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Devoutly Religious and Critically Scientific…Can You be Both?
“If God exists…then prove it.” For any young Catholic growing in the faith, this was a common statement that would often come up in debates among atheists or other Catholics seeking the truth. For some, it seemed that the explanation for life’s questions could be narrowed down to a scientific formula or understood through extensive analytical research. Is it possible to be both devoutly religious and critically scientific?
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Celebrating Faith Connections Volunteers
On May 4, 2014, over 80 people attended the Fontbonne Ministries Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon at St. Paul's Basilica Parish Hall. In a beautiful parish hall decorated with colourful balloons and flowers, Faith Connections volunteers gathered with staff and Sisters. Together, they enjoyed a meal and celebrated the volunteers' contributions to different Fontbonne Ministries programs.
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Sexuality and God’s Covenant of Love
On March 10, 2014, young adults gathered at West 50 Pourhouse and Grille in Mississauga for Theology on Tap West. Professor Moira McQueen PhD, from the Canadian Catholic Bioethics Institute, gave a talk entitled, “Sexuality and God’s Covenant of Love.” Using the Vatican II document, Gaudium et Spes n.49-52 on Marriage and Family, H.H. Paul VI’s encyclical, Humanae Vitae, and St. John Paul II’s “Catechesis on Marriage,” McQueen focused her presentation around three themes: Original Solitude, Original Innocence, and Original Unity, as found in St. John Paul II’s lectures on the “Theology of the Body.”
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On being a busy person
Audrey sent along this reflection on her experience of our Lenten Listening retreat:
Calling myself a busy person would be an understatement. Between school, work, and other obligations, I often find myself pressed for time to eat, never mind an extended amount of time for something like a retreat. With Lent approaching though, I wanted to have an opportunity to increase my prayer life beyond it usual harried state, so, I signed up for the Lenten Listening Retreat being hosted by Faith Connections, Regis College, and the Toronto Area Vocation Directors Association.
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Volunteer Opportunity
Our friends at Jesuit Volunteers Canada are looking for volunteers — they write:
Ever wonder what would happen if you dedicated your entire being to following Christ and making the world a better place?
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Faith and Civic Engagement
Toronto Councillor Joe Mihevc shared some perspectives on how faith in action helps to build neighbourhoods and cities at Theology on Tap on March 24.
Mr. Mihevc began by expressing concern about the rise of secularism in Toronto starting in the 1980s. At this time, people tended to look inward, with a view to preserving themselves and their faith communities instead of looking outward and changing the world.
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Urban Way of the Cross resurrected
The Catholic Register writes,
"Faith Connections envisions the city as a living Stations of the Cross.
"The organization, an arm of the Sisters of St. Joseph’s Fontbonne Ministries that conducts ministries directed at young adults, has developed an event that relates everyday issues of urban society with the Stations. It’s called the Urban Way of the Cross, a Lenten event held this year on April 5 that requires participants to interact with the street life of downtown Toronto.
"Now in its second year, Urban Way of the Cross is part of the St. Joseph sisters’ Hike and Prayer series which combines physical and spiritual activity."
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Councillor talks politics to young adults
The Catholic Register writes,
"Toronto’s next municipal election happens this fall, but voter turnout is typically low among eligible youth.
"So [Faith Connections] is hosting a night of politics and religion over drinks on March 24. The event will bring in city councillor Joe Mihevc to speak to Catholic young adults about faith and civic engagement."
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Celebrating the Feast of St. Joseph
Today is the Feast of St. Joseph, and we invite you to join us in celebrating his feast.
In this post, two Sisters of St. Joseph share their connection to Joseph.
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Why does a loving God not end suffering?
On Wednesday February 26th I was intrigued by Father Chris’ discussion tackling the challenging question “How does a just and loving God allow suffering?” at Theology on Tap East. I was touched by so many examples that Father Chris gave explaining that suffering is a part of life. It is not only our own suffering but the suffering of those around us. We are a part of a greater human experience and while we feel that suffering is our own and feeling the need of isolation, it’s actually the opposite. I know sometimes we want to be left alone but as Father Chris mentioned, it’s best to be done in communion with others. On one hand I agree that it’s important to look for community with our friends and family but more importantly in the Eucharist with Christ Himself.