the online presence of Fr Andrew Doohan
My homily for the 2nd Sunday of Lent (Year C) as preached during the 9.30am Mass at Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton. The readings were Genesis 15:5-12, 17-18; Philippians 3:17 - 4:1; Luke 9:28-36. "The Transfiguration of the Lord reframes the covenant between God and God's People. To be in right relationship with God - and … Continue reading Homilies: 2nd Sunday of Lent, Year C
Although in Australia's liturgical calendar the Solemnity of St Patrick will not be celebrated until Monday 18th March, the article below, written for St Patrick's Day, is well worth reading. This is particularly so, in my humble estimation, because of one of the proposed elements of "The Patrick Option" that the writer attempts to elucidate: … Continue reading Embracing “The Patrick Option”
My homily for the 1st Sunday of Lent (Year C) as preached during the 5.30pm Saturday evening Mass at Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton. The readings were Deuteronomy 26:4-10; Romans 10:8-13; Luke 4:1-13. "The temptation of Jesus in the desert - and the reliance of Jesus on God as revealed in the Word - reminds us … Continue reading Homilies: 1st Sunday of Lent, Year C
Poseidon's Gold by Lindsey Davis My rating: 4 of 5 stars Our hero, Marcus Didius Falco, has a new client who is very demanding - himself!Finding himself a suspect in the suspicious death of a soldier, a one time colleague of Falco's deceased hero brother, Falco needs to unravel some family dynamics - and some … Continue reading Review: Poseidon’s Gold
Each month a prayer intention is released, either for a universal need or for a specific evangelism need, through which Catholics are asked to join in praying with the Holy Father, Pope Francis. The intention for March 2019 is: That Christian communities, especially those who are persecuted, feel that they are close to Christ and … Continue reading Papal Prayer Intention for March 2019
World Without End by Ken Follett My rating: 3 of 5 stars The tale of the town and city of Kingsbridge continues in this second volume of Ken Follett's trilogy. Things have changed in the town and yet things have remained the same with competing priorities and egos lending themselves to the narrative that surrounds … Continue reading Review: World Without End
The Iron Hand of Mars by Lindsey Davis My rating: 3 of 5 stars Our hero, Marcus Didio Falco, is sent to Germany by the Emperor on a special mission, but not before the Emperor's son exhibits signs of having designs on Falco's noble girlfriend. She disappears prior to his departure adding a level of … Continue reading Review: The Iron Hand of Mars
My homily for the 7th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C) as preached during the 5pm Mass at Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton. The readings were 1 Samuel 26:2, 7-9, 12-13, 22-23; 1 Corinthians 15:45-49; Luke 6:27-38. "Love your enemies? Sounds all but impossible! Yet the heart of today's Gospel is a call to change the … Continue reading Homilies: 7th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C
On Fairness by Sally McManus My rating: 3 of 5 stars This is the kind of book you would expect from the current Secretary of the Australian Council of Trade Unions. It is against neo-liberalism, and for fairness for workers and community; it is against the privatisation of state-owned assets, and in favour of increased … Continue reading Review: On Fairness
Written from an Orthodox perspective, the article below, which appears on the website of Public Orthodoxy from Fordham University in the United States, has more than a few resonances with contemporary Catholic debates. My thesis is very simple: the use of the word “traditionalist” and its derivative forms (“Orthodox morality,” “traditional values”) is philosophically untenable, i.e., … Continue reading The Power of Traditionalism
My homily for the 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C) as preached at the 9.30am Mass in the Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton. The readings were Jeremiah 17:5-8; 1 Corinthians 15:12, 16-20; Luke 6:17, 20-26. "Luke's version of the Beatitudes reminds us that God's salvation will not be found in trusting to our own efforts … Continue reading Homilies: 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C
There has been a lot of disinformation - largely from a particular section of Australian politics and Australian society - about the repercussions of the recently passed "Medevac Bill" that allows for a transfer of asylum seekers currently on Manus Island and Nauru based on medical decisions rather than partisan political decisions. In the video … Continue reading Not This Time
A Liturgical Companion to the Documents of the Second Vatican Council by Various My rating: 3 of 5 stars There can be little doubt that the documents of the Second Vatican Council represent a very significant contribution to the ongoing theological life of the Catholic Church. To look at them from a particularly liturgical lens, … Continue reading Review: A Liturgical Companion to the Documents of the Second Vatican Council
Venus in Copper by Lindsey Davis My rating: 4 of 5 stars Another wonderful edition in the Marcus Didius Falco series, this time featuring our eponymous hero as he investigates the possibility of a professional bride might be lining up her next husband/victim. When the prospective target is murdered before the wedding takes place, things … Continue reading Review: Venus In Copper
My homily for the 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C) as preached during the 5pm Sunday Mass at Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton. The readings were Isaiah 6:1-8; 1 Corinthians 15:1-11; Luke 5:1-11. "Confronted with the Presence of the Divine in Jesus, Simon owns his unworthiness and sinfulness. Jesus, however, invites Simon to 'be not … Continue reading Homilies: 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C
I've always enjoyed this piece of music, from the moment I first heard Andrea Bocelli sing it as a duet with Sarah Brightman. It remains for me a stirring piece of music that pierces the soul. The version below, performed by orchestra and children's choir, is one of the versions released to celebrate the 20th … Continue reading Con te partiro
My homily for the 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C) as preached during the 9.30am Mass at the Sacred Hamilton Cathedral, Hamilton. The readings were Jeremiah 1:4-5, 17-19; 1 Corinthians 12:31 - 13:13; Luke 4:21-30. "Without love, we are nothing at all. St Paul reminds the church in Corinth, and reminds us, that to … Continue reading Homilies: 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C
Shadows in Bronze by Lindsey Davis My rating: 4 of 5 stars Intrigue, murder, mischief and personal dramas all confront our eponymous hero in this second volume of the Marcus Didius Falco Mysteries. It picks up immediately after the first and our hero, Falco, finds himself working as a semi-Imperial agent tracking down conspirators against … Continue reading Review: Shadows in Bronze
Each month a prayer intention is released, either for a universal need or for a specific evangelism need, through which Catholics are asked to join in praying with the Holy Father, Pope Francis. The intention for February 2019 is: For a generous welcome of the victims of human trafficking, of enforced prostitution, and of violence. … Continue reading Papal Prayer Intention for February 2019
In stark contrast [to the "Internet of Things"], the liturgy remains a firmly embodied experience. Worship engages all the senses of our body. The liturgy employes symbols of the body and of things to invite us more deeply into the divine mystery. There is no Church, no Eucharist, without the Body of Christ - a … Continue reading The Liturgy Is Fully Embodied
