The Berberian Family: The First Year

Members of St Matthew’s enjoy a visit to the Syria exhibit at the Aga Khan Museum in Toronto with the Berberian family, pictured from the far right: Parents Aroush & Marika, Narod (22 months), Mother Terez  (the grandmother), and Tereza (5). (Supplied Photo)

By Catherine Sider Hamilton

ON THE DESK in front of me there is a picture: Aroush and Marika, Tereza and little Narod, surrounded by Christmas trees covered in snow. It is their first real tree (in Syria, for obvious reasons, the Armenian Orthodox use artificial trees) and they are enchanted by the snow. Marika said with a smile as the girls threw snow in the air, “We are happy today. It is a real Canadian day!”

There have been many “firsts” this year: our first glimpse

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Study Reveals a Protestant Miracle: Comment

(Photo: www.designpics.com)

By Ronald Kydd

Recent news reports have pointed to a Protestant miracle: there are still some growing mainline Protestant churches in Canada.

Those unfamiliar with the religious landscape of our country will need to know that mainline Protestant Churches here – the Anglican, Lutheran, Presbyterian and United Churches – are a shadow of their former selves and, as a clergyperson in the mainline family, I’m genuinely saddened. At one time

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Co-founder of Out of the Cold, Tribute: Sister Susan Moran

Susan Moran was a tireless advocate for some of Toronto’s most vulnerable residents. 

(Supplied Photo)

SISTER SUSAN MORAN, the Toronto Roman Catholic nun who co-founded the Out of the Cold shelters for homeless people, died of a heart attack in Toronto on Dec. 18^th. She was 78.

The Out of the Cold emergency shelters began in just a few Toronto church basements in 1987. They’re now offered at 16 locations

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New face on bank note: Viola Desmond found strength in her church

Viola Desmond

By Fr. Raymond de Souza

LAST DECEMBER the Bank of Canada announced that Viola Desmond will be featured on the new $10 banknote, replacing Sir John A. Macdonald.

In 1946, Viola Desmond, a black businessperson, was charged after sitting in the whites-only section

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Diocese of Toronto: Controversial Consecration

More than the usual trepidation at this consecration: Archbishop Colin Johnson congratulates the new area bishops Jennifer Andison, Kevin Robertson and Riscylla Walsh Shaw.

Photo by Michael Hudson for the Diocese of Toronto

By Sue Careless 

JUST AS THERE is always some trepidation at a wedding when the clergy asks if there are any objections to the marriage, so there is some trepidation at the consecration of a bishop when the chief consecrator declares: “…if any of you know any reason why we should not proceed, let it now be made known” (Book of Alternative Services, p. 635).  

At the consecration of the Rev. Canon Kevin Robertson, an openly gay priest

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