Sep 28 – Memorial for St. Wenceslaus, martyr; Memorial for St. Lawrence Ruiz and Companions, Martyrs St. Wenceslaus (907-929) was the son of Vratislav I, Duke of Bohemia, whose family had been converted by St. Cyril and St. Methodius, and Drahomira, daughter of a pagan chief, who was baptised on her wedding day but apparently... Continue Reading →
31 August, Thursday – People Get Ready
Thursday of Week 21 in Ordinary Time 1 Ths 3:7-13Mt 24:42-51 "Stay awake, because you do not know the day when your master is coming." Today's gospel from Matthew compares two servants. The first one, a diligent and faithful servant that keeps everything in order while awaiting his master's return; and the second one, a cruel... Continue Reading →
27 July, Thursday — Spiritual Blockages
Thursday of Week 16 in Ordinary Time Exo 19:1-2, 9-11, 16-20bMt 13:10-17 I speak to them in parables, because they look but do not see and hear but do not listen or understand My young son is at a delightful stage in his life now where he excitedly shares about what he learns during Catechism... Continue Reading →
14 July, Friday — Sheep and Doves
Jul 14 – Memorial for St. Camillus de Lellis, Priest St. Camillus (1550-1614) used to be a gambling addict. He lost so much he had to take a job working construction on a building belonging to the Capuchins; they converted him. Because of a persistent injury, he moved into San Giacomo Hospital for the incurable,... Continue Reading →
22 June, Thursday — Hear our prayer
Jun 22 – Memorial for St. Paulinus of Nola, bishop; Memorial for St. John Fisher, Bishop & St. Thomas More, martyrs Paulinus (c.354–431) was a friend of St. Augustine of Hippo, and St. Nicetas of Remesiana, and was mentioned for his holiness by at least six of his contemporary saints. He was a distinguished lawyer... Continue Reading →
10 May, Wednesday – Strengthening Our Connection to the Vine
May 10 – John of Ávila (not to be confused with John Avila or St John of the Cross) was a Spanish priest, preacher, scholastic author, and religious mystic, who has been declared a saint and Doctor of the Church by the Catholic Church. He is called the ‘Apostle of Andalusia’, for his extensive ministry in that region. From early 1551 Ávila was in constant ill-health. He spent the last years... Continue Reading →
23 April, Sunday — Healing the Soul
3rd Sunday of Easter Acts 2:14,22-231 Pet 1:17-21Lk 24:13-35 “They had recognised Him at the breaking of bread.” The road to Emmaus is an important account of one of the early post-resurrection appearances of Jesus after his crucifixion and the discovery of his empty tomb. More importantly, it describes an encounter whereby Jesus journeyed with... Continue Reading →
4 April, Tuesday — With God All This Time
Tuesday of Holy Week Isa 49:1-6Jn 13:21-33,36-38 All the while, my cause was with the Lord. When we started our Catechism class this year, I asked the students to write to God. We had them seal those letters in an envelope which we were planning to return at the end of the year. One of... Continue Reading →
26 January, Thursday – More than Just You and Me
26 Jan – Memorial for Sts. Timothy and Titus, bishops St. Timothy (d. 97) was the son of a Greek gentile, his mother Eunice was Jewish. He was converted to Christianity by St. Paul around the year 47. He was a partner, assistant and close friend of Paul. He was a missionary as well, and... Continue Reading →
12 January, Thursday — Faith
Thursday of Week 1 in Ordinary Time Heb 3:7-14Mk 1:40-45 A leper came to Jesus and pleaded on his knees: “If you want to,” he said, “you can cure me.” I have been writing for Oxygen for probably ten years or more now. Sometimes, reflections don’t come easily; you’ve really got to dig deep into... Continue Reading →