PENTECOST
On a Tuesday night at St. Ignatius Parish 14 young people stand ready to be anointed with oil. They have come from many different situations and different schools. Some of them are new Canadians. We often talk of how discouraged…
Category Faith
CHRIST THE KING / WORLD DAY OF YOUTH
Kids today got no king they got no king everywhere anxiety they got no king got no king God told the line of Abraham not to cower beneath the crown but they had freedom second down the list below security…
WORLD MEETING OF FAMILIES IN ROME (JUNE 22-26)
There is a good reason why the family is often called the “domestic church.” More than the actual churches, more than the schools, youth groups, movements, etc., the family is the most influential factor in determining the future faith lives…
WHY WORRY?
It is a huge understatement to acknowledge that we are living in challenging times. Pandemics and variants, wars and environmental disasters, political strife and unrest dominate our news and media. All this together, combined with our personal struggles, losses, needs…
GRACE AND GRATITUDE – EVEN DURING A PANDEMIC
There have been so many heart-breaking stories over the past 18 months. Thousands of our elders in long-term care died of the virus, while countless others had to stay in their rooms alone for weeks on end. People in hospital…
TRINITY SUNDAY
Have you seen My Octopus Teacher? Last month it won an Academy Award for best documentary of 2020. Simple, heart-felt, straight-forward, it charts the year-long friendship that develops between the film-maker and a small octopus off the coast of South…
EASTER FAITH
I have always loved the Easter story about the disciples on the road to Emmaus. The disciples had hoped that Jesus of Nazareth was the prophet who was to redeem Israel, and yet, we all know how things ended. Their…
“STRESSED”: A PRAYER FOR LIVING THROUGH A PANDEMIC
One year ago today, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared a COVID-19 pandemic. It has been a roller coaster ride since then, and it’s not quite over. There are many signs of hope, from the roll-out of various vaccines and…
OUR LADY OF LOURDES AND WORLD DAY OF THE SICK
On World Day of the Sick last year, it was still business and life as usual in Canada. Remember that innocent time, before terms like “coronavirus,” “PPE” and “physical distancing” entered our daily vocabulary? We didn’t think twice about being…
CHRISTMAS IN THE HUMAN FAMILY OF ALL GOD’S CHILDREN
What’s your favourite part about Christmas? Is it having a fresh, beautifully-decorated Christmas tree in your home? Is it trying to figure out that perfect present for a loved one? Is it planning and preparing a nice holiday meal? I…