My most memorable Christmas gift
At a recent dinner party, talk turned to most memorable Christmas gifts received. There was a first bicycle, some jewelry and a couple “bucket-list” trips mentioned.
- By Robert Brehl
Prayer is the answer
It seems unimaginable that America’s incomprehensible deadlock over gun control could become any stranger. Yet somehow the quasi-ritualized mass slaughter of citizens by other citizens with high-powered weapons has produced the unfathomable effect of making prayer a victim.
Understanding ‘why’
Even as the world was reacting in horror to the slaughter in Paris on Nov. 13, Fr. John Walsh was moving past the how and what to asking why.
Beyond absurdity
Last week, two vibrant Catholic voices spoke on the same night in venues across the street from each other in downtown Toronto.
Harriet’s spirit wins out in the long run
The brutality of life on the streets could not defeat this ‘I used to be famous’ woman
There are evenings when I am walking the streets that deep theological insights come abruptly to my mind. This was one such evening.
The Synod’s curious biblical commentary
VATICAN CITY - One of the most repeated themes during the Synod on the Family was the need for a more biblically based approach. The original working document for the Synod — the Instrumentum Laboris — came in for repeated and severe criticism for taking as its starting point sociological data rather than the Word of God.
Which Canadian way will alter the Tiber?
VATICAN CITY - Canadians had a rather prominent role in the first week of the Synod on the Family. Two of the language- based discussion groups elected Canadians as their moderators — Cardinal Thomas Collins of Toronto for one of the English groups, and Cardinal Gerald Lacroix for one of the French.
Pope set-up says plenty about rifts in Church
Francis caught up in smear job by social ideologues
- By Robert Brehl
African bishops fired up in defense of marriage
The Synod on the Family begins Oct. 4 and promises to be a rather unpleasant few weeks in the life of the Church.
Jim’s death diminishes me, but also gives me strength
Some weeks ago, I mentioned an inevitable goodbye that would take place with a dear friend whom I met on the first day of Grade 9 at Neil McNeil High School in Toronto’s east end 40 years ago next week.
- By Robert Brehl
Philip Neri’s heritage of joy
WOLFE ISLAND, Ont. - One of the highlights of my summer is “Seminarian Week” on Wolfe Island.