Everyday For Life Canada: February 2016

What would you tell Grades 7 and 8 students soon to be Confirmed?

Today I had the privilege of addressing seventy elementary students attending their day of retreat in preparation for Confirmation. What would you tell them if given an hour to do so? Here's what I told them.

I began with this question: "What are five things that are very important to you?" I gave them time to think about the question. I went on to tell them that there were at least three important points to learn about at Confirmation. One, they should be aware of the fact that, unlike Baptism when they were just babies, they would now know that they were members of the Body of Christ. Their spiritual family includes all the faithful that came before them, those that they presently know and all the others to come. Second, they should learn as much as possible about their faith.

Feb

This is a must read essay for Canadian parents with sons and daughters in university

The recent essay by Professor Ron Srigley titled, "Dear Parents: Everything You Need to Know About Your Son and Daughter's University But Don't Buy" is one that all parents should read. He examines the present sad state of higher learning in Canada and says, "There is no real education anymore, but I still have to create the impression that education is happening. Students will therefore come to class, but they will not learn. Professors will give lectures, but they will not teach.

Feb

Wynne and Trudeau's support for each other sets a bad precedent

As soon as the last federal election was announced the Premier of Ontario began telling Canadians not to vote and re-elect the Harper Conservative government. Kathleen Wynne also said that if the bad relations between provincial governments and the Harper government had existed in the past Canada would not have built the Canadian national railway. Wynne made clear that the future would be bleak if the Conservatives held on to power because they had run a deficit.

Feb

Understading how governments have managed to promote an "inclusive" society

Provincial governments with the Canadian government in support are forcing through legislation that children be taught a radical and comprehensive sex curriculum. The current Liberal government will soon legalize euthanasia. Canada permits the killing of the unborn child up to the moment of birth. Canadians disagree on these and other issues, but here's my idea. If governments wish to promote the culture of death and secularism, then they tell citizens the truth.

Feb

A letter about PAS from a jailed pro-life heroine that Canadians should read and take action

Our activist Supreme Court of Canada on Feb. 6, 2015 made euthanasia and doctor-assisted suicide "legal." The court gave parliament a year to come with legislation. Quebec has already gone ahead to intentionally take the life of one person. And there will be many others soon. The rest of the country has been given a four month extension by the government to develop guidelines.

Feb

Family Day: a great time to celebrate the family

Family Day in Ontario should not be just another holiday during the winter months, but a day that we as mothers, fathers and grandparents spend with our children and grandchildren celebrating and strengthening our family ties. Happy Family Day to everyone! The future of any nation is to be found in strong families living in peace and harmony.

Being a mother and a father today is hard work, but it has always been hard work to raise a good family.

Feb

Alberta Minister David Eggen responds to my letter opposing "Guidelines for Best Practices"

Two weeks ago I wrote to the education minister of Alberta to express my strong disapproval of the new "Guidelines for Best Practices" that are to be implemented in schools. In this post, you can read my message to him and his response. At the end, I make some final comments.

Feb

There's no Catholicism without Good Friday

A few Sundays ago it occurred to me while I heard the Gospel reading from St. Mark 3: 20-21 that the message makes for a good test of faith. It's one of the shortest of all the readings in the liturgical cycles, but reveals what the Church and following Christ are essentially about. Here's the passage: "Jesus came with his disciples into the house. Again the crowd gathered, making it impossible for them even to eat.

Feb

Cardinal Collins makes a presentation on physician-assisted suicide

This past week in Ottawa Cardinal Thomas Collins representing the Archdiocese of Toronto addressed a special joint committee on physician-assisted dying.

Feb

Parents don't expect much form John Malloy the new director of TDSB

John Malloy has been hired by the Liberal government as the latest director of Toronto District School Board (TDSB). Malloy's job is to fix the mess that has been left behind. A report lists no less then 20 recommendations that need to be implemented. Before this new position, Malloy was director of the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board (HWDSB).

Malloy has says that he will work with the community, school staff, parents and students in order to improve the dysfunctional TDSB.