Abbot Peter Novecosky, OSB, who for more than a quarter century shared the news, and the good news, with Catholics in Western Canada through The Prairie Messenger newspaper, has died at 79. Abbot Novecosky died on Aug. 14, the Vigil of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, in Humboldt, Sask., after battling cancer. A...
Author: B.C. Catholic
Archdiocese and Kamloops First Nation release Sacred Covenant on Indigenous Peoples Day
The Sacred Covenant signed on Easter Sunday by the Archdiocese of Vancouver and Kamloops First Nation was made public on Friday, National Indigenous Peoples Day. In a statement, the Archdiocese and the Tk’emlups te Secwepemc said the date was chosen to share the document in English and Chinook, “an important common language among First Peoples and settlers...
Family sues over Vancouver Catholic hospital’s religious exemption for euthanasia
The parents of a terminally ill woman who was transferred to another facility to be euthanized after St. Paul’s Hospital refused to allow the procedure on its premises are suing the provincial government and Providence Health Care, the Catholic health-care provider that operates St. Paul’s. The couple’s lawsuit says their daughter’s Charter of Rights and...
Canadian bishops add voice to Christian appeal for Ukraine peace
Canada’s Catholic bishops have joined Christian counterparts in marking the second anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine with an invitation for all to join in praying for peace. In a pastoral letter released Feb. 21, three days before the Feb. 24 anniversary of Russia’s full-scale attack on its neighbour, national representatives of the Catholic, Orthodox,...
‘I opened my heart to Jesus’ at Spirit Day
When 1,800 Grade 7 students descended on Surrey’s Pacific Academy Nov. 4 and 5 for Anointed, this year’s Spirit Day for confirmation-age youth, it looked – and sounded – like they were having the time of their lives. So we reached out to students, volunteers, parents, and catechists to make sure. The consensus was clear:...
Vancouver artist depicts mother’s sacrificial love in Marian Christmas stamp from Canada Post
Vancouver artist Adrian Horvath has been designing postage stamps for Canada Post for years, from an Endangered Turtles of Canada set to a collection of Snow Mammals. He even worked on the famed Star Trek series of stamps the post office issued in 2016 and 2017. But Horvath’s latest work holds special importance for him as a Christian. His design for...
Canadian pilgrims headed to Israel forced to make some tough choices
As anxiety and frustration grow among Canadians trying to get out of war-mobilized Israel, Maria Moreno is grateful she isn’t one of them.
Canadian bishops and Vancouver Archbishop offer prayers for peace, Jewish community
Vancouver Archbishop J. Michael Miller and the Canadian bishops both released statements concerning the recent violence in Israel, with Archbishop Miller “unequivocally” condemning Saturday’s attack by Hamas and the bishops calling for prayers for peace and a de-escalation of violence. In a message to Vancouver’s Jewish community on Monday, Vancouver Archbishop J. Michael Miller “unequivocally...
Archbishop Miller calls attack on Israel contrary to moral, international law
In a message to Vancouver’s Jewish community, Vancouver Archbishop J. Michael Miller “unequivocally condemned” Saturday’s attack on Israel, calling it an offence against moral and international law. Commenting from Rome where he is attending the Synod of Bishops on Synodality, the Archbishop said Monday the news about “the Hamas incursion into Israel is devastating.” The...
Canadian Catholic News service relaunches with new website and a crash course in Catholic journalism
Catholic Register publisher Peter Stockland had some uncommon advice for his journalism students attending a new course aimed at developing Catholic journalists. “You’re there to observe, not to be an activist, but not just to be an observer, either. As you meet your deadline, you will have to faithfully produce for an audience what you...