Open fire: I love a fire in Winter! If you’re lucky enough to have a fireplace, now is the time for warmth and crackle. If you don’t, choose a clear day to build a fire outside, or turn up at your chimney-toting friend’s house with some firewood and a hopeful expression. You can toast marshmallows, […]
At a time when many people are rolling up their sleeves for the COVID-19 vaccination and the annual flu jab, I can visualise the howls of protest coming from some sections of the community. Even during the various lockdowns that much of Australia had to endure over the past 14 months, if there was one
Flu, or influenza, is a common viral respiratory illness that can be life-threatening, especially in the elderly and frail. There have been many well-documented influenza epidemics throughout history. The most severe outbreak of modern times was the 1918 epidemic which claimed more than 20 million lives. Fresh outbreaks occur because the flu virus can slightly
Then there’s the flu … Read More »
They struggle to work out the right balance because they care and love their families. They also care and love the person that they’re in a relationship with. It could be the longest existing problem in couple relationships’ history. There is this beautiful phrase in the bible. In the book of Genesis, it says, “for
The meat in the sandwich Read More »
He witnessed the adoration of the shepherds and the Magi, who represented respectively the people of Israel and the pagan peoples. Joseph had the courage to become the legal father of Jesus, to whom he gave the name revealed by the angel: “You shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from
The grace of Saint Joseph Read More »
During the twenty-minute presentation, Redemptorist priest John Hill CSsR reads a prayerful reflection at each of the 14 Stations that encompasses Christ’s suffering and passion. The reflections were written by Tony Kelly CSsR. A video highlight is the use of Aboriginal paintings and images of the Australian outback. Majellan Media CEO Tony Biviano said the presentation
While we may be experts in describing family life at our own ‘micro’ level, the pope together with bishops and married couples at the Synod on the Family, representing the four corners of the globe, help us to read the signs of the times at the ‘macro’ global level. This in turn gives us a
Family life: warts and all Read More »
On my wedding day, I had a hope-filled vision of how I was going to manage conflict in my marriage. Now ten years on, I have discovered that after many frustrating moments and misunderstandings, simply avoiding conflict just doesn’t cut it. This realisation has left me wondering if there really is any healthy way to
Embracing ‘loving’ conflict Read More »
One of a family of nine, Dominic began to serve at Mass when he was about five. Until Pope Pius X changed it in 1910, the usual age for First Communion was 12. Dominic pestered his local priest to allow him to be able to receive communion at an earlier age. The priest examined his
The teenage saint Read More »
It seems to me that this pattern was pioneered, not by Silicon Valley geeks, Byron Bay creatives or even those always on the lookout for something better, but by religious Sisters. Who knew? When I was young, the congregations I encountered had clear ‘career paths’ – usually teaching, or maybe nursing or missionary work. A
A strong sisterhood Read More »
