BLOG: Matthew Harrison
This year we celebrated Brother André’s first feast day as Saint André. There were many special celebrations throughout Canada, and at Ottawa’s Notre Dame Cathedral there was a bilingual Mass of Thanksgiving for Canada’s newest saint. Ottawa’s Archbishop Terrence Prendergast was the main celebrant.  In his homily, he spoke of the qualities that make Brother ...read more
Unofficially, it’s called the “state of the world” address. Officially, it’s Pope Benedict XVI’s annual talk to the diplomatic corps. And representatives from the 178 states that have diplomatic ties to the Holy See gathered this morning at the Vatican for the address. Religious freedom was the key issue that the Holy Father discussed. He ...read more
The Papal intentions reported on the Tuesday, January 4th edition of Perspectives were the incorrect intentions for this month.  Please see the correct intentions for January 2011 below: Every January we celebrate the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.  The week begins on January 18th, and extends to January 25th, the feast of the conversion ...read more
As our viewers know, Salt + Light Television presents a French daily Mass live from St. Joseph’s Oratory Crypt Church at 8:30am ET. This Thursday afternoon, December 30th, Salt + Light will present an additional Mass. Catholic Christian Outreach, CCO, is holding their annual young adult conference Rise Up in Montreal this year. Appropriately, Canada’s ...read more
There’s a 93-year old, 100-foot-tall Norway Spruce in St. Peter’s Square these days. It’s the Vatican’s Christmas tree for this year. The spruce, along with 50 other trees, have been donated by the Diocese of Bolzano-Bressanone. Speaking to a delegation from the diocese, the Pope says the tree is a significant symbol of the light ...read more
In the latest encounter of Nothing More Beautiful, Hamilton, Ontario’s Bishop Douglas Crosby, OMI, offers the catechesis talk.  He shares a story from a retreat he was directing for students and professors at a university in Eastern Canada.  The story begins: At noon we celebrated Mass in the boardroom. The room was packed, people standing ...read more
There is nothing more beautiful than to be surprised by the Gospel, by the encounter with Christ. There is nothing more beautiful than to know Him and to speak to others of our friendship with him. Those words are from Pope Benedict XVI’s homily at the Mass inaugurating his Pontificate It’s also the inspiration for ...read more
I remember as a kid watching Christmas music videos on December 25th.  Among those videos was one tune that I couldn’t believe was considered a Christmas song.  To me the singing was bizarre: a kind of slurred, harsh barking; contrasted by a more melodious female voice.  The content of the song, hardly struck me as ...read more
I know your works. You have the name of being alive, and you are dead. Awake, and strengthen what remains and is on the point of death, for I have not found your works perfect in the sight of my God. Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep that, and repent. That is an ...read more
Pope Benedict XVI called on the universal Church to marked the first Sunday of Advent with a Vigil for Nascent Life.  Catholic News Service’s Carol Glatz and John Thavis have more on the Holy Father’s effort to promote the sanctity and dignity of life. To download Flash Player please click here ...read more