Kasun’s oil of gladness pours on Toronto
On June 17, we Basilians learned that one of our brothers, Fr. Robert Kasun, would become one of the four auxiliary bishops of the Archdiocese of Toronto. Fr. Bob is not the first Basilian bishop of Toronto. Denis O’Connor served as archbishop from 1899-1908.
Gratitude unlocks gates to mercy
28th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C) Oct. 9 (2 Kings 5:14-17; Psalm 98; 2 Timothy 2:8-13; Luke 17:11-19)
It is often said that we imagine God in our own image and likeness. We think that God shares our likes and dislikes, hatreds and loves, opinions and way of looking at the world. God might even belong to our favourite political party or social class. Throughout the two biblical testaments, God repeatedly demonstrates that this is just not so. God shocks people by violating their opinions and prejudices, and by doing what is unexpected and distressing.
At plenary, Nuncio calls bishops to do pastoral work ‘on their knees’
CORNWALL, Ont. – The Canadian bishops were exhorted to do pastoral ministry “on their knees” before God and before Christ in the people they serve.
Feeding off of life’s sacred fire
See the wise and wicked ones who feed upon life’s sacred fire
These are lines from Gordon Lightfoot’s song “Don Quixote,” and they highlight an important truth: both the wise and the wicked feed off the same energy. And it’s good energy, sacred energy, divine energy, irrespective of its use. The greedy and the violent feed off the same energy as do the wise and the saints. There’s one source of energy and, even though it can be irresponsibly, selfishly and horrifically misused, it remains always God’s energy.
Doctrinal congregation convokes meeting on role of women in the church
VATICAN CITY – Leaders of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith spent three days in late September listening to women theologians, canon lawyers, Scripture scholars and specialists in other academic fields talk about roles women have played in the Catholic Church and roles they could play in the future.
Sisters of St. Joseph take young adults on Amazing Race
TORONTO – Young adults learned some of the rich history of the Sisters of St. Joseph and their contributions to Toronto in a dash around the city’s core Sept. 24.
Holy Door pilgrimage builds community
TORONTO – Seeking to build for a stronger sense of community, Fr. Keith Wallace took his parishioners on a Holy Door pilgrimage around the Archdiocese of Toronto.
Clergy to provide 'ministerial presence' as chaplains during Ryder Cup
MINNEAPOLIS – Chaska Police Chief Scott Knight didn't want to see golf fans at Hazeltine National Gold Club spiritually unprovided for again.
Vatican revises norms for examining alleged miracles
VATICAN CITY – In an effort to ensure transparency as well as historical and scientific accuracy, Pope Francis has approved revised norms for the Congregation for Saints' Causes regarding medical consultations on healings alleged to be miracles.
The righteous person lives by faith
27th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C) Oct. 2 (Habakkuk 1:2-3; 2:2-4; Psalm 95; 2 Timothy 1:6-8, 13-14; Luke 17:5-10)
Habakkuk could have been written yesterday — in fact, it could have been written at almost any point in history. It describes events and situations that humans have always faced: violence, destruction, fear and injustice. We are not sure when the prophet Habakkuk lived and exercised his ministry. The best estimates are the very late seventh century B.C., possibly during the reign of Josiah the King.
Exuberance will come after the cross
It’s funny where you can learn a lesson and catch a glimpse of the divine. Recently, in a grocery store, I witnessed this incident:
A young girl, probably around 16 years of age, along with two other girls her own age, came into the store. She picked up a grocery basket and began to walk down the aisle, not knowing that a second basket was stuck onto the one she was carrying. At a point the inevitable happened, the basket stuck to hers released