Features/Features

Every year, there is a procession to an Irish monument in Montreal, a large black stone that commemorates the many who died making the journey to Canada in 1847.

Orphans of history: The Irish refugees of The Great Famine of 1847

By

MONTREAL -- Unlikely as it might seem, the Irish are once again in the eye of a controversy storm, this time over the naming of a Montreal commuter rail station in historic Griffintown neighbourhood.

Sr. Sue Mosteller of the Sisters of St. Joseph.

The great collaborator: Sr. Sue Mosteller receives Order of Canada

By

Changing the world an inch at a time with nothing but a word, a prayer, a hope or an intuition isn’t the sort of thing we very often notice, let alone celebrate.

Four people who builit their lives in Canada were canonized during the decade. From left, St. Kateri Tekakwitha, St. Brother André, St. Marie de l’Incarnation, and St. François de Laval.

Parade of new saints includes four Canadians

By

For sheer numbers, there has never been a decade like the 2010s for saint-making. That’s because Pope Francis canonized over 800 in one go when he declared St. Antonio Primaldo and his 812 companions (martyred in 1480 by an invading Ottoman army in Oranto, southern Italy) saints on May 12, 2013.

The retirement of Pope Benedict and election of Pope Francis in 2013 was undoubtedly one of the most important stories in Church history.

Decade of historic drama and debate

By

The crisis, the kairos moment, the crux of the matter, the hinge of history — none of these are easily discernible, usually. But for Catholics, this last decade has been unusual.

St. Nicholas is deep in conversation with some of the younger guests at the Baby Jesus Party put on by the Daughters of St. Paul in Toronto on Dec. 7.

Jesus’ birthday is a hit

By

Over 100 families celebrated Jesus’ birthday just a little early at the annual Daughters of St. Paul Baby Jesus Party on Dec. 7.

Archbishop Richard Gagnon of Winnipeg, president of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Christ’s birth sheds light on reconciliation

The following is an edited version of the annual Christmas message from the president of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, Archbishop Richard Gagnon of Winnipeg:

The Christmas tree in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican is adorned with lights that are“next generation,” according to officials, and are meant to have a reduced impact on the environment and use less energy.

Network dreaming of green Christmas

By

This year, as in each and every year, the Green Church Network is wishing one and all a Green Christmas.

Mary’s Meals has been helping students in Malawi and 17 other nations receive enough food to get them through the school year.

Mary’s Meals puts on a virtual feast

By

You are cordially invited to join the biggest Christmas dinner table in the world … and feed a child for a whole school year at the same time.

The Adoration of the Magi by Matthias Stom, about 1630.

The three (or four) men of mystery

By

As mysterious to the three wise men as the light that appeared in the western heavens, so too is the mystery surrounding these magi who followed that star to Bethlehem and bore gifts for the newborn Jesus.

The Silent Night Chapel, which is in the town of Oberndorf in the Austrian state of Salzburg, is a monument to “Silent Night.” The chapel stands on the site of the former St. Nicholas Church, where on Christmas Eve in 1818 the carol was performed for the first time.

‘Silent Night’ sends timeless message

By

WASHINGTON -- One of the most beloved Christmas carols of all time is now into its third century.

Frank Capra’s It’s a Wonderful Life is a staple of the holiday season.

Lights, camera ... and holiday cheer: The best of Christmas spirit on film

By

’Tis the season to be jolly, light the Advent wreath (I mean light the candles on the Advent wreath), dive into the amazing daily Advent Scripture readings, send out Christmas cards and newsletters, donate to the Salvation Army, re-gift fruitcake AND … watch a bunch of holiday movies with family and friends! 

Page 5 of 154