We are going through difficult times in our world: we have only to switch on the TV or go on line, and we are assaulted by reports of war, of natural disasters (forest fires, volcanoes, tropical storms), of displaced peoples and refugees seeking a safe haven, of political corruption and corporate
On March 19, 2016, Pope Francis published his apostolic exhortation “Amoris Laetitia” – The Joy of Love. Following not just one, but two successive synodal gatherings of bishops, theologians, married couples, and experts on various aspects of family life, Francis wrote
Living in Quebec, we think of this weekend as “La Fete Nationale”. And if you’re not particularly into Quebec nationalism, it also falls around the summer solstice: long beautiful sunny days, and bonfires by night! It seems that no one even mentions St. John the Baptist anymore. So much so that not long ago, during one of our confirmation retreats, we had a category in our “Jeopardy” game entitled “Famous Saints”. When I gave as the answer “I am the cousin of Jesus, and my feast day is June 24th,” no one came up with the correct question: “Who is John the Baptist?” (Note to self: ask catechists to please spend a bit more time on the saints!)
This weekend, as secular Quebec society marks “La Fete Nationale”, the Church celebrates the birth of John the Baptist. Aside from Jesus and Mary, he is the only saint whose birthday is celebrated in our liturgical calendar.
That’s what wounds are for - places to enter each other’s lives.
Fr. Raymond Lafontaine, E.V.April 8, 2018
As we complete our Easter octave, today’s Gospel presents us with the encounter between the Risen Christ and the Apostle Thomas. I have always liked Thomas. I can relate to Thomas. I have even joked that if ever I became Pope (a long shot, to be sure!), I would choose to be called Thomas. Having a science background myself, I appreciate Thomas’ inquisitive nature: his need to know, to understand, to test the evidence, to see for himself.
One of the great men of the 20th century was a Belgian priest named Father Damien. Damien was a missionary priest who ministered in the South Seas, eventually being sent to the Hawaiian Islands, which were not yet part of the U.S.. Although we may immediately associate Hawaii with lu
Today, we celebrate the Solemnity of the Epiphany. Often referred to as “Little Christmas,” Epiphany is in fact just as important as Christmas, as our brothers and sisters in the Eastern Christian churches know only too well.
“Rejoice in the Lord always: again, I say, rejoice! The Lord is near.” This antiphon for the Third Sunday of Advent, the lighting of the rose candle, the undercurrent of joy bubbling just beneath the surface of today’s readings, are designed to awaken in us Advent joy. At the same time, the liturgy of this Sunday also invites us to cultivate an attitude of patience. What might be the connection between these two virtues, and how are they brought to light in the Scriptures that have just been proclaimed.
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