Did you know that killing raccoons is illegal in Toronto? Raccoons. Killing them. It’s against the law. Raccoons. I’m not advocating the killing of innocent animals (or guilty ones, for that matter). But really. It’s illegal? A few weeks ago I heard about a man being charged for shooting his dog. Apparently his dog was ...read more

Oh May, how we hardly knew you! Thirty one days zipped by and we are already entering into the halfway point of the year. In May, we paid particular attention to our Blessed Mother, in June we traditionally contemplate the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Last year, on the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart, Pope Benedict ...read more

The Vatican returned to the contentious issue of HIV/AIDS prevention at a conference sponsored by the Pontifical Council for Health Care Workers. One hundred invited experts ranged from theologians to doctors. Speakers included Michel Sidibe, the executive director of UNAIDS, and Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, the Vatican’s Secretary of State. Another participant was Edward C. Green, ...read more

I have to be honest – while I grew up in an environment where devotions to Mary were very common – my Parish was “Our Lady of Guadalupe” – I didn’t ever really develop a special devotion to Our Lady. In fact, even calling Mary, “Our Lady” or “Our Blessed Mother,” seems a bit weird ...read more

Cardinal Oscar Rodriguez Maradiaga describes Caritas Internationalis as more than a nongovernmental organization. “Caritas is a sign of the love of God for all humanity. It is a love that knows no bounds or boundaries.” said the Honduran prelate of Tegucigalpa at the organization’s general assembly held this week in Rome. At the assembly, Cardinal ...read more

Sometimes (actually most times) our work at S+L takes us to unexpected places. Last week, I found myself in a sunny stucco alleyway in the west end of Toronto to scout out a potential film location. After a little aimless wandering on my part, a man in dirty coveralls delivered me safely to my destination. ...read more

While Pope Benedict frequently invites Catholics to pray for particular causes, he has made a unique, official appeal for the Church in China. Speaking at the General Audience last Wednesday, he said that “all Catholics throughout the world have a duty to pray for the Church in China: those members of the faithful have a ...read more

The phrase “the calling of the twelve” took a whole new meaning this past weekend when Pope Benedict XVI connected with 12 astronauts on the International Space Station. Catholic News Service takes a look at the conversation. To download Flash Player please click here ...read more

A Filet-o-Fish billboard? I couldn’t help but notice that this Lent there was a bit of a ad blitz for McDonald’s Filet-o-Fish sandwich. Coincidence? Or a marketing strategy aimed at Christians who may be turning to their aquatic friends during the penitential season. It’s interesting to note that the sandwich was first introduced for Lent ...read more

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling-places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?” These words from this Sunday’s gospel are perhaps among the most consoling ones found ...read more