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Back from the conference in Sudbury where I gave a number of lectures on canon law. Great turnout, and excellent questions. I only wish I had not been struggling with a cold and fever, which put me to sleep between lectures. One of the lectures I gave was on the rights and obligations of the Catholic faithful. It had been several years since I gave this lecture. I had forgotten about canon 219, which states: “All Christ’s faithful have the right to immunity from any kind of coercion in choosing a state in life.”.
Light blogging this week as I catch up from the weekend.

I know I keep peeking back every time I say I’m taking a break from blogging, but this time I have no choice. I’m away for the next four weekends, and have lots of projects to finish during the week. This weekend I’ve been invited to give a conference on canon law at Portes des Eaux / Water Gate in Sudbury, Ontario. The community is on Pioneer Road, which is just off Highway 69 at the southernmost limit of the city – meaning folks wishing to come in from Toronto or Barrie don’t even have to drive into the city. There’s also plenty of hotels and restaurants about a mile north on the highway. It’s also right off the bypass for folks who might want to come in from Timmins, North Bay, Pembroke or Ottawa.
The conference will be in English and French, although my lectures will be given in English. Water Gate is an interesting apostolate in the Diocese of Sault Ste. Marie. It was founded when a group drawing from charismatics, traditionalists, Eastern Catholics, Opus Dei, Knights of Columbus, pro-life activists, parents of (now former) LC, Marian prayer groups and other orthodox Catholics within the Sudbury/North Bay regions came together under the leadership of Lina Madore to found diocesan-based community dedicated to prayer and faith formation. Lina received strong support from the diocesan bishop, and she regularly draws speakers from both the diocese and the apostolates represented in the membership.
The lectures, of course, will be on canon law for a lay audience. The spiritual flavor will be a mixture of Divine Mercy devotion, charismatic, Opus Dei meditations, and I believe bilingual Mass offered by a French Jesuit. I’m not sure what the cost is, but their conferences are always very affordable. You can find out more information here.
The weekend after I will be in Guelph for a conference. This one is closed, since it’s being sponsored by the government. However, I should get some free time either Friday or Saturday. If anyone is interested in getting together, please email.
Finally, following a tradition that has grown among conservative Canadian bloggers, I’ll be posting one blog only this Friday, September 11. This is an annual tradition through which we offer prayers and support to our American neighbors by honoring those who were murdered on that fateful day. May their souls, and the souls of all the faithfully departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

Some reminders of events this month at the National Shrine in Washington:
Sept. 11-12: A Eucharistic Congress is to be held, organized by the Council of Major Superiors of Women Religious, and open to all. (For those not familiar with CMSWR, it’s a organization for leaders in conservative/orthodox women’s religious orders.)
Sept. 25-26: The Church Music Association is holding a Gregorian Chant Pilgrimage.
Happy travels!

Y’know how critics sometimes say about the Chief Executive, whoever he is: “Well, (so-and-so) isn’t *my* President.” Or supporters challenge critics: “Is he your President, or not?”, as if it were unpatriotic to say no.
Both of these are mistakes: the President of the United States has a constitutional function. He’s there to carry it out.
I have a relationship with my country, not with an officeholder, like him or not.

The Dallas News has a video telling the moving story of a couple and their newborn boy, whose genetic defect and whose multiple medical problems ensured that he would live at most a few days. They were faithful to him to the end of his brief life, and they hope that sharing their family’s story will help other parents experiencing loss.