Dec 31 – Memorial for St. Sylvester I, pope St. Sylvester (d. 335) was pope in the reign of Emperor Constantine I, who built the Lateran and other churches. He sent legates to the First Council of Nicaea, and was involved in the controversy over Arianism. The spurious Donation of Constantine was supposedly given to... Continue Reading →
30 December, Friday — Family Ties
Dec 30 – Feast of the Holy Family We celebrate the Holy Family of Nazareth which is the model for all who fear the Lord and walk in his ways. the Sunday Missal Ecc 3:2-6,12-14Mat 2:13-15, 19-2 Whoever respects his father is atoning for his sins, he who honours his mother is like someone amassing... Continue Reading →
29 December, Thursday – The Wait is Over
Dec 29 – Memorial for St. Thomas Becket, bishop, martyr St. Thomas (1118-1170) was of Norman ancestry. He was educated at Merton Priory, Paris, Bologna, and Auxerre. He was a civil and canon lawyer, a soldier and officer. He was archdeacon of Canterbury, and was a Friend of King Henry II, as well as Chancellor... Continue Reading →
28 December, Wednesday — “Trust, Trust, Trust. And then trust some more…”
Dec 28 – Feast of the Holy Innocents, martyrs The Holy Innocents are the children slaughtered by Herod the Great when he tried to kill the infant Christ. Patron Saint Index The children died for Christ, though they do not know it. The parents mourned for the death of martyrs. The Christ child makes of... Continue Reading →
27 December, Tuesday — The Word that is Life
Dec 27 – Feast of St. John, apostle, evangelist St. John, also known as the ‘beloved disciple’ of Jesus, was the son of Zebedee and Salome, brother of St. James the Great, and was called one of the Sons of Thunder. Before becoming Jesus’ disciple, he was already a disciple of St. John the Baptist,... Continue Reading →
26 December, Monday — Speaking up in the name of love
Dec 26 – Feast of St. Stephen, protomartyr St. Stephen was the first Christian martyr. A deacon and a preacher, all we know of him is related in the Acts of the Apostles. While preaching the gospel in the streets, angry Jews who believed his message to be blasphemy dragged him outside the city, and... Continue Reading →
25 December, Sunday — We are free!
Christmas Day -- Mass during the day Isa 52:7-10Heb 1:1-6Jn 1:1-18 How beautiful…are the feet of the one who brings good news… Good Blessed Christmas to everyone! What can be better than being home for Christmas, opening presents, eating food and singing Christmas carols? But is this all there is to Christmas? The party and... Continue Reading →
25 December, Sunday — His compassion saved us
Dec 25 – Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord (Mass at Dawn) The name ‘Christmas’ was derived from Old English: ‘Cristes Maesse’ -- Christ’s Mass. It is a celebration of the anniversary of the birth of our Lord. In the earliest days of the Church, there was no such feast; the Saviour’s birth was... Continue Reading →
25 December, Sunday — In Desperate Need of CHRIST-mas
Christmas Day -- Midnight Mass Is 9:1-6Tit 2:11-14Lk 1:1-14 …a light has shone. A dear friend of mine sent me a Christmas message on WhatsApp not too long ago. However, the message said 'Merry X-mas'. I replied to him (and to all whose who sent me greeting using ‘X-mas’) to use ‘Christmas’ instead. I explained... Continue Reading →
25 December, Sunday — Born to Die; Die to be Born Again
Dear Oxygen readers, The Core Team wishes one and all a blessed, peaceful and joyous Christmas filled with God's graces and love. May He continue to light out paths and guide us on our journeys as we come to know Him more. Christmas Day -- Vigil Mass Is 62:1-5Acts 13:16-17,22-25Mt 1:1-25 “…that one is coming... Continue Reading →
OXYGEN 