As the COVID pandemic began three years ago, many asked what the new normal might be once it subsided. In that question, there was an optimism, even hope, that a massive amount of suffering and death would smarten us up, spur us to become more concerned for the needs of others. 

Catholics, young and old, filling the pews with anticipatory energy. Choirs warming hearts and minds with joyful melodies. Parishioners joining together to celebrate Jesus’ birthday.

In mid-August, Lifeworks, a human resources and technology company focused on developing positive wellbeing solutions, revealed in its monthly Mental Health Index that 56 per cent of Canadians notice their children are still being harmed by the COVID-19 epidemic.

During two years of COVID-19 pandemic, the Church has been wrought with challenges of Mass attendance and participation among the faithful. It’s been a trying time for parishes trying to engage churchgoers amid the chaos, confusion and restrictions on places of worship.

Walking recently through the University of Toronto campus, I noticed a young fellow on the other side of the street jogging energetically past.

Pandemic shows many aren’t finding satisfaction in their labour

Ontario’s long battle with COVID has climaxed and will significantly wind down between now and March, Ontario’s chief medical officer of health Dr. Kieran Moore told a virtual audience Jan. 19.

The Archdiocese of Toronto, recognizing the contagiousness of the Omicron variant of COVID-19, has issued new guidelines to parishes to help stem its spread.

The number of COVID-positive doctors, nurses and other clinical staff at Toronto’s Catholic hospitals has crept up into the hundreds, Toronto’s Unity Health has told The Catholic Register.

Except for funeral ceremonies with up to 25 attendees, Quebec’s churches will remain empty for the foreseeable future.

LA CROSSE, Wis. -- Cardinal Raymond L. Burke remained hospitalized for COVID-19 but as of Aug. 21 he was taken off a ventilator that he had been on for some days and taken out of the ICU to be returned to a regular hospital room, according to the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in La Crosse.

VATICAN CITY -- U.S. Cardinal Raymond L. Burke remains hospitalized, on a ventilator, "in serious but stable condition" with COVID-19, a spokesman said late Aug. 17.

Take a moment and reflect on the last three conversations you had. Was COVID-19 the subject of any of them? If not, give yourself a pat on the back. Clearly, you’ve been making an effort to avoid the topic. But if you’re like myself and many others, pandemic conversation has become a serious problem.

As of July 26 the City of Toronto has jabbed its citizens in the arm 4.3 million times. Provincially, 89.5 per cent of the eligible population of Ontario has been at least partially vaccinated. Globally, 3.5 billion doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been distributed.

At the start of the pandemic, retired surgeon Dr. Frank Browne got up at 5 a.m. ready to head into the hospital to tend to the sick. He had heard the call to retired doctors to assist as COVID-19 was taking its toll on the health-care system.