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April 2009

April 15

Benyamin Cohen connected to his Judaism through Christianity

April 15, 2009

Why is an Orthodox Jewish man, son of a rabbi, going to church every Sunday? In My Jesus Year: A Rabbi’s Son Wanders the Bible Belt in Search of His Own Faith, Benyamin Cohen chronicles adventures and lessons learned while attending church services for a year. He talks of how his faith in Judaism was renewed from his Christian experiences. The story was made all the more fascinating as his wife, the daughter of a Baptist minister, had just finished converting to Judaism when he embarked on his year-long journey to explore what churches of various denominations offered.

Numbers rise in local Toronto seminaries

April 15, 2009

TORONTO - There are more than 400,000 priests in the world, and that number has been slowly rising since 2000, according to the Vatican yearbook Annuario Pontificio. But do such big numbers relieve the anxiety of Catholics in North America and Europe who see an aging and dwindling priesthood manning the altars? With more than 100 men in Toronto currently studying for the priesthood, perhaps local Catholics have become too used to gloomy forecasts.

Brother Anthony Canterucci continues his work in Toronto and Tanzania

April 15, 2009

TORONTO - What does it mean to be a religious brother in modern society? Plenty, if you ask Brother Anthony Canterucci, a man who has served the Missionaries of the Precious Blood for 60 years. Canterucci, now 80, continues his work with undying passion. When he first started his vocation as a religious brother in his hometown of Niles, Ohio, his work included an assortment of tasks including administration, youth ministry and cooking. But since 1976, Canterucci has been a key co-ordinator in the order’s mission work in Tanzania, working from St. Alphonsus parish in Toronto.

Paulist Fathers novice, Anthony Rosado, evangelizes with song

April 15, 2009

TORONTO - During his two-month placement as a novice with the Paulist Fathers in Toronto, Anthony Rosado, 24, combined his love for evangelization and music in a unique concert series. In a performance called “Four Sacred Art Songs” held from March 9 to April 6 at St. Peter’s parish, Rosado featured original classical songs he composed last year. As a Paulist novice, Rosado has to perform the normal tasks of a novice, but he was also told he needed to do something “on his own terms” in the parish. This became his enthusiastic project.

Fr. Pucci an inspiration for 70 years

April 15, 2009

TORONTO, Ont. - Over seven decades in the priesthood, Fr. Angelo Pucci has been a fine example of the priesthood to many. In fact, his friends at Oakville’s St. James Barnabite parish say the 93-year-old former science and chemistry teacher has inspired at least seven former altar boys from the parish to enter the priesthood. As Pucci approaches his 70th anniversary as a Barnabite priest, associate pastor Fr. Louis Lenssen, CRSP, said he admires Pucci’s example.

Fr. Pierre Samson brings hope to Philippine missions

April 15, 2009

He is constantly on the move, climbing the steep mountain slopes, crossing meandering rivers and trekking the forest for hours and at times days to be with the indigenous people whom he calls his “family by adoption.” “This is my life and missionary condition and this brings me to meet with all sorts of people, hear all kinds of stories and be mixed up in a variety of situations,” says Fr. Pierre Samson, describing his reality living with members of the Manobos, the B’laan and the Tagakaolos tribes that eke out an existence in isolated settlements at the edge of jungles in the southern Philippines.

God leaves no one behind

April 15, 2009

Second Sunday of Easter (Year B) April 19 (Acts 4:32-35; Psalm 118; 1 John 5:1-6; John 20:19-31) Biblical literalists can be very choosy indeed. This famous passage from Acts describes an exciting and challenging form of early “Christian communism.” But it is a rare occurrence when this passage is taken seriously — in fact, the New Testament is often used to justify and support profit and private property. The renunciation of common property and union of minds and hearts sounds a bit too much like a socialist collective for most people. But the similarity to communism is superficial for there is the complete absence of coercion or violence — sharing was something believers did voluntarily and joyfully. Unity of heart and soul did not mean group-think or adherence to a party line. It described harmony about the things that give life and happiness. There can only be this sort of communal relationship when the trust level is very high and that takes a lot of work — more than most people are willing to give.

Men and woman need separate spaces

April 15, 2009

When I was an undergrad at St. Michael’s College, it disturbed me that the women’s residences lay on the periphery of the college while the men’s residences were nestled in its heart. Since then St. Mike’s has converted some of the men’s residences into men’s-and-women’s residences, and perversely, that makes me feel cranky and old. In my day (as people say when they are feeling cranky and old) women were strictly barred from the St. Mike’s men’s residences after 1 a.m, and men were all but fitted with electronic ankle bracelets when they came to call at Loretto or St. Joe’s. And I think that, although annoying, these strictures added zip to life.

Easter Contest 2011

April 15, 2009

Easter Contest 2011 [images/stories/misc/misc08/cross_easter.jpg]Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum. Press the play button in the centre of the slideshow to view. Use the small icon in the bottom right corner of the player to view in full-screen mode. Ages 6-8 Part 1 http://www.catholicregister.org/images/stories/features/eastercomp/small2.html Ages 6-8 Part 2 http://www.catholicregister.org/images/stories/features/eastercomp/small.html

April 16

Canadian bishops getting to bottom of Development and Peace allegations

April 16, 2009

Canadian bishops are winging it to Mexico to speak with Mexican bishops and local non-governmental organizations, trying to get to the bottom of accusations the Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace has funded groups lobbying the Mexican government for legal abortion. Bishop Martin Currie of St. John’s, Nfld., and Bishop Francois Lapierre of Sainte-Hyacinth, Que., were scheduled to fly to Mexico on April 16 accompanied by staff from Development and Peace, CCCB general secretary Msgr. Mario Paquette and the outside eyes of Msgr. Carlos Quintana from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ secretariat for the church in Latin America. They planned to meet with representatives of five human rights organizations that LifeSiteNews.com alleges are promoting legalized abortion in Mexico.

Canadian aboriginals seek renewed partnership with Catholic church

April 16, 2009

OTTAWA - When Canada’s aboriginal leaders meet with the Pope April 29 they hope to turn the page on the tragic legacy of Indian residential schools. “This meeting has the potential to be a historic and momentous occasion for First Nations, survivors, Canadian Catholics and indeed all Canadians,” said Assembly of First Nations National Chief Phil Fontaine at an April 15 news conference. “I am both honoured and excited to have this opportunity to meet with the Pope to discuss this important matter and to move forward to work towards real reconciliation.”

Archdiocese of Toronto helps launch school-based faith initiative

April 16, 2009

TORONTO - The Gospel, liturgical worship and community witness will be the pillars of a new three-year faith initiative at the Toronto Catholic District School Board. Toronto’s Archbishop Thomas Collins was scheduled to be the keynote speaker at the April 15 launch of “Nurturing Our Catholic Community through Word, Worship and Witness.”

Walking tour takes in Toronto’s historical downtown churches

April 16, 2009

TORONTO - Looking for a free guided tour of historic churches in downtown Toronto? Just look for Eric Parker and Bill MacDonald and their blue umbrellas. Both are volunteers with the Royal Ontario Museum who lead guided walks as part of the museum’s community outreach.

Fr. Hansoo Park prepares to take over as Director of Vocations for the archdiocese of Toronto

April 16, 2009

TORONTO - When he was young, fishing meant going down to the ocean side in South Korea and watching the divers disappear underwater to catch the fish his parents requested. Today, fishing has taken on a different meaning for Fr. Hansoo Park as he prepares to take over as Director of Vocations for the archdiocese of Toronto.

A religious sports fan’s internal conflict

April 16, 2009

Toronto sports teams are recognized for their huge fan base. Whenever our teams are playing, we’re right there in the stands with them, supporting them through thick and thin. The people of Toronto support many teams, including the Leafs, Raptors, Blue Jays and Toronto FC. But when does this passion for the game go too far? Is it right for someone to be more devoted to a sports team than their religion?

Quest hero meets the supernatural

April 16, 2009

Ryann Watters and the King’s Sword: Book One, The Annals of Aeliana by Eric Reinhold (Creation House, 227 pages, hardcover $17.99). There is no shortage of quest-oriented books on the market today, each with its own unlikely heroes struggling against all odds to reach their final goal. With Ryann Watters and the King’s Sword, author Eric Reinhold has also entered into this popular realm of adventure and suspense, but with a supernatural twist.

Capturing the Catholic spirit of Quebec’s maritime region

April 16, 2009

GASPE, Que. - Nothing prepared me for the incredible variety of Catholic churches to be found in the maritime region of Quebec. Turning south on 132 after visiting Miguasha Park, we drove to where the highway meets Chaleur Bay. In Carleton, a sign pointed to Mont St-Joseph. We drove along a trail which wound up high in the heavens, 555 metres to be exact. We were barely able to discern the mission’s outline in the thick fog. The site was founded by Carleton’s St.-Jean-Baptiste Society in 1878 when it erected a cedar cross, covered in white iron, to protect parishioners and save them from the sea’s dangers. That cross stood until 1918. That year, the statue of St. Joseph was taken in procession from the parish church up a rough trail. In 1935, inspired by Carleton’s parish priest, Abbe Plourde, the construction of a chapel began. Once completed, it became a popular pilgrimage site, due in great part to the Sisters of Charity who had a convent and school in Carleton. Pilgrims come here to pray in the beautiful oratory of the Blessed Virgin. There’s a museum and art gallery here, including an unusual crèche scene in which The Star of Bethlehem is a sea anemone and Baby Jesus rests on a mushroom.

Bramption youth bring Way of the Cross to life

April 16, 2009

BRAMPTON, Ont. - The congregation sat in semi-darkness in St. Jerome’s parish, silently awaiting the start of the devotional performance of the “Way of the Cross” by the parish’s youth. It was not a play, but rather an extended prayer that the members of the youth group performed on Good Friday. Every year for the past decade, the youth have spent the better part of four months rehearsing and preparing spiritually for their re-enactment of the passion of Jesus Christ. The Passion was narrated by Cheryl Saldanha, who voiced Mary, the mother of Jesus.

Parent groups, unions upset at Ontario Education ministry’s school finder web site

April 16, 2009

TORONTO -It’s “discriminatory,” “demoralizing” and should be taken down. At least that’s what an Ontario Catholic parent group is saying about a new government web site called “School Information Finder. ” Brian Evoy, president of the Ontario Association of Parents in Catholic Education , said the web site allows parents to choose schools based upon some discriminating indicators such as the percentage of students from lower-income families and those who don’t speak English as a first language. Provincial test scores are also a criteria.

Bill Steinburg runs on prayer

April 16, 2009

TORONTO - For former sports journalist Bill Steinburg, the road to the world’s oldest marathon has been paved with grit, discipline and prayers during months of running along Barrie, Ont.’s snow-covered trails. The Barrie resident qualified for the 113th annual Boston Marathon when he was timed in three hours and 15 minutes in the competition last April. During his weekly training, which can add up to 110 kilometres or eight hours, Steinburg said he finds some time to pray. The act of running itself, he said, can be a form of prayer.