BLOG: Fr. Raphael Ma, CR
At 6:00 pm on the evening of the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord at the Vatican, Pope Francis presided in the Vatican Basilica at the Prayer vigil for all those in need of consolation. The vigil began with three testimonies alternated with biblical readings, and the lighting of a candle each time before the shrine of ...read more
World Communications Day Where is Christ in Communication? Written by Dr. Jennifer Reid Adjunct Professor, University of St. Michael’s College This year marks the fiftieth anniversary of the inauguration of World Communications Day by the Catholic Church. The past fifty years have brought radical changes in the way we communicate. Every change has created new challenges for ...read more
Message of His Holiness Pope Francis for the 50th World Communications Day Communications and Mercy: A Fruitful Encounter Dear Brothers and Sisters, The Holy Year of Mercy invites all of us to reflect on the relationship between communication and mercy. The Church, in union with Christ, the living incarnation of the Father of Mercies, is ...read more
On April 8, 2016, Pope Francis released the long-awaited post-synodal exhortation, Amoris Laetitia (the Joy of Love), on the family. A few days later, Archbishop Richard Smith of Edmonton joined me to explore various themes from the document, as well as to share his experiences in journeying with families through the many challenges they face. We ...read more
As clearly stated in its previous statements on this issue, the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops absolutely and categorically disagrees with any attempt at justifying or supporting a “right” to assisted suicide or euthanasia. This is based on the unchanging teaching of our Church, derived from the teaching of Christ himself, that these practices are ...read more
Join us in prayer for the intentions entrusted to us by Pope Francis. For March 2016, we join the Holy Father in praying for: Respect for Women – That in every country of the world, women may be honored.  Holy Rosary – That families, communities and groups may pray the Holy Rosary for evangelization and peace.  Daily Offering ...read more
On Thursday, May 12, 2016, thousands of men and women from across Canada will gather in Ottawa to witness to the sanctity of life. Each year the Campaign Life Coalition organizes its annual March for Life to unite pro-life supporters from coast to coast to manifest their solidarity in favour of life, and against its ...read more
Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster & President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, has issued a Pastoral Letter that was read in all parishes on the Sixth Sunday of Easter, May 1, 2016, on the Pope’s Apostolic Exhortation Amoris Laetitia, the Joy of Love. In the letter, the Cardinal thanks God ...read more
A reflection for the 6th Sunday in Easter, Year C. The readings are Acts 15:1-2, 22-29; Revelation 21:10-14; 22-23 and John 14:23-29. Whoever loves me will keep my word and my Father will love them and we will come to them and make our home with them… (Jn 14:23) Let’s get this straight: If you ...read more
There’s always something new happening at the S+L studios, and this spring is no different.  One of our most anticipated projects is a new book show entitled Subject Matters. The show is written, produced and hosted by Sebastian Gomes, and will premiere on Pentecost Sunday (May 15th) at 8:30pm ET / 5:30pm PT. In an ...read more