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December 2013

December 5

A Catholic exhortation

December 5, 2013

I was born in 1959 in East London in Britain. My father was a cab driver, the son of immigrants, and we were not wealthy. My school was publicly funded, my health care similarly so, and there was free milk at lunchtime and nutritious if boring school meals. I was clever, got a full scholarship to university and even had my accommodation paid for. I mention this because of what Pope Francis said about “unfettered capitalism” in the lyrical, compelling, splendid Evangelii Gaudium or The Joy of the Gospel. And thank God that capitalism is fettered, because otherwise it allows too many people, perhaps the majority of people, to suffer.

Artist has terrific theological insight

December 5, 2013

At the general audience of Nov. 20, the work of Canadian sculptor Timothy Schmalz was presented to Pope Francis. The sculpture, Jesus the Homeless, is a striking image of a homeless person sleeping on a park bench. With the face wrapped in a heavy blanket against the cold, it is impossible to tell who it might be. Only the feet are exposed and then it becomes clear who it is — there are the marks of the nails. It is the crucified one, Jesus Christ. There is space on the bench for someone to sit down alongside the sleeping, homeless Jesus. One could well imagine the Holy Father, with his heart for the poor and the suffering, sitting alongside someone on that bench. In St. Peter’s Square, Pope Francis beheld the statue and then blessed it.

Poverty is about more than a lack of money

December 5, 2013

When I moved to Edinburgh, I was surprised that most street beggers were ethnic Scots. Although Glasgow is a multi-racial city, the face of abject poverty in Edinburgh is white. In Edinburgh, poverty does not go hand-in-hand with race. It goes hand-in-hand with class. And to protect myself from poverty’s more public and violent manifestations, I have had to learn to discern class indicators, like accents and clothing.

Handling resentment in our lives

December 5, 2013

Many of us, I suspect, know about the work of the renowned anthropologist Rene Girard and the dissemination of his insights through the work of his student Gil Bailie. With gratitude to them, I pass along one of their insights, an invaluable look at how we try to handle resentment in our lives.

The world is renewed by God’s compassion

December 5, 2013

Third Sunday of Advent (Year A) Dec. 15 (Isaiah 35:1-6a, 10; Psalm 146; James 5:7-10; Matthew 11:2-11) Modern theology usually mimics philosophical or scientific modes of writing. As useful or necessary as this may sometimes be it seldom inspires the sacred imagination or touches the heart. Old Testament theology, on the other hand, was theology by means of vivid images, symbols and stories. Many of the prophetic passages verge on poetry as they weave together images that in a rational sense may be incomprehensible.

Pope to set up advisory commission on sexual abuse

December 5, 2013

VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis accepted a proposal to set up a special commission on the sexual abuse of children, which will advise him on ways to prevent abuse and provide pastoral care for victims and their families.

December 6

Symposium tackles student mental health

December 6, 2013

TORONTO - Victoria Doucet took part in the Toronto Catholic District School Board’s 2013 Mental Health Symposium because she, like more than 10 per cent of the population 15 or older, suffers from a mental health disorder.

Science vs. religion

December 6, 2013

As a young person intending to enter the field of science, I can attest to the anxiety that Catholic students with similar aspirations experience when faced with the supposed conflict between science and religion. This myth of science and religion being incompatible is propagated by our secular society, and consequently causes students to feel the need to pick between their faith life and their affinity for the sciences.

Love from voices past

December 6, 2013

In Love Never Fails: 120 Reflections, author Debra Herbeck compiles a list of what notable figures have said about love throughout history.

Iconic Mandela had touch of humanity

December 6, 2013

CAPE TOWN, South Africa - Nelson Mandela, who led the struggle to replace South Africa's apartheid regime with a multiracial democracy, died Dec. 5 at his home in Johannesburg.

Toy drives target teens

December 6, 2013

Christmas is the peak toy drive season and charity organizations are urging Canadians to remember teens when they give this holiday season. Teens are often forgotten when shoppers hunt for items to donate.

Toronto hosts Advent Day of Confession

December 6, 2013

TORONTO - This Advent season, churches across the archdiocese of Toronto will open day and night on Dec. 11 for a special Day of Confessions.

December 7

Mandela praised for inspiring others to uphold human dignity

December 7, 2013

WASHINGTON - Pope Francis joined church and government leaders from around the world in crediting Nelson Mandela for a steadfast commitment to promoting human rights and upholding the dignity of all people in response to the death Dec. 5 of the former president of South Africa.

Getting to know the Lily of the Mohawks

December 7, 2013

To grasp the significance of St. Kateri Tekakwitha’s devotion to Christ, you have to understand the context of her life as a young native woman in the 17th century.

Canadian artist’s homeless Jesus finds shelter at the Vatican

December 7, 2013

Canadian artist Timothy Schmalz’s life-sized bronze sculpture depicting Jesus as a homeless man lying on a park bench has found a home at the Vatican.

December 8

Quebec Holy Door marks roots of faith in Canada

December 8, 2013

Quebec Archbishop Gérald Lacroix hopes the Holy Door being installed at la Basilique-cathedrale Notre-Dame de Quebec will draw more than a million North Americans closer to their roots and faith.

Plenty for Canadians to like in Evangelii Gaudium

December 8, 2013

The Church of Pope Francis’ dreams, a Church that is poor and for the poor, is becoming the dream of Canadians, many of whom, from all across the spectrum, have been left smiling by Pope Francis’ love letter to the Church on the new evangelization.

December 9

Mandela belonged to all Africans, Toronto congregation believes

December 9, 2013

TORONTO - Toronto’s African Catholic Community celebrated Nelson Mandela’s life Dec. 8 and claimed him as their inspiration three days after the man who led South Africa out of apartheid died.

Pope, with Egyptian Catholic leader, prays for Middle East Christians

December 9, 2013

VATICAN CITY - Concelebrating Mass with the leader of Egypt's Coptic Catholics, Pope Francis prayed for the safety and religious liberty of Christians in the Middle East.

Pope advances sainthood causes, including Puerto Rican schools pioneer

December 9, 2013

VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis advanced the sainthood causes of 13 candidates, including the "father of Puerto Rican public education" and the Canadian founder of a religious order dedicated to helping unwed mothers.