Catholic Conscience †

Dr Natasha Duquette: Contemplation in Community as a Reason for Hope
2022-10-27 19:00 (America/Toronto) | Newman Centre Catholic Chaplaincy, 89 George Street, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Drawing from St Augustine, Jane Austen, and others, Professor Natasha Duquette of Our Lady Seat of Wisdom College will explore the ability of human beings to edify themselves through ethical and theological contemplation of the beauty of Creation. We partner with the Newman Centre Catholic Mission of the University of Toronto and the Saint Monica Institute for Education and Evangelization.

2022 Ontario Municipal Elections
2022-10-24
Municipal council and school board elections will take place on Monday, October 24, 2022.
Information on Catholic School Trustee candidates can be found here.

Quebec General Election
2022-10-03
L’élection générale du Québec de 2022 doit avoir lieu le 3 octobre 2022 pour élire les membres de l’Assemblée nationale du Québec.
The 2022 Quebec general election is scheduled to take place on October 3, 2022, to elect members of the National Assembly of Quebec.
Notre guide de l’électeur est ici. | Our voter’s guide is here.

Ontario General Election
2022-06-02
Ontario’s next general election is to be held on or before June 2, 2022. Catholics and all people of good will should consider the positions of the parties in view of the full range of Catholic social teaching, in order to elect leaders who will seek to promote the good of all, with respect for all. Our election guide can be found here.

Catholic School Trustee Workshops
2022-04-23 09:00 - 12:00 | Online
In the lead-up to Ontario’s municipal elections in October 2022—including elections for Catholic school board trustees—we are pleased to present a special edition of our Catholic Leaders Mission program, workshops for those discerning whether to seek election as Catholic school board trustee through a deeper look at this crucial vocation for Catholic education. The workshops are presented in both English and French, in partnership with l’AFOCSC, the OCSTA, and the St. Monica’s Institute for Education and Evangelization: the French-language workshop will be present April 23, 2022, and the English-language version on May 29.
Each one-day workshop will offer specialized formation and training for those who are exploring a vocation to become a Catholic school board trustee. Formation will include an exploration of Catholic social teaching as it relates to education, communications skills, collaboration with fellow trustees even amid disagreement, the lived experiences of trustees, an exploration of the trustee vocation, a Catholic vision for the well-being and human flourishing of every student, understanding the importance of publicly funded Catholic education, and more. Participants will graduate from the program prepared to successfully run for election, succeed, and serve with charity and truth in this critical vocation for the good of Catholic youth, families, and our community’s apostolic future.
Click here for more information.

Caring for the Whole Person - the Beauty of Creation
2022-01-12 19:00 - 20:00
Join us in conversation with two Catholics trained in neuroscience and psychiatry as we explore health, the unity of body and soul, and the nature of human well-being, synthesizing science and Catholic wisdom about the human person. A webinar in our Beauty of Creation Series. RSVP for Zoom login details.

Bearing the Image of God - the Beauty of Creation
2021-12-16 19:30 - 20:30
Our Beauty of Creation series continues with Dr Sonsoles de Lacalle’s exploration of the wisdom of the Catholic Intellectual tradition in dialogue with science in revealing our fundamental nature of human beings. Our conversation will cover a range of topics, including gender, sexuality, and identity.

The Beauty of Creation: Green Thomism
2021-11-18 19:00 - 20:30
Professor Christopher Thompson of the Saint Paul Seminary School of Divinity explores his new idea of Green Thomism, which “seeks to integrate the wisdom of St. Thomas Aquinas with the questions of environmental stewardship, sustainability, and awareness… [and] interprets the signs of the times to indicate the need for a renewal of some of the most basic principles of Thomistic thought: the goodness of created things, the purposive structure of created being, the inescapable embodied character of human existence, the capacity of reason to discern an order of creation which is to be respected, the contemplative nature of human happiness… All of these claims are rooted in St. Thomas’ vision of creation, the human person, and God; each of them has the capacity to enliven the best of what is happening in the ever-growing movement of environmental concern.”

Nunavut General Election
2021-10-25

The Beauty of Creation: Ecological Conversion with Sister Damien Marie Savino
2021-10-14 19:30 - 20:30
Pope Francis teaches that “living our vocation to be protectors of God’s handiwork is essential to a life of virtue.” Sister Savino will lead us in consideration of the meaning of the call to creation, Catholic doctrine concerning the integral human ecology, and means for putting our doctrine into practice.

2021 Canada Federal Election
2021-09-20
Canada’s federal election will offer voters an opportunity to ensure that the nation is guided by 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. Here are materials to help you prepare .

Rosary Novena for the People of Canada
2021-08-25 08:00 - 2021-09-20 10:00
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.

Nova Scotia General Election
2021-08-17
This year’s election offers voters an opportunity to ensure that Nova Scotia is guided by 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. Catholics are called to full participation.

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/

Resisting Throwaway Culture
2021-04-21 19:30 - 20:30
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.

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.

Federal By-elections 2020
2020-10-26
Federal by-elections for:

Toronto Centre (Ontario)
York Centre (Ontario)

Saskatchewan Provincial Election
2020-10-26
Saskatchewan goes to the polls on October 26. Here’s what Catholics ought to know.

British Columbia Provincial Election
2020-10-24
British Columbia goes to the polls on October 24, 2020. Here’s what Catholics ought to know.

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.

Canadian Federal Election 2019
2019-10-21
The 43rd Canadian federal election is scheduled to take place on or before October 21, 2019. The October 21 date of the vote is determined by the fixed-date procedures in the Canada Elections Act[1] but the Act does not preclude the Governor General of Canada from issuing the writs of election at an earlier date.

Federal Leaders' Debate 2019 (French)
2019-10-10 19:00 - 21:00 | The Canadian Museum of History, Gatineau, QC, Canada
More information at https://www.debates-debats.ca/en/debates2019

Downtown Candidates Meet & Greet
2019-10-10 07:00 - 20:30 | St Peter’s Church, 830 Bathurst Street, Toronto, Ontario, M5R 3G1, Canada
Come meet the candidates for the upcoming 2019 Federal Election.
As a follow-up to the Archdiocesan all-parties’ debate on October 3, candidates from the three major downtown ridings of Fort-York – Spadina, University – Rosedale, and Toronto Centre have been invited to meet and speak with voters from a number of parishes in each of their ridings.
Short introductions will be followed by a Q&A mingle.

Federal Leaders' Debate (English)
2019-10-07 19:00 - 21:00 | The Canadian Museum of History, Gatineau, QC, Canada
Watch the CBC’s livestream on Catholic Conscience at CatholicConscience.org/live

2019 FEDERAL ELECTION: Why Vote?
2019-10-07 19:00 - 20:30 | St. Gregory’s Parish Hall, 122 Rathburn Road, Etobicoke, ON, M9B 2K6, Canada
2019 FEDERAL ELECTION: WHY VOTE? How to discern your vote thoughtfully
Presented in partnership with St. Gregory’s Catholic Women’s League
A panel discussion on good citizenship featuring:

Matthew Marquardt, President, Catholic Conscience
Luke Stocking, Deputy Director for Public Engagement, Development & Peace
Jo-Ann Davis, former Chair of the Toronto Catholic District School Board

RSVP today! Refreshments and snacks will be provided!

Debate: Canada's Federal Election from a Catholic Perspective (Archdiocese of Toronto)
2019-10-03 07:30 - 21:00
We are excited to share that the Archdiocese of Toronto will be hosting a federal election debate on October 3rd, so that Canada’s Catholic community can hear directly from the political parties about issues of deep concern to Catholics.
This is a great opportunity for the Catholic community to make our voices heard in politics. We are so excited to be there! We are proud to have played a small role in this idea and look forward to the world seeing how engaged and diverse our community is.
We hope to see you on October 3rd! Tickets (which are free) will be available starting September 3rd. And stay tuned for details about our Catholic Action election program, which we will be running over the course of the federal election—supporting Catholics as they fulfill their duty to vote and engage in political action.

Effective Participation in Political Parties
2019-05-30 18:30 - 20:00 | Newman Centre Catholic Chaplaincy, 89 George Street, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Catholic Conscience and the Newman Centre at the University of Toronto are presenting a panel discussion on effective participation in politics and political parties.
Join us as members of each of the major political parties will help us understand the proper roles and purposes of political parties.
Political parties and civic engagement matter. The visions for society that parties support have an enormous effect on nations, particularly when they take up the reins of power. How do we, as citizens, engage with parties, and help shape those visions? How can engaged citizens make a difference in the political process?
Our panel will be discussing these issues and more on May 30th. Practical (and non-partisan) advice for effective membership will be discussed.
Panelists include:

Jo-Ann Davis, former TCDSB chair and 2018 Liberal MPP Candidate for University-Rosedale
Brendan Steven, former speechwriter for Conservative Finance Minister Joe Oliver
Dave Szollosy, former president OECTA, and 2018 NDP MPP candidate for York Simcoe
Nick Wright, member of the Governing Board of the Law Society of Ontario and 2014, 2015 Green Party candidate

This is one part of a multi-part series by Catholic Conscience and the Newman Centre on Catholic civic participation, in the lead-up to this year’s federal election.
This event is free and open to everyone. No tickets are required.
RSVP/Registration to our event via Eventbrite will help us in planning.

Responsible Approaches to the News
2019-05-01 18:30 - 20:00 | Newman Centre Catholic Chaplaincy, 89 George Street, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Access to and understanding of the truth is critical for any just society. Our panel, including representatives of the Catholic and Secular press, will examine the proper role of news in a democratic society, and offer practical advice for proper approaches to and consumption of news.

This event is free and open to everyone.
No tickets are required. We do encourage everyone to show interest or select going on our Facebook event (https://www.facebook.com/events/13301a20040471951/) page to assist us in seating arrangement planning.
