TORONTO - In Toronto and around the world people commemorated the 68th anniversary of the first nuclear weapons ever used against a civilian population — the atom bomb attacks on Hiroshima and Nagasaki on Aug. 6 and 9, 1945.

OTTAWA - Bishop Charles Valois, Bishop emeritus of Saint-Jérôme, died on Aug. 4 at the age of 89.

I spent two weeks in June in the Republic of Congo representing the Canadian Religious Conference as part of a five-person delegation called The Women of Courage. The delegation’s name was deeply inspiring and humbling.

While many Canadians will start a relaxing long weekend on Aug. 30, Marilyn Korzekwa will dive into the waters of the Pacific Ocean to begin her swim across California’s Catalina Channel in support of the Good Shepherd Centre in Hamilton, Ont.

OTTAWA - Veteran pro-life MP Maurice Vellacott has announced he will not seek a seventh term in the House of Commons in the next federal election.

OTTAWA - For more than 30 years, Waupoos Farm south of Ottawa has combined relaxation with a ministry of presence to lowincome families in the National Capital Region.

The world will pray with Canada this January, and in a special way with native Canadians. For the second time in the 106-year history of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, Canadians have written the biblical reflections, prayer services and educational materials to be used worldwide.

TORONTO - Catholic kids who need protection from their own families are going to get it from smaller agencies with less money starting this year.

MISSISSAUGA, ONT. - For 50 years the Oblates who run the Queen of the Apostles Renewal Centre have held fast to the founder’s mandate — to provide support to married couples.

The Sisters Servants of Mary Immaculate in Canada are taking a fresh approach to fundraise to better serve its ministries and donors, says Sr. Janice Soluk.