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 →
11 January, Wednesday — Conversation with God
Wednesday of Week 1 in Ordinary Time Heb 2:14-18Mk 1:29-39 In the morning, long before dawn, he got up and left the house, and went off to a lonely place and prayed there. There is a sweet spot in the day, if one rises early enough, when the sun has yet to rise and the world... Continue Reading →
27 November, Sunday — Get Ready
1st Sunday of Advent Isa 2:1-5Rom 13:11-14Mt 24:37-44 "The Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect." AWAKE and PREPARE – it is ADVENT!!! The most hopeful and anticipatory of all seasons. Even those who don’t recognize Christ join in celebration of this season that points to hope, love, joy. Advent is... Continue Reading →
1 November, Tuesday — Saints in the making
Nov 1 – Solemnity of All Saints All Saints’ Day is celebrated in honour of all the saints, known and unknown. In terms of Roman Catholic theology, the feast commemorates all those who have attained the beatific vision in heaven. The beatific vision is the eternal and direct perception of God enjoyed by those who... Continue Reading →
19 September, Monday — Stewardship – Showing it
Sep 19 – Memorial for St. Januarius, Bishop and Martyr St. Januarius (d. 305) was arrested on account of his profession of the Christian religion during persecution of Christians. He was cast into the fiery furnace, through which he passed wholly unharmed. On the following day, along with a number of fellow martyrs, he was... Continue Reading →
OXYGEN 