A wife, mother of 10, grandmother of 36, and great-grandmother of 21, Giuseppina Gagliano was a remarkable woman of strength, faith, gentleness, and goodness. Growing up in Sicily at a time when Italy experienced many difficulties, Giuseppina emigrated to Canada with her husband Gaetano in the mid-1950s and continued to raise her family as her husband held down many jobs in order to provide for their growing household. In those first years in a new land, she knew many sacrifices and hardship as a newcomer to Canada, yet her joy was constant. With her friends and relatives, Giuseppina was a model Christian and great woman of prayer. She loved the Eucharist, Mary, and the saints, and her piety was an inspiration to all who knew her. In May 2004, Giuseppina and Gaetano Gagliano took part in the canonization ceremony of St. Gianna Beretta Molla at the Vatican. Shortly after the ceremony, the Gaglianos had a private audience with Pope John Paul II. The Holy Father thanked the Gaglianos for founding Salt and Light Catholic Media Foundation a year earlier. Giuseppina cherished that memory of that blessed encounter throughout her life. After 70 years of marriage, in April of 2016, Giuseppina’s husband Gaetano died. Giuseppina has now gone to be with him and with the Lord she loved so much. Giuseppina and Gaetano, rest in peace. Thank you for all you have done. Bless us now from the window of the Father’s house.
At the Manresa Spiritual Renewal Centre in Pickering, ON, retreatants of all ages can encounter a God of surprises.
In June, 2024, the domed roof and interior of St. Anne's Anglican Church in Toronto tragically burned down. However, the parish community continues to stand strong and serve its neighbourhood.
Pope Francis invites us to pray for vocations to the priesthood and religious life, that the ecclesial community might welcome the desires and doubts of those young people who feel a call to serve Christ’s mission in the priesthood and religious life.
Pope Francis invites us to pray for the right to an education for migrants, refugees and those affected by war; that their right to an education, which is necessary to build a better world, may always be respected.
I had the wonderful opportunity to meet with the CND sisters and enjoy a special lunch of soup, pizza, salad, and dessert. While I was there, I thought it would be a great opportunity to ask the sisters about what they were looking forward to this Christmas.