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April 2020

April 16

‘Walk-in’ clinic launched to aid priests, religious

April 16, 2020

Priests and religious overwhelmed by the new realities of their ministry due to the COVID-19 pandemic are being offered help to cope with issues brought on by the crisis.

Knights donate $150,000 to food banks during crisis

April 16, 2020

In an average year, the Knights Table in Brampton, Ont., serves 79,000 meals to individuals and families in need in its community.

Editorial: A fearful future

April 16, 2020

Among the many stories of illness and death wrought by COVID-19 comes the tragic case of Jean Truchon.

Readers Speak Out: April 19, 2020

April 16, 2020

Long-term pain Re: A chance for change in post-virus world (March 29): This article hits many truths. Too many people have wanted too much too fast — expensive cars and houses, for example.

Benedict XVI is well on his 93rd birthday

April 16, 2020

VATICAN CITY -- Retired Pope Benedict XVI "is well," although the coronavirus pandemic restrictions mean he will receive no visitors April 16, his 93rd birthday.

St. Joseph’s Health Centre declares COVID-19 outbreak

April 16, 2020

A COVID-19 outbreak has been declared in the intensive care unit (ICU) at Toronto’s St. Joseph’s Health Centre.

Charles Lewis: We can’t hide the looming mess of Bill C-7

April 16, 2020

In 2006 I was home for about a month recovering from back surgery. It was the first time in my life I was so confined. I was literally staring at all four walls … and what I saw was not pretty.

German bishops criticize decision to maintain church service ban

April 16, 2020

BONN, Germany -- Catholic and Protestant churches in Germany have responded differently to the federal government's decision not to lift the ban on public church services.

April 17

Pope Francis calls for universal basic income

April 17, 2020

VATICAN CITY -- Pope Francis has joined a growing movement that believes the COVID-19 crisis should become a catalyst to consider a universal basic wage to guarantee everyone a minimum income.

Canadians connect with Holy Week

April 17, 2020

Across Canada, COVID-cloistered Canadians plugged in throughout Holy Week in big numbers to view Mass at home on TV and over the Internet.

Prayer group a victim of ‘Zoom bombing’

April 17, 2020

VANCOUVER -- A peaceful spiritual event in Vancouver became a traumatizing one when at least a dozen people hijacked an online prayer group with shouting and obscene images.

After the pandemic: History shows plagues change the world

April 17, 2020

As people grapple with the new realties of daily life ravaged by COVID-19, it’s hard to believe the world will ever be the same.

Italian bishops in talks with government on post-lockdown liturgies

April 17, 2020

ROME -- As the Italian government makes plans for a gradual return to normality after the COVID-19 pandemic, representatives of the country's bishops' conference are meeting with the Ministry of Internal Affairs to discuss a resumption of public Masses and, especially, of funerals.

Pope Francis: Living faith without sacraments is dangerous

April 17, 2020

VATICAN CITY -- Pope Francis said he was praying for expectant mothers who may be anxious or worried about giving birth during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Gerry Turcotte: The vital art of dance

April 17, 2020

In June we celebrate St. Vitus’ Day, a time that honours an unusual saint whose influence was seen throughout Europe generally and in Germany in particular.

April 18

March for Life continues online

April 18, 2020

OTTAWA -- The annual National March for Life planned for May 14 in the nation’s capital has been cancelled.

Surveys point to bigger role of faith in crisis

April 18, 2020

Canadians of faith are turning towards God more often to help them get through the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to an Angus Reid survey.

Peter Stockland: In praise of Prine and calls to grace

April 18, 2020

Given his bad-boy-again half-smile and love for re-playing clichés as humourous surprises, it’s understandable to hope word of John Prine’s death during Holy Week is a prank of cosmic timing that he okayed with God first.

April 19

God's Word on Sunday: God is always showing the way forward

April 19, 2020

Third Sunday of Easter, April 26 (Year A) Act 2:14, 22b-28; Psalm 16; 1 Peter 1:17-21; Luke 24:13-35 The ways of God and the ways of human beings are seldom in harmony.

Virtual classrooms a lesson in patience

April 19, 2020

Gabriella Swan is coping well with her online classes. She finds online math classes harder, but the classes are shorter — 45 minutes as opposed to 75 in school.