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Called To Serve
In this issue we examine God’s call for vocations from various angles: how that call is heard, how it is expressed in consecrated ministry, the potential for a supplementary priestly ministry, the nature of the male religious vocation, and the charism of a religious congregation.
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Baptism not for Easter Mass
I imagine that for all Catholics, to attend a beautiful sung Mass on Easter Sunday morning must be one of the most joyous occasions of the year; the glorious resurrection of Christ is the day of all days in the Christian calendar. Read more…
As a rule of thumb, we can be as happy as Larry
TEN years ago, my wife asked me who Larry was and why he was so happy.
All these years and five fairly large and very expensive reference books later, I have discovered that apparently Larry was an Australian boxer called Larry Foley (1814 -1917), but still no reason is given for his joyfulness or why he gave rise to the expression: “Happy as Larry”. Read more…
The cycles of silent adoration
Easter weekend is one of the periods in the church calendar — the Eternal Year — when I feel most proud to be a Catholic, especially now that Easter, like Christmas, is being taken over by a consumerist overdose.
I like the silence and conscious austerity, and the Holy Week re-enactment of events that led to the crucifixion of Jesus of Nazareth. Somehow I always find myself arguing with my siblings who, in their charismatic churches, tend to emphasise the conquering message of Easter over the suffering and death of Christ. Read more…
THE END OF CAPITALISM?
What the Church has to say about Centrally planned Economies, Regulation and the Principle of Subsidiarity in Catholic Social Teaching
Protesters
At a recent meeting of the World Trade Organization (WTO), there were the usual crowds of protesters lining the streets, some holding up posters proclaiming that Capitalism has failed. Others were more militant, smashing windows and engaging with the police. Many of these people are those who have been unemployed for years, who live in an economic system that has condemned them to the sidelines, to unemployment queues, to fruitless search for work. Read more…
Pray for Zim prisoners
Pictures of starving and dying prisoners in Zimbabwe jails, so reminiscent of World War II concentration-camp pictures, have moved me to tears and helpless anger, and to fasting and prayer in solidarity with them. Read more…
AIDS: Last lines of defence
The public indignity that greeted Pope Benedict’s comments about Aids prevention, made in March on his flight to Cameroon, has been misplaced. It is difficult to shake a suspicion of political point-scoring.
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Murderous school discipline
Regarding the article “We spray jealousy like bullets” by Ron Rolheiser OMI (April 8-14), I suggest another dimension to mass murders in schools and colleges. Read more…
How prayer raises mind and heart
I was taught that prayer is the raising up of the mind and heart to God. This means little to my children. Is there another way of explaining prayer?
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English us a ridiculous language
Sitting in front of my computer trying to think of something light and entertaining to write in the spirit of Easter joy, it occurred to me that those of us who were brought up speaking English, should count ourselves exceedingly lucky.
This is because somehow, though English is not the world’s most spoken language — twice as many people speak Chinese and more people speak Spanish than English — it has somehow become the language of trade, aviation, global politics and the world economy. Read more…
