With Advent upon us, churches and homes around the world begin lighting the Advent wreath, a physical reminder of the season. To learn a little more about this long standing tradition, we turn this time to a brief 2 minute video reflection, courtesy of AmericanCatholic.org and the Franciscans.
Happy Advent to all. Through all the hustle and bustle that comes with the impending birth of the Christ child, let's never forget the reason for the season!
Your official blog from the Archdiocese of Toronto with news, photos and information on Catholic events and initiatives in the community.
Nov 27, 2010
Nov 24, 2010
Celebrating Life Worldwide November 27!
To mark the beginning of Advent and preparations for Christmas, the Holy Father has invited all dioceses, parishes, religious communities, movements and associations throughout the world to join him in a Solemn Vigil for All Nascent Human Life. This will be celebrated on the eve of the first Sunday of Advent.The simultaneous events are intended to give thanks for the precious gift of life in our society and to ask for the Lord's protection over every human being created from the first moment of conception through to natural death.
For those interested in taking part in the Archdiocese of Toronto's gathering, we will come together at St. Michael's Cathedral at 7 p.m. for evening prayer. Archbishop Collins will also provide a reflection for all those in attendance.
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has put together a host of resources for those who may wish to download materials for parish use or personal reflection.
Any day is a good day to pray in a special way of the unborn in our society. However, in recent weeks we have seen life issues again at the forefront of our news cycle, with the recently tabled Roxanne's Law by Member of Parliament, Rod Bruinooge, passing first reading a few weeks back and second reading scheduled for early December.
We've also read in the National Post the plight of a Carleton University pro-life group being forced to recant their pro-life views if they wish to be recognized as an official club on campus. This approach smacks in the face of all those who look to our higher learning institutions as places where we can have respectful dialogue on any number of issues. Charles Lewis has an interesting blog on Holy Post asking the question why other secular media seem to be shying away from covering the story? You can access it here.
So consider taking an hour out of your week to join with others at St. Michael's Cathedral and around the world to pray for life at all stages and, in a special way, for the unborn. May our hearts beat together as one.
For those interested in taking part in the Archdiocese of Toronto's gathering, we will come together at St. Michael's Cathedral at 7 p.m. for evening prayer. Archbishop Collins will also provide a reflection for all those in attendance.
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has put together a host of resources for those who may wish to download materials for parish use or personal reflection.
Any day is a good day to pray in a special way of the unborn in our society. However, in recent weeks we have seen life issues again at the forefront of our news cycle, with the recently tabled Roxanne's Law by Member of Parliament, Rod Bruinooge, passing first reading a few weeks back and second reading scheduled for early December.
We've also read in the National Post the plight of a Carleton University pro-life group being forced to recant their pro-life views if they wish to be recognized as an official club on campus. This approach smacks in the face of all those who look to our higher learning institutions as places where we can have respectful dialogue on any number of issues. Charles Lewis has an interesting blog on Holy Post asking the question why other secular media seem to be shying away from covering the story? You can access it here.
So consider taking an hour out of your week to join with others at St. Michael's Cathedral and around the world to pray for life at all stages and, in a special way, for the unborn. May our hearts beat together as one.
Poster: Nerissa Flores, Archdiocese of Toronto
Nov 22, 2010
The Pope & Condoms - In Context...
There's been all sorts of media reports this past weekend on comments from the Holy Father in a soon to be released book. To put things in context, courtesy of Catholic World Report, is the following response by Dr. Janet E. Smith.
What does the Holy Father really say about condoms in the new book?
By Dr. Janet E. Smith
This week, Light of the World, a book-length interview given by Pope Benedict XVI to journalist Peter Seewald, will be released worldwide. Several of the Holy Father's statements have already started making news, particularly his comments regarding condom usage in the prevention of the spread of HIV.
To the charge that “It is madness to forbid a high-risk population to use condoms,” in the context of an extended answer on the help the Church is giving AIDs victims and the need to fight the banalization of sexuality, Pope Benedict replied:
There may be a basis in the case of some individuals, as perhaps when a male prostitute uses a condom, where this can be a first step in the direction of a moralization, a first assumption of responsibility, on the way toward recovering an awareness that not everything is allowed and that one cannot do whatever one wants. But it is not really the way to deal with the evil of HIV infection. That can really lie only in a humanization of sexuality.
Are you saying, then, that the Catholic Church is actually not opposed in principle to the use of condoms?
She of course does not regard it as a real or moral solution, but, in this or that case, there can be nonetheless, in the intention of reducing the risk of infection, a first step in a movement toward a different way, a more human way, of living sexuality.
What is Pope Benedict saying?
We must note that the example that Pope Benedict gives for the use of a condom is a male prostitute; thus, it is reasonable to assume that he is referring to a male prostitute engaged in homosexual acts. The Holy Father is simply observing that for some homosexual prostitutes the use of a condom may indicate an awakening of a moral sense; an awakening that sexual pleasure is not the highest value, but that we must take care that we harm no one with our choices.
He is not speaking to the morality of the use of a condom, but to something that may be true about the psychological state of those who use them. If such individuals are using condoms to avoid harming another, they may eventually realize that sexual acts between members of the same sex are inherently harmful since they are not in accord with human nature. The Holy Father does not in any way think the use of condoms is a part of the solution to reducing the risk of AIDs. As he explicitly states, the true solution involves “humanizing sexuality.”
Anyone having sex that threatens to transmit HIV needs to grow in moral discernment. This is why Benedict focused on a “first step” in moral growth. The Church is always going to be focused on moving people away from immoral acts towards love of Jesus, virtue, and holiness. We can say that the Holy Father clearly did not want to make a point about condoms, but wants to talk about growth in a moral sense, which should be a growth towards Jesus.
So is the Holy Father saying it is morally good for male prostitutes to use condoms? The Holy Father is not articulating a teaching of the Church about whether or not the use of a condom reduces the amount of evil in a homosexual sexual act that threatens to transmit HIV. The Church has no formal teaching about how to reduce the evil of intrinsically immoral action.
We must note that what is intrinsically wrong in a homosexual sexual act in which a condom is used is not the moral wrong of contraception but the homosexual act itself. In the case of homosexual sexual activity, a condom does not act as a contraceptive; it is not possible for homosexuals to contracept since their sexual activity has no procreative power that can be thwarted. But the Holy Father is not making a point about whether the use of a condom is contraceptive or even whether it reduces the evil of a homosexual sexual act; again, he is speaking about the psychological state of some who might use condoms. The intention behind the use of the condom (the desire not to harm another) may indicate some growth in a sense of moral responsibility.
In Familiaris Consortio (On the Role of the Christian Family in the Modern World), John Paul II spoke of the need for conversion, which often proceeds by gradual steps:
To the injustice originating from sin … we must all set ourselves in opposition through a conversion of mind and heart, following Christ Crucified by denying our own selfishness: such a conversion cannot fail to have a beneficial and renewing influence even on the structures of society.
What is needed is a continuous, permanent conversion which, while requiring an interior detachment from every evil and an adherence to good in its fullness, is brought about concretely in steps which lead us ever forward. Thus a dynamic process develops, one which advances gradually with the progressive integration of the gifts of God and the demands of His definitive and absolute love in the entire personal and social life of man. (9)
Christ himself, of course, called for a turning away from sin. That is what the Holy Father is advocating here; not a turn towards condoms. Conversion, not condoms!
Would it be proper to conclude that the Holy Father would support the distribution of condoms to male prostitutes? Nothing he says here indicates that he would. Public programs of distribution of condoms run the risk of conveying approval for homosexual sexual acts. The task of the Church is to call individuals to conversion and to moral behavior; it is to help them understand the meaning and purpose of sexuality and to help them come to know Christ, who will provide the healing and graces that enable us to live in accord with the meaning and purpose of sexuality.
Is Pope Benedict indicating that heterosexuals who have HIV could reduce the wrongness of their acts by using condoms? No. In his second answer he says that the Church does not find condoms to be a “real or moral solution.” That means the Church does not find condoms either to be moral or an effective way of fighting the transmission of HIV. As the Holy Father indicates in his fuller answer, the most effective portion of programs designed to reduce the transmission of HIV are calls to abstinence and fidelity.
The Holy Father, again, is saying that the intention to reduce the transmission of any infection is a “first step” in a movement towards a more human way of living sexuality. That more human way would be to do nothing that threatens to harm one’s sexual partner, who should be one’s beloved spouse. For an individual with HIV to have sexual intercourse with or without a condom is to risk transmitting a lethal disease.
An analogy: If someone was going to rob a bank and was determined to use a gun, it would better for that person to use a gun that had no bullets in it. It would reduce the likelihood of fatal injuries. But it is not the task of the Church to instruct potential bank robbers how to rob banks more safely and certainly not the task of the Church to support programs of providing potential bank robbers with guns that could not use bullets. Nonetheless, the intent of a bank robber to rob a bank in a way that is safer for the employees and customers of the bank may indicate an element of moral responsibility that could be a step towards eventual understanding of the immorality of bank robbing.
Dr. Janet E. Smith holds the Father Michael J. McGivney Chair of Life Ethics at Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit. She speaks nationally and internationally on Catholic teachings on sexuality and on bioethics, and has published numerous articles and several books on sexuality and bioethics. She is serving a third term as a consultor to the Pontifical Council on the Family. She is author of The Right to Privacy, a study of Roe v. Wade and related court cases.
Resources:
Edward C. Green, “The Pope May Be Right” Washington Post (Sunday, March 29, 2009);
Edward C. Green and Allison Herling Ruark, “AIDS and the Churches: Getting the Story Right” First Things (April, 2008);
Edward C. Green, Rethinking AIDS Prevention: Learning from Successes in Developing Countries (Praeger: 2003);
Matthew Hanley and Jokin de Irala, Affirming Love, Avoiding AIDS: What Africa Can Teach The West (National Catholic Bioethics Center, 2009);
Susan E. Wills, “Condoms and AIDS: Is the Pope Right or Just “Horrifically Ignorant?” The Linacre Quarterly, 77:10 (Feb 2010) 17-29;
Edward C. Green, AIDS, Behavior, and Culture: Understanding Evidence-Based Prevention (Left Coast Press: 2010) forthcoming
What does the Holy Father really say about condoms in the new book?
By Dr. Janet E. Smith
This week, Light of the World, a book-length interview given by Pope Benedict XVI to journalist Peter Seewald, will be released worldwide. Several of the Holy Father's statements have already started making news, particularly his comments regarding condom usage in the prevention of the spread of HIV.
To the charge that “It is madness to forbid a high-risk population to use condoms,” in the context of an extended answer on the help the Church is giving AIDs victims and the need to fight the banalization of sexuality, Pope Benedict replied:
There may be a basis in the case of some individuals, as perhaps when a male prostitute uses a condom, where this can be a first step in the direction of a moralization, a first assumption of responsibility, on the way toward recovering an awareness that not everything is allowed and that one cannot do whatever one wants. But it is not really the way to deal with the evil of HIV infection. That can really lie only in a humanization of sexuality.
Are you saying, then, that the Catholic Church is actually not opposed in principle to the use of condoms?
She of course does not regard it as a real or moral solution, but, in this or that case, there can be nonetheless, in the intention of reducing the risk of infection, a first step in a movement toward a different way, a more human way, of living sexuality.
What is Pope Benedict saying?
We must note that the example that Pope Benedict gives for the use of a condom is a male prostitute; thus, it is reasonable to assume that he is referring to a male prostitute engaged in homosexual acts. The Holy Father is simply observing that for some homosexual prostitutes the use of a condom may indicate an awakening of a moral sense; an awakening that sexual pleasure is not the highest value, but that we must take care that we harm no one with our choices.
He is not speaking to the morality of the use of a condom, but to something that may be true about the psychological state of those who use them. If such individuals are using condoms to avoid harming another, they may eventually realize that sexual acts between members of the same sex are inherently harmful since they are not in accord with human nature. The Holy Father does not in any way think the use of condoms is a part of the solution to reducing the risk of AIDs. As he explicitly states, the true solution involves “humanizing sexuality.”
Anyone having sex that threatens to transmit HIV needs to grow in moral discernment. This is why Benedict focused on a “first step” in moral growth. The Church is always going to be focused on moving people away from immoral acts towards love of Jesus, virtue, and holiness. We can say that the Holy Father clearly did not want to make a point about condoms, but wants to talk about growth in a moral sense, which should be a growth towards Jesus.
So is the Holy Father saying it is morally good for male prostitutes to use condoms? The Holy Father is not articulating a teaching of the Church about whether or not the use of a condom reduces the amount of evil in a homosexual sexual act that threatens to transmit HIV. The Church has no formal teaching about how to reduce the evil of intrinsically immoral action.
We must note that what is intrinsically wrong in a homosexual sexual act in which a condom is used is not the moral wrong of contraception but the homosexual act itself. In the case of homosexual sexual activity, a condom does not act as a contraceptive; it is not possible for homosexuals to contracept since their sexual activity has no procreative power that can be thwarted. But the Holy Father is not making a point about whether the use of a condom is contraceptive or even whether it reduces the evil of a homosexual sexual act; again, he is speaking about the psychological state of some who might use condoms. The intention behind the use of the condom (the desire not to harm another) may indicate some growth in a sense of moral responsibility.
In Familiaris Consortio (On the Role of the Christian Family in the Modern World), John Paul II spoke of the need for conversion, which often proceeds by gradual steps:
To the injustice originating from sin … we must all set ourselves in opposition through a conversion of mind and heart, following Christ Crucified by denying our own selfishness: such a conversion cannot fail to have a beneficial and renewing influence even on the structures of society.
What is needed is a continuous, permanent conversion which, while requiring an interior detachment from every evil and an adherence to good in its fullness, is brought about concretely in steps which lead us ever forward. Thus a dynamic process develops, one which advances gradually with the progressive integration of the gifts of God and the demands of His definitive and absolute love in the entire personal and social life of man. (9)
Christ himself, of course, called for a turning away from sin. That is what the Holy Father is advocating here; not a turn towards condoms. Conversion, not condoms!
Would it be proper to conclude that the Holy Father would support the distribution of condoms to male prostitutes? Nothing he says here indicates that he would. Public programs of distribution of condoms run the risk of conveying approval for homosexual sexual acts. The task of the Church is to call individuals to conversion and to moral behavior; it is to help them understand the meaning and purpose of sexuality and to help them come to know Christ, who will provide the healing and graces that enable us to live in accord with the meaning and purpose of sexuality.
Is Pope Benedict indicating that heterosexuals who have HIV could reduce the wrongness of their acts by using condoms? No. In his second answer he says that the Church does not find condoms to be a “real or moral solution.” That means the Church does not find condoms either to be moral or an effective way of fighting the transmission of HIV. As the Holy Father indicates in his fuller answer, the most effective portion of programs designed to reduce the transmission of HIV are calls to abstinence and fidelity.
The Holy Father, again, is saying that the intention to reduce the transmission of any infection is a “first step” in a movement towards a more human way of living sexuality. That more human way would be to do nothing that threatens to harm one’s sexual partner, who should be one’s beloved spouse. For an individual with HIV to have sexual intercourse with or without a condom is to risk transmitting a lethal disease.
An analogy: If someone was going to rob a bank and was determined to use a gun, it would better for that person to use a gun that had no bullets in it. It would reduce the likelihood of fatal injuries. But it is not the task of the Church to instruct potential bank robbers how to rob banks more safely and certainly not the task of the Church to support programs of providing potential bank robbers with guns that could not use bullets. Nonetheless, the intent of a bank robber to rob a bank in a way that is safer for the employees and customers of the bank may indicate an element of moral responsibility that could be a step towards eventual understanding of the immorality of bank robbing.
Dr. Janet E. Smith holds the Father Michael J. McGivney Chair of Life Ethics at Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit. She speaks nationally and internationally on Catholic teachings on sexuality and on bioethics, and has published numerous articles and several books on sexuality and bioethics. She is serving a third term as a consultor to the Pontifical Council on the Family. She is author of The Right to Privacy, a study of Roe v. Wade and related court cases.
Resources:
Edward C. Green, “The Pope May Be Right” Washington Post (Sunday, March 29, 2009);
Edward C. Green and Allison Herling Ruark, “AIDS and the Churches: Getting the Story Right” First Things (April, 2008);
Edward C. Green, Rethinking AIDS Prevention: Learning from Successes in Developing Countries (Praeger: 2003);
Matthew Hanley and Jokin de Irala, Affirming Love, Avoiding AIDS: What Africa Can Teach The West (National Catholic Bioethics Center, 2009);
Susan E. Wills, “Condoms and AIDS: Is the Pope Right or Just “Horrifically Ignorant?” The Linacre Quarterly, 77:10 (Feb 2010) 17-29;
Edward C. Green, AIDS, Behavior, and Culture: Understanding Evidence-Based Prevention (Left Coast Press: 2010) forthcoming
No Reason To Celebrate 1 Million Meals Served...
Some restaurants boast about having served millions but for a small charity in Toronto's Parkdale region, that figure is nothing to brag about. Later this month, St. Francis Table will serve their one millionth meal. Their incredible dedication to providing food and fellowship to those on the margins was profile in Friday's Toronto Star. The full piece, by reporter Curtis Rush, appears below.Thanks to Brother John Frampton and all those who keep the table set every day of the year, 23 years running...
***
In the next two weeks, a milestone will be reached at St. Francis Table, which has been feeding people for 23 years in Parkdale.They will serve their one millionth meal.
But this is no cause for celebration, Brother John Frampton says. It will be marked as a solemn occasion, without fanfare.
He calls it a shame that in a city as rich as Toronto one million meals must be served to the needy. Frampton feels government should do more to take care of these people, who come from all walks of life: psychiatric and post-psychiatric patients, drug addicts, alcoholics, street people and ex-cons.
The restaurant, located at 1322 Queen St. W., is run by the Capuchin Outreach to the Poor, a ministry of the Capuchin Franciscan Friars.
People line up outside for a chance to sit at one of the 10 tables and sample a hearty meal for a $1 donation. Afterward, they can talk over coffee or tea in the lounge area.
One evening, student volunteers from St. Martin’s Catholic High School in Mississauga were on hand to serve up baked chicken, rice, vegetables and tea and coffee.
The Star sat down with Frampton in his office for a question and answer session. He wore black and white running shoes, a brown robe and a U2 earring in homage to Bono, frontman for the band.
Q: How long have you been here?
A: I made a life commitment in 1987 and I’ve been involved in various ministries since that time. Almost six years ago, there was a need for someone to take the ministry over here, so I volunteered.
Q: Tell me about yourself and the ministry?
A: We look on the poor as marginalized. Our founder, St. Francis of Assisi, had a great love for the poor. That Franciscan spirit is still alive today. I live simply here. I live upstairs. I look for bargains (pointing to his running shoes) and I drive a Suzuki, only because one of my brothers-in-law has a Suzuki dealership in St. John’s. I start with morning prayer in the morning and usually we start with a doughnut pickup from Country Style at Keele and St. Clair.
Q: Tell me about your U2 earring.
A: I’ve been a major U2 fan. I’ve got 105 CDs, jewellery, posters, banners, books, videos. I think Bono is a good statesman in terms of his work with AIDS in Africa and his contribution to the Third World. I’ve been working on meeting him.
Q: How many paid staff?
A: There are two cooks and myself who are paid. Everyone else is a volunteer. We have 1,000 volunteers a week.
Q: When are you open?
A: The restaurant is open six days a week. We’re open for lunch Tuesdays to Fridays and Sundays from 12 to 1. And dinner from 4:30 to 6 p.m., Monday to Thursdays.
Q: Tell me about your upcoming milestone?
A: We don’t want to celebrate the fact. A city like Toronto, it’s a shame. It’s got to be low key. We looked at bringing personalities in to serve the meal, but we ultimately decided against it. We may mount a plaque. The person won’t know until they get to the door. For that person, we decided we would give them the rest of the meals for free for the rest of the year.
Q: When will this milestone happen?
A: It will be the last week of November. We just turned over 998,000 this past Friday.
Q: Where are your donations from?
A: We buy about 80 per cent of our food with donated money.
Q: Tell me about the people who come here?
A: We have a large percentage of psychiatric and post-psychiatric patients. We have seniors in rooming houses. We get ex-cons who are just out of jail.
Q: How should people who are more blessed feel about these people?
A: I could be looking for food tomorrow. My brain could not function tomorrow morning and who would I turn to? I don’t see myself greater than them. I don’t see them lesser than me. God created us equal. I think that’s the basis we need to be operating from. We all have needs from time to time.
Photos: Toronto Star, St. Francis Table
Nov 18, 2010
Shepherds & Missionaries Come Calling...
The weekend of November 13/14 was the annual Shepherds' Trust collection, to support clergy who have retired from years of serving the community. While the weekend has passed, it bears repeating that if you haven't already had the chance to donate to the annual retirement fund appeal, make sure it's on your "to do" list before year's end.
We often joke that our clergy have "Freedom 75" that is they don't get a chance to hang 'em up until that age, while many still help out in parishes well beyond that, as long as they're physically able to get out and celebrate the sacraments for you and I.
What's no laughing matter is caring for our retired shepherds - in addition to our prayers, our financial support is one of the best ways we can express our appreciation for decades of service, tireless commitment to the church and its people.
If you'd like to make an online donation to support the annual Shepherds' Trust appeal, you can do so securely by clicking here.
***
Another group of shepherds is making their way through the Archdiocese: four of Canada's missionary bishops are taking time out of their busy local schedules to raise awareness to their work and that of Catholic Missions in Canada. It's still amazing to many Canadians to think that we have mission dioceses in our own country but that's certainly the reality for a number of our bishops.
The November visits hope to put a human face to the men and women who serve throughout the country in areas that need our prayerful and financial support. Two of the bishops (Bishop Fred Coli of Thunder Bay and Bishop Vincent Cadieux, OMI of Mossonee and Hearst) have completed their rounds while Archbishop Martin Currie (St. John's & Grand Falls, Newfoundland) along with Bishop Gary Gordon (Whitehorse) will be visiting the Archdiocese later this month.
We're working alongside Catholic Missions in Canada to see if we can garner some secular media coverage of the important work of these bishops - cross your fingers and say a prayer that our proactive work will reap dividends in the days to come. It's a story that needs to be told - the work of these missionaries is quietly taking place each day across our country.
A full schedule of the visiting bishops' public appearances are below if you'd like to meet up with them along the way:
THURSDAY, NOV. 18
Archbishop Martin Currie, Archbishop of St. John’s and Bishop of Grand Falls, will preside at the televised 5:10 p.m. Mass at St. Basil’s Parish, 50 St. Joseph St., Toronto. Call 416-926-7110.
FRIDAY, NOV. 19
Archbishop Martin Currie, Archbishop of St. John’s and Bishop of Grand Falls, will celebrate 12:10 p.m. Mass at St. Stephen’s Chapel, 357/359 Bay St., 2nd Floor, Toronto. Call Chapel at 416-364-9261.
SATURDAY, NOV. 20
Archbishop Martin Currie, Archbishop of St. John’s and Bishop of Grand Falls, will celebrate 4:30 p.m. Mass at Blessed Sacrament Church, 24 Cheritan Dr., Toronto. Call parish at 416-481-2256.
SATURDAY, NOV. 20
Bishop Gary Gordon, Bishop of Whitehorse, will celebrate 9:00 a.m. and 5:15 p.m. Masses at Our Lady of Sorrows Church, 3055 Bloor St. W., Toronto. Call parish at 416-231-6016.
SUNDAY, NOV. 21
Archbishop Martin Currie, Archbishop of St. John’s and Bishop of Grand Falls, will celebrate 8:30 a.m., 10:00 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. Masses at Blessed Sacrament Church, 24 Cheritan Dr., Toronto. Call parish at 416-481-2256.
SUNDAY, NOV. 21
Bishop Gary Gordon, Bishop of Whitehorse, will celebrate 8:15 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 11:00 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Masses at Our Lady of Sorrows, 3055 Bloor St. W., Toronto. Call parish at 416-231-6016.
THURSDAY, NOV. 25
Bishop Gary Gordon, Bishop of Whitehorse, will preside at the televised 5:10 p.m. Mass at St. Basil’s Parish, 50 St. Joseph St., Toronto. Call 416-926-7110.
SATURDAY, NOV. 27
Bishop Gary Gordon, Bishop of Whitehorse, will celebrate 5:00 p.m. Mass at Our Lady of Peace Church, 3914 Bloor St. W., Toronto. Call parish at 416-239-1259. Bishop Gordon will also celebrate the 7:00 p.m. Bishop Gordon will also celebrate the 7:00 p.m. Student Mass at St. Michael’s Chapel (below St. Basil’s Church), 50 St. Joseph St. Toronto. Call Marilyn Elphick, Director, Campus Ministry 416-926-1300 ext. 7278.
SUNDAY, NOV. 28
Bishop Gary Gordon, Bishop of Whitehorse, will celebrate 8:30 a.m., 10:00 a.m., 11:30 a.m. Masses at Our Lady of Peace Church, 3914 Bloor St. W., Toronto. Call parish at 416-239-1259.
MONDAY, NOV 29
Bishop Gary Gordon, Bishop of Whitehorse, will celebrate 12:10 p.m. Mass at St. Stephen’s Chapel, 357/359 Bay St., 2nd Floor, Toronto. Call Chapel at 364-9261.
For more information, please call Patria Rivera, Catholic Missions In Canada at (416) 934-3424 x 226. If you're in the giving mood, you can also donate to CMIC online here.
We continue to pray for our missions, both those around the world and, in a special way, those close to home.
Photos: Archdiocese of Toronto, Freefoto.com
The November visits hope to put a human face to the men and women who serve throughout the country in areas that need our prayerful and financial support. Two of the bishops (Bishop Fred Coli of Thunder Bay and Bishop Vincent Cadieux, OMI of Mossonee and Hearst) have completed their rounds while Archbishop Martin Currie (St. John's & Grand Falls, Newfoundland) along with Bishop Gary Gordon (Whitehorse) will be visiting the Archdiocese later this month.
We're working alongside Catholic Missions in Canada to see if we can garner some secular media coverage of the important work of these bishops - cross your fingers and say a prayer that our proactive work will reap dividends in the days to come. It's a story that needs to be told - the work of these missionaries is quietly taking place each day across our country.
A full schedule of the visiting bishops' public appearances are below if you'd like to meet up with them along the way:
THURSDAY, NOV. 18
Archbishop Martin Currie, Archbishop of St. John’s and Bishop of Grand Falls, will preside at the televised 5:10 p.m. Mass at St. Basil’s Parish, 50 St. Joseph St., Toronto. Call 416-926-7110.
FRIDAY, NOV. 19
Archbishop Martin Currie, Archbishop of St. John’s and Bishop of Grand Falls, will celebrate 12:10 p.m. Mass at St. Stephen’s Chapel, 357/359 Bay St., 2nd Floor, Toronto. Call Chapel at 416-364-9261.
SATURDAY, NOV. 20
Archbishop Martin Currie, Archbishop of St. John’s and Bishop of Grand Falls, will celebrate 4:30 p.m. Mass at Blessed Sacrament Church, 24 Cheritan Dr., Toronto. Call parish at 416-481-2256.
SATURDAY, NOV. 20
Bishop Gary Gordon, Bishop of Whitehorse, will celebrate 9:00 a.m. and 5:15 p.m. Masses at Our Lady of Sorrows Church, 3055 Bloor St. W., Toronto. Call parish at 416-231-6016.
SUNDAY, NOV. 21
Archbishop Martin Currie, Archbishop of St. John’s and Bishop of Grand Falls, will celebrate 8:30 a.m., 10:00 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. Masses at Blessed Sacrament Church, 24 Cheritan Dr., Toronto. Call parish at 416-481-2256.
SUNDAY, NOV. 21
Bishop Gary Gordon, Bishop of Whitehorse, will celebrate 8:15 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 11:00 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Masses at Our Lady of Sorrows, 3055 Bloor St. W., Toronto. Call parish at 416-231-6016.
THURSDAY, NOV. 25
Bishop Gary Gordon, Bishop of Whitehorse, will preside at the televised 5:10 p.m. Mass at St. Basil’s Parish, 50 St. Joseph St., Toronto. Call 416-926-7110.
SATURDAY, NOV. 27
Bishop Gary Gordon, Bishop of Whitehorse, will celebrate 5:00 p.m. Mass at Our Lady of Peace Church, 3914 Bloor St. W., Toronto. Call parish at 416-239-1259. Bishop Gordon will also celebrate the 7:00 p.m. Bishop Gordon will also celebrate the 7:00 p.m. Student Mass at St. Michael’s Chapel (below St. Basil’s Church), 50 St. Joseph St. Toronto. Call Marilyn Elphick, Director, Campus Ministry 416-926-1300 ext. 7278.
SUNDAY, NOV. 28
Bishop Gary Gordon, Bishop of Whitehorse, will celebrate 8:30 a.m., 10:00 a.m., 11:30 a.m. Masses at Our Lady of Peace Church, 3914 Bloor St. W., Toronto. Call parish at 416-239-1259.
MONDAY, NOV 29
Bishop Gary Gordon, Bishop of Whitehorse, will celebrate 12:10 p.m. Mass at St. Stephen’s Chapel, 357/359 Bay St., 2nd Floor, Toronto. Call Chapel at 364-9261.
For more information, please call Patria Rivera, Catholic Missions In Canada at (416) 934-3424 x 226. If you're in the giving mood, you can also donate to CMIC online here.
We continue to pray for our missions, both those around the world and, in a special way, those close to home.
Photos: Archdiocese of Toronto, Freefoto.com
Nov 15, 2010
Middle East Prayer Service Airs on Salt & Light TV
Last Thursday's Prayer Service for Christians of the Middle East was a powerful evening of prayer and support for a community suffering. More than 600 people came together from across the Archdiocese with faith leaders from 15 participating to demonstrate their support.For those who were not able to join us at the Cathedral, Salt & Light Television will be airing the prayer service this Saturday, November 20, 2010 at 8:30 p.m. with an encore showing on Sunday, November 21st at 1:30 p.m.
It's an opportunity to hear the gospel proclaimed in Arabic, reflections from the Syriac Catholic Bishop of the United States and Canada, Bishop Yousif Habash, as well as our own Archbishop Thomas Collins sharing his own thoughts on the current plight of Christians in an increasingly violent region.Charles Lewis also has an interesting piece on Holy Post regarding the Prayer Vigil and its broader significance. You can access the story here.
Thanks to all those who worked so diligently in a short time frame to organize this special evening of prayer and communal support.
We continue to offer our thoughts and prayers for all those Christians who continue to suffer in the Middle East and around the world.
Photos: Bill Wittman
Nov 12, 2010
Creative or Offensive?
They often say the goal of an advertisement is to evoke a reaction, whether positive or negative. The image above has certainly attracted plenty of attention on the other side of the ocean where debate in Britain about the appropriateness of such an ad has been tabled in recent weeks.
ChurchAds.Net is an ecumenical charity based out of the United Kingdom. Their executive team consists of senior communications officers from Catholic, Anglican, Methodist and Baptist denominations to name just a few. They work with the creative minds of people of faith from secular media and advertising organizations throughout the country to come up with thought provoking ads (both print and radio) to get people thinking about their faith, and in this case, specifically about Christmas.
Last year, the group aired ads on 170 different radio stations, reaching more than 10 million people. This year, the group hopes to air ads on at least 200 stations, and hopes its “Ultrasound Jesus” campaign will reach 40 million people.
The campaign hasn't been without criticism, the loudest coming from the secular groups who felt the ads were too overtly religious or in their view, "too pro-life". I would say that it's pretty tough not be pro-life when talking about the birth of the Christ-child and certainly Christmas is the natural time to celebrate the arrival of Jesus.
We've seen plenty of examples of anti-religious ads garnering plenty of attention in our city, country or global family. Maybe it's time we got together to put more of these creative ad campaigns front and centre for our "secular" friends to reflect on and to inspire our family of faith?
How would you feel if you saw the ad above up on your parish bulletin board or in your local secular newspaper?
ChurchAds.Net has also created two radio ads, both relating to the birth of Christ using some creative settings. You can listen to the ads here.Taking a look at these types of ads certainly gets the creative juices flowing. Whether or not you'll see something like at a diocese near you, all we can say at this time is: stay tuned...
Graphic: ChurchAds.Net
Nov 8, 2010
Prayer Vigil for Middle East Christians - Nov. 11
After joining in prayers of the faithful at every mass in the Archdiocese this past weekend, we have been contacted by many Catholics asking if there is a plan to come together in prayer for the victims of the October 31st terrorist attack at the Syriac Catholic Church in Baghdad.All are invited to join Archbishop Collins in a Prayer Vigil for Christians of the Middle East that will take place on Thursday, November 11 at 7:30 p.m. at St. Michael's Cathedral in downtown Toronto. We anticipate representation from many faith communities throughout the GTA, those who have fled the Middle East and now call Canada home in addition to many others who wish to show their solidarity with those who remain in what is becoming an increasingly dangerous part of the world for Christians.
Please spread the word among friends and contacts to join in this opportunity to do what we can when our family of faith, both here at home and abroad, is suffering - we come together as a faith community and pray. It seems so simple but when you consider that close to 60 people died trying to do the same thing in an Iraqi church, all the more reason to share the light of Christ with one another this Thursday.
Graphic: Archdiocese of Toronto
Nov 4, 2010
Unpacking the Election...
There have been plenty of post mortems done in the local media about the October 25 Municipal Elections in our province. Most discussed the Toronto mayoralty race while there was no shortage of coverage on the Catholic School Trustee elections, most notably those in the Toronto Catholic District School Board.Considering that the Archdiocese and our Archbishop spent considerable time, effort and resources over the last several months on the election, it's worth taking a few moments to unpack the experience and provide some insights on what transpired.
Let's begin with this: throughout the entire campaign, the Archdiocese never publicly endorsed any candidates, despite what some campaigns (for their benefit or detriment) may have claimed. It is very clear that the role of the church is not to tell people who to vote for but, rather, to provide guidance on the types of qualities we should be looking for in our elected officials.
Let's begin with this: throughout the entire campaign, the Archdiocese never publicly endorsed any candidates, despite what some campaigns (for their benefit or detriment) may have claimed. It is very clear that the role of the church is not to tell people who to vote for but, rather, to provide guidance on the types of qualities we should be looking for in our elected officials.
From where I sit, the Archdiocese was trying to accomplish some very clear goals with the 2010 municipal elections:
1) Engage the electorate, specifically, the Catholic community in the electoral process.
2) Ask that all Catholics exercise their democratic right to vote.
3) Remind our family of faith of the types of qualities to look for in a candidate, most directly, for Catholic School Trustee.
Let's take a look at each of these goals and how we fared, keeping in mind that the Archdiocese has five english Catholic school boards and one french catholic board within its geography. Most of the attention through the media, phone calls and inquiries from the public dealt with one board, namely the Toronto Catholic District School Board, currently under supervision by the provincial government for irregularities and behaviour that has been well documented:
1) Engage the electorate - this started a while back, in fact, almost a year ago, when the Archdiocese offered courses through St. Augustine's Seminary for those who might have been interested in learning more about the historical role of Catholic School Trustee and its function in today's educational setting. Dozens took the course, DVD's of the seminars were offered for sale and many enrolled in the course ultimately ended up running for trustee or had already held office.
1) Engage the electorate - this started a while back, in fact, almost a year ago, when the Archdiocese offered courses through St. Augustine's Seminary for those who might have been interested in learning more about the historical role of Catholic School Trustee and its function in today's educational setting. Dozens took the course, DVD's of the seminars were offered for sale and many enrolled in the course ultimately ended up running for trustee or had already held office.The Archdiocese engaged in a "Sign-Up Sunday" in parishes encouraging Catholics to ensure they were registered as separate school supporters through their property taxes. Forms were provided at churches with instructions on how to ensure the proper documentation was in place.
The Archbishop also made the unprecedented decision to allow candidates for Catholic School Trustee the opportunity to distribute information outside churches on weekends from September 11/12 through October 16/17. Communication to all declared candidates asking for their cooperation was transmitted in early September.
Archbishop Collins had two pastoral messages on Catholic Education disseminated in parishes for reflection, the weekends of September 11/12 and on "election eve" October 23/24.
One would be hard pressed to find an active Catholic that wouldn't be aware of one or more of these initiatives leading up to the October 25 election.
2) "Get out the vote" - following the initiatives noted above, we were hopeful that our family of faith would take the time to cast their ballot on election day. It's difficult to conduct a direct comparison in many of the school boards of the Archdiocese because the situation has changed from 2006 to 2010, most notably where there were acclamations in some wards in 2006 while others had acclamations in 2010. That said, we were able to conduct a direct comparison in the Toronto Catholic District School Board as there were no acclamations in either 2006 or 2010.To look at those numbers, the total number of voters in the 2010 TCDSB illustrated an increase of 30%, with 153,000 votes cast for Catholic School Board Trustee vs. 117,000 in 2006. There are many who will say that a close mayoralty race was responsible for the increased turnout and it certainly had an impact. Overall voter participation in the city of Toronto went from 39% to about 52% from 2006 to 2010, an increase of 13%. However, the Catholic School Trustee vote was more than double that increase (30%) and would seem to indicate a massive increase in awareness and engagement of Catholics on October 25.
Also consider that in the TCDSB, there was a 55% increase in the number of candidates who put their name forward for Catholic School Trustee, a powerful indicator of the passion and commitment of so many who had the chance to experience first hand the ups and downs of an election campaign. 55 candidates ran for Catholic School Trustee in this election vs. 39 in 2006.
The increased awareness and average # of votes per ward translated into other boards including York CDSB (increase of 11%) and Dufferin Peel CDSB (increase of 26%).
3) Remind our family of faith the types of qualities to look for in a candidate.The Archbishop covered this in his pastoral messages, questions were asked at all candidate meetings and outside churches. Whether incumbent or rookie candidate, passionate voter or casual observer from the pew, all had an opportunity to reflect and discern just how much our trustees are provided with a "sacred trust" from the electorate, given the responsibility to tend and nurture the tremendous gift of publicly funded Catholic education.
The overall result - six incumbents were returned and six new faces will take their place at the TCDSB table. If you had a 50% turnover at city council, provincial or federal office, there would be all sorts of talk about change, new look, etc. No doubt all those who were elected are eager to turn the page on supervision, begin with a new clean slate and work to build the trust of the Catholic community.
In analyzing the numbers, we also saw closer races than ever before and the margin of victory compared to 2006 significantly reduced (in some cases by almost 50%). This clearly sends a message to those elected that we must work together, collaborate and dialogue with many voices at the table.
It is also a reminder to our new trustees that the Catholic community will continue to be engaged in publicly funded Catholic education, using the qualities outlined by the Archbishop as a benchmark in evaluating the impact of their work. Certainly, all of us at the Archdiocese look forward to working with all of our elected trustees across the GTA.
Archbishop Collins plans to meet with all those elected to the office of Catholic School Trustee early in their new mandate to help provide pastoral support as they begin their four year term.
It was great to hear from so many passionate and concerned voters, candidates, parent councils and clergy who all played an important role in raising awareness and getting out the vote. It's safe to say that there's a tremendous passion out there for our publicly funded Catholic education system - the fires were stoked this fall and the challenge is to keep the embers burning, day after day, week after week.
It was great to hear from so many passionate and concerned voters, candidates, parent councils and clergy who all played an important role in raising awareness and getting out the vote. It's safe to say that there's a tremendous passion out there for our publicly funded Catholic education system - the fires were stoked this fall and the challenge is to keep the embers burning, day after day, week after week.
Congratulations to our elected Catholic School Trustees and to all those who were so engaged in the campaign. You might say that this issue of education has proven to be most educational for all involved...
Photos: OCSTA, Catholic Register
Nov 1, 2010
Iraqi Church Becomes Terrorist Target
Just days after a Vatican Synod on the situation in the Middle East wrapped up, reports Monday morning indicate that as many as 52 people were killed in a terrorist attack on a Catholic Church in Baghdad. Included among the dead were reportedly children and at least two priests. The Holy Father quickly addressed the situation in his Monday, following the All Saints' Day Angelus (unofficial translation):"Last evening, in a grave attack on the Syriac-Catholic cathedral of Baghdad, there were scores of deaths and injuries, among them two priests and a group of the faithful there for Sunday's Holy Mass.
I pray for the victims of this absurd violence, even more ferocious in that it has been inflicted upon defenseless people gathered in God's house, which is a house of love and reconciliation. I express my affectionate closeness to the Christian community, now stricken again, and I encourage its pastors and faithful alike to be strong and firm in hope.
Beyond these savage moments of violence, that continue to tear apart the peoples of the Middle East, I would lastly like to renew a heartfelt appeal for peace: it is a gift of God, but it is also the result of the efforts of men of good will, of national and international institutions.
May everyone unite their strengths to end every act of violence!"
Full news report from the BBC provides a detailed account of the attack.
Now, more than ever, we need to turn our thoughts and prayers to Christians struggling in an increasingly dangerous situation in the Middle East. For all those impacted by this shameful attack, we offer our prayers.
Photo: Reuters
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