Jesuit Fr. Adam Hincks does not remember the excitement, the mind-expanding fascination or the must-watch-TV coverage of the Apollo 11 moon landing in 1969. He was born in 1982.

Is living the teaching of Humanae Vitae regarding the moral means of managing fertility burdensome? Yes, and effective pastoral support for couples who are attempting to do just that — using natural family planning (NFP) rather than contraception — is served by acknowledging that up front. NFP is a burden.

It was 56 years ago this week — Oct. 11, 1962 — that the Second Vatican Council began its work of addressing how the Church should adapt to the modern world. Vatican II ended three years later and the changes formed the basis of much of the ChurchöÏÓãÊÓƵapp liturgy and teaching to this day. The massive task of the council, mandated by Pope John XXIII, began with much pomp and ceremony, as The Register reported in its Oct. 13, 1962 issue.

Pope Paul VI made papal history on Oct. 4, 1965, becoming the first pontiff to ever leave Europe and the first to leave Italy since 1809. His destination (heöÏÓãÊÓƵapp also the first to travel by plane) was New York City, where he spent a grand total of 14 hours on the ground. He packed a lot into the quick trip, including a meeting with President Lyndon Johnson and a speech to the United Nations. HereöÏÓãÊÓƵapp a report in the Oct. 9, 1965 issue of The Register on part of Pope PaulöÏÓãÊÓƵapp historic visit.

Canadian controversy over Humanae Vitae began long before Pope Paul VI issued his controversial encyclical.

Next month will mark the 50th anniversary of Humanae Vitae, the 1968 encyclical of Blessed Paul VI which  reaffirmed the immorality of contraception at a time when many in the Church and the world expected a change.

OTTAWA – Humanae VitaeöÏÓãÊÓƵapp predictions of contraceptionöÏÓãÊÓƵapp effects proved far worse than Pope Paul VIöÏÓãÊÓƵapp prophetic vision, said speakers at an event marking the documentöÏÓãÊÓƵapp 50th anniversary.