Everyday For Life Canada: February 2014

TDSB should not be using tax money to advertise in the Now magazine

We have written to our public board trustee and the Chair of the Board, Chris Bolton asking them to explain why the Toronto District School Board has used tax money to pay for a one page advertisement in the Now magazine. The ad is to publicize the board's continuing education programs. However, there are many other ways to get this message out to the public and to parents without compromising school standards and morality.

Parents need to speak up in order to stop the spending of their tax money to support and promote a publication that is detrimental to the building of the common good and public safety. Parents should also know that the Now magazine is available in our public libraries.

Feb

Don't miss this wonderful story of hope

A wonderful story of hope comes from a recent conference held by the Kenneth Copeland Ministries. Copeland is an evangelical pastor and televangelist. Invited to speak at the Pentecostal gathering was his friend and Anglican Bishop Tony Palmer. Over twelve years ago, Bishop Palmer was asked by the Vatican to help the Catholic Church with its work with the Charismatic Catholic Renewal. It turns out that Bishop Palmer knew Pope Francis back when he was a cardinal in Argentina.

Feb

Parents have the responsibility and mission to transmit the gift of faith

On Saturday February 15, we gave a talk at St. Augustine of Canterbury Church located in Toronto. The community each year celebrates Family Day with programs for children and adults. We were invited to speak to parents about the important role they have in transmitting and educating their children in the faith. We thought that it would be worthwhile to also share some of the ideas with our readers.

Feb

Family Day: everyday is family day

Let me suggest that you turn Family Day 2014 in Ontario into pilgrimage day. Fr. John Hardon in his book called, Modern Catholic Dictionary defines pilgrimage this way,

A journey to a sacred place undertaken as an act of religious devotion. Its purpose may be simply to venerate a certain saint or ask some spiritual favor; beg for a physical cure or perform an act of penance; express thanks or fulfill a promise.

Feb

Part II: The road our schools have taken to moral disaster

(Reader note: Part I of this two-part posting appeared on February 12, 2014) How did Ontario schools go down this road to moral disaster? The provincial government began with the idea of passing safe school policies. This big policy push started in Ontario in 2000, Manitoba in 2004 and BC in 2007. The purpose of the safe schools initiative was to prevent bullying, violence, and discrimination.

Feb

Part I: The road our schools have taken to moral disaster

With Ontario's municipal elections coming up in October 27, 2014, we thought it important to remind parents and all those interested in public education that the trustees who are elected will shape both the direction and moral quality of education. There's a need to elect trustees who will respect and defend parental rights. In Catholic schools, there's the additional need to vote for candidates who will be faithful to Catholic teaching.

Feb

A United Nations committee attacks Catholic teaching

A United Nations committee has told the Vatican that it must change its teaching when it comes to abortion and homosexuality. The UN committee wants the Church to declare that it's fine for Catholics to perform or assist in abortions. The Church must also adapt and remove any fear from the risk of excommunication.

Feb

Spiritual leadership for today

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, represented by Cardinal Sean O'Malley of Boston, who chairs the Committee for Pro-Life Activities is asking the House of Representatives to support proposed legislation for the No Taxpayer Funding of Abortion Act (H.R. 7).

Feb

A Canadian autobiography of the artist redeemed

Title: Someone With Me: The Autobiography of William Kurelek

Publisher: McCLelland and Stewart Ltd.

Date: 1980

One of the best ways to understand William Kurelek, truly one of Canada’s great Christian artists, is by reading his autobiography, Someone With Me: The Autobiography of William Kurelek. It could appropriately be subtitled: How God saved my life.