The Church in Canada

Cardinal Gerald Cyprien Lacroix reported that the Church in Quebec has shown signs of growth over the past two years.

The Salesian Cooperators, a Catholic association dedicated to evangelizing young people, is celebrating its 150th anniversary. The association's 90 Canadian members are using the milestone to plan for the future of their work.

Scholars and acquaintances of St. John Paul II mark the 80th anniversary of his priestly ordination by noting his example of combining deep prayer with the accompaniment of others.

More than 200 people attended the annual Serra Club Dinner to support vocations to the priesthood and religious life. The event took place in the ballroom of the Viscount Gort Hotel and included Evening Prayer, dinner, and fellowship.

Guest speaker Fr. Christopher Pugh spoke about his transition from studying and working in physics to answering the call to the priesthood. The evening included a rendition of the Canadian National Anthem by Bénédicte LeMaître, accompanied by an honor guard from the Knights of Columbus. The program concluded with a raffle and a silent auction supported by various donors.

Bishop Christian Rodembourg will preside over the All Saints' Day Mass at the Cathedral of Saint-Hyacinthe on Sunday, November 1, at 17 h.

The bishop will also preside over a Eucharistic celebration for all the faithful departed on Monday, November 2, at 16 h.

The Diocese of Saint-Hyacinthe noted that these celebrations honor both the saints listed in the calendar and the many unnamed people who lived the Gospel in daily life. This includes the concept of the holiness of ordinary people described by Pope Francis in his apostolic exhortation, Gaudete et exsultate.

The Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church in Canada will welcome a new metropolitan on Nov. 8. The Church expressed gratitude to Archbishop Huculak for his leadership marked by a commitment to communion, consultation, and pastoral continuity.

The Catholic Register reports that papal modes of transport have evolved from ornate wooden carriages pulled by horses to modern bulletproof all-electric vehicles.

Organizers of the 40 Days for Life campaign in Toronto stated that their work to protect unborn life and support expectant mothers continues after the annual vigil concludes on Nov. 1.

Helena Burns wrote in The Catholic Register that the issue of women's ordination is settled and that the priesthood is reserved for men.

Robert Kinghorn, founder of The Church on the Street, recently met with two women he first encountered while working with people on the streets in 2006. Both women have worked to overcome addictions.

Vincent Del Real writes in The Catholic Register that the current loneliness epidemic may stem from a crisis of friendship.

Roger Nadeau and Bernie Ramis will participate in the Rite of Admission to Candidacy on Tuesday, November 10, 2026. The rite will take place during the 7:00 PM Mass at Sacred Heart Cathedral.

The Diocese of Kamloops stated that this rite serves as the Church's formal recognition of the men's desire to become permanent deacons. It marks their commitment to continue formation and discernment following two years of study.

The Diocese of Kamloops will celebrate an annual Mass for deceased bishops, clergy, and consecrated men and women on Tuesday, November 3, 2026. The liturgy is scheduled for 11:00 am at Sacred Heart Cathedral in Kamloops.

Priests of the diocese will concelebrate the Mass, and all parishioners are welcome to attend.

Newly elected school board trustees in boards under provincial supervision will serve under terms set by the Ontario Ministry of Education. These terms limit the authority and roles of the trustees.

The Ontario government has paused Ontario Student Assistance Program payments to private post-secondary institutions. This decision, intended to restore integrity to the system, affects two major Christian higher education institutions.

The Catholic Register reports that All Hallows’ Eve serves as the vigil for All Saints’ Day, an ancient observance within the Church.

Saint Gregory the Illuminator is associated with the period roughly 300 years after the death and resurrection of Christ, when the first nation adopted Christianity as its state religion.

Food Banks Canada reported a record 2.35 million food bank visits across the country this past March. According to the organization's annual HungerCount snapshot, this figure represents a nearly nine percent increase from the previous year.

Leah Perrault reports on a retreat experience where a participant described their childhood by stating they were not a bad child because they did not use drugs or harm others.

The Sisters Servants of Mary Immaculate (SSMI) have provided spiritual and pastoral support to Ukrainian Catholic faithful in British Columbia since establishing a home in New Westminster in 1905. The congregation began its work in Canada three years after arriving from Ukraine, decades before the establishment of the Eparchy in 1974.

The Sisters historically provided catechesis to families and children throughout the territory. Following the founding of the Eparchy, the catechism office at the Chancery served as a center for providing training and materials to parishes. The congregation also works with the Ukrainian Catholic Women’s League, youth groups, the elderly, and the sick.

At the Cathedral parish of Holy Eucharist in New Westminster, Sister Angelica Hodowansky, SSMI, and Sister Janice Soluk, SSMI, attend daily Divine Liturgies and other services. They participate in the liturgy through singing and the proclamation of Scripture.

The federal government tabled legislation that would stop the scheduled March 17, 2027 expansion of medical assistance in dying to individuals experiencing only mental illness and decriminalize advance requests for the procedure.

Archbishop Charles Duval visited Good Shepherd School and Glenmary School in Peace River during Catholic Education Week.

At Good Shepherd School, the archbishop led a prayer service for students in grades 4 through 6, staff, and parishioners. During the visit, he blessed the Fr. Merx Courtyard and the Sue McGowan Prayer Space, a chapel named for the school's former principal. Archbishop Duval toured classrooms with Principal Gaudreau and Division Faith Formation Coordinator Nicola Quigley. Attendees included Superintendent Cornick, Deputy Superintendent Goudreault, Board Chair Whalen, and Vice-Chair Kuran from the school division's central office.

In the afternoon, the archbishop visited Glenmary School to bless the school chapel and visit classrooms. He participated in a spiritual knowledge challenge with students involving questions and answers about the faith.

The Diocese of Charlottetown has published the first of seven renewal pillars, focusing on evangelization.

The diocese describes evangelization as sharing the joy of faith through daily actions, such as kindness, compassion, and welcoming others. The text states that simple invitations and acts of kindness help build a more welcoming Church and bring the light of Christ into communities.

A Department of Finance statement did not clarify if the 2026 Budget will include a proposed measure targeting the charitable status of pro-life pregnancy centres, according to The Catholic Register.

The Canadian Centre to End Human Trafficking is requesting funding in the upcoming November 5 federal budget to improve the national response to human trafficking.

The Archdiocese of Edmonton hosted a pilgrimage of a first-class relic of St. John Paul II from October 9 to October 27. The relic, an Ex Sanguine fragment of the blood-stained cassock worn by the saint during the 1981 assassination attempt in St. Peter’s Square, visited various parishes and communities throughout the region.

Andrew Ehrkamp, the delegated custodian of the relic, accompanied the item to these communities. The pilgrimage followed previous visits to the Diocese of St. Paul and the Archdiocese of Grouard-McLennan in 2025.

Bishop Stephen Hero delivered a homily on October 22, 2026, for the memorial of St. John Paul II.

During the homily, Bishop Hero recalled the May 13, 1981, assassination attempt on St. John Paul II in St. Peter’s Square. He noted that the Pope was shot in the abdomen, right arm, and left hand. Bishop Hero mentioned that two pilgrim women near the Pope were also injured during the attack. He noted that the Pope attributed his survival to the prayers of Our Lady of Fatima, as the shooting occurred on her feast day.

Bishop Hero described the historical impact of the event, noting that a red cobblestone in St. Peter’s Square marks the location of the shooting. He also reflected on the lack of modern security precautions during that period compared to current standards.