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June 2019

June 6

Parishes in ‘One Heart’ Campaign put special focus on youth ministry

June 6, 2019

What’s the secret ingredient to drawing young people to parish life?

Church must learn how to speak to young people, Pope Francis says

June 6, 2019

VATICAN CITY -- Too often when Catholics try to talk to young people about vocational discernment, "it's as if we were speaking Esperanto to them, because they don't understand a thing," Pope Francis said.

Vatican News to launch news program, podcast in Latin

June 6, 2019

VATICAN CITY -- A weekly news program about the pope and the Vatican will now be offered in Latin, the official language of the Holy See.

U.S. pro-lifers set the tone for pro-lifers in Canada

June 6, 2019

As if tariffs, climate change and immigration policy wasn’t enough to put a wedge between Canada and the U.S., abortion laws across the states — and the lack of a law here — has become another thorny political issue.

Pope Francis names delegate for pastoral care of Lourdes pilgrims

June 6, 2019

VATICAN CITY -- Pope Francis has named a special delegate for the pastoral care of pilgrims to the French shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes.

Editorial: Failing grades

June 6, 2019

It turns out that recent measures in Canada and abroad to protect minors, punish abuser priests and discipline bishops who cover up these crimes are one of the Church’s best-kept secrets.

Readers Speak Out: June 9, 2019

June 6, 2019

Change the world Re: Climate change stirs students into action (May 19): It is very uncomfortable to be cynical about student sincerity, but making long weekends out of “Fridays for Future” does invite it. How about “Walking for the World,” where all students, staff and teachers that possibly can, walk or bicycle to school. This would cut down drastically pollution, traffic congestion and accidents while improving health and fitness all the while showing positive commitment and sincerity to their cause.

Ontario’s budget takes cruel twist

June 6, 2019

Critics are dubbing it “the nastiest cut.” The Ontario government’s planned termination of the Transition Child Benefit is a cruel measure that strikes at the soft underbelly of society: an estimated 16,000 children each month in low-income families who have nowhere else to turn.

June 7

York teachers facing layoffs

June 7, 2019

Teacher layoffs will be a reality for some York Catholic teachers as the school board struggles with an anticipated $7.7 million budget shortfall for the 2019-20 school year.

Pentecost makes inspiring call to stewardship

June 7, 2019

Do you remember how your parish prepared to celebrate the Easter Vigil?

Church has more work to do, poll shows

June 7, 2019

The Church has a major communications problem when it comes to clerical abuse. That’s the conclusion from communications professionals working for the Church after seeing the results of an Angus Reid Institute poll that said more than three-quarters of Canadians (78 per cent) believe the Catholic Church has done a poor or very poor job of handling the sexual abuse crisis.

Toronto Raptors' player took a shot at priesthood training

June 7, 2019

WASHINGTON -- When Pascal Siakam was in his young teens attending a minor seminary in Cameroon -- and mostly playing soccer in his free time -- he likely never imagined he'd be playing in the NBA Finals.

A ‘little miracle’ in the midst of destruction

June 7, 2019

DAYTON, Ohio -- Although Queen of Martyrs Catholic Church in Dayton sustained significant damage from the May 27 tornadoes that swept through the southwestern region of the state, a statue of Mary on the property remained standing next to the ruined bell tower.

Celebrate Pentecost by rejecting racism, Italian bishops say

June 7, 2019

ROME -- Disciples of Jesus must reject any attitude or language that could increase intolerance or racism, especially in current social and political discussions about welcoming and integrating migrants, said the bishops of Italy's Lazio region.

Cancer patient ordained in hospital

June 7, 2019

WARSAW, Poland -- May is ordination month in many dioceses, but the ordination of Fr. Michal Los, FDP, a member of the Orionine Fathers, was far from your typical ordination. On May 24, Los was ordained a priest in his Warsaw hospital bed. Los was diagnosed with cancer in April, and is now in critical condition. Pope Francis granted a dispensation allowing him to be ordained both a deacon and a priest in the same Mass, and Los was ordained by Bishop Marek Solarczyk of the Diocese of Warsaw-Praga. The day before his ordination, Los made perpetual vows in his religious community. Permission was granted to the director general of the congregation by Pope Francis. Members of the Orionine Fathers, as well as Los’ parents and sister, attended the ceremony. The day after his ordination, Los celebrated his first Mass from his bed. In a video posted on Facebook May 25, Los thanked Catholics who prayed for him, asking for more prayers and offering a blessing with the sign of the Cross. “Praised be Jesus Christ, thanks for all your prayers and I hope you continue to praying, I bless all of you in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,” the young priest said on the video.

Fellow bishops clear Indian cardinal of wrongdoing in real estate deals

June 7, 2019

COCHIN, India -- An Indian cardinal who faces multiple investigations for allegedly selling church land and incurring a multimillion-dollar loss has been cleared by his fellow bishops even though the Vatican has yet to rule on the case.

Bishop bars Illinois Catholic lawmakers who back abortion from Communion

June 7, 2019

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. -- Springfield Bishop Thomas J. Paprocki issued a decree June 6 stating that Catholic lawmakers in the Illinois Legislature "who promoted or voted for extreme abortion legislation" cannot receive Communion in churches in his diocese.

June 8

Close encounters

June 8, 2019

In between sold out events for thousands of people, Mike Mangione looks forward to quiet moments when it’s just him, his guitar, his harmonica and sometimes a tambourine in front of about 20 faces in the crowd.

Reconciliation journey opens new doors

June 8, 2019

If Canada wants reconciliation with its Indigenous citizens, Canada has to change. If the Church wants reconciliation with the Indigenous people it has harmed, the Church has to become more deeply, more truly, more fully what it is.

A spiritual shelter from life’s storms

June 8, 2019

One of the great joys of the Church on the Street has been the memory of a spiritual group that used to meet at a women’s shelter.