Here are some of the stories getting attention across the country this week: In preparation for October’s Synod on the Family, the Vatican has asked bishops to consult as many lay people, priests and religious as possible on topics related to the family. Canadian dioceses are going forward whole heartedly to reach as many Canadian ...read more

What’s the old saying? Don’t mix politics and religion in polite conversation. Well, if the current state of world affairs tells us anything, it’s that polite conversation may be the only place where religion and politics don’t mix. So, what then is God’s Politics? This edition of the Chesterton Debate aims to find out as two luminaries ...read more

Pope Francis told Ukrainian bishops to avoid politicizing their role in the face of the ongoing conflict in the country. He made the comment in a text handed out to the bishops during their Ad Limina visit this week. Ukranian Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk told reporters earlier in the week his goal, and the goal ...read more

by Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The day Pope Francis announced he would be making Italian Archbishop Luigi De Magistris a cardinal, the archbishop was doing what he usually did in retirement on Sundays: He was administering the sacrament of confession in the cathedral of Cagliari, his hometown. The cardinal-designate, who ...read more

Point of View: Interpreting the Francis Effect is a S+L series that goes deeper into the important questions surrounding the person and pontificate of Pope Francis.  The series consists of a selection of the full interviews from S+L’s original documentary The Francis Effect. This week: Archbishop Charles Chaput, OFM Cap. If you have never heard of ...read more

I was, until I asked a friend of mine what she thought about lent and she said it was her favourite time in the liturgical calendar. I was taken aback when I saw how in love she was and how selfish I was being. Do you know what it takes to know and to experience ...read more

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God (Mt 5: 8) Dear Young Friends, We continue our spiritual pilgrimage toward Krakow, where in July 2016 the next international World Youth Day will be held. As our guide for the journey we have chosen the Beatitudes. Last year we reflected on the beatitude ...read more

Pope Francis presided over Mass in St Peter’s Basilica on Sunday, to offer thanks to God together with the College of Cardinals, one day after bestowing the Red Hat on twenty new prelates from around the world. This is a very important homily which speaks not only to the specific occasion with the Cardinals, but ...read more

So far, in part 1 and part 2  we’ve looked at sin and why we need the Sacrament of Reconciliation. There are two Sacraments that can be received every day: The Eucharist and Reconciliation. The Church doesn’t say we have to go to Confession all the time but the Catechism of the Catholic Church says ...read more

Here’s what’s been making headlines in the Church across Canada: More reaction to the Supreme Court ruling on assisted suicide. Archbishop Michael Miller sent this letter to Vancouver’s Catholics Cardinal Thomas Collins of Toronto and representatives of various groups focused on life issues also issued statements in the days after the ruling. Similarly, Bishop Donald ...read more