in the circle around the moon than outside of the circle of light.

Pope tells Australians of God's plan for creation

July 21, 2008

SYDNEY, Australia - In the longest-lasting and longest-distance trip of his pontificate, Pope Benedict XVI spoke to Australians and to young people from around the world about God's plan for all creation, but especially for people.

The trek to Randwick and Vigil

July 21, 2008

For Saturday, July 19 SYDNEY, Australia - Many pilgrims at Randwick thought I was crazy for wearing just a t-shirt and pair of pants outside. But after realizing that temperatures weren't that balmy, I drew out a sweater and an extra pair of socks just before I called it a night after the vigil.