A Christian should try to be a good Christian, a Muslim should try to be a good Muslim, a Hindu should try to be a good Hindu.So, needless to say, I came home with a mind to read up on Catholic social teaching. As I began to go through the tapes, I reflected on my experience through Catholic eyes (the only kind I happened to have at my disposal). I found ways to weave the beautifully rich writings of our present Pope into the stories I heard on the ground in Winnipeg. I began to understand how Truth is recognized by the human heart as it is encountered. In his encyclical Caritas in Veritate, Pope Benedict writes about the individualized approach to development:
Only in charity, illumined by the light of reason and faith, is it possible to pursue development goals that possess a more humane and humanizing value…The Church does not have technical solutions to offer and does not claim “to interfere in any way in the politics of States.” She does, however, have a mission of truth to accomplish, in every time and circumstance, for a society that is attuned to man, to his dignity, to his vocation. [9]While in Winnipeg, I heard these very same sentiments articulated in a beautiful Zambian accent while speaking with Reverend Susanne Membe Matale, the General Secretary of the Council of Churches in Zambia. She says that so often Africa is approached with aid as if it were one homogenous mass. The reality, she says, is that Africa is host to a plethora of different cultures, languages, traditions and stories! Therefore, we cannot ever overlook the dignity of the individual because as we have seen, the losses are tremendous. To learn more about the World Religions Summit in Winnipeg or about development tactics from a faith perspective, be sure to tune in to Catholic Focus: The Politics of Compassion tonight, Wednesday, October 6th, at 7:00pm ET/8:00pm PT. Or catch the encore presentation Saturday, October 9th at the same times.
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.