A Reflection from Archbishop Collins...

There has been a lot said about the "Bishop Williamson" issue this week and today we have another important reflection. So at this time, I hand things over to His Grace, Archbishop Thomas Collins...

There is a dramatic scene in a movie about one of the English kings of the middle ages. The Catholic Church is excommunicating him: hooded monks solemnly enter the cathedral, while denunciations of the offender ring out, and large candles are smashed into the floor. On the basis of Hollywood scenes like that, many people take it for granted that they know perfectly well what the Catholic Church is doing when it excommunicates someone, and what it is doing when it lifts an excommunication: the former is a spectacular official Catholic condemnation of a person, while the latter is a restored approval of the one who was once condemned. Once rejected, now he is embraced.

As Mark Twain noted, in life the real problem is not with what we don't know, but with what we know that isn't so.

It should not be surprising that when it comes to excommunication, the Pope himself deals with what it is, not with what people imagine it to be. Excommunication is, in fact, a very limited and narrow response in Church law to certain specific problems. It is quite possible, for example, for a Catholic to break every one of the ten Commandments, and commit every one of the seven deadly sins, and hold every bizarre and evil opinion imaginable, and not incur excommunication, though he or she may well be guilty of grievous moral wrong and face eternal damnation.

If, however, a Bishop ordains someone as a Bishop, in defiance of the Pope, thus destroying the unity of the Catholic community of faith, and setting up his own private Church, he and the one he ordains are excommunicated. They may not receive the sacraments, including confession, until the excommunication is lifted. The excommunication is not some kind of all purpose punishment; it is an instrument designed to bring about a change in the specific situation that led to it.

One important step in an effort to lead excommunicated bishops and especially their followers to end the division and return to the Church is to lift the excommunication that was imposed because of the unlawful ordination, and that has just recently happened as the Pope has made one more attempt to open the pathway for hundreds of thousands of followers of Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre to come back to the Church. The four bishops he ordained when he broke away were automatically excommunicated because they split the Church; now that excommunication of the four bishops has been lifted in an effort to heal the wound of that division. This is the most recent of several actions in years of patient work by Pope John Paul, Pope Benedict and others to try to bring home hundreds of thousands of Catholics.

Apart from the fact that Pope Benedict is not known to be a fan of Swedish television interviews, in which one of the four bishops has revealed that he holds bizarre and evil opinions, it should be noted that the lifting of the excommunication is simply an important but limited step to help bring about the reversal of a move made years ago to destroy the unity the Church.

Williamson has clearly revealed himself to be a holocaust denier, but the Pope has not "embraced a Holocaust denier". Lifting the excommunications of the four bishops ordained by Lefebvre in an effort to repair the damage he caused is not in any way an award, nor a sign of approval, nor a blessing, nor an endorsement of the opinions or behaviour of any of the four Lefebvre bishops. In any case, they are still suspended from priestly ministry, and it is now up to them and their numerous followers to respond to Pope Benedict's action by taking the initiative to complete the restoration of unity. A hopeful sign is that the leader of the four bishops and their break-away church has now strongly condemned Williamson.

Pope Benedict's total opposition to anti-semitism and Holocaust denial has been made clear over the years. As recently as last week he stated: "I hope that the memory of the Holocaust may induce humanity to reflect on the unpredictable power of evil when it conquers the heart of man. May the Holocaust be for all an admonition against forgetting, against denial or reductionism, because violence against a single human being is violence against all." The Vatican's official newspaper, L'Osservatore Romano, last week ran an article denouncing those who deny the Holocaust. You can find the text here. To suggest that the Pope in any way approves of those who deny the Holocaust is utterly unjust.

Bishop Sheen once said that there are not ten people in the country who hate the Catholic Church, but there are millions who hate the image of the Catholic Church that they have created out of misunderstanding. Before people jump to conclusions and launch into impassioned condemnations of the actions of the Pope, simple decency and fairness dictate that they understand what they think they are disagreeing with, and not construct great castles of indignation upon the sandy foundations of mistaken information.

Archbishop Thomas Collins

January 30, 2009

In Context...

Lots of discussion and media calls this week regarding the reinstatement of the four excommunicated bishops from the Fraternity of St. Pius X and the comments from Bishop Richard Williamson. Again, with complex issues the media often want to grab a quick sound bite - it's not always easy to explain these things in a 3 minute telephone call. Further explanation and information are often required to put things into context.

Two pieces worth reading on this - the first article comes from Vatican Radio - Pope on Shoah (Holocaust): Never again may violence humiliate the dignity of man!

The second piece (below) is a Letter to the Editor that was published in the January 29th National Post written by Fr. Damian MacPherson, Director of Ecumenical & Interfaith Affairs for the Archdiocese of Toronto.

National Post Published: Thursday, January 29, 2009

On Oct. 28, 1965, Roman Catholic bishops passed the historic declaration Nostra Aetate (In Our Time). It would be the first major step to bring about a new order of co-operation between Jews and Catholics.

The recent reinstatement of the four excommunicated bishops from the schismatic group of Pius X, one of whom denies the Holocaust, has strained this relationship. This event cannot be allowed to weaken bonds forged by more that 40 years of honest and devoted effort. The bishop in question is swimming against a very strong current of Catholic opinion and hopefully his personal opinion will be drowned out by stronger voices of reason and understanding.

As Pope John Paul II stated in his 1998 document, We Remember: A Reflection on the Shoah: "This century has witnessed an unspeakable tragedy, which can never be forgotten: the attempt by the Nazi regime to exterminate the Jewish people ... This was the Shoah. It is a major fact of the history of this century, a fact which still concerns us today."

This shivering image of tragedy can never be compromised by the likes of this one bishop, whose conditions for readmission to the Church are not yet public. As unfortunate as his opinion is, let us remember it is just an opinion and when spoken it is personal and without representation of the Church.

The solidarity of Catholics and Jews will not be shaken by the likes of such irrational thinking.

Reverend Damian MacPherson, director for ecumenical and interfaith affairs, Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Toronto.

Graphic: Archdiocese of Toronto

Rocky Mountain High, Giving Thanks & "On the Radar"

As usual, lots going on as we get ready to turn the page on January. It's a time where budgets are reviewed, goals are finalized and all look ahead with optimism to the year ahead. It will be another busy one - stay tuned for more details as things unfold in 2009.

Let's take a moment and highlight a couple of important events taking place in the not so distant future:


World Day of Prayer for Consecrated Life - While the official day of recognition is February 2nd, we'll celebrate a day early on February 1st at 2:30 p.m. - the Archdiocese of Toronto will honour our religious men and women who have given so much to the church over the years. Auxiliary Bishop Peter Hundt (Vicar for Religious) will preside at St. Michael's Cathedral - all lay people are invited to take part and give thanks for all that our religious communities have contributed to the diocese.

Denver Archbishop Charles Chaput Comes to Toronto - those who follow the church closely will know this shepherd from the Rockies who has emerged as an eloquent and foreceful leader of the church in the United States. He'll be in town for two talks. The first is a mass and breakfast for business leaders on the morning of February 24. Details can be found here.

The second event takes place on Monday evening, February 23 when the Archbishop will deliver a public lecture in Sorbara Hall at the University of St. Michael's College at 7:30 p.m. on the theme: "Rendering unto Caesar: Catholic Beliefs in Political Life."

The lecture is sponsored by the University of St. Michael's College and the Salt and Light Catholic Television Network. The event is free and open to the public. Archbishop Chaput has been Archbishop of Denver, Colorado since 1997. His lecture in Toronto is extremely timely in light of the recent Presidential election in the United States of America.

By the way, a stop by the Archdiocese of Denver website is worth a look. Some great multi-media tools as well as a wealth of information available within a couple of clicks. You can also see a slideshow of Archbishop Chaput over the years - here's just one from his days as a student at Our Lady of Perpetual Help school in Concordia, Kansas.

Finally, speaking of religion in the public square...

Year of St. Paul in the Square - While it's a few months away, planning is already in motion for a special event on Sunday, May 17, 2009 as part of our celebration of the Year of St. Paul. The Archdiocese of Toronto will use Dundas Square (our scaled down version of Times Square) in the heart of downtown Toronto as a gathering place for people of faith to reflect on the Pauline Year. While final details are still being confirmed, initial plans for the day include Lectio Divina with Archbishop Collins as well as an evening concert with Contemporary Christian Artist (and Canadian), Matt Maher.

It will be a great opportunity for the church to be centre stage (literally) in the heart of the city on what will be a busy long weekend in May.

While it's hard to think about Victoria Day weekend in January as snow continues to fall, any one of these events will warm you up and don't forget, you can always access the Archdiocesan event calendar here. There's no shortage of activities for our family of faith to be part of so as we like to say about our faith - it's not a spectator sport. We hope to see you there...

Photos: Archdiocese of Toronto, Archdiocese of Denver

Googling with the Vatican...

In releasing his annual message for the 43rd World Day of Communications (which officially takes place on May 24, 2009), the Vatican also announced they had entered into a partnership with Google (owner of YouTube) to create a special channel that will offer viewers a daily menu of short video clips in four different languages as well as links to other Vatican produced media. Full Reuters article available here. Kudos to the Holy Father for sending the message to more than 100,000 young people by email - addresses were collected during World Youth Day 2008 in Sydney, Australia. Just imagine a teen you know checking their computer - "You have mail" - from the Pope - that should get your attention.

Using the modern media to evangelize is not new to the Vatican. Required reading on this is Pope John Paul II's final apostolic letter, "The Rapid Development". Many will recall that when the late Pontiff was finally called home to God, journalists heard about it via email first.

In the Archdiocese of Toronto, we've been using YouTube to evangelize for more than a year. Go to http://www.youtube.com/ and type in a simple search under "Archdiocese of Toronto" - you'll find everything from Archbishop Collins' Lectio Divina gatherings to profiles of Toronto's newest priests, live reports from World Youth Day and other meaningful entries. This has enabled thousands of individuals to learn more about all things Catholic both here at home and around the world. Here's just a sample...



Bear in mind that in 2008, the Archdiocese of Toronto website: www.archtoronto.org had more than 12.4 million hits (clicks) and almost 600,000 unique visitors. As I often say in my presentations to clergy and other Catholic groups, these people are coming into the church through a different door - the virtual door. They may include active Catholics, those who've left the church, reporters looking for a quick briefing on a particular issue, students reseraching projects or others just trying to track down the closest church while on vacation (they can use our newest online feature to search for a local parish by postal code).

The last two years, to celebrate World Communications Day, we've invited local media to a breakfast with Archbishop Collins and our PR & Communications staff. It's a gathering of media from various religious backgrounds and not limited to those who cover religion - in fact, those who call us to help with their stories are a mix of journalists. Yesterday, they were writing about a bank robbery, today an issue relating to the church, tomorrow it's all about politics.

We pray together and affirm the important vocation of journalists and let them know that our office is available should they be covering stories on religion or related issues. They also get a chance to hear briefly from the Archbishop and he gets to hear from them. All in all, an opportunity for us to be proactive in developing solid relationships with reporters who may speak to us once a week or once every five years. These gatherings have helped plant the seeds for some tremendous partnerships (and story ideas) over the last couple of years. We must continue to nurture these relationships...

We'll talk about World Communications Day more in May when the official celebration takes place. Until then, we give thanks for all those who communicate the word of God using so many diverse tools to spread the Good News. I also give thanks to the tremendous team I work with each day at the Archdiocese who use their gifts and talents to effectively communicate the wonderful work that the church is doing in our community.

So whether it's on YouTube, in your parish, online or with friends - there's every reason to stay connected to our faith! To do it well, however, requires more than just a click...

Marching for a Beating Heart...

While many are departing Washington following this week’s inauguration events, thousands more are arriving for a major gathering taking place later in the week.

While it may not garner commemorative sections in the newspaper or flashy headlines, for many American (and Canadian) Catholics, it’s one of the most important events of the year: the National Prayer Vigil for Life.

An event co-sponsored by the Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), The Catholic University of America, and the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, last year’s activities brought more than 250,000 people to the nation’s capital to advocate and serve as a voice for the unborn.

Let’s pray that the new Obama administration is taking note as it’s no secret to Catholics that the new President is seen by many as the most anti-life commander-in-chief in history. Hopefully the wave of hope and change will bring a change of heart and foster a culture of life that will sweep up the nation (and beyond).

A full slate of prayer vigils, speakers, youth events and concerts are scheduled. It’s an impressive mobilization of dioceses, bishops and committed pro-lifers that are peacefully raising awareness on the 36th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the 1973 Supreme Court decision legalizing abortion.

Closer to home, in the Archdiocese of Toronto, for the first time during Lent, Catholics will have the opportunity to participate in the 40 Days for Life. Building on more than 100 events that have taken place in the United States, the Lenten vigil is made up of three components: prayer and fasting, peaceful vigil and community outreach.

You’ll also want to mark May 14th on your calendar as the annual Canadian March for Life takes place in Ottawa. The Office of Catholic Youth will be offering transportation along with numerous other local groups to the nation’s capital for the gathering, in which organizers hope to draw more than 10,000 from across the country. Having participated in the past, I look forward to attending and sharing some reflections in this space...

We pray for all those who continue their important work in the pro-life movement and for those whose views differ that they will have a change of heart and see the value and dignity of every human life, from the moment of conception to natural death.

Let's do so joyfully ever mindful of Psalm 100 which so aptly states, “Make a Joyful Noise onto the Lord.” That noise will be heard in a very tangible and pastoral way this week in Washington.

The Pastor & Obama...Some Advice

It's a big week in this world of ours. The big day in the USA is upon us and certainly there is a sense of optimism and hope judging by the extensive media reports and hype around the inauguration of Barack Obama as President of the United States for at least the next four years.

The bar has certainly been set high - expectations are huge for the incoming president as he takes office. The hype has even spilled over to Canada where coverage in our local newspapers, television broadcasts and radio commentators all have a "spin" on what's to be. We had a few reporters contact us last week about whether or not special services were planned at our churches, could we expect priests to be preaching about the new American president, any Canadians heading down to D.C. for the festivities? Link to one such piece featuring Toronto's St. Bonaventure Parish can be found here.

There's also a lot of anxious Catholics out there waiting to see how the new president responds. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops issued a letter in which they outlined "opportunities and challenges for the new President and Congress". It's serious stuff and covers topics ranging from life issues to immigration the economy and war. No doubt the days ahead will leave plenty of opportunity to assess and judge accordingly. Yet at the outset, there is a lot of goodwill, hope and prayers for the man assuming such an important global position of leadership.

Since there's no lack of serious analysis of things to come and "great expectations", in this space today, we'll take a somewhat lighter look at the parallels between Mr. President and Father Pastor.

While on a much larger stage, in many ways, the incoming President is like a newly minted Pastor arriving on the doorstep of the church. Think of when a new shepherd arrived in your community and the lofty expectations that awaited him before his bags were even unpacked:

"I hope Father doesn't erase all the good work that our
previous pastor has done for the parish."

"Well finally we have a new pastor who can put some
life into this community. It's about time."

"He seems like such a young priest. I'm sure he'll have
all sorts of programs for young people."

"If this young whipper-snapper cancels the Seniors
Social in the church hall, he's got a war on his hands..."

"Now maybe we'll find some REAL music in this church!"

"I hear the choir is digging in their heals with this new priest who seems to be interested in bringing the tambourine to our music ministry."

When it comes down to it, we're not an easy lot to please are we?

So Mr. Obama as you receive the keys to the White House, a few pieces of advice based on "pearls of wisdom" from any number of new pastors in our faith community:

1. Don't repaint the parking lot for at least six months. People don't want their morning routine shaken up so start with something less controversial like the economy.

2. Never speak for more than 10 minutes. If you can't make your point to World Leaders in 10, then you're in trouble. They'll tune you out or better yet, doze off.

3. If you have a second collection at a campaign event, you'll get mostly change. While I realize you campaigned on the theme of "change", I don't think that's what you are looking for.

4. You'll get invited to a lot of wedding receptions but you can't get to them all. Politely decline all those you are not related to or else you'll offend everyone.

5. While a lot of people will want to hang your photo everywhere, take it easy on the self promotion. Instead consider a photograph of your mother - it reminds you where you came from and her voice ringing in your ears will keep you humble.

6. The secret service, like the Catholic Women's League, will take a bullet for you so be good to them.

7. Finally, when in doubt, pray. When you have a bad day, pray. When you have a good day, pray. Repeat often, with family and friends, on your own, at home and abroad, several times every day.

Yes, a somewhat lighter look at things but not at all to diminish what will be an historic week for the world as history unfolds. We offer our thoughts and prayers to the new President of the United States and to all elected officials. May you be guided by the grace of God in all that you do.

P.S. Mr. President, don't even think about moving that statue that's been in the foyer for 25 years...

Photos: United States Senate, freefoto.com

Feeding the Soul at the Catholic Education Resource Center

Go to google and type “Catholic Education”. You’ll get 2.59 million results. So where do Catholics go to get solid information from a faith perspective?

One option worth exploring is a visit to the Catholic Education Resource Center (CERC). Its title may throw you – no, it’s not an office that you can visit but rather a website and electronic subscription that you can enjoy sent directly to your mailbox each week.

According to the CERC website, they provide readers with “an online resource library for the best in Catholic faith and culture:

• the facts in context

• the Church in the world

• the faith in education

• the latest articles from outstanding writers, authors and journalists around the globe

A quick visit to their site will show you a series of topics with articles from writers around the world. There’s no charge to surf or receive the weekly email update from the CERC. That said, with all that the center has to offer, a donation to help further their work is certainly warranted. Think of what you’d pay for a year to subscribe to your favorite magazine or the cost of a few good books – you’ll get your spiritual fill in just a few short visits at the CERC site.

J. Fraser Field, the Managing Editor, is based out of British Columbia. He spends countless hours each week tracking articles of interest and obtaining the necessary permissions to reprint the pieces through the CERC.

I had the chance to briefly meet Mr. Field during a visit to Toronto over a year ago. He is one example of what I like to refer to as the Catholic “worker bees” - men and women who have been called to their own special vocation within the church and humbly bring the Good News to others through their hard work and dedication, ever mindful of the thread of faith flowing through all that they do.

There’s never a shortage of discussion around Catholic formation and ongoing education. I continue to remind myself that it’s important for all of us to recognize the need to recharge and energize our spiritual batteries.

Some good spiritual food for to help sustain us on the journey - sounds like a good recipe for our trek through life.

By the way, the first entry that comes up when you google Catholic Education is the CERC site. So stop on by and feed your soul.

Photos: Archdiocese of Toronto

Newfoundland Archbishop on the Road to Recovery...

One of the more distressing stories of the New Year involves the Archbishop of St. John's, Newfoundland who is recovering after a scary incident in his residence. It's also a stark reminder for all about the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning.

A jovial shepherd who has served the church faithfully as a priest for 40 years and bishop for 8, Archbishop Martin Currie exudes east coast hospitality, friendship and zest for life in his dealings with the community.

A piece from the St. John's diocesan website gives a glimpse into some very scary moments for the East Coast prelate along with some wise advice and good education on the dangers of carbon monoxide.

Our prayers are with Archbishop Currie - best wishes for a speedy recovery.

CATHOLIC ARCHBISHOP RECOVERING IN HOSPITAL

(St. John’s, January 5, 2009)

The Roman Catholic Archbishop of St. John’s is still in hospital after he suffered carbon monoxide poisoning at his home in Outer Cove overnight on New Year’s Eve. Officials found Archbishop Martin Currie semiconscious in bed at his home on Thursday after he failed to show up for 11 a.m. mass at the Basilica. He was rushed to the Health Sciences Centre in St. John’s .

A broken chimney liner is being blamed for allowing exhaust from the furnace to escape into the house. This resulted in the build up of carbon monoxide fumes Bishop Currie’s condition is much improved and he is resting comfortably. He has been moved from the Intensive Care Unit to a private room where he is under observation.

Archdiocesan officials are encouraging friends and family to please continue to remember the Archbishop in their prayers. Friends and family are also asked to allow the Archbishop’s stay in the hospital to be a time of rest and recovery and are encouraged not to visit the hospital until he makes a full recovery. More information will be posted on the Archbishop’s condition as it is made known by his physician.

What is carbon monoxide?

Carbon monoxide is a gas that you can't see, smell or taste. It is produced by gas or oil furnaces, space and water heaters, clothes dryers, ovens, wood stoves and other household appliances that run on fossil fuels such as wood, gas, oil or coal.

Why is carbon monoxide so deadly?

When you inhale carbon monoxide, it can cause brain damage, suffocation or death. Because you cannot see, smell or taste this deadly gas, poisoning can happen to anyone, any time, anywhere. Everyone is at risk but pregnant women, young children, senior citizens and people with heart and lung problems are at greater risk. If your home is well sealed or not well ventilated, the levels of carbon monoxide in the air may easily rise to deadly levels.

Warning signs

Carbon monoxide poisoning and the flu seem a lot alike at first. Early warning signs of low-level poisoning include tiredness, headaches, dizziness, nausea or vomiting and shortness of breath. Your skin may also turn pink or red in response to rising blood pressure. If you experience any of these symptoms, you may be suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning and should call 9-1-1 as well as talk to your doctor.

Protect yourself

Install at least one carbon monoxide detector on every level of your home, especially outside sleeping areas. There are several types of detectors, including battery-operated and plug-in models. Install the carbon monoxide detector according to the manufacturer's instructions. Have a qualified service technician inspect and clean your fuel-burning appliances, furnace, vent pipe and chimney flues once a year. Birds'nests, twigs and old mortar in chimneys can block proper ventilation and lead to build-up of carbon monoxide gas in the home.

Maintenance

Test your carbon monoxide detector regularly to make sure it is operating properly. The owner's manual should tell you how to test your alarm. Remember to check the manual for information on when to buy a new carbon monoxide detector.

Photo: Archdiocese of St. John's, NL

A Thankful Catholic...Part II

It would be easy to come up with a dozen more reasons why I feel proud to be a Catholic in the Archdiocese of Toronto, but for the sake of space and so that we don't get too proud, I'll limit it to five more. Remember, no particular order, offered with an attitude of gratitude and to get us thinking about how we can do even more to touch the lives of those around us...

Catholic "Real Estate" - Within the boundaries of the Archdiocese of Toronto, you'll find church properties both large and small, traditional and modern, to suit the most discerning of tastes. From the Newman Centre chapel on campus at the University of Toronto to a country church in Phelpston, the "green" church of St. Gabriel to retreat centres like Marylake and Manresa. Not enough room to list them all here but you could make a full time job out of Catholic road trips across the diocese. For starters in 2009, three visits that should be on your "must see" list: 1) Martyrs' Shrine in Midland 2) St. Michael's Cathedral and 3) Mount Hope Catholic Cemetery.

Women Religious - While they don't get the same profile as our priests, they're a powerful presence in the Archdiocese of Toronto. Whether it's in health care, education or exploring new initiatives, these women continue to lead by example with humility day in and out. The Sisters of St. Joseph operate cutting edge young adult programs (Faith Connections) and have worked to develop affordable housing in the city, the Sisters of Life are standing up for the most vulnerable among us - the unborn. They're also one community that has enjoyed a flurry of vocations in the past several years - their joy is contagious.

To say thanks first hand and to see the breadth of our religious communities, join in the mass on February 1st (2:30 p.m.) at St. Michael's Cathedral as we celebrate the World Day of Prayer for Consecrated Life. And for those cyber fans out there, just remember it's a nun that oversees the extensive Vatican website while women religious field 500,000 calls a year for the Vatican - as front line communicators, they know their stuff.

Inter-faith Dialogue - Thanks to Fr. Damian MacPherson, the diocesan director of Interfaith & Ecumenical Affairs, the Archdiocese has been a leader in working with other faith communities on a variety of projects, not the least of which is the annual Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. We have a richness of religious diversity in this Archdiocese - some may see this as a challenge which it can be at times.

Yet when it comes to issues of faith, the most respectful I've come across are those who share a passion for their own beliefs. They recognize the critical value of a faith community and the importance it plays in the life of our city and country. While yes, we have differences, let's appreciate the common ground and work on projects whenever possible to show that faith communities can indeed strenghten not divide. In light of current world events where faith has led to violence, death and destruction, we need to do all we can to foster peace between all.

The First 12 Pews - you know these people, the ones who faithfully take their spot each week or even daily in the same pew. Those who occupy the first 12 pews are more than likely the bulk of volunteers you see reading, leading Sunday school classes, sitting on parish council, organizing the "Coffee Sunday" socials, selling fair-trade coffee and dropping their official parish envelope in the collection plate.

They sing Hymn #432 as loud as they can - it may be off key but they will be heard. Their handshakes at the sign of peace are firm, they come early and stay late. They've invited the pastor over for a family meal, know his birthday and remember the first priest who built the church. They are the pulse of the community and without them, our parishes would not be the same.

The Last 12 Pews - Some come late because they've been trying to dress 3 kids for church, others are visiting a new parish on vacation and don't know the routine. There are a few that are trying this whole church thing out anew, having been away for a period of time and motivated to give things another try because of something they read, an invitation from a friend or because they were moved at a wedding they recently attended. They may be dressed more casually than some would like but they're present just the same. They may not always know when to sit, kneel or stand but you can be sure they'll pick up a bulletin on the way out. And as is the case with the first 12 rows, if they weren't with us, our community would be incomplete.

While the stereotypes above were presented in gest and hopefully prompted a chuckle or two, I would respectfully suggest we take some time this year to take a different seat, look at our own faith journey from a somewhat different angle.

If you're in the front row, try sitting at the back one week and if you're in row 34, at least give row 6 a try once in a while. The sacraments won't change but your perspective might. One thing's for sure - you'll find Jesus present in every row, in the church and out, on the street and in your home. He's there waiting - we just have to give permission for him to pull up a chair next to us. Our faith is interactive and we need to be part of that conversation with God.

So there's your New Year's affirmation fix. We need to remind ourselves from time to time that our church (and Archdiocese) is a wonderful place to be. Roman Catholic and proud - maybe that's one New Year's resolution we can all work towards - and it doesn't even involve the treadmill...

Photos: Archdiocese of Toronto

A Thankful Catholic...Part 1

I suspect what I'm about to cover could apply to Catholics in any diocese around the world. Yet allow me to wear a little home-grown pride on my sleeve for a moment.

This is the only Archdiocese I have ever lived in yet I 've been fortunate enough to visit dozens around the world. All are unique and different but I wouldn't feel qualified to sum up the many blessings in those environs.

Therefore, as we begin this New Year with hope, joy and optimism, here's why I'm thankful to be a Catholic in the Archdiocese of Toronto. By no means is the list all-inclusive or in any particular order. The motivation is purely to give gratitude and appreciate just how much we're blessed...

So here we go...

Clergy - I've said it before and will say it again, they're the backbone of our church, the rock of our faith. And it's not often that we say thank you. Hundreds of priests and deacons across the Archdiocese faithfully serve the church day in and day out. The demands are many: they're asked to be a social worker, spiritual guide, human resources manager, sacramental leader, business operator and part time handyman, all of these most days before noon. They have fascinating backgrounds and if you've only ever known them from the pew, it's time to reach out and get to know a priest or permanent deacon this year. You'll be better for it and so will they.

Lay Movements - from the 4th Degree Knights of Columbus to the Catholic Women's League, a Marriage Encounter duo affirming Holy Matrimony to Couples for Christ and the Legion of Mary. They each bring a charism to the church that is unique and in its members you will find faithful and loyal Catholics ready to serve the church at a moment's notice. If you want something done, ask a lay movement. You won't just get one volunteer, you'll probably get 20.

Pope John Paul II in particular had a soft spot for these loyal ambassadors for Christ and so should we. In the Archdiocese of Toronto, we have dozens of lay movements that strengthen our faith communities - we need to continue to find ways to mobilize these movements for in them we not only find the future of the church, but the church of today.

Catholic Education - long debated in this province and oft discussed in recent months, it remains a tremendous gift, one that we must nurture lovingly. The names alone of 500 publicly funded Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Toronto remind us of our history - saints, blessed men and women, Popes and Bishops both past and present. It's much more than a cross over the doorway or school uniform, it's teaching our children with the thread of faith woven through all that we do. It's about respect, beliefs, tolerance and most of all, recognition that all we have is gift from God.

In the words of Archbishop Collins, "Faith gives us the vision that allows us to see the grace of God. This leads us to be filled with hope that energizes us to go out with practical, Christian love to serve others in imitation of Christ, our Lord."

Diversity of the Archdiocese - yes, you can find take out food or a good restaurant pretty much anywhere in our city sampling culinary delicacies and taking a gastro-adventure around the world. But let's not forget there aren't many dioceses I know of where you can attend Sunday mass in more than 30 languages or walk into a local parish and see a cross section of the globe represented. When we extend the sign of peace, especially in these turbulent times, our brothers and sisters are truly a reflection of our global village. Our ethnic communities bring with them wonderful traditions, charisms, dedication and yes, the best parish pot luck dinners in the country.

Catholic Social Services - I often tell the story that when I began working for the church, my dearly departed Grandmother remarked, "That's beautiful, what will you do during the week?" There's still a sense out there that we're only open on the weekends. Aside from our spiritual services, there's lots happening - take a good look around.

Catholic Social Service agencies have their doors open 24/7 to people of all faiths. From assisting the homeless, new immigrants, couples in crisis, single parents, the elderly - you name it, we're helping them. No we're not always ones to trumpet this work as humble servants in the vineyard of the Lord. Yet it's important that folks know what we're up to. Read your ShareLife brochure or take a look at the Archdiocesan website and you'll get a sense of how far reaching these groups really are. And as one American bishop once remarked, "We don't help these people because they're Catholic we do it because we are."

If we're going to have a few "proud Catholic" moments, let's not rush things...up next...five more reasons to be a proud Catholic in the Archdiocese.

Photos: Archdiocese of Toronto

Looking Back at 2008 in the Archdiocese of Toronto

As we turn the page on 2008 and look to what's ahead in 2009, let's take a few moments to reflect on the many gifts and blessings in the Archdiocese of Toronto this past year. While we see plenty of Top 10 lists for movies, news stories, etc., below you'll find a listing of some significant initiatives, activities and events in the life of the Archdiocese of Toronto in 2008. These are in no particular order -feel free to add some of your own highlights if I haven't hit the mark for you.

9 "Worth Remembering" in 2008 for the Archdiocese of Toronto!

9. Catholic Media Convention - while many people would not be aware of this gathering, more than 400 communicators, journalists and media professionals made their way from across North America to Toronto for this annual event. Held for the first time outside the United States, speakers included Fr. Frederico Lombardi (Papal Press Secretary), renowned ethicist Margaret Somerville and Quebec City Cardinal Marc Ouellet among others. Our North American colleagues took note of the well organized and meticulous planning from the host committee. Many secular journalists also had the chance to see the breadth of involvement when it comes to church communicators across North America.

8. Lord's Prayer in the Ontario Legislature - While the sitting provincial government thought this was a "no brainer", they soon found the oppposition to removing prayer in the legislature was significant. Most agreed there were more pressing matters and overwhelmed by thousands of petitions from concerned people of faith, the province backed down and kept the Lord's Prayer while including additional prayers from other faith communities to reflect the diversity of our province. The premier admitted even his mother wasn't pleased...

7. Ordinations 2008 - A former mechanic, theatre school grad and university football quarterback. Meet Toronto's newest priests...In May the Archdiocese was blessed to ordain seven new diocesan priets and eight new permanent deacons for ministry. When we see many dioceses across the country with little or no vocations, we continue to count our blessings and recognize all that we have in our midst. Kudos to our Vocations Office and local Serra Clubs who pray and work fervently for vocations. The annual ordinandi dinner also packs record crowds and allows all in attendance a chance to hear moving stories of how these young men were called to the priesthood. To all our priests we say Grazie!

6. Lectio Divina - There's not many dioceses in the world where you have an opportunity once a month to pray in the mother church of the diocese in an intimate setting with the Archbishop. Bringing a tradition from his former assignment in Edmonton, Alberta, Archbishop Collins has used this form of prayer to develop a following for his monthly sessions at St. Michael's Cathedral. Thousands more reflect with him in clips on Youtube and broadcasts on Salt & Light Television. If you haven't yet had the chance to experience Lectio Divina, put it on your "to do list" for 2009.

5. Ontario Government Launches Plan to Reduce Poverty - this one was announced just before the end of the year but has impacted many in our faith community who work to serve as a voice for the poor and marginalized among us. Faith based groups like the St. Vincent de Paul and the Ontario Conference of Catholic Bishops made thoughtful submissions to the government. In these difficult economic times, we must do all that we can to ensure that this issue remains a priority for our civic leaders.

4. Propane Explosion - August 2008 - this disaster uprooted thousands but more importantly, showed us the best and worst of humanity. Politicians playing the blame game, lawsuits, finger pointing - we saw it all. At the same time, we saw countless examples of the community supporting each other, a small church (St. Norbert's) that was a respite in the midst of crisis and people turning to their faith for comfort, support and peace. This is just one small example of how our faith communities are quietly beacons of hope for all.

3. Pilgrimage - In June we began the Year of St. Paul and since then many have made the pilgrimage to Pauline churches across the Archdiocese. We've also seen pilgrims from our diocese depart for significant church events: World Youth Day in Australia and the International Eucharistic Congress, both of which have borne much fruit and will hopefully flame the fire of faith for months and years to come.

2. Brandon Crisp Funeral - a tragedy for any family, the death of a son and brother, Brandon Crisp's passing gripped the city of Barrie, our province and our nation. Out of these dire circumstances we saw how people come together to support one another. Catholic education was also front and centre in examining how a group of students cope with this crisis. On top of the expected crisis counsellors and social workers was something we don't often hear about in the secular world - a time for prayer. School officials consistently pointed out the importance of providing space for the students to pray, to come together as a faith community, to find support from the local pastor and to honour Brandon by attending his funeral. The triad of parish, home and school working together to support all was never more prevalent...

1. Order of Canada - not the Canada Day that most expected when the announcement came that Henry Morgentaler would be honoured with one of our nation's top awards. Archbishop Collins was quick to respond, asking the faithful to contact their local politicians and those responsible for the decision. He also conducted more than two dozen media interviews in a 24 hour period to get the message out.

While no one anticipated that the decision would be reversed, tens of thousands of phone calls, letters and emails were sent, demonstrating to many politicians that faith communities can still mobilize themselves when there is an issue worth fighting for. As people of faith, we need to always look for ways to communicate quickly and effectively with one voice, mobilizing our resources in short order. This won't be the last time we'll want our voice to be heard and we should be preparing right now for the next time. Whether it was at your local church, on television or around the dinner table, there was no question where the Catholic community stood on this issue, with some even going so far as to returning previously awarded honours.

Of course at the centre of it all for us as Catholics is the Eucharist and we mustn't ever forget the hundreds of parishes across the Archdiocese who faithfully celebrate the sacraments each day of the year. These stories look at the church in the broader context of how we impact the community outside the doors of our physical buildings. That said, we can never underestimate what goes on in the house of God and for that, we should all give thanks.

So to you and yours, best wishes for a Happy and propserous New Year, filled with countless blessings and the peace of Christ, now and always.

Up next: "Reasons I'm Thankful To Be A Catholic in the Archdiocese of Toronto!"

Photos: Archdiocese of Toronto