A Christ statue stands outside Sts. Paul and Peter Church in Baie-Saint-Paul, in the Archdiocese of Quebec, which is re-organizing its parishes.

The changing parish

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In announcing another reorganization and consolidation of parishes, Quebec City Archbishop Cardinal Gérald Lacroix sought to focus the conversation on “our ability to fulfill our essential mission.”

Xaviere Missionary Sister Nathalie Becquart attends a news conference at the Vatican in this Oct. 9, 2018, file photo. Last May Sister Becquart was one of six consultants appointed by Pope Francis to the general secretariat of the Synod of Bishops. Five of those appointed were women, and it was the first time women had served in that role.

Pope Francis gives a woman a vote in next synod of bishops

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VATICAN CITY -- Xaviere Missionary Sister Nathalie Becquart will not be the first woman undersecretary of a major Vatican office, but she will be the first woman with a right to vote at a meeting of the Synod of Bishops.

Fr. Pilmaiken Lezano, new spiritual advisor to Calgary’s CWL.

Priest brings CWL a youthful perspective

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It is safe to assume Fr. Pilmaiken Lezano became theologically and philosophically knowledgeable about the concept of Divine Providence during his years of study at St. Joseph’s Seminary in Edmonton from 2012-2015.

Pope Francis greets Cardinal Louis Sako, the Baghdad-based patriarch of the Chaldean Catholic Church, in Tbilisi, Georgia, in this Sept. 30, 2016, file photo. Sako said the Church in Iraq is working with the government to prepare for Pope Francis’ planned March 5-8 visit to Iraq.

Pope Francis still plans to visit Iraq

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VATICAN CITY -- Pope Francis said that unless there is a serious new wave of COVID-19 infections in Iraq, he has every intention of visiting the country in early March.

Pope Francis arrives for an audience with participants in a meeting organized by the Italian bishops' National Catechetical Office, at the Vatican Jan. 30, 2021.

Catechists must share God's love, uphold church teaching, Pope Francis says

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VATICAN CITY -- Religious education must focus on leading people to a personal relationship with Christ and building a community of believers where the talents of each person are valued and where all go out to share the Gospel and serve the poor, Pope Francis said.

Pope Francis baptizes one of 32 babies as he celebrates Mass on the feast of the Baptism of the Lord in the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican Jan. 12, 2020. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Pope Francis will not baptize infants this year on the feast of the baptism of the Lord.

Pope Francis will not baptize infants on feast day this year

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VATICAN CITY -- The choral cries of newborn babies will not fill the Sistine Chapel in 2021 because the COVID-19 pandemic has forced Pope Francis to cancel his annual celebration of infant baptisms on the feast of the Baptism of the Lord.

Farmer Tomislav Suknaic touches his horse in front of his destroyed home in the village of Majske Poljane, Croatia, Dec. 30, 2020, following an earthquake. Pope Francis offered condolences and prayers for the victims of the magnitude 6.4 earthquake that rocked central Croatia the previous day, killing at least seven people and injuring dozens.

Pope Francis prays for victims of earthquake in Croatia

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Pope Francis offered condolences and prayers for the victims of an earthquake that rocked central Croatia.

Pope Francis delivers his Christmas message and blessing "urbi et orbi" (to the city and the world) from the Hall of Blessings at the Vatican Dec. 25, 2020. Also pictured are Cardinal Angelo Comastri, archpriest of St. Peter's Basilica, and Msgr. Guido Marini, papal master of ceremonies.

Pope Francis on Christmas: Share hope, promote peace, give vaccine to all

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VATICAN CITY -- On a Christmas like no other, Pope Francis prayed for people who could not be with their families because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but he urged everyone to recognize and help those who are suffering even more.

The original image of Our Lady of Guadalupe is in the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City.

Guadalupe devotion rising for Indigenous

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The Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe is not some distant, colourful, Mexican tradition for former New Brunswick Lieutenant Governor Graydon Nicholas.

Pope Francis prays at the base of a tall Marian statue overlooking the Spanish Steps in Rome Dec. 8, 2002, the feast of the Immaculate Conception. The pope prayed at the statue shortly before the Rome firefighters' traditional early morning event in honor of the Immaculate Conception.

Say 'no' to sin, 'yes' to grace, Pope Francis says on Immaculate Conception feast

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VATICAN CITY - Mary's Immaculate Conception offers a glimpse to the promised life for all Christians who open their hearts to God and his grace, Pope Francis said.

A priest hears confession inside the cathedral in Valencia, Spain, May 19, 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic. In an interview Dec. 5 with the Vatican newspaper, L’Osservatore Romano, Cardinal Mauro Piacenza, head of the Apostolic Penitentiary, said confession by phone is still most likely invalid.

Cardinal upholds 'probable invalidity' of confession by phone

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VATICAN CITY - Even though the world is facing a pandemic that may limit many people's ability to celebrate the sacraments, particularly those people who are in isolation, quarantining or hospitalized with COVID-19, confession by phone is still most likely invalid, said Cardinal Mauro Piacenza, head of the Apostolic Penitentiary.

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