EDMONTON – On her way to pray across from the abortion clinic, Carolyn Towle saw a sign from God that provided inspiration in her goal to end abortion.

"On my way here this morning, there was a little bit of a rainbow in the sky. So it was a reminder, I think, from the Lord of his covenant, his promise," said Towle. "I'm sure he will be with us in prayer this morning as we pray the rosary." more . . .

OTTAWA – Liberal MP Gerard Kennedy plans to continue helping American Iraq War resisters stay in Canada, even though his private member's bill was defeated Sept. 29.

"I'm looking for ways to protect the war resisters," said Kennedy after the defeat of his War Resister's Act. more . . .

Canada's new apostolic nuncio is looking for holy men to fill the many episcopal offices that will become vacant in the next few years, especially in Quebec.

Archbishop Pedro Lopez Quintana, who arrived in Canada last February, is not looking for a person who can do everything, "because that is impossible. more . . .

EDMONTON - Edmonton Catholic Schools and Archbishop Richard Smith are working together to end casino funding for education, says the chair of the school board.

"There is no war developing. There never has been a war developing between us and the archbishop," Debbie Engel said in an Oct. 8 interview. more . . .

VATICAN CITY – Pope Benedict named 24 new cardinals Oct. 20, including 10 Italians and four Africans.

The appointments bolster the strength of the Vatican Curia within the College of Cardinals. Many of the Italians to receive the red hat hold curial offices that are traditionally occupied by cardinals.

No Canadians were among those named Oct. 20, dousing speculation that Toronto Archbishop Thomas Collins, former archbishop of Edmonton, would be named a cardinal. more . . .

EDMONTON – Premier Ed Stelmach praised the work of Covenant Health and hinted his government may shape new health care legislation on some of the values this Catholic organization embraces.

Speaking at the annual meeting of Covenant Health at Westin Hotel Oct. 5, Stelmach said his government would soon introduce new health care legislation "that is going to put our patients first." more . . .

SASKATOON – The psalms evoke the reality of the human condition and echo with truth for our daily lives, says Gisele Bauche.

"The psalms touch the core of our being," Bauche said Sept. 27 at a session on Exploring Our Faith.

The Book of Psalms forms the "heart of the Bible," Bauche said, both in its location at the Bible's centre, and in its over-arching content. more . . .

Former Edmonton Archbishop Thomas Collins is among the frontrunners in speculation over who will receive cardinals’ red hats when Pope Benedict names at least 19 prelates under age 80 to the College of Cardinals. more . . .

EDMONTON – Covenant Health bears witness to the words God spoke to Abraham – "I will be there for you," says the archbishop of Edmonton.

God's covenant of love calls us to live lives of justice, mercy, tenderness and compassion, Archbishop Richard Smith said at the annual meeting of Covenant Health Oct. 5. more . . .

EDMONTON – Covenant Health, Canada's largest Catholic provider of health care, continues to expand.

In addition to opening a new facility for seniors in Edmonton, Covenant Health plans to open similar facilities in Killam, Lethbridge, Red Deer and Calgary. more . . .