The Quotation of the Week (December 31, 2017 - January 6, 2018)

A quotation of Lao-Tze on 'words, actions, habits, character, and destiny,' compiled by Jerome D'Costa

Photo (An underside view of a 2018 brand new Toyota car on display in a dealership in Toronto: Dec. 9, 2017) © Jerome D'Costa

VOICE: A Publication of Toronto

Voice -- Portuguese-language weekly from Toronto

It's a Portuguese-language weekly newspaper for the Portuguese-Canadians in the Greater Toronto Area. It covers, politics, economy, business, finance, entertainment, religion, environment, sports, and more. 

Email contact: voice@voicenews.ca

It's also available online at: Voice

EQUALITY: A Publication of Toronto

Equality -- a weekly newspaper -- from Toronto

This newspaper, catering to the Guyanese, West Indians, Sri Lankans, and Indians in the Greater Toronto Area, publishes news, features, articles, and opinions on politics, economy, business, finance, entertainment, food, environment, health, sports, and more. 

Email contact: equalitygroup@rogers.com

It's also available online at: Equality

NEW CONDO GUIDE: A Publication of Toronto

New Condo Guide -- a bi-weekly magazine -- of Toronto

This magazine deals with buying and selling of condos, property profiles, design and style, showcasing homes, community profiles, furniture, condo lifestyle, investment in condos, occupancy tips, luxury condominium details, moving, legal advice, surrounding areas near condos, insurance matters, maps showing condo locations, and more.

Email contact: legge@ypnexthome.ca

It's also available online at: New Condo Guide

Pope Francis Berates the Roman Curia In His Pre-Christmas Address

Pope Francis addresses members of the Roman Curia on Dec. 21, 2017

Photo courtesy: Vatican News

Like some other years in the recent past, Pope Francis addressed the Roman Curia (Vatican's bureaucratic officials under him) and greeted them. At the same time, he did not lose the opportunity to publicly remind them of their failings as well as their resistance to his reforms. 

Pope Francis, in his address, rebuked the ''traitors'' among the Curia members and also "unbalanced and debased mindset of plots and small cliques." He also mentioned that some Vatican bureaucratic officials "when they are quietly sidelined, wrongfully declare themselves martyrs of the system" rather than acknowledging their own failures.

For more details, please read the following:

• Pope to Roman Curia: Be faithful to the Petrine Office (Dec. 21, 2017)
• Pope Francis: Reform of the Roman Curia is harmed by the conspiracies of minority (Dec. 21, 2017)
• Pope to Curia: 'Betrayers of trust' are frustrating Vatican reform (Dec. 21, 2017)
• Curia exists for service, not for glory, pope says (Dec. 21, 2017)
• Pope Francis says reforming Vatican as hard as cleaning Sphinx with toothbrush (Dec. 21, 2017)
• Pope condemns 'cancer' of cliques in Christmas message to staff (Dec. 21, 2017)
• Pope rips 'traitors' in Christmas message to Roman Curia (Dec. 21, 2017)
• Pope upbraids Vatican bureaucracy: Serve the world, not 'degraded logic of small cliques' (Dec. 21, 2017)
• Pope's Christmas greetings to Roman Curia: building bridges with the outside world (Dec. 21, 2017)
• Pope Francis Calls Curia to Adopt External View (Dec. 21, 2017)
• Pope to Curia: 'Betrayers of trust' are frustrating Vatican reform (Dec. 21, 2017)
• Pope's ferocity with Roman Curia straight out of Jesuit playbook (Dec. 22, 2017)
• Christmas Greetings of Pope Francis to Roman Curia (Dec. 21, 2017) [Youtube video]
• Christmas Greetings to the Roman Curia: Address of His Holiness Pope Francis (Dec. 21, 2017) [Full Text]

Previous Christmas Addresses of Pope Francis 

to the Roman Curia:

2013: 

• Pope to Curia: An end to the role of 'inspector and inquisitor' (Dec. 21, 2013)
• Pope Francis gives Christmas message to Vatican Staff, priests (Dec. 21, 2013)
• Be professional, shun gossip, Pope tells Vatican administrators (Dec. 21, 2013)
• [Video] Pope Francis to Curia: professionalism, service, holiness (Dec. 22, 2013)
• Presentation of the Christmas Greetings to the Roman Curia: Address of Pope Francis (Dec. 21, 2013) [Full Text] [The pope emphasized on the professionalism and service of the Curia members]

2014:

• Pope Francis: the fifteen 'diseases of the Curia' (Dec. 22, 2014)
• Pope Francis makes scathing critique of Vatican officials in Curia speech (Dec. 22, 2014)
• Pope issues scathing critique of Vatican bureaucracy in pre-Christmas meeting (Dec. 22, 2014)
• Pope Francis: Christmas greetings to Curia (Dec. 22, 2014)
• Pope Francis' 15 'new commandments' for Vatican staff (Dec. 22, 2014)
• Francis Uses Christmas Speech to Criticize Vatican Bureaucracy (Dec. 22, 2014)
• [Video] Christmas Greetings of Pope Francis to the Roman Curia (Dec. 22, 2014)
• Presentation of the Christmas Greetings to the Roman Curia: Address of His Holiness Pope Francis (Dec. 22, 2014) [Full Text]

2015:

• In Christmas address, Pope Francis asks Roman Curia to cultivate 24 'needed virtues' (Dec. 21, 2015)
• Pope Francis' Own Listicle of "Needed Virtues" (Dec. 22, 2015)
• Pope outlines 'needed virtues' to Roman Curia (Dec. 22, 2015)
• [Video] Christmas Greetings of Pope Francis to Roman Curia (Dec. 21, 2015)
• [Video] Pope Francis includes '12 medicines' with his Christmas greetingds to the Roman Curia (Dec. 21, 2015)
• Presentation of the Christmas Greetings to the Roman Curia: Address of His Holiness Pope Francis (Dec. 21, 2015) [Full Text]

2016:

• Pope Lays Out Guiding Principles of Roman Curia Reform (Dec. 22, 2016)
• Pope Francis lays out 12 guiding principles for reform of the Roman Curia (Dec. 22, 2016)
• Pope lays out 12-step programme to reform the Roman Curia (Dec. 22, 2016)
• Pope Francis calls for 'Unconditioned Obedience' to Achieve Curial Reform (Dec. 22, 2016)
• Pope Francis surprises Vatican officials with frank talk of Roman Curia reform (Dec. 22, 2016)
• Pope Francis' speech to the Roman Curia (Dec. 22, 2016)
• Francis denounces resistance to Vatican reform in Christmas speech to curia (Dec. 22, 2016)
• [Video] Christmas Greetings of Pope Francis to Roman Curia (Dec. 22, 2016)
• Presentation of the Christmas Greetings to the Roman Curia: Address of His Holiness Pope Francis (Dec. 22, 2016) [Full Text]

Related Items:

• Clericalism And Its Corroding Effects in the Catholic Church (Sept. 19, 2018)
• Pope Francis Asks Priests and Bishops To Be 'Smelly Shepherds,' Not 'Wolves' (Oct. 1, 2018)
• Vatican Scandals and Reforms of Pope Francis (Dec. 31, 2016)

(Updated on Oct. 4, 2018)

CAN-INDIA NEWS: A Publication of Toronto

Can-India News -- A weekly newspaper from Toronto

This newspaper, catering to the Indian-Canadians of the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), covers Canada, India, South Asia, and world by providing news, features, articles, and opinions on own community, politics, economy, business, finance, entertainment, art and culture, science and technology, books, automobiles, health and fitness, education, employment, fashion, food, restaurants, law and order, travel, sports, and more. 

Email contact: info@canindia.com

It's also available online at: Can-India News 

Merry Christmas To You All!

Photo (An enchanting Christmas lighting of a household in Scarborough, Toronto: Dec. 15, 2017) © Jerome D'Costa

The Quotation of the Week (December 24 - 30, 2017)

A quotation of Napoleon Hill on 'achievement,' compiled by Jerome D'Costa

Photo (An Ontario-grown pumpkin kept as a decoration outside a house in Scarborough, Toronto: Dec. 10, 2017) © Jerome D'Costa

NOVELLA: A Publication of Toronto

Novella -- A publication of Toronto

It's "a visual artvertorial featuring talents from fashion, lifestyle, art and culture. It is the result of rigorous curation and creative storytelling."

It provides news, features, articles, and information on art and sculpture, books, fashion and style, health and beauty, cosmetics, culture, music, movies, TV, videos, books, and more.

Email contact: info@novellamag.com

It's also available online at: Novella

THE GREEK PRESS: A Publication of Toronto

The Greek Press -- a weekly newspaper from Toronto

It's a weekly Greek-English-language newspaper for the Greek Canadians of Toronto. This community newspaper has the mandate to "present the life and achievements of a vibrant and strong Greek Canadian community in the Greater Toronto Area, while keeping up to date with news and editorials that concern the current bi-cultural, bilingual and critical reader of today's connected world." 

It presents news, features, opinions, and articles on politics, economy, business, finance, religion, personalities, theatre, movies, sports, and more. 

Email contact: greekpressnews@gmail.com

It's also available online at: The Greek Press

A Catholic Priest-Turned-Layperson's Reflection on Christmas

Dr. James Kottoor

Dr. James Kottoor, former editor of The New Leader -- a Catholic newspaper in India -- and present editor-in-chief in the Church Citizens' Voice (CCV) web portal that gives voice to the Kerala Catholic Church Reformation Movement, provides a critical reflection on Christmas. He emphasizes on one's self-emptying and being humbler among others. 

This new write-up of Dr. James Kottoor, can be read at:  What's Christmas? It's Self-Emptying, Highest Becoming the Lowest! (the cattle class!) (Dec. 20, 2017)

One of his earlier reflection on Christmas was: Dr. James Kottoor on Christmas (Dec. 8, 2013)

To read his long array of write-ups on different subjects, please click on: Dr. James Kottoor

To have a look at his colourful life, you may read: Dr. James Kottoor

Brother Fulgence Dougherty, C.S.C., Dies

Brother Fulgence Dougherty, C.S.C. (1922-2017)

Photo courtesy: www.up.edu/

Brother Fulgence Dougherty, C.S.C., belonging to the Congregation of Holy Cross, died on December 17, 2017 from old-age illness and complications at Notre Dame, Indiana, USA. He was 95 years old.  

Brother Dougherty served in various capacities in the USA, Bangladesh, Liberia, and Ghana. He was a renowned missionary teacher and headmaster. At the University of Portland, Oregon, USA, he was the Director of International Student Services from 1978 to 1992. He will be fondly remembered by many of his students, friends, and colleagues.  

NOBODIP NEWS: A Publication of Toronto

Nobodip News -- A publication of Toronto

It's a Bengali-language weekly community newspaper covering Canada, Bangladesh, and world by featuring news, features, and articles on politics, economy, business, finance, entertainment, law and order, community events, education, short stories, poems, sports, and more. 

Email contact: mamun6867@gmail.com

It's also available online at: Nobodip News

The Quotation of the Week (December 17 - 23, 2017)

A quotation of Queen Elizabeth II on 'Christmas,' compiled by Jerome D'Costa

Photo (A play of clouds in the sky over Scarborough, Toronto: Nov. 27, 2017) © Jerome D'Costa

The Quotation of the Week (December 10 - 16, 2017)

A quotation of Steve Jobs on 'death,' compiled by Jerome D'Costa

Artwork (Christian symbols of death: Nov. 1, 2017) © Mary D'Costa

NOW: A Publication of Toronto

Now -- a weekly newspaper -- from Toronto

It's an alternative weekly newspaper that provides news, features, articles, and opinions covering politics, economy, business, finance, art and culture, society, food and restaurants, music, films, theatre, environment, fashion, life and style, books, sports and more. 

Email contact: website@nowtoronto.com

It's also available online at: Now

The Quotation of the Week (December 3 - 9, 2017)

A quotation of Pope Francis on 'children and the elderly,' compiled by Jerome D'Costa

Artwork by Ryan Andre D'Costa (3½ years old)

Pope Francis Visits Mother Teresa's Home, Meets Priests and Religious, Visits Historic Church and Cemetery, and Talks to Youths Before Departure from Dhaka

Pope Francis' Third and Final Day in Bangladesh

Pope Francis visits historic Portuguese-built 17th century-church and cemetery at Tejgaon, Dhaka (Dec. 2, 2017)

Photo courtesy: Reuters

Pope Francis today (December 2) made a private visit to the Mother Teresa's Home, run by her Missionaries of Charity Sisters at Tejgaon and met and spoke with the Sisters and the orphans, and old and sick people who receive their care. He then met a few hundred priests, Brothers, Sisters, consecrated men and women, seminarians and novices at the nearby Holy Rosary Church. He also visited the adjacent Portuguese-built historic old church and cemetery. Finally, he went to Notre Dame College in Motijheel area of Dhaka and talked with the youth belonging to different religions before leaving for the Dhaka International Airport from where he flew to Rome in a Biman Bangladesh Airlines plane. It is noteworthy that he came to Bangladesh on November 30 morning from Myanmar on a Biman Bangladesh Airlines plane, too.  

For more on Pope's third and final day in Bangladesh, please click on the following: 

• Pope Francis visited a home founded by Mother Teresa for orphans and met with priests and Religious at Tejgaon (Dec. 2, 2017) [Video]
• Pope Francis gets laughs in Bangladesh after walking diplomatic tightrope (Dec. 2, 2017)
• Pope to Religious, not to gossip, embrace joy (Dec. 2, 2017)
• Meeting of Pope Francis with Priests and Religious of Bangladesh [video] (Dec. 2, 2017)
• Gossip is a kind of terrorism, says Pope Francis (Dec. 2, 2017)
• Pope: the eyes of religious who serve with joy are'indescribable' (Dec. 2, 2017)
• Meeting of Pope Francis with Priests and Religious of Bangladesh (Dec. 2, 2017) [Video]
• Pope meets with Priests and Religious in Bangladesh [Full Text] (Dec. 2, 2017)
• Full text of Pope Francis' Improvised Comments to Priests, Religious in Dhaka (Dec 2, 2017)
• Pope tells young people of Bangladesh to 'seek God's wisdom'(Dec. 2, 2017)
• Pope Francis [Meets With the Youth] at Notre Dame College, Dhaka (Dec. 2, 2017) [Video]
• Pope concludes apostolic visit to Myanmar, Bangladesh (Dec. 2, 2017)
• Pope Francis leaves Dhaka after historic three-day tour (Dec. 2, 2017)
• Full text of Pope Francis' in-flight press conference from Bangladesh (Dec. 2, 2017)

(Updated on Dec. 4, 2017)

(To go to Pope Francis's First Day in Bangladesh, click here)

Pope Francis Ordains Priests And Meets With Bishops, Inter-religious Leaders and Rohingya Refugees in Dhaka

Pope Francis's Second Day in Bangladesh

Pope Francis ordains a deacon to Catholic priesthood at the solemn Mass at Suhrawardy Uddyan, Dhaka (Dec. 1, 2017)

Photo courtesy: CTV photo via BTV

More than 80,000 Catholics from all over Bangladesh attend the papal Mass at Suhrawardy Uddyan, Dhaka (Dec. 1, 2017)

Photo courtesy: Reuters

Pope meets with Catholic Bishops of Bangladesh at the Archbishop's House, Ramna, Dhaka (Dec. 1, 2017)

Photo courtesy: Osservatore Romano

More than 80,000 Catholics from around Bangladesh, a number of government officials, members of foreign diplomatic corps, inter-religious leaders, and ecumenical Church leaders attended Pope Francis's solemn concelebrated Mass at Suhrawarthy Uddyan park in Dhaka today, reports various news sources. 

In his homily, Pope Francis expressed his gratitude to all and said: "I know that many of you came from afar, for a trip for more than two days. Thank you for your generosity. This indicates the love you have for the Church," reports the Daily Star. 

He also encouraged and inspired 16 deacons by saying: "you are to be raised to the Order of the Priesthood.  For your part, you will exercise the sacred duty of teaching in the name of Christ the Teacher.  Impart to everyone the word of God which you have received with joy.  Meditating on the law of the Lord, see that you believe what you read, that you teach what you believe, and that you practice what you teach."

Meeting Bangladesh's Catholic bishops at the Archbishop's House at Ramna, he appreciated the pastoral plan of the bishops and encouraged them to continue their work earnestly. He laid emphasis on the importance of the laity in the Church, saying: "At the same time, I would ask you to show ever greater pastoral closeness to the lay faithful.  There is a need to promote their effective participation in the life of your particular Churches, not least through the canonical structures that provide for their voices to be heard and their experiences acknowledged.  Recognize and value the charisms of lay men and women, and encourage them to put their gifts at the service of the Church and of society as a whole.  I think here of the many dedicated catechists in this country, whose apostolate is essential for the growth of the faith and for the Christian formation of the next generation.  They are true missionaries and leaders of prayer, especially in the more remote areas.  Be concerned for their spiritual needs and for their continuing education in the faith."

In the inter-religious peace gathering at the same compound, Pope Francis welcomed all and encouraged them to work for solidarity, harmony, and peace. He also said: "Openness of heart is likewise a path that leads to the pursuit of goodness, justice and solidarity.... A spirit of openness, acceptance and cooperation between believers does not simply contribute to a culture of harmony and peace; it is its beating heart."

Meeting with some Myanmar Rohingya refugees in the gathering, he said: "The presence of God today is also called Rohingya... In the name of all of those who have persecuted you, hurt you, I ask forgiveness. I appeal to your large hearts to give us the forgiveness that we are asking."

Pope Francis rides on a cycle rickshaw at the Archbishop's House at Ramna, Dhaka (Dec. 1, 2017)

Photo courtesy: AP

Pope Francis also rode on a cycle rickshaw in the Archbishop's House compound in Dhaka. He is the second Pope to do so. The first pope to ride on a rickshaw was Pope John Paul II in his 1986 visit to Bangladesh. The Guinness Book of World Records should consider to mention Pope John Paul II's name as the first rickshaw-riding pope in the world in more than 2,000-year history of the Catholic Church. 

For more, click on the following:

• Pope Francis celebrates Holy Mass at Suhrawardy Udyan (Dec. 1, 2o17)
• Pope Francis celebrates open-air Mass at Suhrawardy Udyan (Dec. 1, 2017)
• Pope Francis ordains priests at Mass in Bangladesh (Dec. 1, 2017)
• Pope Francis ordains 16 priests in Bangladesh (Dec. 1, 2017)
• Bangladesh: Pope Francis Ordains 16 to Priesthood (Dec. 1, 2017)
• Pope Francis celebrates Mass in Dhaka, Bangladesh [Full Text of His Homily] (Dec. 1, 2017)
• Pictures: Pope Francis ordains 16 men to the priesthood in Bangladesh (Dec. 1, 2017)
• Holy Mass with Pope Francis, for Priestly Ordinations from Dhaka, Bangladesh (Dec. 1, 2017) [Youtube Video]
• Bangladesh: Words of Thanks from Cardinal Patrick D'Rozario, Archbishop of Dhaka (Dec. 1, 2017) 
• Sheikh Hasina meets Pope Francis in Dhaka (Dec. 1, 2017)
• Pope Tells Bangladesh Bishops to make laity a priority, especially youth (Dec. 1, 2017)
• Pope Francis tells bishops to be close to the laity (Dec. 1, 2017)
• Bangladesh: Pope Urges Option for the Poor (Dec. 1, 2017)
• Pope Francis speaks to Bangladesh's bishops [Full Text] (Dec. 1, 2017)
• Pope Meets 16 'Rohingya' Refugees (Twelve Men, Four Women, and Two Children) (Dec. 1, 2017)
• Pope Francis uses term Rohingya in Bangladesh meeting (Dec. 1, 2017)
• Pope Francis: 'The presence of God today is also called Rohingya' (Dec. 1, 2017)
• Pope Francis prays Alongside Rohingya Muslim Refugees During Trip to Bangladesh (Dec. 1, 2017)
• Bangladesh: Interreligious and Ecumenical Meeting for Peace (Dec. 1, 2017) [Video]
• Pope Francis addresses interreligious meeting for peace [in Dhaka] [Full Text] (Dec. 1, 2017)
• Pope Francis trades his popemobile for a rickshaw (Dec. 1, 2017)

(Updated on Dec. 4, 2017)

(Continued)