Father Larry Richards will shoot straight to a male only crowd about reclaiming 'masculinity' in the Church
Finding Mass a little too "touchy freely?" Wondering why Jesus is portrayed as a sensitive "hippie?" You're not alone, but to change it will require a "manly" challenge.
Catholic men will continue the challenge of reclaiming their leadership role in the Church when Father Larry Richards, founder of The Reason for our Hope Foundation and author of Ignatius Press bestseller, “Be a Man: Becoming the Man God Created You to Be," presents his talk "Be a Man" at St. Mary's Parish, June 15.
Archbishop J. Michael Miller, CSB, referenced Father Richards during the archdiocese "Man to Man" dinner on Feb. 4. The archbishop echoed Father Richards' challenge to men to re-embrace their role as faith leaders in their families.
Tickets for Father Richards are $10 and available through your parish rep, or the archdiocese's Office of Evangelization.
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Ringing the bells for Sister Maria Dominica
Dominican contemplative sister is mourned
Sister Maria Dominica Roland died surrounded by members of her religious community Feb. 4 at the age of 91 at home where the sisters are building their new Queen of Peace Monastery near Squamish.
Death came at the end of a gentle decline in her 62nd year of religious life, according to one of the Dominicans.
Born to a non-practising Jewish family in Germany, Sister Roland said that she and her sister and parents began observing Jewish traditions and attending synagogue not long after Adolf Hitler and his Nazi Party came to power before World War II.
The monastery has just installed bells in the new bell tower, prioress Sister Rolf told The B.C. Catholic. The first peal of the bells will be rung in memory of Sister Dominica, she said.
Sister Roland gave a moving account of her journey from being born a Jew to entering the Dominican order in The B.C. Catholic Nov. 8, 2010 issue. Part of her story can also be read in last week's B.C. Catholic.
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| Sister Maria Dominica Roland, OP |
Death came at the end of a gentle decline in her 62nd year of religious life, according to one of the Dominicans.
Born to a non-practising Jewish family in Germany, Sister Roland said that she and her sister and parents began observing Jewish traditions and attending synagogue not long after Adolf Hitler and his Nazi Party came to power before World War II.
The monastery has just installed bells in the new bell tower, prioress Sister Rolf told The B.C. Catholic. The first peal of the bells will be rung in memory of Sister Dominica, she said.
Sister Roland gave a moving account of her journey from being born a Jew to entering the Dominican order in The B.C. Catholic Nov. 8, 2010 issue. Part of her story can also be read in last week's B.C. Catholic.
Bullied to death
Headed to the Olympics? Check out London's Catholic history
Above ground in London, England, as well as below ground on the Underground, names of stations and places are vivid reminders of the Catholic history of the city. This CNS story lists a number of places with associated websites.
Visitors to the 2012 Olympic Games might be surprised to discover the extent to which London has been marked by the Catholic faith over the centuries.
Catholics never left London, and during the 16th and 17th centuries they soaked the city with their blood, with 105 beatified and canonized martyrs dying on the Tyburn gallows, while many others were executed in other parts of the capital.
For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.
Above ground in London, England, as well as below ground on the Underground, names of stations and places are vivid reminders of the Catholic history of the city. This CNS story lists a number of places with associated websites.
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| Olympic rings mounted on a barge on the Thames River are seen in front of the Tower of London Feb. 28. London will be hosting the summer Olympic Games July 27 to Aug. 12. |
Catholics never left London, and during the 16th and 17th centuries they soaked the city with their blood, with 105 beatified and canonized martyrs dying on the Tyburn gallows, while many others were executed in other parts of the capital.
For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Longest-serving principal of St. Mark's is remembered
Father James Hanrahan, CSB, was a teacher, administrator, college founder and mentor to many.
Father Hanrahan, who died in Toronto Feb. 8, played a pivotal role at both St. Mark's and Corpus Christi Colleges at UBC.
Born in Halifax, he attended St. Mary's College in Toronto.
He joined the Congregation of St. Basil, entering the novitiate in 1944 and making his first profession of vows a year later.
He graduated from the University of Toronto with a BA in Modern History in 1949.
In June of 1952 he was ordained at St. Basil's Church in Toronto and in 1954 he received an MA in History from the U of T and a Licentiate in Mediaeval Studies from the Pontifical Institute of Mediaeval Studies in Toronto.
He first came to Vancouver when Basilian Father Henry Carr asked him to take a teaching position at UBC.
Read more about his dedication to Catholic higher education in The B.C. Catholic.
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| Father James Hanrahan, CSB. |
Father Hanrahan, who died in Toronto Feb. 8, played a pivotal role at both St. Mark's and Corpus Christi Colleges at UBC.
Born in Halifax, he attended St. Mary's College in Toronto.
He joined the Congregation of St. Basil, entering the novitiate in 1944 and making his first profession of vows a year later.
He graduated from the University of Toronto with a BA in Modern History in 1949.
In June of 1952 he was ordained at St. Basil's Church in Toronto and in 1954 he received an MA in History from the U of T and a Licentiate in Mediaeval Studies from the Pontifical Institute of Mediaeval Studies in Toronto.
He first came to Vancouver when Basilian Father Henry Carr asked him to take a teaching position at UBC.
Read more about his dedication to Catholic higher education in The B.C. Catholic.
My brother's the Pope
CNS exclusive excerpt: Msgr. Ratzinger discusses his brother, the Pope
Here is an exclusive excerpt from the English translation of My Brother the Pope by Msgr. Georg Ratzinger, which will be released March 1 by Ignatius Press.The book, originally published in German, takes the form of an interview, along with editorial commentary, by co-author Michael Hesemann.
Q. How do you address him then?
A. I call him Joseph, of course; anything else would be abnormal!
For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.
Here is an exclusive excerpt from the English translation of My Brother the Pope by Msgr. Georg Ratzinger, which will be released March 1 by Ignatius Press.The book, originally published in German, takes the form of an interview, along with editorial commentary, by co-author Michael Hesemann.
Q. How do you address him then?
A. I call him Joseph, of course; anything else would be abnormal!
For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.
Monday, February 27, 2012
Bishop Glancy recalled to Belize
New Auxiliary Bishop for Belize gets surprise announcement
Bishop-designate Christopher Glancy was just settling in at a Chicago parish staffed by his religious order, the Viatorians, after having spent 12 years in Belize in Central America, when the vatican asked him to return to become the new bishop of the nationwide Diocese of Belize City-Belmopan.
He was, he says, a "little surprise at the summons."
There is, he said, a "dearth of vocations in this country but a large lay ministry program."
The laity, he said, "don't have Mass every Sunday, but they gather every Sunday. They have great music that draws in the people. Belizeans love to sing. You don't have a Mass without singing."
Read more in The B.C. Catholic.
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| Bishop-delegate Christopher Glancy |
Bishop-designate Christopher Glancy was just settling in at a Chicago parish staffed by his religious order, the Viatorians, after having spent 12 years in Belize in Central America, when the vatican asked him to return to become the new bishop of the nationwide Diocese of Belize City-Belmopan.
He was, he says, a "little surprise at the summons."
The laity, he said, "don't have Mass every Sunday, but they gather every Sunday. They have great music that draws in the people. Belizeans love to sing. You don't have a Mass without singing."
Read more in The B.C. Catholic.
KAIROS chooses new leader
Keeping close to church roots is top priority says new KAIROS director.
Jennifer Henry’s wants KAIROS, the ecumenical social justice organization, to maintain close ties with Canadian churches.
“My commitment is to preserve the ecumenical character of this organization and I think that’s also the commitment of people around the board table,” Henry told the Catholic Register's Michael Swan.
Henry becomes the second executive director in KAIROS’s history March 12 when she takes over from Mary Corkery.
The 44-year-old Henry has actually been with KAIROS longer than it has existed.
Read more in The B.C. Catholic.
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| Jennifer Henry, new KAIROS director |
Jennifer Henry’s wants KAIROS, the ecumenical social justice organization, to maintain close ties with Canadian churches.
“My commitment is to preserve the ecumenical character of this organization and I think that’s also the commitment of people around the board table,” Henry told the Catholic Register's Michael Swan.
Henry becomes the second executive director in KAIROS’s history March 12 when she takes over from Mary Corkery.
The 44-year-old Henry has actually been with KAIROS longer than it has existed.
Read more in The B.C. Catholic.
Murder victims were failed
Hundreds march in 21st Annual Women's Memorial March
This front-page story in The B.C. Catholic newspaper of Feb. 27 shows where sympathies lie in today's world.
St. Valentine's Day was filled with bittersweet feelings of love and loss in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside as hundreds of people gathered for the 21st Annual Women's Memorial March. By 1 p.m. the crowd was growing larger every minute, with many holding up photos with the names of women who had gone missing or whose DNA had been discovered on Robert Pickton's pig farm.
Pickton is serving time in jail for the murder of six women and has been charged in the disappearance of 20 others. He has been reported as claiming to have murdered 49.
For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.
This front-page story in The B.C. Catholic newspaper of Feb. 27 shows where sympathies lie in today's world.
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| Archbishop J. Michael Miller, CSB, of Vancouver and Barbara Dowding, vice-chancellor of the Archdiocese of Vancouver, join in the memorial march. |
Pickton is serving time in jail for the murder of six women and has been charged in the disappearance of 20 others. He has been reported as claiming to have murdered 49.
For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.
Saturday, February 25, 2012
A new voice for VC
Extra! Extra!
Vancouver College is bucking the trend of dying newspapers by resurrecting their own. The B.C. Catholic talked to a group of dedicated young journalists and their teacher about bring back the VC Voice:
Despite the trend of shrinking newsrooms, media conglomeration, and newspapers folding, one publication has beaten the odds and recently returned to the printers: the student-run VC Voice at Vancouver College.
After a false start and a rocky beginning, a group of young journalists are now polishing off the 20-page winter issue of the paper, which should be available this month.
Many of the students who got involved with The Voice felt that students weren't being informed about the goings-on at their school. Linus Wan, for one, hopes The VC Voice will help rectify this.
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| The new staff of Vancouver College's student-run newspaper, the VC Voice. Photo Special to The B.C. Catholic |
Vancouver College is bucking the trend of dying newspapers by resurrecting their own. The B.C. Catholic talked to a group of dedicated young journalists and their teacher about bring back the VC Voice:
Despite the trend of shrinking newsrooms, media conglomeration, and newspapers folding, one publication has beaten the odds and recently returned to the printers: the student-run VC Voice at Vancouver College.
After a false start and a rocky beginning, a group of young journalists are now polishing off the 20-page winter issue of the paper, which should be available this month.
Many of the students who got involved with The Voice felt that students weren't being informed about the goings-on at their school. Linus Wan, for one, hopes The VC Voice will help rectify this.
Read the full article at The B.C. Catholic website.
A united look at a divided issue
Reaching across the Israeli-Palestinian divide
Salt and Light TV is expecting a backlash over their next documentary about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and how it affects innocent university students in Jerusalem. Michael Swan of The Catholic Register reports:
Father Tom Rosica knows he’s going to get letters. You don’t wade into the conflict between Palestinians and Israelis expecting bouquets of roses.
Controversy has never been a hallmark of Salt + Light TV. Since its launch in the wake of World Youth Day 2002, Rosica has consciously shaped the digital broadcaster as a voice of hope — clear, Catholic evangelism without the rancor, resentments or fear that so often mar religious television.
Read the full article at The B.C. Catholic website.
Salt and Light TV is expecting a backlash over their next documentary about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and how it affects innocent university students in Jerusalem. Michael Swan of The Catholic Register reports:
Father Tom Rosica knows he’s going to get letters. You don’t wade into the conflict between Palestinians and Israelis expecting bouquets of roses.
Controversy has never been a hallmark of Salt + Light TV. Since its launch in the wake of World Youth Day 2002, Rosica has consciously shaped the digital broadcaster as a voice of hope — clear, Catholic evangelism without the rancor, resentments or fear that so often mar religious television.
Read the full article at The B.C. Catholic website.
Anglicans home in Rome
Former Anglicans celebrate Mass in St. Peter's, give thanks to Pope
"Wonderful" wasn't a strong enough word to describe the feelings of a former Anglican bishop about coming home to the Catholic Church. He joined 90 other Anglican pilgrims who attended their first general audience with Pope Benedict XVI Feb. 22. Carol Glatz of Catholic News Service reports:
For perhaps the first time ever, Anglican hymns, chants, and prayers reverberated off the marble walls of St. Peter's Basilica as some members of the world's first ordinariate for former Anglicans celebrated their coming into the Catholic Church.
"Wonderful is not a strong enough word to express how we feel to be here," where the apostle Peter gave his life "and where his successors guarded the faith for generations," said Father Len Black in his homily.
Read the full article at The B.C. Catholic website.
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| Members of the Personal Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham in England attend Pope Benedict XVI's general audience in Paul VI hall at the Vatican Feb. 22.CNS photo by Paul Haring. |
For perhaps the first time ever, Anglican hymns, chants, and prayers reverberated off the marble walls of St. Peter's Basilica as some members of the world's first ordinariate for former Anglicans celebrated their coming into the Catholic Church.
"Wonderful is not a strong enough word to express how we feel to be here," where the apostle Peter gave his life "and where his successors guarded the faith for generations," said Father Len Black in his homily.
Read the full article at The B.C. Catholic website.
Friday, February 24, 2012
A "Bish" dish
'Dish with the Bish' delights UBC college
Recently I had an opportunity to "Dish with the Bish." However I wasn't quite aware of the amount of intellectual food Archbishop J. Michael Miller, CSB, was serving. Turned out to be a lot, but like a good meal I left full, and satisfied:
It was called "Dish with the Bish." The college dished out the food and the "Bish" dished out the insight.
For the third straight year Corpus Christi and St. Mark's College students and faculty were treated to a "dish" with their archbishop at their UBC campus. It was sponsored by St. Mark's Campus Ministry Feb. 12. Discussion focused on the Catholic Church, education, and culture.
"Canada has become a secular nation; 50 years ago it was Judeo-Christian," said Archbishop J. Michael Miller, CSB, during the Q & A that followed lunch. "B.C. has always had a more secular underpinning."
Read the full story at The B.C. Catholic website.
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| Archbishop J. Michael Miller, CSB, catches up with a young family at St. Mark's College Feb. 12. He dished up insight and advice to young Catholics as part of the third annual "Dish with the Bish" event. Photo credit: Nathan Rumohr / The B.C. Catholic |
Recently I had an opportunity to "Dish with the Bish." However I wasn't quite aware of the amount of intellectual food Archbishop J. Michael Miller, CSB, was serving. Turned out to be a lot, but like a good meal I left full, and satisfied:
It was called "Dish with the Bish." The college dished out the food and the "Bish" dished out the insight.
For the third straight year Corpus Christi and St. Mark's College students and faculty were treated to a "dish" with their archbishop at their UBC campus. It was sponsored by St. Mark's Campus Ministry Feb. 12. Discussion focused on the Catholic Church, education, and culture.
"Canada has become a secular nation; 50 years ago it was Judeo-Christian," said Archbishop J. Michael Miller, CSB, during the Q & A that followed lunch. "B.C. has always had a more secular underpinning."
Read the full story at The B.C. Catholic website.
A Catholic blog about a lot of Catholic blogs
The Busy Catholic is not alone in the blogosphere. According to Deborah Gyapong of Canadian Catholic Press, there are many Canadian Catholic blogs, and not all of them are authored by cranky priests:
Colin Kerr has discovered his “initial assumption that Canadian Catholic bloggers are a bunch of cranks didn’t add up”---but he has discovered a Canadian content problem.
The assistant professor of theology at Our Lady Seat of Wisdom Academy (OLSWA) in Barry’s Bay, Ontario has found more than 100 English language blogs in his investigation of the Catholic blogosphere in Canada. The father of five who blogs at http://thetheologyofdad.blogspot.com said he is surprised at the quality.
Read the full article at The B.C. Catholic website.
Politicians court Catholic Church favour
Mexico's political landscape more open to Church but still has bumps
Here is a Catholic News Service story which gives hope to Catholics in places where they suffer persecution.
When Pope John Paul II touched down in Mexico for the first time in 1979, he arrived in a deeply Catholic country estranged from the Vatican, with rules prohibiting priests from wearing priestly dress in public and forbidding the Church to own property.
When Pope Benedict XVI arrives in Mexico March 23, he'll find a country casting aside the old anti-clerical provisions, where the Vatican is now recognized and politicians and political parties openly court Church favour.
For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.
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| People visit a statue of Blessed John Paul II outside the Cathedral of Our Most Holy Mother of Light in Leon, Mexico. Pope Benedict XVI will visit Leon during his late March trip to Mexico and Cuba. |
Here is a Catholic News Service story which gives hope to Catholics in places where they suffer persecution.
When Pope John Paul II touched down in Mexico for the first time in 1979, he arrived in a deeply Catholic country estranged from the Vatican, with rules prohibiting priests from wearing priestly dress in public and forbidding the Church to own property.
When Pope Benedict XVI arrives in Mexico March 23, he'll find a country casting aside the old anti-clerical provisions, where the Vatican is now recognized and politicians and political parties openly court Church favour.
For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Catholic politician strives for authentic leadership
O'Neill draws on Church's treasure-trove of ideas, says faith guides his charitable and civic responsibilities
Common sense, education, and authenticity, in politics?! Well that's what one of Coquitlam's new city counselors is attempting to do, with a little help from his Catholic faith of course:
Terry O'Neill lives a life of service. This approach to life, combined with authentic leadership and common sense, has served him well, first as a journalist, then as an activist with Signal Hill, and now as a Coquitlam city councillor.
"I try to serve people the best way I can," said the longtime Coquitlam resident. "The best way to serve people is to educate them."
Read the full story at the B.C. Catholic website.
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| Coquitlam city councillor Terry O'Neill stands inside his new place of work. O'Neill won in the November municipal election with a common-sense campaign that featured some spiritual treasures. Photo credit: Nathan Rumohr / The B.C. Catholic |
Terry O'Neill lives a life of service. This approach to life, combined with authentic leadership and common sense, has served him well, first as a journalist, then as an activist with Signal Hill, and now as a Coquitlam city councillor.
"I try to serve people the best way I can," said the longtime Coquitlam resident. "The best way to serve people is to educate them."
Read the full story at the B.C. Catholic website.
Mass has 2 tables
At Mass are two tables, the table of God’s word through proclamation of the Scriptures, and the table of the altar where the Holy Eucharist is consecrated.
“We have been very much focused over the years on the Eucharist and the reception of Holy Communion, yet sometimes we’ve forgotten how important the Word of God is,” said Father Paul Moret, pastor at St. Anthony and St. Agnes parishes.
Read the full story at The B.C. Catholic website.
Priests embrace celibacy
Celibacy should be seen as 'gift of grace,' not burden, speakers say
Bishops, priests, and theologians spoke at University of Notre Dame recently about the importance of celibacy in the priesthood. Plus its historical context. Ann Carey of Catholic News Service reports:
Priestly celibacy must be seen as "a freely accepted commitment and a gift of grace," not simply a functional discipline that frees a man for ministry, the keynote speaker at a University of Notre Dame symposium said Feb. 15.
Capuchin Father Raniero Cantalamessa, preacher to the papal household, opened the Feb. 15-17 symposium with a call for a deeper understanding of celibacy based on biblical and theological roots.
Read the full story at The B.C. Catholic website.
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| Msgr. Stephen Rossetti, a psychologist who has studied the priesthood, closed the symposium with the good news that a solid majority of priests embrace celibacy as a benefit to their priesthood |
Priestly celibacy must be seen as "a freely accepted commitment and a gift of grace," not simply a functional discipline that frees a man for ministry, the keynote speaker at a University of Notre Dame symposium said Feb. 15.
Capuchin Father Raniero Cantalamessa, preacher to the papal household, opened the Feb. 15-17 symposium with a call for a deeper understanding of celibacy based on biblical and theological roots.
Read the full story at The B.C. Catholic website.
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
"Lovely art" exhibit in Kelowna
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| Caravaggio’s The Incredulity of St. Thomas. |
February is the month of love according to Hallmark. It's also a month to celebrate Okanagan Catholic artists who use their art to love God.
The art exhibition "Warm Hearts and Open Arms" will be held at Holy Spirit Parish in Kelowna, Feb. 25 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Artists representing parishes in Kelowna, Winfield, and West Kelowna, will exhibit their work showcasing faith and love.
Admission to the exhibition is free. Click here for the location of Holy Spirit Parish.
World's largest 40 Days for Life Campaign kicks off
Over 200 attend the Vancouver campaign's Mass
The 40 Days for Life campaign gets bigger and bigger every year, with 2012's the biggest yet. This year the campaign kicked off on Lent, maybe a sign that abortion could one day be left in the dust.
In its seventh year, the campaign boasts a record breaking 258 locations in Canada, U.S, England, Australia, and Spain.
Last night 40 Days for Life Vancouver kicked off their campaign with Mass at Holy Name of Jesus Church, celebrated by Msgr. Stephen Jensen.
"Great turn out! More than 200 by my count," said 40 Days for Life Media Consultant John Hoff.
The group then conducted a candle-light procession from the parish to the vigil site at 29th Ave & Heather (Children and Women's Health Centre, B.C's largest abortion provider.)
The campaign is still looking for volunteers to pray at the vigil. To volunteer click here.
Below is a video of 40 Days for Life kickoff in the abortion capital of Europe:
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In its seventh year, the campaign boasts a record breaking 258 locations in Canada, U.S, England, Australia, and Spain.
Last night 40 Days for Life Vancouver kicked off their campaign with Mass at Holy Name of Jesus Church, celebrated by Msgr. Stephen Jensen.
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| Vigil locations across North America |
The group then conducted a candle-light procession from the parish to the vigil site at 29th Ave & Heather (Children and Women's Health Centre, B.C's largest abortion provider.)
The campaign is still looking for volunteers to pray at the vigil. To volunteer click here.
Below is a video of 40 Days for Life kickoff in the abortion capital of Europe:
Art allows God's voice to be heard
Offering something beautiful for God
On Friday night, Feb. 17, 20 participants at a recent pre-Lent retreat, heard God speak to them in the darkness, bringing them into a deeper realization of who they are as resurrected sons and daughters of God.
Read more in The B.C. Catholic.
On Friday night, Feb. 17, 20 participants at a recent pre-Lent retreat, heard God speak to them in the darkness, bringing them into a deeper realization of who they are as resurrected sons and daughters of God.
The retreat at Providence Renewal Centre, Feb. 17-19, was a chance to engage in learning about prayer through "paper art" - and surrending the hurts and difficulties of life in order to make more room for God's healing to enter the heart.
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| Sister Ambrose Stachiw offers something beautiful for God |
Mission goals accomplished
Organizations get a "slice" of the Project Advance pie
From schools to special needs, the Project Advance 2011 campaign funded major projects and charitable services in Vancouver.
The archdiocese's major annual fundraising drive is often described as a "win-win" as parishes can meet their own goals while contributing to programs for the wider Catholic community.
Read more about how Project Advance benefits projects and services and organizations which serve the Vancouver Archdiocese in The B.C. Catholic.
From schools to special needs, the Project Advance 2011 campaign funded major projects and charitable services in Vancouver.
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| 2011 Project Advance poster |
The archdiocese's major annual fundraising drive is often described as a "win-win" as parishes can meet their own goals while contributing to programs for the wider Catholic community.
Read more about how Project Advance benefits projects and services and organizations which serve the Vancouver Archdiocese in The B.C. Catholic.
Statues have conversation
'Realism is back,' says sculptor of new statues for Kansas cathedral
There is still work for artists with religious themes, as this Catholic News Service story indicates.
The statues that will dominate the east and west transepts of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Wichita are taking shape.
Sculptor Rip Caswell, who works from his studio in Troutdale, Ore., was commissioned to create two heroic-size bronze sculptures as part of the cathedral renovation project. The two sculptures, "Mary and Joseph" and "The Crucifixion" will face each other from the east and west alcoves of the cross-shaped cathedral. The statues are scheduled to be installed in late August or early September.
For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.
There is still work for artists with religious themes, as this Catholic News Service story indicates.
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| A close-up of Mary, part of a larger "Mary and Joseph" statue, is seen in the Troutdale, Ore., studio of nationally renowned artist Rip Caswell, who is sculpting the work for the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Wichita, Kan. |
The statues that will dominate the east and west transepts of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Wichita are taking shape.
Sculptor Rip Caswell, who works from his studio in Troutdale, Ore., was commissioned to create two heroic-size bronze sculptures as part of the cathedral renovation project. The two sculptures, "Mary and Joseph" and "The Crucifixion" will face each other from the east and west alcoves of the cross-shaped cathedral. The statues are scheduled to be installed in late August or early September.
For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Obama protestors arrested for praying
Catholic priest and five others protest outside White House against Obama's health mandate
While it took Vancouver police five months to arrest some Stanley Cup rioters, it only took five minutes for police in Washington D.C. to arrest pro-life protesters for praying outside the White House.
That's what happened to Father Denis Wilde, Associate Director of Priests for Life, Reverend Pat Mahoney of the Christian Defense Coalition, and three others last Thursday.
“Occupy Wall Street protesters have been occupying federal property for months, but when we kneel in prayer, the police are called in and we are arrested,” Father Wilde told Life Site News, “We knew that was the risk when we gathered today, and we will do it again regardless of the risk. What people of faith – of every faith – need to do now is stand with us.”
The group was objecting the Obama administration's health mandate that would require faith groups to pay for birth control and abortion inducing drugs through their health coverage.
The Obama administration attempted a compromise shifting the costs from the employer to the insurer. However, this was not met kindly by U.S. Bishops.
"What (Obama) offered was next to nothing. There's no change, for instance, in these terribly restrictive mandates and this grossly restrictive definition of what constitutes a religious entity," said Cardinal-designate Timothy M. Dolan of New York and president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
Legal protests can take place in front of the President's home if the activists remain moving. So the police used the stationary movement of prayer to justify the arrest of the six pro-lifers.
“The faith community can never be silent or indifferent when it comes to matters of justice, human rights and religious liberty,” Mahoney told Life Site News before the arrest. “We want to make it clear to President Obama and all public officials that we would rather spend time in a dark prison cell than be coerced into complying with an immoral and unjust government mandate.”
Below is a video of arrest:
That's what happened to Father Denis Wilde, Associate Director of Priests for Life, Reverend Pat Mahoney of the Christian Defense Coalition, and three others last Thursday.
“Occupy Wall Street protesters have been occupying federal property for months, but when we kneel in prayer, the police are called in and we are arrested,” Father Wilde told Life Site News, “We knew that was the risk when we gathered today, and we will do it again regardless of the risk. What people of faith – of every faith – need to do now is stand with us.”
The Obama administration attempted a compromise shifting the costs from the employer to the insurer. However, this was not met kindly by U.S. Bishops.
"What (Obama) offered was next to nothing. There's no change, for instance, in these terribly restrictive mandates and this grossly restrictive definition of what constitutes a religious entity," said Cardinal-designate Timothy M. Dolan of New York and president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
Legal protests can take place in front of the President's home if the activists remain moving. So the police used the stationary movement of prayer to justify the arrest of the six pro-lifers.
“The faith community can never be silent or indifferent when it comes to matters of justice, human rights and religious liberty,” Mahoney told Life Site News before the arrest. “We want to make it clear to President Obama and all public officials that we would rather spend time in a dark prison cell than be coerced into complying with an immoral and unjust government mandate.”
A miracle on gridiron
Hand of God heals footballer
Sidney Crosby wouldn't call a concussion a miracle, more likely a curse. But, The B.C. Catholic encountered a family of a Notre Dame footballer, that actually thank God for a vicious hit to their son's head:
Concussions have destroyed the careers and the lives of some football players, but a concussion actually saved the life of Notre Dame Juggler Marco Marzitelli.
"I thank God for that hit," said Lucy Marzitelli, Marco's mother.
During a Juggler football practice another player and Marco had a helmet-to-helmet collision. The blow knocked Marco unconscious and caused a concussion, but it also revealed a dark secret.
"This started our roller-coaster ride," Lucy said.
Read the full story at The B.C. Catholic website.
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| Marco Marzitelli stands beside his pastor, Father Eugenio Aloisio, in his home church of St. Francis of Assisi. |
Concussions have destroyed the careers and the lives of some football players, but a concussion actually saved the life of Notre Dame Juggler Marco Marzitelli.
"I thank God for that hit," said Lucy Marzitelli, Marco's mother.
During a Juggler football practice another player and Marco had a helmet-to-helmet collision. The blow knocked Marco unconscious and caused a concussion, but it also revealed a dark secret.
"This started our roller-coaster ride," Lucy said.
Read the full story at The B.C. Catholic website.
Diverse group targets poverty
Dignity for All campaign urges focus on solutions to poverty
A diverse group of politicians gathered on Valentines Day to discuss ways to end poverty. Deborah Gyapong of CCN reports:
The Dignity for All Campaign brought Canadians from diverse perspectives together Feb. 14 to focus on solutions to poverty in Canada.
“Poverty has been a persistent issue in Canada, and in light of our recession, our current economic uncertainty, and rising inequality, it remains an issue of great importance,” Canada Without Poverty (CWP) executive director Rob Rainer told about 200 people who gathered for the event.
See the full story at The B.C. Catholic website.
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| CPJ's Joe Gunn, CWP's Rob Rainer, Senator Jane Cordy and Senator Jim Munson. Deborah Gyapong CCN. |
The Dignity for All Campaign brought Canadians from diverse perspectives together Feb. 14 to focus on solutions to poverty in Canada.
“Poverty has been a persistent issue in Canada, and in light of our recession, our current economic uncertainty, and rising inequality, it remains an issue of great importance,” Canada Without Poverty (CWP) executive director Rob Rainer told about 200 people who gathered for the event.
See the full story at The B.C. Catholic website.
Toronto has a cardinal
Pope creates 22 new cardinals, including three from Canada, U.S.
Becoming a deacon, priest, or bishop involves an ordination. Becoming an archbishop, when already a bishop, and becoming a cardinal do not; these are honours like being knighted. They do, however, involve more work, for instance, giving the Pope their opinions in writing.
Pope Benedict XVI created 22 new cardinals from 13 countries, including three from the United States and Canada, placing red hats on their heads and calling them to lives of even greater love and service to the Church.
The churchmen who joined the College of Cardinals Feb. 18 included Cardinals Thomas C. Collins of Toronto, Timothy M. Dolan of New York; and Edwin F. O'Brien, grand master of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem and former archbishop of Baltimore.
In their first official act in their new role, the new cardinals were asked to join their peers in giving the Pope their opinion, in writing, on the canonization of seven new saints, including Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha, an American Indian, and Blessed Marianne Cope of Molokai, Hawaii.
For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.
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| New Canadian Cardinal Thomas C. Collins greets seminarians at the Vatican Feb. 18. The Toronto archbishop is one of 22 prelates inducted into the College of Cardinals by Pope Benedict XVI earlier that day. |
Becoming a deacon, priest, or bishop involves an ordination. Becoming an archbishop, when already a bishop, and becoming a cardinal do not; these are honours like being knighted. They do, however, involve more work, for instance, giving the Pope their opinions in writing.
Pope Benedict XVI created 22 new cardinals from 13 countries, including three from the United States and Canada, placing red hats on their heads and calling them to lives of even greater love and service to the Church.
The churchmen who joined the College of Cardinals Feb. 18 included Cardinals Thomas C. Collins of Toronto, Timothy M. Dolan of New York; and Edwin F. O'Brien, grand master of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem and former archbishop of Baltimore.
In their first official act in their new role, the new cardinals were asked to join their peers in giving the Pope their opinion, in writing, on the canonization of seven new saints, including Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha, an American Indian, and Blessed Marianne Cope of Molokai, Hawaii.
For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.
Monday, February 20, 2012
Agape teams bring God's grace to Downtown Eastside
'Birthday bags' joyfully accepted by the forgotten women on Vancouver's notorious skid row
Broken dreams are plentiful in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside, but a beacon of hope shines through the Agape Street Ministry volunteers who offer unconditional friendship and God's love to women on skid row.
Agape teams stroll the Main and Hastings area each night handing out bags of candy with prayer cards and resource information to help women working in the area.
To get involved, call 604-215-411.
Read more in The B.C. Catholic.
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| Agape Street Ministers |
Broken dreams are plentiful in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside, but a beacon of hope shines through the Agape Street Ministry volunteers who offer unconditional friendship and God's love to women on skid row.
Agape teams stroll the Main and Hastings area each night handing out bags of candy with prayer cards and resource information to help women working in the area.
To get involved, call 604-215-411.
Read more in The B.C. Catholic.
Expressing care for the sick
Special Mass celebrated for invalids as well as caregivers
Here is a front page story from The B.C. Catholic newspaper dated Feb. 20, 2012. Throughout its history the Catholic Church has made a special ministry of caring for the sick; its founder was so besieged by the sick seeking His healing that enterprising care-givers even once took off the roof of the place where He was and lowered a sick person on a pallet to Him.
For the World Day of the Sick, celebrated each year on the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, Feb. 11, the archdiocese turns its eyes to the sick and suffering. As part of that, Archbishop J. Michael Miller, CSB, celebrated Mass Feb. 10 in Our Lady of Sorrows Church.
"This day also gives us the occasion to express profound gratitude to those of you who care so lovingly for the sick among us," said the archbishop. He said the contributions made by volunteer groups and family members show the "authentic signs" of the Gospel.
For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.
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| Deacon Pablo Santa Maria Watson distributes the Eucharist during the Mass for World Day of the Sick, celebrated in Our Lady of Sorrows Church Feb. 10. |
For the World Day of the Sick, celebrated each year on the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, Feb. 11, the archdiocese turns its eyes to the sick and suffering. As part of that, Archbishop J. Michael Miller, CSB, celebrated Mass Feb. 10 in Our Lady of Sorrows Church.
"This day also gives us the occasion to express profound gratitude to those of you who care so lovingly for the sick among us," said the archbishop. He said the contributions made by volunteer groups and family members show the "authentic signs" of the Gospel.
For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.
Friday, February 17, 2012
An interview with Dr. Peter Kreeft
Catholic scholar Dr. Peter Kreeft served up some heavy duty philosophy when he spoke to an audience at Christ the King Seminary at Westminster Abbey, Jan. 28. He also found some time to dish out a quick philosophical dessert with Clayton Richard Long.
Read about Dr. Kreeft's lecture on The B.C. Catholic website.
Read about Dr. Kreeft's lecture on The B.C. Catholic website.
Obama 'insults intelligence'
Revised contraceptive mandate prompts reaction from Catholic groups
Is it perhaps time to dump the idea that Catholics must always argue issues from a secular perspective, as though their faith isn't what drives their actions? Is this perhaps an issue on which to start making the argument that separation of church and state means that the state must stop interfering in moral pronouncements (such as that artificial contraception is not immoral), because they are the legitimate domain of the church?
A former U.S. ambassador to the Vatican and the president of The Catholic University of America were among 300 signers of a letter who called U.S. President Barack Obama's revision to a federal contraceptive mandate "unacceptable" and said it remains a "grave violation of religious freedom and cannot stand."
Questions have been raised over how the revision announced by the president will pertain to the many dioceses and Catholic organizations that are self-insured and whether it could still force entities morally opposed to contraception to pay for such services.
The letter signed by former Ambassador Mary Ann Glendon of Harvard and Catholic University's John Garvey, along with professors and other academics, and Catholic and other religious leaders, said it was "an insult to the intelligence of Catholics, Protestants, Eastern Orthodox Christians, Jews, Muslims, and other people of faith and conscience to imagine that they will accept an assault on their religious liberty if only it is covered up by a cheap accounting trick."
For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.
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| U.S. President Barack Obama makes a statement at the White House in Washington Feb. 10 about the federal mandate on contraceptive coverage. Standing next to Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius, Obama outlined a plan that would allow religious employers not to offer such services to their employees but would compel the insurance companies who provide their plans to do so. |
Is it perhaps time to dump the idea that Catholics must always argue issues from a secular perspective, as though their faith isn't what drives their actions? Is this perhaps an issue on which to start making the argument that separation of church and state means that the state must stop interfering in moral pronouncements (such as that artificial contraception is not immoral), because they are the legitimate domain of the church?
A former U.S. ambassador to the Vatican and the president of The Catholic University of America were among 300 signers of a letter who called U.S. President Barack Obama's revision to a federal contraceptive mandate "unacceptable" and said it remains a "grave violation of religious freedom and cannot stand."
Questions have been raised over how the revision announced by the president will pertain to the many dioceses and Catholic organizations that are self-insured and whether it could still force entities morally opposed to contraception to pay for such services.
The letter signed by former Ambassador Mary Ann Glendon of Harvard and Catholic University's John Garvey, along with professors and other academics, and Catholic and other religious leaders, said it was "an insult to the intelligence of Catholics, Protestants, Eastern Orthodox Christians, Jews, Muslims, and other people of faith and conscience to imagine that they will accept an assault on their religious liberty if only it is covered up by a cheap accounting trick."
For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.
Learning "we are not God" among topics from philosopher
Serving up philosophy
Winter couldn't keep Clayton Richard Long (or hundreds of others) from hearing the insightful and moving philosopher Dr. Peter Kreeft:
More than 500 aspiring philosophers braved winter conditions Jan. 28 and packed the gym at Westminster Abbey in Mission to hear Catholic philosopher Peter Kreeft.
The attention of the people was held by his insightful and profoundly moving logic. It wasn't all serious though; there were many hilarious moments, such as when Kreeft reminded everyone that through the Bible God is trying to reveal only two things: one: "I'm God," and two: "You're not," and that most people, including himself, forget about number two.
Read the full article at The B.C. Catholic website.
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| Dr. Peter Kreeft. Clayton Richard Long Special to The B.C. Catholic |
More than 500 aspiring philosophers braved winter conditions Jan. 28 and packed the gym at Westminster Abbey in Mission to hear Catholic philosopher Peter Kreeft.
The attention of the people was held by his insightful and profoundly moving logic. It wasn't all serious though; there were many hilarious moments, such as when Kreeft reminded everyone that through the Bible God is trying to reveal only two things: one: "I'm God," and two: "You're not," and that most people, including himself, forget about number two.
Read the full article at The B.C. Catholic website.
Catholics to get some freedom to speak freely again
Image via WikipediaFreedom of speech is supposed to be a two way street, however, for Catholics years of construction has blocked their side of the road. Canadian Catholic News reporter Deborah Gyapong details how Bill C-304 will allow Catholics to speak freely again in Canada:
A private member’s bill that would axe the controversial censorship provision of the Canadian Human Rights Act (CHRA) has now gone to committee for further study.
Conservative MP Brian Storseth’s Bill C-304, which would repeal the so-called hate speech provision Section 13 in the CHRA, passed l second reading by a 158-131 vote Feb. 15.
Read the full article at The B.C. Catholic website.
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Gentlemen, its time to 'man-up' for Christ
Men's night challenges attendees to 'man-up' for Christ
If you've found your parish lacking a little testosterone, your not alone. Recently I covered a men's only dinner, which focused on reclaiming the somewhat lost male role in the Church:
Men are from Adam, women are from Eve, but the way society is being observed by Church leaders in the Archdiocese of Vancouver, that natural differential has become very clouded.
"Let's face it, the last 40 years have challenged men in a way our grandfathers never would have imagined," said Archbishop J. Michael Miller, CSB, during the Man to Man dinner at St. Mary's Parish Feb 4.
Read the full story at The B.C. Catholic website.
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| Archbishop J. Michael Miller, CSB, speaks at the archdiocese's Man to Man men's night at St. Mary's Parish Feb. 4. The archbishop stressed the importance of male leadership in families and the Church. Nathan Rumohr / The B.C. Catholic |
If you've found your parish lacking a little testosterone, your not alone. Recently I covered a men's only dinner, which focused on reclaiming the somewhat lost male role in the Church:
Men are from Adam, women are from Eve, but the way society is being observed by Church leaders in the Archdiocese of Vancouver, that natural differential has become very clouded.
"Let's face it, the last 40 years have challenged men in a way our grandfathers never would have imagined," said Archbishop J. Michael Miller, CSB, during the Man to Man dinner at St. Mary's Parish Feb 4.
Read the full story at The B.C. Catholic website.
Love still in the air for these marriages
World Marriage Day celebrates strong marriages
In the spirit of the recently celebrated Valentine's Day, Ramon Gonzalez of the Western Catholic Reporter shares some lasting love stories from Edmonton:
Andy Johnson met Elsie at a dance in McLennan in late 1954. She had just graduated from nursing school in Edmonton and was serving her first year at the McLennan Hospital. He was a train conductor.
They liked each other enough to continue seeing each other. He even got transferred to Edmonton to be closer to Elsie.
“I kind of liked him,” she recalled. “He was a good dancer.”
Read the rest of this loving article on The B.C. Catholic website.
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| Couples at World Marriage Day celebrated Feb. 12 at St. Charles Church renewing their wedding vows. WCR photo | Ramon Gonzalez |
Andy Johnson met Elsie at a dance in McLennan in late 1954. She had just graduated from nursing school in Edmonton and was serving her first year at the McLennan Hospital. He was a train conductor.
They liked each other enough to continue seeing each other. He even got transferred to Edmonton to be closer to Elsie.
“I kind of liked him,” she recalled. “He was a good dancer.”
Read the rest of this loving article on The B.C. Catholic website.
An Order reform causes resignation
 Image via Wikipedia |
| Fr. Marcial Maciel LC at the ordination to the priesthood of Legionaries at Santa Maria. Father Maciel is the disgraced founder of the Legionaries and Regnum Christi. |
Malen Oriol, a Spanish member of Regnum Christi, had been offering to resign since October and did so again Jan. 24 during a meeting in Rome with Cardinal Velasio De Paolis, whom Pope Benedict XVI appointed in 2010 to oversee the reform of the Legionaries and Regnum Christi. The reform began after revelations that the order's founder, the late Mexican Father Marcial Maciel Degollado, had fathered children and sexually abused seminarians.
Read the full story at the B.C. Catholic website.
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