Never tell the vinyl plank party ‘it’s impossible’
Sacred Heart Church in Lumby is set to celebrate its 100-year anniversary on Oct. 15, but in preparing for the momentous event, Father Thomas Arackal found himself in a bind.
He had hoped to complete an enormous renovation of the old church before Bishop Joseph Nguyen arrived to celebrate the centennial Mass.
Archbishop Miller calls for ‘robust limitations’ on child access to explicit online material
Vancouver Archbishop J. Michael Miller has sent a letter to Members of Parliament within the Archdiocese of Vancouver, urging them to support Bill S-210, which would restrict young people’s access to sexually explicit material online.
Toronto Archbishop Francis Leo has written a similar letter to MPs in his jurisdiction.
The healing power of genuine apology
An apology has great power to heal a wrong suffered.
I witnessed an apology by a Catholic deacon (having no involvement with the case) offered to a Baptist woman who alleged abuse by a pastor in her denomination. She broke down in tears saying how meaningful it was to see a man wearing clerical garb providing an expression of compassion and regret as to how a fellow cleric had acted towards her.
‘Healing begins when we listen attentively to one another’
Archbishop J. Michael Miller released the following letter to mark National Truth and Reconciliation Day, Sept. 30, 2024.
September 30, 2024
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
As we observe National Truth and Reconciliation Day, let us reflect on this time of remembrance and renew our commitment to walking together in solidarity with Indigenous Peoples.
Discomfort is a part of truth
Many, many years ago, I was asked to give a pro-life presentation to a large group of young adults. The person who contacted me asked if it was possible that I might tone down, or exclude, some of the issues … like abortion, for example.
Good should be done ‘without clamour or ostentation,’ Archbishop tells papal honourees
Christ teaches us good “should be done quietly, even stealthily,” Archbishop J. Michael Miller told the recipients of papal honours at a conferral Mass at Holy Rosary Cathedral on Sept. 7.
Sixteen people received the Benemerenti medal, awarded to “the well-deserving” who have shown lasting and exceptional service to the Catholic Church, family, and community.
Work still needed to build reconciling trust
The journey toward reconciliation between Canadian churches and Indigenous people continues. Not surprisingly, the report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in 2015 did not end that journey.
Indian residential schools operated for more than a century, and the lasting damage they created is enormous.
Young adults kick up their heels at Night Under the Stars
More than 200 Catholic young adults lit up the dance floor at Our Lady of the Assumption Church in Port Coquitlam for a dinner and dance. The event was organized by Assumption Young Adults.
Titled Night Under the Stars, it featured an evening of dancing and culinary delight, featuring a main course brought to you by The Paella Guys, jamón by Jamoneria by Arc, and ice cream.
‘Thank God for Catholic media’
There was a popular book in the 1980s titled All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten. In it, author Robert Fulghum shared wisdom for the ages that he learned as a child, such as, “When you go out into the world, watch out for traffic, hold hands, and stick together.”
Father Larkin, who encouraged his flock’s cultural identity, dies at 86
Father Terrance Larkin, a diocesan priest for the Archdiocese of Vancouver and a missionary, passed away on Sept. 10 at the age of 86.
Father Larkin was remembered for the care and attention he gave to parishioners, to the point of trying to memorize all their names.