Pope Francis and Jordan's King Abdullah II pose for photos during a private audience at the Domus Sanctae Marthae guesthouse at the Vatican April 7, 2014. The Jordanian king honoured Scarboro Missions for their interfaith efforts in a ceremony April 20, 2015.

Jordan’s King honours Scarboro Missions’ for its interfaith efforts

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TORONTO - In a world where the Islamic State threatens religious minorities in the Middle East, Boko Haram kidnaps Christian girls in Nigeria, Jews worldwide are forced to defend the existence of Israel, it might be said that interfaith relations are no walk in the park.

Jesuit Father Michael Lapierre will turn 100 May 2, and is taking it all in stride.

Jesuit centenarian knew what he wanted in life

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When you are about to turn 100 there’s a tendency for people to fuss over you and ask silly questions.

When people began asking 99.9-year-old Fr. Michael Lapierre what it felt like to turn 100, he told them “I don’t have a choice.” On May 2, Canada’s oldest Jesuit will take his 100th birthday in stride.

Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Fouad Twal leads the Easter procession in the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem's Old City April 5. Christians in the Middle East are called to help the light of peace emerge from the violence and anguish of war in much of the region, drawing inspiration from the resurrected Jesus, Patriarch Twal said in his homily.

Latin Patriarch urges Christians to help light of peace emerge from war

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JERUSALEM - Christians in the Middle East are called to help the light of peace emerge from the violence and anguish of war in much of the region, drawing inspiration from the resurrected Jesus, Latin Patriarch Fouad Twal said in his Easter homily.

The ritual of the family meal goes a long way in keeping families closer and its youth out of trouble, studies show.

The Last Supper and the ritual of family meals

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During Holy Week, Catholics are called to reflect on the Last Supper, when the apostles came together like a family to break bread with Jesus for the final time. It was from that simple meal, with bread at its centre, that Christ gave mankind the Eucharist.

Cardinal Thomas Collins pours the chrism oil on the altar at St. Padre Pio Church in Kleinberg, Ont.

Oils consecrated at chrism Mass central to Church’s sacraments, rituals

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MIAMI - Some of the Church’s most ancient traditions and rituals are witnessed during Holy Week, including the preparation, blessing and distribution of oils central to the Catholic Church’s sacraments and rites.

Pope Francis goes to confession during a Lenten penance service in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican March 13. During the service the pope announced an extraordinary jubilee, a Holy Year of Mercy, to be celebrated from Dec. 8, 2015, until Nov. 20, 2016.

In Holy Year, Pope wants to share experience of mercy he had as teen

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VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis' decision to convoke a special Holy Year of Mercy has its roots in the event that led a teenage Jorge Mario Bergoglio to the priesthood.

Kevin Reilly, left, a former NFL player whose arm and shoulder were amputated, and Darrell Miller, a former major league baseball player and director of the league's Urban Youth Academy, speaks at a Catholic Men of Faith Conference March 7 at St. Philip Church in Franklin, Tenn.

Catholic men urged to evangelize 'home front,' then go out to community

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FRANKLIN, Tenn. - The Catholic Church needs men to fully commit to their faith, and men have all they need from God "to be a force" for the church, a former major league baseball player told a men's conference in Franklin.

Pope Francis preaches during a Lenten penance service in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican March 13. During a March 13 penance service, the pope announced an extraordinary jubilee, a Holy Year of Mercy, to be celebrated from Dec. 8, 2015, until Nov. 20 , 2016.

What does the Pope want: ‘All I want is to go out for a pizza!’

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The “Pope of the Interview” strikes again: Pope Francis has given a lengthy — and fascinating — interview to a Mexican television station, which broadcast it on March 13 to mark the second anniversary of his election.

Blessed Louis and Marie Zelie Guerin Martin, the parents of St. Therese of Lisieux, are pictured in a combination photo created from images provided by the Sanctuary of Lisieux in France. Pope Francis is expected to canonize the couple during the world Synod of Bishops on the family in October.

Pope plans to canonize St. Therese's parents during Synod

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VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis is expected to canonize Blessed Louis and Zelie Martin, the parents of St. Therese of Lisieux, during the world Synod of Bishops on the family in October.

Ed and Mary Kieftenbeld have been married 25 years and have four children. Feb. 8 marked the annual World Marriage Day.

Marriage is two imperfect people who refuse to give up

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ST. ALBERT, ALTA. - Divorce statistics aside, Christians still see marriage as a tremendous gift in their lives.

Jo-Ann Paquette

Journeying with a friend on the path to death can be life-giving

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EDMONTON - Jo-Anne Paquette’s three-month journey with Martha Shephard as she died from a brain tumour was both physically draining and a spiritual gift for Paquette.

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