Underground devices fitted at 21 locations, 46 schools linked up to early warning system
Carlos Ventura, director of UBC's Earthquake Engineering Research
Facility, displays the technology going in the ground near most of the
schools in the archdiocese. Agnieszka Krawczynski / The B.C. Catholic.
Shiny new earthquake sirens and detection equipment are now plugged in to nearly every Catholic school in the Lower Mainland. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.
Also newly posted:
Pope Francis to Albanian youth: where you exist, there is hope
Pope Francis greets a young man during a meeting with children during a
visit to the church at the Bethany Centre in Tirana, Albania, Sept. 21.
CNS photo / Paul Haring.
After celebrating Mass in Mother Teresa Square during his one-day trip to Albania, Pope Francis led the crowds in the angelus prayer, urging the country's young people to live a life fully engaged with Christ. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.
Catholics urged to support national dementia strategy
Lucia Murphy turns on headphones playing a muted radio station as she
prepares Marcia LaBant for the Virtual Dementia Tour in Harrisburg, Pa.
In the background, Kate Neri looks on as Sister Maria Theresa Hronec, a
member of the Sisters of Sts. Cyril and Methodius, places plastic
inserts in her shoes as part of the experiment. CNS photo / Chris
Heisey, Catholic Witness.
An Ottawa Catholic husband and father whose wife suffers a rare, early onset form of dementia hopes Canada's bishops will help advance a national dementia strategy. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.
Free clothing, lunches, and haircuts given out at Crab Park
Two volunteers help a woman find clothing in her size during Providence in the Park Sept. 27. (Photo: Agnieszka Krawczynski / The B.C. Catholic)
On one of the last few warm days of the year, Providence Health Care set up an outdoor offering of clothing and lunches for Downtown Eastside residents at Crab Park Sept. 27.
The non-profit health organization, which runs three hospitals and four care homes, holds the event bi-annually. Usually set up at Oppenheimer Park, it was moved to another location because of a dispute between the homeless and the city.
Oppenheimer Park has been full of tents for the past three months, its campers calling for more support for the homeless while the city tries to order them to pack up. A B.C. Supreme Court judge will hand down a decision on that tomorrow.
A prairie-born singer-songwriter is performing music inspired by her Catholic faith as she tours western Canada. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.
Also newly posted:
Pope Francis: no one can use religion as a pretext for violence
Pope Francis speaks with government authorities at the presidential
palace in Tirana, Albania, Sept. 21. CNS photo / Paul Haring.
Pope Francis opened his trip to Albania praising the "coexistence" between members of different faiths in the country, while condemning those who "consider themselves to be the 'armour' of God while planning and carrying out acts of violence and oppression." For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.
CCCB plenary aims at being a source of renewal for bishops
CCCB President Archbishop Durocher in procession to Notre Dame de Grace
for the Pontifical MAss Sept. 14 marking the parish's 350th anniversary.
Behind him is the Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Luigi Bonazzi and
Cardinal Gerald Cyprien Lacroix, Archbishop of Quebec. Deborah Gyapong
(CCN).
The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) annual plenary Sept. 15-19 became a time of renewal for the bishops, a goal of CCCB executive said the Conference's president. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.
Archdiocese brings in resources for parents, children, ministry leaders, from Texas-based group
Members of the Texas-based group Praesidium pause for a picture at the
Vatican. Praesidium works with dioceses to train clergy and laity to
root out abuse. Photo submitted.
The Archdiocese of Vancouver is working with a Texas-based group to train parents, children, and ministry leaders in ways to root out abuse. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.
Also newly posted:
Sts. John XXIII, John Paul II added to General Roman Calendar
Pope John Paul II, now Pope St. John Paul II, greets Ecumenical
Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople aboard a train taking religious
leaders to Assisi, Italy, for a spiritual summit for peace in this Jan.
24, 2002, file photo. CNS photo / Vatican.
The Congregation for Divine Worship on Thursday added Saints John XXIII and John Paul II to the universal calendar of the modern Roman rite, with both their feasts observed during October. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.
Archbishop Roche stresses reverent liturgies and good homilies at CCCB plenary
CCCB Vice President Bishop Douglas Crosby of Hamilton; Archbishop
Arthur Roche, secretary of the Congregation for Divine Worship and
Discipline of the Sacraments; and CCCB president Archbishop Paul-Andre
Durocher of Gatineau after presenting Archbishop Roche with a copy of
the new Lectionary for Mass.
Reverent liturgical celebrations and good homilies play a key role in the Church's missionary rebirth the secretary of the Congregation for Divine Worship told Canada's bishops Sept. 15. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.
Bishop Alvaro del Portillo to be beatified Sept. 27 in Madrid
Click on the Youtube video link above to relive the life of the successor to St. Josemaria Escriva. (Video courtesy of http://www.opusdei.org/en-us/video/alvaro-del-portillo-in-3-minutes/)
Club has faced opposition after hosting the Silent No More Awareness Campaign and Choice Chain
Three fetal models, like the ones pictured here, were stolen from the
pro-life group Youth Protecting Youth Sept. 10. A member of the
University of Victoria group said they encounter hostility on campus
from time to time. Photo submitted.
A pro-life club at the University of Victoria has filed a police report after three fetal models were stolen. Vandals also dumped used cat litter on their display. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.
Also newly posted:
Pope Francis prays, issues strong appeal for Ebola victims
Pope Francis greets the crowd as he arrives to lead his general audience
in St. Peter's Square Sept. 24. CNS photo / Paul Haring.
Pope Francis made an appeal for prayer and aid for the victims of the Ebola outbreak which has been sweeping through several West African countries. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.
Ecumenical partners share experiences of dialogue with Catholic Church
Gail Allan, a member of the United Church / Roman Catholic dialogue;
Quebec Anglican Bishop Dennis Drainville of the Anglican / Roman
Catholic dialogue; Rev. David Freeman, a Baptist member of the
Evangelical / Catholic dialogue; CCC general secretary Karen Hamilton;
Regina Archbishop Daniel Bohan; Romanian Orthodox member Adriana Bara,
who heads the Canadian Centre for Ecumenism in Montreal and is part of
the Orthodox / Roman Catholic dialogue. Deborah Gyapong (CCN).
Regina Archbishop Daniel Bohan said one of the Second Vatican Council's principal concerns was ecumenism, yet 50 years later Christians are still divided. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.
CNS, self-proclaimed "top Catholic news outlet in the world," and CNA, which calls itself "one of the fastest-growing Catholic news providers to the English speaking world," have increased access to up-to-date articles, photos, and videos.
Both free apps are available for iOS (CNS / CNA) and Android (CNS / CNA) devices.
Cancer patients receive warm yarn and prayers, thanks to prayer-shawl ministry
Prayer shawls created by knitters from St. Clare of Assisi Parish are
wrapped with a prayer card and a medal of St. Peregrine, patron saint of
cancer patients. Pastor Father Craig Scott blesses them before they
delivered to homes or hospitals. Photo submitted.
Prayers and cozy knit shawls are comforting parishioners suffering from cancer, thanks to a new ministry set up at St. Clare of Assisi Parish. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.
Also newly posted:
Pope Francis uses fast-track move to canonize first Sri Lankan
People from Sri Lanka attend a Mass in St. Peter's Basilica at the
Vatican in February. After the Mass, Pope Francis greeted an estimated
12,000 Sri Lankans living in Italy who were in attendance. CNS photo /
Paul Haring.
Blessed Joseph Vaz will soon become Sri Lanka's first saint after Pope Francis Sept. 17 advanced his cause for canonization by waiving the requirement for a second miracle. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.
Canadian bishops share results of Extraordinary Synod consultation
Italian Cardinal Lorenzo Baldisseri, general secretary of the Synod of
Bishops, leaves a meeting of cardinals in the synod hall at the Vatican
in this Feb. 20 file photo. Cardinal Baldisseri will help oversee the
proceedings during the extraordinary Synod of Bishops on the family at
the Vatican Oct. 5-19. CNS photo / Paul Haring.
Canada's bishops meeting in plenary here Sept. 15-19 heard differing perspectives from four dioceses on the working document, or Instrumentum Laboris, for the upcoming Synod on the Family. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.
Archbishop Miller bestows medallions on 102 youth for their hard work, sacrifice
Archbishop J. Michael Miller, CSB, poses with 102 altar servers outside
St. Patrick's Church in Vancouver Sept. 6. "Serving Holy Mass is an
activity that goes beyond youth," he proclaimed during the ninth annual
Archbishop's Altar Servers awards. The prelate also thanked the parents
in attendance, since without "your willingness and encouragement, your
children would not be here." Alistair Burns / The B.C. Catholic.
Usually altar servers are solemn-faced during Mass. But many youthful faces lit up with eager smiles in front of pastors, friends, and family Sept. 6. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.
Also newly posted:
Curia reform advances as cardinals, minors protection group meet
Cardinals hold candles as Pope Francis celebrates the Easter Vigil in
St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican in April. CNS photo / Paul Haring.
As Pope Francis's council of cardinals for curia reform gather this week in Rome, the newly-created Pontifical Commission for Protection for minors will soon meet to finish creating its statutes. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.
Cardinal Ortega shares experiences of building the church in Cuba with Canadian bishops
Cardinal Jaime Ortega, Archbishop of Havana, celebrated a Pontifical
Mass as Papal Legate to mark the 350th anniversary of the first North
American parish outside the Spanish Colonies Sept. 14 at Quebec's Notre
Dame de Quebec cathedral. He addressed the plenary of the Canadian
Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) on Sept. 16 in Beaupre, Quebec.
Deborah Gyapong (CCN).
Cardinal Jaime Ortega of Havana shared an old slogan with Canada's bishops Sept. 16 that helped renew the Catholic Church in Cuba before the revolution. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.
Mount Angel Abbey in Oregon made a new foundation in 1939
Daily Mass has been sung in Gregorian chant in the monastery since it was founded. Photo submitted.
The diamond (75th) jubilee of the foundation of Westminster Abbey, on Sunday, Sept. 14, the Feast of the Holy Cross, was a day of gratitude and remembrance. After sung Mass at 10 a.m. and Midday Prayer, there was lunch, then a program of celebration. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.
Also newly posted:
Pope's visit will change Philippines, Cardinal Tagle hopes
Filipino boys walk along a dike near Manila, Philippines, July 29.
Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle announced during a press conference that
Pope Francis will visit the island nation Jan. 15-19 and is likely to
visit victims of Typhoon Haiyan. CNS photo / Ritchie B. Tongo, EPA.
Pope Francis's visit to the Philippines in January will be an opportunity to lead the Church in the country down "new roads in the faith and in the mission," said Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle of Manila. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.
Nuncio offers vision of hope rooted in prayer and communion
CCCB President Archbishop Paul-Andre Durocher of Gatineau gives
Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Luigi Bonazzi a copy of the new Lectionary
for Mass: Ritual Masses, Masses for Various Needs and Occasions, Votive
Masses, and Masses for the Dead. It was launched at the plenary meeting
Sept. 15. Deborah Gyapong (CCN).
The apostolic nuncio offered Canada's bishops Sept. 15 a vision of hope for a missionary Church rooted in prayer and communion. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.
Making friends with Catholics from other countries gives hope, renews spirits
Winetta Lee (right) poses with a friend before the statue of Christ the
Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. She considers World Youth Day a time
of surrender and discernment. Photo submitted.
Having attended two World Youth Days, my heart is ready to embark on yet another journey, this one to Krakow, Poland, for WYD 2016. World Youth Days are life-changing! That sounds a bit of a cliche, but it's true. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.
Also newly posted:
True Christians aren't elitist, they generate life, Pope says
Pope Francis waves as he leaves his general audience in St. Peter's Square. CNS photo / Paul Haring.
At his weekly general audience Pope Francis spoke on what it means to evangelize, calling it apostolic work born of an encounter with Christ rather than lifeless efforts from the self-appointed "elect." For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.
Bishops to launch national strategy to combat euthanasia
Archbishop Arthur Roche, secretary of the Congregation for Divine
Worship in Rome, addressed the CCCB annual plenary Sept. 15. Deborah
Gyapong (CCN).
At the annual plenary meeting of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, the CCCB president announced the launch of a national strategy to fight the push for euthanasia. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.
A group of pastors and academics will convene in Seattle to discuss the unique challenges facing Christians in B.C., Oregon, and Washington. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.
Also newly posted:
No scandal here: the 20 couples married by Pope Francis were legit
Pope Francis celebrates the marriage rite for 20 couples during a Mass
in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican Sept. 14. CNS photo / Stefano
Spaziani.
Pope Francis's witnessing of marriages between Catholics who have cohabited or who have had annulments of previous marriages is not a change, but is part of the Church's effort to bring people to Jesus Christ, said two experts on Christian marriage. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.
Archbishop Weisgerber stresses urgency of aboriginal issues
Governor General David Johnston invested Archbishop James Weisgerber as
an Officer of the Order of Canada Sept. 12. Photo by Sergeant Ronald
Duchesne, Photographer to the Governor General. (CCN).
Archbishop-emeritus James Weisgerber of Winnipeg stressed the urgency of finding a just solution to the plight of aboriginal peoples, warning of potential violence. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.
Bishop Gary Gordon was installed as the 17th bishop of Victoria in St.
Andrew's Cathedral Aug. 28. He said Pope Francis has invited us to "be
missionary with our feet." Diocese of Victoria photo.
The new shepherd of the oldest diocese west of Toronto has issued a challenge to his Vancouver Island flock: revive your apostolic dynamism! For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.
Also newly posted:
Vatican confirms papal trip to Turkey in November
Demonstrators at the Israeli Embassy in Ankara, Turkey, pause for prayer
during a protest July 18 against Israel's military action in Gaza. Pope
Francis had also urged all sides to end hostilities and build peace.
CNS photo / Umit Bektas, Reuters.
A statement released by the Vatican has confirmed that Pope Francis will visit Turkey in November, where he is expected to participate in celebrations for the orthodox feast of St. Andrew. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.
Rock the Mount continues to inspire
Brother Stephen Predy, OSB, portrayed Jesus in a drama about the
multiplication of loaves and fishes during this year's Rock the Mount at
the Shrine of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. Prairie Messenger photo by Tim
Yaworsky (CCN).
Youth, families and participants of all ages gathered at the Shrine of Our Lady of Mount Carmel west of Humboldt Aug. 16, for a day of music, enrichment, and inspiration at this year's Rock the Mount. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.
Some participants seek organizations not linked to embryonic-stem-cell research
Reg Harbeck, a local Catholic, is doused by his mother while participating in the Ice Bucket Challenge. Photo submitted.
An international challenge to donate to the ALS Association or face a bucket of ice-cold water is raising tough ethical questions. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.
Also newly posted:
Belgium's assisted suicide law fails a depressed woman
Chicago Deacon Tom Lambert, who co-chairs the Council on Mental Illness
of the U.S. National Catholic Partnership on Disability, advocates and
works for those with mental illness. If the mentally ill can't get such
assistance, assisted suicide may appeal to them. CNS / Karen Callaway,
Catholic New World.
Belgium's doctor-assisted suicide laws allowed an unqualified doctor to kill a depressed mother who did not have a terminal illness without notifying her family, the woman's son has charged in a legal filing against them. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.
Blessed Velychkovsky named patron of prison ministry
An icon of Blessed Vasyl was written to commemorate his being named
Patron of Prison Ministry for the Ukrainian Catholic Church. (CCN photo)
On July 20, before a crowd of approximately 200,000 at the Marian Shrine of our Lady of Zarvanytsia in Ukraine, Patriarch Sviatoslav Shevchuk, head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, solemnly proclaimed Blessed Bishop Vasyl Velychkovsky patron of prison ministry for the Ukrainian Catholic Church. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.
Edmonton-born frater accepts role of service in monastery
Archbishop J. Michael Miller, CSB, lays his hands on Frater Caesarius
Marple, OSB, during his ordination as a deacon at Westminster Abbey Aug.
31. Deacon Paul Goo, ordained in May, looks on. Photo submitted.
Another young man has taken the next step toward the priesthood after seven years of living in a monastery. Frater Caesarius Marple, OSB, was ordained a deacon at Westminster Abbey Aug. 31. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.
Also newly posted:
Church educates through actions, not theoretical lectures
Pope Francis poses with Bishop Gianfranco Gardin of Treviso, Italy, and
young men from his diocese. Some 1,600 pilgrims from Treviso were
marking the 100th anniversary of the death of Pope Pius X, who was from
Treviso. CNS photo / Paul Haring.
During his general audience Pope Francis continued to reflect on the Church as mother, explaining that she teaches us by example how to go to the essential point of the Gospel, which is mercy. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.
COLF encourages families to promote life and love
An indigenous family poses for a photo outside their home in Bolivia.
Poverty, violence and changing social norms are causing the
disintegration of the family structure across Latin America. The
Catholic Organization for Life and Family is now weighing in on the
subject. CNS photo / Paul Jeffrey.
In its most recent message, the Catholic Organization for Life and Family (COLF) urges families to live up to vocation of promoting life, peace and a culture of love. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.
Vatican spokesman speaks during press conference for release of working document for extraordinary Synod of Bishops on family. (Photo: Paul Haring / CNS)
They encourage Masses and other liturgical occasions to be offered in that intention. At least one chapel in Rome will host prayers every day during the synod, which is themed "pastoral challenges to the family in the context of evangelization."
Keep your eyes open for a soon-to-be released leaflet of prayers written by Pope Francis.
Summer camp organized by the archdiocese's youth ministry brings catechism lessons to life
Girls pose for a "selfie" as the 70 participants of this year's
Searching in the Spirit line up for a group photo. The camp was held at
Camp Jubilee Aug. 18-22. Erwin Fung / Special to The B.C. Catholic.
Youth ministry's annual Searching in the Spirit camp is helping to plant seeds of faith in campers. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.
Also newly posted:
Pope prays for family of journalist executed by Islamic State
Steven Sotloff, the second American journalist reportedly beheaded by
Islamic State extremists, is pictured in a 2010 photo. CNS photo / Mazen
Mahdi, EPA.
Pope Francis has offered prayerful condolences to the family of Steven Sotloff, a U.S. journalist who was executed earlier this month by militants of the Islamic State. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.
Christian, Muslim and Jewish faith leaders denounce ISIS barbarism
An estimated 1,000 people rallied on Parliament Hill Sept. 6 to denounce
the barbarism of ISIS and its genocide of Iraqi Christians and other
religious minorities.
On Parliament Hill Sept. 6, religious leaders, including two Muslim imams, denounced the barbarism of the Islamic State (ISIS), urging the protection of Iraqi Christians and other minorities. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.
The Blessed Sacrament will be present at the service.
Our Lady of Mercy parish in Burnaby invites all those in need of special prayers to attend a healing prayer service Oct.11, following the 5 p.m. Mass.
This service is sponsored by the Mustard Seed Prayer Group Healing Ministry, and will feature the exposition and procession of the Blessed Sacrament. The parish calls anyone to attend; whether it is you or someone you love who needs to be healed, you are encouraged to come and let God "renew your mind, body, and spirit".
The Mustard Seed Prayer Group holds a healing service at Our Lady of Mercy on the 2nd Saturday of every month. For more information, contact Cecilia (604-239-0556) or Gina (604-522-5487).
Funds raised will benefit women struggling with addiction
The walk will take place around the perimeter of the beautiful Burnaby Central Park, pictured here.
The CWL of St. Mary's Parish will join forces with the Talitha Koum Society Sept. 21 to host the "Walk for Freedom", an event which will support the rehabilitation of women fighting substance abuse and violence.
Talitha Koum is an organization that operates spiritual 'safe houses', where women dealing with addiction and the trauma of abuse can get the help they need to do so. Staff at the Talitha Koum houses are often graduates of their program who use their firsthand experience with these issues to offer support to the residents.
The "Walk for Freedom" will be held at Burnaby Central Park's Lohn Perennial Garden from 1-3 p.m. Registration fee is $10, and forms can be obtained by emailing Teresa Lung (Teresa.lung@telus.net) or Sister Denece (dbillesberger@shaw.ca)
First native person to graduate from law school in Atlantic Canada
Lieutenant Governor Graydon Nicholas.
A lieutenant governor, the first native person to graduate from law school in Atlantic Canada, is going to come to Vancouver. Graydon Nicholas will address two audiences, Sept. 11 and 12. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.
Also newly posted:
Official prayer, image for World Meeting of Families released
Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia, president of the Pontifical Council for the
Family, and Philadelphia Archbishop Charles J. Chaput talk in St.
Peter's Square March 26. Leaders from Pennsylvania were meeting with
Vatican officials to plan the Sept. 22-27, 2015, World Meeting of
Families in Philadelphia. It is believed the Pope will participate. CNS
photo / Paul Haring.
The official prayer and image for the World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia next year have been released to aid pilgrims in spiritual preparation for the upcoming event. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.
Cardinal Ortega to address challenges of evangelization at CCCB plenary
CCCB General Secretary Msgr. Patrick Powers with past president
Archbishop Richard Smith of Edmonton at the 2013 CCCB plenary. Deborah
Gyapong (CCN).
Cardinal Jaime Ortega y Alamino will celebrate a Pontifical Mass Sept. 14 in Quebec City, and then address Canada's bishops annual plenary Sept. 15-19 on the challenges of evangelization. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.
Council 5540 praised for years of toil to complete chapel that houses first-class relic of St. Faustina
Knights Peter Elliott (right) and Edward Shawchuk and their wives were
in Orlando to receive the International Services Award. Photo submitted.
A Coquitlam Grand Knight received an honour on behalf of All Saints Council 5540. Carl Anderson, the Supreme Knight, made the presentation. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.
Also newly posted:
More pleas for aid as Ebola outbreak worsens
A Liberian nurse walks in front of St. Joseph's Catholic Hospital that
is now closed due to Ebola in Monrovia, Liberia, Aug. 9. Liberia's
health system is in "complete shambles," a Church aid agency said, as
the death of a Spanish priest brought to six the number of caregivers at
the hospital who have died of Ebola in August. CNS photo / Ahmed
Jallanzo, EPA.
The continuing spread of Ebola in Africa is putting more lives at risk, while containment efforts and the flight of vital workers have endangered food supplies and medical care even for those without the disease. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.
Euthanasia no way to promote human rights, dignity, coalition says
Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo of Galveston-Houston, chairman of the U.S.
bishops' Committee on Pro-Life Activities, explains the immorality of
physician-assisted suicide to the press. CNS photo / Marcus Donner,
Reuters.
Killing off the old, the infirm, and the disabled won't promote the human rights, dignity, or freedom of anybody, the Euthanasia Prevention Coalition argued in a factum submitted to the Supreme Court of Canada Aug. 28. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.
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