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September 2013

September 5

God is close at hand, offering His kingdom

September 5, 2013

24th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C) Sept. 15 (Exodus 32:7-11, 13-14; Psalm 51; 1 Timothy 1:12-17; Luke 15:1-32) The Golden Calf is well established in our cultural tradition as a symbol of idolatry or chasing after false values. Several years ago a TV commentator referred to a particular luxury car as a “Golden Calf on wheels” — well said! Perhaps we should ask what motivates people to pursue such falseness — is it merely ill will or wickedness?

Quebec’s charter excludes most outsiders

September 5, 2013

The Quebec government’s intention to draft a Charter of Quebec Values was announced last year, but many details of how the charter will impact religious freedom were only leaked to the press in August. Reportedly, the legislation would ban most religious symbols from public institutions, and public employees would not be permitted to wear religious items such as hijabs, kippas, turbans and “ostentatious crucifixes.”

CCCB president thanks Cardinal Bertone and welcomes his replacement

September 5, 2013

OTTAWA - The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops' president has thanked retiring Vatican Secretary of State for his service and welcomed his replacement.

Time will come for every purpose under heaven

September 5, 2013

There is a time for everything and a time for every affair under the heavens. The author of Ecclesiastes could well have been writing a script for my summer.

Bertone’s bruising can only help Parolin

September 5, 2013

With the retirement and replacement of Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone as the Holy See’s secretary of state, a difficult chapter in Vatican governance has come to an end. Over the last few years senior cardinals around the world openly criticized him. A delegation of Pope Benedict XVI’s most trusted cardinals went to see him, begging that he fire Bertone, and news of the meeting became widely known. In the meetings of cardinals before the conclave in March, the dominant theme was how to remedy his maladministration, and that indelicate topic was aired publicly in Bertone’s presence.

Trudeau bang on

September 5, 2013

Being a Western Canadian who has lived for many years in Quebec, it is more natural for me to want to bury a Trudeau than to praise one.

September 6

New supervisor for Windsor board

September 6, 2013

A new set of eyes is keeping watch on the Windsor-Essex Catholic District School Board.

Prendergast heartened by D&P aid projects in Ethiopia

September 6, 2013

OTTAWA - Ottawa Archbishop Terrence Prendergast returned from a recent visit to Ethiopia pleased with how money is being spent in projects being funded by Canadian Catholics.

God’s voice rings through the silence

September 6, 2013

If you asked me a few months ago what I thought about prayer, I would have probably said that it was simply a conversation between God and myself. I said my nightly prayer, attended Sunday Mass and threw in a few personal prayer times here and there if I felt like I needed it. My relationship with God was diminishing, and I didn’t even notice.

Former gangster speaks on crime and conversion

September 6, 2013

TORONTO - John Pridmore, author of From Gangland to Promised Land, grew up in London’s east end, and turned to crime at an early age. At 10, his parents divorced. He began stealing at 13, was placed in a youth detention centre at 15 and was in prison by 19.

Fasting with Francis in the cause of peace

September 6, 2013

The crisis in Syria has left few dry eyes and caused many clenched fists. It is nearly impossible for North Americans to empathize with the suffering and human rights abuses occurring in the Middle East.

Pope seeks Putin's support in stopping air strikes on Syria

September 6, 2013

VATICAN CITY - In an open letter to Vladimir Putin, Pope Francis has appealed to the Russian President and world leaders gathering in St. Petersburg for a G-20 Summit to find a non-military solution to the crisis in Syria.

Chaplaincies help first-years keep the faith

September 6, 2013

First-year students have descended on universities and colleges to begin the new school year, and Catholic campus chaplaincies are ready to keep them engaged in the faith.

September 7

Donor passes along the gift of education

September 7, 2013

TORONTO - A student at St. Michael’s Choir School was able to return to class at the renowned Toronto school this September thanks to the financial assistance of an anonymous donor who is covering his tuition of about $5,000.

For the Pope, making peace is now part of the job

September 7, 2013

VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis is leading the Catholic Church on an extraordinary campaign to prevent President Barack Obama's proposed military strike on Syria.

Stained glass project shines a green light

September 7, 2013

When the Catholics of Saskatoon gather under the sign of the cross at their new cathedral they will have both science and art to thank.

Michael Bolton to sing at Padre Pio fundraiser

September 7, 2013

BRAMPTON, ONT. Organizers of a fundraising event to be held in Brampton this month have enlisted the star power of Grammy Award-winning singer- songwriter Michael Bolton to help their cause.

More than 100,000 join Pope in Vatican peace vigil

September 7, 2013

VATICAN CITY - The Pope called on more than 100,000 people crowded into St. Peter’s on Sept. 7 to always reject violence, to never accept war and to enthusiastically become ambassadors for peace.

September 8

British artist paints from prayer

September 8, 2013

LONDON - The election of Pope Francis inspired an immediate slew of biographies, but Stephen B. Whatley decided he would do something different — he would paint the new pontiff.

Daughters of Isabella part of Filipina Catholic heritage

September 8, 2013

TORONTO - The Philippines was colonized first by the Spanish crown and then by the more democratically inclined Americans, but through it all the nation has been carried forward by a lively, vigourous Catholicism that Filipinos have claimed and made their own. Which is why Filipina women love the Daughters of Isabella — an American offshoot of the Knights of Columbus named after a Spanish queen.