'Love Is' coming as music to Vancouver

Musician Joe Zambon to perform with dance duo Project Pursuit

Joe Zambon will be playing at Rosary Hall, May 21.

Canadian folk singer Joe Zambon will be making a stop in Vancouver for his show tour across Canada and the U.S. Zambon will perform alongside hip-hop dance duo Project Pursuit, May 21.

Zambon is a self-taught musician who was born with webbed fingers. However, he requested his fingers separated at three years of age because he wanted "to play piano". After two surgeries, his fingers were separated, and he began his music career.

Project Pursuit are comprised of a local dance duo who performed at a youth festival in Krakow last summer at World Youth Day 2016. The two women represented Canada, dancing to music by many Canadian artists.

The event begins at 2 p.m. at Holy Rosary Cathedral in Rosary Hall, 646 Richards Street. Admission is free, though donations are accepted.

For more information, click here or visit the event page.

Local Eastern Rite bishop reflects on pope meeting

Bishop Nowakowski spoke on the topic of married priests

Canadian Archbishops Richard Smith of Edmonton, Alberta, Richard Gagnon of Winnipeg, Manitoba, and Bishop Kenneth Nowakowski of the Ukrainian Diocese of New Westminster, British Columbia, are pictured in front of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome March 27. The bishops were making their "ad limina" visits to the Vatican to report on the status of their dioceses. (CNS photo/Paul Haring) 

The Ukrainian Prelate of New Westminster, British Columbia, spoke with Crux about his recent meeting with the pope March 27-31. About 22 Canadian bishops participated in the meeting, discussing with the Holy Father several issues, including assisted suicide, youth, and the gathering of bishops.

"The very first words [Pope Francis] said to us were 'I understand that being a bishop is a very difficult task, and I want to thank you, and I want you to share with me what you're experiencing in your homes, and allow me to talk to you as a pastor," said Bishop Kenneth Nowakowski of the Ukrainian Diocese of New Westminster, British Columbia.

For the rest of the article, as well as Bishop Nowakowski's reflection upon the unique challenges and blessings for married priests, click here.

New leader of Opus Dei confirmed by Pope Francis

Monsignor Fernando Brana plans for a bright yet simple future for the prelature

Spanish Msgr. Fernando Ocariz, the newly elected head of Opus Dei, is pictured during a media opportunity at the University of the Holy Cross in Rome Jan. 24. His appointment was approved the previous day by Pope Francis. (CNS photo/courtesy of Opus Dei)

The new Opus Dei head prepares for his office with a simple plan for the future.

"I have the desire that the prelature of Opus Dei continues to do the good it has done and is increasingly doing in service of the world, which is really the only thing that interests us: the good of the person. The good of the person which, in the final moment, is the encounter with Jesus Christ," Monsignor Fernando Ocariz Brana told reporters.

His nomination was formally accepted by Pope Francis Jan. 23. The Pope acted "with great affection… the affection he has for us, the hope for the work the premature does in the world," the monsignor told journalists Jan. 24.

Msgr. Brana previously acted as the vicar general of Opus Dei from 1994 to 2014, becoming the auxiliary vicar afterwards. For more information, read the Catholic News Agency article here.

Christmas celebrations filled with hope in Erbil

Liberated villagers in the Nineveh Plains gather Christian spirit

Father Luis Montes, who has lived in Iraq since 2010, stands beside a Nativity scene.  A majority of villages on the Nineveh plains have been liberated from the Islamic State, allowing them to celebrate their Christian traditions once again.

Refugees are overjoyed to hear their homes have been liberated from the Islamic State (IS), and celebrate Christmas together.

The refugees, many who live in Erbil, the capital city of semi-autonomous Iraqi Kurdistan, have lost much during their lives. "Despite everything, Iraqis have lost neither their smiles nor their hope," said Father Luis Montes, episcopal vicar of the Latin bishop for Kurdistan. He has lived in Iraq since 2010, and spoke with the international charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) about the current situation in the refugees from the Nineveh plains.

"When we received the news that IS was retreating, a spontaneous celebration broke out in the refugee camps. The people went out into the streets to dance and sing, as though they did not have any other problems in their lives," Father Montes told ACN. More than 120,000 people fled their villages from the jihadist threat, and are eager to return to their homes after more than two years away.

"Nevertheless, there is still a long way to go before the refugees can return to their homes. The region is riddled with bombs," said Father Montes. The area has been "riddled with land mines" and reports of "bombs in with children's toys" have caused further delay for the returning refugees.

Father Montes noted the mines required to be cleared up and villages restored. "Approximately 60% of the homes on the Nineveh plains were burned down," he said. "Everything still needs to be done, the people have nothing left."

Nonetheless, they are happy to hear the news of their liberated villages, and many Christian refugees living in Erbil celebrated the Christmas season in an even grander scale. The houses and streets were decorated with trees and lights, and chocolate and gifts donated from all around the world were passed around the refugee camps. "I find it quite impressive to look into the faces of the children when they see the presents," said Father Montes. "Not only because of the things in and of themselves, but because people who live very far away were thinking of them."

"They know that Christians from other countries have kept them alive."

First Filipino to head U.S. diocese will supervise Salt Lake City

Auxiliary bishop of Los Angeles appointed after 20-month vacancy

Pope Francis appointed Auxiliary Bishop Oscar A. Solis of Los Angeles as bishop of Salt Lake City. (Photo Credit: CNS / J.D. Long-Garcia, The Tidings)

The first Filipino bishop of the United States will become the first to head a diocese.

The Vatican announced the appointment of Bishop Oscar A. Solis as the new head of the Diocese of Salt Lake City Jan. 10. The Philippines-born bishop, who is currently an auxiliary bishop for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, will be covering a 20-month vacant spot left in Salt Lake City by the previous bishop John Charles Wester, who was moved to the Archdiocese of Santa Fe, N.M. in April 2015.

Solis considered his role as the 10th bishop of Salt Lake City "a recognition of the diversity of the Church in America and the universality of the Church. I know what it means to be a pastor, a shepherd of a particular diocese," he told the L.A. diocesan newspaper Angelus News. "It is a tremendous blessing and a responsibility and a privilege to be a service to the local Church in the United States of America, coming from the Philippines."

For more information on Bishop Solis, visit Catholic News Agency's article here.

12 Days of Christmas Choir

Choral and organ music to fill the halls

The Twelve Days of Christmas poster. (Photo Credit: RCAV)

The lilting tones of Christmas will be visiting three local churches this holiday season.

MOTET Chamber Choir will be performing various choral and organ music leading up to the Epiphany. The concerts will feature works from Orlando Gibbons, Sir David Willcocks, and a new carol by Thomas Hewitt Jones.

The performances will be located on Dec. 30 at 7 p.m., Sts. Joachim & Ann Church, Aldergrove, Dec. 31 at 2 p.m., Sts. Peter & Paul Church, Vancouver, and Jan. 2 at 2 p.m., at St. Hilda's Church, Sechelt.

Admission to each performance is by donation. For more information, visit MOTET's Facebook page or website.

Pipeline to pull prayer from local community

Standing Rock inspires solidarity service

Protestors demonstrate at the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation against the Dakota Access oil pipeline Sept. 9, 2016. (Photo Credit: Andrew Cullen / Reuters)

Prayer unites individuals peacefully, and that's what a local Eastern Orthodox Church intends to do.

The Eastern Catholic Church in Richmond is holding a vesper to pray for a "just and irenic solution to the concerns of the Native Americans at Standing Rock, North Dakota" Dec. 4, from 6-8 p.m, said Father Richard Soo, SJ.

"The ecumenical patriarchy under Patriarch Bartholomew are very concerned with environmental issues," Father Soo said. "Pope Francis's latest document Ladauto si'  quotes the Eastern Churches extensively."

Escalating accounts of violence against protestors of the Dakota oil line has created many rallies in support, such as in Seattle, Winnipeg, and Courtney, B.C. Father Soo hopes the global support of prayer and peaceful protesting will reduce the violence against protestors, encourage the Dakotan government and corporations to engage in a real dialogue with the Sioux tribe, and for all involved to "be good stewards of God's creation, and treat others with love and respect."

"Everyone is welcome to this ecumenical event, which is cosponsored by Eastern Catholic Church, Richmond, and the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Vancouver's First Nations Office with Deacon Rennie Nahanee," said Father Soo. "It all starts with prayer, we must be grounded in the Lord."

Iraq Christians return to Nineveh

Kurdish Peshmerga fighters take back Bashiqa

Pershmerga fighters examine Al Tamera Syriac Catholic parish in Qaraqosh, Iraq after liberating the city from Islamic State. (Photo Credit: Father Roni Momika)

The Islamic State has controlled the city of Qaraqosh, Iraq, for two years. On Nov. 7, Reuters reported Kurdish Pershmerga fighters have taken back the city.

Christian liturgy has been celebrated in the Church of Mar Korkeis, marking the first time such religious activities were allowed since the town was seized in August 2014.

Refugees are eager to return to their homes, but Kurdish Peshmerga Brigadier General Mahram Yasin warned of leftover explosives and mines. "We want people to be patent and not to return here until we completely clear the area, as we want to ensure their safety," he told Reuters.

 For more information, view the Catholic News Agency article here.

MIT hosts first 'Gold Mass' for Catholic scientists

Society of Catholic Scientists hold opening 'Gold Mass'

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology. (Photo Credit: Tsuji via Flickr) 

A recently formed group of American Catholic scientists held the first ever Gold Mass on the feast day of St. Albert the Great, patron saint of scientists.

The Mass was held at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's (MIT) chapel Tuesday Nov. 15.

Although many individuals believe faith and science contradict, the Society of Catholic Scientists state that it exists to "witness to the harmony between the vocation of scientist and the life of faith."

The Gold Mass follows the tradition of Masses for other professions, such as White Masses for medical professionals, Red Masses for lawyers, and Blue Masses for police officer. It's name is derived from the hoods warn by graduates with a Ph.D. in science and St. Albert the Great's attempts at turning base metals into gold.

The article, written by Catholic News Agency, can be viewed here.

Vatican goes green, opens recycling centre

New collection system aims to reduce waste in Vatican City

St. Peter's Basilica as seen from the Vatican Gardens. (Photo Credit: Lauren Cater/CNA)

A recently announced recycling network within Vatican City goes live today.

The State Governorate of Vatican City Events Coordination announced the central waste collection point Nov. 14, which adds onto of current recycling practices.

Inspired by Pope Francis' encyclical Laduato si', the leaders of the Vatican's State Governorate said they hope the small state "can in some way become a good example of a 'green' and non-polluting state."

The system used for many years in the Vatican featured recycling and different coloured bins for appropriate waste to be sorted. The new system features a central collection area, as well as additional areas for larger construction-type waste, such as metal, and for special hazardous and non-hazardous waste, such as electronics and certain liquids.

For more information, view the article on Catholic News Agency.

B.C. parent takes school district to court after children coerced to participate in Aboriginal 'cleansing ritual' and prayer

Port Alberni mother concerned over explicitly religious ritual

An aboriginal purification ritual known as "smudging"is performed at Tekakwitha Conference in Fargo, North Dakota.  (Photo Credit: CNS/Nancy Wiechec)

The Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms has filed a petition with the B.C. Supreme Court in Nanaimo to protect parental and conscience rights, and call for government neutrality in religious matters.

Candice Sevatius received a letter from her children's school of John Howitt Elementary in Port Alberni, explaining the children would be taking part in a religious 'cleansing ritual' performed by a "Nuu-chah-nulth Member". The letter described specific beliefs of the Nuu-chah-nulth, including how "everything is one, all is connected" and "everything has a spirit."

Sevatius arrived at the school the day after receiving the letter to learn more about the ritual, but found the ritual had already occurred, and her children had be coerced into the ritual on the grounds that it was "rude" not to participate.

"This case is profoundly important. This is by no means the only instance of government authorities brazenly challenging the constitutional rights of parents and the rule of law," stated Calgary lawyer and Justice Centre president John Carpay. "Prayer and religious ceremonies have been illegal in public schools in Canada for over 25 years. But it appears School District 70 is more preoccupied with political correctness than the law."

 The petition can be viewed here. For more information on the case background or court documents, click here.

FInal Boston 'witch' a potential martyr

Last person hanged for witchcraft could be considered a Catholic martyr

Representation of the Salem witch trials, lithograph from 1892. (Photo Credit: Library of Congress)

An Irish immigrant to Boston was sentenced for witchcraft and wizardry during the final years of the witchcraft craze in 1688.

Ann Glover, an Irish Catholic, was enslaved along with her family by Englishman Oliver Cromwell during the occupation of Ireland. She was shipped with others to the island of Barbados, where they were sold as indentured servants.

She eventually moved with her daughter to Boston, where she worked as a housekeeper and nanny for John Goodwin.

Father Robert O'Grady, director of the Boston Catholic Directory for the Archdiocese of Boston, said that after working for the Goodwins for a few years, Ann Glover became sick, and the illness spread to four of the five Goodwin children. "She was, unsurprisingly, not well-educated, and in working with the family, apparently she got sick at some point and the kids for whom she was primarily responsible caught whatever it was," Father O'Grady told CNA.

She was accused of being a witch, and Reverend Cotton Mather, one of the main perpetrators of witch hysteria, brought her to the last witch trial in Boston. Because Ann refused to speak English, and only answered in native Irish Gaelic, she was asked to recite the Lord's prayer, the Our Father.

"But because it was kind of mixed in with Irish Gaelic (and Latin), it was then considered proof that she was possessed because she was mangling the Latin," Father O'Grady said.

The anti-Catholic sentiments of Mather led to Ann being hanged as a witch and an "Idolatrous Roman Catholick."
For more on Ann's story, read the CNA article here.

'Saint' Death condemned by Vatican

Santa Muerte fuelled by drug wars

A statue of Santa Muerte (Photo Credit: Toni Francois)

A skeletal female figure of death is exploding into popularity in Mexico, Central America, and some parts of the United States.

Yet despite her saintly name, Santa Muerte is not a recognized saint by the Roman Catholic Church. In 2013, Vatican officials condemned devotion to her, saying it was "the celebration of devastation and of hell."

"It's not every day that a folk saint is actually condemned at the highest levels of the Vatican," Andrew Chesnut, a Santa Muerte expert who has been studying the devotion for eight years, told CNA.

Santa Muerte is highly favoured by the criminal underworld, working class, and the marginalized of society. For more information about Santa Muerte's history and background, read CNA's article here.

Vandal martyrs several statues in Rome churches

Ghanaian man destroys saint statues in four churches

Italian police have arrested a 39-year-old man for destroying several historic statues and causing panic among tourists and the faithful in four churches.

The man entered Saint Praxedes Basilica Sept. 30 around 7:30 p.m., destroying a statue of Saint Praxedes and then beheading a miniature of Saint Anthony.

The pastor, Father Pedro Savelli, explained to Catholic News Agency, "Right away I thought it was an attack by ISIS. The man was outside himself, but thank God we were able to get him out before he could destroy everything. He said children cannot be taught to believe, using sacred images as we do."

For more information, read the article on Catholic News Agency.

Movie night with Archbishop Miller

Film viewing alongside archdiocesan prelate

Movie poster for The Vessel, featuring Martin Sheen. (Photo Credit: The Vessel)

Does your ideal evening involve movies, Martin Sheen, and Archbishop J. Michael Miller, CSB? If so, the archdiocese has the event for you. Join the Archbishop and other members of the archdiocese in the screening of The Vessel, an intense movie about the revival of a town whose passions were long forgotten.

The evening will be held at Cineplex Odeon International Village Cinemas, Vancouver, on Oct. 14, 7 p.m. Tickets are $13.

For more information or to purchase tickets, click here.

Missing Catholic priests found murdered in Mexico

Two kidnapped Catholic padres discovered killed in Mexico

Two priests were kidnapped from the low-income neighbourhood in the state of Veracruz, before being found murdered. (Photo Credit: Diocese of Papantla)

Two missing Mexican priests were discovered murdered after being kidnapped from their church in Poza Rica, a northern city within Veracruz, Mexico.

The two men were riddled with bullet wounds after being abducted Sunday. The priests, Father Alejo Nabor Jimenez Juarez and Father Jose Alfredo Juarez de la Cruz, were abducted and slain for unknown  reasons.

More information is available at Deutsche Welle.

Saint's relics tour local parishes

St. Anthony of Padua will visit eight churches

Father Mario Conte blesses a woman before one of the Holy relics of St. Anthony. (Photo credit: Tom Muscatello)

Two first class relics of St. Anthony of Padua will make an appearance in Vancouver from Oct. 5-12. The relics hail from Padua, Italy, and will be accompanied by Father Mario Conte, one of the 52 friars of the Basilica in Padua.

The schedule for veneration and Masses for the relics is as follows:

Wednesday, October 5 - Our Lady of Sorrows, veneration begins at 5:30 p.m.
Thursday, October 6 - St. Luke's, veneration is from 12-8:30 p.m., and Mass will be celebrated at 12 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Friday, October 7 - Our Lady of Fatima (Vancouver), veneration is from 12-8:30 p.m., and Mass will be celebrated at 12 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Saturday, October 8 - Our Lady of Assumption, veneration begins at 3 p.m., and Mass will be celebrated at 5 p.m.
Sunday, October 9 - St. Anthony of Padua, veneration begins at 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., and Mass will be celebrated at 8 a.m., 10 a.m., and 12 p.m.
Monday, October 10 - St. Patrick's (Vancouver), veneration is from 9 a.m. to 12 noon, and Mass will be celebrated at 9 a.m.
Tuesday, October 11 - St. Helen's, veneration is between 3-8:30 p.m., and Mass will be celebrated at 7 p.m.
Wednesday, October 12 - St. Anthony's (West Vancouver), veneration is all day between masses, and Mass will be celebrated at 8 a.m., and 7 p.m.

More information can be found at the Saint Anthony of Padua website here.

Salt+Light Media to broadcast Bishop-elect Nguyen's Ordination

Catholic Media Foundation will live stream the soon-to-be bishop's ordination Mass

Bishop-Elect Joseph Phuong Nguyen (Photo Credit: Salt+Light TV)

Salt+Light Media will be streaming Bishop-elect Joseph Phuong Nguyen's ordination on both their network and livestream channel Aug. 25 at 2:30 p.m. The coverage will include interviews of individuals close to Bishop-elect Nguyen, including Bishop Emeritus David J. Monroe of Kamloops.

More details are available at Salt+Light or their live stream page.

Meet the man building a Cathedral by hand

Spanish man promised God a chapel for his health

Justigo Gallego Martinez, a former monk who has been erecting a cathedral outside of Madrid. (Photo Credit: JMPerez, Wikimedia Commons)

Justigo Gallego Martinez has been building a Cathedral for the past 53 years of his life. He is only 90 years old.

The ex-farmer/bullfighter became a Trappist monk for eight years. In 1961 however, Gallego Martinez was forced to leave the monastery due to a case of tuberculosis. While sick, he implored to God to heal him, saying that he would build a chapel and name it after the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Lo and behold, Gallego Martinez made a full recovery, and set off to fulfill his promise in 1963. He has continued to build it ever since, despite no prior experience with architecture or construction.

For more information on his experiences building the cathedral, watch Great Big Story's short video here.

Pokemon Go attracts crowds to church

Parishes act as great locations to "Catch 'em all"

Pikachu, the electric mouse Pokemon and international mascot. (Photo credits: etnyk via Flickr)

As the wildly popular app Pokemon Go prepares for international release, parishes may see an increase of visitors looking to snag their own pocket monsters.

The app involves travelling to real life locations to locate and capture virtual Pocket Monsters in order to achieve points, items and levels. Many real life locations are tagged as Pokestops, where users can gain experience points and more items for the game.

These locations are either famous landmarks, locations based on geo-tagged photos from Google, or user-submitted suggestions from a previous geolocation game called Ingress, also created by Niantic Labs, who designed the app. Of course, these locations include churches and parishes around the world.

Though the game has yet to be released outside of the United States and Australia, there are other methods to download the game in Canada. Individuals wandering the tall grass around parishes with their phones at the ready may be simply looking to catch some Pokemon.

For more information about Pokemon Go and its effects of parishes in the United States, click here.