Nov 25 – Memorial for St. Catherine of Alexandria, virgin, martyr St. Catherine (d. 305) was a noble who was learned in science and oratory. After receiving a vision, she converted to Christianity. At the age of 18, during the persecution of Maximus, she offered to debate the pagan philosophers. Many were converted by her... Continue Reading →
15 November, Saturday — Ask. And Ask Again?
Nov 15 – Memorial for St. Albert the Great, bishop, religious, doctor St. Albertus (1206-1280) was the son of a military nobleman. A Dominican priest, he taught theology at Colgone and Paris and was the teacher of St. Thomas Aquinas. He was an influential teacher, preacher, and administrator, and became the Bishop of Regensburg. He... Continue Reading →
26 September, Friday — Who Do You Say You Are?
Sep 26 – Memorial for Sts. Cosmas and Damian, Martyrs Sts. Cosmas and Damian were twin brothers, physicians who accepted no payment. Their charity brought many to Christ. Although they were tortured during the persecutions of Diocletian, the two suffered no injury. Patron Saint Index Hag 1:15,2:9Lk 9:18-22 “But you,” he said “who do you... Continue Reading →
7 August, Thursday — ‘Who Do You Say I Am?’
Aug 7 – Memorial for St. Sixtus, pope, martyr, and companions; St. Cajetan, priest Sixtus (d. 258) was an adult convert to Christianity. In his papacy, he dealt with the controversy concerning Baptism by heretics. He believed that anyone who was baptised with a desire to be a Christian, even if the Baptism was performed... Continue Reading →
26 May, Monday — Spirit of Truth
May 26 – Memorial for St. Philip Neri, Priest St. Philip Neri (1515-1595) came from a poor family, though he was related to Italian nobility. His father, Francisco Neri, worked as a notary. Philip’s brother died in childhood, but his two sisters, Caterina and Elisabetta survived. He was a pious youth, and was taught humanities... Continue Reading →
24 November, Sunday — Father Figure
Nov 24 – Solemnity of Christ The King Christ The King is a title of Jesus based on several passages of scripture and used by all Christians. The name is found in various forms in scripture: King Eternal (1 Timothy 1:17), King of Israel (John 1:49), King of the Jews (Matthew 27:11), King of kings... Continue Reading →
18 May, Saturday — Being there with Jesus
May 18 – Memorial for St. John I, Pope and Martyr St. John (d. 526) was a priest in Rome, and became the 53rd pope in 523. Italy’s ruler then, Theodoric the Goth, was an Arian. For a while he left the Catholics alone, but in later life, he became suspicious of everyone, imagining conspiracies... Continue Reading →
30 April, Tuesday — Finding Our Inner Peace
Tuesday of the 5th Week of Eastertide Acts 14:19-28Jn 14:27-31 “Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.” I commute to work via train on a daily basis for 45 minutes. Over the years, I have noticed that the level of ambient noise is growing over time. The noise emitting from the handphones is... Continue Reading →
19 February, Monday — Love God, Love People
Tuesday of the 2nd Week of Eastertide Lev 19:1-2,11-18Mt 25:31-46 But love your neighbour as yourself I often hurry into the season of Lent, bent on setting my heart and mind to practice some form of prayer, fasting and almsgiving. The priest would be preaching during Ash Wednesday mass and my mind would often be... Continue Reading →
18 January, Thursday — Asking and Taking
Thursday of Week 2 in Ordinary Time 1 Sam 18:6-9,19:1-7Mk 3:7-12 He cured many and as a result, those who had diseases were pressing upon him to touch him. The scene of our gospel reading today is markedly different from yesterday. Today, we see Jesus mobbed by the crowd, pressed in from all sides, by... Continue Reading →