News/Toronto-GTA
TORONTO – If a woman comes down the aisle carrying the book of the Gospels, and if she later stands at the ambo to read the Gospel and preach on it, would your parish cease to be Catholic?
Thornhill parish raises concerns about euthanasia legislation to MP
By Jean Ko Din, The Catholic RegisterTHORNHILL, ONT. – A suburban Toronto parish community is not sitting idly by as assisted suicide makes its way to becoming the law of the land.
Pro-life activist Mary Wagner set free
By Evan Boudreau, The Catholic RegisterTORONTO – Despite receiving the maximum penalty at a sentencing hearing for her pro-life activism, Mary Wagner walked out of Toronto's Old City Hall a relatively free woman April 23.
Divine Mercy painting finds a new home
By Evan Boudreau, The Catholic RegisterTORONTO – A painting of the Divine Mercy put up for adoption last year by the man who commissioned it more than a decade ago has finally found a new home at St. Francis de Sales Church in Ajax, Ont.
Blitz could open doors to 700 refugees
By Michael Swan, The Catholic RegisterIn what will be a record year for refugees finding a new home in the Archdiocese of Toronto, an 18-hour flurry of paperwork may have made the difference for as many as 700 Syrian refugees.
To Gaetano Gagliano, the Church came before his business empire
By Michael Swan, The Catholic RegisterTORONTO – From a distance Gaetano Gagliano was a perfect representative of Toronto’s Catholic establishment. He was a rich man whose business empire employs more than 1,300.
Christians unite under ‘fires of persecution’
By Evan Boudreau, The Catholic RegisterTORONTO – The “fires of persecution” are bringing Christians worldwide closer together, a number of faith leaders in Toronto believe.
St. Joe’s staying true to its Catholic roots
By Michael Swan, The Catholic RegisterTORONTO - How a simple change in letterhead led to wild rumours that St. Joseph’s Health Centre was about to remove crosses from the outside of its building and religious artwork from inside the hospital is not something St. Joe’s vice president of quality, strategic information and performance systems is going to speculate on.
Passion plays brings Gospel to life
By Jean Ko Din, The Catholic RegisterTORONTO - The Passion Play originated from the Church’s tradition that the Gospel on Good Friday should be sung in Latin, in parts divided among several people. Its popularity took off in 13th-century Europe and over the centuries has spread worldwide.
Easter baptism follows ancient Church tradition
By Tony Gosgnach, Catholic Register SpecialHAMILTON, Ont. - The practice of Christian Baptism at Easter, preceded by several weeks of instruction, prayer and other rites, dates as far back as the fourth century. In early times, candidates for the Catholic Church, known as catechumens, recited a creed on Holy Saturday to signify the completion of their studies and then, at dawn on Easter morning, were immersed in a font and baptized.
Archdiocese looking for huge jump in refugee sponsorships
By Michael Swan, The Catholic RegisterThe Archdiocese of Toronto is asking Ottawa for the chance to sponsor another 4,000 refugees over the coming year, said Martin Mark, director of the refugee office.