FR. RAYMOND DE SOUZA

It's not right to characterize a people by their elected representatives. Who among us would advise our visitors that the Canadian character is what one witnesses, say, in the House of Commons during Question Period?

So the fact that many members of the German federal parliament (Bundestag) boycotted Pope Benedict's speech in that chamber last week ought not be held against the German people.

Alberta's Catholic sisters are being honoured for their pioneering contributions in education, health care and social welfare.

The Catholic Sisters Legacy Recognition Project honours the legacy of 74 founding congregations who have served in Alberta.

The Bible should be part of the daily life of every Catholic, says Archbishop Terrence Prendergast. "You need to feed on it."

Speaking at ScriptureFest 2011, Prendergast noted Catholics are not known for their appreciation of the Bible, but that has to change if we are going to evangelize the world.

In a message released Sept. 22, the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops' Commission for Justice and Peace urges young Catholics to participate in furthering the "Millennium objectives for development."

"The Catholic Church shares all of humanity's common quest for peace and happiness, and supports efforts of individuals and groups working to eradicate poverty, illness, injustice, inequality, human rights violations, and environmental exploitation," says the Message to Young Catholics on Social Justice.

Jean Schult (right), director of the archdiocesan choir, leads several dozen music ministers and singers in a workshop at St. Joseph's Basilica Sept. 25.

VANCOUVER — Quyn Le has moved past hardship, a lack of education and the disability of blindness to become a successful counsellor.

She arrived in Canada at the age of 14 with a Grade 2 education, having spent four years escaping the communist regime in Vietnam.

EDMONTON — The 20th anniversary of a free Ukraine was the focus of the school opening liturgy of the Ukrainian Bilingual Program Sept. 21.

Gathered at St. Josaphat Cathedral, nearly 800 students and teachers prayed for their compatriots' spiritual, social and economic well-being.

MISSION, B.C. — John Marple always knew he wanted to serve God in some way. But when the idea that he could become a monk floated his way, he totally rejected it.

"It was the last thing I wanted."

OTTAWA — Conservative MP Brad Trost calls the CIDA grant of $6 million to International Planned Parenthood (IPF) a “slap in the face” to social conservatives in Parliament and in the Tory caucus.

“I am very, very disappointed, very unhappy,” said Trost, the pro-life Saskatoon-Humboldt MP, who campaigned last spring on getting IPF de-funded. IPF is a well-known abortion provider and promoter.

WINNIPEG — A person who works for peace is a child of God, Archbishop James Weisgerber said at a prayer service to mark the Sept. 21 United Nations International Day of Peace.

"Those who work for peace must have a peaceful heart," he told the gathering of 100 people.