Resistance: In a Nazi-Occupied Ireland, Where Would You Stand? by Brian Gallagher My rating: 2 of 5 stars As a fan of the great 'what if' genre, the basic premise of this book immediately grabbed my attention. That it was set in Ireland, a country I visited only twelve months ago, was an additional draw… Continue reading Review: Resistance
Homilies: 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C
My homily for the 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C) as preached during the 9.30 am Mass in Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton. The readings proclaimed were 2 Maccabees 7:1-2, 9-14; 2 Thessalonians 2:16 - 3:5; Luke 20:27-38. "We don't know what eternal life will look like, yet we know that God is graciously offered… Continue reading Homilies: 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C
Review: Heresy
Heresy by S.J. Parris My rating: 5 of 5 stars Religious differences, persecutions, murder, mystery, and Oxford College and the Elizabethan age. What better combination to introduce a series that features Dr Giordano Bruno of Nola, a former Dominican monk, a philosopher, an excommunicated heretic, and an agent of Sir Francis Walsingham, the Queen's Chief… Continue reading Review: Heresy
The Vocation of Citizenship
It is...a bromide to observe that most people pay little attention to politics. They have, or so the conventional wisdom goes, much better things to devote their precious time and limited energy to. Besides, politics is all to often as corrupt as it is frustrating. There is a some truth to such sentiments, but the… Continue reading The Vocation of Citizenship
Homilies: 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C
My homily for the 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C) as preached during the 5 pm Mass in Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton. The readings proclaimed were Wisdom 11:22 - 12:2; 2 Thessalonians 1:11 - 2:2; Luke 19:1-10. "When he looks at Zacchaeus, Jesus does not see a tax collector or a public sinner or… Continue reading Homilies: 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C
Homilies: 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C
My homily for the 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C) as preached during the 9.30am Mass in Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton. The readings were Sirach 33:12-14, 16-19; 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18; Luke 18:9-14. "Our Gospel today reminds us that our prayer should focus on God and what God is asking of us, and avoid… Continue reading Homilies: 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C
Review: One Virgin Too Many
One Virgin Too Many: by Lindsey Davis My rating: 4 of 5 stars Our hero, Marcus Didius Falco, finally achieves that which he has been seeking since he first took up with his girlfriend/wife/mother of his child - Falco has been raised to the equestrian rank by fiat of the Emperor himself. Suddenly Falco is… Continue reading Review: One Virgin Too Many
Review: Communal Wisdom: A Way of Discernment for a Pilgrim Church
Communal Wisdom: A Way of Discernment for a Pilgrim Church by Brian Msc Gallagher My rating: 4 of 5 stars There can be very little doubt that the Catholic Church in Australia in late 2019 has a growing understanding of the practice of discernment. In the lead up to the Church’s Plenary Council in 2020,… Continue reading Review: Communal Wisdom: A Way of Discernment for a Pilgrim Church
Homilies: 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C
My homily for the 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C) as preached during the 9.30am Mass in Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton. The readings proclaimed were Exodus 17:8-13; 2 Timothy 3:14 - 4:2; Luke 18:1-8. "Paul's passionate call to Timothy is to proclaim the message, the message of Jesus Christ, and to do so consistently… Continue reading Homilies: 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C
Review: Treason’s Spring
Treason's Spring by Robert Wilton My rating: 2 of 5 stars I've generally enjoyed the other books in this continuing series, largely because of the combination of intrigue and the timeframes in which they were located. This volume, unfortunately, lacked a certain something in the writing that made it less enjoyable than its companions. And… Continue reading Review: Treason’s Spring
St John Henry Newman
Today, Rome time, at St Peter's Basilica, the Holy Father, Pope Francis, declared John Henry Cardinal Newman and four others to be ascribed as Saints of the Church. St John Henry Newman, pray for us. https://twitter.com/ctrlamb/status/1183301471636525058
Homilies: 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C
My homily for the 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C) as preached during the 9.30am Mass at Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton. The readings proclaimed were 2 Kings 5:14-17; 2 Timothy 2:8-13; Luke 17:11-19. "God is always willing to lavish grace and gifts on us, to restore us to the fullness of life that God… Continue reading Homilies: 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C
Review: Field Hospital Catechesis: The Core Content for RCIA Formation
Field Hospital Catechesis: The Core Content for RCIA Formation by Nick Wagner My rating: 5 of 5 stars What does the bankruptcy of US steel manufacturers have to do with the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults? Everything, according to Nick Wagner.The story that begins this insightful book and guide outlines the need for those… Continue reading Review: Field Hospital Catechesis: The Core Content for RCIA Formation
Review: The Falling Sword
The Falling Sword by Ben Kane My rating: 3 of 5 stars The story continues of the great clash of empires and civilisations that was the battle between the City of Rome and the Kingdom of Macedon in the early second century BC. Set against the historical background of the conflict between Flaminius, Consul of… Continue reading Review: The Falling Sword
Homilies: 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C
My homily for the 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C) as preached during the 5pm Saturday evening Mass in St Mary's Church, Casino (I was visiting my home town on Annual Leave). The readings proclaimed were Amos 6:1, 4-7; 1 Timothy 6:11-16; Luke 16:19-31. "Our Gospel reminds us that whatever we've been given -… Continue reading Homilies: 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C
Review: Book of the Night
Book of the Night by Oliver Pötzsch My rating: 3 of 5 stars An interesting mixture of swashbuckling adventure, warfare inspired by both territorial ambition and religious fervour, and magic come together in this book set in the turmoil of the Thirty Years War that ravaged Europe. There is just a hint of druid history… Continue reading Review: Book of the Night
Review: Two For The Lions
Two For The Lions: by Lindsey Davis My rating: 3 of 5 stars Our hero, Marcus Didius Falco, and his long-suffering partner, Helena Justina, find themselves thrust into the troublesome and tumultuous world of the Games...and all by accident.Having taken on a partner, Falco now finds himself in 'reputable' employment as a quasi-state official undertaking… Continue reading Review: Two For The Lions
Review: Your Parish Is the Curriculum: RCIA in the Midst of the Community
Your Parish Is the Curriculum: RCIA in the Midst of Community by Diana Macalintal My rating: 5 of 5 stars I have long been a supporter of and passionate advocate for the proper celebration of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) in the parishes where I have been privileged to serve. I would… Continue reading Review: Your Parish Is the Curriculum: RCIA in the Midst of the Community
Why Involve the Community?
Welcoming seekers into "the way of faith and conversion" is the most important thing we do. Think about it. If a family had a great sense of community but never welcomed new people into it, slowly, one-by-one, the family would die off. If a parish did the same, we'd have the same fate. But the… Continue reading Why Involve the Community?
The Parish IS The Curriculum
When it comes the need to 'run the RCIA program' one of the questions that often gets asked is what is the best resource to use. Usually the person asking that question wishes to know which book, or series of pamphlets, or videos can best be used to pass on the knowledge of the Christian… Continue reading The Parish IS The Curriculum
