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April 2013

April 26

Renaissance reveals faith

April 26, 2013

I visited the Art Gallery of Ontario in April to see the exhibit “Revealing the early Renaissance: Stories and Secrets in Florentine Art” that has been running since mid-March. The exhibit showcases a collection of religious panels, pages, books, stained-glass windows and altar decorations made by artisans in and around Florence, Italy, during the 14th century. Although these pieces were created centuries ago, we can still find a connection to God and the Catholic community through these works.

Belgian bishops criticize women's water attack on archbishop

April 26, 2013

BRUSSELS - The Belgian bishops' conference criticized an attack on its president, Archbishop Andre Leonard of Mechelen-Brussels, during which he was soaked with water by half-naked women.

Canadian priest murdered in Haiti

April 26, 2013

A Marian order priest on the cusp of returning to Canada within a week was shot and killed in Haiti's capital April 25.

April 27

High-quality media target Catholic youth

April 27, 2013

In an industry where media plus young people equals entertainment, two Catholic production companies — Vocation Boom and Spirit Juice — are adding spirituality to the equation.

New strategic plan for Martyrs’ Shrine underway

April 27, 2013

A high percentage of the 100,000- plus visitors who walked the grounds of Midland, Ont.’s Martyrs’ Shrine last year will begin pouring through the gates again when the shrine reopens on May 4.

St. Clare has big plans for milestone celebrations

April 27, 2013

TORONTO - Come August one of Toronto’s oldest parishes will enter its centenary year and its parishioners are doing what they can to ensure its future for another 100 years.

Pax Christi Toronto struggling

April 27, 2013

TORONTO - As Pax Christi members around the globe celebrate the 50th anniversary of Pope John XXIII’s epochal encyclical Pacem in Terris, the seven-year-old Pax Christi Toronto still has only a dozen regular members, has made no progress toward becoming a national Catholic peace movement and can’t name its international or national priorities.

April 28

Casinos inflict harm Collins says in letter

April 28, 2013

TORONTO - Gambling is a cruel illusion that causes social harm and family breakdown and should not be promoted by governments, Cardinal Thomas Collins has written in a pastoral letter.

Middle class ‘going down the tubes’

April 28, 2013

TORONTO - For 25 years the Interfaith Social Assistance Reform Coalition has gathered religious leaders at Queen’s Park to discuss the poor in Ontario. In their 26th year, ISARC dedicated its spring meeting to the middle class.

Seeing the homeless among us

April 28, 2013

TORONTO - Ever since installing its Homeless Jesus sculpture outside its front door, Regis College has been getting second looks.

Fired sportscaster developing new Internet channel for freedom, faith

April 28, 2013

OAKVILLE, ONT. - Two years after Rogers Sportsnet fired anchor Damian Goddard after he penned a tweet in support of traditional marriage, he says the incident has made him the man he is today, and he’s launching a new online venture to prove it.

Donation ensures Cornerstones’ future

April 28, 2013

TORONTO - A half-million dollar donation from an alumnus is allowing the University of St. Michael’s College to continue offering its SMC ONE: Cornerstone program to its first-year students.

April 29

Support of abortion, euthanasia arise out of the ‘illusions’ of compassion: Collins

April 29, 2013

TORONTO - The new evangelization isn't about condemning our culture but healing it, Cardinal Thomas Collins told an audience of doctors, nurses and health care ethicists at the annual Cardinal Ambrozic Lecture in Toronto.

Pope tells young to 'swim against the tide; it's good for the heart'

April 29, 2013

VATICAN CITY - Administering the sacrament of Confirmation to 44 people, including two teenagers from the United States and two from Ireland, Pope Francis encouraged them to "swim against the tide; it's good for the heart."

Mexico's soon-to-be-saint recalled for her ministry to poor, sick

April 29, 2013

GUADALARJARA, Mexico - A shy woman stopped to pray in front of statue of Blessed Maria Guadalupe Garcia Zavala while visiting the Santa Margarita Hospital. She knew little about the founder of the facility, who will be canonized May 12, but, like many, she had heard stories from hospital patients who say the soon-to-be-saint still walks the halls providing care, attention and miracles to those in need.

Shanghai's Bishop Jin, who worked to rebuild church, dies at 96

April 29, 2013

SHANGHAI - Bishop Aloysius Jin Luxian of Shanghai, a prominent and controversial figure in the Chinese Catholic Church, died April 27 of pancreatic cancer. He was 96.

April 30

Israeli president invites pope to visit Jerusalem

April 30, 2013

VATICAN CITY - Israeli President Shimon Peres officially invited Pope Francis to Israel and left their meeting at the Vatican telling the pope, "I am expecting you in Jerusalem and not just me, but all the people of Israel."

Four wounded in church stabbing in Albuquerque; suspect held

April 30, 2013

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - A suspect was being held on $75,000 bond after being arrested following the stabbing of four worshippers at an Albuquerque parish near the end of Mass April 28.

Canadian brother murdered in Haiti had worked in trying regions

April 30, 2013

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic - Marianist Brother Richard E. Joyal, who was murdered in Haiti after withdrawing money at an ATM in late April, was a dedicated missionary who had worked in trying circumstances around the world, according to fellow members of the Society of Mary order.

Retired Pope Benedict set to return to Vatican May 2

April 30, 2013

VATICAN CITY - Retired Pope Benedict XVI is scheduled to move into a remodeled convent at the Vatican May 2, the Vatican spokesman said.