The Mustard Seed

Patriotism loves far beyond nationalism

Glen Argan · November 6, 2025

The Catholic Church has always viewed patriotism as a virtue, and today we need to be clear in how it differs from nationalism. Patriotism has emotional roots in the love of one’s country. However, emotional attachment does not make one a patriot.

Editorial

Notwithstanding court’s error

November 6, 2025

Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew clearly overstepped when he called for criminals convicted of child pornography offences to be “buried under the prison” after fellow inmates dealt with them.

Church on the Street

A chilly walk teaches Christ’s patient love

Dcn. Robert Kinghorn · November 6, 2025

In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus told a parable about a fig tree planted in a vineyard which year after year bore no fruit. Finally, the owner was tired of waiting and called upon the gardener to cut it down because it was a waste of space. But the gardener knew that the tree just needed time, patience, and love to heal.

Welland’s student pilgrimage marks 50 years

Luke Stocking · November 6, 2025

The Notre Dame Pilgrimage was begun by Rev. Jim Mulligan, a Holy Cross father and Notre Dame teacher who started the tradition in 1975 after a pilgrimage he experienced in France. It quickly grew beyond Notre Dame to include other high schools in the Niagara Catholic District School Board. They now organize their own pilgrimages after the original became too large for them all.

This Advent, we should sanctify our time

Joseph Woodard · October 31, 2025

Don’t look now, but Advent is already coming around again. And whatever scientists say, time is not linear, not a straight line from birth to death. It’s always looping back to decisive personal moments, the natural calendar, and liturgical seasons such as Advent

The transfiguring story of God’s Word

Jesus knew well the power of narrative

Mary Marrocco · October 31, 2025

A person who’s been through such shattering experiences might well feel broken into unconnected bits and pieces. Not having a narrative that brings the bits together is itself an anguish. We need to know our story, even in an incomplete way; learning and telling that story helps brings beauty and meaning to our lives.

Editorial

Return of the King

Jason Adkins · October 30, 2025

A guest editorial by podcaster Jason Adkins argues for restoring the original feast day of Christ the King to publicly demonstrate His Kingship in Catholic lives.

The Catholic ‘voice’ can help overcome the housing crisis

Benjamin Lamb · October 30, 2025

My wife and our friends recently read and discussed sections of Pope Leo XIII’s timeless encyclical Rerum Novarum. Pope Leo XIV’s name inspired us to reflect on the Leonine Catholic intellectual tradition.

Figure of Speech

Two papal voices join the margins

Gerry Turcotte · October 30, 2025

If readers of Pope Leo the XIV’s first apostolic exhortation, Dilexi te (‘I have loved you’) detect an echo of the late Pope Francis in the document they would not be wrong. The work, signed on the October 4 by Pope Leo, was originally written by Pope Francis before he died and was subsequently revised and approved by our new pontiff.

The case for Christian sexual ethics

Andrea Mrozek · October 24, 2025

On a recent evening in Vancouver, I had a game changing moment in conversation with Louise Perry, the author of The Case Against the Sexual Revolution.