Whitehorse bishop finds an unexpected forum to spread the New Evangelization in Toronto
By Rod Mcdonald, Catholic Register Special![Bishop Gary Gordon of Whitehorse traded the far north for Toronto where he informed Catholics in the archdiocese about the mission territories. But he found time for evangelization on the subway while here. (Photo by Ramon Gonzalez) Bishop Gary Gordon](/images/stories/canada_bishops/gordonbishopgary.jpg)
Strangely enough, the gathering was called “A Retreat in the City,” and Gordon came through the front door, rosy cheeked and carrying a back pack and looking as if he had just pulled himself off the Chilkoot Trail. It seemed to me that the last thing he would be seeking would be solace in the Big Smoke.
Election posturing looms over poverty issues
By Michael Swan, The Catholic Register![Rich poor](/images/stories/misc/misc08/richPoor.jpg)
At Queen’s Park politicians made time to talk to the Interfaith Social Assistance Reform Coalition Nov. 18 and trade blows over who really cares about the poor. In Ottawa, opposition politicians ganged up on the Conservatives Nov. 17 to issue a 300-page report calling for a national poverty reduction strategy to support the half-dozen provincial plans.
Famous Catholic author Nouwen moved to Anglican cemetery
By Michael Swan, The Catholic Register![Fr. Henri Nouwen Fr. Henri Nouwen](/images/stories/historical_people/henri_nouwen.jpg)
In July Nouwen’s remains were moved from the Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery in King City north of Toronto to St. John’s Anglican Cemetery in Richmond Hill. The author of The Wounded Healer, The Inner Voice and The Return of the Prodigal Son had been buried at Sacred Heart in 1996 after his sudden death while visiting his native Holland.
St. Francis Table serves up one million smiles
By Vanessa Santilli-Raimondo, The Catholic Register![Student volunteers serve a meal to patrons at St. Francis Table, a restaurant for the needy in Parkdale run by the Capuchin friars. (Photo by Bill Wittman) St. Francis Table](/images/stories/toronto/toronto10/stfrancistable.jpg)
“Hi, Brother John,” says a man, obviously a regular. He takes a seat and is served a meal by volunteers in aprons. Frampton, in his robes, bustles from table to table speaking with patrons enjoying a meal of soup, meatloaf, peas and fries.
Mission bishops descend on Toronto
By Sheila Dabu Nonato, The Catholic Register![cmic](/images/stories/logos/cmiclogo.jpg)
Bishop Vincent Cadieux, O.M.I., of Moosonee and Hearst in Northern Ontario, Bishop Fred Colli of Thunder Bay, Archbishop Martin Currie of St. John’s and of Grand Falls, Nfld., and Bishop Gary Gordon of Whitehorse have been visiting parishes around the archdiocese and will continue to do so until the end of the month.
Anne Frank's Toronto connection
By Vanessa Santilli-Raimondo, The Catholic Register![Rick Kardonne, author of The Man Who Hid Anne Frank, second from right, is greeted at the reception and book signing after his Nov. 9 talk by, from left, Bryan Beauchamp, of the Neighbourhood Interfaith Group, the Rev. Canon Peter Walker, Grace Church on-the-Hill, Donna Holbrook, Christian Embassy in Jerusalem, and Archbishop Terence Finlay, retired Anglican Archbishop of Toronto. (Photo courtesy of Darren Levant) The Man Who Hid Anne Frank](/images/stories/toronto/toronto10/victor-kugler-book.jpg)
But it’s because of Kugler that we know the story of Anne Frank, the German-born, Netherlands-raised young Jewish girl who died at the hands of the Nazis, author Rick Kardonne told an audience of about 50 people Nov. 9 at a talk about his book, Victor Kugler: The Man Who Hid Anne Frank.
Canadian charities fight transparency bill
By Vanessa Santilli-Raimondo, The Catholic Register![charity under investigation](/images/stories/canada/canada10/charity2.jpg)
If passed, Bill C-470 will create some “serious issues” within the sector, say officials with various charities.
Charities have been fighting to kill the bill since it passed second reading in the House of Commons on April 21 by a 280 to 3 margin. It is set to head to the Standing Committee on Finance by the end of November, where committee members can amend it before it goes to third reading.
Development and Peace fine tunes its funding protocols
By Deborah Gyapong, Canadian Catholic NewsOTTAWA - The Catholic Organization for Development and Peace (CCODP) has announced changes to its funding protocols to ensure that no money goes to organizations that support abortion.
The changes come in the wake of year-old allegations that funds from CCODP had in many cases been funnelled to partners who were not adhering to Catholic teaching on life issues.
Iraqis remain vigilant in wake of increased attacks, Toronto prayer vigil hears
By Sheila Dabu Nonato, The Catholic Register![Syriac Catholic Bishop Yousif Habash of the U.S.A. and Canada (left) prays beside Toronto Archbishop Thomas Collins. Both were among the more than 20 Christian church leaders who attended a peace vigil on Remembrance Day at St. Michael's Cathedral. More than 400 people gathered to remember Christians who were killed during an Oct. 31 terrorist attack at a Syriac Catholic church. (photo by Sheila Dabu Nonato) habash collins](/images/stories/toronto/toronto10/habash_collins.jpg)
The prayer vigil in remembrance of the 58 Christians murdered and 75 injured during an Oct. 31 attack on Our Lady of Salvation Church in Baghdad during Sunday Mass was organized by the archdiocese of Toronto and its Office of Ecumenism and Interfaith Affairs.
“They can take our lives away but they cannot take away our faith,” said Habash, the New Jersey-based bishop of Syriac Catholics in Canada and the United States.
St. Stanislaus Kostka: 100 years at the heart of Polish Toronto
By Vanessa Santilli-Raimondo, The Catholic Register![St. Stanislaus Kostka Church, at 100, is the oldest church serving the Polish community in Toronto. (Photo courtesy of St. Stanislaus Kostka Church) St. Stanislaus Kostka](/images/stories/toronto/toronto10/st_stan.jpg)
“This year is a big milestone for the Polish community,” said Mary Samulewski, chair of the jubilee committee at St. Stanislaus Kostka Church, located in the core of the city near Spadina Avenue and Queen Street West. “The parish is the oldest Polish ethnic parish in the GTA and the fourth oldest in Canada.”
Abortion coercion bill up against stiff opposition
By Deborah Gyapong, Canadian Catholic News![Rod Bruinooge Rod Bruinooge](/images/stories/canada/canada10/bruinooge.jpg)
During its first hour of debate Nov. 1, Rod Bruinooge’s private members’ Bill C-510 faced challenges from women MPs from the Bloc, Liberals and NDP who argued the bill would interfere with a woman’s “right to choose” abortion.
But Bruinooge, who chairs the Parliamentary Pro-Life Caucus, argued his bill protects women from being threatened and coerced into ending pregnancies they choose to keep.