28 Jan – Memorial for St. Thomas Aquinas, priest and doctor of the Church St. Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274) was the son of the Count of Aquino. He was born in the family castle in Lombardy near Naples, Italy. He was educated by Benedictine monks at Monte Cassino, and at the University of Naples. He secretly... Continue Reading →
2 January, Thursday — A Generous Heart
2 Jan – Memorial for Sts. Basil the Great & Gregory Nazianzen, bishops St. Basil the Great (329-379) was a noble by birth. His parents and four of his nine siblings were canonized, including St. Gregory of Nyssa. He was the grandson of St. Marcina the Elder. As a youth, he was noted for organizing... Continue Reading →
1 January, Wednesday — Trust in Mary
1 Jan – Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God The Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God is celebrated on Jan 1, the Octave Day of Christmas (i.e. 8th day after Christmas). It is a celebration of Mary’s motherhood of Jesus. The title ‘Mother of God’ is a western derivation from the Greek... Continue Reading →
26 December, Thursday — Dying to live
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 →
14 December, Saturday — Friends as prophets
Dec 14 – Memorial for St. John of the Cross, priest, religious, doctor of the Church St. John (1675–1726) was born in poverty. He cared for the poor in the hospital in Medina. He became a lay Carmelite brother in 1563 at age 21, though he lived stricter than their Rule. He studied at Salamanca.... Continue Reading →
13 December, Friday — Remaining faithful
Dec 13 – Memorial for St. Lucy, virgin, martyr St. Lucy (c. 283) was a rich, young Christian of Greek ancestry. She was raised in a pious family, and vowed her life to Christ. Her Roman father died when she was young. Her mother, Eutychia, arranged a marriage for her. For three years, she managed... Continue Reading →
12 November, Tuesday — Being patient
Nov 12 – Memorial for St. Josaphat, bishop, religious, martyr John (1580-1623) had a father who was a municipal counsellor, and a mother who was known for her piety. He was raised in the Orthodox Ruthenian Church which, on 23 Nov 1595, in the Union of Brest, united with the Church of Rome. He was... Continue Reading →
11 November, Monday — Recognising God in each of our friends
Nov 11 – Memorial for St. Martin of Tours, bishop St. Martin (316-397) was born to pagan parents. His father was a Roman military officer and tribune. Martin was raised in Pavia, Italy, where he discovered Christianity and became a catechumen in his early teens. He joined the Roman imperia army at the age of... Continue Reading →
10 November, Sunday — Giving all that we have
32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time 1 Kgs 17:10-16Heb 9:24-28Mk 12:38-44 "...this poor widow has put more in than all who have contributed to the treasury..." The focus of today's gospel was on the offering of all the possessions which the widow had. It is noteworthy how Jesus valued the generosity of the widow but, in... Continue Reading →
28 October, Monday — Abandoning oneself to God
Oct 28 – Feast of Sts. Simon and Jude, Apostles St. Simon was an apostle called the Cananean or Zealot because of his zeal for the Jewish law. He was not from Cana, nor a member of the Zealot party. Like all the Apostles, he was a convert, and was trained by St. Peter the... Continue Reading →
OXYGEN 