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December 2021

December 10

Actor sees similarities between Dickens’ age and today

December 10, 2021

Celebrated Canadian actor Robert Holmes (R.H.) Thomson is about to step back into his element after a pandemic-induced hiatus.

Fr. Yaw Acheampong: Rejoice in the joy-filled light of Christmas

December 10, 2021

How have you been preparing yourself to celebrate Christmas this year?

Bishops seek conversion therapy bill protection

December 10, 2021

After a surprise, expedited third reading of long-promised legislation to ban conversion therapy, Canada’s Catholic bishops are hoping the Senate will amend the bill to ensure private conversations and religious teaching about sexuality and gender are not criminalized.

Cathy Majtenyi: Look back with gratitude on the year just passed

December 10, 2021

Advent is upon us once again. It’s a time of hopeful expectation and renewal, a chance to feast upon the mercy and goodness of God who sent His Son to Earth for our salvation.

December 11

Remembering town’s Irish, Catholic past

December 11, 2021

The hamlet of Downeyville in Ontario’s Kawartha Lakes region is a very different town from when author and community historian Dan Sullivan grew up there in the 1950s and ’60s.

Luke Stocking: Advent activists prepare the way

December 11, 2021

Isn’t it funny that the liturgical year starts with a period of waiting? Every year we get things going, by waiting. We wait for the birth of Christ through the season of Advent. I think this is fascinating and worthy of contemplation. Recently I found a source for such a contemplation in our country’s two official languages.

December 12

St. Mike’s alum fights bias in tech against women

December 12, 2021

A successful software engineer turned start-up CEO, Aashni Shah, and women like her, are still pioneers in a male-dominated tech industry.

God's Word on Sunday: God-inspired prophecies never depleted

December 12, 2021

Fourth Sunday of Advent, Dec. 19 (Year C) Micah 5:2-5a; Psalm 80; Hebrews 10:5-10; Luke 1:39-45 The Scriptures describe the word of God as alive and active, always on the move and unceasing in activity.

December 13

Mourning, prayer and a resolve to rebuild follow devastating tornadoes

December 13, 2021

MAYFIELD, Ky. -- Mourning, prayer and a resolve to rebuild shattered lives, homes and businesses in Mayfield followed one of the most powerful twisters in U.S. history that leveled the city of 10,000 in western Kentucky overnight Dec. 10.

December 15

Residential school records available online

December 15, 2021

Bringing together a trove of newly available documents, the most complete record of how Catholic residential school operators ultimately ended their obligations under the historic 2006 Indian Residential School Settlement Agreement is now online.

New tower inaugurated at Barcelona basilica

December 15, 2021

VATICAN CITY -- The newly completed Tower of the Virgin Mary at Barcelona’s Basilica of the Holy Family stands as a beacon of hope for those who suffer in the world today, Pope Francis said.

Speaking Out: Beware of your ‘inner Scrooge’

December 15, 2021

“Bah humbug” This famous aphorism belongs to the infamous Ebenezer Scrooge, who made his first appearance as the archetypal Christmas cynic in Charles Dickens’ beloved 1843 classic A Christmas Carol.

Emotional journey ends with gridiron title

December 15, 2021

RED BANK, N.J. -- Name an emotion and Alex Brown experienced it during the month of November.

Charles Lewis: Christ: the greatest gift we’ll ever receive

December 15, 2021

At the risk of being sentimental I want to talk about the greatest gift we receive at Christmas. That gift is Christ … and our faith in Him.

Christmas Drawing Contest 2021 winners

December 15, 2021

Without a doubt, there is an abundance of great artists in the making in our Catholic schools.

Catholic groups challenge federal mandate on gender transition procedures

December 15, 2021

WASHINGTON -- Several Catholic hospitals, a Catholic university and Mercy sisters who run health clinics filed a challenge to a federal mandate for performing gender transition procedures with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit Dec. 15.

December 16

Diocesan survey launches Toronto’s synodal process

December 16, 2021

It’s been a long time since Moses brought 10 commandments down from the mountain, but at last Toronto Catholics have a chance to send 10 suggestions back up the hill to Church leadership.

Calgary sisters sow seeds of the season

December 16, 2021

The Seeds of the Word Catholic Community has covered a lot of ground in southern Alberta this Advent season to empower young and old to prepare their hearts to welcome Christ on Dec. 25.

A thorough look at Benedict’s life

December 16, 2021

In two decades as a Catholic convert, I am privileged to have called Holy Father two immense Popes: the unconquerable Pole, St. John Paul ll; and the scholarly German, Benedict XVI.

Montreal identifies 46 abuse cases in ombudsman's report

December 16, 2021

The Archdiocese of Montreal has received 75 formal complaints, 46 of which relate to abuse, dating back to 1950, according to the second quarterly report compiled by an independent ombudsman.