February 2024

CCCB offers Lenten video reflections

February 24, 2024

The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (CCCB) Journey Through Lent video series is back for the second straight year, its third iteration since 2021.

A timely reminder: don’t forget sick, lonely

February 25, 2024

“I was sick and you visited me” (Matthew 25:36). This Biblical passage was the inspiration behind the Pastoral Home Care/SASMAD service that gathered with more than 120 people at Montreal’s St. Isaac Jogues Parish to celebrate the 32nd World Day of the Sick. Its message could hardly be more timely.

At least 15 Catholics dead in attack during Mass in Burkina Faso

OSV News · February 26, 2024

At least 15 people were killed in an attack by gunmen on Catholics gathered for Sunday Mass in a Burkina Faso village Feb. 25, according to multiple news reports.

After meeting with Masons, bishop reaffirms Catholics cannot join

Cindy Wooden · February 27, 2024

After participating in a seminar on the Catholic Church and the Freemasons, an Italian bishop reaffirmed that Catholics who belong to Masonic lodges are in a "serious state of sin" and cannot receive Communion.

Priest, 6 religious brothers, lay teacher kidnapped in Haiti in another wave of violence

OSV News · February 27, 2024

As the wave of violence torments gang-decimated Haiti, six male religious, a lay teacher and a priest were kidnapped in two separate incidents Feb. 23 in Port-au-Prince, Haiti’s capital.

After Burkina Faso attacks, pope calls for respect of places of worship

Justin McLellan · February 27, 2024

After deadly attacks killed 15 people at a Catholic church and dozens more at a mosque in Burkina Faso, Pope Francis said places of worship must be respected.

More supports, less death, say MAiD opponents at Parliament Hill rally

Susan Korah · February 27, 2024

Speakers at a rally on Parliament Hill demanded the federal government provide more life-saving supports for those deeply suffering from mental illness rather than giving them access to medical assistance in dying (MAiD).

Fr. Ramsperger soared high in priesthood, not air force

Luke Mandato · February 28, 2024

Fr. Leo Ramsperger has been celebrating Mass as a priest since the mid-1950s, and despite retiring from formal service back in 1997, he remains deeply rooted in his faith and continues to celebrate life at every opportunity.

Pope has full day of appointments after going to hospital for tests

Cindy Wooden · February 28, 2024

Pope Francis paid a brief visit to Rome's Gemelli Isola Hospital Feb. 28 for "diagnostic tests," the Vatican press office said, without providing specifics.

Redemptive suffering a ‘ministry within a ministry’

Normalization of comfort has spread even to Church

Anna Farrow · February 28, 2024

What began as an intellectual interest in the Catholic understanding of suffering has become for Erin Kinsella both a personal encounter with suffering and a “ministry within a ministry.”

Corporate life proved to be a wrong turn

Soon-to-be priest felt a greater calling

Luke Mandato · February 29, 2024

After finally landing an all-important corporate gig that allowed him to overlook the CN Tower in downtown Toronto from his desk, Szymon Sorbian expected to feel a sense of true accomplishment. However, despite finding himself well-positioned in the rat race he had worked so hard for, he felt anything but.

Breaking silence on human trafficking

Quinton Amundson · February 29, 2024

Sofia Ranke knows she “can’t change the world” and singlehandedly eradicate the evil scourge of human trafficking. Nevertheless, she is determined to fight for victimized girls, women, boys and men by using the power of her voice.

Cash no longer king

As we move toward a cashless society, how will Canadians respond to a digital dollar?

Quinton Amundson · February 29, 2024

You approach the cashier at the gas station with a chocolate bar, a bottle of water and a bag of chips.

CFS Toronto centralizes offices

February 29, 2024

Catholic Family Services of Toronto is combining its offices into one location, with a vow to continue providing care for the whole community from its midtown office at the Archdiocese of Toronto Pastoral Centre.

The celestial music of God’s created order

February 29, 2024

One of the most deleterious effects of our present culture has been our failure to engage in regular contemplation of what is real, that is to wonder at things. The end of wondering is not to gain complete knowledge, though this is the not-so-implicit goal inquiry in our post-modern world. We contemplate the mystery of God, but we cannot fully understand Him since He is God and we are His creatures. If we claim a full comprehension of who God is, what we comprehend is not God at all, or as St. Augustine wrote in Sermon 117, “Si comprehendis, non est Deus,” if you understand, it isn’t God. To contemplate does not aim at full comprehension. It desires to participate in what is a mystery to us, something hidden or not yet fully revealed.

Verbatim: A meditation on 'The Flavour of God' written by Jason Openo

February 29, 2024

A meditation on The Flavour of God written by Jason Openo, a permanent diaconate candidate in Medicine Hat, Alta., and posted on the Diocese of Calgary blog.

Listen closely to the heart of Lent

February 29, 2024

Fr. Michel Cote is a voice for those seeking to be understood — literally. He is a Dominican Friar who has worked for decades as an interpreter. His small business has served virtually every multi-lingual Catholic entity in our country, from the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops to my own beloved Development & Peace - Caritas Canada. In his great service, it is likely that no other single person in this country has done more to help Catholics understand one another. Global Solidarity is near and dear to his heart. To us he is more than an interpreter, he is our beloved friend and spiritual elder. A humble man, he would balk at the idea of me writing a column about him. So instead of enumerating his many accomplishments, I would like to share the spiritual invitation that I have received from him in the form of a short Lenten reflection.

Editorial: Service begets service

February 29, 2024

It’s easy to be convinced that current times call us to shout at each other, to disdain, to quarrel, to stage hit-and-run detraction ops against perceived foes.

Wisdom wanted

February 29, 2024

I would dearly like to see a regular column by Rev. Andrew Bennett alongside Fr. Scott Lewis.