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December 13, 2019

People's hearts yearn for God, not possessions, Pope Francis says

Pope Francis accepts a gift during an audience with a group of international performers at the Vatican Dec. 13, 2019. The performers, including U.S. singer Lionel Richie, were scheduled to perform at the Vatican's Christmas concert the next day.

VATICAN CITY -- The Christmas season is a time to reflect on what life is all about, Pope Francis told an international group of performers.

Published in Faith
December 19, 2016

Pope Francis: Take a break from busy holidays to prepare for real Christmas

Pope Francis leads the Angelus from the window of his apartment overlooking St. Peter's Square Dec. 18 at the Vatican.

VATICAN CITY – Make time to get ready for what Christmas really is about – the child born in Bethlehem signalling that "God is with us," Pope Francis said.

Published in Faith
December 15, 2016

Speaking Out: The light of Christmas will shine through

"Christmas is a time for celebration and joy, regardless of our state of life," writes Rebecca Atkinson.

I found myself rushing through a grocery store on a busy Friday afternoon at the end of an arduous week. There was Christmas music blaring throughout the store, my stomach was grumbling and I was frantically picking my way through the produce section before I had to be at work.

Published in YSN: Speaking Out
December 14, 2016

Staff Arts brings out Toronto Catholic school board's artistic flair

Staff Arts president and choir director Anne Bolger conducts the group’s version of “O Holy Night” at the Dec. 2 Christmas concert. Soloist Gilda De Marco Melo is at the right foreground.

TORONTO – September isn’t just the start of another school year.

Published in Christmas
December 13, 2016

Ancient music sets stage for the Christmas season

University of St. Michael’s College’s Schola Cantorum founder, Michael O’Connor (second row left) teamed up with John Edwards (front row with lute), the Musicians in Ordinary and others for an Advent program spanning nearly 1,000 years of Christian music from the Middle Ages into the 17th century.

There’s no better way to get ready for Christmas than to open your ears to a little Advent music — not the jingles in the mall but music that slows time down just enough to allow for some peace and reflection.

Published in Christmas
December 8, 2016

Opinion: Christmas doesn’t need any jingle

Choir school alumnus Matt Dusk sings with St. Michael’s Choir School as they rehearse for their annual Christmas concert at Massey Hall.

Where I am able to organize things — in my parish, at the chaplaincy — we sing Advent hymns in Advent. But otherwise, Christmas concerts are the order of the day by early December. And so it was that last Saturday I had the privilege of attending the annual Christmas concert of St. Michael’s Choir School in the afternoon at Massey Hall, and then the Christmas pageant (“Gaudy” to employ the local nomenclature) at Massey College in the evening.

Published in Fr. Raymond de Souza
December 5, 2016

'Tis the season, and Bethlehem businesses hope for a merry one

Palestinian Catholic Walid Abu Ayash, 39, tattoo artist, stands at the entrance to his barbershop/tattoo parlor Dec. 5 in Bethlehem, West Bank.

BETHLEHEM, West Bank – Even the Christmas decorations seem more cheerful this year in Bethlehem.

Published in International
December 2, 2016

Some sound advice on preparing for Messiah

John the Baptist pours water on Jesus, as depicted in The Baptism of Christ.

In the Scripture readings for the Second Sunday of Advent, two of the three outstanding Advent guides (Isaiah, John the Baptist and Mary) show us the proper attitude to assume as we prepare to welcome the Saviour of the world.

Published in Guest Faith Columns
November 28, 2016

Pope's Advent advice: Don't be dominated by material things

Pope Francis leads his general audience in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican Oct. 19.

VATICAN CITY – The season of Advent is a reminder to us to open our horizons and have concern for more than just material things, the Pope said Sunday during his Angelus address.

Published in Vatican
November 25, 2016

Advent workshop targets a youthful audience

Patricia Stenton said parents can engage children in a deeper level by creating a space where they can participate in hands-on activities.

Celebrating Advent doesn’t have to just be about Advent calendar chocolates and writing letters to Santa Claus.

Published in Canada
November 24, 2016

Advent is the time to wake from our hypnotic sleep

Advent allows us to focus on the hope and promise of new life in Christ. Here, Iraqi refugees re-enact the Nativity.

The Advent season in its liturgical observance is devoted to the coming of God at the end of history when Jesus shall reign as king.

Published in Guest Faith Columns
November 24, 2016

The waiting game of Advent has its rewards

Contrasting to his childhood of waiting for chocolates from the Advent calendar, Patrick Peori plans to wait for the coming Messiah.

‘Light the advent candle one, now the waiting has begun.’

Published in YSN: Speaking Out