Has Football come home?
Posted: Mon, 1 Aug 2022 13:43
There is no doubt that the England female soccer squad have brought a joy and gladness to the nation after winning the UEFA European Finals before a record-breaking capacity crowd at the iconic Wembley Stadium, and a TV audience of millions. The 'lionesses' of England have brought a hope and prestige back to the English game that really was last seen when the England male squad won the World Cup back... Read More »
Sunday Reflection - 18th Sunday of Ordinary Time
Posted: Mon, 1 Aug 2022 08:34
When I was a student, we once did an exercise: you had to imagine that your house is on fire, and you have to get out quickly—what do you take with you? I have repeated the exercise with many people on Retreat days, and the results have not really changed over the years. People tend to 'take' mementos of loved ones: special gifts or trinkets that mean a lot to them. I do remember one Salesian,... Read More »
Sunday Reflection - 17th Sunday of Ordinary Time (Year C)
Posted: Sat, 23 Jul 2022 13:09
In his gospel account of the 'Lord's Prayer', we read that the disciples admired how Jesus was able to focus his mind and energy and spend time in prayer. Through his public ministry, we see Jesus taking time out to pray. They also were aware of the influence of John the Baptist on his disciples, as he encouraged them to enter into prayer—this was real for some of the apostles as they had formally... Read More »
Sunday Reflection - 16th Sunday of Ordinary Time (Year C)
Posted: Sat, 16 Jul 2022 12:00
I once went to give a retreat to a group of wonderful sisters—however the hardworking Mother Superior cautioned me that in that particular convent there were "too many Martha's and not enough Mary's!" She felt that she needed more apostolic action in the convent and less contemplation. The reality is, of course, that we need both in the Christian life—it does not matter if we live in a... Read More »
Sunday Reflection - 15th Sunday of Ordinary Time (Year C)
Posted: Sun, 10 Jul 2022 10:35
In looking for a compelling gospel illustration for his landmark encyclical, 'Sisters and Brothers All', Pope Francis naturally turned to the beautiful parable of the 'Good Samaritan.' It is a tale of involvement—it is possible to sit on the fence in indifference like the priest and Levi, but true faith demands commitment. Like these honourable gentlemen, we can all claim important distractions... Read More »
Sunday Reflection - 14th Sunday of Ordinary Time (Year C)
Posted: Sat, 2 Jul 2022 10:15
In the gospel today, Luke presents the sending out of the seventy-two disciples. We recognise a sense of urgency in the instructions of Jesus: do not greet anyone on the road, and only carry essentials. This is not some touristic road trip; these are missionaries with only one purpose: to bring peace wherever their travels might take them. In these featured times, the Easter gift of peace is one of... Read More »
Sts Peter and Paul - Church becomes sick when not proclaiming Gospel
Posted: Wed, 29 Jun 2022 10:24
Church becomes sick when not proclaiming Gospel
We are celebrating the feast of St Peter and St Paul—the two who did so much to ensure the missionary outreach of the early Church. Both were all too human: they made mistakes of epic proportions, yet were not too proud to seek reconciliation. The two were so alike and yet very different. Simon Peter, the Galilean fisherman, used to hard work, and... Read More »
Sunday Reflection - 13th Sunday of Ordinary Time (Year C)
Posted: Sat, 25 Jun 2022 10:03
Today we mark a return to ordinary time. We have been on an amazing journey since Ash Wednesday that took us to the lows and highs of our Christian faith. Weekdays reverted to ordinary time some weeks ago, but this is the first Sunday where you will see your priest and deacon wearing the green of this season. However, in the light of all we have gone through, can there be such a time as ordinary? In... Read More »
Sunday Reflection - Corpus Christi - Year C
Posted: Sat, 18 Jun 2022 10:24
I well remember our parish Catechists preparing our First Holy Communion children for their special day—the day they were admitted to full communion with their families and friends at the altar of Eucharist. All the children took part in dressing the altar, at the offertory, as they placed upon the table a 'gleaming cloth of white', followed by the bread and wine. Finally, they made the symbolic... Read More »
Joining the Divine Dance of the Trinity
Posted: Tue, 14 Jun 2022 15:11
Religion is one of the safest places to hide from God.
Humanity, you are all One.
You are one beloved community,
and you are one global sickness.
You are all contagious—and always have been,
unconsciously infecting and yet able to also bless one another.
There are no higher and lower in this world.
There is no smart or stupid; no totally right or totally wrong.
The only meaningful division is... Read More »