NEWS

People wait in Ofakim, Israel, for a convoy Nov. 26 carrying newly released hostages who were seized during the Oct. 7 attack on Israel by Hamas.

For hostages’ families, the painful wait continues

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It’s a nightmare scenario that no parent would ever want to experience. Fifty days after her children were taken hostage, Hadas Kalderon did not see their names on the list of the first three rounds of released hostages.

People gather in Tel Aviv, Nov. 24, 2023, as they await news of the hostages to be released by Hamas amid a hostages-prisoners swap deal with Israel. After a cease-fire took effect earlier in the day, 24 women and children hostages -- 13 Israeli civilians, 10 Thai and 1 Filipino -- were released by Hamas in the evening. They were transported by the Red Cross across Egypt's Rafah border into the Gaza Strip, then transferred to Israel. In exchange for receiving the hostages, Israel was releasing at least 150 Palestinians -- also women and children -- and allowing fuel, medicine and other humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip.

On third day of cease-fire, more Hamas hostages freed; Israel releases more Palestinians

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The Hamas militant group Nov. 26 released a third group of hostages numbering 17, who include 12 Israelis, one American woman and an Israeli-American child and three Thai nationals, according to The Associated Press, and Israel confirmed it freed another 39 Palestinians.

Joshua Charles, left, and Alec Torres

The persecuted overcome

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What 11 saints who overcame persecution or betrayal by their religious superiors or fellow clergy withstood is not unfamiliar in today’s Church, argue Joshua Charles and Alec Torres in their new book.

Gospel’s light should shine on Advent

Gospel’s light should shine on Advent

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Take a moment to meditate on the alluring emotional power of New Year’s Day.

Jan. 1 presents a natural opportunity for many to turn the page on a bad year and begin afresh. It may provide hope that extraordinary possibilities are on the horizon.

Samantha Ricci, a mother of five from Hamilton, Ont., says climate worries had no bearing on her child-rearing plans.

Climate change no influence on fertility: study

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Climate change worry is not a major factor in Canadian women’s decision about the size of their families, according to a new report released by Cardus, a Canadian non-partisan think-tank based in Hamilton, Ont. 

Bunratty Castle in County Clare, Ireland.

Forum to probe Irish experience in colonial past

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The University of St. Michael’s College, in conjunction with the Irish embassy, is seeking scholarly papers for a proposed conference tentatively called “Canada, Ireland, and Transatlantic Colonialism: Historical Perspectives” which it hopes to run in May.

Pope Francis meets relatives of hostages taken by Hamas militants from Israel Oct. 7 in his residence, the Domus Sanctae Marthae, at the Vatican Nov. 22, 2023. Members of the delegation carried posters of their loved ones.

Pope Francis holds separate meetings with Israelis, Palestinians at Vatican

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With hopes growing for a temporary, humanitarian cease-fire, Pope Francis met at the Vatican Nov. 22 with relatives of Israelis held hostage by Hamas and, separately, with relatives of Palestinians suffering under the Israeli siege of Gaza.

Sagrada Familía lights the four towers of the Evangelists for the first time Nov. 14. They are the newest additions to the basilica in Barcelona, Spain, the masterpiece begun by Antonio Gaudí 140 years ago.

Sagrada Familia a step nearer completion

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It seemed like one of Antonio Gaudí's dreams come true.

On Nov. 12, the papal nuncio to Spain, Archbishop Bernardito Auza, blessed the towers of the Evangelists of the famous Sagrada Familía basilica in Barcelona. Gaudí, a legendary Catalan architect, started working on the now-iconic basilica 140 years ago. Five generations now have watched the temple’s progress.

Fr. Thomas Rosica, above in a Register file photo, told a Montreal audience Nov. 18 that the synodal process has undergone great change under the papacy of Pope Francis. “I can’t begin to tell you the difference,” he told the audience. It’s a style that has sought the voices of the many over the few, he said.

Changing journey along synodal path

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Fr. Thomas Rosica wasn’t in Rome last month for the first session of the XVI Synod of Bishops, but to hear him tell it, it was almost as if he was there.

Prominent Canadian human rights lawyer Julius Grey, pictured, said he is launching legal action against MAiD for the mentally ill.

Lawyer to challenge MAiD for mentally ill

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In a surprise announcement, prominent Canadian human rights lawyer Julius Grey told a group of anti-euthanasia protesters he is prepared to launch a legal action against the law that allows Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) for those with mental health problems.

Asia Bibi, pictured in Paris Feb. 26, 2020, fled Pakistan for the safety of Canada. The Catholic woman spent nearly a decade on death row after she was falsely accused of blasphemy.

Asia Bibi exemplifies ‘continuous martyrdom,’ Pope Francis says

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Asia Bibi, the Pakistani Catholic who moved to Canada after several years of imprisonment and a death sentence for blasphemy in her homeland, was cited by Pope Francis as an example of “continuous martyrdom.”

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