Fr. Raymond J. de Souza is the pastor of Sacred Heart of Mary parish on Wolfe Island, and chaplain at Newman House at Kingston, Ont.'s Queen's University.

The blessing of the relic of St. Francis of Xavier at CCO's Rise Up conference during the New Year's Mass, Dec. 31, 2017.

Fr. Raymond J. De Souza: St. Francis Xavier relic hits very close to home

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The relic of St. Francis Xavier is making a Canada-wide visit this month. It began with stops in Quebec City, St. John’s, Nfld., Halifax and Kingston, and visits the Toronto area before heading to the four Western provinces.
The scale of the centennial renovation at Sacred Heart of Mary on Wolfe Island is evident by the extent of scaffolding in the church.

Fr. Raymond J. De Souza: A blessing of Providence after church fire

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We are blessed on Wolfe Island with a magnificent church — more like a cathedral, visitors often say. Dedicated to our Lady under the title of the Sacred Heart of Mary, it was built in 1916-1917, and dedicated in June 1918. I had begun thinking a few years back how to mark the centennial.

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary Nov. 20, 2017.

The Queen and her prince keep royal traditions alive

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In a democratic age, we need to be reminded that the governing image of Christ Jesus is kingship, a biblical image of deep resonance.
Sisters of Life nuns attend CCO's Rise Up young adults conference. The Sisters of Life recently marked 10 years in Toronto, one of two 10-year anniversaries Fr. de Souza shared with organizations near and dear to him over recent weeks.

Sisters of Life and Catholic Christian Outreach celebrate decade of service

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Anniversaries of importance for the universal Church have abounded this year — 500 years since the Reformation, 100 years since Fatima, 25 years since the Catechism of the Catholic Church. For me though, two more modest anniversaries — 10 years — were celebrated this past fortnight.
The face of the Catholic Church in Canada has changed, and will continue to change, because of immigration. It is the most recent immigrants rather than traditional cultures like the French and Irish that will be filling the pews in the future.

Comment: Immigrants vital to growth of the Church in Canada

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A celebration planned by the Canadian Goan Christian Group for St. Joseph’s parish in Mississauga on Oct. 14 will highlight the role that immigrants play in keeping the Church in Canada alive and vibrant.

The memorial at Vimy Ridge, site of the epic First World War battle where it is said that Canada came of age as a nation.

Comment: Blood from Vimy Ridge, martyred apostles remind us of our covenant

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OTTAWA – On the main route travelled by the Prince of Wales from Rideau Hall toward the teepee on Parliament Hill for Canada’s sesquicentennial celebrations at the beginning of July, it was notable that the banners flying from the light standards were not for Canada 150, but for the centennial of Vimy Ridge. Looked upon with biblical eyes, it was a reminder that covenants have to be ratified, to be paid for as it were, and the payment is in blood.

Cardinal Lubomyr Husar, who passed away May 31, took the torch passed on by Cardinal Josef Slipyj to resurrect the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church.

Comment: Ukrainian Cardinals Husar and Slipyj are heroes to Church community

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The death on May 31 of Cardinal Lubomyr Husar, patriarch emeritus of Kyiv, former head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church (UGCC), resonated in Canada where, outside of Ukraine, the largest Ukrainian Catholic community is found.

The Alemão brothers, Favin and Ryan, right, with their grandmother Crescencia Mergulhão Carvalho and father Felix at Favin’s First Mass at St. Edward the Confessor on May 14.

Comment: Mothers have a special place in world of priestly vocation

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In Toronto the priestly ordinations usually have a maternal character. The customary date is in May, Mary’s month, and usually falls the day before Mother’s Day, which is not a religious feast day, but certainly can be looked upon with the eyes of faith.

Pope Francis greets Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus Matthew Ustrzycki of Hamilton during the Ontario bishops’ ad limina visit to the Vatican April 25.

Opinion: Unexpected papal meeting brings out best in bishop

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As the Ontario bishops completed their ad limina visit to Rome last week, I couldn’t help but recall one of my favourite stories about one of Ontario’s favourite bishops.

Students from Our Lady Seat of Wisdom Academy pass by St. Joseph Hall on the campus in Barry’s Bay, Ont.

Opinion: Our Lady Seat of Wisdom is built on the Catholic tradition

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On April 29, Our Lady Seat of Wisdom Academy (OLSWA) will graduate the first class of its newly approved bachelor’s degree program.

Noting the lack of Mass scheduled for St. Joseph's feast day this year, Fr. Raymond de Souza writes that much of the Canadian Church has lost its liturgical culture.

Comment: Whatever happened to celebrating feast days?

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Lent gives us two solemn feasts, St. Joseph and the Annunciation of the Lord. Both fell in the last weeks of March, and it is likely that a majority of Canadian parishes did not celebrate both of them; a great many likely celebrated neither.

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