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 →
8 January, Saturday — Do we set ourselves apart from the world?
Saturday after Epiphany Sunday 1 Jn 5:14-21Jn 3:22-30 ...the Son of God has come, and has given us the power to know the true God. In November last year, I attended an online conference where I heard a talk about the importance of faith not being a private affair. Although Christians are called to participate... Continue Reading →
7 January, Friday — Seeking reconciliation with God
7 Jan – Memorial for St. Raymond of Penyafort, priest St. Raymond (1175-1275) was of Aragonian nobility. He was educated at the cathedral school in Barcelona, and became a philosophy teacher at the age of 20. He was a priest. He graduated from law school in Bologna, Italy, and joined the Dominicans in 1218. He was... Continue Reading →
OXYGEN 