Join us in prayer for the intentions entrusted to us by Pope Francis. For November 2015, we join the Holy Father in praying for: Dialogue – That we may be open to personal encounter and dialogue with all, even those whose convictions differ from our own. Pastors – That pastors of the Church, with profound love for their flocks, may accompany ...read more

Here are a few things that we’ve been reading about across the country this week: In Antigonish, NS a significant donation to St. Francis Xavier University means more people who would not normally have access to post-secondary education will not get that access. In Toronto, the Archdiocese is on track to bring 100 refugee families ...read more

Though the Synod on the Family is over, the analysis and even the “spin-od” continues in the media. Meanwhile, life moves on at the Vatican. As a result there were a few stories that got less than their fair share of coverage this week because writers were still focused on who said what about the ...read more

A few days ago, the World Health Organization, or WHO, reported that all processed meats such as bacon, sausages and ham do in fact cause cancer; moreover, red meats were categorised as “probably carcinogenic.” My first reaction after reading the report was, “Then, who can be saved?” (Luke 18:26). I think most of us knew ...read more

A priest of the Diocese of Derry, Fr. Brendan Collins discusses the historic referendum which legalized same-sex marriage in Ireland. How are you going to spend the next five minutes of your time?  You could browse social media or check your email, but how about meeting a fascinating person and learning something relevant that will ...read more

The 2015 Synod of Bishops on the Family concluded on Sunday with Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica.  On Saturday, the relatio finale (final document) of the Synod was approved and given to Pope Francis.  Archbishop Mark Coleridge of Brisbane, Australia has been keeping a blog throughout the three-week journey, and in his final post he ...read more

Pope Francis delivered the homily at Mass being offered on Sunday morning, the 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time, to mark the close of the XIV Ordinary Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, who have been gathered in Rome for the past three weeks to reflect on and discuss the vocation and mission of the family ...read more

Below is the Vatican-provided translation of Pope Francis’ discourse at the conclusion of the Synod of Bishops on the Family in the Vatican’s Paul VI Hall this afternoon: Dear Beatitudes, Eminences and Excellencies, Dear Brothers and Sisters, I would like first of all to thank the Lord, who has guided our synodal process in these ...read more

Here’s a look at what’s been going on church-wise across the country: The landscape of religious life is growing in Vancouver: two Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist have arrived and have taken on active roles in the archdiocese. One of sisters shared her vocation story with the faithful. Meanwhile, the Archdiocese of Regina celebrates 100 ...read more

In this special edition of Inside the Synod, Sebastian Gomes speaks with longtime Vatican journalist Gerard O’Connell about his impressions of the Synod of Bishops on the Family. ...read more