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June 2014

June 5

God’s compassion, mercy journey by our side

June 5, 2014

Trinity Sunday (Year A) June 15 (Exodus 34:4b-6, 8-9; Daniel 9; 2 Corinthians 13:11-13; John 3:16-18) The people in the Bible perceived God in diverse and sometimes contradictory ways. Throughout the book of Exodus, the people of Israel alternated between resentment and complaint towards God on the one hand and sheer terror on the other. They complained bitterly to God continually out of their fear and lack of trust. But when Moses approached the mountain to encounter God, the people refused to go anywhere near it. They were quite content to send him in their place, and in fact Exodus referred to him as the one who spoke face to face with God as if to a friend.

Struggling for our father’s blessing

June 5, 2014

When I was in elementary school, we were made to memorize a number of poems by William Blake. We didn’t understand them, but they had a wonderful jingle to them, were easy to commit to memory and remain branded inside me to this day.

Irish archbishop adds voice to those calling for investigation of septic tank burials

June 5, 2014

Updated 06/09/14 LONDON - The Roman Catholic archbishop of Dublin, regarded as among the most influential church leaders in England and Ireland, has added his voice to those calling for an urgent inquiry into the discovery of nearly 800 babies and children buried in a septic tank at Tuam, a home for unwed mothers in western Ireland.

June 6

Holy plans for the holidays

June 6, 2014

TORONTO - St. Patrick’s Young Adult Ministry wants young people to turn summer holidays into holy days.

Groups applaud bill that would make purchase of sex illegal

June 6, 2014

OTTAWA - An array of groups that oppose prostitution are applauding the introduction of Bill C-36 June 4 that criminalizes the purchase of sex, targeting johns as well as pimps and traffickers.

Fight is on as Quebec’s euthanasia bill passes

June 6, 2014

OTTAWA - Groups opposed to euthanasia vow to fight Quebec’s adoption June 5 of Bill-52 “An act on end-of-life care” that brings euthanasia to the province.

Morality extends to Mother Earth

June 6, 2014

As the long winter days finally come to an end, I welcome the arrival of spring. Flowers are in blossom, leaves have reappeared on trees and our surroundings are starting to be filled with beautiful shades of green — just in time for World Environment Day.

Music draws attention to the Lord

June 6, 2014

When Steubenville youth conferences were fairly new to Washington, musician Ike Ndolo was leading worship during Saturday night adoration. Adoration on the second of this three-night Catholic conference for teens is usually a high point of the weekend. But on one particular Saturday night, Ndolo and the band had stopped playing — but the crowd just kept on singing.

Pope remembers 'heavy sacrifice' of Allied forces on D-Day

June 6, 2014

VATICAN CITY - People must continue to recognize the sacrifice of the Allied soldiers who liberated Europe from "Nazi barbarism," but also should not forget the German soldiers "dragged into this drama," Pope Francis said.

June 7

Br. Canterucci’s aid work rewarded by Tanzania

June 7, 2014

TORONTO - For his 40 years of digging wells and building schools and hospitals in Tanzania, Br. Anthony Canterucci has been honoured with that country’s Medal of Honour.

Vatican tempers expectations for Israeli-Palestinian peace prayer

June 7, 2014

VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis' June 8 meeting with the Israeli and Palestinian presidents will be a religious, not a political, occasion and should not raise hopes for immediate resumption of peace talks between the two nations, said the principal co-ordinator of the gathering.

The ‘Francis Doctrine’ puts the Vatican back on the world stage

June 7, 2014

When Israeli President Shimon Peres and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas meet at the Vatican June 8, it will be another sign of how Pope Francis has returned the Vatican to the global stage to a degree not seen since the 1980s, when John Paul II’s shuttle pilgrimages helped end the Cold War.

June 8

Migrants in a ‘perpetual Good Friday’

June 8, 2014

TORONTO - On the sugar cane plantations in the Dominican Republic, life is bitter for the Haitian migrants who farm the land.

Modern slavery conference examines human trafficking on the homefront

June 8, 2014

TORONTO - Human trafficking is not limited to sexual slavery, says Karlee Sapoznik, and it occurs closer to home than Canadians believe.

Too early to confirm 2025 Orthodox-Catholic summit

June 8, 2014

VATICAN CITY - A Vatican spokesman said it’s premature to suggest a gathering between Catholic and Orthodox faiths to mark the 1,700th anniversary of the first Church council held in Nicea in 325.

School yourself before marking your ballot

June 8, 2014

TORONTO - Before marking an X on a ballot Catholic voters should pencil in a grade on a report card for candidates in the Ontario provincial election.

June 9

Advisors urge Pope Francis to slow down for a summer break

June 9, 2014

WASHINGTON - Pope Francis has been working nonstop since his election more than a year ago, and he has shown remarkable resilience for a 77-year-old confronted with an array of Church crises. But he is also fatigued at times and his advisors are hoping that he will take a break this summer.

Canada’s bishops offer prayers, support in wake of Moncton shootings

June 9, 2014

OTTAWA - The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops president has written to the Archbishop of Moncton to offer condolences after the shooting deaths of three Mounties in the Maritime city June 4.

Only God can bring peace to Holy Land, Pope tells Peres, Abbas

June 9, 2014

VATICAN CITY - Praying for peace in the Holy Land alongside leaders of long-antagonistic nations, Pope Francis called on God to act where human efforts had failed, to end what he described as violence inspired by the devil.

June 10

Ukrainian Catholic bishops thank world for prayers during transition

June 10, 2014

KIEV, Ukraine - Ukrainian Catholic bishops thanked people around the world for their prayers over the last six months and asked for continued prayers for peace in their country.