Non-celebrity is worth celebrating
So often we hear and read about the lives of the rich, powerful and famous. Celebrity seems to rule our culture.
But reflection on the lives of the ordinary, the everyday, the taken-for-granted, is often far more illuminating. If we look beyond the glitz we can see the real stars, the real world, and answers to some of the real questions.
- By Robert Brehl
Our shared obligation to ensure everyone has a home
Imagine for a moment that you have no home.
What would you do for meals today? Where would you shower? Where would you sleep? If you have children, how would you provide for them?
A Catholic education is a unique education
Recently I had the opportunity to meet with some parents who were looking at enrolling their children in a Catholic school. They made that decision because of their own experiences of Catholic education, but also because of their participation in a program run by a number of our school boards called “We’ve Been Waiting For You.”
Bonhoeffer’s conscience condemned him to a martyrs’ death
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a Lutheran pastor executed by the Nazis in the dying days of the Second World War, has been recognized (perhaps by Protestant more than Catholic theologians) as one of the leading Christian thinkers of the 20th century. He was that, but he was much more: visionary, prophet, spy and martyr.
- By Ian Hunter
We are all His own
Two days before its crews tidied up the National War Memorial in Ottawa on All Souls Day, Public Works Canada issued an advisory that flowers and other mementos would be removed.
A lamp under a bushel basket and a cooler of food
For some time, we’d noticed several big coolers and baskets by the front door of a neighbour. Sometimes, while walking our dog, we’d see someone pull into the driveway and drop some food in a cooler or basket.
- By Robert Brehl
Ask God for help with worldly worries
Sometimes, sleep doesn’t come easy. Dreams are pushed aside by worry and fretting. Counting sheep gives way to counting out real-life scenarios and possibilities late into the night.
Prayer integral in our schools, but there’s more that can be done
Part of the mandate of Catholic schools is to ensure that students develop an appreciation and understanding of the role of prayer.
Never too late to listen to Pope Benedict XVI
One of the world’s wisest voices was not heard during the synod fortnight in Rome. His time to speak publicly is definitively past, but it behooves the Church to listen now to what he said then.
Front line euthanasia ethics
At this month’s Supreme Court hearing on assisted suicide, much time was spent arguing whether Canadians have a right to be killed. Few moments were spent considering those who would have to do the killing.