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November 2020

November 11

At audience, Pope Francis renews commitment to fight abuse

November 11, 2020

VATICAN CITY -- After the Vatican released its extensive report on Theodore E. McCarrick, Pope Francis renewed the Catholic Church's pledge to uproot the scourge of sexual abuse.

Expanded MAiD worries Canadians: survey

November 11, 2020

OTTAWA -- A new public opinion poll indicates Canadians are not as supportive of major changes to the federal MAiD (medical assistance in dying) system as the federal government claims.

Speaking Out: Gratitude in a season of need

November 11, 2020

There are approximately seven weeks between the Canadian and American celebrations of Thanksgiving.

New virtual school named for Carlo Acutis

November 11, 2020

The Huron-Perth Catholic District School Board in Ontario is naming its virtual school after Blessed Carlo Acutis (1991-2006), the teenaged Italian computer programmer beatified by Pope Francis Oct. 10 who is becoming increasingly known as “the first millennial saint.”

COVID magnifies disparities in society

November 11, 2020

If the COVID-era has left most Canadians a little more isolated, a little more cut-off from friends and family, the poor among us have experienced that loneliness more acutely than most.

Cathy Majtenyi: We must open doors wide to strangers

November 11, 2020

Canada’s Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship delivered some great news in Parliament Oct. 30, a win-win for both the country and those coming to Canada to build a better life.

November 12

Bill aims to protect Down syndrome babies

November 12, 2020

Lucy and Alcido Fank were never interested in having an amniocentesis screening to find out whether or not their baby would be born with Down syndrome.

Editorial: Encounter the poor

November 12, 2020

If this pandemic has taught us anything, it is the fragility of our lives.

Readers Speak Out: November 15, 2020

November 12, 2020

Racism virus Regardless of what readers wish to believe (Sept. 27 letter to the editor), Canada houses untold examples of systemic racism. Now more than ever, partly due perhaps to the total disrespect for individuals of other races and beliefs as demonstrated by the present leadership to our south, violent acts of racism occur far too often in this country/province/city of ours. As Pope Francis states in Fratelli Tutti: “God has created all human beings equal in rights, duties and dignity.”

Activist taking ‘once-in-a-century’ case to Supreme Court

November 12, 2020

VANCOUVER -- Pro-life activist Mary Wagner is launching a constitutional challenge of Canada’s criminal code in her crusade to gain legal recognition for the humanity of the unborn.

Tiny homes’ project houses homeless

November 12, 2020

A tiny homes project out of a Kitchener, Ont., Catholic church is keeping the homeless safe and warm as the region prepares for its first winter of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Robert Kinghorn: Walking down the lane called hope

November 12, 2020

There are some sounds you just don’t expect to hear downtown. Police and ambulance sirens intermingled with fights and screaming are commonplace, but as I passed a darkened lane, I heard the soothing sound of someone singing the 1929 chart topper, “Tiptoe through the tulips.”

November 13

Political dialogue begins with humility

November 13, 2020

As U.S. President-elect Joe Biden puts healing front and centre in his plans, he may soon discover that his Jesuit friends got there before him.

Volunteers who ensure safe church openings recognized

November 13, 2020

Cardinal Thomas Collins recognized the thousands of volunteers across the vast Archdiocese of Toronto who have ensured a safe re-opening of churches during the COVID-19 pandemic with a special Mass of gratitude Nov. 4.

Fifth storm in three weeks leaves people trapped in houses in Philippines

November 13, 2020

MANILA, Philippines -- Filipinos appealed for help as a fifth tropical storm or typhoon hit their country in a three-week period. These included the strongest typhoon since 2013 and the biggest floods since 2009.

Chalice Canada sponsors rise up in tough times

November 13, 2020

There’s a silver lining in the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic for Chalice Canada: despite these fraught times, the Catholic international aid agency continues to see an unwavering commitment from its supporters.

Harry McAvoy: Music always strikes the right notes in life

November 13, 2020

On a recent Saturday morning I revisited simpler times. After returning home from morning Mass the Bride and I were welcomed at our front door by Rose Anne, our eldest, and her two boys Jack and Beckett. Rose Anne had dropped by for a visit and had managed to rouse her sisters, Clare, Emma and Hope, from their beds.

November 14

Antigonish’s St. Ninian’s Cathedral restoring murals to former glory

November 14, 2020

Ozias Leduc (1864-1955) earned so much acclaim for his religious and secular paintings that the native of Saint-Hilaire-de-Rouville, Que., was heralded in his time as “the Michelangelo of Canada.’

Food bank adapts to COVID challenge

November 14, 2020

Undeterred by challenges unique to this year, the volunteers at St. Ann Parish Food Bank in Toronto have worked hard to ensure no individual or family in need of its services has been left behind.

Peter Stockland: What’s the rush on Bill C-7?

November 14, 2020

A mad push appears to be on to get the federal government’s MAiD legislation out of committee and into the House of Commons for rapid passage.