Bringing up children is not an easy task. I am often amazed at the glut of magazines available at any chain store – the “what you should know about” or “how to…” of child care. Diet related information, what sun creams should be used, which educational toys are best, which schools are suitable and how [...]
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On Ignoring the Sunday Readings
At the liturgy which I attended this past Sunday the priest ignored the readings of the day, including the beautiful text from John on the vine and the branches. Instead, he covered a good deal of theological territory: telling us much about Paul, quoting Thomas Aquinas and reflecting on the question Jesus put to Peter, [...]
What does the world REALLY know about you?
I regularly read the excellent online “newspaper” Daily Maverick. Many of the articles are thought provoking, and although I disagree with some of the conclusions, they certainly give a new spin to many current events and some good political analysis. This last week an article caught my attention: “What Google and Facebook know about you”. [...]
A little stone in the wall of the bark of the Apostle
If you walk from the City across the Ponte Sant’ Angelo, past the Angel’s Castle, you will come upon the road of Conciliation, that leads you to the largest house of God in the world. It’s the funeral basilica of Peter, the fisherman. One afternoon I was near there.
Lord Cardinals
I was disturbed to read that at the recent consistory Pope Benedict had addressed the new cardinals as “Lord Cardinals”. “Lord” is the word we use for Jesus Christ–as Lord of our lives. Although I know that in some contexts bishops are addressed as “my lord bishop” (which is also disconcerting), this is a title [...]
The jarring new translation
Two Sundays have passed in which the new translation has been used. Here are two initial observations. In the prayer for the consecration of the wine, the use of “chalice” is an anachronism. “Chalice” is a liturgical term. Though it is true that calix can be translated as “chalice” or “cup”, to use “chalice” is [...]
St Alphonsus and the New Translation
St Alphonsus Liguori, founder of the Redemptorist congregation, was a renowned teacher of prayer. He wrote a short book titled Praying to God as a Friend in which he instructs us to approach God with confidence and trust and to share with God as we would with our dearest friend. But the new English translation [...]
Celebrating 100 years of the ANC
The announcement that the ANC plans to spend R400 million (and more) on its Centenary celebrations, some of it from public funds, was a shock. Yes, historic buildings should be renovated. But that still leaves millions for parties with lavish food and drink. The ANC is so uncreative. Why not use the money to celebrate [...]
Implementing the New English Translation of the Mass
The Missal with the New English Translation of the Mass has arrived and now we have the task of implementing it. The Missal, impressive in its presentation, will be the standard text for the whole English speaking world from Advent 2011. Since the implementation of the parts of the mass in 2009 there have been [...]
Nomophobia, email apnea and truth
“I feel so disconnected and lost” a student said to me amidst the Blackberry (BB) outage this week. Another told me she was getting more and more depressed about the outage and “couldn’t concentrate because I keep wondering when it will come back!” There have been a number of reports which express people’s emotional state [...]
Pilgrimage 2013
The Digital Southern Cross
