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April 2020

April 1

Pope Francis: Flush the lies from one's heart to see God

April 1, 2020

VATICAN CITY -- Seeing and growing closer to God require purifying one's heart from the sins and prejudices that distort reality and blind people to God's active and real presence, Pope Francis said.

Speaking Out: Making the most of each day

April 1, 2020

“You better not have any excuses for being bored.” That was always my parents’ warning at the start of every summer as we had books, board games, bikes and other various activities to enjoy. What they really meant was for us to “take advantage of the situation and appreciate the present as much as possible because there might be something in the future that will make this a fond memory.”

Youth looking to faith to cope with pandemic

April 1, 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic is forcing Catholic youth around the world to cope with Mass cancellations, isolation and increasing fear. Yet even in this darkness, their faith is lighting the way.

Ontario schools ramp up online learning

April 1, 2020

With Ontario schools officially shuttered until at least the start of May, education partners are ramping up plans to continue teaching students at home.

Charles Lewis: Finding fellowship in uncertainty

April 1, 2020

We all feel the uncertainty in the air; we all hear that low-grade anxiety buzzing in the background.

Vatican approves special 'Mass in the Time of Pandemic'

April 1, 2020

VATICAN CITY -- The Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments has approved a special "Mass in the Time of Pandemic" to plead for God's mercy and gift of strength in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.

April 2

On the virus frontlines: ‘We’re not giving up,' nurse says

April 2, 2020

EDMONTON -- Chelsy Vanderberg’s anxieties are heightened each time she prepares for another night shift at the Grey Nuns Community Hospital, on the frontlines in the fight against the COVID-19 coronavirus.

Editorial: Open for business

April 2, 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic is forcing society to take a hard look at what is essential and what is optional or even superfluous in our daily lives. In some respects, this material downsizing is a secular version of the spiritual exercise Catholics embrace every year at Lent.

Readers Speak Out: April 5, 2020

April 2, 2020

The big picture Re: Trump attack (Letters to Editor, March 15): In response to Deacon Jurenas’ praise of Donald Trump I would like to say that Trump observes the First Commandment very well in public, but in private he wants to be worshipped and he worships money.

Pope Francis moves Good Friday collection for Holy Land to September

April 2, 2020

VATICAN CITY -- With Holy Week celebrations closed to the public due to the coronavirus pandemic, Pope Francis postponed the traditional Good Friday collection for the Holy Land to September.

Charities look for help in face of crisis-driven losses

April 2, 2020

Facing a steep drop in revenue due to the COVID-19 crisis, charities and non-profits are seeking a multi-billion-dollar lifeline from governments and foundations.

Fr. Raymond de Souza: Our service continues

April 2, 2020

What are priests to do in a pandemic? Much fewer things than they would ordinarily do. But the one thing they must do is to keep doing the one thing which only they can do. They cannot abandon the sacraments.

Cardinal says Communist Party to blame for covering up COVID-19

April 2, 2020

YANGON, Myanmar -- Cardinal Charles Maung Bo, president of the Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences, called the Chinese Communist Party "morally culpable" for initially covering up the full dangers of the COVID-19 virus, which originated in Wuhan, China.

Australian High Court to announce decision on Cardinal Pell's appeal

April 2, 2020

VALLA BEACH, Australia -- Australian Cardinal George Pell, the most senior Catholic cleric convicted of child sexual abuse charges, will learn the fate of his final appeal to the country's High Court April 7.

Pastor stands ready as COVID-19 hits Bobcaygeon hard

April 2, 2020

Fr. Luis Lapinid can’t help but feel a little helpless in the face of the COVID-19 outbreak.

April 3

Mary Marrocco: This is an opportunity to really listen

April 3, 2020

A young woman told me how she almost took her own life at 21. Not because she had no friends or family (she knew she did) but because she felt alone in her pain, isolated in the anguish she had carried so long, and convinced nobody could hear.

On the virus frontlines: ‘Everyone is stressed’

April 3, 2020

In hospital hallways, where the virus wages psychological warfare on doctors, nurses, cleaners and orderlies, hospital chaplain John Zamiska fears evil.

‘New normal’ means new tasks to tackle

April 3, 2020

CALGARY -- A few weeks ago, Jamie Hunka sat at a desk in one of The Mustard Seed’s support centres helping job seekers write resumes and master interviewing skills.

Nouwen sets example of ‘emptying our lives’

April 3, 2020

A little quiet time — away from work and the constant interruptions of daily life — ought to be just what the doctor ordered for those seeking more spiritual focus in their lives.

Subsidy saves jobs in Toronto archdiocese

April 3, 2020

Relief programs implemented by the federal government to counter the economic fallout from COVID-19 have staved off significant pay cuts for priests and saved staff at the Archdiocese of Toronto offices and parishes from layoffs.