“Today our hearts are bursting, such is the gift of love.” Those are the words Jim and Carol Collier used to express their emotions at their son’s funeral. Sapper Brian Collier was killed last week in Afghanistan by an improvised explosive device. His funeral was held yesterday at Holy Martyrs of Japan parish in Bradford, ...read more

Pope John Paul II described them as the “strong right arm of the Church,” and many a priest would consider them backbone to parish activities. More than just an “arm” or a “backbone” the Knights of Columbus are the largest organized “body,” so to speak, of lay Catholic men.  In fact, they’ve just cracked over ...read more

Archeologists have been unearthing ancient art in the Eternal City. Catholic News Service’s Cindy Wooden and Carol Glatz have more on the important and impressive discoveries in this week’s Vatican Report. To download Flash Player please click here ...read more

One could hardly have predicted that the replacement of the long-form census with a voluntary survey would have erupted into an ongoing debate. Most Canadians, I imagine, find census methodology a little pedantic, or welcome having one less piece of paperwork that they must fill out. The controversy has drawn attention to the function of ...read more

In the course of compiling the daily Catholic newswires on Friday, I stumbled upon a most welcome treasure on the CNN religion blog of all places. The treasure? A new friend in the world of Catholic music. Audrey Assad. With her first album scheduled for release this week (it’s already available on iTunes, though), Audrey ...read more

“Video Killed the Radio Star” was a popular song in the ’80s, but that message definitely doesn’t pertain to the social-media savvy radio personalities of the new millennium. Catholic radio hosts have been working overtime to promote the Catholic faith to young adults. Young adults have their fingers on the pulse and are constantly looking ...read more

In middle of July, the national assembly of the Church of England voted to approve the creation of women bishops by 2014. Catholic News Service’s Carol Glatz and John Thavis explain in this week’s Vatican Report that this may present an obstacle in ecumenical dialogue. To download Flash Player please click here ...read more

Oh Canadian summer, you are God’s mercy made manifest! Even in the midst of heat waves, I think many would agree that this beautiful season sure beats winter’s wind-chill (winter has a beauty all its own, of course). Life’s usually-hectic pace fades into a comparatively peaceful lull; BBQing, rekindling friendships and family ties and enjoying ...read more

Earlier this year, Pope Benedict XVI encouraged priests to become familiar with new media as a possible tool for evangelization. In light of this, the United States Conference of Bishops have released guidelines for church-personnel on how to use social media-such as blogs and Facebook pages- as part of ministry. The document said that social ...read more

Antiques Roadshow is one of my guilty television pleasures. I find it fascinating how people can have priceless objects just sitting around their homes for years that get passed down through the generations or that they pick up at the odd yard sale for $20.  (Sometimes I even venture down into my basement to see ...read more