BLOG: Sebastian Gomes
Next week Christians celebrate the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. The important celebration dates back to 1908 and was inspired by Fr. Paul Wattson and the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement in Graymoor, New York. More advances along the road to unity have taken place over the past century than over the previous 350 ...read more
Among the many topics discussed in our recent 2015 Year in Review program was the highly anticipated and much debated Synod of Bishops part two, on the vocation and mission of the family today. It was easily the biggest news story in the Catholic world last year, and could very well carry over into 2016. That’s ...read more
Salt and Light’s latest documentary, The Birth of the Messiah premiered on Christmas Eve and is now available for viewing online. The film takes a closer look at the familiar Christmas story as it is told in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke.  Many are surprised to learn that Mark and John do not have ...read more
“What does Christmas mean to you?” This is a common question posed during the Advent season, and one that evokes in many of us fond memories and feelings of gratitude. This week, as we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the close of the Second Vatican Council, similar feelings have pervaded me. Many thoughtful and inspiring ...read more
If someone asked you to tell them the Christmas story as it’s told in the Gospels, how would you tell it?  What would you include?  What would you emphasize?  How accurate would your retelling be? The common image of the Christmas story that we have in our minds comes from traditional nativity scenes.  We see ...read more
In the lead up to COP21—the landmark international climate change summit in Paris—a massive climate mobilization has started happening around the world. On Sunday, November 29 at Queen’s Park in downtown Toronto, an event called “Light the Way to Climate Action” saw thousands of people come together of all faiths and backgrounds to stand in ...read more
The brutal attacks in Paris last Friday have sparked an impassioned conversation that has sadly, though necessarily, become part of our everyday lives, namely, what are we going to do about this? The draconian responses of the French government in pursuit of the perpetrators and against ISIS strongholds in Syria are understandable. So too is their ...read more
(Photo: courtesy of CNS) How are we to evaluate Pope Francis’ historic six-day visit to the United States? Should it be considered a success? Did the Pope accomplish what he set out to do? Were there questions left unanswered? How should we gage the response of the American Church? Of the American people? What lasting ...read more
(Sebastian and Emilie preparing the script for the Knights of Columbus Convention taking place in Philadelphia next week.) Just listening to the amazing accomplishments of the Knights of Columbus each year at the Supreme Convention is enough reason to celebrate.  The international lay organization is the largest in the Church, donating millions of dollars and countless ...read more
(Pope Francis listens attentively to speakers at the World Meeting of Popular Movements in Bolivia on July 9.  Photo courtesy of CNS) In two years Pope Francis has said enough about the global economic system to spark both enormous enthusiasm and heavy criticism.  The story is still developing, but after his recent trip to Latin ...read more