When Benedict became Pope, he emphasized that the question of God is the first question of all and that this question necessarily involves all of us without distinction. Vatican spokesperson, Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi recalled the Holy Father’s firm resolve to dialogue with the unbelieving world since the early dawn of his papacy. Pope Benedict ...read more

Ukrainian Catholics have a surprising new leader. In February, the head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, Cardinal Lubomyr Husar, retired for health reasons. Its bishops convened a synod last week and, after a four-day ‘conclave’, elected Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk as their new leader. He becomes the Major-Archbishop of Kyiv-Halych, the archiepiscopal see where the Ukrainian ...read more

Focolare comes from the Italian word meaning “hearth” or “family fireside”. This is a concept whose absence has been sorely felt in our times. People don’t gather around warmth communally anymore. Since the time of the fireside gatherings we have scrambled and sought ways to replicate this unique-and necessary- source of fellowship and solidarity that ...read more

Pope Benedict released a flock of doves — a symbol of peace — as he consecrated the Roman parish of St. Corbinian this weekend. Likewise, he revealed that his prayers have been focused on a resolution to the escalating war in Libya. American and British forces launched airstrikes against Libya this weekend. The coalition mission, ...read more

Building on the success of our inaugural Blessed Journeys pilgrimage to Austria and Germany, we invite you to our next destination: France! Once again Connaissance Travel and Tours offers you a unique pilgrimage to enrich your faith. We begin in Paris at Notre Dame Cathedral, the Sainte-Chapelle, and the Basilica of Sacré Coeur that dominates ...read more

Ubuntu. Chances are many of you haven’t heard of this word until now. Pronounced “oo-boon-too”, this small African word represents big African philosophies. Derived from the Bantu languages of southern African (Swahili is one such language), ubuntu translates to “I am what I am because of who we all are.” This concept is especially foreign ...read more

Mr. René Laprise has been appointed Director of Media Relations for the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops. Mr. Laprise, who has acted as director of communications for the Archdiocese of Gatineau for the past 21 years, is a seasoned professional in Church communications. In 2001 and 2002, he worked for the organizing committee of World ...read more

Last Friday afternoon, I arrived at the 5th floor, resource Library of the Catholic Pastoral Centre in Toronto for a special book signing of Archbishop Thomas Collins’ new book, Pathway to our Hearts: A Simple Approach to Lectio Divina with the Sermon on the Mount. As many of you know, Archbishop Collins is a great fan of the tradition of praying with Scriptures. “Lectio divina” literally means “sacred reading” and in this book, Collins shares an accessible approach to and a fresh perspective on this ancient practice. Compiled from the transcripts of his first lectio series at St. Michael’s Cathedral, from 2007, the book invites readers to listen to the Word of God and ask what this word tells them about loving God with their mind, their heart and with their hands. The book is for anyone who wants to pray with the Word of God and develop a closer relationship with Jesus Christ. ...read more

Avoid being alone. Well, at least avoid the word “alone” when it comes to some theological arguments. That from Archbishop Thomas Collins in this month’s Lectio Divina. He’s speaking in the context of the Scripture passage that deals with faith and works: But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me ...read more

Does anyone have time for book clubs anymore?  While the idea is quaint, I can’t tell you how many times a group of friends and I have “committed” to reading numerous must-reads only to have them turn into “should-have” reads. Throughout the past week, though, a few of my colleagues and I had the privilege ...read more