A New Chapter in Reconciliation

Pope Benedict XVI met Wednesday at the Vatican with representatives from the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops along with native leaders, elders and survivors of native residential abuse in a meeting that could be described as an historical chapter in reconciliation for these groups.

While many diocesan bishops and other religious communities have apologized for past abuse at native residential schools, the meeting with the Holy Father elevates this issue to the highest level of leadership in the Roman Catholic Church. To my knowledge, no other global church leader has made a formal apology of this nature. Pope Benedict has shown numerous times during his papacy a willingness to meet with victims and seek their forgiveness for the sins of the past.

Below you'll find the new release from the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops:

Deep gratitude for Pope’s meaningful meeting with Canadian Aboriginal representatives - 29 April 2009

(CCCB – Ottawa)…. Following their meeting with Pope Benedict XVI earlier today, Archbishop V. James Weisgerber, President of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, and Mr. Phil Fontaine, National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations, expressed their deep gratitude for the special attention given by the Holy Father to the question of Aboriginal residential schools that had been operated by Catholic dioceses and religious communities.

The private meeting with members of the Canadian delegation followed Wednesday morning’s General Audience. In addition to Archbishop Weisgerber and Chief Fontaine, the Canadian delegation was composed of representatives of Aboriginal communities and of Catholic dioceses and religious communities in Canada.

The Aboriginal representatives were all former students of residential schools: Mr. Peter Kelly, an Elder; Mr. Edward John, Grand Chief of the Tl’azt’en Nation, British Columbia; Ms. Delia Opekokew, a Cree lawyer; and Ms Kathleen Mahoney, a professor of law and negotiator of the Indian Residential Schools settlement.

The representatives of Catholic dioceses and religious communities were Most Reverend Gerard Pettipas, C.Ss.R., Archbishop of Grouard-McLennan and Chair of the Corporation of Catholic Entities that signed the Residential School Settlement Agreement; Father Tim Coonen, O.M.I, representative of congregations of men religious who are included in the Agreement; Sister Marie Zarowny, S.S.A., representative of congregations of women religious who are included in the Agreement; and Mr. Pierre-L. Baribeau, legal advisor to the Catholic Entities.

According to Archbishop Weisgerber, the Holy Father expressed his compassion toward the Aboriginal communities of Canada for the unfortunate events that occurred in the residential schools for over a century and assured them of the support of the entire Catholic Church. “His face spoke even louder than his words, “ said Archbishop Weisgerber. “He listened intently and one could see how saddened he was by these traumatic events of the past and their continued effects on the lives of the people today. The Holy Father expressed the prayer and hope that this event would help the Aboriginal communities of Canada be internally freed from this historic tragedy and enabled to create a strong future. The Pope offered his spiritual support and presence for the Church in Canada as it continues to work in partnership with Aboriginal communities in building this future together.”

Since the early 1990s, Catholic religious communities and dioceses that had been involved in the Residential Schools have expressed their regrets to the Aboriginal Peoples for the painful abuses they suffered in the schools. This meeting with Pope Benedict XVI opens a new chapter in the relationship between Aboriginal Peoples and the Catholic Church in Canada.

Photo: Reuters

Catholic Missions in Canada...Spreading the "Good News" to every corner of our land...

Wednesday evening I had the pleasure of attending the annual Catholic Missions in Canada dinner. It's a great event that allows all in attendance the opportunity to learn more about the missionary work that goes on in our very country.

Most of us think of overseas when it comes to "missionaries" but that's not the reality for more than 600 missionaries serving various communities in our country. According to the Catholic Missions in Canada website:

Not all missions are foreign missions. It may surprise many Canadian Catholics, but they don't have to look far: some of the poorest and neediest missions served by the Church can be found here in Canada. These are mainly poor and scattered communities in the Canadian North, isolated from their neighbors because of geography and the extreme cold of the long winter season.

These are missions located in the hinterlands which cannot be reached except by plane or by log truck. These are mission churches still heated by old wood-fuelled stoves. These are missions without running water and the amenities of life. These are missions where families constantly struggle to cover the basics such as food and shelter and clothing because opportunities for work and jobs are scarce. Sometimes missionaries have to travel more than 100 kilometres each way to celebrate the Eucharist or to preside at a funeral service. Most often, there are too few missionaries available to bring the Good News of the Lord to the small mission communities.

Last evening's keynote speaker was Bishop Gary Gordon, the jovial bishop of Whitehorse (see one of their missionary churches above), a diocese that stretches a geographic territory just about the size of France with less than 10 parish priests to minister to the community. His predecessor was killed flying his own plane to get to a religious service.

Bishop Gordon spoke of how he recently put several thousand km's on his truck over Easter weekend to ensure that several communities had the chance to have an Easter liturgy. As he put it, "If I had a crowd this size (about 150 ppl) in one of my communities for mass it would be like the Super Bowl. It's not uncommon for the bishop to travel 10 hours to celebrate mass for 8 people.

Yet Bishop Gordon does it all with a smile on his face, starring in a short five minute video where he welcomed viewers to the Diocese of Whitehorse and its' -30 degree weather.

This kind of personal witness really does put into perspective the power people of faith can have in our country. It also reminds us of the tremendous blessings we enjoy in the Archdiocese of Toronto. We often hear people frustrated that they only have "one" priest in residence. Meanwhile, not so far away, parishes in the north of Canada have a stole on the celebrant's chair, praying for the day when that seat will be filled with a priest for their community.

Since it was founded in 1908, CMIC has been quietly serving the country. A visit to their educational website will tell the story of our Canadian missionaries and how our faith continues to stretch throughout this vast nation.

In many ways, we're all missionaries - as Bishop Gordon said, "We could sure use your help in our neck of the woods. Teachers, women religious, priests, anyone willing to help we can put you to work." No doubt the nuns and priests still working in their 80's would be most grateful...

Photos: Catholic Missions in Canada

The Gift of Life - National Organ Donation Week

This is Organ Donation Week in Canada and we've seen lots of discussion in the news around this issue in recent weeks. The story of Baby Kaylee in the Toronto area sparked plenty of debate and discussion around ethical issues regarding end of life, organ donation and other related matters. The story that seemed to get lost in the midst of the media coverage was this little girl's will to live.

We've received some calls regarding organ donation from a Catholic perspective and, in fact, this has been an issue we've been reviewing for more than a year with some very credible experts in the Catholic community. Look for new resources coming soon to help the Catholic community learn more about organ donation in the context of our faith.

Most importantly, during National Organ & Tissue Donation Week, it's important to have a conversation with your loved ones as to your end of life wishes. Canada has one of the worst organ donation rates in the western world with a startling 13 donors per 1 million people.

Consider also that thousands are on waiting lists - 1700 in Ontario alone. One donor can save up to 8 lives. Someone dies every 3 days in our province just waiting for a transplant - they could be a family member, friend or neighbour. It's up to all of us to learn more about this important life issue as responsible stewards of all that has been entrusted to us by God.

Look for more information coming to parishes across the Archdiocese over the next couple of months. Until then, you can learn more by visiting the Trillium Gift of Life website, the organization tasked with coordinating organ and tissue donation in the province of Ontario. They have also launched a very unique youth initiative based on feedback and research with young people across the province.

The gift of life is the most precious gift we can give to another. It's time to have the discussion and take action...

Photo: Ontario East Transplant Support Group

Profile of Archbishop Collins: A Man at Ease With God...

During a busy Easter weekend some may not have had the chance to see the National Post profile on Archbishop Thomas Collins.

For those interested in the "business" of communications, this would be an example of a pro-active media relations story. A profile of one of the major leaders in our city, no specific issue driving the story and a chance for readers to learn a little more about our shepherd.

Interesting that the headlines in the paper and online as well as the photos are different: in the paper you see, "A man at ease with God" while online you find "Archbishop Thomas Collins' Difficult Journey".

If you're unfamiliar with how media stories are put together, it's important to learn that the reporter writing the story very rarely writes the headline.

National Post readers will know that Charles Lewis covers religious issues in a way that I've found to be thorough and fair. It's great that the Post has a full time religion writer, one of only two local papers (the other being the Toronto Star) devoting full time resources to faith issues. In that way, we're able to build ongoing relationships with reporters that cover our stories from week to week as opposed to many media outlets where you may deal with a different reporter on every story.

So as we enjoy the Easter season, take a moment to learn a little more about His Grace.

Archbishop Thomas Collins, mitre firmly set on his head, his shepherd's staff in hand, dressed in the formal vestments of Catholic authority, strides through the centre isle of St. Michael's Cathedral at the start of a Sunday-evening service.

Hundreds have come to be led by him in the ancient Church practice of lectio divina -- the "divine reading" of the Gospels. The mixture of incense floating through the air along with hundreds of voices offering the Old Testament prayers to God creates an atmosphere the Archbishop calls "formal, beautiful and enchanted ...just sublime."

The formal portion over, he leaves briefly and re-emerges in the plain black shirt and pants of working priests the world over. Bible in hand, he is at ease, utterly in his element. "Lectio divina is one of those expressions that has thousands of meanings," he explained later. "It's not a study, it's not a teaching. It's a prayer. It's an encounter with Christ through the Word of God. It's like scriptural lasagna. We read about 10 or 15 lines long and then read it slowly line by line, layer upon layer. And then maybe thoughts that pop into my head and then silence." He uses humour, too, to make sure everyone understands you can be religious and laugh.

This, after all, is the same man who recently fulfilled a life-long dream to ride a Zamboni. And when he taught literature at St. Peter's Seminary in London, Ont., many years ago, he would walk solemnly into the classroom at exam time, put a chocolate Easter bunny in a plastic bag, smash it to bits, and then hand out treats. "It seemed to lighten the mood."

He says every priest, every bishop, has a gift to bring. His is a love of language and unearthing its potential. "The Bible is a sacred text -- but it is a text. It's language and I think God fishes with the line of language," he said. "I feel very much at home in the cathedral, in the midst of the people of God. That's where I feel truly and profoundly at home. This is a family."

When he first came to Toronto two years ago, after being the bishop of Edmonton, he suddenly found himself the spiritual father of two million Catholics spread over a vast geographical area. The notion of family and community are themes he brings up often. He believes his community, his family, should strive to grow deeper in faith but not become isolated from the world at large.

His long road to becoming an archbishop started in Guelph with his first family. His voice grows soft when he speaks about his father, who was always very ill, first with tuberculosis, and later strokes. "He was a very holy man, very patient and strong. When I was a little boy I used to go with him to church in the evening. I remember going up through the snow to spend time at prayer at the church with him."

If not for his father's health, and the need for him to help out at home, he would have gone into the seminary out of high school. Instead, he went to St. Jerome's College at the University of Waterloo, to study English literature. His father died in 1967 and two years later Thomas Collins entered St. Peter's Seminary in London.

He had hoped to be a parish priest, but his superiors had different ideas. "God changes everything. God plays tricks on us. I've lived under obedience all my life and there's a great joy in that."

He taught literature at the seminary and then scripture. Along the way he received a masters in English then he was sent to get a doctorate in theology at Rome's Gregorian University and further his study of the Bible. It was there he discovered he needed to find something to break the stress of study, so the scholar who loved Chaucer and Shakespeare (but does not care for Milton), turned to detective novels. One of his favourites, not surprisingly, is Brother Cadfael, the fictional 12th century monk-turned-detective.

In Toronto, however, it is the plot of the secular world that is most important to him. He is visibly annoyed at the notion that religious groups are increasingly expected to stand on the sidelines and let the "secular" world deal with societal issues. "I don't think freedom of religion means freedom from religion," he said. "Secular means of the age. And part of the age is religion. It's a profound reality of so many people. Think of the massive good the Church does. We contribute. Our voice needs to be heard in the democratic conversation.... Maybe before the secularists sit down at the table, maybe they should put a little contribution on the table too. We have earned the right to be heard."

He worries that rampant individualism will rot society by destroying any true sense of community. To make his point, he tells the story of a friend who emerged from a monastery, where he had spent a year with poor food, in total silence.

"Just after returning to his normal life as a parish priest, he got on a bus one day. He looked around and said, 'Oh my gosh, has the president been shot? Has there been some disaster -- was there a plane crash?' He said that because everyone seemed so tense and uptight and worried," the Archbishop said. "And then he realized, that's normal. The reason he noticed it ... is because he had lived for a year with a community of disciples of Jesus, who cared for one another, who were not out to push ahead."

—Charles Lewis, National Post

Photo: National Post

Papal Candles! Benedict XVI Celebrates His 82nd Birthday...

Happy Birthday to Pope Benedict XVI!

The Holy Father turns 82 today. It allows us to pause and reflect on the tremendous responsibilities of the Papacy. When one considers the many appointments, meetings, public appearances and consultations involved in the position, all the while finding time for prayer and devotion, we should remind ourselves from time to time that the Holy Father is in his 80's.

Most people would be enjoying retirement, time with family and reflecting on their life's journey. In the midst of it all, at 82, here is a man who, arguably, has the most high profile position in the world.

In that light, we pray for the Holy Father and give thanks for all that he has given our global family. Most of us don't anticipate a career peak at 82 but sometimes, God has other plans...

From today's Vatican News Service, a look back at the journey of the Pontiff:

BENEDICT XVI CELEBRATES HIS 82ND BIRTHDAY TODAY
VATICAN CITY, 16 APR 2009 (VIS) - The Holy Father will today celebrate his 82nd birthday in the Apostolic Palace of Castelgandolfo a few kilometres south of Rome where he is enjoying a brief period of rest following the ceremonies of Holy Week.

Holy See Press Office Director Fr. Federico Lombardi S.J. yesterday commented the circumstance by expressing the hope that the Holy Father "may long continue to carry out his ministry, ... helping the men and women of today to find God".

"The focus of his concern", Fr. Lombardi continued his remarks, "is to bring mankind to God and God to mankind, through a great personal love for Christ. ... Despite the critical attitude it is necessary to adopt towards so many negative aspects of today's culture and mentality, in the final analysis the principle message [the Church] wishes to communicate is a message of love, a message for the good of mankind and of the human person; that is, their reconciliation with God and with all the other men and women who live on this earth".

Joseph Aloysius Ratzinger, the name with which Benedict XVI was baptised, was born on 16 April 1927 in Marktl am Inn, Germany. From 1946 to 1951, the year in which he was ordained a priest and began to teach, he studied philosophy and theology at the University of Munich and at the higher school of philosophy and theology of Freising. In 1953 he obtained a doctorate in theology with a thesis entitled: "The People and House of God in St.Augustine's Doctrine of the Church." Four years later he qualified as a university teacher with a work on St. Bonaventure's theology of history.

After a period of teaching dogma and fundamental theology at the higher school of philosophy and theology of Freising, he went on to teach in Bonn from 1959 to 1969, in Munster from 1963 to 1966, and in Tubinga from 1966 to 1969. In that year he was appointed professor of dogmatic theology and of the history of dogma at the University of Regensburg and vice president of the same university. In 1962, he made a noteworthy contribution to the work of Vatican Council II as theological consultant to Cardinal Joseph Frings, archbishop of Cologne.

In 24 March 1977, Paul VI appointed him archbishop of Munich and Freising, making him a cardinal on 27 June 1977. In 1981 he was nominated by John Paul II as prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.

Subsequently he also became president of the Pontifical Biblical Commission and of the Pontifical International Theological Commission, and dean of the College of
Cardinals. He was elected as Pope on 19 April 2005, the second day of the conclave.

Photos: Getty Images

Pope Benedict To Meet with Canadian Aboriginal Representatives

Happy Easter to one and all!

Thanks to my PR & Communications colleagues who helped contribute to these pages during the Lenten season. You may see more from them in the days to come...We hope our Lenten reflections provided a helpful resource in your "days in the desert".

Lots going on here at the Archdiocese. The wearecatholic.ca was well received this past week with plenty of media pickup, feedback from clergy and parishioners along with some good suggestions for moving forward with future initiatives. We'll do a review of this outreach tool and see how we can effectively build on our modest initial campaign.

On April 29th at the Vatican, Pope Benedict XVI will meet with Canadian representatives regarding reconciliation with the aboriginal community. See the statement below from the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops. Let's continue to pray for healing and peace throughout our country.

The best of the Easter season to you and your family!

(CCCB – Ottawa) – On 29 April 2009, following the General Audience which regularly takes place on Wednesday mornings, Pope Benedict XVI will meet with a delegation of Aboriginal representatives from Canada including Mr. Phil Fontaine, National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations, and with representatives of Catholic dioceses and religious communities in Canada, including Archbishop V. James Weisgerber, President of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops. During this meeting, the Pope will express his concern for Aboriginal Peoples in Canada who continue to suffer from the impact of the former Indian Residential Schools, the majority of which were managed by a number of Catholic dioceses and religious orders. A written declaration – signed by the Holy Father – will be presented to the Aboriginal representatives to mark the mutual determination of the Catholic Church and Aboriginal communities in Canada to continue efforts toward reconciliation and forgiveness.

Photo: Associated Press

He Is Risen!

"On the first day of the week, Mary of Magdala came to the tomb early in the morning while it was still dark, and saw the stone removed from the tomb.

So she ran and went to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and told them, "They have taken Jesus from the tomb, and we don't know where they put him."

So Peter and the other disciple went out and came to the tomb."

John 20:1-3

He Is Risen!

Happy Easter to one and all!

Photos: Archdiocese of Toronto

Holy Saturday: Awaiting God's Triumphant Resurrection...

(the following entry was written by Nerissa Flores, Communications Coordinator, Office of Public Relations & Communications, Archdiocese of Toronto)

The Paschal Triduum which began with Holy Thursday and Good Friday, continues now with Holy Saturday. The Triduum is the most important of the Church’s calendar, a commemoration of the grand mystery of our faith: God’s sacrifice for the redemption of our sins and the ultimate triumph over death by His resurrection.

Holy Saturday is the penultimate period prior to the exultant celebration of Easter Sunday and is usually observed in silent reflection. Churches are noticeably quiet during the earlier part of the day due to an absence of liturgical activities other than visits made by the faithful to pray in solitude.

As the day ends though, Easter vigils begin and people start flocking to the churches to await the celebration of the joyous culmination of God’s greatest sacrifice. The Easter vigil is a good way to observe Holy Saturday as it is one of the most moving and beautiful services in the church year.

During the Easter vigil, lights are dimmed and the faithful solemnly pray and reflect on His immense love and sacrifice. As the night crosses over to the early hours of Easter Sunday, the church is rendered ablaze once again with lights, while the church bells triumphantly peal, as the flock sing the Alleluia. There is a strong feeling of re-awakening, of victory, of elation - mourning has ended, Jesus is alive!

Imagine being one of Jesus’ disciples on the day after He died – confusion and fear would have been the order of the day. They were perhaps abuzz with questions, wondering what will happen next now that the Master has gone. But deeply anchored in their faith, their hearts were without doubt filled with expectation, believing that “He will destroy the temple and rebuilt it in three days”! While there was mourning, there was likewise much hope.

Imagine us, God’s faithful, during the Holy Saturdays of our lives – equally confused, dazed, fearful, pensive as the disciples were. Our Holy Saturdays are likewise marked with mourning - the loss of loved ones, of relationships, of friendships, of self-confidence, of security and more. On this blessed day, Holy Saturday, let us emulate its message of anticipation, hope and optimism despite the doubts and fears we struggle with. Remain firmly rooted in our faith and the belief that indeed, after the darkness of our personal Holy Saturdays there will always be an Easter in our lives.

We remember, we celebrate, we believe...

Photos: Associated Press, Archdiocese of Toronto

Good Friday: The Passion

We recall the images of the powerful Stations of the Cross at World Youth Day 2008 in Sydney, Australia to reflect on the passion of the Lord on this Good Friday.

We remember, we celebrate, we believe...

Photos: Archdiocese of Toronto, Getty Images

From Lent to the Triduum

Lent proper ends with our Holy Thursday Eucharist. We begin the Triduum (latin for three days), a single celebration, "all one piece", of the death and resurrection of Jesus. Some refer to this period as the "Paschal Fast". Traditionally it was a radical fast, where the only food and drink was the Eucharistic bread and wine.

As we begin the Triduum we reflect on the words of the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI in his general audience from Wednesday, April 8, 2009:

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Tomorrow we begin the Holy Triduum, the heart of the entire liturgical year: a time when we immerse ourselves in the central events of our Redemption. The Chrism Mass serves as a prelude to these three days, as priests renew their promises to the Bishop, who then blesses the holy oils and consecrates the chrism signifying the gift of the Holy Spirit.

At the Mass of the Lord’s Supper, we recall the institution of the Eucharist, the supreme sign of Christ’s love for us. As we venerate his Cross on Good Friday, we contemplate the full meaning of his words: “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many” (Mk 14:24).

Holy Saturday finds us waiting in silent hope for the Easter Vigil, when every church will break forth in a song of joy at the Lord’s Resurrection.

The celebration of the Paschal mystery recalls the depth of Christ’s love: he did not wish to exercise his divinity as an exclusive possession, a means of domination, or a sign of distance between him and us. Rather, “he emptied himself, taking the form of a servant” (Phil 2:7) by sharing fully in our human condition, even to the point of death: not a death imposed by blind chance or fate, but one freely chosen in obedience to the Father’s will for the salvation for all.

May our fervent celebration of the Triduum draw us ever more deeply into Christ’s Paschal mystery.

Photo: Carole Ferraro/EPA - Leonardo da Vinci's 'The Last Supper' in Milan's Santa Maria delle Grazie

A Lenten Reflection: Holy Week Is...

Yesterday, a packed St. Michael's Cathedral welcomed the priests of the Archdiocese along with men and women religious for a celebration of the annual Chrism Mass. A sizeable crowd of lay people meant it was standing room only at one of the most beautiful liturgical celebrations of the year.

Blessing the Holy Oils that will be used in the celebration of the sacraments over the next year, Archbishop Collins also asked the clergy to renew their priestly vows as they gear up for the busy next few days of Holy Week. Full audio file of Archbishop Collins' homily available here.

As we move through this holiest time of year, it's worth reflecting on the meaning of Holy Week. We thank Gregory Beath, consultant at the Catholic Office of Religious Education for preparing a good primer which you can find below:

With the celebration of the 6th Sunday during Lent, called Passion Sunday (Palm Sunday), the Church enters into the last days of the Lenten season: a week called holy. During this week, the Church celebrates the events leading up to and the culmination of the great mission of Jesus Christ, namely, the redemption of all creation through his suffering, death, and resurrection.

All through Lent, the Church has been preparing itself to celebrate Easter with hearts and minds renewed. Passion Sunday and the last few days of Lent give us an opportunity to reflect deeply on the mystery of Jesus Christ’s sacrifice. We have been following Christ’s footsteps through Lent. It is a journey that leads to the Cross.

Passion Sunday and the days of Holy Week express with intensity the Paschal Mystery: the suffering, death, and resurrection of the Lord. We celebrate the Paschal Mystery every time we celebrate Eucharist; Christ’s saving death and resurrection is the reason for our thanksgiving.

But, during Holy Week, we enter into the various layers and facets of the Paschal Mystery through the liturgies of the Church, so that we may take to heart the events of our salvation and be transformed by them. The priest’s invitation to the people as they begin Holy Week encapsulates the meaning of this climax of the Church year:

Let us remember with devotion this entry which began his saving work and follow him with a lively faith. United with him in his suffering on the cross, may we share his resurrection and new life. 1

As we journey through these final days of Lent, we remember, we celebrate, we believe...

1) Canadian Conference of Catholic Bisops, The Roman Missal: Sacramentary.

(Ottawa: CCCB Publications Service, 1983), 202.

Photo: Diocese of Phoenix, AZ

A Lenten Reflection: Keeping our Parishes Strong and Vibrant!

(the following entry was written by Bill Steinburg, Communications Manager, Office of Public Relations & Communications, Archdiocese of Toronto)

As we journey through the Lenten season, many of us focus more fully on our parishes than we normally may; attending additional Masses or a parish mission, participating in a parish event, or just helping out with spring clean-up of the grounds.

There’s little doubt that an active and vibrant parish is often the result of a strong pastor. Usually, there are other hands involved as well. While there may not be much excitement around the administration, operation and organization of our parishes, there are hundreds of people in our Archdiocese who have committed themselves to the task through work on a parish council.

These are the people who provide the “corporate history” of the parish when pastors are transferred or retire. They assist with the organization of events, handling the mundane details related to maintenance, human resources and finances. They dedicate hours of their time in service to ensure the parish is financially and physically sound. They are also the people who help to shape the character of the parish as a social entity. If the parish council is strong and vibrant, odds are the parish will be, too.

During this time of prayer, fasting and almsgiving, let’s pray for those volunteers who give of their time and talents so that our parishes can remain the focus of our Lenten activity.

We remember, we celebrate, we believe…

A Lenten Reflection: We Are Catholic...An Invitation

Today the Archdiocese of Toronto officially launches wearecatholic.ca including a radio ad campaign that will be heard throughout the GTA on 680 News until Easter Sunday. Above you'll find a special video message from Archbishop Collins that you can find on wearecatholic.ca - we encourage you to share this website with those you know and particularly for those who may have fallen away from the church and are considering coming back.

This is a special week for the life of Catholics throughout the world. Take a moment to make it special for someone who could use a faith community to call home.

Lent is a time for forgiveness, prayer, almsgiving and it's also time to reflect on our faith journey. Today, somewhere, a new journey begins...the door is always open and we welcome those of you who may consider stopping by. For you wearecatholic.ca is a great place to start.

We remember, we celebrate, we believe....

A Lenten Reflection: Remembering JPII

Hard to believe that this past week was four years since the passing of Pope John Paul II. As we kick off Holy Week, I think it's fitting to remember a man who made his own dramatic pilgrimage in his final days, someone who, like Jesus, showed the world how to live and how to die. Below you'll find a reflection I penned that appeared in the Catholic Digest in November of 2007. This story took place 8 years ago today. It's one of those moments that you might say, you never forget...

I was standing in St. Peter’s Square, the heart of the Catholic Church in the world. Surrounding me were 40,000 young Italians, chanting “Canada, Canada, Canada!” Part of a delegation of Canadian youth (I was turning 30 that day so hopefully I still qualified as “young”) bringing the World Youth Day Cross back to Canada, where it would journey for the year leading up to World Youth Day 2002 in Toronto.

It was, you might say, “a moment” frozen in time. My previous trips to the Vatican hadn’t exactly been front row seats – I was used to being in the back, squinting to catch a glimpse of what was going on. But this time was different…

I hadn’t been in my seat five minutes when a Toronto priest recognized me, leaned over and said, “Neil, at the end of this ceremony, we need to make a presentation and I’d like you to help me with it.” Figuring he’d be looking for assistance in moving chairs or some heavy lifting, I nodded, “Sure Father, no problem.” He handed me a jacket with the World Youth Day logo and said, “Great, when I give you the signal, give this to the Pope.”

“EXCUSE ME? THE POPE?” You bet I can help out with the presentation. I settled back in my seat, knowing there were about 2 hours before my historical moment with JPII. A friend sat nearby and overheard my good fortune. He leaned in and said to me, “So you’re giving the Pope a jacket. Awesome! Well we’ve gotta write him a note.” “What?” I said. “The Pope”, he replied. “We’ll write a note and put it in the jacket!” Oh of course, a note!!

So right there we crafted our message to the Holy Father. We told him that the young people of Canada were praying for him and inspired by him. We told him that we couldn’t wait to welcome the world at World Youth Day 2002. We signed the note, “the youth of Canada” and on the front we addressed it: JPII we love you! We inserted the note into the jacket pocket and took a breath, knowing full well the reams of gifts and trinkets the Pope likely received on his many travels. It didn’t matter – the note was going in the jacket and we’d have a story to tell.

The end of the ceremony came and I got the signal. I brought the jacket up to the Holy Father. Definitely one of life’s top 10 moments. It likely lasted less than 10 seconds but it seemed like an eternity. Eventually I handed him the jacket, he gave me a blessing our hands squeezed for a brief moment. I returned to my seat. I looked up with the blue sky in the background of St. Peter’s Square and thought to myself – it doesn’t get much better than this. Happy Birthday! Not a bad story if it ended there…

Two months after giving Pope John Paul II the jacket, I received a call from my friend sitting beside me that day in St. Peter’s Square. “Neil”, he said. “Take a look at the newspaper – he’s wearing the jacket!” Sure enough, a large photo in one of Canada’s national newspapers showed the Holy Father vacationing in the Alps wearing the jacket I had presented him with just months earlier. I wonder if he ever got the note? Not a bad story if it ended there either.

Fast forward another couple of months. I was in Atlantic Canada speaking at a youth rally to promote World Youth Day and I relayed the story of giving the Holy Father the jacket and the note.

Two weeks later, a delegation from the Vatican came to Canada on an advance visit prior to World Youth Day. They also stopped in Atlantic Canada to see how preparations were coming along for World Youth Day in eastern Canada. One of the Cardinal’s announced to the crowd assembled that the Holy Father was excited to be making his way across the ocean to our country.

“He can’t wait to get to Canada and meet the wonderful young people here. He’s really taken a liking to a special gift you gave to him. A winter jacket that at the Vatican we’re referring to as the ‘Papal Parka’.

A woman from the back row who had heard my talk just a few weeks earlier stood up at the back of the room and proceeded to shout, “Did he get the note?”

The Cardinal laughed, stopped for a moment and responded, “How do you know about the note?”

The woman replied, “I hugged the guy who wrote the note – he was here a couple of weeks ago.”

The Cardinal chuckled once more, looked at her and said, “Well why do you think the Holy Father loves the jacket so much?”

The woman emailed me this story the next day and I just about hit the floor. Who could ever have imagined that a simple little note had an impact on the Pope?

It’s been four years since he passed away. As I reflect on the life of Pope John Paul II, I give thanks for the millions he reached in his time with us. My memorable meeting also reminds me that the little things we do for others can have an impact that we could never imagine. A simple note, a kind word, prayers or a gesture of care and love can make a difference. Let’s just say, I write a lot of notes these days.

During this Lenten season, we remember Pope John Paul II and all who were touched by his witness. May we remember his words and consider how each one of us can be the Saints of the New Millennium in our daily lives.

We remember, we celebrate, we believe...

Photos: Archdiocese of Toronto, Canadian Press

A Lenten Reflection: A Caring Catholic Partner - Catholic Family Services

(the following reflection was written by Kristen Crawford, Communications Assistant, Office of Public Relations & Communications, Archdiocese of Toronto)

There are times in our lives when crisis strikes and we need a shoulder to lean on to gain perspective, a new approach or insight into our lives. Sometimes it takes more than our friends or family to help us through life’s challenges.

The Lord makes his presence known to us in many ways. For many, that Christ-like love and support comes from the trained counseling professionals of Catholic Family Services. Their counseling services provides assistance to help tackle very human problems. They offer concrete hope and action to put one’s best foot forward into the future. I am thankful for them and I speak from experience as I have been touched by their healing hand.

Catholic Family Services offers counseling - individual, marriage, family and group sessions. In addition, they offer Wellness Groups which provide education and information to assist people as they move through life’s transitions and marriage preparation and family life programs for couples entering into marriage and tackling life issues. Catholic Family Service offices operate in all regions of the Archdiocese. Visit the ShareLife website to find the office nearest you.

Their clients come from all walks of life. All people regardless of religion, culture or racial background are welcomed and encouraged to reach out and come for care. Their staff are professionally trained, skilled and knowledgeable and are committed to high standards of practice and service excellence. They are fully accredited member agency of Family Service Ontario, Family Service Canada and Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Toronto. They are in part funded through ShareLife.

Life doesn’t come with an instruction booklet. During this Lenten season, let us pray for those who struggle with everyday life and be grateful for our friends, family and support systems. We are blessed here in the Archdiocese of Toronto to have Catholic Family Services to offer help for all those who are in need. I am moving forward, helped by their caring support and giving back, all the while knowing that my life was made better thanks to Catholic Family Services.

We remember, we celebrate, we believe...

Photos: Catholic Family Services

A Lenten Reflection: Mass of Chrism

(the following reflection was written by Bill Steinburg, Communications Manager, Office of Public Relations & Communications, Archdiocese of Toronto)

It’s truly a sight to see; hundreds of ordained priests, deacons and sisters of the church gathered together to celebrate mass. They collectively reaffirm their commitment to their vocations and bring the holy oils so important to our sacramental life back to their parish throughout the Archdiocese of Toronto.

The Chrism Mass, held in Toronto at St. Michael’s Cathedral for the priests of the Archdiocese of Toronto, will be celebrated on the Tuesday of Holy Week at 11:00 a.m. (all are welcome). During that celebration, the holy oils used in the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, Holy Orders and Sacrament of the Sick are blessed and supplied to the local parishes for use. Traditionally, the oil consists of a mixture of olive oil and balsam. However, if necessary, holy oils may be from any plant and not only from olives.

With clergy from across the Archdiocese present, the Chrism Mass is also a time when priests and the ordained renew their commitment to service in the Church.

“It’s somewhat similar to when married people do this from time to time. It’s not really a new thing. It's more just a matter of recommitting themselves,” Archbishop Collins told the Western Catholic Reporter after the 2003 Chrism Mass in Edmonton, where he was the archbishop at the time. He likened the process to the renewal of marriage vows. “I think the priests and bishops need to renew their vows every day. And I think that married people need to renew their vows every day as well. Perhaps not in a ceremony but in their hearts.”

During this Lenten season, let’s give thanks for priests, deacons, and all those who have committed themselves to lives of service in our Church. They have a full week of intense service ahead of them, so let’s pray that they find as much fulfillment in the coming week as they bring us all in the pews.

We remember, we celebrate, we believe …

Photos: Archdiocese of Toronto

A Lenten Reflection: Welcoming the newest members of the church: Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA)

(the following entry was written by Bill Steinburg, Communications Manager, Office of Public Relations & Communications, Archdiocese of Toronto)

I always find it a bit emotional when candidates for the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) are presented to the parish community, as they were last weekend at the Mass I attended. Those candidates stand in front of us all in acknowledgement that they want to become more deeply a part of our Catholic family – by simply being there, they demonstrate a level of courage and commitment that few of us cradle Catholics ever have to exhibit.

RCIA is the process by which adults are initiated into the life and faith of the Catholic Church. RCIA is not a course or class in Catholicism – it’s more of a guided faith journey for those interested in our faith. The RCIA process is led by a team of lay ministers and clergy over a period of many months, culminating with catechumens celebrating the sacraments of initiation during the Easter Vigil.

The stories of the RCIA candidates should inspire us - if you have get the chance to ask a candidate why they are in the program, you'll get a variety of responses which should inspire and affirm our own faith journey. Recent statistics suggest more than 1,100 people enter the RCIA in a given year in the Archdiocese of Toronto.

There are a number of resources available for those looking for more information about the RCIA process. One online resource I’ve come across recently is from Holy Family Parish in our Archdiocese (www.holynametoronto.com).

During this Lenten season, let’s pray for those participating in the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults this Easter, and for all those people who have helped them reach this point in their faith journey – family, friends, clergy, and lay ministers alike.

We remember, we celebrate, we believe…

Photo: Archdiocese of Toronto

A Lenten Reflection: National Catholic Mission - Evangelizing on the airwaves!

Across Canada, there are many loyal followers of the daily mass, aired throughout each week on Vision TV. Long filmed at St. Michael's Cathedral, the daily mass shifted locales in the last year to its new home at St. Basil's Parish in Toronto. The mass is produced by the National Catholic Broadcasting Council, led by Mike McManus and his crew who bring the daily eucharistic celebration to homes across the country.

A Lenten tradition since 2000 is the National Catholic Mission. To celebrate the 9th year of the mission, the program will return to its original preacher, Cornwall-Alexandria Bishop, Paul Andre Durocher. If you haven't had the opportunity to hear Bishop Durocher speak, it's worth tuning in alone - you may event get to hear him sing at some point - a real treat.

This year's mission will air on Vision TV over two nights - program #1 on Monday, April 6, 2009 at 9:00 p.m. repeated at 11:00 p.m. EST. Program #2 runs Tuesday, April 7, 2009 again at 9:00 p.m. and repeated at 11:00 p.m.

This is also the time of year when many of our parishes host their own Lenten missions. It's an ideal time for us to step back, reflect and move into Holy Week at peace and with a keen focus on our prayer life. Check out the Archdiocese of Toronto's events calendar to find out more about local parish missions and other events worth taking in.

There really is so much to experience throughout our Archdiocese. Using modern communication vehicles like television stations, radio, newspaper and online media provides another opportunity for us to evangelize to those who are regular church-goers along with those who have stepped away from the church.

During this Lenten season, we pray for all those who struggle with their faith. For those who have been hurt by the church, we seek their forgiveness and we pray that those who have been away may once again find the light of Christ in their life.

We remember, we celebrate, we believe...

Photo: Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops