Features

Covenant signing a ‘local initiative,’ with hope that more will follow

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Though Vancouver Archbishop Michael Miller called the Easter accord between the Kamloops First Nation and two British Columbia Catholic dioceses a significant and historic “milestone,” there appear to be no plans for other Canadian bishops to immediately follow suit.

Former Kamloops Chief Manny Jules presents Archbishop Michael Miller with a stole marked with symbols Tk’emlúps historical events. On Easter Sunday, Miller and Kamloops Bishop Joseph Nguyen signed a Sacred Covenant with the Kamloops First Nation to forge a new relationship between the Church and Indigenous peoples.

First Nation, dioceses move forward together

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The journey to the Easter Sunday signing in Kamloops of a sacred covenant between the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc (Kamloops First Nation) and Catholic bishops from Vancouver and Kamloops took several years, and it was the efforts of two men that began the process, say Kamloops Chief Rosanne Casimir and Vancouver Archbishop J. Michael Miller.

Lisa Raven, executive director of Returning to Spirit.

Reconciliation’s two-way street: First, with yourself; then the other

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At the Easter signing of a Sacred Covenant between the Kamloops First Nation and two Catholic bishops, Vancouver Archbishop Michael Miller quoted former Chief Manny Jules: “One cannot reconcile without the other.”

Br. Guy Consolmagno, director of the Vatican Observatory, sees faith and science as complements in understanding the universe and its wonders.

Looking beyond the stars

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As both an astronomer and a Jesuit, Br. Guy Consolmagno recognizes the relationship between science and religion.

Kevin Theivendran and Angela Li with Fr. Luis Melo and Bishop John Boissonneau at the awards ceremony at St. Luke’s Church in Thornhill.

Friars' Essay Contest 2024 winners

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Three Toronto area students have been named winners of the 2024 Friars Student Essay Writing Contest. 

Tammy Peterson receives First Holy Communion from Fr. Peter Turrone at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Toronto at the Easter Vigil, March 30, 2024.

Peterson finds her new home in Mary

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Cancer survivor and Canadian podcaster Tammy Peterson has chosen the confirmation name of “Mary” and says she feels like a new woman in Christ.

CCCB message for Easter 2024

CCCB message for Easter 2024

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The celebration of Easter is the time when we as Christians renew our baptismal promises. It is through the life-giving death and resurrection of Jesus Christ that we are united with Him. Easter takes us beyond the Cross of sorrow and disappointment to the joy and hope that comes from knowing the Risen Lord. This experience of Christ transformed the disciples.

Catechumens were called by name and introduced to Vancouver Archbishop J. Michael Miller by their godparents or sponsors.

New Catholics share journey to the Church

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This Easter, about 500 men, women and children in the Archdiocese of Vancouver joined or entered into full Communion with the Catholic Church. Catechumens — individuals who are not yet baptized — receive the Church’s sacraments of initiation: baptism, confirmation and First Communion. Candidates who are already baptized will be received into full communion, receiving the Sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist. 

Tammy Peterson, left, with friend Queenie Yu, who prayed with her daily as she battled cancer.

Tammy Peterson’s homecoming: Popular podcaster welcomed into the Catholic Church

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In her journey towards the Catholic Church, cancer survivor, speaker and popular podcaster Tammy Peterson has endured her own cross of debilitating illness and loss. Four years ago, she was granted the miracle of healing from terminal cancer and received the grace of inner conversion.

Lupcho Bojkovski (left) and Declan Shiels pose with their handmade Crosses. Students in Grade 6 at St. Bridget Catholic School built each Cross by hand using clothespins.

Cross crafting open eyes to Christ’s sacrifice

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Students at a Catholic school in Brooklin, Ont., have deepened their understanding of Holy Week through the process of crafting their own personal Crosses. 

Lucas da Silva portrays Christ at the Last Supper in St. Padre Pio Parish’s production of Lead Me to the Cross. Performed twice, it raised about $60,000 for the parish.

Parish’s passion comes to play

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In 2023, a company of cast and crew produced the musical passion play The Power of the Cross they hoped would uplift and unify the congregation of St. Padre Pio Parish in Kleinberg, Ont., following the long years of the COVID-19 pandemic.

It proved a smashing success, as nearly 700 people attended the evening showing on Palm Sunday, and more than $30,000 was raised for the church. 

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