BLOG: Fr. Raphael Ma, CR
The Synod of Bishops on the Family started this week. For a run down of what has been discussed so far, watch this week’s edition of Vatican Connections, or Salt and Light’s special synod coverage, Inside the Synod. There were a few non-synod items of interest over the past week. The pope’s message for World ...read more
“How’s your married life?” is the question I was most frequently asked after I got married. You read that correctly, I got married two months ago on August 8, 2015. Thanks be to God that the wedding went so smoothly. Thank you to everyone who helped us out on that day. Do you want to ...read more
Today on Perspectives we look at the General Audience, the Bishop of Charleston asks for prayers after a devastating flood, and we take a look at day four of the Synod of Bishops on the Family. ...read more
Yahoo Global News Anchor Katie Couric discusses the digital news phenomenon and the Media’s moral obligation in mainstream news coverage. How are you going to spend the next five minutes of your time?  You could browse social media or check your email, but how about meeting a fascinating person and learning something relevant that will ...read more
Pope Francis addressed the General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops on Monday morning – the morning of their first full day of sessions. Below, please find Vatican Radio’s full English translation of the Holy Father’s remarks. Dear Beatitudes, Eminences, Excellencies, brothers and sisters, The Church today takes up once again the dialogue begun with ...read more
Homily of His Holiness Pope Francis Twenty-Seventh Sunday of Ordinary Time Opening of the Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops “If we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us” (1 Jn 4:12). This Sunday’s Scripture readings seem to have been chosen precisely for this moment of ...read more
On Saturday evening, October 3, 2015, Pope Francis led a prayer vigil prior to the opening of the 14th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops on the Vocation and Mission of the Family in the Church and the Contemporary World. Below you will find the full text of the Holy Father’s prepared homily. ...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
Here’s what’s been going on across the country this week: In Vancouver, where the permanent diaconate program has only been in place for about two years, another group of candidates have started the journey towards ordained ministry. In Saskatoon, a controversial “conscientious objection” policy was passed this week by the province’s College of Physicians and ...read more
This week brings two big new items: the analysis of Pope Francis trip to Cuba and the United States, and the upcoming opening of the Synod of Bishops on the family. Below are links to some articles well worth reading for a well rounded picture of both. The Cuba – US trip was by all ...read more