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April 2011

April 12

‘Culture of death’ is not the way to solve problems

April 12, 2011

Dr. Francois Primeau, a Quebec psychiatrist, said the request for euthanasia can result from underlying psychiatric conditions. [images/stories/canada_people/canada_people11/primeau_conference.jpg]TORONTO - In the face of cultural pressure to accept abortion, contraception and euthanasia, Catholic doctors can respond by affirming the inherent human dignity of the person and appealing to human reason in explaining the “culture of life,” Catholic experts said at the third annual conference of the Canadian Federation of Catholic Physicians’ Societies. This year’s gathering was organized by the St. Joseph Moscati Catholic Doctors Guild and held at Toronto’s University of St. Michael’s College April 8-10. “If we allow abortion, suicide and euthanasia, the ‘culture of death’ means death is a way to solve problems,” Prof. Janet Smith, the Father Michael J. McGivney Chair of Life Ethics at Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit and consultor to the Pontifical Institute of the Family, told more than 120 doctors and medical students in her keynote speech.

The unquiet frontiers

April 12, 2011

Few books have garnered as much respect during the past five years as has Charles Taylor’s A Secular Age. That respect is well-deserved. Given secularity’s convoluted history, there isn’t any one, normative study that traces out its evolution; but, if there was, Taylor’s analysis might apply for the distinction. Few scholars bring so wide and deep a scholarship to the area of history and faith. Taylor confesses that he is a man of faith, but strives insofar as this is possible for anyone, believer or agnostic, to not let his own beliefs colour his research. Few, even those critical of the book, accuse him of that. He is generally objective, reporting what happened without either trumpeting or bemoaning it. And what he traces out is the big story of how we moved historically from a culture and a consciousness within which it was virtually impossible not to believe in God to today, where belief in God is merely one option among others and often not the dominant one. Until the full-flowering of modernity we lived with what Taylor calls a “porous” rather than a “buffered” consciousness. A porous consciousness is more naturally mystical. A buffered consciousness is what Karl Rahner had in mind when he said we would soon reach a time when someone would either be a mystic or a non-believer.

April 13

We are one with the divine

April 13, 2011

Easter Sunday (Year A) April 24 (Acts 10:34, 37-43; Psalm 118; Colossians 3:1-4; John 20:1-18) What was Cornelius the centurion expecting to hear? Although a foreigner, a pagan and an officer in the hated Roman army, he was a thoughtful and just man, giving alms and offering prayers to the God of the people whom he was governing. That prayer was heard — in a vision, a dazzling figure stood before him and commanded him to ask that Peter come to his house. He has no idea who Peter is or what he is going to say. Peter simply relates the story about Jesus that is travelling through Judea: divine anointing with the Spirit, compassionate deeds of power, betrayal and death. But that is not all: God vindicated Jesus by raising Him from the dead, thereby affirming His teaching and deeds. He has transcended death and some of His followers are witnesses. At this point Cornelius might say, “Fine — great story and a great man, but what does that have to do with me?” The answer is stark and simple. Jesus now stands astride history itself as the judge of the living and the dead but with the desire to grant forgiveness to those who believe in Him.

Dorothy Pilarski: Coincidence, 35 tons of sardines and a blessing and grace

April 13, 2011

A bishop once told me there are no coincidences and what people call coincidence is really just God’s providence unfolding before our eyes. So what happened to me on a recent family vacation to Los Angeles can only be described as providence. We were scheduled to depart just days after the March 11 earthquake and tsunami struck Japan. So I was nervous. The Internet was little comfort. If California’s tsunami warnings weren’t enough, the eight-foot waves that caused millions of dollars in damage to Crescent City Harbour and the 35 tons of sardines that washed up on California’s Redondo Beach seemed to affirm a fear that the West Coast was no place for a mother to take her two children. I turned to my husband. “So, what do you think we should do?”

Defending faith

April 13, 2011

Freedom of religion is enshrined in the UN’s Declaration of Human Rights and guaranteed in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. But merely articulating this noble concept is meaningless without the will to vigourously defend it. So it is encouraging to see this important issue injected into the election debate through a promise from Stephen Harper’s Conservatives that’s been endorsed by Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff. Pope Benedict XVI calls religious freedom the path to peace and now we find it may even be a source of harmony between Liberals and Conservatives. As part of their election platform, the Conservatives have pledged to create an Office of Religious Freedoms that would operate within the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade. This new office would monitor religious freedom abroad, promote it as a tenet of Canadian foreign policy and support programs and organizations that advance the cause of religious freedom. It would also offer safe haven to persecuted religious minorities through “generous” refugee programs.

Evangelical counsels today are more relevant than ever

April 13, 2011

Many Catholics are only vaguely aware of the evangelicals among them — the religious brothers, sisters and priests whose lives are shaped by three vows. The insiders know the vows as the “evangelical counsels.” They commit every nun, brother and religious order priest to poverty, chastity and obedience. Every religious community interprets these three vows through their own charism — the founding spark or reason for their order’s existence. The vows do not apply to secular priests, that majority of priests who were trained and ordained by their diocese. Though some religious communities have grown smaller over the last half-century, Dominican Father Francois Mifsud insists that the evangelical counsels are more relevant than ever.

Invited or not, here we come

April 13, 2011

It happened between the rosy celebrations of Laetare Sunday and the renewed purple solemnity of Judica Sunday. My husband sent me the news of a meeting to be held in Rome by the Pontifical Commission for Social Communications. The meeting will be open to 150 bloggers, and any blogger is free to apply. It will be held on the afternoon of May 2, the day after the May 1 beatification of John Paul II. Being a Catholic blogger, I knew this already. Every morning, I turn on my computer, check my e-mail accounts and do a quick survey of my favourite Catholic blogs. As these are not “official” Catholic blogs, perhaps I should call them “Catholics’ blogs.” The most popular blogs are rarely “official” Catholic blogs. They are usually written by ordinary priests and laypeople.

Another Salt+Light gem

April 13, 2011

My friends at Salt + Light Television are in the cable television business — or perhaps better to say, in the evangelization business, cable television department. The greatest profit I gain from their work though is not their TV programs but their special documentaries, available on DVD. I have about a half dozen myself, but there are more than 30 to date, ranging from devotional materials for Lent and profiles of religious communities to lives of the saints and current controversies. On the last point, their documentary on the Venerable Pius XII and the Second World War is a signal service, dealing with the historical slander that the late Holy Father was indifferent to, or even complicit in, the Holocaust. Given that Pope Benedict XVI has entered the war over Pius XII’s reputation in full battle armour — declaring last year that Pius likely did more than any other person to save Jews — the material assembled in the documentary, A Hand of Peace, is essential viewing.

Yes, Catholics are right

April 13, 2011

My new book has just been published. It is called Why Catholics Are Right, and is a popular, journalistic explanation and defence of the Church. Among the chapters are Catholics and the Abuse Scandal, Catholics and History, Catholics and Theology and Catholics and Life. In other words, I’ve responded to the usual trite but often successful attacks that we hear repeatedly on the Church. It’s published by a major, secular company — McClelland & Stewart here, Random House in the United States — so I genuinely believe that it could make a difference. I’m not a theologian or an intellectual, merely a journalist who has had years of experience dealing with people who don’t know very much about Catholicism, but still feel qualified to speak and shout their hatred of the Church. One of the reasons I chose the title for the book is because, frankly, I’m tired of apologizing and have had enough of those who should be defending the faith being too quiet, even silent, in the face of opposition.

Popular piety, liturgy key for Latin American Church, Pope says

April 13, 2011

VATICAN CITY - Processions, shrines and other forms of popular piety common to Latin American countries should be encouraged but supported by solid faith and adherence to liturgy, Pope Benedict XVI said. The popular expression of the Catholic faith “is rooted in the very beginning of the evangelization of that land,” and so should be respected but also guided, the Pope said April 8 during a meeting with members of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America. The theme of the commission gathering was: “The impact of popular piety on the evangelization of Latin America.” Pope Benedict said that the many displays of popular piety that are so ingrained in Latin American culture must be considered an essential part of the new evangelization undertaken by the bishops of Central and South America and the Caribbean.

Peterborough Way of the Cross puts youths’ faith out in the open

April 13, 2011

The diocese of Peterborough’s seventh annual Way of the Cross will take place on Good Friday. Above, an actor portraying Jesus carries the Cross surrounded by Roman soldiers during a previous walk. [images/stories/canada/canada11/diocesepeterboroughcross.jpg]Peterborough, Ont. - The faith of Catholic youth in Peterborough, Ont., will be out in the open during Good Friday’s seventh annual Way of the Cross on April 22 with a re-enactment of Christ’s Passion. “It’s a way of evangelizing in a unique way,” said Mary Helen Moes, program manager for youth for the diocese of Peterborough and director of this year’s re-enactment. “They’re certainly not pushing their faith on top of anybody. They’re just demonstrating their faith in a very public way and I don’t think there’s many opportunities for that any more.” Run by the diocese of Peterborough’s Vocations, Evangelization and Youth Office, the Way of the Cross has about 100 youth participating this year, up from the 30 participants of seven years ago when it originated, said Moes.

Bhattis firm in faith

April 13, 2011

Shahbaz Bhatti, who had called for changes in the country's controversial blasphemy law, was shot dead in Islamabad, March 2. [images/stories/international_people/bhatti2005.jpg]OTTAWA - The family of assassinated Pakistani Minorities Minister Shahbaz Bhatti remains committed to its Catholic faith and the fight to improve the plight of persecuted Christians. Though Bhatti’s family knew of the death threats their brother faced as an outspoken critic of Pakistan’s blasphemy law, his March 2 assassination still came as a shock, said his older brother Peter Bhatti, who lives in the Toronto area. The immediate reaction was a sense there is no place for us to live, and no hope, he said. But his mother blessed him at the funeral service and told him, “Don’t worry, he lost his life for Jesus Christ. He chose a faith which our Jesus Christ chose. He is a martyr.” Bhatti’s mother asked Peter and other family members to “please continue in his service and mission so our people will not lose their rights and be able to live in dignity and honour,” he said.

Polish Oblate becomes one with people of the north

April 13, 2011

Fr. Daniel Szwarc with children who are preparing for First Communion. (Photo courtesy of Fr. Daniel Szwarc) [images/stories/faith/faith11/frdanielszwarz.jpg]Fr. Daniel Szwarc is a Polish Oblate priest who went to Nunavut in 2002 from his home town, Zlotniki Kujawskie. When he finished his studies, he asked for two years pastoral experience in a mission. Since he always preferred winter and cold weather, Nunavut was an easy choice. And knowing where missionaries are needed and where Oblate priests have their missions also influenced his final decision. Szwarc’s first mission was Igloolik where he arrived on Oct. 1, 2002. He was ordained there June 5, 2004. He stayed in Igloolik until October 2007, when he was transferred to Repulse Bay where he still is today. I sat down with Szwarc and asked him about his transition from Poland to the extreme north of Canada.

Sr. Ongo survives the seas to make dream come true

April 13, 2011

Sr. Theresa Ongo became a Missionary Sister of St. Peter Claver in Toronto after a harrowing escape from her native Vietnam. (Photo by Sheila Dabu Nonato) [images/stories/faith/faith11/srtheresaonga.jpg]TORONTO - At 13, Sr. Theresa Ongo of the Missionary Sisters of St. Peter Claver escaped in the dark of night and rode a rickety wooden boat from Vietnam to eventual freedom in Canada. She escaped Vietnam in 1987 with her uncle on a boat that had a legal a capacity of 20 but carried more than double its limit. The seas were treacherous and food was scarce, Ongo recalls. Everyone on the boat received only a spoonful of water and condensed milk each day. “On the boat, I felt I was at the end of my life,” she said. What kept her going was praying the rosary her mother gave her before she left.

Building a culture of peace after 500 years of colonization

April 13, 2011

Sr. Clare Garcillano was in Toronto in early April to tell the story of the Justice and Peace Commission in East Timor. The commission is one of Development and Peace’s international partners. (Photo by Vanessa Santilli) [images/stories/faith/faith11/srclaregarcillano.jpg]TORONTO - By giving a voice to the voiceless, Sr. Clare Garcillano is helping build a culture of peace, gender equality and solidarity in East Timor as acting director of the Justice and Peace Commission (JPC). On April 4, Garcillano, a missionary sister with the Sisters of St. Paul of Chartres, told the commission’s story, delivering a talk at the Paulist Centre in Toronto. Visiting Canada at the invitation of the Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace, which has partnered with the JPC, Garcillano has been working and living in East Timor for the last five years. East Timor only gained independence in 2002 after 500 years of colonization and foreign occupation, first by Portugal and then by neighbouring Indonesia. The small island nation is 96.5 per cent Catholic. The JPC was established in 1995 by Bishop Carlos Filipe Ximenes Belo in the diocese of Dili with the support of Development and Peace, as a result of a conversation between the bishop and Jess Agustin, regional director of Development and Peace in Asia. It was created solely to promote the rights and dignity of every person and was set up at a time when human rights abuses were rampant as a result of the Indonesian occupation.

Sisters of Providence mark 150 years of service to the poor

April 13, 2011

Sr. Peggy Flanagan of the Sisters of Providence in a prayerful moment at a silent vigil in front of Kingston City Hall. (Photo courtesy of the Sisters of Providence) [images/stories/faith/faith11/sistersofprovidenceprayer.jpg]KINGSTON, Ont. - The Sisters of Providence of St. Vincent de Paul, the only religious congregation founded in Kingston, is marking 150 years of service to the poor with a year-long series of events celebrating the congregation’s history. “Throughout the year we will be highlighting the different ways we have been in service,” said Sr. Jeannette Filthaut, a Sister of Providence and member of the team organizing the celebrations. “We want to showcase how throughout a century and a half we have lived our charism of compassionate caring for God’s people.” The celebrations focus on themes of mission, ministry and heritage with events held at various locations, including health care institutions founded by the congregation, and Kingston’s historic St. Mary’s Cemetery and St. Mary’s Cathedral. Celebrations culminate at Providence Motherhouse on Dec. 13, the anniversary of the order’s founding.

RCIA program reminds co-ordinator of the power of faith

April 13, 2011

A group of catechumens who have gone through the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults prepare to enter the Catholic Church. (CNS photo) [images/stories/faith/faith11/ritechristianinitiation.jpg]AJAX, Ont. - By being a witness to the calls of those he serves daily, Mike Hyland is reminded of his own call to service as a co-ordinator of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. “I really got transformed by the experience,” he said. “(I saw) how rich our faith is and how wonderful the Church is.” The RCIA program is the process of introducing and welcoming new Catholics into the faith. Hyland has been co-ordinating this four-part process at St. Francis de Sales parish in Ajax, Ont., for almost seven years, where he has guided more than 70 people into the Catholic faith. “Their call is my call too,” he said.

Chalice roadshow aims to raise interest in vocations

April 13, 2011

Lisa and Roy Fernandes, along with children Chantelle and Mark, picking up the chalice at the start of their week at St. Patrick’s parish in Markham, Ont. (Photo courtesy of Fran and Baby Pulumbarit) [images/stories/toronto/toronto11/travellingchalicemarkham.jpg]MARKHAM, Ont. - The Serra Club of Markham and Scarborough has kicked off a travelling vocations chalice program aiming to shine the light on vocations. “The one and only mandate is for families to pray for the vocation to the priesthood and religious life,” said Fran Pulumbarit, chairperson of the travelling vocations chalice program and vice-president of vocations of the Serra Club of Markham and Scarborough. There will be two chalices involved in the program, which will serve as a reminder for families to pray for vocations. The first has been passed among families at St. Patrick’s parish in Markham since April 3. The second chalice begins circulating at St. Barnabas parish in Scarborough next month.

Elena Orrico’s efforts helped make St. Rita celebrations possible

April 13, 2011

Elena Orrico poses with her statue of St. Rita of Cascia at her home in northwest Toronto. (Photo by Vanessa Santilli) [images/stories/faith/faith11/elanorricostrita.jpg]TORONTO - In 1986, Elena Orrico was asked to organize and prepare the first feast day celebrations in honour of St. Rita, the patron saint of impossible causes, at Marylake Shrine. Twenty-five years later, what she made possible is still going strong. Devoted to St. Rita of Cascia from a young age, Orrico said she was thrilled when Augustinian Father Cyril Smetana, prior at Marylake Augustinian Monastery in King City, Ont., at the time, asked her to take on this task. “When I read the letter, I was so happy to hear I could help to keep the St. Rita tradition here in Canada,” Orrico told The Catholic Register. “I worked with all my heart for St. Rita.” St. Rita’s feast day is celebrated on May 22.

Couple’s married life has been one of service

April 13, 2011

Maggie Banga during one of her earlier service missions in Honduras. She and husband Mark are currently in Ethiopia. (Photo courtesy of the Bangas) [images/stories/faith/faith11/torontomissionarybangas.jpg]Toronto missionaries Mark and Maggie Banga arrived in Addis Ababa in the middle of the hustle and bustle of Ethiopia’s capital city where cars and minibuses crowded the streets and waves of the city’s 3.5 million people filled the sidewalks. “The air is thick with exhaust and smoke. Our first days were really overwhelming, despite the fact that we have visited very poor countries before,” Maggie recalls in a blog post. The Bangas left their jobs in Toronto to spend the early years of their married life as a missionary couple. “The walk to our minibus is heart-wrenching. There are forgotten people everywhere, orphans, single moms, cripples, elderly and especially people in desperate need of medical care,” Maggie wrote. Before heading to Ethiopia last year, the Bangas spoke to The Catholic Register about their call.