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October 2023

October 5

Editorial: ‘Let him hear’

October 5, 2023

October will be a listening time for Catholics worldwide as the Synod on Synodality rolls on in Rome.

Historical inaccuracy

October 5, 2023

Carol Glatz’s article “Jesuit letter revealing Nazi atrocities discovered” in the Sept. 24 Catholic Register contains inaccurate, not to mention hurtful connotations.

Include me out of Alberta pension plans

October 5, 2023

Count me among the significant majority of Albertans opposed to our government’s proposed Alberta Pension Plan (APP). Despite our serious concerns, the province would like us all to support the plan. So we are headed to a season of “public relations” aimed at convincing us that a patently preposterous proposal is both realistic and in the interests of the people of this province.

Priestly calls often follow altar service

October 5, 2023

This week the Benedict XVI Institute for New Evangelization presented a new study: “Meet Our New Priests: 12 Key Findings about the Background, Discernment and Seminary Formation of Canada’s Recent Ordination Classes.”

Let’s open our eyes to the reality of AI

October 5, 2023

“Ban it, or use it?” ponders the headline of an article marking the six-month anniversary of an innovation rocking the education and academic world. Chat Generative Pre-trained Transformer (ChatGPT) has turned the practice of conventional teaching and learning on its head forever.

Listening to discern the Spirit calling

October 5, 2023

The Synod on Synodality is the most important moment in our Church since Vatican II. And yet, a surprising number of lay Catholics still know nothing about this momentous process currently taking place in our Church.

October 6

Hospital ministry: Labouring with hope, love

October 6, 2023

On my first day upon returning to work at St. Michael’s Hospital as a hospital priest, I was wondering what things would be like in my role. On the jammed subway, suddenly I found myself reflecting on Jesus’ words — “The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into His harvest” (Matthew 9:37).

Lighting the fire of faith: a call to action

October 6, 2023

The world “is a great field waiting to be cultivated,” Archbishop J. Michael Miller told more than 400 Catholic ministry leaders at this year’s Upper Room Conference hosted by Proclaim.

Better mental health care over more assisted death: poll

October 6, 2023

Four in five Canadians (82 per cent) oppose expanding euthanasia eligibility further without first improving mental health care services, according to a new poll co-released by the Angus Reid Institute and Canadian think tank Cardus.

Fleeing ethnic Armenian Christians 'completely disregarded' for political, economic profits, says bishop

October 6, 2023

An Armenian Catholic bishop told OSV News that tens of thousands of ethnic Armenians have been "completely disregarded for political and economic profits," as Azerbaijan takes control over their former home.

Police chief says St. Mike’s prepared him for career

October 6, 2023

From the cozy confines of the yellow brick halls of Toronto’s St. Michael’s College School to the top of Toronto Police Service headquarters, Myron Demkiw was recently appointed Chief of Police of the fourth largest municipal police service in North America.

God's Word on Sunday: We have failed to use God’s fruits wisely

October 6, 2023

27th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A) Oct. 8 (Isaiah 5:1-7; Psalm 80; Philippians 4:6-9; Matthew 21:33-43) Poetry and song can be beautiful and moving, elevating the heart and soul. In the ancient world theological reflection was expressed in poems, parables, epics and myths. Those who could sing them were held in the highest esteem in societies.

MP Ed Fast’s Bill C-314 gains some NDP support

October 6, 2023

Conservative MP Ed Fast said he feels his bill to stop the expansion of MAiD (medical assistance in dying) to the mentally ill is gaining support across the country, and even within the House of Commons chambers.

Synod participants discuss formation, building a welcoming church

October 6, 2023

The formation of seminarians, the Catholic Church as a welcoming home for all, migration and ecumenism arose as common themes of discussion among participants of the assembly of the Synod of Bishops Oct. 6, the Vatican said.

The light of faith in the darkest places

October 6, 2023

A two-part special feature section exploring how the church brings light and hope to the dark places of addiction and human trafficking.

October 7

Students, staff ‘blindsided’ by Brescia merger

October 7, 2023

Over 300 undergraduates and faculty assembled at the Save Brescia Rally on Sept. 27 to protest Canada’s only women’s university fully integrating into Western University in May 2024 after years of being an affiliated college.

Tolkien’s Middle Earth shaped by his Catholicism

October 7, 2023

Eager eyes and willing ears filled the room as Lord of the Rings aficionados thronged to the University of Toronto’s Newman Centre to discuss hobbits, elves and all things Tolkien.

These Sisters have a devout love for life

October 7, 2023

An enduring trope in the culture wars is that pro-life advocates care only for the fetus and nothing for the women and children at the centre of abortion debates. Critics point fingers, often literally, alleging that political pro-life wrangling always trumps the physical and spiritual care of women.

October 8

Archbishop Miller calls for robust religious freedom

October 8, 2023

Speaking to Catholic lawyers at this year’s Red Mass at Holy Rosary Cathedral, Vancouver Archbishop J. Michael Miller emphasized the need for a broader understanding of religious freedom in Canada, challenging the nation to uphold its reputation for “healthy secularism.”

Bensons touch every part of B.C. parish

October 8, 2023

One day while perusing the Internet, Diane Barker discovered the Beremerenti Medal, a commendation awarded by the Pope to clergy and laity who have provided long and exceptional service to the Catholic Church.