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April 2021

April 22

Readers Speak Out: April 25, 2021

April 22, 2021

Total contradiction Re: Faithful find worship restrictions harsh (April 11): It’s true that government COVID restrictions put on religious groups have been harsh. In Toronto, the Catholic Church has co-operated in following COVID protocols. Despite this, our churches have been given stringent restrictions not applied to liquor, beer and big box stores. Why?

Lockdown takes toll on kids’ mental health

April 22, 2021

Marina Calo has been trying to manage the online education of her five-year-old son and says it has not been easy.

Charles Lewis: Morality has little hope in government

April 22, 2021

Erin O’Toole, the federal Tory leader, has said he will not support a bill to ban sex-selection abortions.

April 23

Catholic Conscience gets set for federal election

April 23, 2021

Right out of the gate, when Pope Francis was elected in 2013, he declared, “A good Catholic meddles in politics.” Eight years on, the young, non-partisan organization Catholic Conscience is ramping up its meddling to encompass all of Canada.

Legal tussle over termination of federation agreement looms at Laurentian University

April 23, 2021

The University of Sudbury has turned to the courts to put a stop to Laurentian University’s rapid dissolution of its founding agreements with three church-affiliated universities — the University of Sudbury (Jesuit), Thorneloe University (Anglican) and Huntington University (United Church).

Police seize large stock of altar wine in Quebec claiming violation of import laws

April 23, 2021

QUEBEC CITY -- Police have seized large quantities of altar wine in the province of Quebec, creating a situation where buying a bottle is nearly impossible.

Global development goals hit hard by pandemic: UN report

April 23, 2021

If COVID has been a setback for Canadians, what has it done to villagers in Malawi, slum dwellers in Manila, small farmers in Honduras, Indigenous people in the Amazon?

Leah Perrault: Finding God’s grace in imperfection

April 23, 2021

Imperfection and I have had a rocky relationship. For years, I pretended she didn’t even exist. When she showed up unexpectedly, I dressed her up in different clothes and tried to pass her off as someone else. I recognized, eventually, that she was actually a roommate I despised. And in more recent years, I’ve been trying to be reconciled to my sister. Imperfection has gifts I need, and she has been much more gracious with me than I deserve.

April 24

Too many challenges with drive-in Mass

April 24, 2021

This past Easter Sunday, Fr. Harrison Ayre remembers walking back into St. Peter’s in Nanaimo, B.C., just to gather himself after celebrating the most stressful Mass of his life. Then, just as he sat down in a pew, he heard a bang.

Fr. Salmon a missionary who’s always on the go

April 24, 2021

People well acquainted with Fr. Frank Salmon, OMI, know connecting with him via phone, especially during warmer months, is a bit of a difficult proposition.

Peter Stockland: Palliative centre a light in darkness

April 24, 2021

Amid the deep shadows of ever-expanding MAiD and examples of hospice care being brutally extinguished, a gesture of transformation by the Archdiocese of Montreal lights a candle in the dark.

April 25

God's Word on Sunday: People need time to respond to grace

April 25, 2021

Fifth Sunday of Easter, May 2 (Year B) Acts 9:26-31; Psalm 22; 1 John 3:18-24; John 15:1-8 No one could blame the members of the Jerusalem community for being suspicious of their unexpected “guest.”

Faithful rally support for volcano victims

April 25, 2021

Errol Belgraves puts a mask on every morning before stepping out of the home he and his wife share in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

April 26

Jesus always loves, defends his flock, seeks out everyone, Pope Francis says

April 26, 2021

VATICAN CITY -- Jesus is the good shepherd who knows, loves and defends his sheep, embracing everyone without exception, Pope Francis said.

Canadian bishops, religious push for passage of Bill C-15

April 26, 2021

With the legislation already forwarded to the Senate for study and third reading in the House of Commons expected within days, Canada’s bishops and religious orders have come out strongly in support of Bill C-15, a law that would implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).

April 28

India’s hospitals overrun, government blamed as pandemic surges

April 28, 2021

THRISSUR, India -- Catholic hospital directors in India say they do not have enough facilities to treat patients as India sets records for the number of COVID-19 deaths — numbers many people believe were underreported.

Speaking Out: Make sacramental preparation matter

April 28, 2021

This is the time Confirmation classes in my parish usually begin. But for the second year running, sacramental preparation courses will be held online.

Film club creates movies with a Christian edge

April 28, 2021

Just days before Chloé Zhao’s Nomadland won Best Picture at the Oscars, student auteurs at Our Lady Seat of Wisdom College in Barry’s Bay, Ont., gathered virtually for the premiere of the John David Filmmaking Club’s new movie titled Joe.

Sr. Helena Burns: Where are the quality Christian films?

April 28, 2021

When one hears about a new “Christian” or “Catholic” film, one usually emits an audible groan. Why so? Because — horrifyingly and too often accurately — “Christian” or “Catholic” film is synonymous with “poor quality” and “preachy.”

The gift of Catholic education

April 28, 2021

The story is told that Albert Einstein met with his graduate students in Physics at Princeton University to provide them with their final examination. After distributing the exam, he walked out. His teaching assistant walked out with him.