Four centuries of Mi'kmaq faith

A 2007 stamp commemorating Mi'kmaq Grand Chief Henri Membertou.

The 400th anniversary of that historic baptism was celebrated in a public showcase June 24-28 that paid homage to Mi'kmaq culture and the important contribution made by Membertou and the Mi'kmaq nation to the spread of Catholicism in Canada. To this day, virtually every Mi'kmaq is a baptized Christian. The celebrations included a recreation of Membertou's baptism. Membertou, a respected leader, was regarded as a shaman and prophet. He forged a relationship with the French that helped them survive the harsh winters and, over time, he built a respect for their faith which, like Mi'kmaq spirituality, was centred on a belief in one God. Every year the Mi'kmaq in Antigonish organize a pilgrimage on the feast day of St. Anne. Quebec's Cardinal Marc Ouellet is scheduled to attend the pilgrimage this year on August 1.

- The Catholic Register

A marriage of hockey, music and faith

A high profile cross-border couple who tied the knot July 10 are well known in their respective fields. Ottawa Senators alternate captain Mike Fisher and American Idol winner Carrie Underwood are also public about their Christian faith. The wedding, held in Greensboro, Georgia, reportedly drew another couple known for their belief in Christ: country stars Tim McGraw and Faith Hill. Born and raised in Peterborough, Ontario, Fisher is known as a devout believer. Underwood, who scored a big hit with 'Jesus, Take the Wheel,' has endured some public questioning over the depth of her faith commitment. However, according to ChristianPost.com, she credits her husband with strengthening her spiritually. She told People magazine that Fisher "has improved my walk with God." Her then-fiance added: "Our spiritual bond is something we try to put first in our lives."

Religions no longer count

Rick Hiemstra, director of the Centre for Research on Canadian Evangelicalism, has expressed concern that there might be less information available on Canadian religions in the future. All Canadian households have been required to fill in a census form every five years, and every fifth household has also been required to fill in a longer version of the census form that included questions about religious affiliation. The Canadian government has now decided to scrap the long form and instead ask 30 percent of households to voluntarily complete a National Household Survey. In a blog, Hiemstra has argued that the voluntary survey might be less accurate and might undercount religious participation, thus reducing the influence of religious people.

Ursuline history launched

A newly-published 300-page history of the Ursulines of Bruno tells one part of the often-overlooked story of women religious in Saskatchewan. Written by Sister Maureen Maier, OSU, Women of Service for the Glory of God describes the origins and work of one of the many orders that have made a significant contribution to prairie communities. The Ursuline Sisters of Bruno have provided education, faith formation and cultural enrichment to thousands since they first arrived in St. Peter's Colony in the Muenster area in 1913. The new book chronicles how the Bruno order grew out of the arrival in Canada of a handful of women religious from Germany, just before the outbreak of World War I cut off regular communication with the mother house in Europe. The book also details the decline in numbers in recent years and the decision to move out of the Bruno convent in 1999.

- Prairie Messenger

Safe return from Afghanistan

Since visiting Canadian troops in Afghanistan in 2007, One Free World International founder Majed El Shafie spent three years planning a return mission, assembling a delegation including a Canadian member of parliament, and building a plan of action. Despite many challenges along the way, the mission took place June 25-30 and Rev. El Shafie and the delegation have returned home safely. The delegation met with some Canadian soldiers and presented them with the cards of support. They encouraged the troops and prayed with them, letting them know they are not forgotten and that their hard work and sacrifices are appreciated back home. They met with Afghan officials and opposition leaders, including high level officials in the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Education, as well as women's rights activists and victims of human rights abuses. El Shaffie spoke to the government regarding allegations that some Afghan officials have made efforts to have converts from Islam executed.

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AIDS deaths preventable, says UN

At least 10 million HIV-AIDS deaths could be averted by 2025; but doing so requires a dramatic expansion and simplification of treatment, the man leading the international fight against the epidemic says. "We must reshape the AIDS response," said Michel Sidibe, executive director of UNAIDS, the United Nations Program on HIV-AIDS. That new approach, dubbed Treatment 2.0, calls for 15 million people worldwide to be treated with antiretroviral drugs that can slow the progression of HIV-AIDS symptoms - up from the five million currently undergoing treatment. UNAIDS officials conceded that implementing Treatment 2.0 would not be cheap: Treating 15 million people worldwide would cost an estimated $26-billion each year, even if the costs of testing are reduced. Currently, about $16-billion is being spent on HIV-AIDS drug programs.

- Globe & Mail

Emancipation Day blessing

The Ontario Black History Society (OBHS) is hoping to reinstate a jubilante tradition. According to a press release, "Emancipation Day was celebrated throughout the British Empire immediately following the passage of the British Imperial Act of 1833. Black communities throughout Ontario - including Amherstburg, Hamilton, Brantford, St. Catharines, London, Owen Sound, Toronto and Windsor held annual celebrations until, over time, the communities and the inspiration dwindled or until the celebrations were stopped due to security concerns in the 1960's." The OBHS is petitioning the federal government to pass Bill 111, to have August 1 declared Emancipation Day. A proposed blessing for the holiday, written by OBHS president Rosemary Sadlier, declares in part: "God/Spirit of peace, thank you for a society that honors the achievements and sacrifices of all people. Thank you Lord for those who have brought light to the world with their kindness and courage. Help us never to forget the past and those who have worked to make the lives of others better."

Report explores donor conceived children

The results of sperm donation are considered in a new report. According to Charles Andreasen of the Institute of Marriage and Family Canada: "There have been many rapid changes in the field of reproduction in recent years. Take for example, Quebec's decision to fund three rounds of in vitro fertilization for all women in that province who want it, on July 13, 2010 . . . There are an estimated 30 to 60 thousand children conceived each year through sperm donation in the United States." A new report explores the lives of young adults conceived through sperm donation. My Daddy's Name is Donor "examines a sample of 485 adults between the ages 18 and 45, drawn from over one million households. The authors report that 'on average, young adults conceived through sperm donation are hurting more, are more confused and feel more isolated from their families' than those who were either adopted or raised by their biological parents."

The Nazarite Call

Are you considering a calling as a Nazarite? If so, the National House of Prayer (NHOP) wants to talk to you. The next session of its internship program, The Nazarite Call, begins September 17; deadline for applications is August 31. A recent release from the ministry declares: "You will be giving yourself to prayer for the sake of our nation, pressing through on behalf of your generation. Live, pray and serve in our community." NHOP director Rob Parker stated: "For several years now I have been burdened to see the level of prayer increase across our nation. God has been speaking to me at various times and in very unique ways regarding this conviction." A Nazarite in biblical times, he wrote, "was one who voluntarily set aside an unspecified period of time to seek the Lord. Nazarites sought to live to a high degree of purity for the set amount of time."

Mapping a history of books

Canadian Mennonite University (CMU) recently hosted a meeting of a unique history research group comprised of scholars from the University of Saskatchewan, the University of Manitoba, and CMU. With a special project of Mapping the Pages, the group's purpose is to bring to light the little-known, unknown, or otherwise surprising medieval and early modern books that are in Canadian Prairie collections, either public or private. This group is developing a database that will facilitate the gathering of information about these books as well as their further study. One of the goals is that book owners will be able to enter information about their own books in the database. This is seen as a natural connection between educational institutions and the public.

July 21/2010