{mosimage}OTTAWA - Canada’s bishops plan to use the introduction of the new liturgy as a teaching opportunity to renew appreciation of the Eucharist.

“There is always an opportunity for catechesis to build on the Eucharistic Congress and the Synod of the Eucharist when we implement the missal,” said Toronto Archbishop Thomas Collins.

{mosimage}TORONTO - When Christians in Toronto sit down at sunset to break the fast of Ramadan with their Muslim neighbours they have the backing of Canada’s Catholic bishops. The bishops have written to Canada’s Muslim community seeking “new stepping stones” of dialogue.

The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops’ episcopal commission for interfaith dialogue released its response to “A Common Word Between Us” on the first day of Ramadan, Sept. 1. “A Common Word Between Us” was a 2007 open letter from 138 Muslim scholars and leaders which called for a renewed relationship between the world’s two largest religious communities.

{mosimage}A new pastoral message from Canada’s Catholic bishops aiming to “encourage and support” young couples in their search for happiness includes insights from its target audience.

About a dozen young couples from across the country contributed to the pastoral letter, released by the bishops Sept. 4, titled “What Does Marriage Add to your Love?”

{mosimage}TORONTO - Living without fear is the theme of Toronto’s first Catholic Conference on Awareness of Abuse Against Women, to be held Oct. 18

Workshops for both youth and adults will provide a chance to reflect and learn about woman abuse and the Catholic Church’s response.

Conference organizer Virginia Koehler told The Catholic Register the event is a day of information for everyone in the community.

TORONTO - Frank McKenna, the former premier of New Brunswick and ambassador to the United States, will be chairman for this year’s Cardinal’s Dinner, to be held Oct. 30 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.

{mosimage}TORONTO - One year after implementing the papal decree paving the way for celebration of the traditional Latin Mass, the archdiocese of Toronto has invited the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter to help pave the way for the first mission parish for the Tridentine Mass in the archdiocese.

Fr. Howard Venette, a member of the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter, is the new chaplain for the Tridentine Mass community at St. Theresa’s parish and Holy Cross parish. Venette said he hopes the Mass will be accessible to all those interested in the old rite.

{mosimage}Cardinal Jean-Claude Turcotte, archbishop of Montreal, is returning his Order of Canada to protest the decision to honour Dr. Henry Morgantaler with Canada's highest civilian award.

{mosimage}MONTREAL - Canadian Catholics are being asked to help the tiny nation of Haiti that has borne the brunt of the storms during this hurricane season.

The latest storm to hit the impoverished Caribbean island was Hurricane Ike, which struck Haiti Sept. 7. The city of Gonaives was particularly hard hit by Ike, after already seeing severe flooding from previous hurricanes Hanna, Fay and Gustav.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper's promise to get Canadian troops out of Afghanistan at the end of 2011 is good, but not good enough for Catholics for Peace – Toronto.

I almost spilled my morning coffee all over my desk this morning as I turned to the Globe and Mail's editorial page. There before my eyes was an editorial defending Opus Dei. I had to read it twice, and pinch myself, to prove this wasn't a dream.