Beatles tune on The Priests' playlist
TORONTO - If you were to ask someone to name a popular vocal group comprised of three male voices, it’s arguable that the answer wouldn’t be The Three Tenors, but rather The Priests. The group comprised of three Irish Catholic priests is currently on tour with a new album in hand, and looking forward to their May 4 concert in Toronto.
"We are looking forward to bringing the music to as many people as possible, and of course there's a big Irish connection in Toronto as well. So we really are looking forward to it. Again, it's a place that has featured highly in our beginnings in this particular journey as The Priests. Toronto has featured highly and given us great support as well," Fr. Martin O’Hagan told The Catholic Register during a phone call from his Rhode Island hotel.
Jesuits ready for Contact
TORONTO - Jesuits are taught to see God in all things. This makes Jesuit photography a little more intense than family snapshots.
This year four Canadian Jesuits will show their photographs as part of the 17th annual Contact festival. With more than 1,000 venues spread around Toronto and as many as 1.8 million sets of eyeballs taking in the work of an international lineup of photographers through the month of May, Contact is the largest photography event in the world.
Familiar with controversy, 'Catholic Oscars' honor their heritage
BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. - At the 19th annual "Catholic Oscars," it wasn't only the honorees who were in the spotlight -- but the controversy that their selection had generated.
Catholics in Media Associates -- which presents the awards each year -- is known for having "questionable, even controversial" honorees, said founding member Barbara Gangi, honorary chairwoman of the event. "Even among our own group!" she added.
Catholic movie reviews - The Raven, The Five-year Engagement & The Pirates! Band of Misfits
Looking for a movie this weekend? We've got reviews of three of the week's big releases.
Bruce Cockburn and his longing for home
TORONTO - When talking to Bruce Cockburn, one is reminded of a line from a Charles Bukowski poem: “I am not even near to being one of them, but they are there and I am here.” It’s not that Cockburn sets himself as a man apart. Rather, he is conduit for a musical and spiritual energy and an artistry that has been embraced and celebrated around the globe. This is because Cockburn, apart from his reputation as a legendary Canadian singer and songwriter, prolific guitar player and passionate humanitarian, is just like many of us — trying to find a place to fit in.
This journey of life and music will be presented on May 4 in a Vision TV world premiere of a new documentary called Pacing the Cage, which follows Cockburn on his 2009 “Slice ‘O’ Life” solo tour and reveals him as artist, activist, Christian and nomad spirit.
Rapper Fresh IE turned his back on gangs, drugs
OTTAWA - Rapper Fresh IE could be pursuing a lucrative recording career, but instead the two-time Grammy nominee is “flying in the world’s smallest planes” to some of the most remote communities of the North.
He’s also finding his way to venues in the toughest sections of cities to spread the Gospel.
The message that Fresh, whose real name is Robert Wilson, brings is one of hope and radical conversion and that one does not have to become a slave to drugs or gangs or succumb to temptation of suicide or violence. God can transform the most unlikely person, bring forgiveness and hope.
Catholic Movie Reviews - Chimpanzee, Cabin in the Woods, Lucky One, Lockout, Think Like a Man
This week's batch of movies couldn't be more different if they tried. A Disney nature documentary, a space-based action, a horror movie and romantic comedies mean you're sure to have something to entertain you at the weekend.
Toronto artists lend voices to St. Francis Table
TORONTO - You don't often see a Capuchin friar in his brown habit prowling a nightclub dance floor while singers warm up the gathering crowd. But Br. John Frampton had a definite interest in the crowd that would gather at the storied El Mocambo in downtown Toronto April 17.
A number of Toronto musicians volunteered their time and talent to raise money for St. Francis' Table in an event called Sing For Supper. The unusual venue for a Catholic fundraiser was perfect for reaching out to new supporters, said Frampton.
Soprano Taylor Strande finds a home in the Catholic Church
TORONTO - Hailed as having “natural acting ability and a clear arcing lyric soprano” by Classical 96.3 radio, praised for “a clear lyric soprano and quite beautiful sound” by Opera Canada, and about to star as Morgana in Opera Nuova’s production of Alcina, Taylor Strande appears headed to operatic greatness.
But despite the many rigours of a professional music career, Strande also parlays her impressive abilities into worship and service through the music ministry of her Catholic Church, particularly her work with the Our Lady of Sorrows chorale.
Catholic reworking of Leonard Cohen’s ‘Hallelujah’ makes singer a YouTube sensation
What started with a simple request from her parish priest has made singer Kelley Mooney a YouTube hit garnering more than 426,000 views with her new rendition of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah.”
“We were at Easter Mass in our own parish in Iona, P.E.I., and I had sung a song that ended with the word Hallelujah being repeated,” Mooney told The Catholic Register. “After Mass, our parish priest asked if I would sing Leonard Cohen’s ‘Hallelujah.’ ”
Promising that she would, she looked up the lyrics. But to her dismay, she found that Cohen’s lyrics were not appropriate for Mass.
Catholic Movie Reviews - Bully, The Three Stooges, Titanic 3D
This week's lead review is "Bully" a film which hasn't been short of media coverage - Lee Hirsch's look at bullying in U.S. school. We're also taking a look at the updated version of "The Three Stooges" and the "Titanic" 3-D re-release.