Dear friends,
 
The blessed month of May is upon us—a month dedicated to our Lady, and one that includes the Feast of St. Joseph the Worker on May 1^st.
 
You’ll see in this newsletter that Pope Francis has called for a global month of prayer to end the pandemic. We plan on joining in, and we hope you will too. This moment in the pandemic feels like the last miles of a marathon—we’re running on fumes, every mile is harder than the last, and we’re begging that the end is in sight. By God’s grace, the end will soon be near. We can’t wait to see family and friends again, and we know you share this sentiment.
 
Near the end of this dangerous and exhausting journey, we must turn to Mary and ask her to find the new places we are called to love and serve our fellow people of God. This month we had the pleasure of hosting Professor Charles Camosy for April’s Catholic Civics Workshop. We had a wonderful discussion about throwaway culture—you’ll find a link to the recording below—as well as how to resist that throwaway culture. We talked about how to step away from an attitude of treating other people and the wider creation as disposable, and instead to create a culture of encounter: one where, like Jesus, we see the full dignity of every person we encounter, and strenuously find a way to help, to learn, and to grow with others.
 
Once this pandemic is over, we’ll be back to encountering others again—family, friends, and strangers. We’ll have to learn how to really encounter each other like Jesus did, and to see our opportunities to love and serve others. To love and serve even when it’s hard for us—like Mary did amid her pregnancy with her cousin Elizabeth. For those serving their neighbours, however you are serving—thank you. As always, we hope you find the Common Good Catholic enlightening and inspiring, particularly in the ways you serve.
 
Mary, Mother of God and mother to us all, protect our people!
 
Sincerely,
Matthew Marquardt & Brendan Steven

Upcoming Events

ARE YOU AN ASPIRING OR SERVING CATHOLIC CIVIC LEADER? ON SATURDAY, MAY 29 AND SATURDAY, JUNE 5, JOIN US FOR THE CATHOLIC LEADERS MISSION

Are you a Catholic who falls into one of these categories?

• Catholic politicians and political candidates;
• Catholics who work in politics, including political staff and public servants;
• Catholics who work for or volunteer for Catholic charities and advocacy organizations; and,
• Catholics who serve in community leadership roles, such as on a board of directors, a parish council, or a committee.

We’d love for you to join our Catholic Leaders Mission program—a two-day series of workshops offering spiritual formation and skills training for Catholic civic and political leaders.
In the vision of Catholic teaching, civic leadership is a vocation—one of the most important for nourishing the true common good of all. For Catholic civic leaders, proper formation is critical: the well-being and integrity of our communities is at stake.
The formation of such leaders is the purpose of our Catholic Leaders Mission: our two-day workshops offer spiritual and moral formation, methods of discernment, and practical skills needed for the political vocation. Our graduates emerge ready to serve their communities in a spirit of political love, through a commitment to the principles of Catholic social teaching and the enhancement of the dignity of all they serve.

Here are four reasons you should join the 2021 CLM cohort.

• Grow into your calling as a servant-leader.
• Develop the skills needed to succeed in your service.
• Learn from top Catholic leaders and political practitioners.
• Join a growing community of Catholics in political and civic service. 

👉 CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE
OR EMAIL BRENDAN@CATHOLICCONSCIENCE.ORG FOR MORE DETAILS

Works of Mercy In Our Community

GET VACCINATED AS SOON AS YOU CAN!

The COVID-19 pandemic has absolutely ravaged our communities, affecting particularly those living with the challenges of poverty, isolation, and vulnerability. This pandemic will only end once a critical mass of Canadians are vaccinated. Our Church has called on us to get vaccinated when we are able. The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops says: “Catholics are invited to be vaccinated, both in keeping with the dictates of their conscience and in contributing to the common good by promoting the health and safety of others… All COVID-19 vaccines that are medically approved by the relevant health authorities may be licitly received by Catholics. Since there is currently no choice of vaccine being offered, Catholics in good conscience, may receive the vaccine that is available and offered to them.”

We recommend the Catholic Register’s recent editorial on the issue. In their words: “There should be no ambiguity about the necessity for as many Canadians as possible to roll up their sleeves for a vaccine — whichever one is offered. Our politicians, health officials and religious leaders all agree on that, so let’s get on with it.”

COVID-19 vaccination appointments can be booked online or over the phone. Below are links to some provincial and municipal COVID-19 resources, with information on booking vaccination appointments:

City of Toronto
Ontario
Saskatchewan
Manitoba
Alberta
British Columbia
Quebec
New Brunswick
Nova Scotia
Prince Edward Island
Newfoundland & Labrador

Across Canada, we have seen that our elderly brothers and sisters especially have not been getting vaccinated at high enough rates. In Ontario alone as of March 23^rd, nearly 200,000 people over the age of 80 had not been vaccinated. This is especially troubling given their particular vulnerability to this virus. If you have elderly friends or family that you know are hesitant to get vaccinated or who struggle with technology and other barriers to booking an appointment, reach out to them and offer to help! Of course, be sure to follow public health procedures however you assist.

Conscience Conversations

WATCH OUR LATEST CATHOLIC CIVICS WORKSHOP:
RESISTING THROWAWAY CULTURE WITH PROFESSOR CHARLES CAMOSY

On April 22^nd, we were honoured to host Fordham University theologian Professor Charles Camosy, to talk about his book Resisting Throwaway Culture: How a Consistent Life Ethic can unite us. Professor Camosy’s book examines the ways our politics and culture are distant from Catholic social teaching, particularly in the ways we collectively undermine the human dignity of our neighbours near and far, born and unborn, rich and poor. He applies a Catholic social teaching lens to a range of contemporary social challenges, and calls us—as the popes do—to embrace a Catholic social vision across all the issues facing our society. In our wide-ranging conversation, we touched on how ours is a throwaway culture; how we can build a culture of encounter; and how we can put human dignity at the centre of our politics. It was a pleasure to chat with Professor Camosy, and we know you’ll enjoy the conversation.

 👉 CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE FULL WORKSHOP

Serving Your Community

DONATE CLOTHING, LINENS, DRAPERY AND HOUSE WARES THROUGH THE SOCIETY OF ST. VINCENT DE PAUL’S BUNDLE UP SUNDAY

Throughout the year, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul here in the GTA will host Bundle Up Sundays. At Catholic parishes across the region, volunteers collect clothing, linens, drapery and house wares donated by parishioners. Donated goods are provided to our neighbours in need in communities across the GTA and to those whom the Society serves through their supportive housing and outreach programs.

Barring a continuation of Ontario’s lockdown order, the next Bundle Up Sunday will be held on May 22. Consider donating what you can!

 👉 CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS AND WHAT ITEMS CAN BE ACCEPTED

👉 CLICK HERE FOR A LIST OF PARTICIPATING PARISHES

THE SISTERS OF ST. JOSEPH OF TORONTO ARE RECRUITING A VOCATIONS DIRECTOR

 Our friends, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Toronto, are a Roman Catholic Congregation of women religious responding to the call to serve others. They strive to be in union with God, their neighbour and creation. Their beginnings can be traced back 350 years to France. Today, the Sisters’ works/ministries have evolved from larger institutions to forms of service that relate more closely to the homeless, the alienated, the economically poor, women at risk and the earth. The Sisters have also initiated creative collaborations with other religious congregations and laity that have resulted in, among others, much needed affordable housing and assistance to newcomers to Canada and awareness raising of new societal issues such as human trafficking.

The Sisters are recruiting for a Vocations Animator to promote the Congregation of the Sisters of St Joseph of Toronto, outlining the history, mission and values, present structure and ministries with a view to promoting the life and ministry of the Sisters and inviting others to join with them as Consecrated Religious, Associates, and/or Volunteers. 

👉 CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL JOB POSTING

From The Holy Father

POPE FRANCIS CALLS FOR MONTHLONG GLOBAL PRAYER MARATHON FOR END OF PANDEMIC

Honouring the month of May—the month that belongs to our Blessed Mother Mary, our patron—Pope Francis has called for Christians around the world to pray for an end to the pandemic.

Each day in May, there will be a livestream from one of 30 chosen Marian shrines or sanctuaries to guide the prayer at 6 p.m. Rome time (noon EDT) on all Vatican media platforms.

We invite you to join the Pope and our Church in praying for the conclusion of this current crisis, in Canada and around the world.

👉 CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE

READ ABOUT OUR PREPARATION FOR THE NEXT FEDERAL ELECTION IN THE CATHOLIC REGISTER
We have a special, second addition for our Conscience Conversations section this month! Our executive director was interviewed by the Catholic Register about our planning for the next federal Catholic Action campaign, Catholic Conscience’s voter education and get-out-the-vote program. Here’s an excerpt:

We’re preparing for the scenario where there is a (federal) election this year,” Catholic Conscience executive director Brendan Steven told The Catholic Register.

It would be the second national vote for Catholic Conscience, but the first where it tried to help Catholics beyond the Greater Toronto Area think through their vote. Steven is making sure the organization is ready by updating its website, launching a two-day series of webinars for political candidates and policy leaders and beefing up its outreach to new Canadians in the pews.

“We think about politics as a very competitive, adversarial sort of system. But ideally it’s a forum where different perspectives, different interests come together and synthesize new approaches with the truth that they bring to those conversations,” Steven said.

“Our Church, especially in the next election, will be saying, ‘How do we bring Canadians — Catholic and non-Catholic — together in thinking deeply, in moral and spiritual ways, about the future of our country.’ ”

Would you like to help organize and execute the Catholic Action program? Send us an email at info@catholicconscience.org and let us know! We are always looking for volunteers to assist our numerous civic engagement programs.

 👉 CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE

👉 CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE CATHOLIC ACTION CAMPAIGN

What We’re Watching

POPE FRANCIS’ MESSAGE TO AN INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON “A POLITICS ROOTED IN THE PEOPLE”

Pope Francis recently gave an address to a conference focused on “a politics rooted in the people,” the theme of his latest book, Let us Dream, co-written with British author Austin Ivereigh. The Pope says:

“[Politics] is about finding the means to guarantee a life for all people that is worthy of being called human, a life capable of cultivating virtue and forging new bonds… I call this politics with a capital ‘P’, politics as service, which opens new pathways for the people to organize and express itself. It is a politics not just for the people but with the people, rooted in their communities and in their values.”

 👉 CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE FULL SPEECH

Prayer

A PRAYER BEFORE WORK TO ST. JOSEPH THE WORKER

One of the primary ways we love and serve our neighbours in civil society is through our daily work. Though we are paid to do it, our professions are an important way we can offer our time, talent, and treasure to God in offering to Him and in penance for our sins. This coming Saturday, May 1^st is the Feast of St. Joseph the Worker, patron of all those who work. We offer you this prayer composed by Pope Pius X to consecrate your work daily to Saint Joseph, that it may be shared with God and be a gift of love to God’s people.
 
O Glorious Saint Joseph, model of all those who are devoted to labor, obtain for me the grace to work in a spirit of penance for the expiation of my many sins; to work conscientiously, putting the call of duty above my natural inclinations; to work with thankfulness and joy, considering it an honor to employ and develop by means of labor the gifts received from God; to work with order, peace, moderation, and patience, never shrinking from weariness and trials; to work above all with purity of intention and detachment from self, keeping unceasingly before my eyes death and the account that I must give of time lost, talents unused, good omitted, and vain complacency in success, so fatal to the work of God.
 
All for Jesus, all through Mary, all after thy example, O Patriarch, Saint Joseph. Such shall be my watch-word in life and in death. Amen.

Dear friends, In his encyclical Fratelli tutti, Pope Francis describes many of the challenges facing us in politics and civic life. Among their many causes, he draws out a common theme: our lack of social and political humility. He calls us to a greater love, born in humility and the realization that we grow closer to God by loving others as we love ourselves: “Sincere and humble worship of God bears fruit not in discrimination, hatred and violence, but in respect for the sacredness of life, respect for the dignity and freedom of others, and loving commitment to the welfare of all. It is Holy Week. In this week before he gave himself to us in the overwhelming love of the cross, Christ suffered tremendous humiliations. He was beaten, mocked, abandoned by his disciples and the society that was meant to protect him; stripped, nailed to a cross, and left to die in front of his mother. There is no greater humility than this: God allowing himself to be subjected to the worst human cruelties, out of sheer love for all. Let us pray this Holy Week for even a crumb of this unlimited humility—that we may apply it in our personal and social lives, and in encountering the pain and suffering around us, pose the question “What can I do to serve?” instead of “How can I avoid this?” Almighty and ever-living God, graciously grant that we may heed Christ’s lesson of patient suffering and so merit a share in his Resurrection—and may this spirit of humility wash over our politics, our culture, and every citizen with the power, big and small, to do something for the good of others. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. With our prayers for a meaningful Holy Week for you all, Matthew & Brendan

Upcoming Events

JOIN US WEDNESDAY, APRIL 21 FOR OUR FREE WEBINAR WITH ACCLAIMED CATHOLIC AUTHOR CHARLES CAMOSY ON THROWAWAY CULTURE, AND HOW A CONSISTENT LIFE ETHIC CAN UNITE LEFT AND RIGHT

A conversation about how Catholics can transcend the left-right political divide and build a political culture of encounter and hospitality

Ours is a “throwaway culture”, in the words of Pope Francis—one in which the vulnerable are too-often discarded like trash. It doesn’t have to be this way. In his book Resisting Throwaway Culture, Fordham University professor Charles Camosy calls us to transcend the left-right political divide in favour of a Catholic culture of hospitality and encounter where “no one is useless, no one is expendable… [and includes] those on the peripheries of life.” Join us for a free webinar with Professor Camosy about how a Consistent Life Ethic can unite us and build this political culture, one rooted in love and human dignity.

In our conversation with Professor Camosy, we’ll discuss:

• Our current state of toxic political polarization
• How a Catholic social vision can transcend both the political left and right, and resist the forces tearing us apart
• Pope Francis’ idea of a throwaway culture vs. a culture of encounter, and what it would be like to live in the latter
• How do we consistently apply a Catholic life ethic across a range of issues?
• How can we live a culture of encounter in our ordinary lives as Christian citizens? What would the consequences be for our communities?

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 21ST @ 7:30-8:30 PM EDT

👉 CLICK HERE TO RSVP FOR YOUR FREE TICKET
MEET OUR GUEST, PROFESSOR CHARLES CAMOSY

Charles C. Camosy is associate professor of theological and social ethics at Fordham University. His work on ethics and policy moves beyond stale and lazy arguments which artificially pit liberals and conservatives against each other. Instead, Camosy finds common ground by unpacking the real complexities of some of today’s most passionately debated issues.

Works of Mercy In Our Community

HELP THE SENIORS IN YOUR LIFE BOOK A COVID-19 VACCINE APPOINTMENT

At long last, Canada’s COVID-19 vaccination campaign is under way. As Catholics, we have a duty to be vaccinated. In the words of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, “Catholics are invited to be vaccinated, both in keeping with the dictates of their conscience and in contributing to the common good by promoting the health and safety of others… All COVID-19 vaccines that are medically approved by the relevant health authorities may be licitly received by Catholics. Since there is currently no choice of vaccine being offered, Catholics in good conscience, may receive the vaccine that is available and offered to them.”

In many parts of Canada, COVID-19 vaccination appointments can be booked online or over the phone. For some elderly members of our Catholic community, accessing vaccinations might be difficult. They may need technical assistance in booking an appointment online or over the phone, or a drive to their appointment at a clinic or hospital. No matter the needs, we encourage you to privately reach out to the elderly people in your life and offer to help them book and attend an appointment. Those who will have the hardest time booking an appointment are often those who are most at risk from the virus. Your loving intercession could help protect their lives. Remember: When helping, be sure to strictly follow public health guidance.

Below are links to some provincial and municipal COVID-19 resources, with information on booking vaccination appointments:

City of Toronto
Ontario
Saskatchewan
Manitoba
Alberta
British Columbia
Quebec
New Brunswick
Nova Scotia
Prince Edward Island
Newfoundland & Labrador

Conscience Conversations

WATCH OUR CONVERSATION WITH DR. TOD WORNER ABOUT READING OUR WAY TO GOD

In February, we were honoured to host Dr. Tod Worner, the managing editor of the Word on Fire Institute’s Evangelization & Culture journal. Who better to tell us about the power of spiritual reading in bringing us closer to God, discovering who we are in God’s eyes, and helping us love our neighbours better?

In this spiritually nourishing conversation that will especially delight the readers in our audience, Dr. Tod Worner discusses with Catholic Conscience’s volunteer animator Peter Copeland:

• The place of great literature in the spiritual journey, and how these works can serve as “the echoes of God in the outside world”;
• How reading inspires conversion;
• How the beauty of great reading opens our hearts to the Holy Spirit;
• How modern humanities education in the universities has shifted focus away from great literature and virtue ethics;
• The essential humanity in great works of fiction, and even non-Catholic works of literature and how they help us discover who we are in God’s eyes; and,
• How reading led Dr. Worner and others to Catholicism.

You can click below to watch the full conversation.
 👉 CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE FULL WEBINAR

Serving Your Community

WE’RE EXPANDING ELIGIBILITY FOR OUR UPCOMING CATHOLIC LEADERS MISSION WORKSHOPS

In the vision of Catholic teaching, civic leadership is a vocation—one of the most important for nourishing the true common good of all. For Catholic civic leaders, proper formation is critical: the well-being and integrity of our communities is at stake.
The formation of such leaders is the purpose of our Catholic Leaders Mission: our two-day workshops offer spiritual and moral formation, methods of discernment, and practical skills needed for the political vocation. Our graduates emerge ready to serve their communities in a spirit of political love, through a commitment to the principles of Catholic social teaching and the enhancement of the dignity of all they serve.
When we first announced the CLM, the program was aimed at elected officials and those either campaigning for political office or discerning a campaign for office in the next two years. We have come to realize that the skills and spiritual formation offered by CLM are wider to a much wider group, of all those serving in a political vocation. These might include:

• Catholic politicians and political candidates;
• Catholics who work in politics, including political staff and public servants;
• Catholics who work for or volunteer for Catholic charities and advocacy organizations; and,
• Catholics who serve in community leadership roles, such as on a board of directors, a parish council, or a committee.

Beyond this list, we welcome all those who work in a political vocation. If your own work or volunteer service doesn’t perfectly fit the above list, we are open to discussing further with you. Simply email brendan@catholicconscience.org and we can chat!
Here are four reasons you should join the 2021 CLM cohort.

• Grow into your calling as a servant-leader.
• Develop the skills needed to succeed in your service.
• Learn from top Catholic leaders and political practitioners.
• Join a growing community of Catholics in political and civic service.

👉 CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE

OR EMAIL BRENDAN@CATHOLICCONSCIENCE.ORG FOR MORE DETAILS

From The Holy Father

NEW POPE FRANCIS DOCUMENTARY OUT NOW ON DISCOVERY+

A new documentary about Pope Francis has been released, taking a closer look at the ministry of our extraordinary Holy Father and the contemporary social issues which animate his apostolate to a hurting human family. In the words of the film’s director:

“This film is a love letter to the Earth and its people and will be there as a strong reminder of what can happen when we stop ‘loving one another’. May we all follow the simple mantra and beautiful actions of this incredible man – Pope Francis. I hope that it will bring attention to the important global issues portrayed in the film; and that we can come together to effect change in the world and preserve it for the future. With Pope Francis as the central figure in the film, it is a testament to the power of one person to make a difference. And an inspiration to the viewer to do the same.”

👉CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE

👉CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT WHERE YOU CAN WATCH THE FILM

What We’re Watching

REDEMPTORIST TV REFLECTIONS ON DIGNIFIED EMPLOYMENT, ESSENTIAL WORKERS, ENCOUNTERING THE POOR, AND MORE FOR THE YEAR OF ST. JOSEPH

Our Executive Director recently collaborated with RedemptoristTV to produce a series of video reflections in honour of the Year of St. Joseph and Pope Francis’ apostolic letter, Patris corde, extoling the virtues of this extraordinary Christian saint. Many of these reflections touch on pressing contemporary civic challenges like dignified employment, encountering the vulnerable, the heroism and danger facing essential workers in the COVID-19 pandemic, and more. St. Joseph is one of our patron saints at Catholic Conscience and is the patron of Canada. In challenging times we turn to him for strength and guidance towards his timeless virtues: humility, trust in God, diligence, fortitude, and more.

👉CLICK HERE TO WATCH A REFLECTION ON THE ORDINARY HEROES OF THE PANDEMIC

👉CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE FULL SERIES

Prayer

REGINA ARCHBISHOP DONALD BOLEN’S PRAYER FOR CATHOLICS DURING ELECTIONS

During the 2020 provincial elections in Saskatchewan, Archbishop Donald Bolen of the Archdiocese of Regina offered this prayer for use during elections. This prayer has become a beloved one for us here at Catholic Conscience. We pray it often for the Holy Spirit’s guidance in our lay apostolate, and for all Catholics serving in civic and political vocations. We share this slightly amended version with you now and ask for your prayers as well:

Lord, father of our human family,

Your son Jesus taught us in the parable of the good Samaritan that each of us is called to care for our brothers and sisters without concern for our differences, or what divides us.

Pour your spirit out upon each and every one of us. Give us, and all involved in the civic and political vocation,
A spirit of humility to acknowledge our failuresA spirit of gratitude for each of the gifts you have given usA spirit of wisdom, to guide our actions in accordance with your teachingA spirit of fraternity, so that we might have concern for the most vulnerableAnd a spirit of love, so that we might abide even more fully in You.

O God, Trinity of love, from the profound communion of your divine life grant each and every one of us a deeper sense of unity. Give to us a desire to sacrifice ourselves for our brothers and sisters. Help us to live like your family did, with simplicity in Nazareth, and as the early Christian community did, whose charity has spread throughout the world.
O Good Shepherd, Christ the King, you are our Guide. Continue to guide us then to your will in this, and in every moment of our lives.

Our Lady of the Rosary, pray for us.
St Joseph, pray for us.
St Joan of Arc, pray for us.
San Juan Diego, pray for us.
St Keteri Tekakwitha, pray for us.
Ste. Marguerite Bourgeoys, pray for us.
St André Bessette, pray for us.
Amen.

Dear friends,
 
We’ve been thinking about the future lately. We’ve been looking towards a time when the pandemic has passed—when we are all vaccinated, and that blessed day when we can once again safely gather for Mass, fellowship, and celebration. We’ve been looking towards the future of our work at Catholic Conscience—we recently concluded a wonderful board retreat and have begun to formulate a five-year strategic plan for the direction of our evolving mission. We also look forward with gratitude to the opportunities for service that 2021 will bring.
 
In this issue of the Common Good Catholic, we’re excited to share with you one other reason we’re looking towards the future: the launch of our first-ever Catholic Leaders Mission program. You’ll find all the details below, but basically, it aims to be Canada’s first spiritual and moral formation program for Catholic political candidates—bringing together those seeking a political vocation across party lines, to grow in that vocation in light of Catholic social teaching. We’re so excited to bring CLM to life this year. If you are running for office or are interested in running for office in the next couple of years, please send us an email—we’d love to tell you more!
 
One theme brings together our thinking about the future. Whether considering the post-pandemic, the future of our mission, or this new and exciting program, we’re thinking about how the future can bring community. Greater community and fellowship for all Catholics and people of good will, as we together work to build the Kingdom of God on earth. We were reminded recently that just as Lent is an opportunity to reflect more critically on our own sins, to repent and turn towards Christ’s love for healing in a refreshed way, so too our community must do this same work. In Fratelli tutti, Pope Francis writes about how the early Christian community so vividly modelled this fellowship and commitment to service with each other and with their neighbours:
 
…we can see how the early Christian communities, living in a pagan world marked by widespread corruption and aberrations, sought to show unfailing patience, tolerance and understanding. Some texts are very clear in this regard: we are told to admonish our opponents “with gentleness” (2 Tim 2:25) and encouraged “to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show every courtesy to everyone. For we ourselves were once foolish” (Tit 3:2-3). The Acts of the Apostles notes that the disciples, albeit persecuted by some of the authorities, “had favour with all the people” (2:47; cf. 4:21.33; 5:13).
 
May this spirit of love animate us in 2021!
 
With gratitude,
Matthew & Brendan

Upcoming Events

JOIN US THURSDAY, MARCH 11 FROM 7:30-8:30 PM EST FOR OUR INTERVIEW WITH WORD ON FIRE’S DR. TOD WORNER ABOUT READING OUR WAY TO GOD

St. Jerome wrote, “When we pray, we speak to God; but when we read, God speaks to us.” Join us on Thursday, March 11 (7:30-8:30 PM EST) as we interview Dr. Tod Worner (Managing Editor of Evangelization & Culture, the Journal of the Word on Fire Institute) about the power of great literature for forming us into better Catholics, better servants of Christ—and more impactful Christian citizens. Whether you’re an avid reader or want to become one, you’ll leave our conversation feeling inspired to pursue reading as more than a hobby—you’ll learn how reading can be a prayer, and a method of spiritual formation. RSVP today for webinar login details!

 👉 CLICK HERE TO RSVP NOW

MEET OUR GUEST, DR. TOD WORNER
Tod Worner is a practicing internal medicine physician who lectures and offers rotations on medicine and literature for the University of Minnesota Medical School & and teaches “The Art of Healing “ at St. John’s University. He is the Managing Editor of Evangelization & Culture, the Journal of the Word on Fire Institute. He has written for the New York Post, National Review, Word on Fire, and numerous other publications. Mostly, Tod is a proud husband & father delighted to be constantly outsmarted by his two young daughters.

Works of Mercy In Our Community

COVID-19 RESOURCES FROM THE CANADIAN CATHOLIC BIOETHICS INSTITUTE

If you’re interested in learning more about Catholic ethical perspectives on the COVID-19 pandemic, we highly encourage you to follow the Canadian Catholic Bioethics Institute. Dr. Moira McQueen and the CCBI team have been providing regular updates on many ethical topics that have come to the fore for Catholics in this time—topics like the ethicality of certain vaccines, healthcare practices, and more. Dr. McQueen is a leading Canadian Catholic expert on bioethical issues and offers excellent, readable analysis.

 👉 CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE

Conscience Conversations

WATCH OUR CONVERSATION WITH DR. BRETT SALKELD ABOUT VOTING LIKE A CATHOLIC

Last month, we had the great pleasure of hosting our friend Dr. Brett Salkeld—theologian-in-residence at the Archdiocese of Regina—about one of our favourite topics: discerning your vote as a Catholic.

In this wide-ranging conversation, we touch on a variety of topics related to voting, including:

• How the ideas of intrinsic evil and remote cooperation with evil do (and do not) apply to the act of voting;
• Common myths about voting and Catholic social teaching, like the idea that there is “only one acceptable party for a Catholic to vote for”; and,
• The importance of discerning your vote through the lens of Catholic social teaching, including important tactics for doing so—like prayer, charitably discussing the issues with others, encountering and building relationships with your candidates and politicians, and examining your conscience as a political participant.

You can click below to watch the full conversation.

 👉 CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE FULL WEBINAR

Serving Your Community

ANNOUNCING THE CATHOLIC LEADERS MISSION: FORMATION FOR CATHOLIC POLITICAL CANDIDATES, PRESENTED BY CATHOLIC CONSCIENCE

Serving as an elected official is more than a job. In the vision of Catholic teaching, civic leadership is a vocation—one of the most important for nourishing the true common good of all. For Catholic leaders, proper formation is critical: the well-being and integrity of our communities is at stake.

The formation of such leaders is the purpose of our Catholic Leaders Mission: our two-day workshops offer spiritual and moral formation, methods of discernment, and practical skills needed in seeking and properly holding office. Our graduates emerge ready to serve their communities in a spirit of political love, through a commitment to the principles of Catholic social teaching and the enhancement of the dignity of every constituent.

Are you a Catholic considering a run for elected office? Here are four reasons you should join the 2021 CLM cohort.

• Grow into your calling as a servant-leader.
• Develop the skills needed to succeed in your campaign.
• Learn from top Catholic leaders and political practitioners.
• Join a growing community of Catholics in politics.

👉 CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE

OR EMAIL BRENDAN@CATHOLICCONSCIENCE.ORG FOR MORE DETAILS

From The Holy Father

LENT IS “A HUMBLE DESCENT BOTH INWARDS AND TOWARDS OTHERS,” POPE FRANCIS SAYS AT ASH WEDNESDAY MASS

In his homily for Ash Wednesday Mass, Pope Francis reminds us how Lent invites us to greater love of God, and in turn, love of neighbour.

Today we bow our heads to receive ashes. At the end of Lent, we will bow even lower to wash the feet of our brothers and sisters. Lent is a humble descent both inwards and towards others. It is about realizing that salvation is not an ascent to glory, but a descent in love. It is about becoming little. 

👉 CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL HOMILY

👉 CLICK HERE TO WATCH

What We’re Watching

ENJOY A CHILDREN’S LITURGY OF THE WORD WITH YOUR KIDS THIS LENTEN SEASON: YES, LORD! FROM SALT + LIGHT MEDIA

This Lent, Salt + Light Media has launched an exciting and unique new series: Yes, Lord!, a Liturgy of the Word designed with children in mind. New episodes are being released every Friday during Lent, featuring reflections by Deacon Pedro Guevara Mann.

 👉 CLICK HERE TO WATCH

Prayer

A NATIONAL PRAYER FOR CANADA DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Back in March 2020, the Catholic Register wrote about a collaboration between Ottawa’s Archbishop Terrence Prendergast and Rabbi Dr. Reuven P. Bulka, the former co-president of the Canadian Jewish Congress. Together they co-authored a National Prayer for Canada, which was collectively recited on a common day of action last March. The prayer is a beautiful invocation for God’s help in this moment of danger, and “an invitation to Canadians to pray for all in any way touched by the coronavirus” in the words of Archbishop Prendergast. We invite you to share in this prayer as we hopefully approach the end of this pandemic.

O God,
We gather together separated by life-saving distancing, but united more than ever in spirit;
We know we are in a war against COVID – 19 together, and the more together we are, the better and stronger we will emerge:
We know the challenges are enormous, yet so are the opportunities;
That whether we are in isolation with loved ones, or alone, we will have abundance of time;
We commit to using that time to the max, to help those in greater need in whatever way we can;
We know we all have the opportunity, and time, to be life savers and life enhancers;
We give thanks for those who are on the front line taking care of those who are not well;
We give thanks for the researchers who are working at breakneck speed to find cure and vaccine;
We give thanks for our leaders, federal, provincial and local, for their dedication to all of us;
We give thanks for the providers of our daily needs who go to work in spite of the risk;
We give thanks for those who have ramped up their ability to produce life-saving supplies.
We pray for the well-being of all our life savers; For those who are not well, that they recover fully;
For those enduring difficulty, that they may overcome their challenges.
We pray that a cure and vaccine will soon be available,
And that we all – family, friends, all Canadians, the entire world may be healed in body and spirit.
We ask you, O God, to bless our leaders, our front line care givers, our life savers and life enhancers.
We ask you, O God, to bless Canada, to bless the world, to bless everyone.
Amen.

A prayer in hope for Catholic unity in 2021

Dear brothers and sisters,

Happy New Year! We hope you all enjoyed a restful break and a joyful celebration of the Christmas season. January has been a sprint for both of us, in our apostolic and professional lives. We’re sure the same is true for many of you. We pray in this difficult season, where our outlook can darken with the sky, that each of you find the strength of God’s love to serve where you are—as family members, as workers, as ministry leaders, and wherever the Lord calls you.

We all have so much to hope and pray for in 2021—for a COVID-19 vaccine, for a healthier politics better fixed on the common good, and for a return to regular living. We’d like to add one more to this noble list: a hope for Catholic unity in 2021.

No matter where you fall on the political spectrum, the recent American election showed that our community faces many of the same deep divisions facing the wider society. Catholics on both sides of the political spectrum hurled terrible accusations at each other—sometimes questioning the state of their opponents’ souls. This violence of the spirit must end.

There have always been Catholics in different political parties, and different political visions. This will always be the case. But we pray that this year, we all follow our Gospel call to love one another as we love ourselves—as irreplaceable, precious children of God. We can support different policies and parties, but at the end of the day, we share a common foundation as disciples of Christ. It’s the shared bedrock of all our lives.

In this newsletter, you’ll find a link to a recording of our recent webinar. This webinar—a conversation about the importance of participating in the political party candidate nomination process—was a small-scale expression of what Catholic unity can look like. In this event, we brought together three former and current candidates from three different major political parties. No doubt their views of policy are wildly different from each other on many issues! Yet they all shared a common identity as Catholics, inspired by Catholic values, engaged in a charitable discussion of how our community can lead politics to the common good. This is Catholic unity. It’s what we’re called to. No “liberal Catholics” or “conservative Catholics”—just Catholics, pursuing Christ’s mission to build the Kingdom of God on earth… each taking different roads, but seeking the same destination.

May we all follow Pope Francis’ call in Fratelli tutti: Let us love us “as much when he is far away from him as when he is with him” … especially when that distance is one of political views.

With love,
Matthew Marquardt & Brendan Steven

Upcoming Events

Throughout 2021, we’ll be hosting a series of formation webinars for Catholic civic and political leadership. You’ll find a link to our first webinar below, on how and why you should participate in political party nominations. Thank you to all those who joined our second webinar with Dr. Brett Salkeld, on how to vote like a Catholic. You’ll find a link to the recording in next month’s newsletter.
 
Keep an eye out in this newsletter and on our social media for the announcement of our next webinar, on how great literature can teach us to be great Catholics and great Catholic citizens. If you love reading extraordinary books, you won’t want to miss this webinar! We’ll be interviewing a very special guest that we can’t wait to announce soon.
 
Also keep an eye out for the announcement of one of our major initiatives of 2021: the Catholic Leaders Mission, a spiritual formation and political training program for Catholic political candidates. We’ll be sharing more details soon. Meanwhile, if you or someone you know is considering a run for political officer in the near-future, please send us a note at brendan@catholicconscience.org. We’ll be opening the application process soon!

Works of Mercy In Our Community

In this space, we usually feature a volunteer or other opportunity for readers to participate in. These are always corporal works of mercy. But this time and in this circumstance—when Ontario is under a strict stay-at-home order—we wanted to suggest a spiritual work of mercy for readers to partake in.
 
Simply put: Consider praying for our people and our country.
 
We enjoyed reading the article “5 beautiful prayers from the Psalms”, by Marie Ann Torres and published by Salt+Light Media. The Psalms articulate the deepest desires of the heart and soul for God’s comfort—the songs of His people, crying out for Him. We encourage you to pray these prayers for those who are suffering in this crisis.
 
If these prayers touch your heart, consider watching Cardinal Thomas Collins’ Lectio divina series on the Psalms and Canticles. The Cardinal’s reflections on these incomparable prayers will be a boon to your conversations with the Lord.
 
CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE LECTIO DIVINA SERIES

Conscience Conversations

Because political party nominations are often low-voter turnout, low-engagement election contests (depending on the riding and the winnability of the party in that riding), well-formed and greater Catholic participation in these exercises can be high-impact—particularly when it comes to elevating people of character to public office, and improving the options available to Canadian voters on the ballot. Because of a federal minority government, an election could come at any time, even in 2021—therefore many parties are launching their nomination contests now. Why is it so critical for Catholics to buy memberships with their party-of-choice, and vote in their local riding nomination contest? We gathered former Liberal candidate Jo-Ann Davis, former NDP candidate Talon Regent, and current Conservative nomination candidate Ben Smith to chat about why nominations matter. Thank you to our guests for this critical conversation and thank you to the Archdiocese of Toronto’s Director of Public Relations & Communications, Neil MacCarthy, for a special introduction. You can watch the full video below.
 
CLICK HERE TO WATCH

Serving Your Community

We’re always looking to bring along more “fishers of men” to join the Catholic Conscience apostolate. If you’d like to learn more about what we do and why we do it—and see if this is the kind of mission God is calling you towards—we’re happy to share our recent interviews with the Thinking Faith podcast. In three parts, we share more about our apostolate, the work we do, and why we do it; the story of Matthew Marquardt’s founding of Catholic Conscience; and the story of our Executive Director, Brendan Steven, joined the mission.
 
LISTEN TO THE ORIGIN STORY—WHAT WE DO AND WHY
 
LISTEN TO MATT’S STORY—OUR FOUNDING
 
LISTEN TO BRENDAN’S STORY—FROM PARTISAN POLITICS TO CATHOLIC CIVIC AND POLITICAL FORMATION

From The Holy Father

In a recent edition of The Torch—the newsletter of our friends at the Newman Centre Catholic Mission in Toronto—Catholic Conscience President Matthew Marquardt shared his thoughts on a recent Newman workshop on ending poverty. He writes about how we define poverty, using Pope Francis’ words and Catholic social teaching as a guide to a Catholic understanding of this critical social concern.
 
“The poor you will always have with you,” Christ warned his disciples. (Matthew 26:11) But why? Why will they always be with us? The answer is that we, who now form the living body of Christ on earth, have work to do before we can follow him to heaven: we must, by showing continuous, steadfast love to those in need, ensure that the glory of God shows forth through us to the entire world. (Luke 10:25-37; Matthew 25)
 
READ THE TORCH AND THE FULL ARTICLE BY CLICKING HERE

What We’re Watching

We’re consuming more media than ever before. Especially in a time of pandemic, while we’re isolating at home, our eyes are glued to our TV, computer, and phone screens, absorbing an unprecedented amount of news and other digital content. We’ve discovered “doomscrolling”, where we obsessively read all the bad news related to COVID-19 and the world, and feel a deep sense of anxiety and dread. There’s a better way to approach news consumption… but what is that way? Given how topical it has once again become, we wanted to share video from our 2019 panel discussion on responsible news consumption. How should we fight the effects of bias in reading news? How should we be aware of our own bias or the bias of our media sources, and how do we counter these to gain a fuller picture of the truth? We discuss these themes and more with our expert panel.
 
CLICK HERE TO WATCH

Prayer

We just completed the annual Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, an ecumenical observance celebrated around the world that expresses our hopes to God for the fulfilment of Christ’s prayer at the Last Supper, “that they all may be one.”
 
We offer this prayer for Christian unity, and for greater unity in our own Church so that we may evangelize the world as one community. This prayer comes from our friends at the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon.
 
O God, under your wing you gather the whole of creation: praise and glory to you!
 
Help us to follow your will, to gather up all things in Christ.
 
Open our eyes to see the riches of your grace, so that we may open our mouths to proclaim the hope for the world which lies in you.
 
Help us to work for a world where people of different religions and cultures can live together in peace; for a just world where rich and poor share their resources.
 
Help us to use the gifts of your creation according to your wisdom, to the praise of your glory.
 
Amen.

An end-of-year reflection from Vickie McNally, member of the Catholic Conscience board of directors

These days, my everyday work connects me with people pondering the question: “What does a post-pandemic Canada look like? And what can I do to make things better for Canadians?”

I hope at the beginning of this new year, these are questions that all Canadians are asking themselves.

I remember the day Matthew Marquardt, President of Catholic Conscience, asked me to consider joining this board. Really? I thought to myself. What to do I have to offer? What do I know about this organization anyway? And are they trying to do something that makes our common home better? I did some reading about Catholic Conscience, spoke with confidants and said a few prayers. I felt uncertain about making the commitment but was drawn to their mission, “to share Catholic social teaching and form Catholic leaders rooted in its truth and beauty.” It seems important, especially now!

It’s frequently said that Catholic social teaching is the world’s best-kept secret. This was the case for me. A few years ago, Matthew gave a presentation, on Catholic social teaching, at St. Peter’s Parish in Toronto. I was hooked! The opportunity to join the Catholic Conscience board came many months after that. For the time between the presentation and now and especially during the past few months, I thought a lot about what it means to be a leader. Not everyone has the gift or call to lead. We’ve all seen examples of that! Good leaders have clear visions and goals and they also need great support that offers information, perspective and inspiration and the right formation. This is where Catholic Conscience comes in.

In Fratteli Tutti, Pope Francis appealed “for a renewed appreciation of politics as a lofty vocation and one of the highest forms of charity, in as much as it seeks the common good.”

What’s wonderful about this appeal is how it declares the ideal form of politics to be “seeking forms of social friendship that include everyone,” a view that opens many ways to be leaders in the political arena.

For me, my way will be in supporting Catholic Conscience behind the scenes, listening to and sharing ideas and knowledge, and upholding the vision that every Catholic becomes a leader willing and ready to transform communities through Gospel values.

Upcoming Events

JOIN US WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 20 FROM 7-8 PM EST AND LEARN HOW TO VOTE LIKE A CATHOLIC

“If you vote for a certain political party, you’ll go to hell.”
“I can’t vote because there’s no truly Catholic option.”

These are just two common myths about voting as a Catholic. What does the Church teach us about our responsibility to vote? And how do we discern our consciences and choose who to vote for? In this webinar, we interview Catholic author and theologian Dr. Brett Salkeld on how to truly vote like a Catholic.

Click here to RSVP—get your free tickets soon as space is limited!

Meet our guest:
 
Brett Salkeld is Archdiocesan Theologian for the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Regina, where he is responsible for deacon formation. Brett is the author of Can Catholics and Evangelicals Agree about Purgatory and the Last Judgment? and How Far Can We Go? A Catholic Guide to Sex and Dating (with Leah Perrault). He is currently working on a book for Catholic teachers tentatively titled Making Every Class Catholic. Brett is a sought-after speaker on many topics related to the Catholic faith. He also serves the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops as a member of the Roman Catholic-Evangelical Dialogue in Canada. His weekly podcast with Deacon Eric Gurash is called Thinking Faith! Brett has a large back catalogue of blog posts at both Vox Nova and sAsk-a-theologian. Brett was baptized in St. Wenceslaus Parish in Gerald, Saskatchewan, where he grew up. He now lives with his wife Flannery and their six children in Regina.

JOIN US WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 13 FROM 7-8 PM EST AND LEARN ABOUT THE ENORMOUS IMPACT YOU CAN MAKE BY PURCHASING A PARTY MEMBERSHIP AND VOTING IN A LOCAL CANDIDATE NOMINATION

Only 4% of Canadians are members of political parties. That’s only four out of every 100 of us. That tiny number enjoy a special privilege: voting in political party nominations and selecting who will represent their party in each general election. Many of these nominated candidates eventually become our elected representatives. It matters who represents us. That’s why it’s so important Catholics purchase party memberships and vote in nominations.
 
Hear from former and current Catholic candidates from different parties about why nominations matter, and how you can get involved and pick your politicians.
 
Featuring a special introduction from Neil MacCarthy, Director of Public Relations & Communications at the Archdiocese of Toronto.
 
RSVP for webinar link and login details.

Click here to RSVP—get your tickets soon as space is limited!

Works of Mercy In Our Community

IF YOU’RE STRUGGLING, CATHOLIC AGENCIES ARE READY TO HELP

At the centre of our faith are the spiritual and corporal works of mercy—every Catholic is called to love and serve their neighbours-in-need. Sometimes we too need the support of these works of mercy. If you or someone you know is struggling this winter season, Catholic agencies in Toronto can help. The Archdiocese of Toronto has provided links to a variety of services available in the GTA. You can refer these services to those in your life who might need them. Consider donating to some of these agencies at a time when the need in our city is growing.

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE

Conscience Conversations

CONSCIENCE CONVERSATION: 2020—A YEAR IN CIVIC EVANGELIZATION

Despite the strange circumstances of the pandemic, 2020 was an energetic year in the Catholic Conscience apostolate. Read more from Brendan and Matt’s Conscience Conversation:

I am still digesting the Pope’s articulation of the idea of political love. Both you and I, Matt, have always taken the Pope’s concept of “politics as one of the highest forms of charity when ordered to the common good” as a real call-to-action in this work. But the way he expanded on this core idea to articulate a principle of political love. In arguing convincingly that those in politics–especially those who call themselves disciples of Christ!–must exercise a tender love for others, he asks bold questions for those whose vocation brings them into the realm of political and civic life: “How much love did I put into my work?” “What did I do for the progress of our people?” “What mark did I leave on the life of society?” “What real bonds did I create?” “What positive forces did I unleash?” “How much social peace did I sow?” “What good did I achieve in the position that was entrusted to me?”

CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE

Serving Your Community

HELP THE HOMELESS AND VULNERABLE THIS WINTER IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF TORONTO

The Archdiocese of Toronto keeps a page on its website where volunteer opportunities with Catholic organizations are shared. You can click the link below and see the full page, but we wanted to share a request for certain items from the Good Shepherd. This organization serves homeless people in downtown Toronto and it remains a critical service in COVID-19. Here’s how you can help:

“The Good Shepherd,” as it is affectionately called, is well known on the streets of Toronto. It’s a place to get a meal, clean clothes, a safe, clean bed for the night. It’s a place to go when you need someone to listen, someone to help. During the COVID-19 crisis, the Good Shepherd remains an “essential” service and is open to care for the homeless. At this time, 700 bagged lunches are served daily. If you are able to support their important work, here is a list of items most in need – they can be dropped off at 412 Queen Street East, Toronto, ON or call (416) 869-3619 for more information: 

• Hospital Grade Disinfectant
• Surgical Face Masks
• Disposable Gloves
• Cheese Slices
• Deli Meat (i.e. Ham, Bologna, etc.)
• Eggs
• Juice Boxes
• Chips
• Individually Wrapped Cookies
• Granola Bars
• Sliced Bread
• Bread Rolls (i.e. Sub Buns, Hamburger Buns, etc.)
• Paper Lunch Bags
• Ziplock Sandwich Bags

From The Holy Father

POPE FRANCIS DECLARES THE YEAR OF SAINT JOSEPH—FOSTER FATHER OF OUR SAVIOUR, GUARDIAN OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH, AND PATRON SAINT OF WORKERS AND CANADA

Devotees of Saint Joseph were overjoyed at the news Pope Francis is declaring 2021 the Year of Saint Joseph. Saint Joseph is part of Catholic Conscience’s Board of Patron Saints—as patron of families, workers, Canada, and guardian of the Universal Church, his support and guidance touches on all aspects of our apostolate. In our ministry, we work to inspire well-formed Catholic civic and political leadership among the laity—the “ordinary people”, often “overlooked”, who Pope Francis so honours in his apostolic letter announcing the Year of Saint Joseph:

My desire to do so increased during these months of pandemic, when we experienced, amid the crisis, how “our lives are woven together and sustained by ordinary people, people often overlooked. People who do not appear in newspaper and magazine headlines, or on the latest television show, yet in these very days are surely shaping the decisive events of our history. Doctors, nurses, storekeepers and supermarket workers, cleaning personnel, caregivers, transport workers, men and women working to provide essential services and public safety, volunteers, priests, men and women religious, and so very many others. They understood that no one is saved alone… How many people daily exercise patience and offer hope, taking care to spread not panic, but shared responsibility. How many fathers, mothers, grandparents and teachers are showing our children, in small everyday ways, how to accept and deal with a crisis by adjusting their routines, looking ahead and encouraging the practice of prayer. How many are praying, making sacrifices and interceding for the good of all”. Each of us can discover in Joseph – the man who goes unnoticed, a daily, discreet and hidden presence – an intercessor, a support and a guide in times of trouble. Saint Joseph reminds us that those who appear hidden or in the shadows can play an incomparable role in the history of salvation. A word of recognition and of gratitude is due to them all.

Saint Joseph, pray for us!

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE

CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL APOSTOLIC LETTER

Prayer

POPE FRANCIS’ PRAYER TO SAINT JOSEPH FOR THE GRACE OF CONVERSION

Pope Francis wrote this prayer as part of his apostolic letter announcing the Year of Saint Joseph. In the words of the Holy Father, “We need only ask Saint Joseph for the grace of graces: our conversion.”

Hail, Guardian of the Redeemer,
Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
To you God entrusted his only Son;
in you Mary placed her trust;
with you Christ became man.
Blessed Joseph, to us too,
show yourself a father
and guide us in the path of life.
Obtain for us grace, mercy and courage,
and defend us from every evil. Amen.