Browse › 2021 › April

April 2021

April 1

Holy Week forecast sunnier than 2020 as more churches open

April 1, 2021

After months of speaking out against inequity in COVID-19 capacity guidelines, the Archdiocese of Montreal was finally gifted some good news from the Quebec government.

No to fighter jets with so many other pressing needs, nun says

April 1, 2021

As deficits skyrocket and Canada’s debt-to-GDP ratios teeter on the brink, Sr. Mary Ellen Francoeur has a plan to save the government billions.

St. Michael's Choir School returns to Toronto cathedral for Easter

April 1, 2021

After a long year of vocal restrictions, students and staff at St. Michael’s Choir School are thrilled they’ll be lending their voices to Mass at St. Michael’s Cathedral-Basilica again, albeit with safety protocols in place.

Editorial: ‘I have seen the Lord’

April 1, 2021

Think back a year ago … to an Easter Sunday that reverberated with fear and anxiety as the world’s people tried to grasp the enormity of COVID-19.

Readers Speak Out: April 4, 2021

April 1, 2021

Lives deprived The government of Argentina — a country that has given us Pope Francis — recently legalized abortion up to the 14th week of pregnancy. It has decided to break God’s fifth commandment — “Thou shalt not kill.” How shameful, disrespectful and irreverent.

Easter Drawing Contest 2021 winners

April 1, 2021

Two of the most joyous occasions in the Catholic calendar are Christmas and Easter, and they are made ever more joyous seen through the eyes of young people.

Canada must stop vaccine obstruction, religious say

April 1, 2021

The Sisters of St. Joseph, the Oblates and the Jesuits have joined with a long list of churches, unions and humanitarian organizations to ask Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to get behind an exception to international patent laws that would allow companies and countries to quickly produce cheaper, generic versions of COVID-19 vaccines.

Mary Marrocco: We must surrender to the one true power

April 1, 2021

A woman I knew became Christian as an adult. Unlike some of us lifelong Christians who can be oblivious of the strangeness of our faith, she was appalled by one of the Beatitudes.

Fr. Raymond de Souza: Easter Holy Days perfect substitute to March Break

April 1, 2021

It's long since time to break with March Break.

Churches remain open, but at lower capacity, as Ontario puts on ‘emergency brake’

April 1, 2021

With rising COVID-19 cases across Ontario, the provincial government has implemented a province-wide “emergency brake” that will lower capacity for worship services.

Students aim to ease seniors’ isolation

April 1, 2021

A group of Toronto high school students is spreading some Easter season cheer and brightening the days of residents in a retirement residence.

New rector at St. Joseph’s Seminary, Edmonton

April 1, 2021

EDMONTON -- Fr. Sylvain Casavant, a pastor and teacher for many years, has been appointed as the new rector of St. Joseph Seminary.

April 2

Call goes out to lift Syrian sanctions

April 2, 2021

After 10 years of war, in the midst of complete economic collapse, Caritas Syria, with the backing of Caritas Internationalis, is asking for an end to sanctions put in place to punish the Assad regime for chemical weapons attacks on Syrian civilians, widespread torture and human rights abuses.

Author ministers through the brokenness

April 2, 2021

The messages of Lent and Easter season hit very close to home for Catholic author Mary Lenaburg.

Pope Francis celebrates Holy Thursday Mass with Cardinal Becciu

April 2, 2021

VATICAN CITY -- Pope Francis celebrated a private Mass on Holy Thursday with Cardinal Angelo Becciu, the former prefect of the Congregation for Saints' Causes who was forced to resign amid an investigation into suspected financial malfeasance.

Federal Conservative Pary reaffirms anti-MAiD stance

April 2, 2021

OTTAWA -- The federal Conservative Party’s March policy convention may have exposed infighting within the party surrounding issues such as abortion and climate change, but one thing was made clear — it’s the only party against making it easier for Canadians to kill themselves with the help of a doctor.

Sisters find sounds of silence at Easter

April 2, 2021

MOUNT OF BEATITUDES, Israel -- The palm tree fronds in the convent garden of the Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary rustle loudly in the brisk wind of an early spring dust storm, but, stepping into the chapel of the Church of the Beatitudes, there is silence.

Book shines spotlight on poverty

April 2, 2021

The Interfaith Social Assistance Reform Coalition is once again battling poverty in Ontario, this time with facts laid out in black and white and printed in a book.

Students step up for mental health

April 2, 2021

EDMONTON -- Students at a high school in Red Deer, Alta., joined to raise awareness of mental health issues, and hoped at the same time to raise $40,000 for a foundation named after an alumnus who committed suicide.

Cardinal, at Pope Francis' Good Friday service, decries divisions within church

April 2, 2021

VATICAN CITY -- As Pope Francis presided over the Liturgy of the Lord's Passion, the preacher of the papal household called on bishops and all Catholics to examine their consciences for ways they may be harming the unity of the Catholic Church.