We are blessed on Wolfe Island with a magnificent church — more like a cathedral, visitors often say. Dedicated to our Lady under the title of the Sacred Heart of Mary, it was built in 1916-1917, and dedicated in June 1918. I had begun thinking a few years back how to mark the centennial.
Fr. Raymond J. de Souza is the pastor of Sacred Heart of Mary parish on Wolfe Island, and chaplain at Newman House at Kingston, Ont.'s Queen's University.
The summer of 1968, with France undergoing a social revolution and America burning, was not a congenial time for a reaffirmation of traditional morality in face of the sexual revolution. But the courageous Blessed Paul VI did just that in his encyclical Humanae Vitae, published 50 years ago this month.
Fr. Raymond J. De Souza: Ave Verum stirs the soul and memories of Rome
By Fr. Raymond J. de SouzaA former student sent me a notice that caught my attention, for both artistic and pious reasons. The Cantata Singers of Ottawa will be at St. Joseph’s Church later this month where the entire program will consist of settings of the brief Eucharistic and Marian hymn, Ave Verum, including those of Lassus, Byrd, Mozart, Elgar, Liszt, Saint-Saëns and Poulenc.
Fr. Raymond J. De Souza: Rosica pulls back curtain on ‘a new dictatorship’
By Fr. Raymond J. de SouzaFr. Thomas Rosica, CEO of Salt & Light Catholic Media Foundation, published a blistering assessment of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in the pages of a Jesuit magazine, identifying in practice what Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger memorably called the “dictatorship of relativism.”
Fr. Raymond J. De Souza: Catholic politicians fail to walk the walk
By Fr. Raymond J. de SouzaIn January, I had the great blessing of preaching at the Holy Mass for the relic of St. Francis Xavier in the parish in Mississauga named after him. There was an immense congregation, and in the very first pews were various political figures from the federal Parliament, provincial legislature and city hall.
St. Francis Xavier relic highlights vital role of immigrants
By Fr. Raymond J. de SouzaFr. Raymond J. De Souza: St. Francis Xavier relic hits very close to home
By Fr. Raymond J. de SouzaThe Queen and her prince keep royal traditions alive
By Fr. Raymond J. de SouzaSisters of Life and Catholic Christian Outreach celebrate decade of service
By Fr. Raymond J. de SouzaComment: Immigrants vital to growth of the Church in Canada
By Fr. Raymond J. de SouzaA celebration planned by the Canadian Goan Christian Group for St. Joseph’s parish in Mississauga on Oct. 14 will highlight the role that immigrants play in keeping the Church in Canada alive and vibrant.
Comment: Blood from Vimy Ridge, martyred apostles remind us of our covenant
By Fr. Raymond J. de SouzaOTTAWA – On the main route travelled by the Prince of Wales from Rideau Hall toward the teepee on Parliament Hill for Canada’s sesquicentennial celebrations at the beginning of July, it was notable that the banners flying from the light standards were not for Canada 150, but for the centennial of Vimy Ridge. Looked upon with biblical eyes, it was a reminder that covenants have to be ratified, to be paid for as it were, and the payment is in blood.