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May 2016

May 4

There are many ‘mummified’ or ‘vagabond’ Christians.

May 4, 2016

Pope Francis lamented on Tuesday that there are many following Christianity in a confused way, forgetting that Jesus is the only true path. He said these include the motionless or 'mummified' Christians, the vagabond and stubborn Christians and the Christians who stop half way along their journey. The Pope was speaking during his homily at morning Mass celebrated in the Santa Marta residence.

'Tastes of Heaven' fundraiser will help church rebuild in Northwest territories

May 4, 2016

VAUGHAN, ONT. – Bishop Mark Hagemoen’s plea for $300,000 to help rebuild a demolished church in Fort Simpson, N.W.T., was answered by about 500 donors who attended the annual Taste of Heaven gala fundraiser and banquet.

C-14 ‘fundamentally unjust,’ bishops tell committee

May 4, 2016

They’ve said it before and they’re saying it again. “Bill C-14, no matter how it may be amended, is an affront to human dignity, an erosion of human solidarity, and a danger to all vulnerable persons,” the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops told the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights as it reviews a proposed law to regulate the practice of medically assisted suicide.

Fundraising shortfall shows need for reconciliation with First Nations

May 4, 2016

A $21-million fundraising shortfall by Canadian Catholics in meeting commitments of the Indian Residential School Settlement Agreement highlights a need for reconciliation between mainstream Canada and its aboriginal people that goes beyond the Catholic Entities named in the legal settlement with residential school survivors, according to government spokespeople.

Ontario bishops: sex-ed instruction must remain true to Church teaching

May 4, 2016

Seven months after Ontario’s new sex-ed curriculum arrived in Catholic schools, Ontario’s bishops are reminding teachers to stay true to Church teaching when addressing marriage, sexuality and gender.

Priest abducted, said to have been crucified, said to be alive

May 4, 2016

ROME – A Catholic priest abducted in Yemen in a deadly attack on a nursing home is reportedly alive and could soon be released, contradicting earlier reports that he was crucified on Good Friday.

May 5

Strike a balance between religious, secular

May 5, 2016

The notion of separation of church and state is an important foundation for a true democracy. It guarantees freedom of religion by favouring no religion over another. It is also the surest way of guaranteeing the expansion of religion when the state favours none and allows religion’s best instincts to make a real contribution to society.

March for Life tapping into youth to lead the movement

May 5, 2016

Today’s pro-lifers amust mentor the youth to make sure the movement keeps its momentum, says Jim Hughes, national president of Campaign Life Coalition.

God is found in being present to each other

May 5, 2016

Recently I received, on the same day, articles from three different sources. One was about the 219 girls captured by Boko Haram who are still missing. The second, about “way more” than 1,200 aboriginal Canadian women missing or murdered. And the third, about 4,472 baby girls “unaccounted for” in Canada over the past 20 years, referring to female fetuses aborted in favour of male children.

History will speak well of Fr. Daniel Berrigan

May 5, 2016

Before you get serious about Jesus, first consider how good you’re going to look on wood! Daniel Berrigan wrote those words and they express a lot about who he was and what he believed in. He died April 30 at age 94.

German cardinal says 'unauthorized people' in Rome veto bishop nominations

May 5, 2016

BONN, Germany – A German cardinal said names of candidates submitted to the Vatican as potential bishops are being vetoed by "unauthorized people" in Rome.

Providence sisters help persuade library to revoke homeless policy

May 5, 2016

The Kingston Frontenac Public Library (KFPL) will be withdrawing its new Patron Code of Conduct that some saw targetting the Eastern Ontario city’s homeless and mentally ill population.

An ocean of tears calls for mercy, compassion, Pope says

May 5, 2016

VATICAN CITY – The tears shed by men, women and children around the world each day cry out for mercy, compassion and consolation, Pope Francis said during a special Year of Mercy prayer service for those who weep.

Walking in the Spirit, we feel the divine breath

May 5, 2016

Pentecost Sunday (Year C) May 15 (Acts 2:1-11; Psalm 104; 1 Corinthians 12:3b-7, 12-14; John 20:19-23) Humans have always dreamed of being endowed with powers that will lift them far beyond ordinary human limitations. Mythology — both ancient and modern — is often an expression of this wish. The immense popularity of the superhero genre of film is a fine example.

May 6

Capturing D.R.E.A.M.S. on film

May 6, 2016

For 17 years, Hamilton, Ont.’s St. Mary’s Catholic Secondary School students have been helping dreams come true in the global south. This year, it is being captured on film.

Mirror, mirror on the wall...

May 6, 2016

Power. Betrayal. Love. All the words that come to mind after having watched The Huntsman: Winter’s War. As simple as these words may sound, they are anything but that. These words continue to creep into our lives, especially when we least expect it, and challenge our character.

Relief efforts step up as Fort McMurray blaze spreads

May 6, 2016

As firefighters continue the fight to save Fort McMurray from a wildfire that is threatening to consume the entire northern Alberta city, it is feared that St. Paul Church is one of the city’s structures that has been lost to flames.

A Christian does not anesthetize pain

May 6, 2016

Pope Francis said on Friday that a Christian does not anesthetize or numb pain but lives through it in the hope that God will give us a joy that nobody can take away. That was the key message of the Pope’s homily at his morning Mass celebrated in the Santa Marta residence.

Bridges over barriers

May 6, 2016

Good fences make good neighbours, wrote Robert Frost. But don’t try telling that to the bishop of Eisenstadt, Austria.

Neighbouring dioceses step up to aid Fort McMurray

May 6, 2016

ST. PAUL, ALTA. – Neighbouring dioceses are stepping up to help the thousands who have been displaced by the catastrophic wildfire threatening the very existence of Fort McMurray, Alta.