BLOG: Fr. Raphael Ma, CR
Last week we looked again at something I wrote in 2009 about the nature and design of Marriage. I am curious to know your thoughts on this and whether you think it makes sense. If there are any moral theologians out there, please comment as you would know better than I whether my argument that all Church ...read more
Here are some of the things we’ve been reading about across this great country of ours: The Mayor of Vancouver, Gregor Robertson – who is perhaps best known for the organic juice company he started before entering municipal politics, and for installing bike lanes in the most unexpected places as mayor, is taking part in ...read more
The following is a translation of a reflection posted by Madonna Lee on Pope Francis’ Visit to South America on our Chinese website. Each week, Madonna posts a reflection on what she sees happening in the Church, and many come back each week to read her reflections. Now and then, we would like to share ...read more
Much has been made of the messages Pope Francis delivered during his visit to Ecuador, Bolivia and Paraguay. As always, the pope made reference to local saints and historical episodes in his homilies and addresses, thrilling the locals and confusing foreigners following on television. Here’s a rundown of the some of the people and things ...read more
On Sunday, July 12, 2015, Pope Francis concluded his visit to South America with a meeting with young people in Asunción, Paraguay. Below you will find the prepared text which the Pope did not read:   Dear Young People, I am happy to be with you in this atmosphere of celebration. Happy to listen to ...read more
Following the conclusion of Holy Mass in Ñu Guazú and the words of Archbishop Edmundo Ponziano Valenzuela Mellid of Asunción, Pope Francis delivered the follow Angelus address: I thank the Archbishop of Asuncion, the Most Reverend Edmundo Ponziano Valenzuela Mellid, and the Orthodox Archbishop of South America, Tarasios, for their kind words. At the end ...read more
On Sunday morning, July 12, 2015, during his last day in Paraguay, Pope Francis celebrated Holy Mass in the military airbase of Ñu Guazú, the same place Saint John Paul II canonized St. Roque Gonzalez de Santa Cruz and companions during his Apostolic Journey to Paraguay in 1988. Below you will find the full text of his homily: “The ...read more
This morning, Pope Francis left the Apostolic Nunciature and went by car to the barrio of Bañado Norte di Asunción, an area where many poor people live and where the Church and the State provide various projects of social assistance. The Pope was welcomed at the chapel of San Juan Bautista by Jesuit Fr. Ireneo ...read more
Last week, I asked for your ideas. How would you define Marriage? The point is not to re-define Marriage, but to try to figure out what Marriage really is and why the Church teaches what she teaches about the true nature and design of Marriage. The first comment I received was from Rosemarie via Facebook: “Marriage ...read more
On Saturday, July 11, 2015, Pope Francis met with Paraguayan bishops, priests, seminarins and nuns for Vespers. Below you can find the full text of his address at the conclusion of vespers:  How good it is for all of us to pray Vespers together! How can we not dream of of a Church which reflects ...read more