An excerpt from Pope Francis’ address to the academic community of the John Paul II pontifical theological institute for marriage and the family science.

His Excellency Frederick Bernard Henry, Bishop Emeritus of Calgary, died on 3 December 2024, at the age of 81.

Excerpt from an interview with veteran Winnipeg Free Press faith columnist John Longhurst on his recent book from CMU Press.

How nice to read in the Oct. 27th Catholic Register about Bishop Bergie and members of parishes from the Diocese of St. Catharine as well as from other faith communities who attended the "Niagara Ice Dogs Faith Night" game. What a great idea. The article included a wonderful picture of Bishop Bergie and Father Daniel Corso sitting in the stands. If memory serves, then Father Bergie once played for the "Flying Fathers" who entertained many with their playing skills. They were a joy and a lot of fun to watch all the while accepting donations for worthwhile causes. So glad Bishop Bergie opted for the priesthood instead of the NHL . We truly thank God for his vacation.

The front page of the Oct. 6 The Catholic Register looks and reads more like The National Enquirer than a respectable Catholic newspaper. It is distasteful. 

I must say how much I enjoyed Amanda Achtman’s article “A Northern encounter with living treasures.” If that’s not building God’s kingdom, I don’t know what is. If only there was more appreciation between generations! I’m soon to be 68 with four grandchildren and I don’t have an idea yet how to encourage this, but I will come up with one. I’m sure the Holy Spirit will inspire. 

Your fire-and-brimstone Oct. 6 editorial “Israel’s moral path” seems to miss the point that this internecine conflict is being waged on sacred ground: an affront to God. In Isaiah 54:10 we read, “For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the LORD that hath mercy on thee.” 

Congratulations on the Lives Lived for Life. How uplifting to learn about 14 Canadians who have assumed leadership roles in the pro-life cause such as the witty Jim Hughes, multi-talented Nicole Scheidl and serene Mary Wagner, to name a few. 

Anna Farrow’s Oct. 13 article “Christians sign on to back Canada’s Jews” was biased in conflating anti-Zionism and anti-Semitism. I have attended many pro-Palestinan rallies and have never witnessed anti-Semitism there. I’ve marched with Jewish people, cried for justice with them and shared Shabbat at the encampment at University of Toronto. 

The Register’s editorial “We stand with Jewish brethren” is one-sided and unconvincing. It blames Hamas leader, Yahya Sinwar, for extinguishing 42,000 Palestinians. He didn’t drop the bombs. Seventy per cent of the dead were women and children. The Israelis killed them by relentlessly bombing Gaza in a disproportionate response to the Oct. 7 Hamas attack.