Lower Mainland welcomes Shy Catholic Conferences

Graham Osborne hosts educational conferences across B.C. from November until March

Graham Osborne

There will be nine Shy Catholic Conferences occurring at local parishes in the upcoming months. The first three will be in close succession to lead up to the start of Catholics Come Home and the Year of the Faith.

The first event takes place at Sacred Heart Parish in Ladner Nov. 17.  Events on Dec. 1 and 8 will then be held at St. Mary’s in Chilliwack and St. James in Abbotsford respectively. February will see five conferences: Immaculate Conception in Delta on the 9, Our Lady or Mercy in Burnaby on the 16, Christ the Redeemer in North Vancouver on the 17, Our Lady of Good Counsel in Surrey on the 18, and Star of the Sea in White Rock on the 23. The final scheduled conference will be on Mar. 9 at St. Ann’s in Abbotsford.

Graham Osborne reports that more conferences may be booked in the upcoming weeks. Contacting your parish priest or office will provide more information on the booking or attending of these events. To contact Graham Osborne, send an email to: grahamosborne@telus.net.

A miracle leads to a lost limb and financial battle

David Jimenez

David Jimenez sues the church after the crucifix he cleaned in gratitude fell on his leg

Delia Jimenez recovered from cancer after he husband, David Jimenez, prayed daily to the crucifix outside St. Patrick’s Church in Newburgh, New York. David, upon this miracle, offered to clean the crucifix in thanks. Sadly, this goodwill gesture turned sour when the heavy marble statue fell off its pedestal and onto his leg. Doctors were forced to amputate below the knee.

Now, the father of two is suing the church for $3 million. He accuses the priest for negligence, expressing that the statue was unstable, and that permission should not have been given. While the family received donations from the church congregation, Jimenez’s lawyer, Kevin Kitson, explained that, “the insurance company for the diocese has made collecting additional money difficult.”

Read the complete story at Mail Online.

A record-breaking number women appointed to synod on evangelization

Women comprise one-third of members

Sister Sara Butler  is among the appointed
experts. (CNS/courtesy USCCB)

Out of the 94 experts and observers appointed by Pope Benedict XVI to the world Synod of Bishops, 29 are women.

The women appointed to serve as experts will be a part of a vast resource for the over 200 synod members as “New Evangelization for the Transmission of the Christian Faith” is discussed.

The women appointed to be observers will not be the silent type; they will have the opportunity to attend all sessions and to address the entire assembly. The female appointees include university professors, sisters (some are leaders of their orders), and foundation presidents. These women will be sharing their knowledge and experience in the sessions occurring Oct. 7-28.

Catholic News Service writes a full story here. 

Abortion memorial vandalized

We Need a Law abortion display vandalized in Surrey

A private property abortion memorial was vandalized in Surrey B.C. The tossed and torn signs, which aimed to invite discussion on the abortion issues, were found Sept. 24. 

Mike Schouten, director of WeNeedaLaw.ca (creators of the memorial) said "it's unfortunate that a single invitation to dialogue about abortion results in this type of immature reaction." The signs advertized a community event to be held at the Cloverdale Public Library. This act of vandalism will in no way deter this discussion from occurring said Schouten.

 Schouten further comments at WeNeedaLaw.ca