Dec 7 – Memorial for St. Ambrose, bishop and doctor of the Church St. Ambrose (c.340–397) was born to the Roman nobility. He was the brother of St. Marcellina and St. Satyrus. He was educated in the classics, Greek, and philosophy at Rome, Italy. He was a poet and a noted orator. He was a... Continue Reading →
6 December, Friday — “Ignorance is NOT bliss”
Friday of the 1st Week of Advent Isa 29:17-24Mt 9:27-31 “Take care that no one learns about this.” “OHHHH… you are Catholic too?” Have you ever been in this situation where you suddenly find out that your co-worker for many years is also Catholic? When these occasions happen, I ask myself, “Why didn’t I know... Continue Reading →
5 December, Thursday – Upon This Rock
Thursday of the 1st Week of Advent Isa 26:1-6Mt 7:21,24-27 "But everyone who listens to these words of mine and does not act on them will be like a stupid man who built his house on sand. Rain came down, floods rose, gales blew and struck that house, and it fell; and what a fall it... Continue Reading →
4 December, Wednesday – The Promise
Dec 4 – Memorial for St. John Damascene, priest, doctor of the Church St. John Damascene was born in Damascus about 675. After holding public office for a time, he withdrew to the monastery of Sabas near Jerusalem. He wrote ‘The Fount of Wisdom’, in which he presented a comprehensive teaching on Christian doctrine, which... Continue Reading →
3 December, Tuesday — Evangelising to the poor and the children
Dec 3 – Feast of St. Francis Xavier, presbyter, religious, missionary (Principal Patron of Foreign Missions) St. Francis Xavier (1506-1552) was a nobleman from the Basque region. He studied and taught philosophy at the University of Paris, and planned a career as a professor. He was a friend of St. Ignatius of Loyola, who convinced... Continue Reading →
2 December, Monday — The Beautiful Faith
Monday of the 1st Week of Advent Isa 2:1-5Mt 8:5-11 “Sir, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof; just give the word and my servant will be cured.” Just before we partake in the Holy Communion at mass, we would say, “Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under... Continue Reading →
1 December, Sunday — Second Coming
1st Sunday of Advent Jer 33:14-161 Ths 3:12-4:2Lk 21:25-28,34-36 “There will be signs in the sun and the moon and the stars; on earth nations in agony, bewildered by the clamour of the ocean and its waves…” As I started the day today, the morning dawned bright and sunny. I could see several people headed out... Continue Reading →
23 December, Saturday — Me Before You: Faith
Dec 23 – Memorial for St. John of Kanty, presbyter St. John of Kanty (1390-1473) was a Polish country lad. A brilliant student at the University of Krakow, Poland, he became a priest and professor of theology at the University of Krakow, where he was falsely accused and ousted by university rivals. At the age... Continue Reading →
22 December, Friday — Be Bold! Ask the Lord what he wants of you.
22 December 1 Sam 1:24-28Lk 1:46-56…and the Lord granted me what I asked him. If you were to have known or met me pre-COVID, you would have noticed one thing about me – I enjoyed drinking alcohol. In my 20s and 30s (even into my mid 40s), I was well-known to be able to finish... Continue Reading →