St. Michael's Choir School

VATICAN CITY -- Putting up a Nativity scene before Christmas is a reminder to stop and remember what Christmas is really about and to prepare one's heart like a manger for the coming of Christ, Pope Francis said.

TORONTO -- Toronto Auxiliary Bishop Wayne Kirkpatrick has been named by Pope Francis as the new Bishop of Antigonish, N.S.

VATICAN CITY -- Pope Francis has accepted the resignation of Archbishop Luigi Ventura, the nuncio to France, who has been under investigation for sexual misconduct in France and in Canada.

VATICAN CITY -- Pope Francis has abolished the obligation of secrecy for those who report having been sexually abused by a priest and for those who testify in a church trial or process having to do with clerical sexual abuse.

VATICAN CITY -- Pope Francis blessed hundreds of figurines of the baby Jesus -- ranging from tiny plastic figures to life-sized statues -- and encouraged children to make sure they have Nativity scenes at home.

VATICAN CITY -- On the eve of his 83rd birthday, Pope Francis met with a group of his peers -- although many were a few years younger -- and told them that "old age is a time of grace."

OTTAWA -- The abuse started when Veronique Garnier was just 13 years old. She was abused by her parish priest, who was also a family friend.

SPRUCE GROVE, Alta. -- For Kelsey Papastritas, motherhood is a delicate balancing act.

Fourth Sunday of Advent, Dec. 22 (Year A) Isaiah 7:10-14; Psalm 24; Romans 1:1-Matthew 1:18-24

The Word of God echoes and reverberates throughout human history. It’s the same voice, often with the same words, but they can carry many meanings, depending on the time in which one hears them. 

Despite what we’ve learned in the 30 years since the massacre of 14 women at a Montreal university, there still remains so much more that needs to be done, says the principal author of a declaration on violence against women in our society.