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October 2013

October 30

Polish archbishop: Halloween festivities violate church teaching

October 30, 2013

WARSAW, Poland - A Polish archbishop has cautioned that Halloween celebrations violate church teaching and urged Catholics not to take part "even in playful form."

Vatican not worried about possibility U.S. monitored its calls

October 30, 2013

VATICAN CITY - The Vatican has no evidence its calls were monitored by the U.S. National Security Agency and, even if they were, "we have no concerns about it," the Vatican spokesman said.

The X-factor of vulnerability

October 30, 2013

“Connection is why we’re here,” says Brene Brown. She speaks matter-of-factly, but also with awe and discovery. Her online TED talk, “The Power of Vulnerability” has been viewed almost 12 million times. She has the world’s attention.

October 31

Quebec National Assembly approves euthanasia Bill-52 in principle

October 31, 2013

OTTAWA - The Quebec National Assembly may have approved euthanasia Bill-52 “in principle,” but euthanasia opponents are seeing positive signs in the vote.

Catholics, Orthodox express ‘grave concern’ over plight of Christians in Middle East

October 31, 2013

TORONTO - Calling the situation of Christians in the Middle East “catastrophic,” the North American Orthodox-Catholic Theological Consultation has issued a document decrying the perils faced daily by Christians from Iraq to Egypt.

Aboriginal justice must be taken seriously: Weisgerber

October 31, 2013

OTTAWA - As he prepares to retire, Archbishop James Weisgerber has called on the Canadian Church to be more responsive to the plight of aboriginal peoples.

Pope Francis set to create first batch of cardinals in February

October 31, 2013

VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis will create his first cardinals during a consistory Feb. 22, the feast of the Chair of St. Peter.

In Francis’ footsteps

October 31, 2013

The case of Germany’s “luxury bishop” underscores that Pope Francis is someone who says what he means and means what he says.

Disappearing roots: it once was, but is no longer

October 31, 2013

“Home is where we start from.” T.S. Eliot wrote that and it describes an experience that can be felt both as a freedom and a heartache. I cite my own case:

EWTN's Warsaw is new chairman at network; Keck succeeds as president

October 31, 2013

IRONDALE, Ala. - Michael P. Warsaw, a longtime executive at the Eternal Word Television Network who has been its president since 2000 and CEO since 2009, has been promoted to board chairman.

The Lord remains faithful to us always

October 31, 2013

32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C) Nov. 10 (2 Maccabees 7:1-2, 7, 9-14; Psalm 17; 2 Thessalonians 2:16-3:5; Luke 20:27-38) Suffering, persecution and chaotic situations often give birth to new theological insights. The afterlife was not part of the belief system of Israel for the greater part of its early history. If one were faithful to the commandments and law of God blessings would follow in this life. After death a person lived on through their descendants and the memory of the community. Fidelity to the covenant led to prosperity, happiness and long life.

Standing up where apathy won’t

October 31, 2013

Now that the annual costume-and-sugar festival called Halloween has passed, I will comment on what I believe is a new low reached this year in the sale of adult Halloween costumes.

Faith is on our side

October 31, 2013

In a third-season episode of the insanely good TV series Breaking Bad, students at chemistry teacher/ drug lord Walter White’s high school gather in a gym for a post-modern public grief ceremony.

Our fascination with death

October 31, 2013

At the heart of the liturgical year are the great feasts of Christmas and Easter, the feast of eternal life becoming earthly in a new baby, and the feast of earthly life becoming eternal in the Resurrection. The Christian calendar hangs upon the great feasts of life. Yet notwithstanding the principal feasts, the opening days of November, the month in which we pray for the dead, are a direct answer the Church gives to the mystery of death. All Saints Day celebrates those who have died and are already enjoying the life of beatitude in heaven. All Souls Day prays for those who have died and, while still being purified in purgatory, will one day be in heaven. The Church does not ask us to look away from death. To the contrary, in November she forces us to look straight at it.

Ignatieff’s honesty sets his apart from other political memoirs

October 31, 2013

In his Songs of Innocence William Blake wrote: “The strongest poison ever known / Comes from Caesar’s laurel crown.”

Fogarty Award given to man who was always a teacher

October 31, 2013

TORONTO - For his career-long commitment to Catholic education and students, Noel Martin was honoured with the Catholic Education Foundation of Ontario’s 2013 Medal of Honour.

A true Christian embraces those who suffer

October 31, 2013

TORONTO - While living and working in El Salvador, Sr. Martha Zechmeister learned that to be truly Christian one must embrace suffering and those who endure it.