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October 2016

October 8

Sr. Gleason lauded for changing thousands of refugees' lives

October 8, 2016

WINNIPEG – The Winnipeg community of the Sisters of Our Lady of the Missions honoured Sr. Aileen Gleason for seven decades of a life of service to others and for changing the lives of thousands of refugees.

Who is the archbishop Pope Francis sends into the streets to help Rome’s migrants?

October 8, 2016

ROME – In a narrow alley a few miles from the center of Rome, around 250 migrants gather at sunset.

Vigil of Marian Jubilee

October 8, 2016

Pope Francis on Saturday evening presided at the Vigil of the Marian Jubilee taking place in St. Peter’s Square. The Jubilee began on Friday, which was the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary, and the highlight of Saturday's event was the recitation of the Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary.

In modern world, every land is 'mission land,' Pope says

October 8, 2016

VATICAN CITY – Catholic missionary orders like the Oblates of Mary Immaculate have as much work to do as ever, Pope Francis said.

Franciscan spirituality undergoing a revival

October 8, 2016

WASHINGTON – As the Oct. 3 feast of St. Francis of Assisi approached this year followers gathered at the Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land spoke of a revival taking place in the Franciscan order.

Grandparents are becoming more involved with their children's children

October 8, 2016

The death knell for the nuclear family continues to ring out in a new compilation of statistics from the Vanier Institute of the Family. But the good news is that grandparents are more involved than ever in raising their grandchildren and helping out their extended families.

October 9

Working together to support education in Guatemala

October 9, 2016

TORONTO – Patricia Rehak still remembers feeling overwhelmed when she first travelled to Guatemala in 2004. A project manager, she and her husband Daniel, a professional engineer, had volunteered with the Canadian Executive Service Organization.

A new Quran attempts to bridge divide between Christians and Muslims

October 9, 2016

By the authors’ count, the Quran has been translated into English 212 times since the 17th century — but never like this.

U.S. taking closer look at death penalty in the states, at Supreme Court

October 9, 2016

WASHINGTON – The United States, with its mixed record on the death penalty, is about to take a closer look at the issue this fall with two cases before the Supreme Court and three referendums on state ballots in the November election.

Mercy Ships provide life-changing surgeries in Africa

October 9, 2016

TORONTO – Before Pope Francis even thought of declaring a Jubilee Year of Mercy, one ship in Africa was already proclaiming this message.

Henri Nouwen’s intimate letters shed light on his ‘theology of the heart’

October 9, 2016

As one of the 20th century’s pre-eminent Christian spiritual voices, the Catholic priest and missionary Henri Nouwen touched millions of people worldwide with his moving lectures and 39 published books.

October 10

A journey of faith from Vietnam's labour camps to Canada

October 10, 2016

VANCOUVER – How far will a man go to follow his dreams? For Fr. Joseph Thoai Le, labour camps, imprisonment and perils at sea could not block his destiny to become a priest.

Advocates celebrate that climate change agreement will take effect soon

October 10, 2016

WASHINGTON – With a global agreement that addresses climate change now ready to go into effect, advocates took a moment to celebrate the milestone, but called for further actions to reduce carbon pollution.

For 25 years, FCJ Refugee has been a place where refugees can call home

October 10, 2016

TORONTO – When Elizabeth Carrillo was five, she arrived in Canada with her mother, at the time pregnant with her son Brian. The FCJ Refugee Centre literally became the family’s home.

Mary as example of being thankful

October 10, 2016

Pope Francis celebrated Mass on Sunday to mark the end of the Marian Jubilee, the latest event in the ongoing Holy Year of Mercy.

Paris climate deal can go further, proponents say

October 10, 2016

OTTAWA – Groups concerned about man-made climate change are applauding Canada’s ratification of the Paris climate accord Oct. 5.

At Southdown, religious learn to take care of themselves before taking care of others

October 10, 2016

When residents first enter the Southdown Institute in the small township of East Gwillimbury, Ont., north of Toronto, they are usually lethargic and depressed. They are religious or clergy who have been sent there by the leaders of their diocese or their community, to be treated for addictions and mental health issues.

October 11

As outrage over lewd comments piles up, Trump struggles among Catholics

October 11, 2016

WASHINGTON – Hours before the Oct. 9 presidential debate began, former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani invoked St. Augustine of Hippo on a Sunday morning political news show to defend the man he was supporting for president.

UPDATED: Aid slowly makes its way to thousands of Haitians displaced by hurricane

October 11, 2016

WASHINGTON – Emergency aid slowly began to reach some of the thousands of Haitians displaced by Hurricane Matthew in the country's picturesque southwest as reports of casualties slowly trickled in from communities cut off by the storm.

UPDATED: U.S.'s Catholic Charities agencies assess damage, begin helping storm victims

October 11, 2016

WASHINGTON – Catholic Charities agencies joined emergency response efforts in coastal communities in four Southeastern states as residents and parish staffers began returning to assess the damage Hurricane Matthew left behind.