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March 2014

March 12

Pope Francis is a hit with Canadians

March 12, 2014

The better they know him the more Canadians like Pope Francis.

March 13

Beware celebrity

March 13, 2014

Can a pope be too popular? The question may seem odd but it is worth asking as the papacy of Pope Francis turns one year old.

Pope’s ministers of mercy

March 13, 2014

I was a little nervous about Pope Francis’ meeting with the clergy of Rome last week. As a seminarian and a new priest, I always looked forward to Blessed John Paul’s annual Holy Thursday letter to priests. To my disappointment, Pope Benedict XVI did not continue that tradition, but replaced it with an annual encounter with the clergy of Rome in the first days of Lent. Pope Francis opted this year to continue Benedict’s practice, and so met with the parish priests of Rome last week.

For God or country

March 13, 2014

Crowds at Parti Quebecois whistle stops during the provincial election have been chanting: “We want a country!” They’re perfectly entitled to both the desire and its democratic expression, of course, even as Quebec Liberal leader Philippe Couillard is equally justified in asking rhetorically: “Don’t we already have one?”

U.S. Catholic coalition files class-action lawsuit to block HHS mandate

March 13, 2014

WASHINGTON - A coalition of nearly 200 Catholic dioceses, agencies and businesses has asked a federal court in Oklahoma to block enforcement of a Department of Health and Human Services mandate that it says would force its members to violate their religious beliefs.

The what, how and why of Catholic education

March 13, 2014

Have you ever noticed that the lineup for Apple products always seems to be the longest in the mall? Certain products have a strong brand loyalty. It is similar with Catholic education.

Child-like faith makes it crystal clear

March 13, 2014

So many questions, so few answers. That’s often where we find ourselves as Catholics and as people.

Faith in Christ will open us to the Spirit

March 13, 2014

Third Sunday of Lent (Year A) March 23 (Exodus 17:3-7; Psalm 95; Romans 5:1-2, 5-8; John 4:5-42) When the going gets tough, faith is often the first victim. Negativity, doubt and fear corrode faith and courage like the strongest acid.

The struggle with sexual energy

March 13, 2014

The Church has always struggled with sex, but so has everyone else. There aren’t any cultures, religious or secular, pre-modern or modern, post-modern or post-religious, that exhibit a truly healthy sexual ethos. Every church and every culture struggles with integrating sexual energy, if not in its creed about sex, at least in the living out of that creed.

Former Toronto executive named to Vatican council

March 13, 2014

Getting the Vatican’s financial house in order will be no small task for the newly appointed members of the Vatican’s Council for the Economy, the lone Canadian on the 15-member council told The Catholic Register.

Pope’s aim: Church conversion

March 13, 2014

VATICAN CITY - As Pope Francis reaches the one-year mark of his papacy, his global flock and a fascinated public are starting to measure the changes he is making against the sky-high hopes for transforming an institution many thought impervious to change.

Pope Francis brings new hope to Church

March 13, 2014

Standing in the dim, evening light on St. Peter’s Square a year ago, it never occurred to me a Pope might creep in, switch on the light and rouse us all from our sleep.

Think you know Pope Francis?

March 13, 2014

Pope Francis was a virtual unknown outside Church circles when he was introduced to the world a year ago. Catholic News Service reports 10 interesting things we’ve learned about him since then.

In Argentina, Francis’ impact goes beyond the spiritual

March 13, 2014

BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA - Maria Delamonica spoke somewhat sourly of the state of affairs in Argentina, where the economy is teetering and politics are polarized. But her voice brightened when the topic turned to Pope Francis and the changes in the country since he was unexpectedly elected one year ago.

Pope Francis launched a revolution of tenderness

March 13, 2014

When the College of Cardinals began the conclave on March 12, 2013, the excitement and expectations were palpable. With the Habemus Papam the following afternoon came the name of a stranger, and outsider, who instantly won over the world with the words, “Fratelli e Sorelle, buona sera!” (“Brothers and sisters, good evening!”)

Everyone has something to say about this Pope

March 13, 2014

Making a documentary about Pope Francis is like making a motion picture about a moving target. Things are changing all around this Pope.

Czech priest, philosopher Tomas Halik wins 2014 Templeton Prize

March 13, 2014

Fr. Tomas Halik, a Roman Catholic priest and philosopher, one-time Czech political activist and an advocate for religious freedom and interfaith dialogue, won the 2014 Templeton Prize March 13 for religious and spiritual progress.

Program gathers singles

March 13, 2014

TORONTO - Couples for Christ is callingToronto’s singles.

March 14

Faith in action

March 14, 2014

While reading the news in class instead of paying attention to the ramblings of my professor, I stumbled upon a message from Pope Francis in one of his daily meditations. It read: “A faith that does not bear fruit in works is not faith.” I tuned out my professor and reflected on this message.

‘Political trickery’ has PQ eyeing majority

March 14, 2014

OTTAWA - The Quebec election call may have killed euthanasia Bill-52, for the time being, but the Parti Quebecois’ (PQ) divisive Charter of Quebec Values has put the separatist party in line for a majority government better able to push a more secular society.