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March 2021

March 15

Vatican ends practice of private Masses in St. Peter's Basilica

March 15, 2021

VATICAN CITY -- The Vatican is putting an end to the practice of priests going into St. Peter's Basilica early every morning to celebrate their own Mass at a side altar with just an altar server.

U.N. condemns Myanmar bloodshed; cardinal criticizes 'brutality, violence'

March 15, 2021

YANGON, Myanmar -- The United Nations and human right groups have strongly condemned the worsening bloodshed in Myanmar as at least 38 people were killed in the military's crackdown on protesters March 14.

March 16

Legislators vote to stop abortions of disabled fetuses in Northern Ireland

March 16, 2021

MANCHESTER, England -- Politicians in Northern Ireland voted overwhelmingly in favor of a bill to prevent the late-term abortions of babies with disabilities.

March 17

Quebec bishops distance themselves from CCCB statement on COVID vaccines

March 17, 2021

OTTAWA -- Canadian Catholics should get vaccinated against COVID-19 and they should take any vaccine that has been approved for use in Canada, Canada’s bishops said in a clarifying statement that came just days after initial advice on vaccines caused a political firestorm.

Gift of the Holy Spirit connects people to Christ, Pope Francis says at audience

March 17, 2021

VATICAN CITY -- Every Christian is unique because the Holy Spirit inspires something new and original in each person, creating "an endless field of holiness," Pope Francis said.

Expansion of assisted suicide now law after Senate passes Bill C-7

March 17, 2021

OTTAWA -- Euthanasia opponents are slamming the federal Liberals who, with Bloc Quebecois support, opened the door for the mentally ill to access the medical aid in dying (MAiD) system, which officially became law on March 17.

Essay: Taking ‘root’ with Christ

March 17, 2021

The vine provides its branches nutrients, support and endurance amidst hard conditions. This anecdote portrays man’s dependence upon God. As we experience stormy climates in our life, our Lord is our strength. Yet, why do some plants bear good fruit whereas others bear bad fruit? What differentiates a nutrient-rich environment from a toxic one?

Essay: Through Jesus, we are all connected

March 17, 2021

Verses 1-17 from Chapter 15 of John’s Gospel provide a simple yet elaborate explanation of our sacred relationship with God.

Speaking Out: Cancelling won’t better society

March 17, 2021

During the COVID-19 lockdown, my siblings and I started viewing movies and TV shows that we grew up with and developed a game: we would try and see which jokes, ideologies, portrayals and topics will eventually get cancelled according to today’s standards and practices.

UNIV helps students navigate university, life

March 17, 2021

Young female Catholic university students in Canada are spiritually readying themselves for “navigating” through university culture, life and setbacks with the March 27-30 UNIV Inspire Congress — an annual international Catholic youth conference for high school seniors and college students held during Holy Week.

Sr. Helena Burns: Five solutions to feminism gone wrong

March 17, 2021

“Feminism” is not a dirty word. At its most basic level, I define feminism as “the protection and promotion of women.” “Radical feminism” denies any significant differences between men and women beyond a few reproductive body parts, which, of course, is patently false, unscientific and demeaning. I was a radical feminist for a good portion of my life until I discovered John Paul II’s Theology of the Body.

March 18

Poverty, chastity, obedience give meaning

March 18, 2021

At 93 Sr. Norah Burns struggles to understand the lives of people who haven’t lived the last 75 years under the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. In her life the vows have been “Everything, really.”

Editorial: Get vaccinated

March 18, 2021

There’s been a lot of moral/ethical debate about whether Catholics should avoid being injected with COVID-19 vaccines that were produced using cell lines derived from an abortion.

Readers Speak Out: March 21, 2021

March 18, 2021

Justice denied The jailing of Fr. Stan Swamy for defending the human rights of an impoverished group against their overlords supported by a bigoted Hindhu fundamentalist political party makes a complete mockery of India’s boast of being the largest democracy in the world.

Poverty hitting Syrians hard even as fighting wanes

March 18, 2021

VATICAN CITY -- Food, cooking fuel, jobs and, especially, hope are hard to come by in Syria, said two Catholic leaders reflecting on the 10th anniversary of the war.

Leah Perrault: Making space for living amid the mess

March 18, 2021

Mess is not a new way of living for our family, but moving has a way of making figurative messes real. Our house is full of boxes, waiting for certainty that we will not need to move again soon.

March 19

University of Sudbury rekindles French roots

March 19, 2021

In the midst of bankruptcy proceedings at Laurentian University, the University of Sudbury is going back to its francophone roots.

Vocational discernment is for every Catholic

March 19, 2021

A vocational discernment is for every person of the faith, says Sr. Mary Rowell, president of NAVFD, National Association of Vocation and Formation Directors.

Christians across Canada are taking aim at China's Communist party with prayer

March 19, 2021

The power of prayer is being marshalled across Canada to call out abuse of power by China’s Communist Party in a national, ecumenical Zoom liturgy scheduled for March 21.

Hope and hoop dreams give rise to foundation

March 19, 2021

If being positive is a calling in life, Hope Agbolosoo has certainly found his.