New Door is Open site to serve Christmas dinner

Drop-in centre blessed and opened Dec. 10 after completion of a $200,000 renovation project

Door is Open volunteers enjoy a meal in the new space after it was blessed Dec. 10 by Archbishop J. Michael Miller, CSB. Agnieszka Krawczynski / The B.C. Catholic.

Those living on the street in the Downtown Eastside have a fresh place to go for Christmas dinner this year. The new Door is Open location at Cordova and Dunlevy streets is finally complete and prepared to serve 1,000 meals on Dec. 25. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.


Also newly posted:


Atheist film critic says 'Philomena' movie is an attack on Catholics

Judi Dench and Steve Coogan star in a scene from the movie "Philomena." The Catholic News Service classification is L: limited adult audience, many adults will find the problematic content troubling. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG-13: parents strongly cautioned some material may be inappropriate for children under 13. CNS photo / Weinstein.

An atheist movie reviewer has criticized the new film "Philomena" as "another hateful and boring attack on Catholics," saying that it unfairly shows the Church as exploitative and coercive. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.

Interfaith dialogue at the U of A

Brittney White. Ramon Gonzalez / CCN.

In a bid to engage religious and intellectual diversity, chaplains at the University of Alberta have launched an interfaith dialogue among people of different faiths on campus. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.

Pope marks 77th birthday

Pontiff celebrates Mass with homeless men

Pope Francis alongside Msgr. Konrad Krajewski (second from right) and homeless men invited to the Vatican for breakfast. (Photo credit: L'Osservatore Romano.)

Earlier this week, Dec. 17, Pope Francis invited four homeless men to Mass in the Santa Marta guesthouse.  The occasion also marked the Vicar of Christ's 77th birthday; afterwards, the group of faithful sang a song to the Pontiff.

Read the full article here.

Archbishop welcomes labourer into Lord's vineyard

Father Nicholas Meisl ordained at Holy Rosary Cathedral; individually blesses hundreds after Mass

Deacon Nicholas Meisl sings a hymn before his ordination Dec. 7. "Over the past few months, people have been asking me 5, 10 times a day, 'Are you getting excited yet?'" he joked to laughter from parishioners in Holy Rosary Cathedral. Alistair Burns / The B.C. Catholic.

In the presence of 50 priests from the Archdiocese of Vancouver and an overflowing crowd of eager parishioners, Deacon Nicholas Meisl was ordained a priest Dec. 7. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.


Also newly posted:

Shipwrecked man survives underwater for three days praying psalms

Women walk in a street in a residential area in Borno State, Nigeria, May 19. One Nigerian woman had such an influence on her husband that in a life-threatening situation he prayed the psalm she had mentioned to him. (CNS photo/Afolabi Sotunde, Reuters.

After a shipwreck off the coast of Nigeria, a 29-year-old man survived three days in an air pocket in his ship at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean while constantly reciting a psalm his wife had mentioned to him during their last conversation. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.

Ordinariates must be a bridge to Christian unity, ordinary says

Four former Anglican clergy lie prostrate for the Litany of the Saints. Deborah Gyapong / CCN.

Ordinariates for former Anglicans must be a bridge to Christian unity and a force for true ecumenism says the head of the Personal Ordinariate of the Chair of St. Peter. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.

Film facts

The Triumph to return to B.C.

Pilgrims pray at a statue of Mary in 2011 on Apparition Hill in Medjugorje, Bosnia-Herzegovina. The site is where six village children first claimed to see Mary in June 1981. The Vatican ambassador to the United States reminded bishops of a doctrinal congregation ruling that it was not yet possible "to state that there were apparitions or supernatural revelations" by visionaries in Medjugorje. CNS photo / Paul Haring.

A documentary about the reported apparitions of the Virgin Mary in Medjugorje is to return to cinemas across B.C. Screenings of The Triumph are scheduled for after Christmas, according to Henry Kovacic, director of the Ave Maria Centre of Peace in Toronto. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.


Also newly posted:

Man with disfigured face recalls warmth of encounter with Pope

Pope Francis embraces Vinicio Riva, 53, during his general audience in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican Nov. 6. Riva, who is afflicted with neurofibromatosis, said receiving the Pope's embrace was like being in paradise. CNS photo / Claudio Peri, EPA.

Oreste Tornani, a man with a severely disfigured face who was blessed by Pope Francis at his Nov. 20 general audience, says he felt very close to the Holy Father at their encounter. The two met briefly after the Pope's address in St. Peter's Square, as the Pontiff spent several minutes greeting the sick who were in attendance. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.

For Canadians, it's 'Merry Christmas,' not 'Happy Holidays'

An overwhelming 92 per cent Canadians outside Quebec prefer calling Dec. 25 "Christmas" instead of the "Holiday Season," says an Angus Reid poll released Dec. 13. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.

Prisoners thank compassionate ministry volunteers

Development Day provides chance for learning, sharing, bonding

Archbishop J. Michael Miller, CSB, opens a gift from a group of inmates as a thank-you for his support of prison outreach. Photo submitted to The B.C. Catholic.

One of the greatest joys of attending the annual Support & Development Day each October for the prison ministry of the archdiocese is the opportunity to meet and hear from those for whom I volunteer, the prisoners themselves. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.


Also newly posted:


European Parliament rejects notion of abortion as human right

Martin Schulz of Germany, president of the European Parliament, walks with Archbishop Georg Ganswein, prefect of the papal household, to meet Pope Francis at the Vatican Oct. 11. CNS photo / Vincenzo Pinto, pool via Reuters.

Members of the European Parliament have rejected a report which suggested that abortion be defined as a "human rights and public health concern." For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.


Marriage proposed at Cana in Galilee

Jason Malaka asks Kristin Kopp to marry him at the site of the biblical wedding feast of Cana. Lorraine Turchansky / Western Catholic Reporter / CCN.

When Kristin Kopp read in her Sunday bulletin last Easter about Archbishop Smith's Jubilee Pilgrimage to the Holy Land, she knew she had to be there. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.

Big names snooze outdoors

Executive Sleepout raises funds for homeless youth

Participants gather outside Covenant House before their "executive" sleepout to raise money for the Catholic charity. Bob Lenarduzzi, right, and the others rasied more than $340,000. Stephanie Trimble / Special to The B.C. Catholic.

A frosty night on the streets for local executives has provided warmth for many in need. Executives from numerous companies and various public figures gathered for a night outside in the cold alongside homeless youth at Covenant House in downtown Vancouver. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.


Also newly posted:

Pope Francis named Time magazine's Person of Year

The cover of Time magazine's Person of the Year issue, featuring Pope Francis, is pictured in this Dec. 11 handout photo. CNS photo / Time Inc., handout via Reuters.

Since Argentine Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, SJ, was elected to the papacy in March and took the name Francis, his impact on the world has been enormous. Nine months later, a relatively short time for a 2-millennia-old institution, the editors of Time magazine have taken notice. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.

Euthanasia a total loss of autonomy

Dr. Larry Rados. James Buchok / Prairie Messenger.

In the Netherlands, where euthanasia and assisted suicide have been legal since 2002, at least 1,000 hospital patients are killed each year without their request or consent, according to a Winnipeg professor of medicine who is an emergency room doctor. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.

Dostoevsky controversy demystified at St. Mark's

Russian metaphysician made outrageous attacks on Catholic Church despite deep Christian roots

Dr. Peter Petro gives a lecture on Dostoevsky and Catholicism in November. He offered his insights into Dostoevsky's take on religion. Elizabeth Krump / Special to The B.C. Catholic.

"What did Dostoevsky have to say about Catholicism? He was against it. Thank you, I am done." The room echoed with laughter as Dr. Peter Petro opened his lecture on "Dostoevsky and Catholicism," the latest in a series of talks hosted by the Newman Association, a group which explores the rich intellectual tradition of the Catholic Church through guest lectures. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.

Also newly posted:

Final judgment brings comfort, despite our fears: Pope

Pope Francis greets a man in a wheelchair during his general audience Dec. 11. CNS photo / Paul Haring.

In his general audience Pope Francis reflected that the reality of the Final Judgment allows us to trust in God even if we are afraid, emphasizing also that our judgment begins each day through the way we live. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.

Filipinos' solidarity inspiring in aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan

Children play a game inside the bathroom of a house  toppled by Typhoon Haiyan in Tacloban, Philippines, Dec. 3. CNS photo / Erik De Castro, Reuters.

Touring Tacloban in the wake of Typhoon Haiyan, Ryan Worms was aware of horror and grace. "You can imagine there are bodies still underneath the destroyed houses," Worms, of the Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace, told The Catholic Register on his return from a Caritas Internationalis mission to assess the situation in the east-central Philippines. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.

Catholics get to weigh in on family issues

Pope Francis calls for input in preparation for an extraordinary synod in 2014

Pope Francis watches as a family carries Offertory gifts to the altar during a Mass for catechists in St. Peter's Square Sept. 29. Paul Haring / CNS.

In anticipation of an extraordinary synod scheduled for 2014, the Church is inviting its members to weigh in on topics such as marriage, family planning, and education for children. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.


Also newly posted:

Pope Francis proclaimed Time's 2013 'Person of the Year'

The cover of Time magazine's Person of the Year issue, featuring Pope Francis, is pictured in this Dec. 11 handout photo. CNS photo / Time Inc., handout via Reuters.

On the Dec. 11 episode of "Today Show," Time Magazine announced its choice of Pope Francis for the 2013 "Person of the Year," stating that he is changing the "tone and perception" of the Church. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.

South African leader mourned by his country and the world

Prime Minister Stephen Harper signs the Book of Condolences for the late Nelson Mandela. CCN.

South Africa's first black president spent 27 years in prison for fighting his country's racist apartheid policy, then sought reconciliation among the races upon his release. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.

Many show 'Faith in Action' at St. Matthew's

Local and international ecclesial movements set up booths and displays

A "Faith in Action" event prepares participants to go out and find lapsed Catholics to bring them home. It is also the name of a Sierra Club book which highlights faith-led environmental action. CNS.

A recent event called Faith in Action brought many different groups in the Church together in one place. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.


Also newly posted:

The most wonderful time of the year

Paul Haring / CNS.

The Vatican's Christmas tree was positioned in St. Peter's Square Dec. 5. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.

Persecuted minorities must band together to fight all oppression says activist

Falun Gong members shared stories of persecution, imprisonment, and torture at an event organized by One Free World International and Multiculturalism Minister of State Tim Uppal. Deborah Gyapong / CCN.

Persecuted minorities must band together to fight all oppression, not only their own, One Free World International founder Majed El Shafe told a human rights event here Dec. 9. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.

Upcoming events for this holiday season

Local events and services that are soon to take place this winter

DEC 13 - 15

The Tenth Church will be hosting their annual Christmas Concert. The five shows will run from Friday, Dec 13 at 8 p.m., followed by two shows on Saturday, Dec 14 at 3 and 7:30 p.m., and also on Sunday, Dec 15 at 3 and 7:30 p.m.

Tenth Church is located at 11 W 10th Avenue, Vancouver. Admission is free.

A link for more information.

DEC 17

The Westside Church will be having their monthly "Dinner of Love" on Dec 17 at the Russian Community Center located at 2114 W 4th Ave, Vancouver.

A link for more information, and how to join the Bridging the Gap Group

DEC 21

The Broadway Church is collecting donations for the 2013 "Boxes of Love" campaign. Boxes will help to provide 350 families with food and gifts for the holidays.

People are invited to volunteer to help pack boxes on Saturday Dec 21, at Broadway Church located on 2700 E Broadway,Vancouver.

Donations can be made through three different ways:

1) Writing a cheque (payable to CityReach Care Society - memo: Boxes of Love.)
2) Phoning the office (604-253-2700) or visiting in person for debit or credit options.
3) Donating online through Canadahelps on the CityReach website (with a note that it is for Boxes of Love.)

A link for more information.

DEC 22

The Westwood Community Church will be holding a candlelight service on Sunday, Dec 22 at 10:30 a.m. The day will include carols and fellowship followed by a light refreshment afterwards.

Westwood Community Church is located at 1294 Johnson St., Coquitlam.
12941294
A link for more information.

DEC 22

An opportunity to join in Christmas caroling on Dec 22 at the Vancouver Art Gallery from 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

"We sincerely invite you to join us in Christmas Caroling this year again to glorify our LORD Jesus Christ and to spread the gospel to our community in this very special season. We will be singing traditional Christmas hymns and distribute gospel tracks."

For more information, contact Joshua Chan 604-303-5778 or Jeffrey Ma 604-763-8018. Or email imak0805@gmail.com.

DEC 24

Coastal Church will be hosting two candlelight services on Tuesday, Dec 24. They will take place at 4:00 p.m. and 5:15 p.m. and will include special music, classic Christmas carols, and sounds from the pipe organ.

Coastal Church is located at 1160 W Georgia st., Vancouver.

A link for more information.

Faithful receive medals from the Vatican

Seventeen recipients accept recognition for outstanding service to the Archdiocese of Vancouver

Recipients of the Cross Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice and Benemerenti medals pose with Archbishop J. Michael Miller, CSB, after the award ceremony at Holy Rosary Cathedral Nov. 24. Front row, left to right: Mildred Moy, Lennie David, Sister Veronica Tang, SIHM, Thu Tung Nguyen, Van Thi Nguyen, Archbishop Miller, Rita Dion, Dr. Margherita Oberti, Rosemarie Wertschek, and Dr. Angus Reid. Back row, left to right: Dr. Anne Catherine Neugebauer, Michael Kim, Gerry Ayotte, Peter Ufford, Lorne Beauchamp, Neysa Finnie, and Lawrence Pillon. Not in picture: Patricia Proudfoot. Agnieszka Krawczynski / The B.C. Catholic.

Seventeen men and women known for their service in the Archdiocese of Vancouver received special honours from Rome during an award ceremony at Holy Rosary Cathedral Nov. 24. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.


Also newly posted:

Council of cardinals begins second meeting on curial reform

Pope Francis meets with cardinals Sept. 30. He has chosen eight of them to form a council which is discussing reform of the Rome curia. CNS photo / L'Osservatore Romano via Reuters.

Pope Francis met with the group of eight cardinals advising him on the reform of the Roman Curia and the government of the Church this morning, initiating the council's second meeting. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.

Quebec Holy Door marks roots of faith in Canada

The front and back of the Holy Door to be installed at Notre-Dame Cathedral. Archdiocese of Quebec / CCN.

Archbishop Gerald Lacroix of Quebec hopes the Holy Door being installed at Notre-Dame Cathedral will draw more than a million North Americans closer to their roots and faith. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.

Upcoming mass for students to take place

Archbishop J. Michael Miller, CSB , invites those attending university to a special service

University students are invited to a special mass in honour of Our Lady, this Saturday at Holy Rosary Cathedral. Photo: RCAV website.

On Saturday Dec 7, there will be a special mass for University and College students in honour of Our Lady.

The mass is open for all Catholic students, parents, and staff from public and private post-secondary institutions and will take place at Holy Rosary Cathedral.

There will be time available for confessions starting at 6:30 p.m. after which the mass will take place at 7:30 p.m. There will also be a reception following the Mass, at Rosary Hall.

A link to the Facebook event.

Renovated location will soon be blessed

The Door is Open will hold a mass and lunch for new space and for volunteer appreciation

The new site, located within close proximity to the original building (pictured here), will soon be blessed by Archbishop J. Michael Miller CSB. Photo: The Door is Open website.

Along with a blessing for their newly renovated space, The Door is Open will hold a mass and volunteer appreciation lunch on Dec 10, 2013 at from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Archbishop J. Michael Miller, CSB will be in attendance to perform mass and bless the newly renovated space.

The Door is Open organization works with the poor, homeless, and single room tenants of Vancouver, and uses their resources to work with the Church under the mandate of Catholic charities. They provide necessities such as food and clothing for those who find themselves in a difficult position.

The new site is located near the original site at 373 Cordova St E., Vancouver and will help provide aid for many in need.

A link to The Door is Open website.

Josh's battle with cancer did not hinder his faith

Hundreds of family members, friends, and students filled gymnasium for a celebration of his life

Josh Ismirnioglou (front) poses with his sister Monica, father Angelo, mother Cheryle, brother Costa, and their dog, Hope. The young St. John Brebeuf student died of cancer after fighting it for four years. Photo submitted to The B.C. Catholic.)

While many are sad that 14-year-old St. John Brebeuf student Josh Ismirnioglou has died of cancer, his strong faith has inspired the family and friends who mourn him. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.


Also newly posted:


Christmas more than a 'temporal celebration,' Pope reflects

Paul Haring / CNS.

In his daily homily on the first Monday of Advent, Pope Francis reflected on the season of Christmas, explaining that it is a time to encounter the Lord in faith, and to allow Him to renew our lives. For
full story see The B.C. Catholic website.


The house with many crèches

Linda Miller's vast crèche collection showcases over 15 years' accumulation of Nativity sets. The current count is around 250, with figurines coming from as far away as Hawaii, Alaska, Africa, Mexico, and Puerto Rico. Western Catholic Reporter / CCN.

Some people have an exercise or a theatre room in their homes; Linda Miller has a room in her Wainwright home dedicated to her vast and growing collection of crèches. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.

Late Canadian Jesuit remembered in Rome

'Brilliantly clear' philosophy of Father Bernard Lonergan (1904-84) recalled

(Father Bernard Lonergan taught at the Pontifical Gregorian University. Now a conference is being held to honour him.
Photo credit: http://www.lonerganlat.com.mx/acerca-de-bernard-lonergan/)

An international conference recently occurred at the Pontifical Gregorian University focusing on Father Bernard Lonergan's ideas. One of the speakers was Jesuit Father Michael Paul Gallagher, a professor of theology at the Gregorian. He spoke to Vatican Radio: 

"I think we're confused about truth, I think if you really pushed many people would be hard-put to defend how they believe in God. 

I think we're confused about objectivity and subjectivity, Lonergan was brilliantly clear about this having gone to the foundations.

Again I think we're very confused over how to read the evil of history, what the source of healing is. Where Lonergan would see the whole of history, what he calls the dialectic of history, as suffering from this swing, this pendulum between making a bit of progress and decline, progress and then decline again ... he specifies how what we have forgotten is the third element: redemption. We have forgotten how to bring into our thinking about history, about where history is going, that God is active in this world through us." 

Read the full article here.

Women's Conference welcomes over 800

Tomeo pans 'cafeteria Catholicism'

Teresa Tomeo (centre), keynote speaker at the event, signs books as she sits next to volunteers. Karen Murphy Corr / Special to The B.C. Catholic.

If anyone had told Teresa Tomeo in 1993 that she would one day be the keynote speaker at Vancouver's first Archdiocesan Women's Conference she wouldn't have believed it. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.


Also newly posted:

Pope's exhortation praised as a guide to Christian outreach

Archbishop Rino Fisichella, president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting New Evangelization, looks on during a presentation of "Evangelii Gaudium" ("The Joy of the Gospel") by Pope Francis during a news conference at the Vatican Nov. 26. CNS photo / Alessandro Bianchi, Reuters.

Evangelii Gaudium, "The Joy of the Gospel," Pope Francis's new document on the "joy" of evangelization, is an opportunity for Catholics to re-examine how to share the Gospel in today's world, several Catholic commentators noted. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.

African Catholic community gathers for Mass

Lively music ministry that includes drums, clapping, and hymns in a number of African languages is part of a monthly Mass in Saskatoon for African Catholics. Kiply Lukan Yaworski / Prairie Messenger.

On the first Sunday of every month, those homesick for Mass the way it is celebrated in Africa gather at 2 p.m. for a lively celebration at St. Thomas More College chapel on the U of S campus in Saskatoon. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.

'Wave of prayer' to cross the planet Dec. 10

Pope Francis joins launch of Caritas Internationalis campaign

Parishioners sort through food for needy families during Thanksgiving in Chicago Nov. 27. (Photo: CNS/Karen Callaway, Catholic New World)

A day of prayer and action against hunger around the world, organized by Caritas Internationalis, is coming Dec. 10. The Catholic News Service writes:

Nearly 1 billion people, or about one in eight, experienced chronic hunger or undernourishment during 2010-2012, according to the Caritas website.

Caritas is urging Catholics to take a few moments at noon to join the world in praying against hunger as well as engage in long-term action through raising awareness, advocacy, charitable work, or other efforts supporting food security.

Pope Francis will offer his blessing in a short video which will be released one day before the campaign launch.

Read the full article here.

Fighting saints win first AA provincial championship

St. Thomas Aquinas Regional Secondary celebrates soccer victory

The Fighting Saints' Camilo Trujillo (left) competes against Okanagan
Mission Huskies' Noah Van Demark on Nov. 20. Photo: Province website.

North Vancouver's Fighting Saints came out on top at B.C. provincial championships on Nov. 18-20. The Province reports:

Over a season in which they thrived on fighting chances, St. Thomas Aquinas' aptly-named Fighting Saints won their ultimate battle Wednesday, completing a true rags-to-riches run to top the field at the B.C. senior boys Double A soccer championships.

"We came from fourth place in our own league and we made his journey and it's been a Cinderella story for all of us, it's so crazy," said player Daniel Morello.

Read the full article here.

Stewardship Office looks to future

Leadership team meets regularly and works with an advisory board

Canada geese fly over a lake at sunrise near Clark Fork, Idaho, Oct. 27. Bishop Stephen E. Blaire of Stockton, Calif., speaking at an interfaith festival in Louisville, Ky., called for for good stewardship to protect God's gift of air. CNS photo / Matt Mills McKnight, Reuters.

The Priorities and Goals introduced on Pentecost Sunday by Archbishop J. Michael Miller, CSB, established three essential priorities for the archdiocese: Growing a Culture of Vocation, Evangelizing the Family, and Stewarding God's Gifts. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.


Also newly posted:

The 'seed of eternity' has been planted in our hearts, Pope says

Pope Francis passes a crucifix as he walks down steps during his general audience in St. Peter's Square Dec. 4. CNS photo / Paul Haring.

During his general audience, Pope Francis reflected on the resurrection of the body, explaining that we are "imprinted" with eternal life, which we are able to experience even now through the sacraments. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.

Modern states' push for equality poses challenges to Catholics: Father de Souza

Foreign workers from the Philipines pray during Mass on the International Day of Faith Nov. 17 near the end of the Year of Faith. Five days later a conference at Dominican University College marking the close of the Year of Faith heard an address by Father Raymond de Souza. CNS photo / Debbie Hill.

The modern liberal state's drive for equality and growing aggressive secularism poses challenges for the Catholic Church and individual Catholics, said Father Raymond de Souza. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.

Russians are coming, Russians are coming!

Pope–Putin summit comes during 'general warming of relations'

Russian President Vladimir Putin was 50 minutes late for his meeting with Pope Francis.

The Economist has published a frank look at current relations between the Vatican and Russia. The Vicar of Christ and Russian President Vladimir Putin met Nov. 25.

Over the Middle East, the convergence between the Kremlin and the Vatican is more substantial. In September, as Russia was about to convene a G20 summit, Pope Francis wrote to Mr. Putin appealing for an end to the carnage in Syria: "It is regrettable that from the very beginning one-sided interests have prevailed and hindered the search for a solution that would have avoided the senseless massacre..." Of course, that statement can be interpreted many ways; there may be a hint of rebuke for Russia's "one-sided" support for the Assad regime. But the Russian-brokered deal over chemical weapons will certainly have prompted sighs of relief in the Vatican.

Read the full article here.

Scots, Russians, Cypriots mark St. Andrew's feast

Since 1320, Apostle venerated as protector of the Highlands and Lowlands

St. Andrew's feast day was on Nov. 30th.

The Economist has published a recap of the various activities around the globe that were held to honour St. Andrew:

The diagonal white cross of St. Andrew was flying defiantly in Edinburgh...Alex Salmond, head of the Scottish Nationalists, used the national holiday to stir patriotic feeling ahead of next year's independence ballot.

St. Andrew's Cross (Saltire Cross) is Scotland's national flag.

Even Salmond's reaction to the Glasgow helicopter crash mentioned the saint; the politician said it was a good moment to take pride in Scotland's resilience.

Read the entire article here.