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Newsletters
November 2024 Newsletter
“Trying times are times for trying” is a saying that typically occurs to me when times turn out indeed to be “trying” not only in the world, but also in my own affairs. With the news coming out of America recently, it certainly has been springing to mind!
Who doesn’t know an LGBTQ Catholic American without at least some trepidation regarding recent events?
Newsletter – May 2024
Recently the Globe and Mail published an article, “Know what I mean?”, on emojis. Difficulty understandiing, and misinterpretation of these symbols abound. But so too with the written word.
Not all written words have an emoji. The reality is emojis are supposed to appear a little ambiguous, so they can stand for a variety of interpretations. Part of the requirement for new emojis is that they have “multiple usages.” Like, for example, by way of illustration, to give an instance, in particular, … the following 👇.
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Newsletter – April 2024
“It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen.”
Immediately—with this opening sentence from George Orwell’s novel, Nineteen Eighty-Four—an ominous tone is set.
Forty years on from the title, 2024, we are arguably at an ominous time for many; filled with danger, anxiety, disillusionment, and here, in Canada, perhaps, even things Orwellian.
There is something about April, either in the Southern Hemisphere or the Northern. There is something about April, either in the Southern Hemisphere or the Northern. Change dominates. Spring, in the north, with its promise of life returning. Autumn, in the south with its promise of the old fading away. Both simultaneously.
Newsletter – February 2024
A Message from Our Coordinator
Coincidence
What is it? Does it really happen? Randomness or causality? Related to African Ubuntu philosophy? Or synchronicity as defined by Carl Jung.
This year, 2024, Ash Wednesday, the first day of the liturgical season of Lent, and St Valentine’s Day fall on the same day.
Newsletter – January 2024 Fiducia Supplicans Edition
A Message from Our Coordinator
Recently, The Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith published a declaration, Fiducia Supplicans.
Immediately the Declaration was received with mixed reviews. Most falling along right wing and left wing divisions.
Newsletter – December 2023
A Message from Our Coordinator
Advent begins and ends this month.
To look at displays in stores it might appear that Advent is nothing more than a countdown to Christmas: marked only by various commercially made calendars to sample various kinds of tea, chocolate, treats, or assemble pre-cut ornaments.
Newsletter – April 2022
What is often overlooked is the last word in that line, ‘breeding’. It gives a sense of why April is so cruel. In the poem, April is breeding lilacs out of the land laid waste. Calling them and us to new life. Breeding is a word not usually or necessarily associated with LGBTQ people, but nonetheless, in this sense the lilacs, and us are called forth in hope. Yet, to hope is not without risk.
Newsletter – October 2023
A Message from Our Coordinator
October is a busy month this year. The Universal Phase of the Synod on Synodality begins.
For me, the Synod on Synodality has been characterized by waiting. Waiting for each phase of the process to begin, to unfold, and to bear fruit. Waiting for the next phase. Waiting, more waiting: Makes Waiting for Godot, by Samuel Beckett seem straightforward.
Newsletter – August 2023
A Message from Our Coordinator
August holds for Roman Catholics, the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
In an interview with America Magazine, in early July, Archbishop Francis ‘Frank’ Leo states: “I find there’s a great need to get to know the Mother of Christ, for our own personal journey of faith and for the good of the church.“
Newsletter – July 2023
A Message from Our Coordinator
Last month an outboard motorboat was relaunched at the cottage. The orange boat had an accident while being transported to dry dock for the winter. On the highway, the trailer that carried it broke loose from its hitch, snapped the safety chain, and travelled along, and off the highway until it crashed into a tree. The boat was damaged. Fortunately there was no one else on the highway at that time. Over winter the boat was repaired.
Newsletter – June 2023
A Message from Our Coordinator
At the end of April, a Board meeting at York Catholic District School Board received a great deal of media attention. This occurred at a scheduled Board meeting regarding the possibility of flying the Progress Pride Flag at the YCDSB Catholic Education Centre during June.
Newsletter – May 2023
A Message from Our Coordinator
In 1970, among other things, Oh! Calcutta! a scandalous, for some, play opened in London, and Elvis met President Nixon.
In 1970, on Pentecost Sunday, Pope Paul VI, in his Angelus/Regina Caeli message, drew the world’s attention to Pentecost as the inauguration of the ‘civilization of love and peace’.
Newsletter – April 2023
A Message from Our Coordinator
Amazement. Fear. Trembling. Mark’s gospel ends with these emotions and physical reactions.
“And the women came out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and amazement had gripped them. And they said nothing to anyone for they were afraid.” Mark 16:8
Newsletter – March 2023
A Message from Our Coordinator
Recently Cartier released Cartier Tank Française: a movie, view here directed by Guy Ritchie, starring Catherine Deneuve, Rami Malek, and Paris in all its beauty. At first glance this movie might be seen as beautiful nostalgia. On second glance as nothing but an advertisement for a watch.
Newsletter – January 2023
A Message from Our Coordinator
A friend sent me this pic of a statue, new to its location and to her, even though she lives very close to Scollard Park, in the University of St Michael’s College. She forwarded the pic to me to inquire if I knew anything about it. I did not.
Newsletter – March 2024
A Message from Our Coordinator
The vast majority of biblical scholars agree that the Gospel of St. Mark ends at 16:8, And the women came out and ran away from the tomb because they were frightened out of their wits; and they said nothing to a soul, for they were afraid. (NJB)
The sequel, the long ending, 16:9-20, is included in the canonically accepted body of inspired scripture. Perhaps this is so because people (mostly men) could not deal with the reality, and ambiguity of fear.