BLOG: Fr. Raphael Ma, CR
Here are some things that have been happening in the church across Canada: The Catholic Register in Toronto gives us a look at Canada’s Religious Freedom Office. Community groups representing live-in caregivers are skeptical of the federal government’s plan to give permanent residency to 60,000 foreign caregivers. In Saskatoon, Catholic Elders are looking how to ...read more
Producer Cheridan Sanders shares her thoughts and experiences leading up the premiere of The Church Alive in 2013. Read her story below: Last year, when Fr. Thomas Rosica first gathered the S+L team around the conference table to share thoughts in anticipation of the upcoming Synod on the New Evangelization, I never expected that Sebastian Gomes ...read more
On November 16, 2014 Salt + Light will air Messenger of  the Truth, a film based on the life of Blessed Father Jerzy Popieluszko, the courageous chaplain of the Solidarity movement in Poland in the early 1980’s. Narrated by Catholic activist and actor Martin Sheen, Messenger of the Truth chronicles Father Jerzy’s opposition to Poland’s ...read more
He intrigued me. A tall man with an athletic build. His unhurried gaze fixed intensely on the shore line. His back bent low as if to reverence the pebbles on the beach. Occasionally he extends his hand to pick up an obviously – to him at least – exceptional find. On more than one occasion ...read more
On October 5, 2014, Pope Francis presided over the Opening Mass for the Extraordinary Synod of Bishops on the Family. Below you will find the full text of his address: Today the prophet Isaiah and the Gospel employ the image of the Lord’s vineyard.  The Lord’s vineyard is his “dream”, the plan which he nurtures ...read more
On October 4, 2014, Pope Francis presided over a prayer vigil leading up the the Extraordinary Synod of Bishops on the Family. Below is the full text of his address: Dear families, good evening! The evening falls on our assembly. It is the hour in which one willingly returns home to the same meal, in ...read more
Yesterday we looked at the Book of Revelation and how it is a powerful reminder to those who too easily compromise their beliefs. This message is clear right from the beginning of the book with the letters to the seven churches. After the letters to the seven churches, and after the first vision of the ...read more
Here are some things making headlines across the church in Canada this week: A Catholic family in Montreal has been deported after their refugee claim was repeatedly denied. The family’s parish vows to help the family get back to Canada. In Regina, the provincial government’s throne speech promises the development and roll out of an ...read more
Things are returning to a normal pace at the Vatican after the end of the extraordinary synod. Pope Francis kept a full schedule this week, which included his daily masses, a meeting with members of popular movements from around the world (non-religious movements that advocate for worker’s rights, indigenous land rights, fair wages, and access ...read more
I have many friends who do not participate in Halloween activities. They refuse to do so because they believe that Halloween is a pagan holiday. Some even go as far as saying that it is a Satanic feast. I’ve always felt that there’s nothing wrong with participating in Halloween activities. After all, I don’t believe ...read more