A crowd gathers at the Vancouver Art Gallery for Sunday’s Free the Hostages rally. Archbishop Miller sent a message of prayer and support. (Archdiocese of Vancouver photo)
A crowd gathers at the Vancouver Art Gallery for Sunday’s Free the Hostages rally. Archbishop Miller sent a message of prayer and support. (Archdiocese of Vancouver photo)
Speaking after the Angelus prayer on Sunday, Pope Francis said he is following “with apprehension and sorrow,” the latest news from Israe. Vancouver Archbishop J. Michael Miller sent a message of prayer and support to Vancouver’s Jewish community. He is attending the Synod of Bishops in Rome. (Vatican News photo via The B.C. Catholic)
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...
A protest at Vancouver City Hall in 2016 over the lack of enforcement of prostitution laws. An Ontario court has ruled that Canada’s laws on sex work are constitutional. (B.C. Catholic file photo)
The Anti-Human Trafficking Committee of the Archdiocese of Vancouver is praising a decision by Ontario’s Superior Court Monday that ruled Canada’s criminal laws on sex work are constitutional. In his 142-page decision, Justice Robert Goldstein dismissed a Charter challenge of Canada’s Protection of Communities and Exploited Persons Act, saying the law balances the protection of...
Catholic Street Missionaries attend to the needs of the poor on the streets of Vancouver. Volunteers recently spent 24 hours praying and fasting in preparation for their work on the street. (Catholic Street Missionaries photos)
“Don’t forget the poor; be generous to them.” With those words, Canossian Sister Elisa Grignoli called about 30 Catholic Street Missionaries to reflect on their mission to the poor and homeless before heading out to the streets of Vancouver. With the simplicity her order is known for, she said Jesus’ words from the Gospel of Matthew –...
Alison ten Bohmer found more than just peace and comfort when she discovered Pietra Fitness. She found a sense of purpose in helping people build a deeper connection with their bodies. (Contributed photo)
Pietra Fitness is a Catholic exercise program that promotes mental wellness and body-mind connection. It involves poses and stretching, a meditative environment, and prayer, although it is not, as instructors point out, “Catholic yoga.”
Sharon DeLalla, the new manager of the Men’s Shelter, wants to help the shelter explore the boundaries of what is possible. (Nicholas Elbers photos)
Conversations are rare at the Men’s Shelter, and even with sunlight streaming through the repurposed nursing dormitory windows, the atmosphere is muted and heavy. Sharon DeLalla is hoping to change this. The ex-Talitha Koum executive brings her experience working with women overcoming addiction to the Archdiocese of Vancouver men’s hostel as its new manager.
Catherine Koch, founder of Love is the Answer, a non-profit, for orphaned and vulnerable children in Uganda, is being remembered for her humanitarian legacy. (Contributed photos)
Koch was the founder of Love is the Answer, a charity that provides food, medicine, and supplies in emergency situations, financial assistance for schooling and boarding, and assists with setting up income-generating programs for Ugandans.
Women and families struggling with financial challenges because of pro-life choices they’ve made are receiving a helping hand from North Shore Pro-Life. The organization wants to expand its financial aid program, which offers $500 a month to help individuals with struggles as a result of choosing not to use abortion or euthanasia. (Adobe photos)
A North Shore Pro-Life financial aid program that helps mothers and families make difficult life-affirming decisions is approaching its first anniversary, with organizers saying they want to make it available to more people in need. The Life Affirmation Program helps lessen the financial burden faced by mothers and families who choose life, either for their children or elderly relatives at risk of euthanasia.
Players and supporters of the Simon Fraser University football team at an April 13 rally at the Vancouver Law Courts to save the SFU football program. (Contributed photo)
By Nicholas Elbers The April 4 announcement by Simon Fraser University to discontinue its football program effective immediately has Catholic school students, parents, and coaches upset that the decision will limit playing opportunities that past students have had. Since 2019 dozens of athletes from Notre Dame, Vancouver College, and St. Thomas More high schools have...
Cardinals Jean-Claude Hollerich and Mario Grech present the changes to the Synod composition at the Holy See Press Office Wednesday. A synodal Church is an opportunity to repair damaged trust, says Barb Dowding, the Vancouver contributor to the final North America document for the 2021-to-2024 synod. (Vatican Media)
Although the changes to the Synod of Bishops introduced Wednesday by Pope Francis to allow lay people, including women, to enjoy voting rights at the assembly are of interest to Dowding, she’s more passionate about the final document’s emphasis on baptismal calling and dignity in a more synodal Church as an opportunity to repair damaged trust.