A Column of Fire by Ken Follett My rating: 4 of 5 stars The Kingsbridge trilogy comes to an end with this volume set during the reign of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth and her heir, James (I & VI of England and Scotland respectively).Following the turmoil that comes in the wake of the religious Reformation… Continue reading Review: A Column of Fire
Month: March 2019
Review: On Aunty
On Aunty by Jonathan Holmes My rating: 4 of 5 stars I make no secret of the fact that I am a fan of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, and am an avid consumer of many of its products. I don't always agree with some of the reporting that comes from the ABC - and in… Continue reading Review: On Aunty
Review: Treason’s Tide
Treason's Tide by Robert Wilton My rating: 4 of 5 stars I thoroughly enjoyed this excursion in the dark world of English espionage set in the time of the attempt by France's Emperor Napoleon to invade England. The shadowy Comptrollerate-General for Scrutiny and Survey, part of the British Admiralty though not well known then or… Continue reading Review: Treason’s Tide
Homilies: 3rd Sunday of Lent, Year C
My homily for the 3rd Sunday of Lent (Year C) as preached during the 5.30pm Saturday evening Mass at Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton. The readings were Exodus 3:1-8. 13-15; 1 Corinthians 10:1-6, 10-12; Luke 13:1-9. "Our Gospel reading reminds us that if being Christian is not a 'once only' deal. We are called to be… Continue reading Homilies: 3rd Sunday of Lent, Year C
Finding True Harmony In What Unites Us
This article was originally written for and published on the diocesan website, mnnews.today. It subsequently appeared as an opinion piece in The Newcastle Herald on Wednesday 20 March 2019. On the evening of Saturday 16 March, together with hundreds of people from across Newcastle, I gathered at the Newcastle Islamic Centre in Mayfield. I gathered… Continue reading Finding True Harmony In What Unites Us
Homilies: 2nd Sunday of Lent, Year C
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
Embracing “The Patrick Option”
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”
Homilies: 1st Sunday of Lent, Year C
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
Review: Poseidon’s Gold
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
Papal Prayer Intention for March 2019
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
Review: World Without End
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
