Stewardship ushers in new vocabulary for gift-giving

Executive director encourages spirit of gratitude

Maureen Heath and Barb Dowding chat with Michael Murphy after his talk at the
John Paul II Pastoral Centre April 12. (Agnieszka Krawczynski / The B.C. Catholic)

Michael Murphy, executive director of the International Catholic Stewardship Council, believes stewardship is not a new concept, but a way of thinking that stems from the Old Testament.

"Stewardship is a new vocabulary or language where we offer people a paradigm shift in the way people think about faith," Murphy stated.

He stressed that every aspect of a person's life, including worship, friendship, and finances, should reflect gratitude.

For full story, see The B.C. Catholic website.

Argentines drawn to World Youth Day

800,000 registered Argentine pilgrims expected

A young woman raises her arms during a Mass April 12 to mark the start of the
100-day countdown to World Youth Day in Rio de Janeiro. (Photo: CNS)

About 15 per cent of volunteers for World Youth Day are Argentine. The Catholic Register staff reports:

“The Argentinian youth and even just the people in general in Argentina have been following him so much. And I think part of it is pride because they’re proud that he’s Argentinian. At the same time he brings that hope that a lot of people have lost,” said Maria Lopez.

“I’m extremely happy… I started crying,” she said about the election of Pope Francis, adding that Argentines feel they can connect with the pontiff.

For full story, see The B.C. Catholic website.

Pope might not be big traveller

Francis's plans for encyclical, travel disclosed

A woman walks past religious icons hanging on a wall during celebrations for the feast of St. George the martyr in Rio de Janeiro April 23. St. George is one of the most popular saints in Brazil, where many believe he protects against evil. Pope Francis will travel to Rio in July to take part in the international World Youth Day gathering. CNS photo / Pilar Olivares, Reuters.

Catholic News Agency has a story about some of the Pope's plans for this year.

Pope Francis could issue his first encyclical this year, and so far he is planning only one international trip in 2013, according to Vatican press office director Father Federico Lombardi, SJ.

Father Lombardi said that he "would not exclude" the possibility of Pope Francis issuing his first encyclical "within this year," Vatican Radio reported April 25.

For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.

Fundraising effort kicked off for 2013

Project Advance assists VanSpec, Signal Hill, parish projects

Archbishop J. Michael Miller, CSB, incenses the altar in All Saints Church in Coquitlam.

Alistair Burns / The B.C. Catholic.

The commencement Mass for the 2013 Project Advance fundraising campaign took place April 6. The B.C. Catholic's Noel Ugali reports:

"Jesus is alive through us," said Archbishop Miller in his homily; pointing out that Project Advance is a vehicle for evangelization. During this "Year of Faith," we are to "Open Wide the Door of Faith," and help others.

Sister Kathy Stark, DSMP, director of Vancouver Special Catechetical Program (VanSpec) said she appreciates all Project Advance has done for her group.

"Autistic children are dependent on visual aids and experiential learning," said Sister Stark.

Read the full article here.

Artist priest turns 100

Imagination guides pastor's creativity

Rev. Paul-Emile Cote celebrates his 100th birthday at St.
Joseph Parish in Prince Albert. (Photo: Prairie Messenger)

Artist Rev. Paul-Emile Cote was the first in the Prince Albert diocese to receive a papal blessing from Pope Francis, on occasion of his 100th birthday.

Lectures, demonstrations and exhibits became part of the priest's lifestyle.

Rev. Cote often said, "I want to help Canadians become aware of the dormant artistic talent hidden in their soul."

For full story, see The B.C. Catholic website.

Do not be frightened

Pope urges Christians to remember final judgment

Pope Francis blesses a child as he leaves St. Peter's Square after his general audience. CNS photo / Paul Haring.

Catholic News Agency has a story on Pope Francis's April 24 general audience.

Christians should not be frightened of the final judgment but should let it affect how they live, Pope Francis told the 100,000 pilgrims who filled St. Peter's Square.

"Human history begins with the creation of man and woman in the image and likeness of God and concludes with the final judgment of Christ. We often forget these two poles of history, and above, all faith in the return of Christ and the final judgment is sometimes not so clear and strong in the hearts of Christians," Pope Francis said April 24.

For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.

Project Advance volunteers thanked

Archbishop Miller 'extremely grateful' for fruitful appeal

John Nixon, director of the Archdiocesan Development Office (left), poses with Archbishop J. Michael Miller, CSB; Barbara Dowding, vice chancellor; and James Borkowski, executive director of Signal Hill.

(Alistair Burns / The B.C. Catholic)

With another Project Advance fundraising campaign for Archdiocese of Vancouver underway, the volunteers gathered April 6. Archbishop J. Michael Miller, CSB, celebrated Mass for them in All Saints Church in Coquitlam.

The archbishop said Christ, the Son of God, stands for "abundance, not stinginess (or) miserliness" and He delivers a divine message: all material and spiritual gifts should be shared.

John Nixon, the director of development, pointed out the archdiocese has kept the goal at $3 million for capital projects since 2011. Last year a total of almost $7 million was collected.

The excess cash "turned into rebates: $3.7 million to parishes, a significant way for parishes to raise funds for their own projects," Nixon stated.

Read the full article here.