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07.04.08
Posted in Production at 5:19 pm by Father Thomas Rosica
The sudden decision of the Order of Canada Advisory Council to award the its highest distinction to Dr. Henry Morgentaler has put the spotlight once again on Canada’s abortion architect and activist and raised serious questions about the significance and integrity of the “the centerpiece of Canada’s honours system” which “recognizes a lifetime of outstanding achievement, dedication to the community and service to the nation”.
Henry Morgentaler began his crusade for the legalization of abortion in the 1960s. The 1988 Supreme Court decision that bears his name removed all legal barriers to abortion at any stage of pregnancy – since then, nearly two million future citizens have lost their lives to abortion.
Morgentaler, himself a survivor of the Dachau and Auschwitz concentration camps where he fought for his own survival, said that he has performed more than 100,000 abortions. One may wonder if he ever took to heart the teaching of his own Jewish faith that says: “to destroy a single life is to destroy an entire world and to sustain a single life is to sustain an entire world.”
When Canada honors someone who took the Hippocratic oath and has wreaked such hurt, havoc, sorrow and grief, something is wrong with the Canadian government commission that grants medals and a Governor General who, claiming Catholic roots when convenient, shows herself to be spineless, politically correct and without respect for human life. The recent controversy has also shed light on another dark area of Canadian society: that of the membership of government commissions that consist of patronage appointments who advance personal agendas, reward friends, lurk in shadows of “confidentiality” and hide behind structures and institutions. They pass themselves off as “government officials” when in reality they are not elected and do not represent the public.
During my six years as pastor of the Newman Centre Catholic Mission at the University of Toronto, I felt that I was on the front lines of a war zone against life. One of the most difficult aspects of my pastoral ministry at Canada’s largest university was dealing with many young women (and men) who had abortions. The poor and erroneous advice given to young, pregnant women at university-sponsored sex education centres directed them to clinics for “therapeutic abortions” for unplanned pregnancies.
An initial sense of “liberation” from termination of the unwanted pregnancy was almost always accompanied by deep guilt, trauma, anguish, nightmares for months, an inability to be around children, prevailing feelings of unworthiness, failed relationships, and sometimes a later inability to conceive. While much of the attention surrounding abortion is on the woman, I also saw first hand the devastating effects that it has on young men who fathered the children.
Those who experienced abortions and came to us at the Newman Centre were not fanatical Catholics but human beings who made bad choices, and had been deceived, crushed and terribly diminished. The Governor General was not there to console them.
Dr. Morgentaler and his agents and disciples did not have to deal with these individuals. They merely duped them. Our pastoral staff at the Catholic Chaplaincy was and is still there to help pick up the pieces, extend mercy, compassion and forgiveness, and help heal a broken society that suffers each time life is blotted out.
Henry Morgentaler clearly does not deserve to receive the Order of Canada. He debases the medal and those who have received it for heroism and the building up of Canadian society. Over twenty years of successive Canadian governments have been gutless and without courage to repeal the abortion law that bears Morgentaler’s name.
Perhaps the day has come when Canadians of good will who love life will rise up and say: “enough is enough.” The Canadian killing fields that are now found at the gateways of human life in our country must be transformed into sacred and safe places of life, liberty and security of every person.
Fr. Thomas Rosica, C.S.B.,
C.E.O., Salt and Light Catholic Television Network
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Posted in Production at 9:30 am by Matthew Harrison
Today we celebrate the memorial of a favourite blessed for those of us here at Salt + Light: Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati.
An exciting twist to the feast day this year is his involvement in Sydney’s World Youth Day. As many of you have probably read — or heard reported on Zoom — the body of the Italian Blessed has been transported to Sydney where it will be displayed at St. Mary’s Cathedral throughout the duration of the World Youth Day activities. Though the body will remain in a closed zinc casket, pilgrims will still have the opportunity to pray before the man who has become so dear to so many young people.
Two of our Basilian friends wrote about the arrival of Blessed Pier’s body in Australia, you can read about there HERE. (you can read about all their Australian adventures on their blog Youthful Days Down Under. And if you’re looking for more WYD stories, visit S+L Producer Gillian Kantor’s blog, Tall Tales. Gillian and her husband David have been working for the WYD team since March…. but back to Frassati…)
What is it about Frassati that appeals to so many young people? I think it’s the fact that he’s accessible, or maybe real would be a better word. When we read about his life we see someone who loved life — he loved the outdoors, sports, spending time with friends. At the same he loved the poor. He served the poor — courageously!
In him we see a life that could just as easily, by the grace of God, a life that each one of us leads. He’s heroic, he’s humble, he’s charitable, but none of it is over the top. It’s understated, it’s simple, it’s realistic. It doesn’t mean that it’s easy, but he showed that a young person can make a difference. You don’t have to be a king, a president, a bishop, a miracle maker… but you can reach the heights of holiness as a lay person loving life, loving others, loving God and doing His will!
You can read more about Blessed Pier’s life, as penned (typed) by Salt + Light CEO Fr. Thomas Rosica here on this blog, by clicking HERE, and HERE as well. Visit his official Sydney WYD Patron page HERE for more biographical information as well.
Let’s also take the opportunity to pray for Blessed Pier’s intercession for a successful and fruitful World Youth Day in Sydney!
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07.02.08
Posted in Production at 8:30 am by Matthew Harrison
Sigh…. well, some sad and disappointing news on Canada Day with the announcement of the appointment of Henry Morgentaler to the Order of Canada.
Quick to respond to the news has been the Archdiocese of Toronto. Archbishop Thomas Collins has released a statement (click HERE for that) and the Archdiocesan website has also published a list of government officials to contact to respectfully protest the appointment, as well as a list of resources for pregnant women and post abortion healing ministry (click HERE for that).
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07.01.08
Posted in Production at 2:54 am by Matthew Harrison
With it being Canada Day, I couldn’t help but pull out my bible and read Psalm 72 (see below for full text). That’s the psalm that Canada takes it’s motto from – A Mari Usque Ad Mare — “From Sea to Sea” (72:8). From what I understand, the use of the word dominion in that particular verse was an influence in its selection, as after confederation Canada was known as the Dominion of Canada (hence July 1st being called Dominion Day, up until the early 1980s).
History lesson aside, I thought one way I would celebrate Canada Day (other ways include generous servings of maple syrup and monitoring NHL free agency news) would be to read over Psalm 72 slowly, and thoughtfully, with the idea of our nation in the back of my mind.
The psalm is one of guidance and support for the King (or so my translation tells me!). When I read over this I read it in two ways. The first is the notion of an earthly king – and for our sake let’s consider not a king, but a government or civic authority, and even the responsibilities that we have as citizens to each other.
Read the rest of this entry »
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06.29.08
Posted in Production at 11:53 am by Matthew Harrison
Congratulations to Archbishop Anthony Mancini of Halifax and Archbishop Martin William Currie of Saint John’s, Newfoundland, who received the pallium today from Pope Benedict XVI.
Every year on the solemnity of the two great Apostles Saints Peter and Paul, the pallium is imposed upon Archbishops that have been appointed in the previous twelve months. It symbolizes the bond that these Metropolitan Archbishops have with the Holy See. Thirty-nine others received the pallium in Rome and another two will receive it in their home Archdiocese.
May the Lord strengthen, guide, and bless all these men, their ministry, and the people they shepherd!
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06.28.08
Posted in Production at 12:17 pm by Matthew Harrison
With Vespers at St. Paul Outside the Walls on Saturday evening, on the eve of the Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul, Pope Benedict XVI will inaugurate a year dedicated to St. Paul!
The year marks the 2,000th anniversary of the birth of the Apostle of the Gentiles, and is an invitation by the Holy Father for the faithful to learn more about St. Paul.
In his original announcement for the year, the Holy Father suggested Pauline spirituality should inspire liturgical, cultural, pastoral and social initiatives. He encouraged the study of the Pauline letters and dioceses throughout the world to establish pilgrimage sites. He was hopeful that special efforts would be made by the faithful to visit the Apostle’s tomb in Rome.
The Holy Father also stressed that the year should have an “ecumenical dimension.”
“The Apostle to the Gentiles, who was especially committed to taking the Good News to all peoples, left no stones unturned for unity and harmony among all Christians.” said the Pope in last year’s statement, “May he deign to guide and protect us in this bimillenial celebration, helping us to progress in the humble and sincere search for the full unity of all the members of Christ’s Mystical Body.”
Pope Benedict is leading by example by inviting the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I and representatives of other Churches and Christian communities to the opening Vespers service on Saturday. Bartholomew will also attend the Holy Mass celebrated on Sunday for the occasion of the Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul.
If you’re looking for more information on St. Paul, the Archdiocese of Toronto has a wonderful website resource dedicated to him. You can check that out HERE.
You may also want to visit the official website of Rome’s St. Paul Outside the Walls by clicking HERE.
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Posted in Production at 6:09 am by Matthew Harrison
There’s a special event that happens every second Sunday at Toronto’s St. Michael’s Cathedral. Toronto’s chief shepherd, Archbishop Thomas Collins, welcomes the faithful for an evening of Vespers and Lectio Divina. This divine reading is a meditation on scripture. For the past nine months the Archbishop has been working through the Sermon on the Mount. A couple weeks ago, he completed his final meditation (Matthew 7:13-29) on this beautiful portion of scripture found in the Gospel of Matthew and this Sunday, Salt + Light will be broadcasting it.
“Lectio Divina is a prayer. It is not a teaching. It’s not catechesis. It’s prayer.” the Archbishop told me and a colleague recently, “It’s an encounter with Jesus and the word of God. It is not a study of the word of God.”
The public event in the Cathedral is a combination of the reading Scripture, the Archbishop sharing thoughts on the Scripture, and a silent personal meditation. He even describes these elements as layers that, when repeated, form a “Lectio Lasagna“! (certainly lower in calories and higher in spiritual protein than other forms of the popular dish)
Lectio Divina is an excellent way to stop and reconsider Scripture — to read it slowly, to contemplate it, to digest it, and to give it the time and attention it deserves.
You can catch Archbishop Collins’ last edition of Lectio Divina on the Sermon on the Mount this Sunday, June 29th, at 9pm ET, only on Salt + Light Television!
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06.27.08
Posted in Production at 4:14 pm by Michele Nuzzo
Tune in this Saturday, June 28th, at 7pm or 11pm ET for a brand new episode of Catholic Focus!
Learn all about CAIC, a financial lender that is taking social justice to the next level. This episode features three of its borrowers, all of which are building alternative economic structures that are supportive of worker cooperatives, disadvantaged peoples and the environment.
Meet the staff behind the works of St John the Compassionate’s Mission and Bakery (prepare to salivate), Planet Bean (prepare to continue salivating) and Skills for Change (prepare to want to apply) and find out how they got a second chance…a half hour well spent!
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06.26.08
Posted in Production at 11:05 am by Kris Dmytrenko
For those who didn’t catch the emotional finale to 64 Days with the Ark, S+L’s first reality series, the encore presentation airs this Friday at 8 PM (EST). Or, as of today, you can now watch the complete series HERE.
We thank all our viewers who witnessed the unforgettable journey from Midland to Quebec City. Lauds are also in order for Jerry Grzadka and the portageurs, who bared their souls with our cameras. Finally, we acknowledge the tremendous efforts of ECDQ.tv, an invaluable partner in this venture.
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06.24.08
Posted in Production at 10:23 am by Mary Rose Bacani
I remember sauntering into the dining room of our hotel for breakfast, and I must have been looking dazed and tired because a Sister came up to me and said, “You don’t look as perky as you do most mornings this week. I just wanted to let you know, as a fan!” That was sweet of her.
The Sunday Mass, Statio Orbis, is supposed to be the spiritual summit and center of the week-long Eucharistic Congress. This year, Pope Benedict was going to give his homily live, so people were really excited. I was excited, but it’s been a long week.
You’ve probably already read in the papers about how this Sunday Mass went. Some papers say that over 50,000 people were there, which is wonderful! Everybody listened as the Pope spoke about the need to develop the Eucharistic life. But it rained so hard – it started to pour down during the Our Father and it didn’t let off till some time after Communion.
Unfortunately for me, I was wearing white pants. It was drizzling all week and I was wearing my black pants a lot because of that. For Sunday, I thought I’d dress it up. The forecast was rain, but I didn’t expect a flood! The mud turned my pants brown from the knees down. There was such pandemonium during the rain that I thought we would have to cancel the broadcast.
Amazingly enough, there was a really positive spirit in the air. Cardinal Tomko ended the Mass by congratulating the crowd for being courageous in the rain. He called the rain a sign of the “abundance of God’s grace.”
After the Mass, a couple from Chicoutimi — Carl and Suzanne — approached some of us who were waiting for Matthew to finish shooting his on-camera stand-ups for Zoom. I find out that Carl is a HUGE fan of Salt + Light, and that he’s been watching us grow for the 5 years that we’ve been around. He knew who I was and embraced me.
His wife told me, “I’m thankful for the rain. I saw Cardinal Ouellet going up the stairs to the altar when the downpour started, and I thought of the mud getting on his alb. I said to myself, ‘Oh no, I’ve got to help him.’ So I ran over to him and lifted his alb all the way up to the altar. I told my husband, ‘You know, that was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! If it weren’t for the rain, I wouldn’t be able to get close to the Cardinal like that.’”
What a great spirit! Hurrah for the abundance of God’s grace!
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