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April 2020

April 8

Cardinal Collins issues letter to faithful for Holy Week

April 8, 2020

Amid the disruption and anxiety of the COVID-19 crisis, Cardinal Thomas Collins of Toronto has issued a pastoral letter for Holy Week in which he urges the faithful to reach out in “prayer and responsible action” rather than collapse into “selfishness and despair.”

Speaking Out: Doing the right thing for God and country

April 8, 2020

Our lives have changed drastically in the past month. In late February, we received ashes to mark the beginning of another Lenten season; now, we are deprived of visiting Church for Holy Week.

Campus pro-life group launches webinar series

April 8, 2020

The quarantine measures to slow the spread of COVID-19 have ground the National Campus Life Network’s (NCLN) face-to-face activism to a halt, but not its voice.

Robert Kinghorn: Taking care of the poor is an essential service

April 8, 2020

It was a different time and a different crisis, but in the small village of Bronte, Ont., work was hard to come by in the early 1950s.

Tanzanian Catholic churches remain open despite worldwide closures

April 8, 2020

NAIROBI, Kenya -- Catholic Churches in Tanzania are remaining open alongside other churches, even as the rest of world shuts places of worship to stem the spread of COVID-19.

April 9

Providence hit by virus outbreak

April 9, 2020

A significant outbreak of COVID-19 has infected 11 residents at the Cardinal Ambrozic Houses of Providence — the long-term care wing of Providence hospital in Toronto.

Editorial: We choose hope

April 9, 2020

It was wet and dreary in an empty St. Peter’s Square March 27 as Pope Francis bestowed on Rome and the world an extraordinary blessing in these extraordinary times. But he defied the gloom of COVID-19 with a much-needed testament of hope amid this crisis, a hope conferred on us by the risen Lord that comforts us in hard times and which we celebrate with particular joy at Easter.

Readers Speak Out: April 12, 2020

April 9, 2020

Responding to crisis COVID-19 is a terrible disease that is causing many to become ill and some to die. It is devastating the economies of the world. However, it is in times of crisis that one can truly observe the character of individuals and organizations.

Good news still flows with group’s live-stream

April 9, 2020

In the early 1980s, Canadian music icon Anne Murray released her classic country song, “A Little Good News,” in response to suffering she witnessed in society.

Ontario English Catholic teachers ratify deal

April 9, 2020

Ontario’s English Catholic teachers have ratified central terms of the agreement reached with the province last month that will put an end to labour unrest in the Catholic education system.

Our fears give way to the joy of Easter

April 9, 2020

The following is the Easter message from Richard Gagnon, Archbishop of Winnipeg and president of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops.

English bishops advising priests not to give last rites

April 9, 2020

MANCHESTER, England -- Because of the lack of personal protective equipment, priests are being told to counsel dying COVID-19 patients by telephone rather than give them last rites.

Cathy Majtenyi: The COVID-19 world has much to teach us

April 9, 2020

The journey to Easter in 2020 has been a journey like no other.

On Holy Thursday, Pope Francis thanks God for world's priests

April 9, 2020

VATICAN CITY -- Unable to invite Rome's priests to mark Holy Thursday in St. Peter's Basilica, Pope Francis thanked all priests for their service and called those who died ministering to the sick and health care workers part of the community of "saints next door."

April 10

Living out our Domestic Church at Easter

April 10, 2020

In many ways, the COVID-19 pandemic can be seen as a test of our commitment to answer our call as Catholics to express our faith beyond the bricks and mortar church building and organized gatherings.

Easter Drawing Contest 2020 winners

April 10, 2020

In times like these, few things can lift a person’s spirits like the unvarnished cheerfulness and optimism of children.

Ecumenical covenant a ‘message of hope’

April 10, 2020

While the VIDO-Intervac laboratory at the University of Saskatchewan is working flat-out on a vaccine for COVID-19, bishops from all over Saskatchewan have come together to launch a laboratory of their own to work on the elusive formula for Christian unity.

On Good Friday papal preacher reminds COVID-19 not divine punishment

April 10, 2020

VATICAN CITY -- The coronavirus is not some form of divine punishment but a tragic event that, like all suffering in one's life, is used by God to awaken humanity, said the preacher of the papal household.

Glen Argan: Our mission is clear on the new sabbath

April 10, 2020

Joseph of Arimathea saw something that others on the Jewish council did not. In St. Luke’s telling of the story, Joseph was not only a good and righteous man, “he was waiting expectantly for the kingdom of God.”

April 11

The eternal message: ‘Do not be afraid’

April 11, 2020

On Palm Sunday, after I read the Passion narrative of St. Matthew’s Gospel, alone in our parish church at the Masses, I could not help but think of how much we have in common this Easter with the first disciples of Jesus.