Guest Columns

Opinion and commentary about Catholic life and events from guest writers.

Forty years of building strong foundations

Harry McAvoy · August 8, 2024

The Bride and I are quickly approaching a milestone anniversary. On September 1, we will have been married 40 years. I sometimes wonder, how did that happen, and am I really that old?

Tipping helps put food on the table

Cathy Majtenyi · July 25, 2024

To tip or not to tip? And, if so, to tip 10 per cent or 25 per cent?

Families must plan for grandparent care

Lea Karen Kivi · July 25, 2024

Pope Francis instituted a World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly, which takes place this year on July 28, with the theme from Psalm 71 “Do not cast me off in my old age.”

In Texas, it’s Father, Son and Smith & Wesson

Anna Farrow · July 11, 2024

Who greets you on a Sunday morning when you walk into your church? Gentlemanly ushers? Nervous pre-teens co-opted to offer a shy word of welcome? Or an off-duty police officer packing a pistol?

Anthropologist disputes ‘missing children’ claims

Hymie Rubenstein · July 11, 2024

The third anniversary of the May 27, 2021 announcement by B.C.’s Kamloops Indian Band that the unmarked graves of 215 children were found on the site of its Indian residential school has come and gone but its claims are very much alive.

AI gives “eyes” to blind choir member

Lea Karen Kivi · June 27, 2024

The word ‘impossible’ does not exist in Natale Giangioppo’s vocabulary.

Being Catholic is knowing the Presence burning our hearts

Daniel Bezalel Richardsen · June 20, 2024

Structurally, within our very life, the human person is one who thirsts and expects something beyond ourselves. Consequently, faith is a response to these authentic needs already ineradicably embedded in us.

Baking joy at Our Lady of Sorrows

Lea Karen Kivi · June 13, 2024

Pizzelle. Pizzelle? I was intrigued. Is it a miniature pizza?

Listen to Pope Francis: stop cannabis poison

Cathy Majtenyi · June 13, 2024

It all sounded so safe, so ‘progressive’. The 2018 Cannabis Act promised to “minimize harms” to Canadians as it enabled ‘recreational’ users to legally possess and consume cannabis without fear of a criminal record, which would stigmatize them for life.

Literature for travelling reconciliation’s long road

Lea Karen Kivi · May 23, 2024

Reconciliation between Indigenous peoples and entities of the Catholic Church will be a long road to travel. Dr. Natasha Duquette has taken some steps along this road by recently offering an academic course called Indigenous Writers of North America.