Pope Francis continues his catechesis on the sacrament of confirmation... Dear Brothers and Sisters, good morning! Continuing with the argument of Confirmation or Cresima, today I wish to shed light on the “profound connection of this Sacrament, with the whole of Christian Initiation (Sacrosanctum Concilium, 71). Before receiving the spiritual anointing, which confirms and reinforces the grace… Continue reading General Audience Catechesis – 30 May
Month: May 2018
It’s Not Persecution
A very interesting contribution from Robyn J. Whitaker, Bromby Senior Lecturer in Biblical Studies, Trinity College, University of Divinity, to the ongoing debate on whether or not Christians in Australia are being persecuted for, you know, being Christian. I can't subscribe to any position that suggests Christian are, largely because it assumes that Christians should… Continue reading It’s Not Persecution
What Does It Mean To Be Catholic?
A very powerful reflection from my friend and colleague, Sr Louise Gannon RSJ, asking the question - and providing some guidance towards an answer - 'what does it mean to be catholic?' It is a very good question that we perhaps don't always give proper attention to, much to our detriment. So I invite you… Continue reading What Does It Mean To Be Catholic?
Monday Musings: The Task of Evangelisation
In yesterday's edition of the Parish Bulletin, I had written the following contribution, penned as it notes during last week's conference: As I write this column, I’m in beautiful Kincumber attending the annual Clergy/Parish Leaders Conference, where we have been grappling with a question that I would like to summarise as What does it mean… Continue reading Monday Musings: The Task of Evangelisation
Homilies: The Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity, Year B
My homily for the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity (Year B) as preached during the 5pm Mass at Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton. The readings for today Deuteronomy 4:32-34, 39-40; Romans 8:14-17; Matthew 28:16-20. "We might struggle to grasp the philosophy and theology that has come to explain the mystery of the Trinity, but we… Continue reading Homilies: The Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity, Year B
Close The Camps Now And Stop The Posturing
This is the provocative title of an article by Fr Frank Brennan SJ that appears in today's edition of Eureka Street, an article that is worth reading not only for its advocacy of a position but also for its analysis of the situation that sits behind that advocacy. As he so often does, Brennan cuts to… Continue reading Close The Camps Now And Stop The Posturing
General Audience Catechesis – 23 May
Having completed his catechetical series on the sacrament of baptism last week, Pope Francis has moved on to the sacrament of confirmation... Dear Brothers and Sisters, good morning! After the catecheses on Baptism, these days that follow the Solemnity of Pentecost invite us to reflect on the witness that the Spirit arouses in the baptized,… Continue reading General Audience Catechesis – 23 May
Review: The Enterprise of England
The Enterprise of England by Ann Swinfen My rating: 4 of 5 stars The second volume in the continuing adventures of Christoval Alvarez picks up immediately after the first volume, which has seen Kit drawn back into working for Sir Francis Walsingham, the chief spymaster of Queen Elizabeth. The narrative takes place in the lead… Continue reading Review: The Enterprise of England
Monday Musings: The Need to Ask The Question Why
Yes, I know it's not Monday, and that this edition of "Monday Musings" is a day late, but to be honest I wasn't inspired to write anything on Monday, so I wasn't going to. But then Tuesday happened, and the topic of this post raised its head and just wouldn't go away. Yet, being fundamentally… Continue reading Monday Musings: The Need to Ask The Question Why
Homilies: The Solemnity of Pentecost, Year B
My homily for the Solemnity of Pentecost (Year B) as preached during the 9.30am Mass at Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton. The readings for today were Acts 2:1-11; Galatians 5:16-25; John 15:26-27, 16:12-15. "The Spirit of Truth is promised to the Church by Jesus, a Spirit that leads us to the fullness of truth. If we… Continue reading Homilies: The Solemnity of Pentecost, Year B
People Before Profits
During the week now concluded, the Holy See - specifically the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith and the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development - released a teaching document on the international financial system. Entitled Oeconomicae et pecuniariae quaestiones: Considerations for an ethical discernment on certain aspects of the current economic-financial system, one might… Continue reading People Before Profits
Nothing New Under The Sun
Writing for The Guardian, Emma Dawson, executive director of the Per Capita think tank, takes umbrage at the ongoing attempts by the current federal government to neuter the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) through funding cuts, unwarranted public 'inquiries', and interference with governance arrangements. Rather than say anything more, I'll let Dawson's words speak for themselves concerning… Continue reading Nothing New Under The Sun
General Audience Catechesis – 16 May
Pope Francis concludes his catechesis on the sacrament of Baptism... Dear Brothers and Sisters, good morning! Today we conclude the series of catecheses on Baptism. The spiritual effects of this Sacrament, invisible to the eyes but operative in the heart of one who has become a new creature, are made explicit by the consignment of… Continue reading General Audience Catechesis – 16 May
Review: The Secret World of Chrisoval Alvarez
The Secret World of Christoval Alvarez by Ann Swinfen My rating: 4 of 5 stars Treason and political intrigue in the time of Queen Elizabeth, from the perspective of a young person caught up in the machinations of Francis Walsingham, Elizabeth's chief spy and protector. Though a physician by training, young Christoval Alvarez (known as… Continue reading Review: The Secret World of Chrisoval Alvarez
The Truly Hard Done By
I have to confess that I am a big fan of Ross Gittins, the economics editor for The Sydney Morning Herald, and the reason I am such a proponent of his work can be encapsulated in his column today. It is scathingly insightful, based on fact, not spin, and challenges the purportedly accepted wisdom as a… Continue reading The Truly Hard Done By
