Children in Mass

Kids and Church: Another blessing is the title of this joyful piece on children at Mass that the Archdiocese of Toronto blog picked up on.

Calgary pro-life students need financial support

I just received a message from Sean Murphy of the Catholic Civil Rights League. He relays a note from John Carpay, the lawyer representing the pro-life club at the University of Calgary. The Faith and Freedom Alliance is a society consisting of representatives from different Christian denominations in Canada and different Christian groups, including the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada and the Catholic Civil Rights League:

You should be aware that the Canadian Constitution Foundation (CCF) is no longer providing legal representation to the Campus Pro-Life students at the University of Calgary, who are resisting the university’s censorship efforts.

Accordingly, the University of Calgary students have asked me to continue representing them.

I have agreed to do so, and am honoured by their request.

Fortunately, another registered charity, the Faith and Freedom Alliance, has decided to take on the University of Calgary students’ case by receiving donations to pay for continued legal representation for the students, and by providing official tax receipts to those who donate.

Those interested in donating money in support of campus free speech should make their cheque payable to “Faith and Freedom Alliance” and mail to the address here below.

John V. Carpay
Barrister and Solicitor
#253, 7620 Elbow Drive SW
Calgary, Alberta, T2V 1K2
Phone: (403) 619-8014
www.johncarpay.ca

Update from Chile

Chris Radziminski, former Service and Justice co-ordinator for the Archdiocese of Vancouver, reports from Chile, where 33 miners have been trapped underground for three weeks:

Hola from San Pedro de Atacama, Chile. The mine is within the Diocese of Copiapó. The Bishop offered a Mass of thanksgiving for the safety of the miners, a story about which is posted on the diocesan website: www.diocesisdecopiapo.cl.

I was struck by how gentle and humble His Grace is.  At a random daily Mass I attended before the disaster, in the cathedral of Copiapó, His Grace presided.  His Grace's chair was in front of the altar, close to the first pews.  For the homily, His Grace brough the Lectionary in one arm as he walked down the middle aisle, referring to the readings, and never teaching in the style of "you", "you", "you", but rather very softly saying "you and me", "you and me", "you and me".

Here's another story which you may have already seen, where His Grace exhorts the mine's owners to remember their social responsibility: www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/bishop-says-mass-for-trapped-miners-in-chile.

Keep Tamil refugees' dignity in mind: Archbishop Miller

Archbishop Miller has released a statement about the Tamil refugees. In the immigration debate that's now taking places he calls on the public to keep in mind the dignity of the men, women and children who have arrived here and not turn them into scapegoats in the process.

Chile prays for its miners

Former Archdiocese of Vancouver staffer Chris Radziminski reports from Chile:

It is electric here in Chile, after the discovery two days ago that the 33 miners trapped 700m underground are all still alive, after 17 days. It has been incredible to witness the whole country praying, offering Masses, etc.

Days before the disaster, I happened to be at an 8 p.m. daily Mass in Copiapó and was particularly struck by His Grace's humility and gentleness. (The mine is within the Diocese of Copiapó). His Grace continues his involvement.

You would be incredibly hard-pressed to find anyone in Chile today who does not believe in miracles.

Marian conference coming to Surrey

B.C./Yukon Knights of Columbus and Redeemer Pacific College are co-sponsoring Mary, Mother of All Christians, and Her Son’s Message for the Americas, the first Canadian/Pacific Northwest appearance of Msgr. Eduardo Chavez, postulator for St. Juan Diego (visionary of Our Lady of Guadalupe). Appearing with Msgr. Chavez are noted Marian writer Mark Shea and scholars Dr. Brook Herbert and Dr. Christine Jones.

Together they will present discuss God’s intervention in the world through the co-operation of a woman who, though like us, was given a unique place in God’s plan of salvation.

The event is Saturday, Sept. 25, at the Chandos Pattision Auditorium. Tickets are $25 for adults and $10 for students and can be purchased from Redeemer Pacific College or from Knights of Columbus Councils. Tickets can also be purchased online.

Ottawa matching Pakistan relief funds

The federal government announced Sunday that it will match all funds raised by registered Canadian charities for Pakistan flood relief. You can donate to the Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace here.

Pilgrimage in Mission

The annual Pilgrimage to Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto in Mission took place yesterday. Here are images from the day, set to music.

Montreal Catholic paper on thin ice

In fact, it hasn't been a good year at all for Catholic newspapers in Canada. Montreal's Catholic Times has a questionable future as well. It has ceased monthly publication and may close next year because of funding cuts.

Death of a Canadian Catholic newspaper

It's a sad day for Canadian Catholic journalism. The Atlantic Catholic in Nova Scotia has published its final issue. Editor Brian Lazzuri writes a final letter to the readers here.

An editor moves on, but not away

After 13 very blessed years as editor of The B.C. Catholic, it's time for a new name on the masthead.

Starting Sept. 1, I'll be leaving as editor of the newspaper to take on the role of communications director for the Archdiocese of Vancouver.

It's a job I'm somewhat familiar with. For 11 years I wore two hats, looking after the newspaper as well as the communications portfolio.

When Archbishop Miller arrived he established a separate communications office independent of the newspaper and headed by Jeff Graham.

Jeff got the office off the ground two years ago, but he's now moved on to other endeavors, and the archbishop wants to use this opportunity to enhance the office's mandate. (Just to make it a dream job, I'll stay in contact with the newspaper by serving as its editorial adviser. I'll also continue writing for The B.C. Catholic, since every dream job has to include some writing!)

This newspaper has made great strides over the past 13 years, becoming one of North America's top diocesan publications. That's all due to the support of readers, clergy and bishops, the hard work of our staff, and the protection of our Mother Mary, to whom I entrusted this paper on Dec. 8, 1997, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. (Our Lady of Editors?)

A new managing editor will be named soon. Until then please say a prayer for the Archdiocese of Vancouver, that all of us who are so fortunate to live and work here will recall the words of the Second Vatican Council — that communications, at its most profound level, is "the giving of self in love."

The end of Catholic adoptions in England

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Roman Catholic dioceses in England and Wales

Catholic observer and journalist John Allen may have called it right when he wrote recently that events taking place in the world  “both symbolize and advance the collapse of Catholicism as a culture-shaping majority in the West.”

He notes that many believe a “tipping point” has been reached in the West, in which “secular neutrality toward the church, especially in Europe, has shaded off into hostility and, sometimes, outright persecution.” 

If we're approaching the Catholic tipping point, surely the end of Catholic adoptions in England is part of the path there.

An interview with Cardinal Marc Ouellet

Charles Lewis of the National Post chats with Cardinal Marc Ouellet about his new job and about the challenges the Church is facing worldwide.

Family entertainment until Saturday

Vancouver's Theatre Under the Stars has some excellent family entertainment until Saturday, Aug. 21, reports Alan Charlton. Singin' in the Rain and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat are alternating until then.

A pro-lifer gets her day in court...again

The bizarre case of Linda Gibbons, the Toronto pro-lifer who has spent eight of the past 16 years in jail for protesting an abortion clinic injunction continues. Gibbons was in court Tuesday.

Bridging the gap between faith and works

Christopher Ruff

Twenty years ago, the disconnection between faith and works impelled Christopher Ruff, Director of the office of Ministries and Social Concerns for the Diocese of La Crosse, Wisconsin, to develop a Discipleship Series which teaches Christians how to translate Gospel teachings into works of justice and mercy.

At the invitation of the Vancouver Archdiocesan Office of Religious Education, Ruff will introduce his Discipleship Series to Vancouver Catholics on Sept. 11 from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at St. Patrick’s Parish Hall, 2881 Main Street. See the details here.

Calling all adult catechists!

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The Archdiocese of Vancouver Office of Religious Education is teaming up with the Archdiocesan Youth Ministry Office to offer a variety of programs Aug. 28 to enrich adult Catholics in their faith formation and prepare those embarking on lay ministry in the Church. Get all the details here.

Pakistan on World Humanitarian Day

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Pakistan

The CBC's Mark Kelley has an intriguing report on why flood relief to Pakistan is so minimal compared to other places, such as Haiti.

It can probably be explained a number of ways, including donor fatigue, the fact that it's a Muslim country on the other side of the world, etc. But in short, Pakistan needs help.

Here's a fund-raising update from CCODP, timed for Aug. 19, World Humanitarian Day.

Vatican.va is getting an update

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The Vatican website www.vatican.va will be getting an update, and just in time, says Britain's Catholic Herald.

Cardinal Ouellet bids farewell to Canada

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Cardinal Marc Ouellet affirmed his unqualified commitment to the Gospel as he bid farewell to the Quebec archdiocese Aug. 15. Deborah Gyapong reports from the shrine of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupre in Quebec.