Pope: Guard against deceit of the devil

Pope Francis says we must always be on guard

Photo Credit: Vatican Radio

In October, the Pope gave a homily at a Mass in Casa Santa Marta. He underlines that Christians cannot follow the victory of Jesus over evil "halfway," nor confuse or relativize truth in the battle against the devil.

Jesus casts out demons, and then someone offers explanations "to diminish the power of the Lord," he said. The Pope focused his homily on the day's Gospel and immediately underlined that there is always the temptation to want to diminish the figure of Jesus, as if he were "a healer at most" and so as not to take him "so seriously". It is an attitude, he observed, that has "reached our present day."

"There are some priests who, when they read this Gospel passage, this and others, say: 'But, Jesus healed a person with a mental illness'. They do not read this, no? It is true that at the time, they could confuse epilepsy with demonic possession; but it is also true that there was the devil! And we do not have the right to simplify the matter, as if to say: 'All of these (people) were not possessed; they were mentally ill'. No! The presence of the devil is on the first page of the Bible, and the Bible ends as well with the presence of the devil, with the victory of God over the devil."

For this reason, he warned, "we should not be naive". The Pope observed that the Lord gave us certain criteria to "discern" the presence of evil and to follow "the Christian way when there are temptations". And, he cautioned, this is not "exaggerating".

For full homily, see the Vatican Radio website.

See "Francis: The Pope from the New World"

An in-depth documentary film on the life of Pope Francis

Photo Credit: Knights of Columbus.

"Francis: The Pope from the New World" will be shown on the CNBC network on Sunday, Nov. 3, 2013 at 6:00 p.m. Eastern / 3:00 p.m. Pacific.

The documentary unveils the personality, passion and faith of the new Pope. Shot on location in Buenos Aires, and featuring interviews with close friends, collaborators, and his official biographer - this film traces the rise of Jorge Mario Bergolio.

The film is also being finalized for DVD and should be available on Amazon.com and other outlets by Christmas.

The Spanish-language version of "Francis: The Pope from the New World" will be ready soon.



Information on future broadcasts of the documentary will be available at their website.

Chaldean Cultural and Fundraising Dinner

An evening of culture and Chaldean menu

The event will begin with a gourmet authentic Chaldean dinner. Photo Credit: www.mideastchef.com.

The Archdiocese of Vancouver will host a night of culture, history and Chaldean food at St. John the Apostle Parish on Nov. 30.

The event will start off with a gourmet authentic Chaldean dinner, followed by a video and talk on the history, and a cultural exposition.

The evening includes lessons about the Iraqi Catholic Chaldeans who, through the Archdiocese Office of Service & Justice Refugee sponsorship program, have a chance to resettle in Vancouver and preserve their ancient culture.

Doors open 5:00p.m., and dinner will be served 6:30p.m.


Tickets are $40 and can be purchased by contacting Emmanuella Kim at (604)-267-1757
or madonna2@shaw.ca.

Let's celebrate the 'Lily of the Mohawks'

Today is the first anniversary of St. Kateri Tekakwitha's canonization

Illustration by: Deacon Lawrence Klimecki.

Last year, on Oct 21, Pope Benedict XVI canonized the fourth Native American to be venerated in the Roman Catholic Church.

St. Kateri is the patron saint of the environment and ecology, as is St. Francis of Assisi.

Edmonton Archbishop Richard Smith pointed out the canonization of St. Kateri Tekakwitha was, "a sign of how special a moment this is for our country and our Church in renewing and deepening the relationship and partnership with indigenous people."

St. Kateri became a Catholic as a teenager and was baptized at age 20. Although this resulted in having to endure the hostility of her tribe, she remained firm to her faith.

She dedicated her life to prayer, penitential practices, and care for the sick and aged.

On April 17, 1680, she died at the age of 24.

The Church declared her venerable in 1943, and Pope John Paul II beatified her in 1980.

Pilgrimages at the sites of shrines to Kateri, including one at her birth place at Auriesville, N.Y., continue today.

For an excerpt from a homily by Archbishop J. Miller, CSB, given at a special Mass in honour of Saint Kateri, visit The B.C. Catholic website.

Support First Nations in local healing and education

Second collection for Canada's Aboriginal People

"Moving forward, we can envision a more promising future in which strong Aboriginal families raise their children in culturally proud and thriving communities," said Phil Fontaine, National Co-Chair of the Moving Forward Together Campaign. Photo Credit: movingforwardtogether.ca.

A special one-time collection for the "Moving Forward Together Campaign" will be held on the Second Sunday of Advent, Dec 7-8, 2013.

"Together with Dioceses across Canada," wrote Archbishop J. Michael Miller in a letter, "the Archdiocese of Vancouver is taking part in an important initiative in support of our First Nations brothers and sisters."

"It is very important," stated Rennie Nahanee, from the First Nations Ministry, "helping [First Nations people] reintegrate back into society."

With Father Garry LaBoucane, the only Catholic First Nations priest in British Columbia, "[the First Nations Ministry] hopes to bring more urban Aboriginal People back to church or for some reconciliation."

This special collection will be a "way of helping to right some wrongs from the past that had to deal with Catholic people who taught in residential schools."

"People can learn of the indigenous people of this country," explained Nahanee.

"This pew collection," said Archbishop Miller, "is not meant to fund any legal settlement regarding the residential schools, but to support local ongoing healing and education programs in the Archdiocese of Vancouver: Talitha Koum Society and Saint Kateri Tekakwitha Centre program for Aboriginal Ministry."


For more information about the campaign, visit their website here. 

Loyola wins fight over ethics course, government plans appeal

Loyola High School won its fight with the province's education department

The high school is a Jesuit Catholic institution, and did not want to teach a non-denominational ethics course. Photo Credits: CTV News.

The Quebec government is planning to appeal a superior court ruling that has granted Loyola High School the right to opt out of teaching a provincially imposed course on ethics and morality.

The private high school in Montreal's west end is a Jesuit Catholic institution. It fought an order from the province's education department to teach a non-denominational ethics course, implemented two years ago, that would take a secular approach to introducing students to a variety of religions -- from Judaism to Aboriginal spirituality.

"I think it's pretty safe to assume that we'll be appealing this ruling," said Charest.

Education Minister Michelle Courchesne added: "It is a difficult judgment that's for sure."

Justice Gerard Dugre rendered his decision Friday, and ruled that the province was violating the school's freedom of religion -- which is guaranteed by Quebec's charter of rights.

For full story, see CTV Montreal's website.

Proposed Quebec values charter violates rights, commission says

Provincial government plans to limit religious expression in the workplace

Quebec Premier Pauline Marois. Photo Credit: The Globe and Mail website.

Quebec's Human Rights Commission has ripped into the provincial government's plan to limit religious expression in the workplace, saying the Parti Québécois’s proposed Charter of Quebec Values clearly violates a host of fundamental rights.

Despite the harsh indictment delivered by the province’s rights watchdog Thursday, the PQ minority government vowed to plow ahead with the plan to create a framework for accommodation in Quebec and to impose a ban on religious symbols like veils and turbans in the workplace.

 In a scathing 21-page position paper, the commission said none of the charter of values is necessary and much of it is a clear violation of personal freedoms guaranteed under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, Quebec’s own charter of rights enacted 38 years ago and international law.

The commission says the government’s proposal confuses basic concepts like the difference between values and rights. The dress code, which is the most controversial element of the proposal is based on evidence that “seems to be more intuitive than rational,” the commission said.

For full story, see The Globe and Mail website.

The Vatican Bank takes action against accusations

The Institute for Religious Works faces relentless accusations of corruption

The bank has been accused of money laundering and lack of due diligence in allowing non-religious businessmen to hold accounts. Photo credit: Reuters.

The Vatican Bank has published its first annual report in attempt to become more financially transparent.

In the report, President Ernst Von Freyberg, said the IOR needed to be a well-respected member of the global financial community.

"The annual report seeks to contribute to the transparency which the Catholic Church, our customers, our correspondent banks, our authorities and the public rightfully expect," he said.

Mr Von Freyberg added that the bank had been "been engaged in a process of far-reaching reform" to improve its organization, compliance and transparency.

 For full story, see the BBC News website.

North Dakota: the first state to succesfully ban abortions based on Down Syndrome

Lawsuit against law that bans abortions of disabled children is dismissed

Children with Down Syndrome are more than capable of living healthy and happy lives. cerebra.org.uk.

"Abortion performed solely because of genetic abnormalities is discriminatory and devalues the lives of the disabled," said Americans United for Life President Charmaine Yoest. 

Abortion clinics have reported that they do not perform abortions based on gender or genetic defects. Although positive, the ban does not affect such clinics. Regardless, the number of children with disabilities such as Down Syndrome may be dramatically reduced because of high rates of abortion. Therefore, passing this legislation shows courageous humanity.

With the governor's signature on the ban earlier this year, North Dakota has become the first state to ban abortions based on genetic "defects" like Down Syndrome. When diagnosed before birth, such genetic abnormalities prompt couples to have abortions 90 per cent of the time.   

The state legislature approved the measure and Republican Gov. Jack Dalrymple signed it in March. 

The measure would also ban abortion based on gender selection, an issue on increasing concern in the United States has people from nations like China and India migrate to the United States and bring their cultural preference for boys with them.

For more on this story visit Life News here. 

Forcing abortions ignites national outrage

Major effort to repeal law punishing families for having more than one child

In 2012, Pan Chunyan was abducted and forced to abort her eight month old baby. Photo Credit: Sim Chi Yin for The New York Times.

Here's a story by Edward Wong that talks about China's big revenue source because of their family planning law that collects billions in fines from policy violations.

The country's family planning officials are accused by parents of abducting babies who are considered "extra" children in a household as well as selling them to orphanages sometimes for $3,000 per baby. In result, the family planning regulations are prone to abuse since local officials are often evaluated by their superiors based on how well they control population in their areas.

The National Audit Office published a report on the collection and spending of the "social support fee" after it reviewed nine provinces in China. It found that there were no uniform standards for collecting the fees and that management of the fees was poor.

BEIJING — Nineteen province-level governments in China collected a total of $2.7 billion in fines last year from parents who had violated family planning laws, which usually limit couples to one child, a lawyer who had requested the data said Thursday.

The lawyer, Wu Youshui of Zhejiang Province, sent letters in July to 31 provincial governments asking officials to disclose how much they had collected in 2012 in family planning fines, referred to as “social support fees.” He said he suspected that the fines were a substantial source of revenue for governments in poor parts of China. 

“We want to shed light on how the current family planning policy works,” Mr. Wu said via telephone. “Many are debating reform of the family planning policy. Learning how it works may help with that debate.”

For full story, see The New York Times website.

Taizé seeks God in spiritual meditation

Experience a distinct contemplative spirituality 

Participants in a Taizé prayer service in France chant with candles and icons. Photo Credit: www.taize.fr.

Taizé is going to be right here in Vancouver! Brother Emile, a member of the society, is visiting from France.

On Sept. 28, at Christ Church Cathedral, there will be a Young Adult Gathering from 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. At this assembly, there will be singing in a Taizé-style service followed by a talk from Brother Emile.

Also, at 7:30 p.m., a regional Taizé prayer service (all ages welcome) will be held at St. Andrew's-Wesley United Church.

Thousands of young adults all over the world participate in Taizé events. Founder Brother Roger described Taizé as "a community where kindness of heart and simplicity would be at the centre of everything."

The Catholic, Anglican, and United Churches are sponsoring the day's events. Anyone interested in coming should email: registrar@ctrchurch.com.

For more information, visit Taizé, Vancouver's page posted by Christ the Redeemer Anglican Church, here.

Priorities and goals, moving forward

Infrastructure renewal planning to be complete by Nov. 30, 2015

Earthquake victims buy groceries at an improvised store after an earthquake. CNS photo / Eduardo Munoz, Reuters.

Here is an update by Dan Moric on what parishes in this archdiocese are doing to improve their earthquake preparedness.

The completion of a formal "Campus Master Plan" is the primary mechanism by which a parish and/or regional high school will demonstrate completion of planning for "Infrastructure Renewal by Nov. 30, 2015."

At the time of writing, 23 parishes and/or regional schools have been in contact with the Project Management Office to initiate this process. These 23 are in various stages of completion: three have effectively completed the process, four are approaching completion, and 16 are in beginning stages.

All parishes will move forward with this task at a rate that allows for completion by November 2015. 

The full story on The B.C. Catholic website can be viewed here.

Abortion meets its end

The future begins on Sept. 25. Take a Stand for Life

Mark the beginning of the end of abortion in our city and beyond. AwakeningUSA.

Become a part of a revolutionary, "coordinated international pro-life mobilization" by participating in a vigil that will be held outside of BC Women's Health Centre in Vancouver.

With the dedication of faith filled people who have prayed and fasted during the 40 Days for Life campaign, a total of 37 abortion facilities have shut down.

The event is from Sept. 25 to Nov. 3.

For full story see the 40 Days for Life website.

Stand Strong Together

Join other women on the road to safety and recovery from domestic abuse 

Domestic Abuse Services - Our Lady of Good Counsel Society aims to provide women with practical skills to manage and cope with stressors in their lives.

Domestic Abuse Services - Our Lady of Good Counsel Society (DAS-OLGC) is a non-profit organization founded in 1995 within the Catholic Archdiocese of Vancouver.

Regardless of religious denomination, race, or creed, DAS-OLGC wishes to raise awareness about domestic abuse and relationship violence throughout the Lower Mainland through a process of educational workshops.

Starting on Sept. 27, in Surrey B.C, for 10 weeks, there is a chance to become part of a women's support group that claims to improve self-esteem, confidence, authenticity, and relationship with self and others.

For more information contact Anne at 604-585-6688 / 604-562-6357
Domestic Abuse Services' helpline is 604-640-7549/ 1-888-833-7733 and visit their website here.

Changing faiths at the Crystal Cathedral

The crown jewel of Orange County, California is now Catholic!

"Catholic on the inside, but kind of Protestant on the outside," said Duncan Stroik, professor of architecture at Notre Dame. Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times.

The County's community of 1.2 million Catholics deserved a place of worship that would match its impressive size.
"I want people to come in and be overwhelmed by the sense of God and the sense of beauty," said Rob Neal, the Orange County property developer.

The change to Catholicism, although intimidating, requires much faith.
"The worship itself is what will give it a Catholic identity," said Brother William Woeger.

The diocese bought the Crystal Cathedral campus for $57.5 million and launched a project to refurbish the complex for $53 million.

'The first Mass is said to be held in 2015,' Woeger predicts.

Towering like the Emerald City, the cathedral formerly known as Crystal sits at what  might be Orange County's nucleus, a trinity of confluencing freeways, the Angels and Ducks stadium and a glimpse of a sacred place of a different kind - Disneyland.

From that gleaming sanctuary, evangelist Robert Schuller delivered sermons that were beamed to television sets around the world. His ministry became synonymous with the megachurch, designed so the light and the breeze could stream through, a grand replica of his humble beginnings preaching on the roof of an Orange drive-in's snack shop.

The Crystal Cathedral was to Schuller what Graceland was to Elvis. Now it has been bought by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange, which has long coveted having a cathedral that sat at the centre of its vast footprint of 1.2 million Catholics.

For full story, see the Los Angeles Times website.