Clarence and Marie Ibach's family is a living witness that every life is a gift from God. Originally seeking "healthy" children when they set out to adopt, the Ibachs' family portrait today includes 10 children with various disabilities, including Down syndrome, muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy and fetal alcohol syndrome. "We said, 'God, whatever you want,' and that's what he gave us," said Marie. "They're special."

As the Liberal government rushes a bill legalizing euthanasia and assisted suicide through Parliament, thousands gathered in Ottawa May 12 for the annual National March for Life. The march's focal point has always been "the threat to life at its earliest stages through abortion," Cardinal Thomas Collins of Toronto said in his homily at a pro-life Mass at Notre Dame Cathedral.

ROME - Women consecrated in religious life and engaged in apostolic work must realize their vocation is about being prophetic witnesses of God's love, superiors general from around the world were told. They should not see their mission as one of building and maintaining great institutions, speakers told almost 900 superiors of religious orders at the assembly of the International Union of Superiors General.

Sister Dr. Zoe Bernatsky brings a multitude of talents to her new role as academic dean of Newman Theological College. One of the most notable is her attitude. "It's been exciting," she said in an interview. "I love to learn, love to pray, love to work with people. And I have had great mentors along the way and many, many blessings and opportunities."

TORONTO - The inspiration and wisdom of L'Arche founder Jean Vanier teaches us not only how to become more human, but also how to be people of faith in a world wary of religion, says author and academic Michael Higgins. Higgins describes his 110-page biography as a brief introduction to the life of one of the last century's most influential writers and thinkers, and "a spiritual mentor to millions irrespective of religion." Higgins spoke to about 100 people present for the Toronto launch of his new biography of the founder of the L'Arche movement.

NEW HAVEN, CONN. - The Melkite Catholic archbishop of Aleppo, Syria, has thanked the Knights of Columbus and other organizations for speaking out about the genocide of Syrian Christians and other religious minorities. Speaking May 2 with a heavy but hopeful heart at a news conference at the Knights' headquarters, Archbishop Jean-Clement Jeanbart also asked for support for his war-torn city.

With rockets falling daily on the Syrian capital of Damascus, life for Father Issa Mammar and his family was becoming unbearable. The civil war, which started in 2011, was lasting too long. The married Melkite Catholic priest and his wife Rima were worried about the safety of their children, Jean-Pierre, 13, and Anne Marie, 5. Terrorists often target schools and civilian areas and Mammar felt his family was in danger. So he started planning to leave his war-torn country.

If we don't go out as witnesses of Jesus and tell stories about our experiences with him, then our faith will become extinct. So says Father Joseph Salihu, a Nigerian priest currently serving in Spruce Grove. Salihu said God works in our lives, and "We need to be aware of what he is doing and give glory to him when he does it." Salihu, associate pastor at Holy Trinity Parish, was the speaker at the charismatic prayer breakfast at the Chateau Louis Conference Centre May 14. Members of a prayer group at Holy Trinity accompanied him to the breakfast.

Some Vancouver-area Catholics are working hard to repair ties with First Nations people after the close of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. "I've asked them to look at me as their worker. It's their Church. I'm only doing the things the Church wants me to do, and what they want me to do," said Deacon James Meskas. When Meskas was ordained in January, he was tasked with providing pastoral care to two First Nations communities near his home in Agassiz, B.C.