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December 2023

December 14

Rosica and millions

December 14, 2023

Based on his letter criticizing The Catholic Register article about Fr. Tom Rosica, which was welcomed by so many, it is obvious Lou Iacobelli is not open to listening to views discussed at the Synod, that is views other than his own.

Serving up a slice of humility, respect

December 14, 2023

Nestled in the heart of downtown Toronto sits Biagio Ristorante, a quaint old-world style eatery that’s been serving classic Italian dishes with charm and class since 1989.

For Rudy Fernandes, it’s a ‘Merry Christmas’

December 14, 2023

Rudy Fernandes will not back down. A longtime member of Cristo Rei Parish in Mississauga, Ont., Fernandes and his wife Maureen have implored hundreds of politicians, mainly in the Greater Toronto Area, via letters for almost a dozen years to reassert “Merry Christmas” as the de facto holiday season greeting in the public square.

Unpacking baggage of social justice

December 14, 2023

Learn to do good; seek justice. Isaiah: 1: 17 I am not a social justice scholar. Nor am I an expert in the field of health care. I was invited recently, however, to be part of a forum on Catholic health care to define the concept of social justice, especially as it emerges within the Catholic intellectual tradition and Catholic social teaching. This tradition, not surprisingly, heavily informs the values and practices that we see manifested in the health care system.

Having the hope to approach our longing

December 14, 2023

I have been sitting in my living room in the dark evenings lit up by the Christmas tree. I am fumbling with a fiddle, coaxing my fingers to play the notes of folk tunes and Christmas carols. This fall, the world seems particularly weary, beauty weighted with a complicated mix of war and worries. And I sing quietly along in my head one of my favourite lines: “A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices.”

Pope Francis downplays Argentine president's comments as Javier Milei assumes office

December 14, 2023

Pope Francis has downplayed the discourteous comments toward him from Argentine President Javier Milei -- who previously accused the pope of preaching "communism" -- attributing the remarks to electioneering in his home country.

Christmas light shines amidst the suffering

December 14, 2023

Every year, the Church’s celebration of the last Sunday of the liturgical year (the Solemnity of Christ the King) points to the coming of a new liturgical year and a new beginning — the season of Advent.

May carolling carry us through the year

December 14, 2023

It’s Advent — that special time of year when sleighbells ring, chestnuts roast and Christians of different persuasions argue about when to begin celebrating Christmas. Many Catholics adhere to the idea that one ought not decorate or sing Christmas carols before the Christmas liturgical season begins on Dec. 24. There’s only one problem with this: it presumes we ever stopped.

December 15

Small kindnesses the rage in Newman challenge

December 15, 2023

The Newman Catholic Students’ Club hopes to illuminate the University of Toronto with pay-it-forward Christmas cheer before the holiday break.

Chaplaincies embrace bishops’ youth evangelization plan

December 15, 2023

Catholic chaplaincies across Toronto are looking at ways to incorporate the Canadian bishops’ new template for youth evangelization into their campus work.

‘God is on this block’

December 15, 2023

Leon Blais’ life of crime and addiction has become a message of hope.

God's Word on Sunday: The good news is meant for all on Earth

December 15, 2023

Third Sunday of Advent (Year B) Dec. 17 (Isaiah 61:1-3a, 10-11; Luke 1; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24; John 1:6-8, 19-28) What does a message from God sound like? Isaiah sets the tone for the divine revelation and visitation that is repeated by Jesus in the fourth chapter of the Gospel of Luke. A message from God is good news and the source of joy. Good news for whom? For those most in need of it — the poor, the broken-hearted, the downtrodden and for those who are oppressed or lacking freedom. Missing from the list are the high and mighty, the arrogant, the violent and those who perpetrate the injustice and oppression present in our world.

Toronto Archdiocese to fund eight reconciliation projects

December 15, 2023

The Archdiocese of Toronto is allotting more than $2.7 million to fund eight projects to support the ongoing journey of healing and reconciliation with Canada’s First Nation, Inuit and Métis people.

Christmas Drawing Contest 2023 winners

December 15, 2023

See this year's winners of the annual Christmas Drawing Contest.

December 16

Guide makes Fatima personal

December 16, 2023

A pilgrimage is a source of spiritual enrichment, and the dream of a lifetime for many Catholics. And Andreia Lopo, 47, takes “pure delight,” as she says, in helping to make that dream come true.

Lights, camera, ‘Joy to the World’

December 16, 2023

For the 65th time since 1957, the Saskatchewan Knights of Columbus and Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools (GSCS) joined forces in Advent to present the Knights of Columbus Carol Festival.

December 17

Marian Christmas stamp depicts a mother’s sacrificial love

December 17, 2023

Adrian Horvath has been designing postage stamps for Canada Post for years, including work on the famed Star Trek series of stamps the post office issued in 2016 and 2017.

December 18

Pope Francis condemns attack on Gaza parish killing 2 Christian women

December 18, 2023

Following the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem's denouncement of a series of attacks on Christians in Gaza by Israeli forces Dec. 16, including the killing of a mother and daughter at a Catholic parish, Pope Francis and numerous bishops across the globe also condemned the attack, calling for peace.

Cardinal Becciu, five others sentenced to prison at Vatican trial

December 18, 2023

The Vatican City State criminal court sentenced Cardinal Angelo Becciu to five years and six months in prison on two counts of embezzlement and one of aggravated fraud but found him not guilty of abuse of office or witness tampering.

Pope Francis condemns targeting of unarmed civilians in Gaza

December 18, 2023

Pope Francis condemned the Israeli military's killing of two Christian women sheltering at a Catholic parish in Gaza and an attack on a convent, noting that in the current fighting "unarmed civilians are targets for bombs and gunfire."