News - April 2014 RSS Feed

The Assembly of Catholic Bishops of Ontario held its Spring Plenary meeting in Toronto from MArch 31st to April 2nd, 2014.

On this Easter day, Christ asks us the same question: “Do you believe this?” Answering it without hesitation is difficult. Like the apostle Thomas, we want to see the Risen One, we want to touch the wounds from the nails in His hands. We would like Him to personally speak to us so that we could say like St. Thomas did: “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28)

Msgr. Raymond Farrell, PH, a retired priest of our diocese, died last night, April 10, 2014 in Sudbury.

It is with great joy and thanksgiving that the Bishops of Canada welcome today’s proclamation by Pope Francis that the Universal Church recognizes Bishop François de Laval and Mother Marie of the Incarnation as Saints. Late last year, the Holy Father had consulted the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops about his proposal to proceed with their canonization. We responded then, and we do again today, with a resounding Amen! We are grateful to God for raising up in our midst these two wonderful examples of holiness and service. We thank Pope Francis for this great gift to the Church in Canada, and to all the people of our nation.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church, (CCC), tells us that sin is before all else an offense against God, a rupture of communion with Him (nn. 1448-1459). At the same time it damages communion with the Church. Hence conversion (metanoia) entails both God’s forgiveness and reconciliation with the Church, which are expressed and accomplished by the sacrament of penance.