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October 2018

October 30

Mary Marrocco: Living and loving in the face of death

October 30, 2018

“I have been half in love with easeful Death.” So wrote poet John Keats two centuries ago. For him it was sorrowful, yet his succinct sentence could well describe our current perspective in this country.

October 31

Here’s an excellent way to ‘bond’ with parish

October 31, 2018

Stocks, bonds and mutual funds make great gifts — just ask the parishioners at St. Patrick’s in downtown Toronto.

St. Paul's Breakfast Club satisfies appetite for giving

October 31, 2018

There already were a few children in line making a bowl of cereal or waiting for the toaster to pop when Jazmin Torres burst through the basement doors at 7:42 a.m. St. Paul’s Basilica in the Corktown neighbourhood of East Toronto.

What to know about donating real estate

October 31, 2018

Donations of real estate are a popular way to benefit a favourite charity. Here are some of ways to donate real estate and the tax implications of this type of gift:

Taking the mystery out of probate fees

October 31, 2018

If people think they will no longer be paying taxes upon death, they are sadly mistaken. As Benjamin Franklin wrote, “in this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.”

Good pre-planning avoids estate pitfalls

October 31, 2018

It happens often that a deceased person leaves a sum of money to support a broad cause without naming a specific charity.

Cremation becoming a popular option for Catholic burials

October 31, 2018

When Amy Profenna recently met with a lawyer to update her Will, one of the questions she was asked was if she wanted to be cremated.

End-of-life care requires good planning

October 31, 2018

If vacations, weddings, babies and football games are important enough to require planning, why don’t we plan for sickness, frailty and dying?

Capacity is a vital factor in making a Will

October 31, 2018

Do you have capacity?

Fossil fuel shares finding fewer takers

October 31, 2018

When climate scientists say humans have a mere 12 years to avoid extreme consequences — floods, famine, fires and refugees — from a two- to three-degree rise in the average global temperature, it may be foolish to wait for governments to solve the problem.

Shepherd's Trust has been ‘a godsend’ in helping with a safe retirement for priests in golden years

October 31, 2018

Fr. Don MacLean’s kidneys are failing and he needs dialysis on a regular basis in order to remain in good health. But with the help of The Shepherds’ Trust fund, he has found himself in the right place at the right time.

Pakistan court sets aside death sentence for Catholic woman convicted of blasphemy

October 31, 2018

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan – Pakistan's Supreme Court has set aside the death sentence of Asia Bibi, a Catholic convicted of blasphemy, and ordered her release from prison.

Cardinal Ambrozic's painting reveals art of the deal

October 31, 2018

Former Toronto cardinal, Aloysius Ambrozic, wasn’t a big collector of art.

Digital footprints can haunt your estate

October 31, 2018

Eric Bundgard has some sage advice for everyone: you know death is a reality we will all face, so be prepared for when it occurs.

Life insurance can leave a lasting legacy

October 31, 2018

Have you ever wished you could do more to support the meaningful work of your church or favourite charity?

Endowments: The gifts that keep giving

October 31, 2018

A lot of people think that creating an endowment fund is something only rich people can afford.

Christians, Hindus can defend poor, marginalized together, Vatican says

October 31, 2018

VATICAN – Christians and Hindus are bound by their belief in human dignity and share a responsibility to help those in need, said the secretary of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue.

Renovation uncovers human remains at Vatican nunciature

October 31, 2018

VATICAN – The Vatican press office confirmed news reports that human bones had been found during reconstruction work in a building connected to the Vatican Embassy to Italy.

Graduated Rate Estates: What you need to know

October 31, 2018

In 2016 the Canada Revenue Agency significantly changed the taxation of trusts by introducing a new category known as a General Rate Estate, or GRE.

'Every Christian vocation is spousal', just like marriage, Pope says

October 31, 2018

VATICAN – The Sixth Commandment's mandate against adultery is a call to fidelity that applies not only to married couples, but to all Christians called to love others through their vocation, Pope Francis said.