Francis, the People’s Pope

Just as you did it to one of the least of these brothers and sisters, you did it to me. Matthew 25: 40

May 1, 2025

Pope Francis’ time as leader of the Catholic church was striking for his humility, compassion, commitment to the poor, and leadership on international concerns. His encyclicals advocated for care and generosity, for our fellow citizens, for our environment, and for the common good. He travelled to some of the most troubled spaces on the planet, including a ground-breaking visit to Canada to issue a long-awaited papal apology to Indigenous peoples on Canadian soil.

Time to take a page from Jesus’ book

April 25, 2025

Jesus led by example, and in his early ministry delivered miracles to assure and embrace his followers. He also reminded us we needed to trust in His authenticity, and to model His goodness of heart to celebrate the dignity of our fellow citizens.

Easter’s treasure isn’t found in shell games

March 27, 2025

As far as I can remember, I am not at all forgetful. Nevertheless, I have dozens of notepads everywhere: at home, in my car and at work. Whenever I have a thought about something that needs to be done, I jot it down urgently.

Five letter word for reading a Cross

March 13, 2025

Despite being a word nerd, I was never drawn to crossword puzzles—until recently. My daughter introduced me to The New York Times Wordle game, which in turn led me to what was, I hoped, a healthy interest in their apparently famous crossword.

Christ will help in mental health crises

February 26, 2025

My last job in Australia before I returned to Canada was at a Catholic university in the very heart of Sydney. Much like my current Corpus Christi College campus here in Vancouver, it had a small but dynamic parish.

Nothing is soft about humanities education

February 10, 2025

The dismissive labeling of the difficult work we do as “soft” is patronizing when used by those outside the humanities and social sciences. It reflects an inferiority complex, and a deep devaluing of these skills by those who want to champion them.

No exit when Christ enters our hearts

January 24, 2025

I am surely not the only child who was stressed to see Catholic calendars displaying images of Jesus adorned with an anatomically explicit, occasionally bleeding, heart.

St. Sylvester save us from neoannophobia

January 3, 2025

Perhaps most relevant at this time is that there is a well-known phobia fearing the arrival of the new year — neoannophobia — and as one would expect, a saint to counter this unease — St. Sylvester.

The honour of knowing Bishop Fred Henry

December 12, 2024

Driving to work one cold January day in 2016, I heard an announcement on the radio that the Bishop of the Diocese of Calgary, Frederick B. Henry, was officially announcing his retirement after 19 years as a bishop. I can’t say I was surprised, but I certainly felt a tug of sadness.

Promise of hope is in the cards

November 29, 2024

We approach the time of year when many are engaged in seasonal preparations, especially mailing the annual Christmas card. There are a number of stories about the first such card.