As the COVID pandemic began three years ago, many asked what the new normal might be once it subsided. In that question, there was an optimism, even hope, that a massive amount of suffering and death would smarten us up, spur us to become more concerned for the needs of others. 

Joining China, North Korea and other authoritarian regimes on the religious freedom watch list is… Canada, or at least it should be included, according to Ohio Republican lawmakers.

The fateful March of 2020 brought the curtain down on in-person performances and rehearsals for the children and youth voices animating the Ottawa Catholic School Board (OCSB) choirs.

As society emerges from the spectre of the pandemic, we have a unique opportunity to construct a positive “new normal” in which we live out Gospel values personally and collectively.

A new early intervention mental health program aimed at decreasing the barriers youth face when trying to access mental health supports is launching in Simcoe County, north of Toronto.

Barring a dramatic reversal in pandemic fortune, the vast majority of Canadian Catholics will celebrate Holy Week as they did before COVID-19 infected society two years ago.

Walking recently through the University of Toronto campus, I noticed a young fellow on the other side of the street jogging energetically past.

The Archdiocese of Vancouver will conduct a review of how the COVID-19 pandemic impacted the Church in Vancouver, how the archdiocese responded and what, if anything, should be done to improve responses in future emergencies.

For the third straight year, the annual Good Friday procession through the streets of Toronto’s Little Italy neighbourhood is cancelled.

For all Catholics, the Lenten season holds a particular significance. For schoolchildren, the season was perhaps marked by pancakes in the school gym on Shrove Tuesday and worksheets on what kind of candy we wouldn’t eat for the next month and a half.

The substantial loosening of public health protocols at places of worship around Canada — except, for now, B.C. — has made it possible to manifest the Catholic Mass that existed before COVID-19. But senior clergy know it will take time to restore parishes to pre-pandemic vibrancy. 

When COVID is over most Catholic Register readers just want to move on, but those same readers overwhelmingly would like their parish to mark a Pandemic Day.

Last year one international student living just outside Beijing, China, would get up at 3 a.m. to virtually attend an afternoon seminar at the University of St. Michael’s College, recalls Mark McGowan.

With the big exception of continued mask-wearing, Masses throughout the Archdiocese of Toronto are ready to resemble pre-pandemic normalcy.

Fr. Paul Kavanagh is excited about the developments for Alberta places of worship in recent weeks and the promise of what lies around the corner.