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April 2011

April 6

New principal a St. Mike's U. lifer

April 6, 2011

Domenico Pietropaolo [images/stories/education/education11/deomenicopietropaolo.jpg]TORONTO - Domenico Pietropaolo has been appointed the new principal at Toronto’s University of St. Michael’s College. His five-year term is effective July 1. “St. Michael’s already has a very distinguished history of scholar- ship and students,” Pietropaolo told The Catholic Register. “And I hope to be able to continue to develop that further to help the St. Michael’s community reach a higher level of excellence than they already enjoy.” Pietropaolo said he’s very pleased to be taking on the position. “For me, I’ve never really left the college,” he said. “I’ve always been a member of it. I was a student there and I have been teaching on the campus of St. Michael’s College for many years.”

Churches want poverty reduction as number one issue in election

April 6, 2011

Karen Hamilton [images/stories/canada_people/karenhamilton.jpg]The number one demand churches are making from campaigning federal politicians is a concrete plan to reduce and end poverty in Canada. The Canadian Council of Churches reiterated the ecumenical priority in a letter to all the national party leaders March 31. "The issue of poverty, certainly our Scriptures call us to that over and over and over again," Canadian Council of Churches general secretary Rev. Dr. Karen Hamilton told The Catholic Register. The eight priority issues listed in the CCC letter largely repeat the priorities laid out last year by international faith leaders gathered in Winnipeg just before the G20 Summit in Toronto.

We are called to be everyday missionaries

April 6, 2011

Michelle Walsh [images/stories/ysn/ysn11/michellewalshysnapr10-.jpg]If you were to ask me two years ago what came to mind when I heard the word missionary, I would have probably said it was a person who dedicated their lives to going overseas and helping the poor while telling them about Jesus. This was not something that I could see myself doing, and I did not think I was a missionary, or could ever be one. That is, until the summer of 2009 when I was accepted to participate in Catholic Christian Outreach’s IMPACT mission in Saskatoon. During the mission, my view of a missionary changed as I learned that, through our baptism, we are called to be missionaries in our everyday lives. “The Church on Earth is by her nature missionary since, according to the plan of the Father, she has as her origin the mission of the Son and the Holy Spirit,” says the Catechism of the Catholic Church. We were encouraged to ask God for a missionary heart, longing for people who do not know Jesus or have fallen away from the Church to enter into a meaningful relationship with Him.

Kusyk’s call to serve was first heard at age 13

April 6, 2011

Jan Michael Kusyk [images/stories/faith/faith11/kusyk.jpg]Jan Michael Kusyk faced the greatest obstacle to his vocation to the priesthood, and to his life, before even being born. “I was only six weeks old, still in my mother’s womb, when my mother’s doctor informed her that her body was rejecting me and that the only alternative that made any sense was for her to abort me,” said Kusyk. His parents returned from that visit to the doctor and prayed for the intercession of St. Joseph. A month later, they consulted another doctor, and to their surprise, their son was doing fine. Kusyk was born healthy in Bamberg, Germany, and spent his childhood in London, Ont. At 13, he remembers feeling a call to the priesthood in the most unlikely of cicrumstances.

1,000 dead in Ivory Coast massacre

April 6, 2011

Soldiers loyal to Ivory Coast President-elect Alassane Ouattara move through the main city Abidjan (CNS photo/Emmanuel Braun, Reuters) [images/stories/international/internation11/ivorycoastapr10.jpg]VATICAN CITY - One thousand people were suspected to be dead or missing in the town of Duekoue, Ivory Coast, after clashes throughout the country intensified, according to Caritas Internationalis workers in the area. The alleged massacre occurred in a part of Duekoue controlled by president-elect Alassane Ouattara during intense clashes March 27-29, Caritas said. Caritas is the Catholic Church’s aid and development agency. Army forces and militia supporting Ouattara have been clashing with security personnel and others loyal to outgoing President Laurent Gbagbo, who refused to leave office after Ouattara was declared the winner of elections Nov. 28. Some one million people have fled the violence, according to the United Nations.

April 7

Pope offers prayers for refugees feared dead after fleeing Libya

April 7, 2011

Italian Police and Coast Guard officers carry an injured refugee as he arrives on the Italian island of Lampedusa. (CNS photo/Vincenzo Tersigni, Reuters) [images/stories/international/internation11/popesinkinglibyaprayers2.jpg]VATICAN CITY — Pope Benedict XVI offered prayers for at least 150 refugees, including women and children, whose boat sank off the Italian island of Lampedusa after they fled Libya. "The tragedy of the death at sea of such a large number of migrants from North Africa trying to reach Europe has deeply saddened the Holy Father," said Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, director of the Vatican press office. Lombardi spoke April 7, the day after the Italian military and international aid agencies reported the sinking of the vessel, which may have been carrying as many as 300 passengers. The boat, which sailed from Libya, was carrying asylum seekers from Somalia, Nigeria, Bangladesh, Ivory Coast, Chad and Sudan, said the Geneva-based International Organization for Migration.

Brother of slain Pakistani minister says he forgives murderers

April 7, 2011

Paul Bhatti, centre, meeting Pope Benedict XVI April 6. Bhatti's brother, Shahbaz, was a former Pakistani minister for minorities who was murdered by Islamic extremists last month. (CNS photo/L'Osservatore Romano via Reuters) [images/stories/international/internation11/bhatibrotherforgives.jpg]ROME - Paul Bhatti, brother of the former Pakistani minister for minorities who was murdered by Islamic extremists, said he and his family forgive his brother's assassins. Shahbaz Bhatti, who spoke out against Pakistan's anti-blasphemy laws and encouraged religious freedom, was killed March 2. Speaking to reporters in Rome April 5, Paul Bhatti said his family has forgiven Shahbaz's assassins, "because our faith teaches us to do this. Our brother Shahbaz was a Christian and the Christian faith tells us to forgive." The brother participated in a conference sponsored by the Community of Sant'Egidio, a Rome-based Catholic lay organization active in international affairs. The conference was designed as a memorial to Shahbaz Bhatti and as a way to encourage the continuation of his mission of promoting interreligious dialogue in Pakistan.

Truth still matters

April 7, 2011

Lack of honesty the root cause of most problems [images/stories/features/freature11/truthstillmatters.jpg]With campaign jets soaring over the land and campaign buses rolling down highways, it’s sometimes easy for Canadians to be cynical about the honesty of politicians. But truth in politics still matters to Canadians, and politicians recognize it, said Prof. Richard Feist, dean of the faculty of philosophy at Ottawa’s Saint Paul University. “The incumbent party certainly does not say something like, ‘Well, so what if we were defeated on non-confidence, or not providing (information).’ ” said Feist. “They want to talk as if ‘No, we were defeated on the budget.’ ” Feist runs the Masters in Public Ethics program at Saint Paul, training civil servants in the philosophy of honesty. Truth, who tells the truth and whether citizens can recognize it, is important in how we run our politics and how we run our country, he said.

April 8

Church culture must change after sex abuse scandal, archbishop says

April 8, 2011

Archbishop Diarmuid Martin of Dublin, Ireland, speaks April 4 at Marquette University Law School in Milwaukee during an international conference on the clergy sex abuse scandal. Archbishop Martin was harsh in his assessment of most of the priest abusers he has met since becoming archbishop of Dublin in 2004. (CNS photo/Mike Gryniewicz, Marquette University Law School) [images/stories/international/internation11/diarmuidmartinmilwaukee.jpg]MILWAUKEE — Much more remains to be done to "turn around the culture of an institution" that allowed thousands of children to be abused by priests in the archdiocese of Dublin, the head of the archdiocese told an international conference on the clergy sex abuse scandal April 4. Opening the two-day conference at Marquette University Law School in Milwaukee, Archbishop Diarmuid Martin was harsh in his assessment of most of the priest abusers he had met since becoming archbishop of Dublin in 2004. "I can honestly say that with perhaps two exceptions, I have not encountered a real and unconditional admission of guilt and responsibility on the part of priest offenders in my diocese," Martin said. "Survivors have repeatedly told me that one of the greatest insults and hurts they have experienced is to see the lack of real remorse on the part of offenders even when they plead guilty in court."

Agencies benefit from a generous year of giving to ShareLife

April 8, 2011

[images/stories/logos/shareLife_new.jpg]TORONTO - When last year's ShareLife campaign did a little better than the organization's cautious projections, local charities benefited to the tune of $305,000. Catholic Charities distributes the largest portion of ShareLife money to 31 Catholic agencies at work in and around Toronto. It allocates the money in November, long before ShareLife raises the bulk of the money during Lent. "People say, maybe we've got this backwards. Maybe we should raise the money and then make the commitment," said Catholic Charities executive director Michael Fullan. "I've called the ShareLife campaign an act of faith, because it really is." Coming in a bit higher than projections last year allowed Catholic Charities to distribute one-time extra grants to a number of agencies at the beginning of 2011.

Faith fuels teen after shark attack

April 8, 2011

The film Soul Surfer hit theatres April 8. It tells the story of Bethany Hamilton, left, who loses an arm during a shark attack. (photo courtesy of Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions) [images/stories/arts/arts11/soulsurferbethany.jpg]NEW YORK - The true story of a teenage girl who overcame a horrific shark attack to rise to the top of her sport is translated to the big screen in Soul Surfer (Tri-Star), an uplifting film about the power of faith and perseverance. Bethany Hamilton (AnnaSophia Robb) is a happy, ordinary 13-year-old living in Hawaii with her parents (Helen Hunt and Dennis Quaid) and two brothers. The entire family surfs, but Bethany shows the most promise, winning competitions and gaining a sponsor. When they’re not at the beach, Bethany’s family is often in church, where sermons are given by youth group leader Sara (country singer Carrie Underwood in her film debut).

April 9

New 'boat people' put Church teaching to the test

April 9, 2011

Migrants from North Africa arrive by boat, escorted by two members of an Italian security force, at the southern Italian island of Lampedusa March 14. More than 22,000 refugees, many fleeing political unrest in Tunisia and Libya, have arrived on the tiny island since January. (CNS photo/Stefano Rellandini, Reuters) [images/stories/international/internation11/boatpeoplelibya.jpg]VATICAN CITY — The new flow of North African immigrants into Italy is putting the Vatican's teaching on immigration to the test. More than 22,000 "boat people," many fleeing political unrest in Tunisia and Libya, have arrived on the tiny Italian island of Lampedusa this year. The fighting in Libya has spurred more people to flee in recent days. Not all survive the trip. About 150 people drowned April 6 when a migrant boat capsized in rough seas. Church leaders have underlined the broad right to emigrate, the specific rights of refugees and the responsibility of wealthier nations to welcome those in need. But their moral advocacy has provoked criticism and even derision among some Italians, who have suggested that the Vatican and other religious institutions be the first to open their doors to the wave of immigrants.

April 10

'Silent Night' gains World Heritage List recognition from UNESCO

April 10, 2011

'SIlent Night' has been added to UNESCO's World Heritage List in recognition of its role in fostering cultural diversity. (CNS photo/Gregory A. Shemit z) [images/stories/arts/arts11/christmaschoirsilentnight.jpg]WARSAW, Poland - The world's most popular Christmas carol, "Silent Night," has been added to UNESCO's World Heritage List in recognition of its role in fostering cultural diversity. "This is a song of freedom for the world, whose beautiful melody and text have inspired versions in more than 300 languages," Michael Neureiter, president of Austria's Silent Night Society, told Catholic News Service. "Although it comes from the Catholic tradition, its calm, harmonic sound has made it accessible internationally. As such, it's not just a Christian song, but also a human song." "Stille Nacht," or "Silent Night," was written as a poem in 1816 by Fr. Joseph Mohr in Mariapfarr, where he was assigned as an assistant parish priest. It premiered as a carol for two solo voices on Christmas Eve 1818 at the newly established St. Nicholas Church in Oberndorf, near Salzburg, with music composed by the church organist, Franz Gruber.

April 11

Pope Benedict says prayer, mission were foundations of John Paul's life

April 11, 2011

Pope John Paul II is seen in a promotional image for the Polish-produced documentary, [images/stories/faith/faith11/jpiidocumentary.jpg]VATICAN CITY - Pope John Paul II's life and ministry were built on prayer and on witnessing to the Gospel, Pope Benedict XVI said after watching a Polish-produced documentary about his predecessor. "Once again I want to underline the two foundations of his life and ministry: prayer and missionary zeal," the pope said April 9 after a Vatican screening of the documentary, "John Paul II: I Kept Looking for You." Pope Benedict watched the film in the early evening with the director and producers, several cardinals and Vatican officials. After the screening, he said: "John Paul II was a great contemplative and a great apostle. God chose him for the see of Peter and protected him so he could lead the church into the third millennium. With his example he guided us all in this pilgrimage and still continues to accompany us from heaven."

April 12

Seminarians must exercise Christ’s authority in priesthood

April 12, 2011

Fargo, N.D., Bishop Samuel Aquila, centre, told seminarians that it is Jesus who teaches them how to be shepherds of their flock. (CNS photo) [images/stories/faith/faith11/seminarianspriesthood.jpg]PHILADELPHIA - Seminarians must not be afraid to exercise the priestly authority of Christ upon their ordination to the priesthood, Bishop Samuel Aquila of Fargo, N.D., told an assembly of seminarians in Philadelphia. “Jesus is the shepherd who teaches us, as bishops and priests and future priests, how to shepherd, how to live His own pastoral authority bestowed upon us by Him and the Holy Spirit on the day of our ordinations,” Aquila said at a recent 10th annual Symposium on the Spirituality and Identity of the Diocesan Priest. The symposium was sponsored by the Institute for Priestly Formation and St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in the Philadelphia archdiocese.

Misery came in accounting, leading to his joyful call

April 12, 2011

What he once thought would be a miserable way to live life is what Allyn Rose has chosen to do with his: become a priest. He will be ordained next month for the archdiocese of Toronto. (Photo courtesy of the archdiocese of Toronto) [images/stories/faith/faith11/allynrosetoronto.jpg]When Allyn Rose was younger, he was always under the impression that life as a priest would be miserable. That thinking changed so much over the years that now he is about to enter the priesthood. Born in Orangeville, Ont., Rose was the middle of three children. He studied accounting at Sheridan College and the University of Windsor. All along, however, Rose volunteered in various capacities, including youth ministry, at St. Timothy’s parish in his hometown. “Over time I was finding more happiness and fulfilment working as a volunteer in parish ministries,” said Rose, “and I was even more miserable working for a good salary at the chartered accountant firm.”

Pain leads to path to formation

April 12, 2011

Bradley Markus hopes to lead the faithful in Hamilton to the joy and peace found in God. (Photo courtesy of the archdiocese of Toronto) [images/stories/faith/faith11/bradleymarkustoronto.jpg]Bradley Markus’ vocation to the priesthood began 25 years ago, at the age of one, when his father passed away on Good Friday. “In the midst of this world of suffering and pain, my vocation, my path in life was formed,” he said. “I was schooled in what I think is the most important lesson in life — the lesson of what it means to truly love and the lesson of what it means to suffer with others.” But until he was 17, Markus was unaware of this call. After spending a number of years in foster care and being uninvolved in the faith outside of First Communion and Confirmation, Markus began “searching for a greater meaning in life, something beyond drinking and partying and going out with friends.”

Parents ground him in faith

April 12, 2011

Ante Market will become a priest for the Peterborough diocese. (Photo courtesy of the archdiocese of Toronto) [images/stories/faith/faith11/antemarkettoronto.jpg]Ante Market can still remember hearing gunshots from his childhood home in a violent Toronto neighbourhood. This didn’t stop him from also hearing the call to the priesthood at the age of seven. Market’s parents and their Croatian heritage, he says, gave him a solid grounding in the faith at a young age. His mother died only three years after his father did, when Market was 18. He says their influence and prayers are why he felt the call to the priesthood. “(My mother) never shared with me who she was always praying for,” said Market. “I am convinced that the silent prayer of my mother is the reason why, God willing, I will be a priest.”

A decade of ignoring his call was wiped out in one Confession

April 12, 2011

Eric Mah’s call was reignited after attending Confession after a 15-year absence. (Photo courtesy of the archdiocese of Toronto) [images/stories/faith/faith11/ericmah.jpg]Whenever Eric Mah thought of the priesthood in his Grade 9 year of high school, he felt an “enduring sense of peace and joy and consolation.” But he spent more than a decade ignoring this feeling, however, before choosing to follow it. While studying law in university, Mah was invited by his friend to a Lenten reconciliation service, where he had his first Confession in 15 years. “After hearing the words of absolution, I remember feeling this huge weight lifted in my heart,” said Mah. He was later asked by another friend to visit the seminary

Passion was for the Lord, not an engineering career

April 12, 2011

Andrew MacDonald will be ordained a priest for the diocese of Charlottetown this spring. (Photo courtesy of the archdiocese of Toronto) [images/stories/faith/faith11/andrewmcdonaldtoronto.jpg]When he was six, Andrew MacDonald blessed himself like a priest following Mass one Sunday. At 31, he is now becoming one. “The Lord was slowly opening my heart to the reality of the priesthood,” he said. “I had no idea at the time, but that’s the case.” God continued to gently lure MacDonald to the priesthood throughout his youth, when he attended a number of retreats in Prince Edward Island, where he was born and raised. Attending public school in a Protestant community, MacDonald was “blown away” by being with so many other passionate Catholics.