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August 2020

August 1

Sudbury teacher mines sport for justice

August 1, 2020

Sports enthusiast and Indigenous language educator Dominic Beaudry doesn’t pass up an opportunity for a teachable moment on or off the field of play.

Gerry Turcotte: ‘Duck and cover’ isn’t an option

August 1, 2020

When I was growing up it was popular to mock a film made in the 1950s to prepare children to survive a nuclear war. Older folks will remember this odd cross between animated and live action footage featuring a bow-tied Bert the Turtle who could “duck and cover” at the sign of danger.

August 2

God's Word on Sunday: True silence is filled with possibilities

August 2, 2020

19th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Aug. 9 (Year A) 1 Kings 19:9, 11-13; Psalm 85; Romans 9:1-5; Matthew 14:22-23 God is certainly capable of great deeds of power. This is most evident in the Exodus account of the Old Testament. But there is another side of God — God’s preferred side — that is quiet, gentle and often disguised to the point of invisibility.

From the streets to a family reunion

August 2, 2020

After years of loneliness living on the streets, Gordon Petrie’s chance move into a rundown shed outside a Ukrainian Catholic church in Surrey, B.C., has brought him friendship, community and a family reunion out of his wildest dreams.

August 4

Benedict XVI 'extremely frail', says author

August 4, 2020

VATICAN CITY -- An author with a long and close relationship to retired Pope Benedict XVI told a German newspaper that the 93-year-old retired pope is "extremely frail."

Bishops from Japan, U.S. call Catholics to work for nuclear disarmament

August 4, 2020

CLEVELAND -- The path to true peace requires the world to abolish nuclear weapons, an American bishop and a Japanese archbishop said as the 75th anniversary of the atomic bombings at the end of World War II approached.

Christians must courageously share with others, Pope Francis says at Angelus

August 4, 2020

VATICAN CITY -- True compassion requires "courageous sharing," not telling people to go fend for themselves, Pope Francis said.

Eleven Philippine dioceses suspend Masses in effort to control COVID-19

August 4, 2020

MANILA, Philippines -- The Philippine government issued new orders restricting movement in an effort to control a spike in COVID-19, resulting in 10 dioceses suspending public Masses.

August 5

Explosion in Beirut adds suffering to Lebanon's dire situation

August 5, 2020

AMMAN, Jordan -- Hospitals in the Lebanese capital are overwhelmed with those suffering injuries from a massive explosion in Beirut's port, causing widespread damage the city and rocking the tiny Mediterranean nation already devastated by the coronavirus and its worst financial crisis since the 1975-1990 civil war.

Pope Francis calls for prayers for Lebanon after deadly explosion in Beirut

August 5, 2020

VATICAN CITY -- After a massive fire triggered a deadly explosion in Beirut, Pope Francis called for prayers and a united effort to help Lebanon overcome "this serious crisis."

August 6

'These were innocent children,' archbishop says of South Sudan murders

August 6, 2020

NAIROBI, Kenya -- The Catholic archbishop of Juba condemned "in the strongest terms possible" the murder of three young girls, killed while watching television in their Juba home.

Vatican says baptisms that used a modified formula are not valid

August 6, 2020

VATICAN CITY -- Changing the words of the formula for baptism render the sacrament invalid, said the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.

Pope Francis names six women to Council for Economy

August 6, 2020

VATICAN CITY -- Renewing the membership of the Vatican Council for the Economy, Pope Francis named six women to the previously all-male board that oversees the financial operations of all Vatican offices and entities.

August 7

Mary Marrocco: We’ll find strength in letting go the ‘littleness’

August 7, 2020

One of many arresting moments in J.R.R. Tolkien’s masterfully gripping The Lord of the Rings involves Merry, one of Frodo’s three hobbit friends who accompany him on his journey to destroy the ring of power. Merry finds himself at the centre of a great battle, with one of the Nazgul (dread servants of the Enemy) bearing down on the King whom Merry has sworn to serve. When the King is struck down, with horror all around him, Merry starts to crawl away. Something inside calls him to return — but “his will would not answer” and he keeps fleeing in the other direction.

August 9

God's Word on Sunday: God’s message is meant for all people

August 9, 2020

20th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Aug. 16 (Year A) Isaiah 56:1, 6-7; Psalm 67; Romans 11:13-15, 29-32; Matthew 15:21-28 “Maintain justice and do what is right.”

August 10

Weapons must be set aside for peace to flourish, Pope Francis says

August 10, 2020

VATICAN CITY -- For peace to flourish, weapons of war must be set aside, especially nuclear weapons that can obliterate entire cities and countries, Pope Francis said on the 75th anniversary of the nuclear bombing of Hiroshima.

Suspended priest excommunicated for still saying Mass, teaching against pope

August 10, 2020

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- A suspended priest in the Diocese of Sacramento has been automatically excommunicated because he continued to celebrate Mass despite being instructed not to do so by Bishop Jaime Soto, and he also has refused to acknowledge Pope Francis as head of the Catholic Church.

Lebanese rise up against government

August 10, 2020

AMMAN, Jordan -- Viewing the burned wasteland of the Beirut port, one’s eye catches a grey concrete slab in the foreground. It bears this stark message scribbled by the Lebanese in black ink: “My Government Did This.”

August 11

City Hall’s eternal flame not so eternal

August 11, 2020

COVID-19 has put a damper on a lot of things the last few months. Add to that list eternity.

COVID forces Knock shrine to close Aug. 15 to discourage crowds

August 11, 2020

KNOCK, Ireland -- The Marian shrine at Knock announced Aug. 10 that in addition to postponing the popular Knock Novena and pilgrimage because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the shrine and its church would be closed for the Aug. 15 feast of the Assumption of Mary to ensure pilgrims do not arrive anyway.