Catholic Conscience †

Rosary Novena for the People of Canada
2021-08-25 08:00 - 2021-09-20 10:00 (America/Toronto)
As Catholics, we are called to “seek the welfare of the city,” in the words of the Book of Jeremiah. We are, after all, citizens of two nations: this earthly country Canada, this place and people we all love, and the heavenly Kingdom of God. Let’s come together to praise the Lord of both these nations and to call on the intercession of the heavenly Kingdom for the needs of our earthly nation.
Join Canadians from coast to coast as we gather for a nine-day rosary novena to pray for the people of Canada, each of us discerning our own consciences in preparation to vote for our next government during the 2021 federal election. We will pray for all Canadians, and for guidance in choosing leaders who will provide practical and efficient leadership with the good of all in mind – including the unborn, the elderly, the young, families, and those who are too often forgotten by society – as well as workers, farmers, business owners, and all future generations.

Catholic Leaders' Mission: free two-day formation session for civic leadership candidates
2021-05-29 08:00 - 17:00 | Online
Two Saturday sessions, May 29 and June 5, 2021.
Pope Francis has said that “Politics, though often denigrated, remains a lofty vocation and one of the highest forms of charity, inasmuch as it seeks the common good.” It’s a critically important vocation, yet in Canada, we’ve lacked formation for Catholics discerning it.
We’re excited to announce Canada’s first formation program for Catholic political candidates and elected politicians: the 𝗖𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗰 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗠𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻. Any Catholic seeking election to any political office or considering a run for office in the next two years can apply to join. Over the course of a two-day virtual workshop, you’ll learn from Catholic leaders across our community. You’ll receive spiritual and moral formation, methods of discernment, and practical skills needed in seeking and properly holding elected office. In the end, you’ll be equipped as a Catholic servant-leader for your constituents and fellow Canadians. Learn more on our website, including how to apply, by clicking here: https://catholicconscience.org/catholicleadersmission/

Reading Our Way to God - A Free Catholic Conscience Online Formation Event
2021-03-11 19:30
READING OUR WAY TO GOD: A webinar featuring Word on Fire’s Dr. Tod Worner.
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!
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.
REGISTER
To RSVP, click here: http://www.readingtogod.eventbrite.ca/

Webinar: Voting Like A Catholic
2021-01-20 19:00 - 20:00 | Online
“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.
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.
RSVP AT:
https://votinglikeacatholic.eventbrite.ca
Free tickets are limited. RSVP for the link and login details.

Webinar: Pick Your Politican
2021-01-13 19:00 - 20:00 | Online
Learn about the enormous political impact you can have when you buy a party membership and vote in your local candidate nomination process.
WHY CATHOLICS SHOULD VOTE IN PARTY NOMINATIONS
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 AT:
https://nominationsmatter.eventbrite.ca
Free tickets are limited. RSVP for the link and login details.

FORMATION FOR CATHOLIC ACTION
2020-02-12 19:00 - 20:30 | St Peter’s Church, 830 Bathurst Street, Toronto, Ontario, M5R 3G1, Canada
Join us on February 12 at St Peter’s Church in downtown Toronto for an introduction to the social justice teachings of the Church, lead by Catholic Conscience’s Matt Marquardt. This event will be the lead-off in a four-part series hosted by St Peter’s, leading to formation with an emphasis on care for the poor and lonely among us.

Candidates' Q&A - Toronto University-Rosedale
2018-05-31 19:00 - 20:30 | St Peter’s Church, 830 Bathurst Street, Toronto, Ontario, M5R 3G1, Canada
Our meeting for University Rosedale during the 2015 federal elections
Candidates from all parties running in Toronto’s University – Rosedale riding will join us in the parish hall at St Peter’s Church on Thursday, May 31, from 7-8:30 PM for an opportunity to share their views on a variety of topics of interest for Catholic voters, and particularly topics concerning our parish. Following a Q&A session in which all candidates will be given an equal opportunity to speak, candidates and voters will be invited to mingle for individual interactions.
Catholic Conscience, is a non-profit, non-partisan organization seeking to improve the quality of democratic politics in Canada. Those seeking to know more can check out our our website at www.CatholicConscience.org.
For those wanting to know more about the responsibilities of Catholics in elections, an information session will be held on Tuesday, May 22, from 7-8:30pm in the parish hall at St Peter’s Church, 130 Bathurst Street (across from the Bathurst TTC subway stop).
See you there!

Voter Education: the Catholic Duty to Vote
2018-05-22 19:00 - 20:30 | St Peter’s Church, 830 Bathurst Street, Toronto, Ontario, M5R 3G1, Canada
Our April 2018 information session at the Newman Centre at the University of Toronto
The Catholic duty to participate in society is firmly rooted in the Gospels, and includes the duty to vote conscientiously, after due reflection on current events, available choices, and the teachings of Christ. Join us for a brief, open discussion of the full range of issues Catholics are called to consider – and share your own thoughts.
Catholic conscience is a non-profit organization of concerned Catholics devoted to the education and engagement of voters and politicians in the truth and beauty of the full range of Catholic social teachings. Our goal is to put the Gospel teachings of Christ at the center of democratic discourse. We take no sides. We make no endorsements and do not encourage specific voting behaviors. We simply promote reflection on the Christian duties of love, participation, and good stewardship, as an integral part of the democratic political process.

Candidates' Q&A - Toronto Spadina-Fort York
2018-05-20 15:30 - 17:00 | St Patrick’s Church, 131 McCaul Street, Toronto, Ontario, M5T1W3, Canada
Our meeting for Spadina Fort York during the 2015 federal elections
Candidates from all parties running in Toronto’s Spadina – Fort York riding have been invited to join us in the Neumann Hall at St Patrick’s Church on Sunday, May 20, from 3:30-5:00 PM for an opportunity to share their views on a variety of topics of interest for Catholic voters, and particularly topics concerning our parish. Following a Q&A session in which all candidates will be given an equal opportunity to speak, candidates and voters will be invited to mingle for individual interactions.
Catholic Conscience, is a non-profit, non-partisan organization seeking to improve the quality of democratic politics in Canada. Those seeking to know more can check out our our website at www.CatholicConscience.org.
For those wanting to know more about the responsibilities of Catholics in elections, an information session will be held on Tuesday, May 22, from 7-8:30pm in the parish hall at St Peter’s Church, 130 Bathurst Street (across from the Bathurst TTC subway stop).
See you there!

Candidates' Q&A - Toronto Don Valley Ridings
2018-05-17 19:00 - 20:30 | St Bonaventure’s Catholic Church, 1300 Leslie Street, North York, Ontario, M3C 2K9, Canada
Our May 15 meeting for the Don Valley
Our 2018 Don Valley Provincial Candidates’ Forum took place from 7-9PM on May 17, 2018, at St Bonaventure’s Church, 1300 Leslie Street, Toronto. Participating candidates were invited to respond, in turns, to a number of questions asked by our moderator Carolyn Sue Kralik. The questions were drawn from the questions provided below. Answers of participating candidates are summarized below.
A video of the complete question and answer session is available at
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fShOsvIRTTw&feature=youtu.be.
Participating candidates included:

Mr Morgan Bailey, Green Party candidate for Don Valley West
Mr Michael Coteau, Liberal candidate and incumbent for Don Valley East
Mr Jon Kieran, Progressive-Conservative candidate for Don Valley West
Mr Mark Wong, Green Party Candidate for Don Valley East

The following candidates were invited, but declined to attend.

Ms Kathleen Wynne, Liberal candidate, incumbent and Premier for Don Valley West
Mr Khalid Ahmed, New Democratic candidate for Don Valley East
Ms Shelley Carroll, Liberal candidate for Don Valley North
Mr Vincent Ke, Progressive Conservative candidate for Don Valley North
Mr Denzil Minnan-Wong, Progressive Conservative candidate for Don Valley East

To date, the following candidates from this meeting have returned completed questionnaires:

None

We are deeply grateful to all those who participated: the candidates, the voters, and the pastor and staff of St. Bonaventure’s Catholic Church.
Catholic Conscience, is a non-profit, non-partisan organization seeking to improve the quality of democratic politics in Canada. Those seeking to know more can check out our our website at www.CatholicConscience.org.

Awareness and discussion session
2018-04-12 18:00 - 20:00 | Newman Centre Catholic Chaplaincy, 89 George Street, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Our session at the Newman Centre at the University of Toronto was well attended, and generated thoughtful discussion of the Catholic approach to voting. Thanks to the Newman Centre and all those who attended. Here’s the current schedule for our all-candidate and voter awareness meetings in the GTA over the coming weeks. Come learn about Christian voting values, and listen to and meet those who hope to represent you, in a thoughtful and respectful environment.
We’ll keep you posted as we add more meetings.
May 17, St Bonaventure Parish, 7-9:30PM
* Candidates for Don Valley East, North, and West
May 20, St Patrick’s Church, 1:30-3PM
* Candidates for Spadina-Fort York
May 22, St Peter’s Church, 7-8:30PM
* Voter Awareness: A Christian Approach to Voting
May 31, St Peter’s Church, 7-8:30PM
* Candidates for University-Rosedale
