Faithful donate $9 million in aid

Local Catholics give $1.1 million for typhoon relief efforts

Typhoon Haiyan survivors decorate a Christmas tree amid the rubble of destroyed houses in Tacloban, Philippines, Dec. 17. Canadian Catholics raised millions of dollars to support ongoing relief efforts. Erik De Castro / Reuters / CNS.

Parishes across the country have raised more than $9 million for relief efforts in the Philippines, since an estimated 6,000-plus people died and millions were displaced as a result of Typhoon Haiyan. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.

Also newly posted:


Pope advances eight causes for canonization

Cardinal Angelo Amato, prefect of the Congregation for Saints' Causes, addresses Pope Francis during a canonization Mass in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican in this May 12, 2013, file photo. CNS photo / L'Osservatore Romano via Catholic Press Photo.

During a Monday meeting with the head of the Vatican's Congregation for the Causes of Saints, Pope Francis approved the "heroic virtue" of eight Servants of God, which now allows their public veneration. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.

Flu, despite innoculation, can hit hard

Yes, she did get her flu shot. She does each and every year. Her three children too, but Kathleen Nguyen, sacrament education co-ordinator for the Edmonton Archdiocese, was burning the candle at both ends of the day before Christmas break. On Dec. 16 she noticed she was tired, faint, fuzzy headed. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.