News/Canada

In a news conference Dec. 5, Saganash, following the bill’s first of two hours of debate in the House of Commons, described Bill C-262 as “probably the most important legislation that the Parliament of Canada will have to consider in a long time.”

MP pushes for adoption of UN declaration on Indigenous rights

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OTTAWA – The dream of NDP MP Romeo Saganash to see Canada bring its laws in line with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) has moved closer to reality.

Daiana Barboza, a youth worker at Covenant House in Toronto, says the shelter for homeless youth tries to make Christmas as family-like as it can for the youth it serves.

Homeless youth given a taste of the season at the Covenant House

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On Christmas Eve, before the presents are handed out, the kids at Covenant House will gather in the chapel, referred to as the sanctuary room at the shelter for homeless youth, to hear the story of Christmas — the birth of the saviour as a homeless refugee.

Matthew Riola (led by conductor Peter Mahon) stands for a solo during a Christmas concert practice at St. Michael’s.

St. Michael's Choir veteran leaves on a high note

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Matthew Riola was a nervous 12-year-old when he auditioned in 2012 for St. Michael’s Choir School. He had no idea he could sing, but his rendition of “O Canada” impressed a group of adults who would soon become his teachers and mentors.

Deacon Guy Dacquay, Rachel Dillman and Fr. Vincent Pereira collaborated to produce a Christmas CD that features Dillman as a soloist, and the world premiere of Pereira’s composition of “Ave Maria” in Latin.

Ottawa priest's dream of Christmas album becomes a reality after a few rough notes

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OTTAWA – For years, Fr. Vincent Pereira, an Ottawa priest and canon lawyer, mused about producing a Christmas CD, perhaps featuring one of his own musical compositions.
Thornhill, Ont.’s St. Elizabeth High School took a comedic run at Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol this year. The school presented a modern-day version of the classic, Bah, Humbug.

Students bring out the best in Scrooge tale

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It is the classic tale of redemption — Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol.
Joe Gunn, executive director of Citizens for Public Justice, at a 2017 anti-poverty press conference on Parliament Hill.

Poverty reduction and action on climate change major items for 2018

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OTTAWA – While many positive steps have been taken on poverty-reduction and climate change, big gains on those fronts have yet to come, says the head of Citizens for Public Justice.
Archbishop Alphonsus Liguori Penney is interviewed on the show "Pathways" in the 80s.

Archbishop Penney set up sex abuse inquiry

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The Canadian archbishop who three decades ago stood at ground zero of the global child sexual abuse scandals has died.

Refugees seeking asylum are seen near the border in Lacolle, Quebec, Aug. 10, 2017.

Council of Churches wins standing in court case

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The Canadian Council of Churches, Amnesty International and Canadian Council for Refugees are one step closer to arguing in court that Canada’s Safe Third Country agreement with the United States is illegal.
The outdoor Nativity scene in front of Edmonton’s City Hall has been downsized and put indoors, causing some backlash.

Edmonton City Hall scraps outdoor Nativity scene after 40 years

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EDMONTON – Faith leaders in Edmonton are disappointed that City Hall scrapped its outdoor Nativity scene after more than 40 years and replaced it with a smaller art display indoors.
Jonathon Van Maren says millions of Canadians will be affected by new Canada Summer Jobs guidelines.

Government denies summer job funding for pro-lifers

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OTTAWA – Catholic and other employers who refuse to endorse a woman’s right to abortion will be denied funding from a government program intended to create summer employment for youth, according to new guidelines.
Sylvette Chanel works on one of her wax baby Jesus figurines Dec. 17 at the Maison Saint-Gabriel Museum in Montreal. "Every child Jesus needs a good day's work," she said.

Montreal sculptor keeps ancient craft of making wax figures of infant Jesus

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MONTREAL – For sculptor Sylvette Chanel, Advent is the busiest time of the year. She is among the few people left who keeps alive the ancient New France craft of making and repairing wax Jesus figures for Nativity scenes.

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