St. Michael's Choir School

While physical distancing has left people feeling isolated, outreach initiatives by the Kenora Catholic District School Board are fostering hope by helping students and families realize they are not alone.

On a cold afternoon in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, I took my shopping trolley to go for some groceries. 

Facing lockdowns, economic strife and the health threats brought on by the deadly coronavirus, Catholics across the country and in the United States turned to the Blessed Virgin for help May 1.

Thirty-five years ago, in July 1985, Catholic education in Ontario took a major step forward when Bill 30 was passed by the Ontario Legislature, granting full public funding to Catholic schools through Grade 13. The battle for equal funding with the public boards was a long one, finally won when Premier Bill Davis, who had rejected the idea in 1971, announced the change in policy in June 1984. Here’s The Catholic Register’s report from its June 23, 1984 edition:

It’s a pandemic within a pandemic — and a damning indictment of how we’ve been failing to care for our most vulnerable. People living in seniors’ homes across Canada are being hit disproportionately hard by COVID-19.

Perhaps one of the most enduring images of angels is the sight of these messengers of God singing celestial hymns of praise while twanging heavenly harps. 

Loneliness is certainly not unique to this time of pandemic, but it is no surprise that under quarantine we are lonelier than ever.

OXFORD, England -- A top Polish historian has questioned claims by German researchers that newly opened Vatican archives contain information damning the role played by Pope Pius XII during World War II.

LONGUEUIL, Que. -- French Canadian artist Claude Lafortune, who hosted children’s programs based on the Gospel on Quebec television, died of COVID-19 April 19. He was 83.

OTTAWA -- A coalition of Catholic and other faith-based organizations and social justice groups are joining forces in a new initiative to unify the voices demanding action to address climate change.