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March 2017

March 30

Suffering Servant is a model for service

March 30, 2017

Passion (Palm) Sunday, April 9 (Year A) Isaiah 50:4-7; Psalm 22; Philippians 2:6-11; Matthew 26:14-27:66 Speaking and acting on behalf of God is not for the fainthearted.

Death can be our final gift to others

March 30, 2017

Fr. Ron Rolheiser will be a leader at the 2017 National Catholic Mission, addressing the theme “Our final gift,” based on Fr. Henri Nouwen’s thesis that death can be our final gift to others. Fr. Rolheiser addressed that concept in a 2001 column reprinted here with his blessing.

Living water of Jesus will satisfy our thirst

March 30, 2017

Growing up by the shores of one of the largest freshwater lakes in the world, I never thought of water as a resource needing to be conserved, or an essential commodity over which people would fight wars.

Priest kidnapped from Mexico's Tamaulipas state safely returned

March 30, 2017

PLAYA DEL CARMEN, Mexico – A Mexican priest reported kidnapped in the border state of Tamaulipas was reported to have been safely returned March 30, the Diocese of Tampico said in a statement.

Catholic leaders instrumental in pushing El Salvador to ban metal mining

March 30, 2017

SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador – At the urging of Catholic leaders, El Salvador has passed a law banning metal mining nationwide, making the small Central American country the first in the world to outlaw the industry.

Sacred Heart College’s new degree status helps heal sting of losing property bid

March 30, 2017

Those invested in Peterborough's Sacred Heart College are riding high after an emotionally turbulent end to the month of March.

Doctors’ college sticking to referral policy for assisted suicide

March 30, 2017

The people who grant and deny medical licenses in Ontario faced off against the two largest provincial organizations representing doctors on March 30 at Queen’s Park and told the doctors they have to sacrifice their conscience rights to serve patients.

March 31

Speaking Out: Strive to have a heart like Pablo Ráez

March 31, 2017

What are you doing to leave a mark on this Earth?

Comment: Education is the best way to tackle bigotry

March 31, 2017

“What good can this wretched intolerance and religious bigotry effect?”

At Calling All Girls conference, moms, daughters learn about real girl power

March 31, 2017

Mothers and daughters were brought together on March 24 to learn more about successes and struggles that have defined the growing empowerment of women.

‘Spiritual abuse’ from residential schools had deep roots for First Nations

March 31, 2017

Blair Stonechild knows first-hand the devastating effects residential schools had on First Nations spirituality.

‘Put behind prejudice, forgive past sins,’ Pope on Lutheran Reformation

March 31, 2017

VATICAN CITY – Serious research on Martin Luther can help heal relations between Catholics and Protestants, highlight what was legitimate about the Reformation and pinpoint the errors and sins that led to the division of the church, Pope Francis said.

Scientists: Recently restored Jesus' tomb faces major risk of collapse

March 31, 2017

JERUSALEM – Having just undergone an extensive restoration, the site of Jesus' tomb at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre is at risk for significant structural failure if nothing is done to reinforce its foundations, scientists have said.

Pence casts tiebreaking vote as Senate advances pro-life measure

March 31, 2017

WASHINGTON – U.S. Vice President Mike Pence cast the deciding vote in the Senate Thursday (March 30) to advance a measure allowing states to once more have the freedom to avoid funding Planned Parenthood clinics with federal “family planning” grants.

Mexican bishop meets with gang leaders to protect threatened priests

March 31, 2017

CHILPANCINGO, Mexico – A bishop in Mexico's Guerrero state, which suffers the most from drug- and gang-related violence, recently met with gang leaders in order to protect priests who were receiving death threats.

Pope Francis makes surprise 'Year of Mercy'-style visit

March 31, 2017

VATICAN CITY – Although the Jubilee Year of Mercy has officially ended, Pope Francis today made a surprise “Mercy Friday” visit to a centre for the blind and visually impaired in Rome – showing that he doesn't think works of mercy are just for special occasions – or years.

French priest pleads for safety of North Korean Christian refugees

March 31, 2017

PARIS – A French Catholic priest working with North Korean refugees in China said conditions have worsened for surviving Christians under the dictatorship of Kim Jong Un and urged the Chinese government to give shelter to fugitives from the communist-ruled country.

U.S. bishops urge Congress to take bipartisan approach on health care reform

March 31, 2017

WASHINGTON – Now that lawmakers have withdrawn the American Health Care Act, Congress must "seize this moment to create a new spirit of bipartisanship" and make "necessary reforms" in existing health care law to address access, affordability, life and conscience, said three U.S. bishops' committee chairmen.

Terrorist group al-Shabab delivers food relief to drought-stricken Somalia

March 31, 2017

The Somalia-based Islamist militant group al-Shabab is distributing food to drought-stricken residents in southern parts of the war-torn country, as fears of impending famine grow.