All eyes are on Poland as the city of Krakow explodes into celebration for the 2016 International World Youth Day.

TORONTO – In a way, it’s like Fr. Peter Turrone is coming home. As a student at the University of Toronto, Turrone saw the Newman Centre Catholic Chaplaincy as a second home, a spiritual oasis. Now, as he takes up his new position as Newman’s executive director and pastor, he is excited for the opportunity to serve the community that gave him so much.

I’ve had an action-packed few days. If you’ve followed through my photo diary albums, you’ll see that I’ve been in seven cities in three days. A lot of the days are spent being shepherded through historical sites, like cathedrals, monasteries and towns that have been around for hundreds and hundreds of years.

It was February 2015 and American singer-songwriter Audrey Assad was working with fellow Catholic artist Matt Maher on his new album. She was sitting in Maher’s backyard when she came across the shocking video online. Twenty-one Egyptian Coptic Christian men were about to be beheaded by the Islamic State on a Libyan beach.

Sometimes, God works in not so mysterious ways. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that today’s Gospel speaks to something I’ve been anxious about for weeks now. 

David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, announced 113 new appointments to the Order of Canada, one of the highest civilian honours of the land.

TORONTO – Timothy Rafanan has had more than 100 blood transfusions in his lifetime — and he’ll turn just two years old in August. 

TORONTO – St. Anthony of Padua is known as the miracle worker saint. Many people ask for his intercession for the loss of material things, but also for loss of peace of mind or sense of direction. Those who seek his help are never lost, forgotten or left behind.

MISSISSAUGA, ONT. – Always remember why you are there, Hamilton auxiliary Bishop-emeritus Matthew Ustrzycki told 600 young Polish-Canadians preparing to return to their ancestral homeland for World Youth Day this summer.