NATIONAL FAMILY AND LIFE WEEK (MAY 7-14, 2023)
We adopted our first child when she was 11 days old. We were told by the social worker that her birth mother loved her dearly but could not offer the life she hoped for the child. Hearing this, we…
Category Family
THE CHRISTMAS CARD DOESN’T TELL THE WHOLE STORY
One of my favourite Christmas images is of the Holy Family huddled together. Looming large in the forefront is a Christmas card bearing images of gifts, bells, candles, etc. The painting is by an Argentinian artist and I am not…
AND STILL, RACHEL WEEPS…
“A voice is heard in Ramah, lamentation and bitter weeping. Rachel is weeping for her children; she refuses to be comforted for her children, because they are no more. (Jeremiah 31:15 & Mathew 2:18) Pope Francis asks us to pray for suffering children throughout…
PRAYING FOR HOLY SOULS
Even as a young child, I thought it wonderful to believe that the people who had died before me were still with us, and we with them. I grew up offering all my tribulations for suffering souls in purgatory. I…
SAINT MONICA
St. Monica is the patron saint of Mothers. Her life as a single Mom after her husband’s death was no easy journey. On top of it all, she had a willful and rebellious child (Augustine) who put her to the…
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…
HAPPY FATHER’S DAY!
Where do we see and feel God’s love in the world? It is manifest in so many ways. One is the love of our fathers. This year Father’s Day falls on the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ. For my own…
WORLD DAY OF PRAYER FOR VOCATIONS
Through our Baptism, we are called to be all we can be through Jesus Christ. We belong to the priesthood of all believers. This means that we have a responsibility as friends of Jesus to worship God and to serve…
HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!
This Mother’s Day I am particularly excited as my daughter gave birth last week (Aliyah Charlotte) and became a mom. As I reflect on her new role, I marvel at the love and dedication she shows for her wee baby.…
A TIME FOR MOURNING TOGETHER: INTERNATIONAL PREGNANCY AND INFANT LOSS AWARENESS DAY
Miscarriage and infant loss touch many couples and the people who love them: in Canada, around one in four pregnancies ends in loss. In our neighbourhoods, at work and in our parish communities, we are crossing paths with families who…