“I echo the desire of many in expressing my hope that the objectives outlined by the Paris Agreement do not remain simply as good words, but rather that they are transformed into courageous decisions!“ Pope Francis, Message for World Food Day, Oct. 14, 2016 Small family farmers are at the heart of ecological justice.  That’s the message Development ...read more

Join us in prayer for the intentions entrusted to us by Pope Francis. For October 2016, we join the Holy Father in praying for: Journalists – That journalists, in carrying out their work, may always be motivated by respect for truth and a strong sense of ethics. World Mission Day – That World Mission Day may renew within ...read more

Join us in prayer for the intentions entrusted to us by Pope Francis. For September 2016, we join the Holy Father in praying for: Centrality of the Human Person – That each may contribute to the common good and to the building of a society that places the human person at the center.   Mission to Evangelize – That by participating ...read more

Join us in prayer for the intentions entrusted to us by Pope Francis. For August 2016, we join the Holy Father in praying for: Sports – That sports may be an opportunity for friendly encounters between peoples and may contribute to peace in the world.  Living the Gospel –That Christians may live the Gospel, giving witness to faith, honesty, and ...read more

Join us in prayer for the intentions entrusted to us by Pope Francis. For February 2016, we join the Holy Father in praying for: Indigenous Peoples.   That indigenous peoples, whose identity and very existence are threatened, will be shown due respect. Latin America and the Caribbean.  That the Church in Latin America and the Caribbean, by means ...read more

CNS photo/Art Babych Euthanasia comes to Canada  “There are two ways, the way to life and the way to death, and there is a great difference between them.” These wise words from an ancient Christian writer come to mind as we mark Parliament’s enactment of the law implementing the Supreme Court’s decision on euthanasia and assisted suicide, which ...read more

The terrible massacre that has taken place in Orlando, with its dreadfully high number of innocent victims, has caused in Pope Francis, and in all of us, the deepest feelings of horror and condemnation, of pain and turmoil before this new manifestation of homicidal folly and senseless hatred. Pope Francis joins the families of the ...read more

CNS photo/L’Osservatore Romano Join us in prayer for the intentions entrusted to us by Pope Francis. For June 2016, we join the Holy Father in praying for: Human Solidarity – That the aged, marginalized, and those who have no one may find–even within the huge cities of the world–opportunities for encounter and solidarity.  Seminarians and Novices –That seminarians and ...read more

(CNS photo/Philippe Vaillancourt, Presence) An open letter from Cardinal Lacroix… On June 6th, the Supreme Court of Canada’s decision concerning “medical assistance in dying” will take effect with or without a federal law to control it. The adoption of bill C-14 or the Carter decision’s coming into effect will certainly give place to appeals within the court ...read more

Deacon Pedro is ordained by Bishop Vincent Nguyen on May 26, 2012. Last week we looked, very briefly, at the basics of the Sacrament of Ordination. One of the common challenges to the idea of Sacraments as “a visible sign of an invisible Grace, instituted by Christ” is the “instituted by Christ” part. With Ordination, ...read more