Everyday For Life Canada: 2014

World Meeting of Families 2015: A Mission of Love

Introductory Posting

The Eighth World Meeting of Families is scheduled for Philadelphia from September 22-27, 2015. The Church teaching for this gathering will focus on how belief in Jesus is the foundation of the Christian view of sex, marriage and the family. God loves us. He created humanity and given us a plan for our salvation. The family’s mission is a call to love God, to love each other and to freely do God’s will.

We said in earlier posts that we would cover the main topics for this world event, and so we begin. In the Second Vatican Council, the family was called “the domestic church” to emphasize that the family is the necessary building block in making up the Universal Church.

Dec

New Year's resolutions, a Christian education and the Holy Family

We have mentioned in earlier posts that we would be using Quas Primas to guide our Advent season, celebrate Christmas and welcome in the New Year. This encyclical written by Pope Pius XI in 1925 has much to teach us today.

It was this document that established the Feast of Christ the King for the Universal Church. This Christmas once again we embrace our King as a baby, born in a family and welcomed to the world by Mary and Joseph.

Dec

Say happy birthday to Baby Jesus by taking the papal "Oath Against Modernism"

Do you know of the "Oath Against Modernism" written by Pope Pius X? We weren't aware of it until we found it recently doing some research on papal encyclicals. It's a great part of Church history that's still very relevant today. The Oath was issued on September 1, 1910 and taken up until 1967. Its contents give us a better understanding of the pervasive nature of secularism in modern society and its opposition to the Church.

Dec

A blessed and holy Christmas to all our readers!

We share with you Archbishop of Edmonton Richard Smith's message for Christmas: "God is here." His greetings of hope are sent to the people of his archdiocese, but it also applies to the entire Universal Church.

Dec

Dr. Simone to volunteers, "We love you all"

Yesterday Canadian Food for Child held their annual Christmas Mass at their warehouse on Lakeshore Blvd. for the volunteers and supporters of the charity. Fr. Noel Whelan from St. Anselm's Parish celebrated the Mass and in attendance were the founders of the charity Dr. Andrew Simone and his wife Joan. A group of singers and musicians sang during the Mass and entertained those present with Christmas carols after the liturgical service. My wife and I attended and we were so glad we did.

Dec

What do we want for Christmas?

We live in a society that by in large has managed to turn Christmas for many into a secular holiday. Shopping, parties, meals and gift giving have taken over this time of the year. Visit any shopping mall to see that the buying and selling of things is big business. This activity occupies minds and hearts.

Welcome to another world. Just days ago, I got an email from a priest friend of mine Fr. Marco Bagnarol who is with the Consolata Missionaries. His vocation has taken him to Brazil.

Dec

TSO's Messiah is a treat for the soul

The Toronto Symphony Orchestra accompanied by the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir and conducted by Grant Liewellyn once again this year will perform Handel's Messiah at Roy Thompson Hall. Yesterday was the opening night and we were happily there. I had never been to a live rendition, and I can now say that the Messiah is a great performance of music and scripture. It's pleasing to the ears and good for the soul.

It's called an oratorio because it combines scripture and music.

Dec

Are some of Toronto's councillors the real pimps and johns?

On Dec. 2, 2014, on a City of Toronto letterhead a number of Toronto City councilors wrote to Premier Kathleen Wynne asking her to refer the new anti-prostitution law known as Bill C-36 to the Ontario Court of Appeal. This strategy is to get judges to make decisions for the people of Ontario. Why? So that pimps, johns and all those in the business of sex can defy the legislation passed by parliament.

Dec

Are you thinking of sending your children to an Ontario day care? Think again

Sending your children to some day care centers in Ontario may be one of the most dangerous choices you make can make. Parents who decide to use a day care must truly investigate the operation and the people that run it. Here’s why.

In her latest report, Ontario’s auditor general Bonnie Lysyk accuses the government of not carrying enough routine inspections of day care centers to ensure that children are safe. This applies to licensed centers as well those that are not.

Dec

Now's distribution on Toronto streets and public libraries: it's now breaking Canadian law

Canadian law now makes it illegal for publications like the Now Magazine to be on our Toronto streets and public libraries. Bill C-36 Canada’s new prostitution law legally forbids advertising for sexual services. Readers of this blog know that I have written about this issue. I posted an Open Letter to City of Toronto Councillors asking them to remove the Now magazine from Toronto street corners and other public spaces.