Dec 31 – Feast of The Holy Family The Holy Family consists of the Child Jesus, the Virgin Mary and Saint Joseph. The subject became popular in art from the 1490s on, but veneration of the Holy Family was formally begun in the 17th century by Saint François de Laval, the first bishop of New France, who founded a confraternity. The Gospels speak little of the life... Continue Reading →
30 December, Saturday – Set Apart
6th day within the Octave of Christmas 1 Jn 2:12-17Luke 2:36-40 You must not love this passing world or anything that is in the world. The love of the Father cannot be in any man who loves the world... As is my personal tradition, I will binge read the Narnia and Harry Potter books around... Continue Reading →
29 December, Friday — Seek humility in Our Lady and Saint Joseph
5th day within the Octave of Christmas 1 Jn 2:3-11Lk 2:22-35 “Every first-born male must be consecrated to the Lord.” On this joyous fifth day within the octave of Christmas, we celebrate the presentation of Jesus at the temple. As devout Jewish parents, Our Lady and St Joseph presented baby Jesus to consecrate Him to... Continue Reading →
28 December, Thursday – “Perfect is the Enemy of Good”
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, Wednesday — Are you running to Jesus?
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, Tuesday – Who are you reflecting?
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, Monday — He is the reason
Christmas Day – Mass during the Day Isa 52:7-10Heb 1:1-6Jn 1:1-18 “The Word was the true light, that enlightens all men; and he was coming into the world.” Merry Christmas, brothers and sisters! I love Christmas. As a child, it was because of all the presents I used to receive, and the festive feasting at... Continue Reading →
25 December, Monday — Christmas Joy
Christmas Day -- Mass at Dawn Isa 62:11-12Tit 3:4-7Lk2:15-20 And the shepherds went back glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen… There is a very popular Christmas song that was written by Edward Pola and George Wyle, and which we often hear in the malls and cafes during the Christmas season.... Continue Reading →
25 December, Monday — Focusing on the true light
Christmas Day -- Midnight Mass Isa 9:1-7Tit 2:11-14,22-25Lk 2:1-14 ...a light has shone. A few years ago, with my extended family, we spent three weeks in Melbourne. What was really special was the time we spent on the Great Ocean Road, especially at Warrnambool, one of the last places along the Great Ocean Road. One... Continue Reading →
25 December, Monday — A Special Time of Waiting
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 Isa 62:1-5Acts 13:16-17,22-25Mt 1:1-25 ...you shall be called... Continue Reading →
OXYGEN 