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December 19, 2013
TORONTO - When students act out the Nativity scene they develop an everlasting visual connection to the true meaning of Christmas, the birth of Christ, Barbara De Silva believes.
OTTAWA - Former Anglicans who convert to Catholicism must be a bridge to Christian unity and a force for true ecumenism, said the leader of North America’s Anglican ordinariate as four former Anglican priests were ordained to the Catholic priesthood.
TORONTO - When thinking of Mary it is essential to envision her in the flesh, as a physical human being, because that is the language of God, said Fr. Robert Barringer.
December 20, 2013
The permanent diaconate is moving west. Two of the four dioceses in Saskatchewan will begin training men to become permanent deacons in 2014 and the other two are mulling it over.
A friend once told me that we are not only Christians, but we are also a Christmas people. I thought, “How can this be?” We do not flaunt Christmas garlands and holly on our houses year round. But she told me that we are a people that celebrate Christ’s birth and epiphany every year. In doing so, we are called to spread His message of joyful waiting, unconditional love, peace and humility. We are given this wonderful opportunity to tell others about how Christmas came to be and we can share the definitive reason of the holiday with others. We can do this through service to others.
Christians from a variety of cultures have different ways of focusing on Christ during this holy season.
Updated 12/23/13 OTTAWA - Everything from sex tourism to prostitutes attending high-school career days is possible unless Parliament writes new legislation in the wake a Supreme Court ruling that struck down Canada’s prostitution laws, warn anti-prostitution advocates.
TORONTO - This winter, more than 2,700 Ontario kids in need will have a new coat to shelter them from the biting cold of winter thanks to the Knights of Columbus.
EDMONTON - Charitable appeals made in parishes across the Edmonton archdiocese will be rolled into one starting in Lent 2014.
The Sisters of the Good Shepherd Toronto are inviting students to help better the lives of women in developing countries this Christmas and beyond.
EDMONTON - When Kristin Kopp read in her Sunday bulletin last Easter about Edmonton Archbishop Richard Smith’s Jubilee Pilgrimage to the Holy Land, she knew she had to be there.
December 21, 2013
KLEINBURG, ONT. - Fr. Gregory Ace has crèches from more countries than he doesn’t. His collection of 1,300 (or so) Nativity scenes includes examples from 120 countries. He’s got about 80 more to go.
With Christmas around the corner, hasty shopping decisions can lead to purchasing presents void of meaning. If you still have loved ones to buy for, consider these five socially responsible places to buy Christmas gifts that will make a difference.
WAINWRIGHT, ALTA. - While some people have an exercise or a theatre room in their homes, Linda Miller has a special room in her Wainwright home dedicated to her vast and growing collection of crèches.
TORONTO - This Christmas, many homeless won’t be visiting their families.
TORONTO - Since Bradley Jacobson started flying a Boeing 737 more than a decade ago, he spends about 75 per cent of the Christmas season away from his family in Alberta.
December 22, 2013
BETHLEHEM, WEST BANK - Activity was in full swing at the Ma’an lil-Hayat workshop as 16 adults shaped felted wool into round balls for a large order of sheep to fill people’s Nativity scenes.
What would Jesus think of His birthplace today?
Despite receiving over 500 entries in our third annual children’s Christmas drawing contest, selecting a winner didn’t require the wisdom of three wise men. The entry of Jomalaine Mae Cinense was so impressive we put it on the cover.
Wish yourself a Green Christmas this holiday season by staying eco-friendly. The Green Church, a program of the Canadian Centre for Ecumenism, has provided a list of ideas to decrease waste and reduce your carbon footprint this Christmas season.