Sep 12 – Most Holy Name of Mary This feast is a counterpart to the Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus (January 3); both have the possibility of uniting people easily divided on other matters. The feast of the Most Holy Name of Mary began in Spain in 1513 and, in 1671, was extended... Continue Reading →
11 September, Wednesday — “Rich Man, Poor Man.”
Wednesday of Week 23 in Ordinary Time 1 Cor 7:25-31Lk 6:20-26 “How happy are you who are poor…” “Do you want to be rich and be condemned or be poor and have eternal life in Heaven?” As Christians, I wonder what our answer would be. For those of us that didn’t have very much when... Continue Reading →
9 September, Monday — Assumptions
Sep 9 – Memorial for St. Peter Claver, Priest St Peter Claver was born in Catalonia and studied at the University of Barcelona. He became a Jesuit; and while he was studying philosophy in Mallorca, the door-keeper of the college, Alfonso Rodríguez, saw that his true vocation was to evangelize the New World, and encouraged... Continue Reading →
8 September, Sunday — A Holistic Faith
23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time Isa 35:4-7Jas 2:1-5Mk 7:31-37 “Ephphatha!”, that is, “Be opened!”” Normally, the first reading and the Gospel are linked -- it is especially clear this week, as Isaiah talks about the blind, deaf, lame and mute being healed and streams bursting forth in the desert. He precedes this prophecy of healing... Continue Reading →
28 August, Wednesday — What If I Stumble?
Aug 28 – Memorial for St. Augustine, bishop, doctor After investigating and experimenting with several philosophies, Augustine (354-430) became a Manichaean for several years; it taught of a great struggle between good and evil, and featured a lax moral code. A summation of his thinking at the time comes from his Confessions: “God, give me... Continue Reading →
26 August, Monday — Let us glorify Him through His calling for us
Monday of Week 21 in Ordinary Time 2 Ths 1:1-5,11-12Mt 23:13-22 …we pray continually that our God will make you worthy of His call… My parish Church of St Vincent de Paul recently celebrated the ordination of a new priest, Fr Clarence Yue. Personally, I felt thrilled to witness this momentous opportunity, which is so... Continue Reading →
25 August, Sunday — Let us experience the fullness of life through Jesus and Mary
21st Sunday in Ordinary Time Jos 24:1-2,15-18Eph 5:21-32Jn 6:60-69 “Lord, who shall we go to? You have the message of eternal life…” Many years ago, I was studying a full-time course that was already demanding on my schedule and physical condition, trying to manage with my declining physical health with the onset of new symptoms,... Continue Reading →
24 August, Saturday — More than meets the eye
Aug 24 – Feast of St. Bartholomew, apostle Bartholomew was one of the Twelve Apostles. He was probably a close friend of St. Philip, as his name is always mentioned in the gospels in connection with Philip, and it was Philip who brought Bartholomew to Jesus. He may have written a gospel, now lost, as... Continue Reading →
14 August, Wednesday — Our favourite pizza
Aug 14 – St. Maximillian Mary Kolbe, priest, martyr Maximillian Mary Kolbe (1894-1941) was known as a mischievous child, sometimes considered wild, and a trial to his parents. However, around the time of his first Communion, he received a vision of the Virgin Mary that changed his life. While still in seminary, he and six... Continue Reading →
13 August, Tuesday — Adding to the One Hundred
Aug 13 – Memorial for St. Pontian, pope, martyr, and St. Hippolytus, priest, martyr Pontian was among the first victims of an anti-Christian new emperor. Rounded up with the antipope Hippolytus, Pontian was deported to the labour mines. While imprisoned, Hippolytus reconciled his differences with Pontian and even ordered his followers to bring themselves back... Continue Reading →
OXYGEN 