Browse › 2014 › January

January 2014

January 9

The blindness in misguided loyalties

January 9, 2014

Anyone familiar with the life and writings of Simone Weil will, I am sure, agree that she was a woman of exceptional faith. She was also a woman with an unwavering commitment to the poor. But, and this may seem anomalous, she was also exceptional and unwavering in a certain resistance she had towards the institutional Church. During her lifetime she longed for daily Eucharist, even as she resisted baptism and membership in the Church. Why?

God is the gift that insists on giving

January 9, 2014

“What’s wrong with you?” the young woman asks her co-worker, Joe. She’s been trying to convey a message from their boss, but Joe seems to be on another planet.

Make this a year of prayer, patience

January 9, 2014

Someone asked me recently, “After the Year of Faith, what will be the Church’s theme in 2014? How does the Pope designate a theme for the year?”

How 2014 is shaping up at the Vatican

January 9, 2014

VATICAN CITY - After a year that included the historic resignation of Pope Benedict XVI and a series of celebrated innovations by Pope Francis, it is hard to imagine 2014 at the Vatican could be nearly as eventful. Of course, the biggest stories are likely to be those that come by surprise, but in the meantime, here are developments bound to loom large in Vatican news over the coming year:

King’s goes it alone

January 9, 2014

King’s University College at London, Ont.’s Western University walks into its 60th anniversary as a newly incorporated institution, separate from the diocese of London.

Central African bishops say conflict mischaracterized as religious

January 9, 2014

OXFORD, England - Catholic bishops in the Central African Republic criticized media portrayals of their country's conflict as religious in nature and listed preconditions for restoring peace and effective governance.

Priest says hitching ride on popemobile was invite to hit road for God

January 9, 2014

VATICAN CITY - When Father Fabian Baez booked his trip to Rome, he didn't have an appointment to meet with the pope, so he gave himself ample time in the Eternal City to be able to arrange some way to see him.

Order of Canada awarded to former St. Jerome's president Letson

January 9, 2014

Douglas Letson is no stranger to awards and recognition, but when a phone call came from Ottawa congratulating him on his Order of Canada he was shocked.

January 10

Cardinal reports progress in reform as Legionaries start chapter

January 10, 2014

ROME - As the Legionaries of Christ started their extraordinary general chapter, the cardinal overseeing the troubled congregation said scandal had taken a toll on its finances, but that members had made progress in overcoming the moral and administrative legacy of their disgraced founder.

DIY devotion

January 10, 2014

One summer from my childhood, I grew a potted Marian garden of marigolds and morning glories. So when I saw 33 Days to Morning Glory by Fr. Michael E. Gaitley, Marians of the Immaculate Conception, at my local Catholic bookstore, I thought of the joy planting those beautiful flowers for Our Lady brought to my childish heart.

Calling youth ministers ‘Home’

January 10, 2014

The Canadian Catholic Youth Ministry Network is hosting its biennial faith formation conference Jan. 17 to 19 for those who serve young Catholics.

On the hunt for authentic love

January 10, 2014

Young adults in Winnipeg will be able to question love and freedom in a five-part lecture series based on Blessed Pope John Paul II’s Theology of the Body.

Building trust a key to evangelism

January 10, 2014

OTTAWA - Building trust is a key to evangelizing in a post-modern society where the Christian message is no longer trusted, says Catholic Christian Outreach (CCO) vice president Brett Powell.

January 11

The Bible, from start to finish

January 11, 2014

TORONTO - Catholics in the archdiocese of Toronto can learn generations worth of Scripture — all in one day.

Faith overcomes hardship

January 11, 2014

TORONTO - Yvonne T. Campbell wants the world to know that Jesus Opened My Eyes.

Composer humbled by continued response to his 1979 hymn

January 11, 2014

HONOLULU - Fr. Jan Michael Joncas has composed more than 300 liturgical songs, but his name is widely known for the one that tops a list of favourites: “On Eagle’s Wings.”

January 12

Archbishop finds the cure for burnout

January 12, 2014

ST. ALBERT, ALTA. - Keewatin-Le Pas Archbishop emeritus Sylvain Lavoie looks cheerful these days. As chaplain of the Star of the North Retreat Centre in St. Albert, he is doing many of the things he enjoys, such as organizing liturgies for the centre’s staff and giving retreats and workshops.

Vatican to host world leaders in push to end Syrian conflict

January 12, 2014

VATICAN CITY - With more than 100,000 dead and millions displaced in a brutal civil war, Pope Francis has made repeated pleas for peace in Syria. But more than just call for peace he has taken steps to bring an end to the violence.

January 13

Pope to moms: It's OK to breast-feed in public, even in Sistine Chapel

January 13, 2014

VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis assured mothers that breast-feeding their babies in public, even during a papal Mass in the Sistine Chapel, is OK.

Pope says abortion, hunger, environmental damage threaten peace

January 13, 2014

VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis said world peace requires the defense of human dignity from violations such as world hunger, human trafficking and abortion.