Oct 23 – Memorial for St John of Capistrano, priest John of Capistrano was a Franciscan friar and Catholic priest from the Italian town of Capestrano, Abruzzo. Famous as a preacher, theologian, and inquisitor, he earned himself the nickname ‘the Soldier Saint’ when in 1456 at age 70, he led a Crusade against the invading Ottoman Empire at the siege of Belgrade with the Hungarian military commander, John Hunyadi. Elevated to... Continue Reading →
16 October, Monday — The sign of Jonah
Oct 16 – Memorial for St. Hedwig, Religious; Memorial for St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, Virgin St. Hedwig (1174–1243) was the daughter of the Duke of Croatia, and aunt of St. Elizabeth of Hungary. She married Prince Henry I of Silesia and Poland in 1186 at the age of 12, and became the mother of seven. She... Continue Reading →
15 October, Sunday — God is aware of our needs
28th Sunday in Ordinary Time Is 25:6-10Phil 4:12-14,19-20Mt 22:1-14 There is nothing I cannot master with the help of the One who gives me strength. All the same, it was good of you to share in my hardships. In return, my God will fulfil all your needs, in Christ Jesus, as lavishly as God only... Continue Reading →
7 October, Saturday — Taking courage by reaching out in confidence to Christ
Oct 7 – Memorial for Our Lady of the Rosary This day was originally observed as the Feast of Our Lady of Victory. Its date was chosen to commemorate the European victory at the third naval Battle of Lepanto in 1571. This battle marked the high point of Turkish (Muslim) advance on European soil with... Continue Reading →
7 September, Thursday — I want to join a church ministry
Thursday of Week 22 in Ordinary Time Col 1:9-14Lk 5:1-11 “Do not be afraid; from now on it is men you will catch.” August 27 was church ministry recruitment Sunday at our parish – Church of St Francis Xavier. So with violin, guitar and cajon in hand, 8 choir members sang their hearts out. Unable... Continue Reading →
3 September, Sunday — Constantly reforming our relationship with God
22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time Jer 20:7-9Rm 12:1-2Mt 16:21-27 Do not model yourselves on the behaviour of the world around you, but let your behaviour change, modelled by your new mind. This is the only way to discover the will of God, and know what is good, what it is that God wants, what is... Continue Reading →
9 August, Wednesday — Truly Great Faith
Aug 9 – Memorial for St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein), martyr After witnessing the strength of faith of Catholic friends, Teresa (1891-1942), originally a Jew, became interested in Catholicism and studied a catechism on her own, and she eventually ended up ‘reading herself into’ the Faith. She became a Carmelite nun, teaching... Continue Reading →
11 July, Tuesday — Controlling God
Jul 11 – Memorial for St. Benedict, abbot, religious founder Born to Roman nobility, Benedict (c. 480–547) was the twin brother of St. Scholastica. He studied in Rome, Italy, but was dismayed at the lack of discipline and lackadasical attitude of his fellow students. He fled to the mountains near Subiaco, living as a hermit... Continue Reading →
10 July, Monday — In God I Trust
Monday of Week 14 in Ordinary Time Gen 28:10-22Mt 9:18-26 “Be sure I am with you; I will keep you safe wherever you go...” There will come a time in our lives when we feel as alone as Jacob did when he left his home. The journey stretches before us through unfamiliar territory, the scorching sun will wear... Continue Reading →
9 July, Sunday — God Knows Best
14th Sunday in Ordinary Time Zec 9:9-10Rm 8:9,11-13Mt 11:25-30 Jesus exclaimed: "I bless you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for hiding these things from the learned and the clever and revealing them to mere children.” When Jesus made this statement, he had earlier rebuked certain cities for refusing to believe and repent, even though many miracles had been wrought in... Continue Reading →
