The Colour of Magic by Terry Pratchett My rating: 4 of 5 stars I first read the books of the Discworld series almost twenty years ago and thoroughly enjoyed the fantasy world that had sprung forth from the mind of Terry Pratchett. A decision to read them again was not too difficult to make, and… Continue reading Review: The Colour of Magic
Homilies: 3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A
My homily for the 3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A) as preached during the 5.30 pm Saturday evening Mass in Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton. This Sunday also marks Australia Day and the first Sunday of the Word of God. The readings proclaimed were Isaiah 32:15-18; Romans 12:9-13; Matthew 5:2-12. "How can we be both… Continue reading Homilies: 3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A
The Awesome Power of Eucharist
The Eucharist is not celebrated to simply consecrate the elements of bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Christ, but to transform the assembly into the Body of Christ. This transformation takes place a through a participation in the Eucharist that empowers those present to proclaim to the world the kingdom of God… Continue reading The Awesome Power of Eucharist
Homilies: 2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A
My homily for the 2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A) as preached during the 9.30 am Mass in the Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton. The readings were Isaiah 49:3, 5-6; 1 Corinthians 1:1-3; John 1:29-34. "The introduction to Paul's first letter to the Church of God in Corinth, though exceedingly formal and formulaic, reminds us… Continue reading Homilies: 2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A
Review: Ode to a Banker
Ode to a Banker by Lindsey Davis My rating: 4 of 5 stars Where do the seemingly disconnected worlds of literature and banking come together? In this edition of the ongoing Marcus Didius Falco Mysteries series, of course.Our well-known and well-loved hero, Falco, is drawn into these worlds because of his penchant for composing poetry… Continue reading Review: Ode to a Banker
Review: Conspiracy
Conspiracy by S.J. Parris My rating: 4 of 5 stars Our hero finds himself back in Paris and almost immediately drawn into the intrigues of the French court. Add to that some murder and mystery, and a liberal smattering of religious and political tensions, and you have an excellent narrative to keep your attention.Returning to… Continue reading Review: Conspiracy
Homilies: Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord
My homily for the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord as preached during the 9.30 am Mass in Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton. The readings were Isaiah 60:1-6; Ephesians 3:2-3, 5-5; Matthew 2:1-12. "Like the Magi, many people know they are seeking something 'more' because of something within themselves, or because of their own 'wisdom',… Continue reading Homilies: Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord
Review: Eagles at War
Eagles at War by Ben Kane My rating: 4 of 5 stars A great story of treachery and revenge brought to life by Ben Kane as he explores the story of Arminius and his great act of revenge on the Roman occupiers of his homeland and the destruction of three Roman legions in the Teutoburg… Continue reading Review: Eagles at War
Review: Treachery
Treachery by S.J. Parris My rating: 4 of 5 stars The hero of our series, Doctor Giordano Bruno of Nola, meets Sir Francis Drake as Drake prepares for a great adventure designed to upset the Spanish and enrich England. The only problem is an unexplained death aboard Drake's flagship, a death that threatens to delay… Continue reading Review: Treachery
Homilies: 4th Sunday of Advent, Year A
My homily for the 4th Sunday of Advent (Year A) as preached during the 5.30 pm Saturday evening Mass in Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton. The readings were Isaiah 7:10-14; Romans 1:1-7; Matthew 1:18-24. "The arrival of Jesus is prophesied as Emmanuel - as 'God is with us'. The present tense of the name given by… Continue reading Homilies: 4th Sunday of Advent, Year A
Review: The Road to Rome
The Road to Rome by Ben Kane My rating: 4 of 5 stars The story comes to an end, with Romulus and Fabiola reunited in Rome, though not exactly on the best of terms. Both now freed from the slavery they were born into, they come together in Rome at a time of great turmoil… Continue reading Review: The Road to Rome
Homilies: 3rd Sunday of Advent, Year A
My homily for the 3rd Sunday of Advent (Year A) as preached during the 5.30 pm Saturday evening Mass in Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton. The readings were: Isaiah 35:1-6, 10; James 5:7-10; Matthew 11:2-11. "Jesus responds to the question of John's disciples by asking what they had seen and heard? The actions of Jesus in… Continue reading Homilies: 3rd Sunday of Advent, Year A
Homilies: 2nd Sunday of Advent (Year A)
My homily for the 2nd Sunday of Advent (Year A) as preached during the 9.30 am Mass in Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton. The readings proclaimed were Isaiah 11:1-10; Romans 15:4-9; Matthew 3:1-12. "Isaiah's prophecy of the Messiah presents a challenge to those people of John the Baptist's day, whose idea of the Messiah had been… Continue reading Homilies: 2nd Sunday of Advent (Year A)
Review: The Secret Dead
The Secret Dead by S.J. Parris My rating: 4 of 5 stars This is a short story that provides much in the way of background to the story of Giordano Bruno before his escape from the Dominican convent in Naples that was his home, the place where he learnt and studied philosophy and theology, and… Continue reading Review: The Secret Dead
Review: Sacrilege
Sacrilege by S.J. Parris My rating: 4 of 5 stars Our hero barely escapes the adventures to be found in this volume of the continuing series with his life intact.Travelling to the city of Canterbury, and to its Cathedral where Thomas Beckett was murdered, Giordano Bruno, a former Dominican monk and now a spy for… Continue reading Review: Sacrilege
Homilies: 1st Sunday of Advent (Year A)
My homily for the 1st Sunday of Advent (Year A) as preached during the 5 pm Mass in Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton. The readings proclaimed were: Isaiah 2:1-5; Romans 13:11-14; Matthew 24:37-44. "Today we begin our journey through Advent - and indeed a whole new liturgical year. The Season of Advent calls us to look… Continue reading Homilies: 1st Sunday of Advent (Year A)
Review: The Evolution of the West: How Christianity Has Shaped Our Values
The Evolution of the West: How Christianity Has Shaped Our Values by Nick Spencer My rating: 4 of 5 stars This series of essays from Nick Spencer is a challenge to those who might believe that Christianity has never made a contribution to the development of the Western world, that the Western world has, in… Continue reading Review: The Evolution of the West: How Christianity Has Shaped Our Values
Review: Prophecy
Prophecy by S.J. Parris My rating: 4 of 5 stars The plots to dethrone Elizabeth and replace her with Mary of Scotland have taken on new depths and our hero, Doctor Giordano Bruno, finds himself in an enviable position in the midst of the conspirators while also acting as an agent of Sir Francis Walsingham,… Continue reading Review: Prophecy
Homilies: Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, Year C
My homily for the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe (Year C) as preached during the 9.30 am Mass in Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton. The scriptures readings proclaimed were 2 Samuel 5:1-3; Colossians 1:12-20; Luke 23:35-43. "The kingship of Jesus is rooted not in a political settlement but in a covenantal… Continue reading Homilies: Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, Year C
Homilies: 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C
My homily for the 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C) as preached during the 5.30 pm Saturday evening Mass in Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton. The readings proclaimed were Malachi 3:19-20; 2 Thessalonians 3"7-12; Luke 21:5-19. "If we focus on trying to interpret the 'signs and wonders' in the world and their connection to the… Continue reading Homilies: 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C
