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May 2020

May 1

Mary Marrocco: We are nothing, yet have been given all

May 1, 2020

It was a trying Lent. The Church has lived something historically unprecedented, as Catholics worldwide were able to go to church nowhere and everywhere. Friends and family shared the joy of seeing Mass around the world and the grief of fasting from receiving communion, even on Good Friday, even on Easter Sunday.

Igniting hope for post-pandemic world

May 1, 2020

This year’s theme for Catholic Education Week is “Igniting Hope,” apt at any time but especially now when hope is so much needed.

Pope Francis makes promotions within the College of Cardinals

May 1, 2020

VATICAN CITY -- Pope Francis has expanded the ranks of the top members of the College of Cardinals, naming as "cardinal bishops" Cardinal Beniamino Stella, prefect of the Congregation for Clergy, and Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples.

Canadian, U.S. bishops consecrate nations to Mary

May 1, 2020

OTTAWA -- The tradition of honouring the Blessed Virgin Mary in the month of May is taking on even greater significance this year as Catholics around the world are being asked to turn to the mother of Jesus for protection during the global COVID-19 pandemic.

Faith organizations join forces for Earth’s sake

May 1, 2020

OTTAWA -- A coalition of Catholic and other faith-based organizations and social justice groups are joining forces in a new initiative to unify the voices demanding action to address climate change.

Canadian artist brought Gospel to children

May 1, 2020

LONGUEUIL, Que. -- French Canadian artist Claude Lafortune, who hosted children’s programs based on the Gospel on Quebec television, died of COVID-19 April 19. He was 83.

Educators adapting to distance learning

May 1, 2020

Educators across Ontario have rejigged curriculum to meet the needs of quarantined students and many seem to have found their virtual teaching groove — but not without challenges.

Polish historian questions German researcher's claims about wartime pope

May 1, 2020

OXFORD, England -- A top Polish historian has questioned claims by German researchers that newly opened Vatican archives contain information damning the role played by Pope Pius XII during World War II.

May 2

Young harpist provides light in darkness

May 2, 2020

Perhaps one of the most enduring images of angels is the sight of these messengers of God singing celestial hymns of praise while twanging heavenly harps.

A hermit’s guide to handling loneliness

May 2, 2020

Loneliness is certainly not unique to this time of pandemic, but it is no surprise that under quarantine we are lonelier than ever.

Cathy Majtenyi: Sad record in helping seniors is exposed

May 2, 2020

It’s a pandemic within a pandemic — and a damning indictment of how we’ve been failing to care for our most vulnerable. People living in seniors’ homes across Canada are being hit disproportionately hard by COVID-19.

Happy birthday! Full funding 35 years old

May 2, 2020

Thirty-five years ago, in July 1985, Catholic education in Ontario took a major step forward when Bill 30 was passed by the Ontario Legislature, granting full public funding to Catholic schools through Grade 13. The battle for equal funding with the public boards was a long one, finally won when Premier Bill Davis, who had rejected the idea in 1971, announced the change in policy in June 1984. Here’s The Catholic Register’s report from its June 23, 1984 edition:

Canadian and U.S. bishops consecrate nations to Mary amid pandemic

May 2, 2020

Facing lockdowns, economic strife and the health threats brought on by the deadly coronavirus, Catholics across the country and in the United States turned to the Blessed Virgin for help May 1.

May 3

God's Word on Sunday: The Spirit keeps Church moving forward

May 3, 2020

Fifth Sunday of Easter May 10 (Year A) Acts 6:1-7; Psalm 33; 1 Peter 2:4-9; John 14:1-12 The period of serene apostolic simplicity and unity did not last long.

Kenora board reaches out in crisis

May 3, 2020

While physical distancing has left people feeling isolated, outreach initiatives by the Kenora Catholic District School Board are fostering hope by helping students and families realize they are not alone.

The spiritual frontline amid pandemic

May 3, 2020

On a cold afternoon in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, I took my shopping trolley to go for some groceries.

Peter Stockland: Church voice belongs in recovery strategy

May 3, 2020

We need not sit sipping Lysol lemonade and Clorox cocktails in the left field bleachers with Donald Trump to insist that recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic is too important to be left exclusively to politicians and health care technocrats.

May 4

Pope Francis prays for fallen priests on Good Shepherd Sunday

May 4, 2020

VATICAN CITY -- Priests and doctors who gave their lives caring for the spiritual and physical well-being of others during the coronavirus pandemic are like Jesus, the good shepherd, who laid down his life for his flock, Pope Francis said.

In new biography, Pope Benedict says world threatened by humanism

May 4, 2020

MUNICH -- In a newly published biography, Retired Pope Benedict XVI said the Catholic Church is threatened by a "worldwide dictatorship of seemingly humanist ideologies." He cited same-sex marriage, abortion and the "creation of humans in the laboratory" as examples.

Sacristan sentenced to life in prison for murder of Indian shrine rector

May 4, 2020

COCHIN, India -- An Indian court sentenced former sacristan Johny Vattaparamban, 54, to life imprisonment for the 2018 murder of the rector of popular St. Thomas Shrine at Malayattoor, in southern Kerala state.