GORDON SELF

At a conference last year I tried to take to heart plenary speaker Sister Helen Prejean's words of challenge. I say, "try" as I wondered if I would have the same spirit of compassion and forgiveness under the same circumstances she witnessed.

JOHN CONNELLY

13th Sunday in Ordinary Time
June 30, 2013

Jesus calls each of us to a profound interior freedom that is not of this world. It is a freedom that sees through the empty promises of fame, wealth, power and worldly wisdom. It is a freedom that no political system and no human force can take away. It is the freedom of divine love and mercy.

FR. RON ROLHEISER, omi

Several years ago, at a conference that I attended, the keynote speaker challenged his audience in this way: All of us are members of various communities: we live in families, are part of Church congregations, have colleagues with whom we work, have a circle of friends and are part of a larger civic community.

When Pope John Paul II first called for a New Evangelization 30 years ago, it did not rank high on the Richter scale. Over the ensuing years, he spoke increasingly of the need for new methods of bringing the Gospel to formerly Christian countries. He also called for greater zeal and new ways to express eternal truths.

OTTAWA – A priest who directs the Jesuit Cultural Centre in Alexandria, Egypt, blasted Western support of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt during a visit to Parliament Hill.

ST. PAUL, ALTA. – Bishop Paul Terrio has announced the following priests' appointments for the Diocese of St. Paul. All appointments take effect Aug. 15.

EDMONTON – On May 29, the St. Clement Grade 5 students marked their successful completion of the international baccalaureate Primary Years Program with an exhibition.

Bishop Anthony Krotki found out a few weeks before his episcopal ordination he was finally a grandfather.

VATICAN CITY – Christians have "far to go" if they seek to be known primarily for their love of God and neighbour, Pope Francis said.

OTTAWA – A private member's bill to designate April 2 as Pope John Paul II Day in Canada passed third reading in the House of Commons June 12 with support from all political parties.