NEWS

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.

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.

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

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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.

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. 

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 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 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.

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.

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 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.”