BLOG: Fr. Raphael Ma, CR
It’s hard to believe it’s been three years. On Wednesday, April 2nd, 2008, we mark the third anniversary of the death of Pope John Paul II. I’ve been reflecting a lot recently on John Paul II, as I’ve been working on a Catholic Focus examining his legacy. I think Salt + Light CEO Fr. Thomas ...read more
It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s… [insert hero’s name here]! All right, well maybe having a hero or a role model doesn’t mean we expect that person to sweep in and save us. But it does mean having someone you can look up to, refer to, or exemplify. And the world is full of ...read more
Recently, a Salt + Light crew went to the University of St. Thomas in Houston, Texas. That crew included Pedro & me as producers, Wally Tello & Richard Valenti as cameramen, and Chris Valka, C.S.B., as our production coordinator. All headed, of course, by our CEO, Fr. Thomas Rosica, C.S.B. One of the shows coming ...read more
Recently I was back at York University (it’s been a long time) for an event and I heard the University being referred to as a “liberal arts school”. I had never thought of York as a liberal arts school. Of course, I was there studying theatre and was very much immersed in their conservatory program. ...read more
When you were little, what did you dream of being when you grew up? Me… I wanted to be a library book. Things didn’t work out for me. Thankfully, they worked out better… I started paying more attention to the question, “Where is God calling me?” than to “What do I want to be when ...read more
Here’s a press release from the folks at the Eucharistic Congress that I’d thought I’d share with you — be sure to keep them in your prayers! – 1000 km on foot to Quebec City for the International Eucharistic Congress Quebec City, March 20, 2008 – The 2008 International Eucharistic Congress invites all media, as ...read more
The word “triduum” comes from a Latin root which means “in the space of three days”, and the Church’s observance of the Easter Triduum is one single celebration that lasts for three days. The Old Testament records several occasions of three-day prayer or ritual ceremonies, and Jesus picks up on this concept when he refers ...read more
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test ...read more
This is my tenth Palm Sunday. I remember having to squint as I walked to Church, ten years ago this morning, as the sun reflected off the remaining snow. Winter, like Lent, was nearly over and the air was filled with an organic odour that may have been repellant, were it not for the new ...read more
Could the Church’s new environmental emphasis be a myth? Some commentators tried to argue as much. It’s true that the Pope’s statements on the subject are given a disproportionate share of the headlines lately. That said, surely the Holy Father now knows that every green comment he makes will appear in the mainstream media. Yet ...read more