Günther Simmermacher: 25 Years in One Place
Once upon a time, The Southern Cross didn’t want me. In September 1994, I responded to an advertisement in this newspaper for the vacant position of journalist. I was duly invited for an interview...
Category: Simmermacher
This Was 2019 – Highlights and Lowlights of the Year
It was a year in which Church leaders talked tough on abuse, the pope visited our neighbourhood, South Africa was rocked by violence against women and foreign nationals, the world’s youth met in Panama,...
The History of a Famous Christmas Carol
‘Once In Royal David’s City’ was written as a catechism for children; today it is one of the most beloved Christmas carols. Günther Simmermacher looks at its backstory. Musical arrangement can make all the...
The Big Southern Cross Christmas Quiz
25 questions to test your Christmas knowledge! Compiled by Günther Simmermacher 1.In which country may people wish you Merry Christmas by saying: “Mbotama Malamu!” a) Congo b) Ghana c) Kenya 2. Which Gospel reports...
15 Movies to See at Christmas!
There are many Christmas movies, but how many of them are actually good and edifying? Günther Simmermacher picks 15 seasonal films to see. For Catholics, finding suitable Christmas movies is a challenge. Most seasonal...
Getting Close To The Sacred Heart
In October a group of Southern Cross pilgrims travelled through Catholic France, and visited the great places of the devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, writes Günther Simmermacher. From a village in France’s...
Getting Close To Lourdes’ St Bernadette
In October a group of Southern Cross pilgrims travelled through Catholic France, and visited Lourdes, where St Bernadette saw Our Lady, and Nevers, where Bernadette died. GÜNTHER SIMMERMACHER looks back at two inspiring visits....
Masses in France With a Great Saint
In October a group of Southern Cross pilgrims travelled through Catholic France, and came up close and personal to the founder of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate, as Günther Simmermacher explains. The group of...
God Speaks To Us In Airports
In October a group of Southern Cross pilgrims had a grace-filled journey through Catholic France — bookended by plane and train travails, GÜNTHER SIMMERMACHER writes. Bursts of lightning flashed through the Italian night sky,...
The Story of the True Cross of Christ
For the September 14 feast of the Exaltation of the Cross, Günther Simmermacher looks at the history of the True Cross, which was recovered in 326 AD. When the Church celebrates the feast of...
Why Pell should resign
After his conviction for sexual abuse was upheld by an appeals court, Australian Cardinal George Pell should resign from the College of Cardinals, for the good of the Church, writes GÜNTHER SIMMERMACHER. Cardinal George...
How Mary Magdalene The Apostle Was Slandered
For many centuries, Mary Magdalene was seen as the penitent prostitute in Luke’s Gospel. That view has changed only quite recently, as GÜNTHER SIMMERMACHER explains. Mary Magdalene has been the subject of so...
