Pope Francis called for an end to slave labour and human trafficking as well as greater efforts to create dignified work for more people.

Since Blessed John Paul II visited Vidigal, a hillside slum in south Rio de Janeiro, in 1980, life in the settlement has taken a turn for the better.

Do I believe in the Life Everlasting?

JOE GUNN

My first full-time job started in the mid-1970s at the Archdiocese of Regina, setting up a social action office in Archbishop Charlie Halpin's offices on 13th Avenue. Here I met, for the first time, the Sisters of Service, who had their offices on nearby Cameron Street.

MARK PICKUP

A murder trial is playing out in Pennsylvania. In 2011, Philadelphia late-term abortionist Dr. Kermit Gosnell was charged with the murder of seven infants born alive after botched abortions. (Three of those charges were later dropped for lack of evidence.) Gosnell was also charged with the murder of Karnamaya Mongar, 41, who died of a medication overdose during an abortion at his clinic.

I'm often asked about how we can make our society more inclusive and accessible for the disabled. There are obvious physical barriers for those who have physical disabilities. Those normally take some engineering or construction thought.

MARIA KOZAKIEWICZ

Pentecost
May 19, 2013

We know him from religious art – he is always shown as a dove. We know him from the catechism and from the New Testament story of his descent upon the disciples. He came upon them as fire that did not burn, as wind that did not destroy.

FR. RON ROLHEISER, omi

Some years ago, a woman shared this story at a workshop. She had a six-year-old son whom she had conscientiously schooled in prayer. Among other things, she made him kneel beside his bed every night and say aloud a number of prayers, ending with an invocation to "bless mummy, daddy, grandma and grandpa."

It is fitting that the conclusion of our five-year archdiocesan Nothing More Beautiful program falls close to Pentecost. For the New Evangelization to flow from Nothing More Beautiful, it must be the work of the Holy Spirit.

ROME – Mary is a mother who helps Christians grow, face the difficulties of life and use their freedom to make lasting commitments, Pope Francis said.