Kamloops Bishop Joseph Nguyen meeting with Pope Francis in 2016. British Columbia bishops paid tribute to Francis on the 10th anniversary of his pontificate. (Diocese of Kamloops file photo)
By Nicholas Elbers On the 10th anniversary of Pope Francis’ pontificate, bishops from across B.C. and Canada offered reflections on the Pope’s significance and the gifts he has given to the Church. Victoria Bishop Gary Gordon touched on a commonly recognized theme, saying he appreciates Pope Francis’ concern for the poor and marginalized. “I have...
Alex Schadenberg of the Euthanasia Prevention Coalition speaks with listeners at a presentation at St. Nicholas. “Most people ask for euthanasia because they are going through a difficult time of life,” he said. (Nicholas Elbers photos)
By Nicholas Elbers Caring and compassion are the most effective solutions we have to combat the growing requests for Medical Assistance in Dying, Euthanasia Prevention Coalition Executive Director Alex Schadenberg told a large gathering at St. Nicholas Church in Langley. The presentation, entitled “How do we talk to our loved ones about euthanasia?,” unpacked the...
Overwhelmed mothers say church Moms and Tots groups are offering mentorship opportunities while addressing a common complaint they have about secular groups and activities: the negativity. (Nicholas Elbers photos)
By Nicholas Elbers Children are a blessing, but parenting can be stressful, and in the modern world many mothers feel lonely and isolated in their vocation. This is where parish Moms and Tots groups can be helpful. During COVID, many groups for mothers and their small children tried to adapt to restrictions by meeting at...
Sister Denece Billesberger, Directress of Novices for the Sisters of the Child Jesus, with Sister Heather Charest, the order’s newest novice. It was during a mission trip to Haiti that her life changed, prompting her to ask herself, “What am I doing?” She will profess her vows with the Sisters of the Child Jesus later this month. (Terry O’Neill photos)
By Terry O’Neill Listen to that voice within. Listen to the voice of God calling you. This is a usual part of the advice given to men and women seeking guidance about a religious vocation. For many on the path of discernment, it’s difficult to hear that voice – to hear it amid the distracting...
By Paul Schratz If the Church in North America is a canvas, Barb Dowding is one of the artists helping to paint it, and that includes capturing all its subtleties, from the abstract to the realist. The special assistant to Archbishop Miller was part of an 18-person synod writing team of individuals appointed by the...
Holy Cross Vice Principal Jeff Cabralda leads student musicians providing music for the Catholic Educators’ Conference and Mass. (Nicholas Elbers photos)
By Nicholas Elbers Catholic School teachers attending the annual Catholic Educators Conference were called to pursue truth first in their work towards reconciliation with Indigenous people as a potentially painful and necessary part of the healing process. “My dream is that our speakers at this year’s conference will further help to inform and transform our...
By Michael Swan Four letters and 26 promises from Canada’s bishops to Indigenous Canadians set an agenda for reconciliation that bishops like Calgary’s Bishop Bill McGrattan intend to act on before February turns into March. McGrattan has scheduled meetings with members of the Indigenous Reconciliation Fund committee in his diocese. The committee — there are...
By Michael Swan Canada’s Catholics are not done with reconciliation. Four pastoral letters from Canada’s bishops released today urge Indigenous and non-Indigenous Catholics to seek ways to journey together, build relationships, know and understand their history and end the two solitudes in the country and in the Church of Indigenous and settler societies. “We are called to...
Cardinal Collins retirement to be filled by Montreal’s Bishop Leo
On hearing that Montreal Bishop Frank Leo would succeed him as Archbishop of Toronto, Cardinal Thomas Collins immediately thought of Toronto’s first bishop, Michael Power. At a parish feast day Mass in Our Lady of Lourdes, downtown Toronto, Collins reminded the congregation how Toronto’s first bishop also came from Montreal and was also, as a...
By Susan Korah A recent UN report on atrocities perpetrated in Pakistan against girls and young women from Christian and other minority faith communities should serve as a wake-up call, and prompt urgent action by the Canadian government, say Canadian activists. They are calling on the Canadian government to put pressure on Pakistan to stop...
