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November 2018

November 29

Speaking Out: Discerning marriage at 22

November 29, 2018

It wasn’t anything out of the ordinary. I was standing in his dining room, watching him make his family laugh. He was kind to his parents and he was helpful to his sister. Most important, he was the same person to them as he was to me. And I thought to myself, “I’m going to marry him someday.”

Figure of speech: Ghost images remind us of the great cycle of life

November 29, 2018

As a photographer, I always assumed my interests were odd. My preferred subjects were dilapidated buildings, rusted metals and abandoned spaces. I love detailed closeups of ghost phrases — slogans and ads painted on crumbling surfaces that are still just visible to the eye, decades after the products were available. Driving through the countryside I will often pull over to photograph a collapsed shed, a rusted sign or a crumbling wall.

Francis Campbell: Halifax-Yarmouth diocese going back to its missionary roots

November 29, 2018

It’s difficult to equate dynamic evangelization with the reality of shrinking numbers of parishes, priests, parishioners and active churches. But evangelization is exactly what the Archdiocese of Halifax-Yarmouth hopes to achieve through a strategy called New Parishes: Stronger Together.

November 30

Traditional Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter stresses unity with Pope Francis

November 30, 2018

OTTAWA – An order of priests that became “like orphans” 30 years ago when it broke away from the schismatic Society of St. Pius X has prospered by observing Church tradition and stressing unity with the Holy Father.

Salvadoran human rights office pushes courts to prosecute St. Oscar Romero assassin

November 30, 2018

WAAHINGTON – The human rights office for the Archdiocese of San Salvador is taking the country's judicial system to task, urging the prompt prosecution of those responsible in the assassination of St. Oscar Arnulfo Romero, calling for an end to "creative" excuses for not doing so.

Women say church leaders must listen to survivors before Vatican abuse summit

November 30, 2018

ROME – Three female survivors of sexual abuse by priests called on church leaders preparing for a February summit at the Vatican to listen to the voices of victims and to end a "culture of cover-up" that has dragged on for decades.

Pope Francis praises witness of Pakistani Catholic, 'servant of God' killed in 2011

November 30, 2018

VATICAN – Servant of God Shahbaz Bhatti, a Catholic politician from Pakistan who was killed in 2011, is a witness of how to act with love in the face of hatred, Pope Francis said Friday.

Growing number of young Canadians remain single

November 30, 2018

OTTAWA – Most young Canadians aged 20-34 are neither married nor co-habitating, and the proportion of those remaining alone is growing, according to a new study by Cardus.

Holy Land school contributes to rebounding tourism industry

November 30, 2018

At Bethlehem University education is not about personal fulfillment. It’s the only way to transform a society that has been locked in conflict with Israel for 70 years, where unemployment runs at nearly one-third of the working age population (32.4 per cent in the second quarter of 2018, according to the World Bank) and a quarter of the population lives on less than $5.50 per day.

Thai crackdown on refugees targets Pakistani Christians

November 30, 2018

In a secret location, under the watchful guard of Pakistan’s military, Asia Bibi and her family are hoping Canada or some other country will take them in before gangs searching from house to house discover her.

'Religiously illiterate West' fuels rise in religious persecution

November 30, 2018

OTTAWA – The West is turning a blind eye as rabid nationalism poses a growing threat to religious freedom in countries such as India, Russia and China, says a new report from Aid to the Church in Need.

Who will care for the family caregiver?

November 30, 2018

The title of family caregiver implies the act of giving care to loved ones with acute or chronic health issues. What it fails to convey is the importance of caregivers receiving care themselves — and that’s a problem, according to a new study.

Educators stand up for single-gender schools

November 30, 2018

The scandal that has erupted at Toronto’s St. Michael’s College School involving bullying and assault allegations has prompted suggestions that a “toxic masculinity” at the all-boys’ school played a role in incidents that have resulted in eight expulsions, six students facing serious charges and one student suspended. It’s also led to some calls to abolish single-sex schools.

Fr. Yaw Acheampong: Advent is a season of new beginnings

November 30, 2018

As we begin a new liturgical year and also the season of Advent, here is a short quiz:

Families mix a blend of party and parish to prepare for Christmas

November 30, 2018

As Christmas becomes more and more commercialized, parents like Robin Bredin are looking to the local parish for opportunities to show his children that Jesus is at the core of the celebration.