Eight years, you say!

Academic formation is just one aspect of a religious vocation

Deacon Miguel Irizar hopes to be ordained a priest this summer

The seminary requires a sense of a divine call, deep reflection, prayer and rigorous education, sats Father Stephen Hero vice-rector of the St. Joseph Seminary in Edmonton.

Seminarians need about eight years of higher education, including degrees in philosophy and theology, plus a year internship in a parish before they can be ordained. l

The lengthy process is necessary if you want the priesthood, says Father Hero,

The Church has a holistic vision of the formation of seminarians and St. Joseph Seminary strives to prepare competent priests with a comprehensive pastoral outlook, enabling them to assume the pastoral duties that their service to God’s people requires, Father Hero added.

 

See the article in The B.C. Catholic

Newman Association scores 'coup' for Carr Lecture

Vatican astronomer seeks answers to great cosmic questions

Pope Benedict XVI with Vatican astronomer Brother Guy Consolmagno, SJ.

In his book Brother Astronomer, Vatican astronomer Brother Guy Consolmagno, SJ, revisits the 17th-century conviction of Galileo by the Roman Inquisition for spreading the heresy that the earth revolved around the sun.

Brother Consolmagno will give the Newman Association of Vancouver Carr Lecture on Monday, Feb. 27, in UBC's Hebb Theatre, 2045 East Mall in Vancouver, at 7 p.m.

The event, co-sponsored by St. Mark's and Corpus Christi Colleges, is free and open to the public.

See The B.C. Catholic for more information.

Not just 'a Valentine's Day love-in'

Senior British official says Europe faces militant secularism

Pope Benedict XVI arrives with Britain's Baroness Sayeeda Warsi at a meeting of religious leaders at St. Mary's University College Chapel at Twickenham in West London in 2010. The Muslim woman, who co-chairs Britain's Conservative Party, will meet with the Pope at the Vatican Feb. 15.

This Catholic News Service story shows that in today's "Christian" world it takes a Muslim and it takes a woman to point out that Christian nations must become more comfortable in their Christianity.

A "deeply intolerant" militant secularism is taking hold of Western societies, said a senior British government minister heading a delegation to the Vatican.

Such secularism "demonstrates similar traits to totalitarian regimes: denying people the right to a religious identity because they were frightened of the concept of multiple identities," said Baroness Sayeeda Warsi, a Muslim. She said Europe must counter the threat by becoming "more confident and more comfortable in its Christianity."

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

School 'bursting at the seams' says Jesuit president

St. Paul's High School developing bursary program

Father Alan Fogarty, SJ.

Winnipeg's St. Paul's school is turning a bold plan into reality with a major injection of funds into its bursary program and the construction of a $10-million multiplex.

"We're bursting at the seams," said school president Rev. Alan Fogarty, SJ.

"At present the building project is funded to $11 million, but hopefully the excitement of the new building will attract more interest," Fogarty added.

Construction began Feb. 13 with opening planned for the 2013-14 academic year.

Sancta Maria House heals Christ's lost lambs

Sancta Maria House and the Agape Street Ministry  heal women on the street and in recovery

Residents at Sancta Maria House craft beaded jewellery

Christ can change the lives of women caught in the enslavement of addictions, says Sharon Dobin, director of Vancouver's Sancta Maria House.

"Sancta Maria for me has the three most crucial things needed to recover: God, healing, and the 12-step program. I have been given peace and forgiveness and I can laugh again and for that I am truly grateful," said a former resident.

The Sancta Maria House residency program offers a respite from the world for those willing to change their lifestyle and habits so recovery is possible, Dobin told The B.C. Catholic.

Read more in The B.C. Catholic.

Not time to topple

Pope calls on Syria to address citizens' legitimate demands

Demonstrators gather during a protest against Syria's President Bashar al-Assad near Homs Feb. 13. Intense artillery and rocket fire by government forces Feb. 11 on residential areas in Homs left at least 200 people dead, opposition activists said.

Here is a Catholic News Service story telling of one voice calling for keeping the Syrian president in power because of the risk of civil war if he goes.

As a sectarian conflict in Syria intensified, Pope Benedict XVI called on all Syrians to begin a process of dialogue and reminded the government of its duty to recognize its citizens' legitimate demands.

In Beirut, the patriarch of the Syriac Catholic Church warned against toppling Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, calling for dialogue to solve the crisis in the country.

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

Conflict with President Obama and Church continues

Cardinal-elect Dolan repudiates President's "accommodation." 

Cardinal-elect Timothy Dolan.

Citing an "unconstitutional infringement on religious liberty", New York Cardinal-elect Timothy Dolan said, "We bishops are pastors, not politicians, and you can't compromise on principles."

The Cardinal has said that President Obama's revision to the government's contraceptive mandate will not be accepted.

Read more in The B.C. Catholic

Downey installed as STM president

Welcome Dr. Downey!

Dr. Terrence Downey was officially installed as president of St. Thomas More College Jan. 21 during a eucharistic celebration at the Catholic college's chapel on the University of Saskatchewan campus.

Dr. Terrence Downey (c)

Pledging himself to the mission of the federated liberal arts college established by the Basilian Fathers, Downey was invested as president by Dan Perrins, chair of the STM Board of Governors.

"As a Catholic college, we are called to share in Christ's service to the people of God," Perrins said.

"Thus, the work of our college is not an end in itself, but must find application for the good of humanity."
Read more at The B.C. Catholic

Richmond priest highlights forgotten genocide

Actor turned preacher pays tribute to the memory of Holodomor victims.

Father Edward Evanko in Dormition of the Mother of God Church in Richmond.

A story on the front page of the Feb. 13 B.C. Catholic newspaper tells a – thank God – unusual story of starvation forced on an agricultural society that was growing far more than enough food for themselves.
History is still coming to grips with a horrifying genocide. Forgotten for almost 60 years, Holodomor devastated the Ukrainian people.

Now Father Edward Danylo Evanko, a Ukrainian Catholic priest, is thrusting that sorrowful chapter of Ukrainian history into the hearts and minds of parishioners in the Archdiocese of Vancouver and the Eparchy of New Westminster.

Father Evanko, a professional performer before being ordained a Ukrainian Catholic priest, will present Holodomor: Murder by Starvation at Sts. Peter and Paul Parish Feb. 24.

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

Head U.S. Bishop skeptical about Obama's health compromise

Cardinal-designate Timothy M. Dolan of New York is losing hope in President


What's that old saying, "fool me once shame on you, fool me twice..." You can bet Cardinal-designate Timothy M. Dolan of New York will remember that in future dealings with the Obama Administration.

Today the President announced that he will not mandate Catholic instititutions to go against their concience to allow health plans to include contraceptives.

Image via Wikipedia

"We bishops aren't fighters, we're pastors," he said, as quoted by Catholic News Service. "This wasn't a fight of our choosing. The bishops just want to do our work as effectively as we can."

Upon hearing the news that religious organizations are exempt from being forced to offer contraception and sterilization as part of health plans, Cardinal-designate Dolan said the President is going "in the right direction." However, he said U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops will wait and review the policy when it is made public. Even so he was pleased to see fight Americans pushed forward on this issue.

"The past three weeks have witnessed a remarkable unity of Americans from all religions or none at all worried about the erosion of religious freedom and governmental intrusion into issues of faith and morals. We hope to work with the administration to guarantee that Americans' consciences and our religious freedom are not harmed by these regulations."

'Mine' the Catholic mind

Mining an intellectual jewel

Chapel at St. Mark's College

President of Corpus Christi and principal of St' Mark's college, Msgr. Mark Hagemoen found the time in his busy schedual to share how his schools produce intellectual gems. After students 'mine' their way through their studies of course:

Nestled in the northeast corner of the Vancouver campus of the University of British Columbia are two intellectual jewels at the heart of Catholic intellectual formation in this province. They fulfill the purpose of Catholic higher education: rigorous academic development and human formation.

St. Mark's College is the only Catholic graduate theological college in B.C. Since 2005 it has graduated about 30 Master's degree students. Today over 50 students are enrolled in various programs: Masters, graduate certificates, diplomas, continuing education.

Read more at The B.C. Catholic website.  

Group will always be a 'companion' of founding Father

Companions of the Cross reassess charism after founder’s death

Father Bob Bedard, founder of the Companions
of the Cross

CCN's Deborah Gyapong shares the thoughts of the Companions of The Cross on their late leader:

When the Companions of the Cross (CC) met for the General Assembly Jan. 30-Feb. 3 in Cornwall, Ontario, the priests had their first chance to reflect on the impact of last year’s death of their founder, Father Bob Bedard.
“The passing of a founder, of a spiritual father in Christ is a watershed for any community in the history of the Church,” said CC Moderator Father Scott McQuaig, who was re-elected Feb. 3 for a second six-year term as the Order’s leader.

Read more at The B.C. Catholic website.

Catholic organizations no longer forced to pay for contraceptives

Image via Wikipedia

Obama announces exemption for Catholic organizations

The President's brief rule over the Catholic Church is over. Last week Obama announced that Catholic institutions would have to cover contraceptives as part of medical insurance plans. Reaction and criticism from the Church was swift.

Under the compromise, religious organizations will be exempt from contributing to contraceptive purchases. However, after lobbying from women's groups and Planned Parenthood,  workers in those organizations will still be able obtain contraceptives free of charge. The cost of that will be covered by insurance companies.

Check back with The B.C. Catholic for more information.

JPII in 1998; BXVI in 2012

Polish cardinal tours Florida shrine, recalls 1998 papal trip to Cuba

Polish Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz presents a framed portrait of Blessed John Paul II to members of St. Patrick Parish in Miami Beach Feb. 3. The cardinal, who was personal secretary to the Pope on his 104 trips abroad, was in south Florida to raise funds and awareness for the John Paul II Centre in Krakow.

Blessed Pope John Paul II was mindful of his prayerful struggles against Nazism and communism in Eastern Europe as he undertook his historic 1998 visit to Cuba, according to a Polish cardinal who as a priest served as the late Pope's secretary.

"Cardinal Karol Wojtyla was proclaiming the Gospel in spite of this (communist) system; he was defending the dignity of each person who was created in the image and resemblance of God," said Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz, who has been the archbishop of Krakow, Poland, since 2005.

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

Obama expected to announce changes to health mandate for Catholics

Image via Wikipedia

Catholic eyes will be glued to President

At 9:15 it is expected that President Barack Obama will speak about new rules that force Catholic health organizations to cover the cost of contraceptives.


Last week the Obama administration announced that as part of its health care mandate that all institutions (including Catholics) must cover contraceptives as part of any health care plan.

After much public pressure, the administration is now expected to make religious exemptions.

Check back with The B.C. Catholic for more information.

Related articles

• US 'to change' contraception rule (bbc.co.uk)

B.C. couple demonstrates 'Heavenly Kindness'

Emergency aid boosts Salvadoran recovery from floods

Mike Rasmussen (right) sits with a field worker in Las Delicias, El Salvador.
Special to The B.C. Catholic

Mike Rasmussen sells houses in the Lower Mainland, but spends a great deal of time building up hope in El Salvador, with his wife. The B.C. Catholic's Laureen McMahon shares the experience:

Coquitlam realtor Mike Rasmussen and his wife Angelique, a teacher at St. Patrick's elementary in Maple Ridge, teamed up in 2005 with Project F.I.A.T. International, a volunteer program of the Handmaids of the Sacred Heart of Jesus which helps the desperately poor in the tropical jungles of El Salvador.

Twice a year the Rasmussens travel to the missions near San Salvador to bring relief through their registered B.C. society Aura Humanitus (Heavenly Kindness).


Read more at The B.C. Catholic website.

"City of Champions" recognizes a centennial achievement

Image via Wikipedia

Basilica of St. Josephs in Edmonton, AB

Edmonton Archdiocese to celebrate 100th anniversary


The city of Edmonton hasn't had a lot to celebrate in recent years. The glory years of the "City of Champions" has long since past. However, Ramon Gonzalez of the Western Catholic Reporter reports on the 100 year milestone for the Archdiocese of Edmonton:

In late 1912, the Vatican divided the vast Diocese of St. Albert and created the Archdiocese of Edmonton and the Diocese of Calgary in its place.

The decree, issued by Pope St. Pius X, mandated that the headquarters of these newly created dioceses were moved to Edmonton and Calgary respectively.

Read more at The B.C. Catholic website.

Homs sweet Homs for Syrian priests

Damaged houses are seen in Homs in central Syria, Feb. 8.
(CNS photo/Mulham Alnader/handout via Reuters)

Catholic News Service reports that Syrian Catholics will have their clergy with them, even as the city continues to implode over the country's uprising:

Some priests have decided to stay in battle-scarred Homs, Syria, even as government forces intensified their strikes against the heart of the revolt against President Bashar al-Assad, said the Vatican's nuncio to Syria.

Archbishop Mario Zenari told Catholic News Service in an email Feb. 9 that he had been in almost daily contact with priests in Homs and that "with respect to their safety, the situation is, in certain respects, uncertain."

Read more at The B.C. Catholic website.

Beloved priest and influential college principal passes away

Excerpt from The B.C. Catholic

Father James Hanrahan, CSB, died today in Toronto at the age of 85. He was an accomplished academic, composer, and enthusiastic evangelist.

Father Hanrahan was the longest serving principal of St. Mark's at UBC, and was also known for his singing and hymn writing. He wrote 80 hymns, some of which were published. 

"Father Hanrahan contributed much to Vancouver through his work at St. Mark’s and Corpus Christi, and through his various prayer outreach groups,” said David Sylvester, longtime principal at St. Mark's and friend of Father Hanrahan's.

Silver clock over the golden watch

Catholic Charities Men's Hostel employee celebrates 25 years

Catholic Charities Manager Scott Small (left) and Gary
Sium. Gary was awarded a silver clock for his 25 years
of service at the Men's Hostel located at the John Paul II
Pastoral Centre.

The Men's Hostel, in the John Paul II Pastoral Centre, recently recognized Gebrehmariam "Gary" Sium for 25 years of service. 

"What were you doing in 1987?" joked Gary's boss Scott Small. "Gary was starting his first shift on the front desk of the Men's Hostel!"

Small and the rest of the staff presented Gary with a silver clock to mark the occasion.

"It's better than a gold watch, eh! That will take another 25 years!"