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
The Vision of RCIA
If we approach the RCIA as yet one more program to implement and we delegate the implementation of that program to a small group of leaders, then we will have failed even before we begin. ... the adult catechumenate changes everything. It is a paradigm shift that flows from the radical insight recovered from Vatican… Continue reading The Vision of RCIA
Review: Clash of Empires
Clash of Empires by Ben Kane My rating: 3 of 5 stars The history of Rome, both as Republic and as Empire, is one of those bespoke subject matters I find particularly interesting. In attempting to deepen my understanding of the subject I have read non-fiction books, listened to podcast series, and read novels set… Continue reading Review: Clash of Empires
Review: The Priestly Blessing: Rediscovering the Gift
The Priestly Blessing: Rediscovering the Gift by Stephen J. Rossetti My rating: 4 of 5 stars The subtitle of this book from the well-known writer on Catholic priesthood is most appropriate. 'Rediscovering the Gift' of the priestly blessing is something that argued for strenuously by Stephen Rosetti as he examines this significant and powerful part… Continue reading Review: The Priestly Blessing: Rediscovering the Gift
Review: Sabbath as Resistance: Saying No to the Culture of Now
Sabbath as Resistance, New Edition with Study Guide: Saying No to the Culture of Now by Walter Brueggemann My rating: 4 of 5 stars This is a dangerous little book that challenges the status quo of contemporary society. The push to produce, to acquire, to consume and to dominate is directly challenged in Walter Brueggeman's… Continue reading Review: Sabbath as Resistance: Saying No to the Culture of Now
Review: Three Hands in the Fountain
Three Hands in the Fountain by Lindsey Davis My rating: 3 of 5 stars A long term serial killer is discovered and brought to justice in this ninth volume in the unfolding Marcus Didius Falco series - and all because Falco and his long term friend Petronius find themselves drinking wine in a dried-out fountain… Continue reading Review: Three Hands in the Fountain
Bless and Do Not Curse
If we, the People of God, wish to enter the kingdom of God, then we will eventually have to be purified of any hatred in our hearts. We must truly love all of our brothers and sisters, including terrorists, liberals, conservatives, child molesters, Republicans, Democrats, and the host of others on this planet with whom… Continue reading Bless and Do Not Curse
Review: See I Am Making Something New: A Canonical and Pastoral Guide to Founding Religious Institutes, Diocesan Hermits, Consecrated Virgins and New Forms of Consecrated Life
See I Am Making Something New: New Institutes, Diocesan Hermits and Consecrated Virgins and New Forms of Consecrated Life by Amy Hereford My rating: 3 of 5 stars Could someone please ensure my bishop that he should read nothing into my reading of this book!This volume looks at the phenomenon of consecrated life within the… Continue reading Review: See I Am Making Something New: A Canonical and Pastoral Guide to Founding Religious Institutes, Diocesan Hermits, Consecrated Virgins and New Forms of Consecrated Life
Review: What Are You Looking For?
What Are You Looking For? by Joan Chittister My rating: 3 of 5 stars The ever-changing nature of religious life in the Catholic Church is brought to the fore in this contribution from Joan Chittister. Having herself lived religious life for six decades, Chittister has much wisdom to offer for those who have questions about… Continue reading Review: What Are You Looking For?
Conviction and Dogmatism
Conviction and dogmatism are not the same. There is a difference between having seen some truth and claiming to speak in the name of all truth; between knowing what one believes and refusing to respect the beliefs and experiences of others. People of faith should speak with a humble authority combining real knowledge with an… Continue reading Conviction and Dogmatism
Review: Does Religion Do More Harm Than Good?
Does Religion Do More Harm Than Good? by Rupert Shortt My rating: 4 of 5 stars This short and sharp essay from Rupert Shortt, the religion editor of The Times Literary Supplement, attempts to answer one of the fundamental questions facing our contemporary society: Does Religion Do More Harm Than Good?Shortt's approach is insightful and… Continue reading Review: Does Religion Do More Harm Than Good?
