On February 1st, the Downtown Serra club was pleased to hear author Mary Francis Cody speak about her 7th book “George and Pauline Vanier: Portrait of a Couple.” Few figures have had as lasting an influence on Canadian institutions, history, politics and culture as George and Pauline Vanier. George (1888-1967) a decorated military officer, became the first Canadian ambassador to France and the first Catholic French-Canadian governor general in Canada. Pauline (1898-1991), a respected humanitarian, Privy Council member and university chancellor, shared her husband’s responsibilities and helped shape his thoughts on religion, foreign and domestic affairs. George and Pauline Vanier follows their lives and travels across the world – from Canadian military life to the League of Nations, from the inner circles of British government to their harrowing escape from Nazi- occupied France – detailing their enduring faith in God throughout the disappointments and triumphs during social and political turbulence. Revealing their remarkable vibrant personalities, Mary Francis detailed the couple’s support of the French resistance as well as George Vanier’s pleas to the Canadian Government to accept refugees fleeing Hitler’s horrors and his efforts to broaden immigration policy. Most importantly for our members, Mary Frances recounted the importance of their religious convictions and their spiritual quest in their marriage and family life. Mary Frances has been involved in religious journalism for over thirty years, and has been involved as a teacher in the field of professional communications at Ryerson University for the last 20 years. She currently teaches an on-line course for Ryerson University. Kathleen Ancker

Editors Note: George Vanier has 33schools, 14 streets and 5 buildings named after him. He has received 6 appointments, 3 military decorations, 10 Canadian medals, 5 foreign medals, 5 honorary military appointments and several honorary degrees

The Vocations Fair held at Transfiguration Church in Etobicoke on January 28 and 29th was another successful endeavour. Thirty five religious and secular organizations had displays which were well patronised. The new Downtown display was well received. The I Pad draw for students who visited 25 or more displays, was won by Chelsea Wall, age 16 from Michael Power St. Joseph School. There were seven schools represented.

Coming Events: March 6 Ordinandi Dinner Convention Center, 2638 Steele Ave. E Brampton Mar. 14 Officer & Trustee Meeting Mar 21 Professor Jack Freiburger, Religious Education in Churchill Falls April 4 Speaker Bishop McGrattan April 21 Spring Conference, St. Bonaventure Parish 1300 Leslie St. Nov. 3 Altar Servers Awards, St. Paul’s Basilica

The number of Catholics grew by 1.4% 2005 - 2006 Number of priests by scant .21% for the same period.

Under Attack The U.S Army has removed a cross displayed outside a chapel at a military base in Afghanistan. News of the removal was greeted as a victory by the Military Association of Atheists and Freethinkers. Three Christmas Crosses which stood on state property for decades next to a scenic overlook in North San Diego were removed at 5 am by the California Department of Transportation. Jesus Christ is included in a list of 160 words banned in text messages by the communications authority. One of the world’s beloved songstresses will have one of her pieces, Hymne a l’amour, censored at a Quebec primary school near Montreal by a music teacher, due to a reference to God. The1949 song by Edith Piaf ends with the line “God reunites those who love.” He said he didn’t want to answer student questions about God. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs ban the word “God” at funerals for veterans, requires grieving families to submit prayers or religious messages to the government before a funeral for approval and hid the bible and cross that were once placed in the cemetery chapel. “More Than a Monologue” conferences co-sponsored by two Jesuit Universities are, according to the Cardinal Newman Society, a well-orchestrated attempt to undermine the Church’s doctrine and its stand against homosexual ‘marriage’. Speakers questioned the Catholic teaching on homosexuality, alleged the Vatican’s “official repression” of gay priests, said that the Catholic Church would be much better off if all of its priests were having sex with each other and disputed the necessity of priests for consecration of the Eucharist at Catholic Mass. The Arcus foundation paid $100,000 for the “More Than a Monologue” conferences that could be fairly described as designed to undermine Catholic teaching on homosexuality. In addition to the two conferences at Fordham and Fairfield, conferences were held at Yale Divinity School and Union Theological Seminary, which included a fake Mass without a celebrant called “CatholiQ” (Q stands for Queer). Lead conference coordinator was theologian Paul Lakeland. The monologues were defended by activist Sister Jeannine Gramick. Congratulations Cardinal Thomas Collins Born in Guelph Ont. Was an Altar Server Ordained as a priest on May 5th, 1973 Named Bishop of St.Paul, Alberta in1997 Archbishop of Edmonton in 1999 Appointed Archbishop of Toronto on December 16th, 2006 Named to College of Cardinals on January 6th, 2012 Inducted in Rome February 18 -19, 2012 Cardinal Collins is the fourth cardinal in the 110-year history of the Archdiocese.

Salutations for a Cardinal Envelope-His Eminence Thomas Collins Archbishop of Toronto. ( residence for personal correspondence. Chancery for official correspondence.)

Salutation Your Eminence (normal) or Most Eminent Cardinal (formal) or My Lord Cardinal (very formal) CEO of 1.9 million Catholics…a winning team

Tim Tebow Those familiar with the NFL might have heard of Tebow for more than his unique style as quarterback. His outward expressions of his Christian faith are being talked about by all sorts of commentators, in the world of American football and beyond. Though not the only athlete to publicly express his faith on the field, Tebow is drawing more attention than usual as he drops a knee to give thanks after a touchdown or prays with other players including opponents after a game that attracts people: it is entire person.” When asked if Tebow’s public expression of faith is positive or negative, Father Lixey, who works in the Roman Curia helping the Church promote a sports culture suitable to the integral development of the individual, replied “I consider it something very positive. Even back during the 2009 Bowl Championship Series, Tebow wrote “John 3:16” on his black patch and 92 million people googled the verse following the game … impressive. Can You Hear Him? The popular vocation discernment program for young adults 18-35, held its second session of the series Feb.11th at St. Bernard’s Residence, 685 Finch West.. 33 participants, including University students, teachers, an OPP officer, computer engineers, University Chaplain, and financial and business professionals. The participants came from the GTA, Brampton and Oshawa areas. Father Allan McDonald, Vocation Director of the Companions of the Cross leads the seminar. During Mass his homily spoke of the message of the Immaculate Conception to St. Bernadette and the lesson of the seven loaves of bread. Sister Marguerite Marie CPS shared her vocation story. Following Mass the group enjoyed refreshments and fellowship supplied by the sponsors, the Serra Club of Toronto Downtown. The program is co-ordinated by Zinnia Milburn, Vice President of Vocations.