Creation story has a destination
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Dennis O'Hara spoke in Saskatoon's Queen House. "We no longer believe that
the Earth is the centre of the universe. The only problem is, we still act as if
we did," he said. (Photo: Kip Yaworski / The Prairie Messenger) |
Dr. Dennis O'Hara spoke on human health, the environment and theology in Saskatoon Feb. 12. As a chiropractor, naturopathic doctor, and assistant professor, he was able to offer a unique perspective.
“Understanding creation as a sacred revelation, and the creation story as a sacred story with a destination — a story that is going somewhere” is critical to the health and future of the planet, Dr. Dennis O'Hara maintained.
“We often talk about spirituality as something that holds all of our life together,” he noted. “Spirituality provides a horizon of meaning.”
“When we talk about the environmental or cosmological dimension of human health, the easiest way to sum it up is a nice pithy phrase of Thomas Berry: ‘you cannot have healthy people on a sick planet,’ ” said O’Hara, citing the words of the well-known American priest and eco-theologian who died in 2009.
For the
full story, see
The B.C. Catholic website.
B.C. Catholic journalist continues coverage
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| An artist's depiction of Burns (without beard) at the Vatican. |
Alistair Burns will continue to cover his conclave coverage while he is in Vatican City. If you're not already subscribed to them, you can find his
Vatican Dispatches on The B.C. Catholic's website
here.
In the meantime, here are some photos of cardinals arriving to meet and vote on when to hold the papal conclave.
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| (Photo: Alistair Burns / The B.C. Catholic) |
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| (Photo: Alistair Burns / The B.C. Catholic) |
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| (Photo: Alistair Burns / The B.C. Catholic) |
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| (Photo: Alistair Burns / The B.C. Catholic) |
As always, you can continue to receive updates by subscribing to this blog, our
Facebook page, and our
Twitter feed.
"Pope" Sebastian I will not be pope or even antipope
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| Catholic elementary students hold a mock conclave complete with mock cardinals and pontifical Swiss guards. |
St. Louis Catholic School, an elementary school in Virginia, USA, held a mock conclave on Monday, March 4. The young boys represented cardinals, voted amongst themselves, and chose a successor to Peter's chair--albeit in fun and as a learning experience.
You can see more photos and read the rest of the story at Father John Zuhlsdorf's blog
here.
Alistair Burns will be reporting on all things conclave
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Cardinal Thomas Collins holds the March 4 issue of
The B.C. Catholic. (Photo: Alistair Burns / The B.C. Catholic) |
The B.C. Catholic's Alistair Burns is in Vatican City reporting on the upcoming conclave. He will be writing, podcasting and using social media.
Listen to his podcasts, called
Vatican Dispatches, on our
website. (Just scroll down until you see multimedia on the right.)
And get instant updates when you follow us on
twitter @BCCatholic or keep checking our
blog and
Facebook.
Yesterday, Alistair interviewed Toronto's Cardinal Thomas Collins. Read that story
here and another one
here.
Daniel Jodoin missed BC's Summit, started Adoremus
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Seminarian Daniel Jodoin helped start Adoremus, a monthly gathering of adoration,
confession and scripture reading. When he lived in BC, Jodoin was involved in
Summit and other CCO events. (Photo: Western Catholic Reporter) |
Summit is a night of adoration, confession, and worship, organized by Catholic Christian Outreach (CCO). When seminarian Daniel Jodoin, who was involved in CCO, arrived in Edmonton he felt the city lacked that kind of event and helped start Adoremus.
“It was a time for young people to get together and just adore the Lord. When I came to Edmonton, I really missed going to Summit and my involvement with CCO," said Jodoin.
In response, a group of seminarians initiated Adoremus, which provides young adults the opportunity to adore the Lord, as well as grow in their knowledge of Jesus, and meet with others desiring to do the same.
Adoremus is a Latin word that means “Let us adore.” That is exactly what they do, in their mission to spread love and devotion for Christ in the Eucharist. The project involves Eucharistic Adoration, Confession, Scripture, Benediction and music. It started in October, and has continued monthly at St. Joseph’s Basilica.
“It’s a blessing in many other cities that I wanted to bring in our own way to Edmonton,” said Jodoin.
For
full story, see
The B.C. Catholic website.
Cardinal Thomas Collins of Toronto attends Vespers in St. Peter's
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Cardinal Thomas Collins of Toronto holds a B.C. Catholic
on the steps of St. Peter's after Vespers March 6.
(Alistair Burns / The B.C. Catholic) |
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VATICAN CITY--The Church is slowly inching along to sending cardinals into their conclave. Inside St. Peter’s Basilica, 113 red-hatted cardinals gathered for Vespers.
Cardinal Thomas Collins of Toronto spoke to The B.C. Catholic on the steps of St. Peters, in inclement Vancouver-like weather.
"I gave a lot of interviews when I first got here and I'll give a lot of interviews when (the conclave) is over, but right now, we're in a time of prayer."
Meanwhile, Canadian Cardinal Marc Ouellet declined comment.
Vatican sources say when all 115 voting cardinals meet tomorrow for the first time as a group, the starting date for the conclave will finally be announced.
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Cardinal Marc Ouellet talks to a security guard in
St. Peter's Basilica March 6. (Alistair Burns / The B.C. Catholic) |
Doctors warn UN that killing babies in utero harms mothers
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| A group of students from the College of Notre Dame of Maryland look over
some of the UN proposals shortly before leaving campus for New York to
attend a conference of the UN Commission on the Status of Women. CNS
photo / Chaz Muth. |
Medical experts before the United Nations argued that abortion is not medically necessary to promote women's health and can actually harm women instead. Catholic News Agency reports:
"Real medical care decreases maternal mortality; abortion does not decrease maternal mortality," Dr. Donna J. Harrison told CNA on March 6.
The doctors challenged assumptions that the expansion of health care and women's rights demands the expansion of abortion. They stressed that pregnancies, even those considered to be high-risk, do not necessitate conflict between the needs of the mother and those of the child. Instead, they explained, innovative solutions treating the whole person and the whole of society lead to increased health for all involved.
Dr. Eoghan de Faoite, a member of the board of the Committee on Excellence in Maternal Healthcare in Ireland, criticized the international attacks on Ireland's ban on abortion. He noted that the country has one of the lowest rates of maternal death in the developed world and has not experienced the "rise in mortality" seen in other Western countries that have legalized abortion.
For
full story see
The B.C. Catholic website.
Holy Family priorities include outreach to Friendship Inn
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A team of 13 volunteers from the Cathedral of the Holy Family in Saskatoon serve meals
at the Saskatoon Friendship Inn. The outreach provided by Friendship Inn includes serving
breakfast and lunch to those in need 365 days a year. On average, 500 meals are served each
day, with about 40 per cent of those meals going to children. (Photo: Kiply Lukan Yaworski) |
Holy Family parish in Saskatoon has committed to a new vision that involves local and international outreach. The Prairie Messenger's Kiply Lukan Yaworski reports:
"Making a difference in our world" was one of three priorities identified in a parish visioning process launched when the Holy Family Parish moved into their new cathedral home just over a year ago, explains cathedral administrator Pat Clarke.
Within that particular priority, there are two focuses: making a difference in the local community, and making a difference beyond our borders. In terms of international outreach, connection and mission, the parish is working to establish a relationship with Bunda diocese in Tanzania, he says.
"What was most important to us was that making a difference in our world was not just about raising funds, giving cash and wiping our hands," says Tumback. "But it is also about relationships."
For
full story, see
The B.C. Catholic website.
Apostles brought respect and reverence to God
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Pope Benedict XVI greets the crowd as he leads his final general audience
in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican Feb. 27. Father Rosica writes: "Peter
was with us in the person of Benedict XVI." (Photo: Paul Haring / CNS) |
Father Thomas Rosica, CSB, was captivated by the writings of Benedict XVI, now Pope Emeritus, and writes that Benedict's travels were like St. Peter's shadow moving among the people.
For the past eight years, the shadow of Peter has been falling upon us in no small way. And that shadow, which is God's healing touch, covers us all with mercy, healing, and peace.
When Pope Benedict walked among us, he did more than connect with us. He bonded. He moved multitudes. He taught the nations. He introduced us again to Jesus Christ. He showed remarkable courage, wisdom, compassion and humility. He suffered bitterly at the hands of those closest to him who let him down. He remained serene and joyful through it all.
For the
full story, see
The B.C. Catholic website.
Vatican's PR priests explain that 113 of 115 elector-cardinals now present
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| Father Federico Lombardi, SJ, listens as Father Thomas Rosica, CSB, translates the Holy See's press statement into English. (Alistair Burns / The B.C. Catholic) |
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VATICAN CITY--Although 113 of the 115 cardinals who can vote for a new Pontiff are now in Rome, the Vatican still has not set a date for the conclave. At a press conference March 6, Father Thomas Rosica, CSB, handled the English statements.
"This is a journey," he said in response to repeated questions on why the Holy See has not announced when the conclave will begin.
The Canadian priest clarified that although German Cardinal Walter Kasper turned 80 March 5, that "fact would not exclude him from voting."
Only cardinals who turn 80 before the
day St. Peter's throne becomes vacant are barred from voting.
Father Rosica also commented on the death of Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez: "Since the Church is currently without a Pontiff, it's up to the college of cardinals to send a message."
He did not say whether one was being drafted.
Father Federico Lombardi, SJ, the Vatican spokesman, asked Father Rosica, the CEO of Salt and Light Television, to join the PR team on an interim basis. Five thousand journalists have streamed into Rome from all over the world.
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The off-Broadway company Theater for the New
City will produce Benedictus, written
two years ago about a Pontiff who steps down.
(Photo credit: Theater for the New City) | |
Off-Broadway performance of "Benedictus" to premiere May 30
When Pope Emeritus Benedict flew off to Castel Gandolfo Feb. 28, even New York's playwrights took notice.
The Associated Press reports:
Tom Attea wrote the play "Benedictus" two years ago. Producers say the production follows the fictional Pope Benedictus, who has visions that command him to resign and follow a new calling.
The play will premiere off Broadway in Lower Manhattan May 30.
Opinions being formed about what's needed in next Pontiff
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| A group of Polish pilgrims in traditional attire watch outside as
cardinals arrive for a general congregation meeting in the synod hall.
CNS photo / Chris Warde-Jones. |
Catholic News Agency reports that on their third day of pre-conclave meetings the cardinals were beginning to develop the profile of what the next Pope needs to look like.
Vatican spokesman Father Federico Lombardi, SJ, told the press March 6 that the principle themes of that day's meeting were "the Church in today's world, the New Evangelization, the Holy See, the dicasteries and their relations with the bishops, and what's beginning to emerge is a profile of the next Pope."
For the first time, a recommended limit of five minutes was placed on the length of comments cardinals could make, resulting in 18 interventions during the three-hour gathering.
For
full story see
The B.C. Catholic website.
'Strength in Christ' needed for recovery of church in Scotland
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| Cardinal Keith O'Brien of St. Andrews and Edinburgh, Scotland, arrives
for a Mass in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican in this Nov. 21, 2010,
file photo. CNS photo / Paul Haring. |
Catholic News Agency has a story on a local archbishop speaking after the resignation of Cardinal Keith O'Brien of St. Andrews and Edinburgh following accusations of sexual misconduct.
"We will draw what conclusions and lessons we can from it and, if anything, we will learn to trust even more fully in Jesus Christ, Who is alone the Lord of the Church," Archbishop Philip Tartaglia of Glasgow, now also Apostolic Administrator of the Archdiocese of St. Andrews and Edinburgh, said.
Because his 75th birthday was approaching March 17, Cardinal O'Brien submitted his resignation to Pope Benedict XVI, and it was accepted "nunc pro tunc" (now, but to take effect later). However, after allegations against the cardinal, from three priests and a former clergyman, of sexual misconduct, Benedict XVI accepted his resignation effective Feb. 25.
For
full story see
The B.C. Catholic website.
Douglas Farrow affirms human dignity
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Professor Farrow spoke to a group of health professionals about the importance
of speaking up for one's faith. "We already see a question arising as to whether
religious freedom is a fundamental right,” he said. (Photo: CCN) |
McGill University Professor Douglas Farrow urged a gathering of Ottawa health professionals to be unafraid to talk about God in the public square. Deborah Gyapong reports:
Christians must also be willing to risk civil disobedience and suffer its consequences as western society lapses into denial of objective truth – a denial that stems from losing the connection between morality and faith.
“Governments and NGOs in Europe and the Americas are almost routinely demanding that Catholics accommodate themselves to things that are morally unacceptable,” said the professor of Christian Thought.
At an event sponsored by the Ottawa Catholic Physicians’ Guild, Farrow said the Christian notion of freedom is “in great jeopardy.” He described the “Age of Denial” in which many do not wish to be reminded, or do not want to know the objective truth about man and about God.
For
full story, see
The B.C. Catholic website.
Talented young adults perform at CCO event
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Olivier Coutant (left), Mana Rengifo, Adam French, Chris Verhagen,
and Jon Deuling sing Deuling's original song "Pears" at the CCO
Coffeehouse Feb 8. (Photo: John Ray Catingub / The B.C. Catholic) |
Catholic Christian Outreach's Coffeehouse event was created to build community and provide a safe environment to discuss Christianity. John Ray Catingub reports on the third annual Coffeehouse event in the archdiocese.
Amber Zolc, a CCO missionary in Vancouver for the last decade, described Coffeehouse as a "fun, welcoming, and comfortable place for faithful students to bring their friends to," that "gives people an opportunity to bring new people into the community."
Zolc said it's "really a social event where we hope that relationships can be forged that might lead to future opportunities to proclaim Jesus. In order for any kind of evangelizing to happen we need to develop rapport and trust. We need to earn the right to be heard and to influence one another."
For
full story see
The B.C. Catholic website.
Students receive Tessa Beauchamp memorial scholarships
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High school students Dalton Anderson (left) from St. Patrick's,
Olivia Johnson from Immaculata, and Delani Buchan from Holy Cross
receive $500 scholarships from the Tessa Beauchamp Foundation
Jan. 19. (Photo: Linda Buchan / Special to The B.C. Catholic) |
Tessa Beauchamp's ability to overcome adversity and her dedication to community service and extra-curricular activities were remembered as deserving students accepted scholarships in her memory.
"I felt really honoured to receive this award, because so many people held Tessa in such high regard," said Anderson. He spoke to The B.C. Catholic shortly before tip-off at a basketball practice.
"I have the same kind of values that I've read about Tessa: hard-working, passionate not only about sports but extra-curricular activities."
Beauchamp, a gifted basketball athlete and graduate of Holy Cross Regional High School, died of cancer in January 2012.
"It was humbling in a lot of ways that someone like Tessa can have an impact on people," recalled Steve Beauchamp, her father.
Read the
full story on
The B.C. Catholic website.
Young people across globe thank Pope in video
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| Pope Benedict XVI greets a crowd gathered for his arrival in Castel Gandolfo. CNS photo / Paul Haring. |
Catholic News Agency has a story about a group of young people from Madrid posting a two-minute video online with international messages thanking Pope Benedict XVI for his service to the Church.
"We young people are with you," the video emphasizes to the Pontiff, who retired from his role as Pope at the end of February because of waning strength.
Entitled, "For the 85-year-old young man," the video has already gone viral, receiving more than 50,000 views on YouTube in just five days.
For
full story see
The B.C. Catholic website.
Pakistani Minorities Minister fought for religious freedom
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Pakistani Minorities Minister Shahbaz Bhatti in Ottawa in
Feb. 2011, weeks before he was assassinated. Bhatti was the
only Catholic in the Pakistani cabinet. (Photo: CCN) |
Members of Parliament and Senators honoured Shahbaz Bhatti with a memorial Feb. 28. The Pakistani Minorities Minister faced death threats and was martyred two years ago.
“Shahbaz Bhatti died at the hands of wicked men who hated his Christian faith, and hated him for fighting for religious freedom,” Father Raymond De Souza told the memorial gathering. “He is a martyr for Jesus Christ, a martyr for liberty, and a martyr for his homeland, for Pakistan.”
Father De Souza recalled the words of Benedict XVI, Pope Emeritus, who said only days after Bhatti’s assassination his prayer that “the moving sacrifice of the life of the Pakistani minister Shahbaz Bhatti may arouse in people’s consciences the courage and commitment to defend the religious freedom of all men and, in this way, to promote their equal dignity."
Read the
full story on
The B.C. Catholic website.
Andrea Mrozek looks at the consequences of changing marriage's definition
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Andrea Mrozek says she challenges the notion that taking away the lifelong
element of marriage "has been a liberating, freeing, or positive step." (Photo: CCN) |
The new executive director of the Institute of Marriage and Family Canada worries about the changing definitions of marriage and family. Andrea Mrozek says the institute's next project will focus on marriages between middle class Canadians.
“The state has done a lot of damage to marriage, in a step-by-step manner, they’ve taken the institution of marriage and dismantled it almost beyond repair,” said Andrea Mrozek.
“Opening up marriage and taking away the lifelong element was one of the key things that damaged the institution of marriage,” she said, noting laws have made cohabitation the same as marriage in every province except Quebec.
Mrozek said she doubts the bulk of mainstream Canadians have changed their view that marriage is a permanent institution. Most marriages include vows along the lines of “’til death do us part,” she said, but “in practice that is no longer the case. There’s a huge gap there.”
Read the
full story on
The B.C. Catholic website.
Priest promotes kinship between gang members
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Father Gregory Boyle talks about his work with rival gang members,
saying that some "used to shoot bullets at each other. Now they shoot
text messages." (Photo: Agnieszka Krawczynski / The B.C. Catholic) |
Father Gregory Boyle told compelling stories about his work with rival gangsters at the Catholic Educators' Conference Feb. 15. He hoped to inspire the teachers there to be witnesses to kinship in their own communities.
"If kinship were our goal, we wouldn't be fighting for justice. We would be celebrating it," said Father Boyle. Having worked with gang members through Homeboy Industries for 25 years, he has seen a lot of rivalry and cries for hope.
Homeboy Industries provides services for gang members, including tattoo removal, legal services, and counselling. They also employ them at several social enterprises, including Homegirl Cafe, Homeboy Diner, Homeboy Bakery, and Homeboy Silkscreen.
"What is on God's mind? That you may be one," Father Boyle said. His goal is to help gang members change their lives and contribute to their families and to society.
Read the
full story at
The B.C. Catholic website.
