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October 2017

October 12

Editorial: Canadian bishops are wise to take their time

October 12, 2017

Despite several invitations and considerable speculation, a papal visit to Canada seems no closer today than it was 2 1/2 years ago when the topic first surfaced.

Youtube priest spreads Gospel message

October 12, 2017

VANCOUVER – Another young priest is spreading the Gospel on YouTube.

Province targets pro-life seniors

October 12, 2017

The Ontario government is trying to reimpose a lapsed, 23-year-old temporary injunction against 16 aging pro-life protesters.

October 13

#Fatima100: 'Miracle of the sun' broke darkness of Portugal's atheist regimes

October 13, 2017

Fatima, Portugal – On “the day the sun danced,” thousands of people bore witness to a miracle that not only proved the validity of the Fatima Marian apparitions, but also shattered the prevalent belief at the time that God was no longer relevant, according to one theologian.

Bubble zone legislation is 'simply wrong'

October 13, 2017

Bubble zone legislation proposed to keep protesters away from abortion clinics in Ontario is “an unjust denial of freedom of expression and Charter rights,” according to Ontario Civil Liberties Association executive director Joe Hickey.

Vatican: Canada did not seek extradition for diplomat with porn charges

October 13, 2017

VATICAN – Canadian authorities did not request the extradition of a Vatican diplomat who has been charged by police in Canada of accessing, possessing and distributing child pornography, a Vatican spokesman said.

St. Joseph's College students take part in Red Dress day

October 13, 2017

A collection of simple red dresses has delivered a powerful message for students at Toronto’s St. Joseph’s College School.

Speaking Out: Answering my call to serve

October 13, 2017

I didn’t know what it meant to truly serve others until I became a part of student council.

Faith in civil discourse waxes, then wanes

October 13, 2017

When this column cited a vicious smear campaign against Fr. James Martin, it was expected that some people would disagree with his call to build a bridge of dialogue between the Church and the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community. It was also expected some would agree with his call for civil discourse. Naturally, both things occurred.

Amid violence streets still have their moments of grace

October 13, 2017

There are few, if any, parishes in Toronto that had three shooting deaths in the first month of the year and followed them up with two more in the next few months. Add to this an epidemic of drug overdoses and a picture of lawlessness could emerge.

Comment: Our environmental abuse puts us on a road to ruin

October 13, 2017

The August and September hurricanes of Harvey, Irma and Jose drowned out two fleeting news items that should keep us awake at night with anguish about how we’re treating our planet.

Comment: Francis opens the door to ‘cafeteria’ Catholics

October 13, 2017

To call someone “more Catholic than the Pope” used to be a joking reference to conservative Catholics, but these days there truly are some people who think they are more Catholic than Pope Francis.

Sweet sounds among the scaffolds: Opera singer rehearses in church under renovation

October 13, 2017

The sweet soprano sounds that echoed from St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Toronto could have come from a Mass at the Vatican.

October 16

In India, schoolkids say Virgin Mary appeared amid scent of jasmine

October 16, 2017

Kochi, India – Both Hindu and Catholic schoolchildren in India claim to have witnessed an apparition of Christ and several appearances of the Virgin Mary accompanied by the scent of jasmine, the gift of contrition, and the healing of a girl’s ear problem.

Pope's homily: Look to new saints to practice Christian love every day

October 16, 2017

VATICAN – Inviting all faithful to practice Christian love every day, Pope Francis on Sunday canonized 35 new saints, nearly all of them martyrs, holding them up as models who “point the way”.

After partygoers create mayhem, students step up to repair garden

October 16, 2017

Students in London, Ont., learned a valuable lesson about loving your neighbour. After an unsanctioned homecoming street party destroyed the garden of a beloved neighbour, students from Western University, King’s University College and Brescia College came to the rescue.

Prayer and work: Benedictine monk creates sculptures depicting Christ's life

October 16, 2017

MISSION, B.C. – The 93-year-old hands of Fr. Dunstan Massey are carefully filling in the imperfections of what will soon be his newest art piece at Westminster Abbey in Mission.

'mother!' adds new twist on God and Bible

October 16, 2017

Darren Aronofsky’s latest film mother! has certainly stirred up a storm, and no wonder. It features murder, point-blank executions, incinerations and the killing and devouring of a child.

Physicians offer support to pro-life undergrads

October 16, 2017

For the first time in nearly 20 years of pro-life medical conferences, Canadian Physicians for Life will offer a pre-conference event for students thinking about applying to medical schools.

Euthanasia misses the message

October 16, 2017

Medicine in Canada has been undermined by the most permissive assisted dying laws in the world, physician and medical ethicist Sr. Nuala Kenny told about 150 Catholics gathered at the University of Toronto’s Regis College on Oct. 4.