After two years of study and preparation, Holy Rosary Parish in Guelph is taking the next step toward its goal of breathing new life into its buildings.

Fr. Roger Yaworski says Loyola House can’t guarantee people will like its Full Spiritual Exercises Experience. The retreat director might not be to their liking, the retreat itself might not meet their expectations, even the food might not tantalize their taste buds.

Guelph, Ont.’s Church of Our Lady Immaculate now dons the title basilica. The landmark church perched on a hill overlooking the city was designated a basilica earlier this month by Pope Francis, catching parishioners by surprise.

Jesuit novices in Guelph in 1918 expected to wake early to prayers and devotions, then Mass, then breakfast. They did not expect to be woken by military police.

God had a different plan in store for the Faith Connections’ Snowshoe & Prayer event and its 18 young adult participants held on Feb. 25 at the Ignatius Jesuit Centre in Guelph, Ont. Due to the warm weather, and the lack of snow, the event was changed to Hike & Prayer.

The event is a unique way for participants to continue along their Catholic journey, said Vanessa Nicholas-Schmidt, Faith Connections’ program director.

There’s a story that circulates around Guelph, Ont., about how Cardinal-elect Thomas Collins barely escaped Our Lady Immaculate Church with his life.

In one version, a 10-year-old Collins was almost killed when a statue of Our Lady came loose from the roof of the church and crashed at his feet. This somehow drove him into the priesthood.

The story is utter nonsense. We got the true story from the man himself.