Boast of weaknesses?? Not exactly what one would see as a common practice today, but that is precisely what St. Paul delves into in his Second Letter to the Corinthians — which also happens to be the Scripture for this month’s Lectio Divina with Archbishop Thomas Collins: A Year with St. Paul. Specifically, Archbishop Collins ...read more

Gang violence and intimidation are no longer confined to inner-city school—increasingly, they have infected suburban neighbourhoods. Residents of Malton, Ontario have been shocked to find their own youth getting caught in the crossfire. Nearby Fletcher’s Meadow, an area within Brampton, runs the risk of developing similar problems due to rapid construction that outpaces community services. ...read more

[The Vatican Press Office released on Thursday the text of the Holy Father’s letter to the Bishops of the world regarding his decision to lift the excommunication of the four Bishops from the Society of St. Pius X and the subsequent controversy and fall-out. The letter, below, is powerful and honest read. In addition to ...read more

If I didn’t believe in or experience the love of Christ behind the teachings of the Catholic Church, I can’t imagine how I could possibly want to follow them! The Catholic Church maintains that love is at the heart of all her teachings. But when it comes to the teaching on homosexuality, people are divided. ...read more

As the deer thirsts for streams of water, so my soul longs for you, O God. – Psalm 42 This opening line from Psalm 42 came to mind last week as I returned from a look-out on the grounds of Westminster Abbey, in Mission B.C. I had just spent ten or fifteen minutes looking out ...read more

This year some friends and I decided to have a Lent Support Group. Our reasoning was that it’s really easy to forget or slip up on our Lenten promises when it’s just between me and God….yes, he sees all but he can’t exactly smack your hand when you reach for the chocolate or shoot you ...read more

During this Lenten season we are called on to be extra generous in our material abundance. Many charities sponsor special drives and dioceses around the country make appeals for donations to support program that help feed the poor, clothe the sick and care for those in need. Indeed, The Catholic Encyclopedia says almsgiving implies a ...read more

Last week, the Salt + Light staff had a retreat day in the office. We were instructed to stay away from our computers, and to sit around a long, long table with a Bible and notepad handy. Fr. Thomas Rosica, our CEO, was to give the retreat, and he invited the Communications Department of the ...read more

My younger sister Emily often quipped “You should never kill yourself because 10 minutes later you might change your mind.” I thought of that truth when I recently read a news story and incredible photograph that spread like wildfire across the internet. Last month a 34 year old Coloradan attempted suicide by driving his van ...read more

  Those who follow Pope Benedict XVI’s daily meetings are well familiar with the ad limina visits. Indeed, regular readers of the Vatican Information Service know that, quite often, the Holy Father is meeting bishops on their quinquennial summons to Rome. (Lately, the pontiff’s schedule has forced some episcopal conferences to wait seven years.) As ...read more