Dr. John Maher, president of the Ontario Association for Assertive Community Treatment and Flexible Assertive Community Treatment, addressing Parliament’s Special Joint Committee on Medical Assistance in Dying.

The institutionalization of radically anti-scientific notions of sex and gender has been creeping into our world — and my life — at an astonishing pace for years. I’ve simply never gotten used to it. 

There’s a fascinating trend that occurs in the first month of the year. Gyms typically see a 12-per-cent increase in new memberships at the beginning of January. By the close of the month, four per cent of these new members will have quit the gym, 14 per cent leave by the end of February, and 50 per cent are gone by June, according to the Global Health & Fitness Association.

Although St. Francis de Sales is counted among the great saints, the first I heard of him was in his role as patron saint of writers, journalists and the Catholic press. I remained with that meagre knowledge for years until I encountered then-Bishop Thomas Collins who was and is a great fan of St. Francis.

“Today we bury his remains in the earth as a seed of immortality — our hearts are full of sadness, yet at the same time of joyful hope and profound gratitude.” 

Hope springs

I wonder if there will be an editorial entitled “Hope for 2023?” 

Our paramount hope and prayer for 2023 is that the federal government’s pause in its rush to push medically assisted homicide brings sincere recognition of its folly on life issues generally.

Where can you find fervent, engaged Catholic youth these days? Why, in Saskatoon, of course! 

Losing Lewis

I found myself muttering “too bad” when Charles Lewis noted he is retiring from The Catholic Register. 

Among the resonances that will expand across time from Benedict XVI’s intellect, character, holiness and humanity is the harmonious clarity he sustained between certainty and charity.