BLOG: Matthew Harrison
One hundred and six years ago today, in a small oratory devoted to Saint Joseph at the foot of Mount Royal in Montreal, a first Mass was celebrated. Today, thanks to the miracle of modern technology, patience and an inspiring donation by To God Go, a Foundation created by J-Robert Ouimet, viewers from around the ...read more
Intimacy with God. That’s how Brother André became a saint, according to the Archbishop of Montreal, Cardinal Jean-Claude Turcotte. Those words came as part of his homily during a Mass of Thanksgiving this morning at Sant’Andrea delle Valle in Rome. It was also during the homily that the congregation erupted in an extended applause for ...read more
A council for new evangelization, Bishops from the Middle East (and the world) travel to Rome for a Synod, and an upcoming canonization. Catholic News Service’s, Carol Glatz and John Thavis review a busy week at the Vatican. To download Flash Player please click here ...read more
The value of our work is determined by the love with which it is performed. That’s a key in Catholic Organization for Life and Family’s 2010 Message to Families.  The Message, with the theme of “Work + love = holiness”, is a reflection on the dignity of work. It describes human work as a part ...read more
Pope Benedict XVI will open the Synod of Bishops for the Middle East with Mass this Sunday in St. Peter’s Basilica. The Holy Father is hopeful that the Synod, which runs until October 24th, will provide an opportunity to deepen bonds between members of the local Churches of the Middle East and the universal Church, ...read more
Have you ever had the experience of praying the Rosary and come to the end of a decade only to ask yourself: “Um, did I just say 10 Hail Marys?” Sometimes we lose our place, we get lost in the repetition, or we are distracted.  And when I say distracted, I’m not talking about wrapped ...read more
Every year around mid-December there is a blessing at the Sunday Angelus Address of angels and little Baby Jesus figurines. As you can see in the photo, it’s a cute scene to see young children gleefully getting their Baby Jesus figures blessed, so they can be laid in their Nativity scenes at home. And though ...read more
With his time at Castel Gandolfo behind him, Pope Benedict prepares for a busy fall. In this week’s Catholic News Service, Carol Glatz and John Thavis look at what’s upcoming for the Holy Father. To download Flash Player please click here ...read more
October 1st!  The mornings here in Toronto are crisp and cool, the days are still warm and welcoming, the leaves are changing colour.  It’s a favourite time of year for me.  And as I’ve written in the past, liturgically it’s a great time for saintly celebrations: we’ve got the Archangels, the Guardian Angels, St. Jerome, ...read more
Earlier this year, Archbishop Michael Miller, of Vancouver, wrote: I urge you to recommit yourselves to the sacred cause of life and to help financially equip pro-life organizations, such as crisis pregnancy centres, to serve our communities. Even more, I urge you to become personally involved. Let us act in small and large ways – ...read more