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December 2023

December 1

Ministry can’t be limited to church

December 1, 2023

To prepare for Advent, the Archdiocese of Regina has touted the power of ministry. The Prairie diocese shared this during an interfaith livestream with the Ecumenical Stewardship Committee of the Anglican Diocese of Qu’Appelle and the Saskatchewan Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC).

Toronto respite centre plans change

December 1, 2023

Plans to convert an empty commercial building in downtown Toronto into a 60-space, 24-hour, low-barrier respite centre have shifted to become a 50-space shelter for people experiencing homelessness.

God's Word on Sunday: The divine will show when we’re ready

December 1, 2023

1st Sunday of Advent (Year B) Dec. 3 (Isaiah 63:16b-17; 6:4-1, 3-8; Psalm 80; 1 Corinthians 1:3-9; Mark 13:33-37 Many people have shared the feelings of frustration, helplessness and deep longing that Isaiah expressed with such poignancy. He lived in a very precarious and insecure world, one that was wracked with violence and rife with corruption. The glory of his nation was a distant memory that was rapidly fading. The people of Israel had just returned from 50 years of exile in Babylon to a devastated Judea and Jerusalem. The temple was in ruins, and the feeble attempts to rebuild it had fallen flat. It was a shadow of its former self. Many of the people lacked the enthusiasm and commitment necessary to restore the nation.

Archbishop Leo bestows Papal Honours on six

December 1, 2023

Archbishop Francis Leo presented Papal Honours to six Catholics in the Toronto archdiocese for their faithful service to the Church.

December 2

CSS’ inspiration drawn from Jesus the servant

December 2, 2023

A humble Christ, washing the feet of His disciples, is the inspiration that drives Edmonton’s Catholic Social Services to do what it does, says Dr. Troy Davies.

Miller blasted for seeking dissident’s release

December 2, 2023

A legislative council member from the pro-Beijing New People’s Party has criticized a joint petition signed by 10 Catholic bishops, including Vancouver Archbishop J. Michael Miller, that called for the immediate release of pro-democracy media mogul Jimmy Lai.

December 4

Explosion at university in southern Philippines kills four people during morning Mass

December 4, 2023

A deadly bomb that exploded during a Mass Dec. 3 killed at least four people and injured dozens at a university in a predominantly Muslim city in southern Philippines.

December 6

Proposed referendum for Irish Constitution calls for widening the definition of family

December 6, 2023

A pro-family campaign group has warned that a proposed March referendum in Ireland to amend the country's constitution would be a "further downgrading of the importance of marriage to society."

MAiD clinic to open beside Catholic hospital

December 6, 2023

The B.C. government rolled out a plan Nov. 29 to provide euthanasia and assisted suicide at St. Paul’s Hospital — by making it available next door.

Persistence grants pipe organ a new life

December 6, 2023

A pipe organ made by lauded Quebec organ builder Karl Wilhelm has found a new home in Sainte-Catherine-de-Sienne, a small, neighbourhood parish church in Montreal.

Pope Francis, Council of Cardinals discussed the role of women in the church

December 6, 2023

With the input of two women and a priest, Pope Francis and members of his international Council of Cardinals discussed the role of women in the Catholic Church.

December 7

Latin patriarch: Political leaders must seek diplomatic solution to Israel-Hamas conflict

December 7, 2023

The current war between Israel and Hamas may finally force a diplomatic solution to the long intractable tensions between the Israelis and the Palestinians in the Holy Land, said the Latin patriarch of Jerusalem.

Hong Kong churches under threat: report

December 7, 2023

A report launched Nov. 21 in the Canadian parliament by Benedict Rogers, the British co-founder and chief executive of Hong Kong Watch, raised several red flags about the insidious but dangerous erosion of religious freedom in Hong Kong.

Verbatim: The Canadian Human Rights Commission insists it has never called Christmas racist

December 7, 2023

The Canadian Human Rights Commission insists it has never called Christmas racist.

Editorial: Culturally safe for who?

December 7, 2023

In Health Canada’s latest voluminous annual report on Canadian MAiD’s “evolution” to world-leading status, the minister in charge highlights Ottawa’s commitment to “culturally safe” medicalized killing of Indigenous peoples.

Preserve our saints

December 7, 2023

Regarding Quinton Amundson’s article on the book Persecuted Within, and further to the editor’s comment to the Nov. 26 Letter of the Week, I was shocked that our Catholic paper would include such content.

Bishops’ video series puts the spotlight on Advent

December 7, 2023

For the fourth year running, the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) is spiritually accompanying Catholics during Advent with short video reflections, inspired by the Gospel readings, published to its YouTube channel and website.

Pride goes before all our follies

December 7, 2023

Is our freedom absolute? If God is perfectly free, and we bear His image and likeness, are we not then perfectly free?

Violence feeds longing for the Prince of Peace

December 7, 2023

Advent is the time of waiting and preparation for the coming of Jesus. This Avent I await the Prince of Peace. I roll the words over my tongue and in my mind daily — the Prince of Peace. How we long for you in these days!

Turning Vatican II into Modernist heresy

December 7, 2023

You might be a Modernist and not even know it. I was. Well, a quasi-Modernist at least. I’m talking here about the official heresy of Modernism, not the cultural and artistic movement. There is also the “Modern Era” (lasting roughly from 1500 to 1945). We are in the Postmodern or Post-Postmodern Era now, philosophically speaking.