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August 2014

August 28

Walking on water, sinking like a stone

August 28, 2014

Faith isn’t something you ever simply achieve. It’s not something that you ever nail down as a fait accompli. Faith works this way: Some days you walk on water and other days you sink like a stone. Faith invariably gives way to doubt before it again recovers its confidence, then it loses it again.

Help restore dignity to South Sudan

August 28, 2014

The people of South Sudan need to know they are not forgotten.

Don’t squander time

August 28, 2014

The subject was sausages. Specifically, another round of breakfast-table jibes about my habit of cooking sausages in the microwave.

Just War and Iraq

August 28, 2014

Should Christians be pleased that the expansion of the “Islamic State” in Iraq has apparently been slowed? Should they be pleased that this was the result of American air strikes?

Faith and hope can help renew our relationship with God

August 28, 2014

The sawed-off four-metre wooden crucifix was carefully lowered to the ground at the entrance to the cemetery.

Regina latest diocese to launch diaconate program

August 28, 2014

REGINA - The Archdiocese of Regina has launched its inaugural diaconate course, with 10 men taking their first steps towards becoming permanent deacons.

Nothing short-term about marriage

August 28, 2014

A proposal that marriages should have a trial period has received a lot of media attention but the notion runs afoul of what marriage is all about, particularly for Catholics.

Catholic Church must welcome ‘unconventional couples,’ says top Italian bishop

August 28, 2014

ROME - The Catholic Church should make “unconventional couples” feel at home instead of making them targets of “de facto discrimination,” the leader of the Italian Bishops Conference and an ally of Pope Francis said this week.

Middle East patriarchs meet diplomats, call for wiping out terrorists

August 28, 2014

BEIRUT - Catholic and Orthodox patriarchs of the Middle East denounced attacks on Christians and called upon the international community to work toward eradicating terrorist groups.

With love we look out for the other

August 28, 2014

23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A) Sept. 7 (Ezekiel 33:7-9; Psalm 95; Romans 13:8-10; Matthew 18:15-20) How much responsibility do we have for the behaviour of others? This is a difficult and delicate question — many of us have encountered the self-righteous busybody intent on running the lives of others. Ezekiel addressed a different but related issue: communal versus individual responsibility.

August 29

Interfaith council hosts mayoral debate

August 29, 2014

TORONTO - If you’ve been waiting for your chance to hear Toronto’s mayoral candidates address poverty, housing, faith and ethics all at the same time — and maybe even use the word “praxis” — the Toronto Area Interfaith Council has the all-candidates event for you.

Smartphone app exercises the spirit

August 29, 2014

Bob Rice’s A 40-Day Spiritual Workout for Catholics has leapt from the printed page to smart-phones.

Political correctness may have led UK officials to ignore reports of sex abuse

August 29, 2014

CANTERBURY, England - Muslims have reacted with horror to a sensational report revealing that 1,400 children were subjected to rapes, abductions and beatings by gangs of men, mostly of Pakistani origin, in the northern English town of Rotherham.

Faith rescues

August 29, 2014

Following a traumatic injury and several surgeries, a friend I had once known to be free-spirited came out of the hospital a different person. He was healed physically but, mentally, he was far from fine. He called me one night as I was working on a school assignment. All notions of a quick conversation dropped when his shaky voice collapsed into a cry for help.

Google-certified teacher takes learning to a new level

August 29, 2014

Grade 2 teacher Rolland Chidiac is now certified to teach students to Google it.

Experts say papal visit to China not likely in near future

August 29, 2014

STONY BROOK, N.Y. - What are the prospects of the world witnessing a papal motorcade driving through the streets of Beijing in the near future?

Christian leaders call for end to US strikes in Iraq, focus on peaceful resolution

August 29, 2014

Even as some prominent Christians are calling on the United States to take more forceful military action against Islamic extremists in Iraq and Syria, more than 50 mainly Catholic and Protestant leaders are telling President Barack Obama to halt American airstrikes and pursue solely peaceful means to resolve the conflict.

OCY Concerts to evangelize note for note

August 29, 2014

TORONTO - The Office of Catholic Youth hopes to strike the right chord with young people by entering the concert business.

John Lennon’s killer: My life is all about Jesus now

August 29, 2014

The man who murdered John Lennon wants only one thing now — to tell others about Jesus.

Pope Francis calls Gaza's Catholics to be Christ's witness in midst of conflict

August 29, 2014

VATICAN CITY - The priest leading the Gaza Strip's only Catholic parish met with Pope Francis at the Vatican, thanking him for his support of those suffering in the war-torn territory.