Starlight, star bright

Re: Forgiveness is the greatest miracle (July 22-29):

Fr. Rolheiser states that “the miracle” of a starlit night sky “goes mostly unnoticed; we watch television instead.”

Deeper reasons for this may be involved. Humans spill so much light into the sky that few of our present generation have ever experienced what the natural night sky looks like. Most of the lighting industry displays a stunning indifference to this issue. And the amount of  “light-pollution” continues to increase by about six per cent annually in most places.

Sleeping in insufficient darkness suppresses our immune systems. Artificial light disrupts the life-cycles of insects, birds, amphibians and other animals. Many people think responsibility for our environment is a religious issue and light-pollution is certainly included in this. Does your porchlight shine upward?

James LaFramboise,

Thornhill, Ont.

Published in Letters to the editor

VANCOUVER – By the time Fr. Justin Huang stands before St. Anthony of Padua Church on a Sunday morning, he has done 10 hours of preparation and written about seven drafts of what he’ll say.

Published in Faith

19th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Aug. 12 (Year B) 1 Kings 19:4-8; Psalm 34; Ephesians 4:30-5:2; John 6:41-51


Published in Faith

18th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Aug. 5 (Year B) Exodus 16:2-4, 12-16, 31a; Psalm 78; Ephesians 4:17, 20-24; John 6:24-35


Published in Fr. Scott Lewis

17th Sunday in Ordinary Time, July 29 (Year B) 2 Kings 4:42-44; Psalm 145; Ephesians 4:1-6; John 6:1-15


Published in Fr. Scott Lewis

14th Sunday in Ordinary Time, July 8 (Year B) Ezekiel 2:3-5; Psalm 123; 2 Corinthians 12:7-10; Mark 6:1-6


Published in Fr. Scott Lewis

13th Sunday in Ordinary Time, July 1 (Year B) Wisdom 1:13-15; 2:23-24; Psalm 30; 2 Corinthians 8:7, 9, 13-15; Mark 5:21-43

Published in Fr. Scott Lewis
VATICAN – God wants his disciples to bring his mercy and love to everyone, everywhere on earth, which means it may cost them their "good name," comfort and their life, Pope Francis said on the feast of Sts. Peter and Paul.
Published in Reflections

Nativity of John the Baptist (Year B) June 24 (Isaiah 49:1-6; Psalm 139; Acts 13:22-26; Luke 1:57-66, 80)


Published in Fr. Scott Lewis
VATICAN – Exploiting women or treating them like objects is a sin against God, Pope Francis said.
Published in Reflections

Body and Blood of Christ, June 3 (Year B) Exodus 24:3-8; Psalm 116; Hebrews 9:11-15; Mark 14:12-16, 22-26


Published in Fr. Scott Lewis

Trinity Sunday, May 27 (Year B) Deuteronomy 4:32-34, 39-40; Psalm 33; Romans 8:14-17; Matthew 28:16-20


Published in Fr. Scott Lewis
VATICAN CITY – Heaven is not an eternally dull existence but rather the completion of a journey toward a promised encounter with the Lord, Pope Francis said.
Published in Reflections

Second Sunday of Easter, April 8 (Year B) Acts 4:32-35; Psalm 118; 1 John 5:1-6; John 20:19-31


Published in Fr. Scott Lewis

Fifth Sunday of Lent, March 18 (Year B) Jeremiah 31:31-34; Psalm 51; Hebrews 5:7-9; John 12:20-33


Published in Fr. Scott Lewis