
Michael Swan, The Catholic Register
Michael is Associate Editor of The Catholic Register.
He is an award-winning writer and photographer and holds a Master of Arts degree from New York University.
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October 14, 2010
Veterans Affairs reaches out to homeless vets

In her first two weeks as the Veterans Affairs case worker at The Good Shepherd, Dion MacArthur had already identified 15 homeless vets ranging in age from mid-30s to mid-80s, having served Canada in missions from Afghanistan to the Second World War.
Published in Canada: Toronto-GTA
October 14, 2010
Church opposes industrial process of in vitro fertilization

“It’s difficult to explain to people, Catholics included, why IVF is wrong,” said Tham.
Before entering the priesthood, Tham became a medical doctor at the University of Toronto. He now teaches at Regina Apostolorum University’s school of bioethics in Rome.
Published in Canada: Toronto-GTA
September 30, 2010
Interim tag removed from Durham CFS director

Pierce takes over an agency with a $1.3-million annual budget, 19 regular employees and three contract counsellors. Catholic Family Services of Durham deals with families from the eastern edge of Toronto to the Bowmanville area, and as far north as Port Perry. She has been with the agency for more than 14 years, mostly working as senior counselling program manager.
Published in Canada: Toronto-GTA
September 30, 2010
Padre Pio relics entrusted to church named in saint’s honour

The overcapacity crowd that came out to greet three relics of St. Padre Pio and inaugurate a new church named after the 20th-century Italian saint broke out in frequent applause as Archbishop Thomas Collins baptized their new church.
Published in Canada: Toronto-GTA
September 27, 2010
A new home for Padre Pio
The mostly Italian parish of Padre Pio in Woodbridge welcomed relics of St. Padre Pio as they inaugurated their new church Sept. 23. It was no small affair, with an overflow crowd peering in the windows from the parking lot to see Archbishop Thomas Collins baptize and anoint the new church.
Photos and commentary by Michael Swan
Published in Canada: Toronto-GTA
September 22, 2010
U.S. women religious feel they are under unfair scrutiny

Sr. Donna Markham is coming to Toronto to talk about it. The Dominican Sister will deliver the annual Dominican Family of Toronto lecture at the University of St. Michael’s College Oct. 15. Markham has titled her talk “Mission, Membership and the Apostolic Visitation” and organizers are promoting it under the banner “Women Religious Under Scrutiny.”
Published in Canada: Toronto-GTA
September 20, 2010
Toronto Paisleyites agree with papal protest

The tiny Toronto church protested Pope John Paul II's visit in 2002, and would do so again if the Pope were ever to visit Canada, said Toronto Free Presbyterian Church senior pastor Larry Saunders.
"My concern, my opposition to the Pope coming as a representative of the Catholic Church is that he comes not just as a religious leader. He comes as also the head of state," said Saunders.
Published in Canada: Toronto-GTA
September 2, 2010
Tamil refugee boy adjusting to life in Canada

He’s grateful for the reception he’s had in Canada, and hopes the 492 Tamils who recently arrived in British Columbia aboard the MV Sun Sea will have a similar opportunity to take up their lives again.
Published in Canada: Toronto-GTA
September 2, 2010
Catholic Family Services seeing an increase in hardship

At Catholic Family Services of Peel and Dufferin, counsellors have seen a 177-per-cent increase in the number of clients whose finances have fallen apart. In 2009-2010 the agency saw a 173-per-cent increase in couples and individuals at its door because of unemployment, housing or related issues.
Published in Canada: Toronto-GTA
September 2, 2010
Nigerian bishop offers his priests to universal Church

Though it may sound like fantasy to any North American Catholic who has visited the echoing halls of their own somewhat less populated seminaries, Bigard Memorial Seminary is a real place. And one of its former rectors believes it should be a resource for the entire Catholic Church, not only for the Metropolitan See of Onitsha in Eastern Nigeria.
Published in Canada: Toronto-GTA