To his Nazi captors, Polish priest and Conventual Franciscan friar Maximilian Kolbe was prisoner number 16670. But to Franciszek Gajowniczczek, his fellow inmate in Auschwitz, Maximilian was much more and his sacrifice would change his life forever.
Called to be prophetic witnesses Read More »
Following Mass one Sunday morning, a thoughtless parishioner tossed a cigarette butt into the garden. Spotting the smouldering bush, the parish priest pulled out his mobile phone and called the fire department.
Easter has come and gone. We witnessed the tragedy of Jesus’ death on Good Friday and then rejoiced in His resurrection three days later.
Holding on to the Easter message Read More »
L’Arche is an international federation of communities where people with and without an intellectual disability share life and build community together. L’Arche, a French word for ‘the Ark’, seeks to create homes rooted in the Christian gospel but open to all, where people live a simple life of work, care, prayer and celebration.
Communities of love and faith Read More »
A couple in a small town want to have children but the wife is having trouble falling pregnant, so they go to see their local parish priest. The priest tells them their timing is spot on as his archbishop has ordered him to Rome for 10 years, and he’s leaving tomorrow.
The 1988 song by Bobby McFerrin ‘Don’t Worry Be Happy’ was an international hit. How could it not be with a catchy jingle and inspiring words like:
So much to be happy about Read More »
Pope Francis has put a renewed focus on families with his declaration that the Church must invest in families to battle the rise of secularism. The pontiff also said the Church needed to “strengthen other forms of community to transmit the faith”.
Pope calls for more investment in families Read More »
A farmer lived alone near a country town with a small dog that he loved and doted on. After many long years of faithful service, the dog finally died so the farmer went to his parish priest and said, “Father, my dear dog has died. Could you possibly offer some prayers at Mass for him on Sunday?”
The priest replied, “I’m so very sorry for your loss but unfortunately I can’t pray for your dog at Mass.”
The farmer said, “I understand Father, really I do. I guess I’ll have to go to the new church down the road. No telling what they believe. Do you think $1000 is enough to donate for the service?”
The priest piped up, “Why didn’t you tell me that your dog was Catholic.”
In 2006, Franciscan theologian Richard Rohr visited Australia and was interviewed on ABC Radio National’s “Religion Report”. At the time, I was particularly impressed by a point Rohr made in distinguishing between “Christianity” and “Churchianity”, where the first constituted a challenge to the prevailing wider societal mores and values, while the second supported the cultural status quo.
A kingdom of nuisances and nobodies Read More »
As they say in the classics, a happy workplace is a productive workplace. Therefore, employers want the best out of their employees because it will lead to increased productivity.
Spiritual wellbeing is a no brainer Read More »