New ministry starts up in the Downtown Eastside

Full-time Catholic Street Missionaries aim to serve the homeless, prostituted, and drug-addicted

Members of a new outreach gather at Westminster Abbey for a fast and pilgrimage to pray for their success. Photo submitted.

A new ministry to people living on the streets has sprung up in Vancouver. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.


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More guidance on euthanasia

Edmundston Bishop Claude Champagne

Atlantic Canada's Catholic bishops seem to be leaving the door open for the reception of the Last Rites and Catholic funerals for Those seeking assisted suicide or euthanasia. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.

Pro-life speaker creates documentary

Schadenberg motivated by lack of media coverage on the dangers of euthanasia

Alex Schadenberg holds up his newly released documentary The Euthanasia Deception, about the situation in Belgium. Josh Tng / The B.C. Catholic. Josh Tng / The B.C. Catholic.

A new documentary warns of what the future may be like with euthanasia legal. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.


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Christian organizations intervene in ski resort case

Constitutional lawyer Albertos Polizogopoulos

Two Christian organizations intervened Dec. 1 before the Supreme Court of Canada behalf of an historic Indigenous religious freedom claim. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.

Bethlehem documentary changes filmmaker's life

Her work covers the security wall Israel has built around Bethlehem

Executive producer Wael Kabbani stands with Sansour before a screening at the Rio Theatre. Agnieszka Krawczynski / The B.C. Catholic.

When a filmmaker travelled to Bethlehem to create a documentary about the world's most famous "little town," she didn't realize it would change her life. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.


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CWL delegation brings resolutions to Parliament Hill

CWL delegation included resolutions chair Joan Bona, president-elect Anne-Marie Gorman, legislation chair Nancy Simms and president Margaret Ann Jacobs. Deborah Gyapong (CCN).

A four-woman delegation from the Catholic Women's League (CWL) visited Parliament Hill Nov. 27-30, meeting with public officials on issues ranging from immigration to palliative care. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.

Archbishop says God invented liturgy

About 200 attend conference on 'making every Sunday matter'

Keynote speaker Father Samuel Weber, OSB.

The Liturgy was invented by God, not human beings, said Archbishop J. Michael Miller, CSB. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.


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Senate must give Transgender Bill C-16 a thorough vetting: Senator Plett

Senator Don Plett

As Senators began debating Transgender Bill C-16 Nov. 28, a Conservative Senator is urging his colleagues to give the legislation a "thorough and rigorous vetting process." For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.

Pair encourages couples to understand fertility

Billings practitioners Lisa and Dominic Price find natural family planning strengthens their marriage

The Price family poses at a park near their home in Surrey. Lisa and Dominic have appeared on TV and taught hundreds of couples how to achieve or avoid pregnancy naturally, without drugs or side effects. Agnieszka Krawczynski / The B.C. Catholic.

Women in the Western world don't know enough about themselves, say natural family planning practitioners Dominic and Lisa Price. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.


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Greek Orthodox father loses religious freedom and parental rights case

An Orthodox Christian father has lost a religious freedom and parental rights case before the Ontario Superior Court. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.

Former abortion worker tells of conversion

Carol Everett walked away from the industry after falling to her knees in prayer at her clinic

Carol Everett (centre) chats with Advokate executive director Jared White (right) and Hope for Women's Elizabeth Sutcliffe after the Nov. 17 fundraiser. Agnieszka Krawczynski / The B.C. Catholic.

A woman who managed two Texas abortion clinics and oversaw 35,000 abortions is now a vocal activist against the industry. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.

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Michel MacDonald named new director of COLF

Caption: Michele Boulva.

The Catholic Organization for Life and Family (COLF) board has appointed Michel MacDonald the agency's new director. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.

Mission to Seafarers active at Christmas

Chaplains to bring gifts to sailors

Sailors smile after being given presents on Christmas eve in 2012 in English Bay during a Mission to Seafarers event. BCC File Photo.

In order to help sailors far from their families and loved ones, the Missions to Seafarers are asking for donations so they can buy Christmas presents. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.


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Ottawa's new vocations director forms discernment group

Father Pierre Champoux, the new Ottawa archdiocese's vocations director, takes a selfie with the eight men who showed up for the first meeting of his Priest Discernment Group. Deborah Gyapong (CCN).

The Archdiocese of Ottawa's new vocations director decided to form a discernment group and Father Pierre Champoux was delighted eight young men showed up for its first meeting. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.

Duo reflects on WYD performance

Their dance routine incorporated mercy and Canadian artists

Abby Zaporteza and Celine Diaz show their moves during the post-WYD event, No Greater Love, in Surrey. The pair were one of two youth performances from Canada at WYD 2016 in Krakow. Josh Tng / The B.C. Catholic.

A Tweet on Twitter led two local dancers to represent Canada before an international audience. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.


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CCO missionaries encourage students to respond to Christ

CCO co-founders Andre and Angele Regnier at the Founders' Dinner in Ottawa. Deborah Gyapong (CCN).

Catholic Christian Outreach (CCO) missionaries not only share the gospel with university students, they invite them to respond to Jesus Christ. Thousands have. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.

Author underwent a spiritual experience

His new home inspired him to write several novels

Henry K. Ripplinger

Creative inspiration for writing can come from the strangest places. For Henry Ripplinger, that strange place was someone else's home. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.


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Government presses ahead with homosexual agenda

MP Randy Boissonnault

The Trudeau government is pressing ahead with an aggressive LGBTQ2 equality agenda through new legislation and the appointment of Special Advisor to guide the process. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.

Walking club soothes the loneliness in grief

Volunteers and attendees offer understanding and support in small-group setting

Volunteers join people mourning lost loved ones for a walk along Kitsilano Beach to help them heal. The Vancouver Hospice Society hosts the walking club. Photo submitted.

A walking group is offering an active way to overcome grief. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.


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Marrakech Climate change conference fails to address small farmers' needs

The recent United Nations Climate Change Conference (Nov 7-18) in Marrakech failed to address the needs of small farmers says a representative from the Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.

Conference to focus on refugees

Day of reflection will link to Holy Family

Men and women in religious communities as well as laity will pause to reflect on welcoming refugees and immigrants as Advent draws near. "We remember that Joseph and Mary were refugees after the birth of Jesus," said Jean-Michel Bigou of the Canadian Religious Conference. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.


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Transgender Bill C-16 on its way to the Senate

University of Toronto professor Jordan Peterson received the POGG Canada Canadian Values Award Nov. 19 in Ottawa. Shown here: POGG chairman Fred Litwin; Jordan Peterson; POGG president Edgar Simpson, and Harry Weldon, Founder of POGG. Deborah Gyapong (CCN).

Transgender Bill C-16 was sent to the Senate Nov. 18, despite an effort by one Conservative MP to have it reviewed in committee for its impact on freedom of expression. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.

Singing priest embraces God's mercy with music

Father Rob Galea performed at World Youth Day wrap-up event

Father Rob Galea speaks about his troubled history to youth at "No Greater Love," a post World Youth Day event in Surrey. Josh Tng / The B.C. Catholic.

An Australian priest who starred on the televised singing competition The X Factor shared his experiences of mercy with local youth. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.


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Bishops endorse palliative care Bill C-277

An interfaith coalition including Canada's Catholic Bishops has endorsed Conservative MP Marilyn Gladu's palliative care Bill C-277, adding to the likelihood it will pass in the House of Commons. "We feel very strongly Canadians are behind this bill, and so far it looks like we have all-party support," Gladu said in an interview. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.

Local Catholics honoured by Vatican

Pope recognizes their service to the Church

Twenty-one men and women received recognition from the Vatican Nov. 13 in Holy Rosary Cathedral. Josh Tng / The B.C. Catholic.

Twenty-one people received papal awards for their work in spreading Christ's mercy to the community. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.


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'We are called to mission': Coolidge

Parishes are called to be places of lay formation, said Katherine Coolidge of the Catherine of Siena Institute. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.

Shrine draws thousands to Slovenia's Julian Alps

Brezje is an easy train ride from Venice, Italy

Mary Help of Christians Church, the largest pilgrimage church in Slovenia and national shrine of the Archdiocese of Ljubljana, is seen here in 2012. J.P. Sonnen writes the pilgrimage to this church "requires a firm will and some sacrifice." (Copyright) Johann Jaritz.

Many pilgrims are rediscovering the traditional walking pilgrimage on some truly outstanding routes which were almost forgotten. One outstanding shrine is in the Julian Alps, named after Julius Caesar, who founded the city at the foot of the mountains. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.


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Conscience rights need not conflict with patient choice

Faye Sonier, executive director and legal counsel of Canadian Physicians for Life. Deborah Gyapong (CCN).

The legal 'right' to euthanasia need not conflict with conscience rights says a spokeswoman for Canadian Physicians for Life. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.

Local woman volunteered with the Saint of Kolkata

Days began with prayers, ended with Adoration of the Eucharist

St. Teresa of Kolkata blesses the rosary of Sharon Rempel (centre) in the Mother House in Kolkata while Henrietta (right), a volunteer from New Zealand, looks on. Photo submitted.

I went to Kolkata to work as a volunteer at Shishu Bhavan, a Home for Children, run by the Missionaries of Charity, in 1990. I had written to Mother Teresa asking to volunteer with the Missionaries of Charity. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.


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Religious freedom report notes rise in religiously motivated violence

Marie-Claude Lalonde, national director of Aid to the Church in Need Canada. Deborah Gyapong (CCN).

Aid to the Church in Need's biennial report on religious freedom calls religiously-motivated violence an emerging trend in religious persecution. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.

Students clean tombstones for service project

The children learn about the afterlife and about respect for the dead

Grade 7 students from Our Lady of Fatima Elementary School clean tombstones in Robinson Memorial Cemetery Nov. 7. The children learned about performing spiritual and corporal works of mercy in preparation for receiving the sacrament of confirmation. Photo submitted.

Every November, Grade 7 students from Our Lady of Fatima Elementary School clean tombstones, learning lessons on mortality. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.


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Trump victory raises concerns about migrant and climate issues

Ryan Worms

Catholic aid agencies have concerns about U.S. president-elect Donald Trump's stand on climate change, on migrants and refugees, and on peace in the Middle East. For full story
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Pro-lifer thanks God for mercy in troubling times

A priest noticed her tears and invited her to talk in another room

Diane Lebrun and her husband smile at home. She is grateful for God's mercy, as she survived a near-death experience and came back to her faith. Photo submitted.

A member of Our Lady of Fatima Parish is reflecting on her conversion as the Year of Mercy draws to a close. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.


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Trump victory a rebuke of elites, Canadian observers say

Canadian observers see Donald Trump's U.S. election victory Nov. 8 as a repudiation of out-of-touch elites and their institutions, but not wholesale support for the Republican candidate. "I think most people voted against people rather than for people," said Ray Pennings. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.

Grade 7s take part in youth event

Group celebrates strength in Christian unity

Members of St. Matthew's Parish in Surrey arrive for Spirit Day. Derek Juneson / Special to The B.C. Catholic.

The voices of more than 2,100 participants roared in unison through the Chandos Pattison Auditorium as Grade 7 students proclaimed their unity in the Lord. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.


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Multi-faith gathering tackles poverty

Michael Fullan

Every armchair economist in the country wonders how a country so rich can have so many people who are poor. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.

Prison ministry aids both offenders and victims

Volunteers carry the services and allow for expansion, says program coordinator

Attendees at the 12th annual CCJS development day form circles to discuss potential changes and improvements to the various programs offered. Josh Tng / The B.C. Catholic.

After more than 30 years of existence, Catholic Charities Justice Services is still growing in local parishes. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.


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Accurate euthanasia statistics will be hard to find, warns Schadenberg

Obtaining accurate euthanasia statistics in Canada will be almost impossible, leaving no way of assessing possible instances of abuse, warns Alex Schadenberg. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.

Archbishop's dinner raises funds for charity

More than $370,000 to benefit The Door Is Open, Catholic Charities Men's Hostel

Scott Small (left), manager of Catholic Charities Men's Hostel, stands with Paul Jarjabka, a volunteer at The Door Is Open and a former hostel guest. Agnieszka Krawczynski / The B.C. Catholic.

Two downtown charities are getting a big financial boost, thanks to the recent Archbishop's Dinner. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.


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Mercy must remain Church's focus after Jubilee ends: Cardinal Lacroix

Saint Paul University awarded Cardinal Gerald Cyprien Lacroix an honorary doctorate Nov. 4, recognizing his ministry of conveying the mercy of God. He is shown here with the Chancellor Archbishop Terrence Prendergast of Ottawa and the Rector, Chantal Beauvais. Photo by Sylvain Marier, courtesy Saint Paul University.

Mercy is not merely a project for one year, but the way the Church continues to reveal the loving face of God in Jesus Christ says Cardinal Gerald Cyprien Lacroix of Quebec. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.